In-vivo cell remote control: a mecano-electro computational study

Abstract ICBB17-12: Nowadays, due to its importance for human survival, tissue andorgans regeneration have received a high attention of the scientificcommunity. For the development of this field, understanding the cellbehavior is essential forin-vivotissue and organs regeneration. Cellbehavior can be controlledin-vitro, among other stimuli, by changingthe extracellular matrix mechanical properties, applying externalforces and/or electrical field. Controlling these stimuliin-vivois nottrivial. Therefore, in this work, to remotely control the local cellenvironment, we consider a microsphere of cell size that is fabricatedfrom a piezoelectric material and charged with nanomagnetic parti-cles. This microsphere is integrated within an extracellular matrix, insuch a way, through an external magnetic field, internal forces canbe generated within the microsphere. As a result, a stiffness gradientas well as an electric field are generated around the microsphere.These cues can be controlled externally by changing the magneticfield intensity..

Reduction of some atherogenic indices in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver by Vitamin D and calcium co-supplementation: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial

The role of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a potential independent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor has recently gained considerable attention because CVD is the common cause of death in NAFLD patients. We aimed to estimate the effects of vitamin D supplementation alone or in combination with calcium on atherogenic indices, liver function tests, and grade of disease in patients with NAFLD. One-hundred twenty NAFLD patients were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial as follows: D (1000 IU vitamin D), CaD (500 mg as calcium carbonate plus 1000 IU vitamin D) or P (placebo), once daily with meals over 12 weeks. Adjusted for all the baseline measures, reduction in serum ALT, AST, LDL-C/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and non-HDL-C were significantly higher in the CaD compared with the P group (p < 0.001, p = 0.03, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Also, mean difference of serum ALT, LDL-C/HDL-C, TC/HDL-C, and TG/HDL-C were significantly higher in the CaD than D group (p < 0.001, p = 0.006, p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). Serum non-HDL-C was marginally decreased in the CaD compared with the D group (p = 0.06). With considering the BMI changes as covariate, reduction in the grade of fatty liver was significantly higher in the CaD and D groups than the P (p < 0.001). The present study suggests that supplemental calcium combined with vitamin D, but not vitamin D alone, may reduce serum atherogenic indices, liver function tests, and grade of disease in patients with NAFLD. © 2019, Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. All rights reserved

Investigating effect of ghee on treating second-degree burn wound in rats

Background: High costs of treatment and rehabilitation lead to increased tendency of researchers in complementary therapies and using the compounds which have natural origin and are cheaper. Sheep ghee, known as yellow oil, is one of the compounds used in many parts of Iran for wound healing. Considering that few studies have been performed on the effect and rate of these materials on burn wound healing, the present work is aimed to investigate the effect of ghee on burn wound healing in rats. Methods: In this experimental study which was performed in the animal lab of the Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital in Tehran, 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with the relative weight of 250-300 g were selected and second-degree burn with the area of 2�4 cm was induced in them. Then, they were randomly divided into 3 groups, 12 in each. To dress the burn point in 1 to 3 groups, silver sulfadiazine cream, ghee, and Vaseline were used, respectively. The evaluation process was monitored by photography with 5 days intervals using an accurate ruler and ImageJ software, version 1.45 (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). On the 17th and 30th days, Tissue biopsies was performed for the epithelialization rate, degree and arrangement of collagen, and chronic and acute inflammatory cells, the sample of burn wound was sent for pathological investigation. Results: Results showed that, wound area was significantly reduced in ghee, and Vaseline groups compared with silver sulfadiazine cream on days 5th, 15th, and 25th (P=0.001). however, the difference between ghee and Vaseline group was not significant. In the 17-day time period, results of collagen arrangement (P= 0.000) and epithelialization results (P= 0.04), acute inflammatory cells (P= 0.001), and fibroplasias (P= 0.000) in 30th day were significantly better in ghee, and Vaseline groups. Conclusion: This study showed that, in contrast to the public belief in some regions in Iran, ghee could not accelerate healing of burn wound and promote histopathological indices. Therefore, they are not recommended. © 2017, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Investigating effect of ghee on treating second-degree burn wound in rats

Background: High costs of treatment and rehabilitation lead to increased tendency of researchers in complementary therapies and using the compounds which have natural origin and are cheaper. Sheep ghee, known as yellow oil, is one of the compounds used in many parts of Iran for wound healing. Considering that few studies have been performed on the effect and rate of these materials on burn wound healing, the present work is aimed to investigate the effect of ghee on burn wound healing in rats. Methods: In this experimental study which was performed in the animal lab of the Hazrat Fatemeh Hospital in Tehran, 36 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with the relative weight of 250-300 g were selected and second-degree burn with the area of 2�4 cm was induced in them. Then, they were randomly divided into 3 groups, 12 in each. To dress the burn point in 1 to 3 groups, silver sulfadiazine cream, ghee, and Vaseline were used, respectively. The evaluation process was monitored by photography with 5 days intervals using an accurate ruler and ImageJ software, version 1.45 (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA). On the 17th and 30th days, Tissue biopsies was performed for the epithelialization rate, degree and arrangement of collagen, and chronic and acute inflammatory cells, the sample of burn wound was sent for pathological investigation. Results: Results showed that, wound area was significantly reduced in ghee, and Vaseline groups compared with silver sulfadiazine cream on days 5th, 15th, and 25th (P=0.001). however, the difference between ghee and Vaseline group was not significant. In the 17-day time period, results of collagen arrangement (P= 0.000) and epithelialization results (P= 0.04), acute inflammatory cells (P= 0.001), and fibroplasias (P= 0.000) in 30th day were significantly better in ghee, and Vaseline groups. Conclusion: This study showed that, in contrast to the public belief in some regions in Iran, ghee could not accelerate healing of burn wound and promote histopathological indices. Therefore, they are not recommended. © 2017, Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Translation and validation study of the Iranian versions of the neck disability index and the neck pain and disability scale

STUDY DESIGN. Cultural translation and psychometric testing. OBJECTIVE. To translate and validate the Iranian versions of the Neck Disability Index (NDI-IR) and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPDS-IR). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA. The widely used the NDI and the NPDS scales have not been translated and validated for Persian-speaking patients with neck pain. This was to provide a validated instrument to measure functional status in patients with neck pain in Iran. METHODS. The translation and cultural adaptation of the original questionnaires were carried out in accordance with the published guidelines. One hundred and eighty-five patients with neck pain were participated in the study. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire booklet including the NDI-IR, the NPDS-IR, the Iranian SF-36, and a visual analog scale (VAS) of pain. To carry out the test-retest reliability, 30 randomly selected patients with neck pain were asked to complete the questionnaire booklet 48 hours later for the second time. RESULTS. Cronbach α coefficient for the NDI-IR was 0.88 and for the 4 subscales of the NPDS-IR was found to be satisfactory (ranging from 0.74 to 0.94). The NDI-IR and the NPDS-IR subscales showed excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ranged from 0.90 to 0.97; P < 0.01). The correlation between the NDI-IR and the NPDS-IR subscales and functional scales of the SF-36 showed desirable results, indicating a good convergent validity (Pearson correlation coefficients ranged from -0.31 to -0.70). The correlation between the NDI-IR and the VAS was 0.71 and between the NPDS-IR subscales and the VAS ranged from 0.63 to 0.79 (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION. The Iranian versions of the NDI and NPDS are reliable and valid instruments to measure functional status in Persian-speaking patients with neck pain in Iran. They are simple and easy to use and now can be applied in clinical settings and future outcome studies in Iran and other Persian speaking communities. © 2007 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc

Nanoparticles for Applications in Cellular Imaging

In the following review we discuss several types of nanoparticles (such as TiO2, quantum dots, and gold nanoparticles) and their impact on the ability to image biological components in fixed cells. The review also discusses factors influencing nanoparticle imaging and uptake in live cells in vitro. Due to their unique size-dependent properties nanoparticles offer numerous advantages over traditional dyes and proteins. For example, the photostability, narrow emission peak, and ability to rationally modify both the size and surface chemistry of Quantum Dots allow for simultaneous analyses of multiple targets within the same cell. On the other hand, the surface characteristics of nanometer sized TiO2allow efficient conjugation to nucleic acids which enables their retention in specific subcellular compartments. We discuss cellular uptake mechanisms for the internalization of nanoparticles and studies showing the influence of nanoparticle size and charge and the cell type targeted on nanoparticle uptake. The predominant nanoparticle uptake mechanisms include clathrin-dependent mechanisms, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis

Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe

Mapping geographical inequalities in childhood diarrhoeal morbidity and mortality in low-income and middle-income countries, 2000–17 : analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017

Background Across low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs), one in ten deaths in children younger than 5 years is attributable to diarrhoea. The substantial between-country variation in both diarrhoea incidence and mortality is attributable to interventions that protect children, prevent infection, and treat disease. Identifying subnational regions with the highest burden and mapping associated risk factors can aid in reducing preventable childhood diarrhoea. Methods We used Bayesian model-based geostatistics and a geolocated dataset comprising 15 072 746 children younger than 5 years from 466 surveys in 94 LMICs, in combination with findings of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2017, to estimate posterior distributions of diarrhoea prevalence, incidence, and mortality from 2000 to 2017. From these data, we estimated the burden of diarrhoea at varying subnational levels (termed units) by spatially aggregating draws, and we investigated the drivers of subnational patterns by creating aggregated risk factor estimates. Findings The greatest declines in diarrhoeal mortality were seen in south and southeast Asia and South America, where 54·0% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 38·1–65·8), 17·4% (7·7–28·4), and 59·5% (34·2–86·9) of units, respectively, recorded decreases in deaths from diarrhoea greater than 10%. Although children in much of Africa remain at high risk of death due to diarrhoea, regions with the most deaths were outside Africa, with the highest mortality units located in Pakistan. Indonesia showed the greatest within-country geographical inequality; some regions had mortality rates nearly four times the average country rate. Reductions in mortality were correlated to improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) or reductions in child growth failure (CGF). Similarly, most high-risk areas had poor WASH, high CGF, or low oral rehydration therapy coverage. Interpretation By co-analysing geospatial trends in diarrhoeal burden and its key risk factors, we could assess candidate drivers of subnational death reduction. Further, by doing a counterfactual analysis of the remaining disease burden using key risk factors, we identified potential intervention strategies for vulnerable populations. In view of the demands for limited resources in LMICs, accurately quantifying the burden of diarrhoea and its drivers is important for precision public health