Effects of N-acetylcysteine on aging cell and obesity complications in obese adults: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial

BackgroundWe decided to conduct this study with the aim of investigating the effects of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) on obesity complications and senescence of visceral adipose tissue in obese adults.Methods and analysisThe present study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial (RCT) (Clinical trial registry number: IRCT20220727055563N1) on 40 obese adults candidates for bariatric surgery, who were randomly assigned to receive 600 mg of NAC (n = 20) or placebo as a control (n = 20) for 4 weeks. During bariatric surgery, visceral adipose tissue was used to examine gene expression and senescence cells using SA-β-gal.ResultsOur findings showed that intervention with NAC significantly reduces SA-β-gal activity (as a marker of senescence) and expression of p16 and interleukin 6 (IL-6) genes in the visceral adipose tissue compared to placebo in obese adults for 4 weeks. In addition, our findings showed the potential and beneficial effect of NAC administration on reducing the levels of inflammatory factors including IL-6 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), as well as the level of fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and insulin compared to placebo after adjusting for confounders. No significant effect was indicated on anthropometric factors and lipid profile.ConclusionFindings showed that NAC, in addition to having a potential beneficial effect on reducing some of the complications caused by obesity, seems to have synolytic/senomorphic potential as well.Clinical trial registration[https://clinicaltrials.gov/], identifier [IRCT20220727055563N1]

Promoting the Quality Level of Signaling in Railway Transportation System Taking Advantage from Wireless Sensor Networks Technology

Given the importance of using the railway networks for the reliable and safe transportation of goods and passengers, which plays an important role in the economy of rail transport of the country, it is necessary to use wireless sensor network techniques to raise the quality and quantity and also maintain the application of these facilities for better control and optimal use of relevant technologies in this regard. Regarding the development of wireless sensor networks for collecting and processing environmental information, we intended to employ them in order to maintain railways, and also prevent defects that might occur in mobile machines and parts, as well as to avoid probable events and reduce human errors. Considering the limited capacity of batteries for sensor nodes in a wireless sensor network, energy efficiency is an important issue; thus mobile sinks are presented as a possible solution. In this study, the proposed routing uses Ring Routing and an optimization gravitational search algorithm for the primary selection of the ring causes an increase in a sensor network’s lifespan. In this study, by applying the proposed method in the railway transportation system, it is improved to reduce the existing errors by creating a system with a higher safety factor and high quality and efficiency, together with maximum efficiency and good speed

Introducing Model for Determining the Center of Mass in Children aged 6 to 12 years old in Isfahan

Objective: The center of mass is dependent on the distribution of mass and length of the upper parts of the body to the lower parts of the body. This plays a fundamental role in the body's balance, which can be measured in various ways. The purpose of this study was to provide a model for determining the center of mass of girls and boys aged 6 to 12 years. Methods: Participants in this study were 192 healthy girls and 192 healthy boys who were studying in Isfahan, from which 154850 students were selected through cluster sampling. For this purpose, their mass was measured with a bascule, variables related to stature with meter and center of mass were measured with a weighing machine based on calculating torques. with respect to the multivariate regression assumptions and stepwise method, the variables that had the greatest impact on the center of mass were selected and models were proposed whit them. Results: The girl’s equation, shows that the stature, body mass index and sitting height per stature ratio, can be used to estimate the center of mass of girl children, and the estimated center of mass for boy children, with stature, sitting height and sitting height per stature ratio, form equation is possible. Conclusion: It is recommended to use the obtained equations in order to estimate the center of mass of children's bodies, rather than using multiple and sometimes difficult, time-consuming and costly methods and calculations. Conclusion: It can be said that, in order to calculate the center of mass of child, instead of using multiple and sometimes difficult, time consuming and costly methods and calculations, the equations obtained in this study should be used

A Study on the Selected Anthropomorphic Characteristics of Girls and Boys in Childhood and Adolescence

Introduction: The structural body features provide physicians, health care professionals, educators, and parents with important information like natural body development, physical activities in accordance through body size, sport talent identification, and prediction of certain diseases such as cardiovascular and cancer problems. This study was run to determine and compare the features of average body stature as height at both lying and standing positions, sitting height, and sitting height to standing height ratio. Materials and methods: Among 315,987 elementary to high school students in Isfahan City, Iran, 768 children and adolescents were selected through cluster sampling, and were categorized in four groups, according to age and gender. Postural variables were measured using a standard meter. To describe and analyze the data, one-way ANOVA, Levene, and Post Hoc tests were run at a significance level of less than 0.05. Results: Although lying height was higher than standing height, their increasing trends remained the same. Although the boys’ sitting height was higher than the girls’, the sitting height to standing height ratio of the boys was lower than girls. Adolescent girls and boys had the most and the least sitting height to standing height ratio, respectively. Sitting height to standing height ratio was different in each category (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: There was no significant difference in the mean lying height, standing height, and sitting height between boy and girl children. As to the sitting height to standing height ratio, girl adolescent with both boy and girl children were at the same level, and boy adolescent were on another. The findings have correspond to standards of Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs) for height

Antinociceptive effects of aqeous extract Launaea acanthodes gum in mice

Introduction: Previous studies indicated that Launaea acanthodes (LA) can be effective against epilepsy, nervous disorder, local and articular pain and convulsion disorders. The aim of this study was to assessment the antinoceceptive effects of&nbsp; LA on peripheral and visceral pain in mice by using hot plate (HP), tail flick (TF), formalin (FT) and writhing (WR) tests. Materials and Methods: In this study 160 young adult male albino mice (25-30 g) were used (n = 8 in each group). Aqueous extract of LA gum (50, 100, and 200 mg/Kg IP) and saline (SAL) were injected 30 min before the pain evaluation tests. Acute and chronic pain was assessed by HP, TF and FT models and visceral pain was assessed by writhing test. Results: Results indicated that LA has analgesic effects (P< 0.05) in comparison with the control and saline groups&nbsp; and higher dose of LA was more effective (P< 0.001). Conclusion: The above findings showed that LA have modulatory effects on acute, chronic and visceral pai

Analyzing the performance of Red Crescent Society of Khorasan Razavi Province in Kermanshah Earthquake

Introduction: Kermanshah earthquake with magnitude of 7.3 is one of the largest earthquakes in recent decades in Iran. The incident led to discover the existing gaps in the crisis management system in the country. Studying this event based on documented scientific views might reveal the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of crisis-based organizations and provide solutions for solving future problems in similar cases. Methods: In this study, the performance of Red Crescent Society of Khorasan Razavi province as the commander of rescue operations in Sarpol-e Zahab city was investigated. The information and experts' opinions were collected based on SWOT technique and using the AHP method to examine the effective indicators. The effective strategies for the future were also explained and proposed. Results: The average strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and the internal factors identified in the list were presented. Based on the results of this paper, after the expert's opinion about the rescue area, 14 factors were identified as the strength points, 13 factors were considered as weaknesses, 8 factors were identified as opportunities and 15 factors as threats, and then during the process were weighted and prioritized. In the list of external agents, there was some threats. After identifying effective internal and external factors and classifying them based on the Likert spectrum, four groups of weaknesses, strengths, opportunities and threats were used to determine the weight of criteria and indicators of hierarchical analysis. For this purpose, a group of experts was used. Finally, the system growth strategies, maintaining or improving the status of the system, and the weakness of the system were determined. Conclusion: Based on the results and scientific findings obtained from the previous cases, necessary plans should be made in order to carry out the necessary activities at the time of confrontation with any emergency in the country

Propranolol for infantile hemangioma: An evaluation of its efficacy and safety in Iranian infants

Background: Propranolol has been recently indicated to inhibit the rapid growth and involution of infantile hemangioma. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of propranolol in Iranian infants. Methods: A total of 30 infants with indications for medical intervention, such as large hemangiomas, wounds with or without secondary infection, or active trauma-induced bleeding, were selected. First, a total concentration of 1 mg/kg/day was orally administered to the infants; the dosage further increased (2-3 mg/kg/day) in case the infants experienced no adverse effects. Following weekly (one month after treatment) and monthly (up to six months) follow-ups, hemangioma activity score (HAS) was calculated to evaluate swelling, color of the lesion, and ulcer size. Results: In the present study, infants with the mean age of 5.33±3.50 years received therapy. Improvement was observed in the lesions of all patients, characterized by a significant decline in size, change in color, and reduction in ulcer size (

Comparison of the effects of canola oil versus sunflower oil on the biochemical markers of bone metabolism in osteoporosis

Background: Recently, omega-3 fatty acids are in the center of attention for their potent anti-inflammatory effects. Osteoporosis as a chronic senile disease is associated with inflammation, and the role of inflammatory mediators has been demonstrated in the recent years. The beneficial effects of n-3 fatty acids on bone were proven in many animal studies, while to date, no conclusive data is available in human. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of n-3 fatty acids on bone biomarkers in osteoporotic women. Material and Methods: Forty osteoporotic post-menopausal women were recruited in the study and randomized in receiving either 40 g canola oil or the same amount sunflower oil per day as their dietary oil for 3 months. Serum levels of osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), N telo peptide collagen (NTX) and 25- hydroxy vitamin D3 were measured at baseline and at the end of the third month in both groups. Results: In the canola oil group, BALP and NTX were increased after 3 months while Osteocalcin decreased in both groups slightly; however,none of these changes were significant. In both groups, serum vitamin D3 was increased significantly; however, this change between groups was not significant. Conclusion: Canola oil did not affect bone formation and resorption significantly after 3 months consumption. Further investigations with longer follow up are recommended

Additional file 1 of Immunologic responses to the third and fourth doses of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines in cell therapy recipients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Additional file 1: Table S1. PRISMA 2020 abstract checklist. Table S2. PRISMA 2020 checklist. Table S3. Search strategy. Table S4. Risk of bias assessment of the eligible studies using the JBI tool for quasi-experimental studies. Table S5. Risk of bias assessment of the included randomized controlled trial study using the JBI too

Epidemiological Characteristics, Clinical Features, and Outcome of COVID-19 Patients in Northern Tehran, Iran; a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction: Following the widespread pandemic of the novel coronavirus diseases (COVID-19), this study has reported demographic and laboratory findings and clinical outcomes of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary educational hospital in 99 days in Iran.&nbsp;Objective: We aimed to investigate in-hospital death risk factors including underlying diseases and describe the signs, symptoms, and demographic features of COVID-19 patients.&nbsp;Methods: All confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted from 22 February to 30 May 2020 were extracted from hospital records. A follow-up telephone survey was conducted 30 days after discharge to acquire additional data such as survival status. Distribution of demographic and clinical characteristics was presented based on survival status during hospitalization. All analyses were performed using STATA version 14 with a level of significance below 5%.&nbsp;Results: Among 1083 recorded patients, the rate of survival and death was 89.2% (n=966) and 10.8% (n=117), respectively. 62% of the cases (n=671) were male. The mean recovery time was 1.90 (3.4) days in survived cases, which was significantly lower than that in deceased cases 4.5 (5.2) days, p&lt;0.001). A significantly higher rate of death was observed among patients above the age of 60 years (24.8%, p&lt;0.001), cases with hypertension (25.4%, P&lt;0.001) and cases without cough (17 %, p=0.002) but with shortness of breath (16.5%, p=0.001).&nbsp;Conclusions: Our study emphasized the significant effect of different underlying conditions as mortality factors among COVID-19 patients, namely older age spectrum, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. By acknowledging the epidemiologic pattern and mortality factors, we have more tools to prioritize and make better judgments, and more lives can be saved