Attitude of Medical Students toward Third-party Reproductive Techniques

Background: Pregnancy with the help of a third party, including the use of sperm, oocyte, embryo, and uterus, can be considered as an option for some infertile couples. Due to the important role of health professionals in infertility treatments, their attitudes are of particular importance in the acceptance or rejection of fertility suggestions involving the help of a third party. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of medical students at medical universities in Tehran toward third-party reproduction. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Medical University of Tehran in 2018. Medical students (n=187) filled out the questionnaire, which consisted of two parts: the demographic characteristics of the research subjects and the questionnaire consisted of 76 questions about attitudes toward third-party reproduction. The content and face validity of the questionnaire were determined, and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was established (0.89). Results: According to gender, participants’ attitudes toward childbearing, the importance of genetic dependency between parents and children, law issues, anonymity in donation programs, parental affection, the importance of the recipient's and donor's characteristics, surrogacy, gamete, and embryo donation were all statistically non-significant (Pvalue>0.05). According to age and also to year of entering the university, participants’ attitude only toward childbearing was statistically significant (Pvalue= 0.018 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Since medical school students may set on the road to a specialty associated with infertility and its ramifications, it’s better to educate our soon-to-be health system professionals on all necessary aspects of infertility and third-party reproduction. Key Words: Attitude; Donor Conception; Infertility; Medical Students; Assisted Reproductive Technique

Attitude of Medical Students toward Third-party Reproductive Techniques

Background: Pregnancy with the help of a third party, including the use of sperm, oocyte, embryo, and uterus, can be considered as an option for some infertile couples. Due to the important role of health professionals in infertility treatments, their attitudes are of particular importance in the acceptance or rejection of fertility suggestions involving the help of a third party. This study aimed to determine the attitudes of medical students at medical universities in Tehran toward third-party reproduction. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at the Medical University of Tehran in 2018. Medical students (n=187) filled out the questionnaire, which consisted of two parts: the demographic characteristics of the research subjects and the questionnaire consisted of 76 questions about attitudes toward third-party reproduction. The content and face validity of the questionnaire were determined, and test-retest reliability of the questionnaire was established (0.89). Results: According to gender, participants’ attitudes toward childbearing, the importance of genetic dependency between parents and children, law issues, anonymity in donation programs, parental affection, the importance of the recipient's and donor's characteristics, surrogacy, gamete, and embryo donation were all statistically non-significant (Pvalue>0.05). According to age and also to year of entering the university, participants’ attitude only toward childbearing was statistically significant (Pvalue= 0.018 and 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Since medical school students may set on the road to a specialty associated with infertility and its ramifications, it’s better to educate our soon-to-be health system professionals on all necessary aspects of infertility and third-party reproduction. Key Words: Attitude; Donor Conception; Infertility; Medical Students; Assisted Reproductive Technique

Applying the health belief model and behavior of diabetic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The patient’s belief and knowledge about his or herillness is the most important factor of disease control;the aim of present study is to perform a systematicreview-based meta-analysis of health belief and itsdimension’s mean score in diabetic patients.The present systematic review and meta-analysis wasconducted in 2020. Data were gathered by searchingthe Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science,and Science Direct databases from 2010 to 2020. Keywords were “health belief”, “HBM”, “diabetic patients”,“diabetes mellitus”. To estimate the pooledscore of health belief and its dimensions, the randomeffectsmeta-analysis was performed using STATA 15.The presence of heterogeneity across the studies wasassessed with the I2 statistic. A forest plot was usedto report the results.The mean health belief obtained from the two methods,fixed (3.422, 95% CI: 3.128–3.716) and random(3.422, 95% CI: 3.128–3.716) what are the same, is thesame. The strongest dimension is “perceived benefits”with an mean (3.8) and the weakest dimension is “perceivedsensitivity” with an mean (3.0).Conclusions. Policymakers and decision makers in thefield of hygiene and controlling non-communicablediseases should focus on the role of patients’ awarenessof their disease and try to improve it. In the meantime,the dimension of “perceived sensitivity” needs more attention.Strategies such as holding training classes andusing technological infrastructure to promote this conceptshould be used

Social distance capacity to control the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review on time series analysis

Abstract. BACKGROUND: Reducing interpersonal contact has been one of the least expensive and most widely used COVID-19 control strategies. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review has been conducted with the aim of identifying social distancing strategies and policies and their impact on the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: In order to compile this systematic review, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Magiran, SID, and Irandoc databases were searched from the COVID-19 outbreak until March 2021. Keywords included “social”, “physical”, “distance”, “outbreak”, “incidence”, “prevalence”, “spread”, “new case”, “death*”, “mortality*”, “morbidity*” , “covid-19”, “coronavirus”, “sars-cov-2” and “time series*”. The articles were qualitatively evaluated by two researchers using the STROBE tool. Finally, the study data were divided into three conceptual categories by three researchers, who then agreed on one category. The practical suggestions were also categorized in the same way. RESULTS: The policies and strategies adopted to implement social distancing were included in five categories of restrictions, prohibitions, closures, incentives, and punishments. Transportation and travel restrictions, crowded places and schools closure, use of telecommunications and virtual communications, and financial and psychological support to society members were the main policies in this area. CONCLUSION: Rapid and complete vaccination of all people around the world is out of reach, therefore social distancing and the implementation of physical restraints, especially in crowded and densely populated environments, should be done extensively until COVID-19 is eradicated. Keywords: Social distance, new cases, death, COVID-19, coronavirus, time series, healt

Maternal separation can affect the reproductive system by inflammasome activation in female mice

Objective The aim of this study is to investigate effect of maternal separation stress on the ovarian function in adult female mice. Methods In this study, maternal separation in pups was performed during post-natal days 2-14. The histological alterations in ovarian tissue, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (using 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate assay), gene expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), caspase-1, TLR4, BAX, BCL-2 and TNF-alpha (using RT-PCR), protein levels of ATP, GPx, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18 (using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Also, protein expression of caspase-3 and NLRP3 (using immunocytochemistry) were evaluated. Results This showed that maternal separation decreased percentage of primordial follicles while increased percentage of secondary and Graafian follicles. In addition, maternal separation increased ROS production and decreased ATP and GPx concentrations. Furthermore, maternal separation significantly affected expression of cytokines and genes involved in inflammation and apoptosis including NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1,TLR4, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, IL-18, BAX and BCL2. Findings also showed that stress-induced maternal separation significantly increased percentage of caspase-3 and NLRP3 positive cells. We concluded that maternal separation stress has harmful effects on ovarian tissue. Conclusion It seems that these harmful effects probably occur through increase of ROS production and impact on mitochondrial function, inflammatory process and apoptosis pathways. Keywords Author Keywords:maternal separation stress; inflammasome; inflammation; oxidative stress; apoptosis; reproductive system KeyWords Plus:NLRP3 INFLAMMASOME; OXIDATIVE STRESS; MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION; LIPID-PEROXIDATION; EXPRESSION; RATS; INVOLVEMENT; MECHANISMS; PATHWAYS; HEALT

The effects of maternal separation stress experienced by parents on male reproductive potential in the next generation

There is little information available about the effects of early-life parental stress on the reproductive potential of the next generation. The aim of this study is to examine the reproductive potential of male mice whose parents experienced maternal separation stress. In the present study, male first-generation offspring from parents were undergone of maternal separation (MS) were examined. Sperm characteristics, histological changes in testis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, expression of apoptotic and inflammatory genes and proteins were assessed. Findings showed that MS experienced by parents significantly decreased the morphology and viability of spermatozoa. Furthermore, significant changes in testicular tissue histology were observed. Increased production of ROS, decreased glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations, and affected the expression of genes and cytokines involved in inflammation. Finally, the mean percentage of caspase-1 and NLRP3 (NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) positive cells was significantly higher in firstgeneration group. MS experienced by parents may negatively affect the reproduction of first generation offspring. Keywords:Cell biology; Immunology; Biochemistry; Molecular biology; Developmental biology; Pathophysiology; Maternal separation stress; Male reproductive system; First generation; Inflammasome; Oxidative stress; Apoptosi

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

Time-Dependent Effect of Encapsulating Alginate Hydrogel on Neurogenic Potential

Objective: Due to the restricted potential of neural stem cells for regeneration of central nervous system (CNS) after injury, providing an alternative source for neural stem cells is essential. Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) are multipotent cells with properties suitable for tissue engineering. In addition, alginate hydrogel is a biocompatible polysaccharide polymer that has been used to encapsulate many types of cells. The aim of this study was to assess the proliferation rate and level of expression of neural markers; NESTIN, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) in encapsulated human ADSCs (hADSCs) 10 and14 days after neural induction. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, ADSCs isolated from human were cultured in neural induction media and seeded into alginate hydrogel. The rate of proliferation and differentiation of encapsulated cells were evaluated by 3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, immunocytoflourescent and realtime reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyzes 10 and 14 days after induction. Results: The rate of proliferation of encapsulated cells was not significantly changed with time passage. The expression of NESTIN and GFAP significantly decreased on day 14 relative to day 10 (P<0.001) but MAP2 expression was increased. Conclusion: Alginate hydrogel can promote the neural differentiation of encapsulated hADSCs with time passage

Antioxidant effects of quercetin in freeze-thawing process of mouse spermatogonial stem cells

Objective: To evaluate the antioxidant effect of quercetin on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) contents and apoptosis of cryopreserved mouse spermatogonial stem cells (mSSCs). Methods: mSSCs were isolated from neonate mice and cultivated in culture medium containing 30 μΜ quercetin for 48 h and then frozen for 2 weeks. After thawing, MTT assay was carried out to analyze the cell viability. Moreover, intracellular ROS levels were measured by flow cytometery and apoptosis was evaluated by detection of phosphatidylserine externalization assay and also real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Pre-treatment of mSSCs by 30 μΜ quercetin significantly decreased intracellular ROS content and apoptotic cell numbers and improved viability of mSSCs. Moreover, the gene expression of Bcl-2 and Bax significantly increased and decreased respectively after the freeze-thawing process. Conclusions: Pre-treatment of mSSCs with quercetin can improve cell viability and reduce apoptosis during freeze-thawing process. It can be a promising way to improve the quality and efficiency of cryopreservation protocols used in fertility preservation strategies