Anti-Ulcerative Potential of Punica granatum L (Lythraceae) Hydroalcohol Fruit Peel Extract

Purpose: To evaluate the antiulcer activities of the methanol extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L) fruit peel using 80 % ethanol-induced gastric ulcer model in rats.Methods: Male Wistar rats, 175 - 220 g, were fasted for 48 h, but had free access to water. They were randomly divided into nine experimental groups. Ulcer was induced in the rats with 80 % ethanol. The control group animals received the same treatment as those in the test groups except that the extract treatment was replaced by administration of appropriate volume of the dosing vehicle. Histaminereceptor type-2 (H2) blocker, cimetidine (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was used as the reference drug. Oral pretreatment with three different extract doses (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) was for 15 days, thereafter, ulcer index (UI) and inhibition were calculated.Results: The extract, at 50 mg/kg, of black fruit peel extract produced significant (p < 0.05) protective effect in rats with a preventive index of 65.87 %. Other doses were significantly protective against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer in the rats. On the other hand, north white peel was not effective (50 mg/kg) showed an ulcer index of 49.52 ± 1.99. Histopathological examination of the stomach of the ulcerated animals treated with white peel (50 mg/kg) showed severe erosion of gastric mucosa, submucosal edema and neutrophil infiltration.Conclusion: The study shows indicates the antiulcer properties of the methanol extracts of north white peel, sour summer and black peel (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) of pomegranate. Their antiulcer activity is exerted, possibly, via its high antioxidant activity.Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, Pomegranate, Punica granatum, Peel extrac

How obsessive-compulsive and bipolar disorders meet each other? An integrative gene-based enrichment approach

Background: The novel approaches to psychiatric classification assume that disorders, contrary to what was previously thought, are not completely separate phenomena. In this regard, in addition to symptom-based criteria, disturbances are also considered on the basis of lower level components. With this viewpoint, identifying common biochemical markers would be beneficial in adopting a comprehensive strategy for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Main body: One of the problematic areas in clinical settings is the coexistence of both obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and bipolar disorder (BD) that is challenging and difficult to manage. In this study, using a system biologic approach we aimed to assess the interconnectedness of OCD and BD at different levels. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) method was used to identify the shared biological network between the two disorders. The results of the analysis revealed 34 common genes between the two disorders, the most important of which were CACNA1C, GRIA1, DRD2, NOS1, SLC18A1, HTR2A and DRD1. Dopaminergic synapse and cAMP signaling pathway as the pathways, dopamine binding and dopamine neurotransmitter receptor activity as the molecular functions, dendrite and axon part as the cellular component and cortex and striatum as the brain regions were the most significant commonalities. Short conclusion: The results of this study highlight the role of multiple systems, especially the dopaminergic system in linking OCD and BD. The results can be used to estimate the disease course, prognosis, and treatment choice, particularly in the cases of comorbidity. Such perspectives, going beyond symptomatic level, help to identify common endophenotypes between the disorders and provide diagnostic and therapeutic approaches based on biological in addition to the symptomatic level. © 2020 The Author(s)

Bone mineral density status in patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis

Background: Osteoporosis is a sizable comorbidity complication in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) sufferers. In the current study, the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in active RA sufferers and the association of disease-related factors of osteoporosis and reduced bone mineral density (BMD) have been examined. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 new-onset symptoms (less than one year) RA patients without a history of glucocorticoids or DMARDs were selected. Biochemical blood measurements and BMD status were performed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. According to the T-scores of the patients, they were divided into three groups: osteoporosis<-2.5, -2.5 < osteopenia <-1, and − 1 < normal. Also, the MDHAQ questionnaire, DAS-28, and FRAX criteria were calculated for all patients. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the associated factors of osteoporosis and osteopenia. Results: The Prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 27% (95%CI:22–32) and 45% (95%CI:39–51), respectively. The multivariate regression analysis showed that age could play a role as an associated factor for spine/hip Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. The female gender is also a predictor of Spine osteopenia Patients with Total hip Osteoporosis were more likely to have higher DAS-28 (OR 1.86, CI 1.16–3.14) and positive CRP (OR 11.42, CI 2.65–63.26). Conclusion: recent-onset RA patients are at risk for osteoporosis and its complications, regardless of using glucocorticoids or DMARDs. Demographic factors (e.g. age and female gender), patients’ MDHAQ scores, and disease-related factors(e.g., DAS-28, positive CRP were associated with reduced BMD levels. Therefore, it is recommended that clinicians investigate early BMD measurements to have a reasonable judgment for further interventions. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Nanoclay-reinforced HA/alginate scaffolds as cell carriers and SDF-1 delivery-platforms for bone tissue engineering

Bone tissue engineering has come on the scene to overcome the difficulties of the current treatment strategies. By combining biomaterials, active agents and growth factors, cells and nanomaterials, tissue engineering makes it possible to create new structures that enhance bone regeneration. Herein, hyaluronic acid and alginate were used to create biologically active hydrogels, and montmorillonite nanoclay was used to reinforce and stabilize them. The developed scaffolds were found to be biocompatible and osteogenic with mMSCs in vitro, especially those reinforced with the nanoclay, and allowed mineralization even in the absence of differentiation media. Moreover, an in vivo investigation was performed to establish the potential of the hydrogels to mend bone and act as cell-carriers and delivery platforms for SDF-1. Scaffolds embedded with SDF-1 exhibited the highest percentages of bone regeneration as well as of angiogenesis, which confirms the suitability of the scaffolds for bone. Although there are a number of obstacles to triumph over, these bioengineered structures showed potential as future bone regeneration treatments

Erratum to: Delta rhythmicity is a reliable EEG biomarker in Angelman syndrome: a parallel mouse and human analysis

After publication of our article [1], we became aware that there were two minor data loading and analysis scripting errors in the human EEG data processing pipeline. These errors affected the channel loading/grouping and sleep/ wake coding of EEG data. We have re-analysed all the data affected by these errors. The errors do not affect any interpretations or conclusions, thus no changes to the text are required apart from correcting p values and raw values affected by the errors. There are no changes to statistical significance or lack-thereof. The errors affect data presented in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, and Additional file 3: Figure S3 and thus we have re-plotted these figures (see below)

Thin Polymer Brush Decouples Biomaterial's Micro-/Nano-Topology and Stem Cell Adhesion

Surface morphology and chemistry of polymers used as biomaterials, such as tissue engineering scaffolds, have a strong influence on the adhesion and behavior of human mesenchymal stem cells. Here we studied semicrystalline poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) substrate scaffolds, which exhibited a variation of surface morphologies and roughness originating from different spherulitic superstructures. Different substrates were obtained by varying the parameters of the thermal processing, i.e. crystallization conditions. The cells attached to these polymer substrates adopted different morphologies responding to variations in spherulite density and size. In order to decouple substrate topology effects on the cells, sub-100 nm bio-adhesive polymer brush coatings of oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylates were grafted from PCL and functionalized with fibronectin. On surfaces featuring different surface textures, dense and sub-100 nm thick brush coatings determined the response of cells, irrespective to the underlying topology. Thus, polymer brushes decouple substrate micro-/nano-topology and the adhesion of stem cells

FIB patterning of stainless steel for the development of nano-structured stent surfaces for cardiovascular applications

Stent implantation is a percutaneous interventional procedure that mitigates vessel stenosis, providing mechanical support within the artery and as such a very valuable tool in the fight against coronary artery disease. However, stenting causes physical damage to the arterial wall. It is well accepted that a valuable route to reduce in-stent re-stenosis can be based on promoting cell response to nano-structured stainless steel (SS) surfaces such as by patterning nano-pits in SS. In this regard patterning by focused ion beam (FIB) milling offers several advantages for flexible prototyping. On the other hand FIB patterning of polycrystalline metals is greatly influenced by channelling effects and redeposition. Correlative microscopy methods present an opportunity to study such effects comprehensively and derive structure–property understanding that is important for developing improved patterning. In this chapter we present a FIB patterning protocol for nano-structuring features (concaves) ordered in rectangular arrays on pre-polished 316L stainless steel surfaces. An investigation based on correlative microscopy approach of the size, shape and depth of the developed arrays in relation to the crystal orientation of the underlying SS domains is presented. The correlative microscopy protocol is based on cross-correlation of top-view scanning electron microscopy, electron backscattering diffraction, atomic force microscopy and cross-sectional (serial) sectioning. Various FIB tests were performed, aiming at improved productivity by preserving nano-size accuracy of the patterned process. The optimal FIB patterning conditions for achieving reasonably high throughput (patterned rate of about 0.03 mm2/h) and nano-size accuracy in dimensions and shapes of the features are discussed as well

National guidelines for cognitive assessment and rehabilitation of Iranian traumatic brain injury patients

Background: Individuals with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) often have prolonged cognitive impairments, resulting in long-term problems with their real-life activities. Given the urgent need for evidence-based recommendations for neuropsychological management of Iranian TBI patients, the current work aimed to adapt eligible international guidelines for cognitive assessment and rehabilitation of the TBI patients in Iran. Methods: The project was led by an executive committee, under the supervision of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). Following a systematic literature search and selection process, four guidelines were included for adaptation. Clinical recommendations of the source guidelines were tabulated as possible clinical scenarios for 90 PICO clinical questions covering all relevant phases of care. After summing up the scenarios, our initial list of recommendations was drafted according to the Iranian patients� conditions. The final decision-making, with the contribution of a national interdisciplinary panel of 37 experts from across the country, was conducted in two rounds using online and offline survey forms (Round 1), and face-to-face and telephone meetings (Round 2). Results: A total of 63 recommendations in six sections were included in the final list of recommendations, among which 24 were considered as key recommendations. In addition, some of the recommendations were identified as fundamental, meaning that proper implementation of the other recommendations is largely dependent on their implementation. Conclusion: Iranian health policy makers and rehabilitation program managers are recommended to address some fundamental issues to provide the necessary infrastructure to set up an efficient cognitive rehabilitation service system. © 2020 Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved