Methods of Propagating the Qur'an in the Alawīte Sīrah (AS)

Propagation and invitation to the Qur'an and its teachings in both general and specialized levels, according to the level of the audience, has been considered by Imam Ali (AS) which has been promoted in various ways. But what is the methods and ways of propagation and promotion in Imam Ali's verbal and practical life? And in what format and structure do each of these components express these methods? This research was conducted by inductive-inferential-analytical method. Therefore, data collection and narrations related to education and propagation (both verbal and practical) of each of the findings were included under the headings that were the result of a study of the researcher's mind, and were analyzed separately. The methods of promoting the Qur'an that are found in the words and deeds of Imam Ali (AS) can be named under 7 components. Promoting the culture of Qur’anic discourse in Alawīte words (using verses in interactions), using psychological and semantic therapy skills in promoting the Qur’an, reciting the Qur’an, getting acquainted with the Qur’an, encouraging the writing of the Qur’an, promoting the Qur’anic culture in the social dimension, and promoting and propagating the system of Qur’anic culture development

Platelet-Rich Plasma in Regenerative Medicine: Possible Applications in Management of Burns and Post-Burn Scars: A Review

Contribution of platelets in tissue regeneration and their possible application in regenerative medicine, which is primarilymediated via secretion of granular components following platelet activation, has been well established in the recent decades.Therefore, platelet rich plasma (PRP), as a portion of plasma with higher concentrations of platelets than the baseline level,is now an attractive therapeutic option in various medical fields mainly for tissue repair and regeneration following injuries.Burn injuries are devastating trauma with high rate of morbidities affecting several aspects of the patient’s life. They requirea long-time medical care and high costs. However, even following the best treatment procedures, post-burn scars areinevitable consequence of burn healing process. Therefore, development of new treatment modalities for both burn healingand prevention of post-burn scar establishment seems to be necessary. Regarding the well-known role of PRP in woundhealing, here we aimed to provide a comprehensive insight in the possible application of PRP as an adjuvant therapy forthe management of burn injuries and subsequent scars. In terms of the following keywords (individually or in combination),original/review articles were searched in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases from 2009 to 2021: platelet richplasma, PRP therapy, platelet biology, platelet function, burn healing, burn scar, scar formation, burn management, woundhealing, regenerative medicine. All type of articles or book chapters in English language and relevant data were included inthis review. This review initially focused on PRP, its mechanisms of action, preparation methods, and available sources. Then,pathophysiology of burns and subsequent scars were discussed. Finally, their current conventional therapeutic modalities andimplication of PRP in their healing process were highlighted

Anticancer properties of chitosan on osteocarcinoma , breast cancer and cervical cancer cell lines

Background: Cancer refers to the abnormal growth of cells and is still the most common cause of morbidity in world. The purpose of this study was to determine cytotoxicity effect of high molecular weight (HMWC) and low molecular weight of chitosan (LMWC) on three cancerous cell lines MCF-7, HeLa and Saos-2 with different histological origin. Methods: The anticancer property of two types of chitosan on three cancerous cell lines and human fibroblast as normal cell was evaluated by cytotoxic activity and apoptosis induction .The cells were treated by different concentration of chitosan and viability was determined by MTT assay after 24, 48 and 72 h .Mode of death was determined by Annexin V staining assay for apoptosis and analyzed by flow cytometry. Results: While both types of chitosan were more efficient in inhibiting cell proliferation of three cancerous cell lines, fibroblast cells showed somehow more compatibility with chitosan .Viability of cells was reduced concentration-dependently to 70-90 of the untreated cells as control. There were no significant differences between the effect of both types of chitosan on all cell lines. Flow cytometry analysis showed necrosis more observable with MCF7 while the apoptosis pattern of death was more in Saos-2 and HeLa. Also higher viability with both types of chitosan was seen in fibroblast as normal cells. Conclusion: While chitosan is compatible with normal diploid fibroblast cells, it shows anticancerous effect against 3 cancerous cell lines. Furthermore, it seems that the molecular weight of chitosan does not affect its anticancerous property

Total plasma homocysteine, folate, and vitamin b12 status in healthy Iranian adults: the Tehran homocysteine survey (2003–2004)/a cross – sectional population based study

BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma total homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and a sensitive marker of the inadequate vitamin B12 and folate insufficiency. Folate and vitamin B12 have a protective effect on cardiovascular disease. This population based study was conducted to evaluate the plasma total homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 in healthy Iranian individuals. METHODS: This study was a part of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors Survey in the Population Lab Region of Tehran University has been designed and conducted based on the methodology of MONICA/WHO Project. A total of 1214 people aged 25–64 years, were recruited and assessed regarding demographic characteristics, homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 levels with interview, questionnaires, examination and blood sampling. Blood samples were gathered and analyzed according to standard methods. RESULTS: The variables were assessed in 1214 participants including 428 men (35.3%) and 786 women (64.7%). Age-adjusted prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hcy≥15 μmol/L) was 73.1% in men and 41.07% in women (P < 0.0001). Geometric mean of plasma homocysteine was 19.02 ± 1.46 μmol/l in men and 14.05 ± 1.45 μmol/l in women (P < 0.004) which increased by ageing. Age-adjusted prevalence of low serum folate level was 98.67% in men and 97.92% in women. Age-adjusted prevalence of low serum vitamin B12 level was 26.32% in men and 27.2% in women. Correlation coefficients (Pearson's r) between log tHcy and serum folate, and vitamin B12 indicated an inverse correlation (r = -0.27, r = -0.19, P < 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results revealed that the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia, low folate and vitamin B12 levels are considerably higher than other communities. Implementation of preventive interventions such as food fortification with folic acid is necessary

Burden of disease scenarios for 204 countries and territories, 2022–2050: a forecasting analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Future trends in disease burden and drivers of health are of great interest to policy makers and the public at large. This information can be used for policy and long-term health investment, planning, and prioritisation. We have expanded and improved upon previous forecasts produced as part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) and provide a reference forecast (the most likely future), and alternative scenarios assessing disease burden trajectories if selected sets of risk factors were eliminated from current levels by 2050. Methods: Using forecasts of major drivers of health such as the Socio-demographic Index (SDI; a composite measure of lag-distributed income per capita, mean years of education, and total fertility under 25 years of age) and the full set of risk factor exposures captured by GBD, we provide cause-specific forecasts of mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age and sex from 2022 to 2050 for 204 countries and territories, 21 GBD regions, seven super-regions, and the world. All analyses were done at the cause-specific level so that only risk factors deemed causal by the GBD comparative risk assessment influenced future trajectories of mortality for each disease. Cause-specific mortality was modelled using mixed-effects models with SDI and time as the main covariates, and the combined impact of causal risk factors as an offset in the model. At the all-cause mortality level, we captured unexplained variation by modelling residuals with an autoregressive integrated moving average model with drift attenuation. These all-cause forecasts constrained the cause-specific forecasts at successively deeper levels of the GBD cause hierarchy using cascading mortality models, thus ensuring a robust estimate of cause-specific mortality. For non-fatal measures (eg, low back pain), incidence and prevalence were forecasted from mixed-effects models with SDI as the main covariate, and YLDs were computed from the resulting prevalence forecasts and average disability weights from GBD. Alternative future scenarios were constructed by replacing appropriate reference trajectories for risk factors with hypothetical trajectories of gradual elimination of risk factor exposure from current levels to 2050. The scenarios were constructed from various sets of risk factors: environmental risks (Safer Environment scenario), risks associated with communicable, maternal, neonatal, and nutritional diseases (CMNNs; Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination scenario), risks associated with major non-communicable diseases (NCDs; Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario), and the combined effects of these three scenarios. Using the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways climate scenarios SSP2-4.5 as reference and SSP1-1.9 as an optimistic alternative in the Safer Environment scenario, we accounted for climate change impact on health by using the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change temperature forecasts and published trajectories of ambient air pollution for the same two scenarios. Life expectancy and healthy life expectancy were computed using standard methods. The forecasting framework includes computing the age-sex-specific future population for each location and separately for each scenario. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) for each individual future estimate were derived from the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles of distributions generated from propagating 500 draws through the multistage computational pipeline. Findings: In the reference scenario forecast, global and super-regional life expectancy increased from 2022 to 2050, but improvement was at a slower pace than in the three decades preceding the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Gains in future life expectancy were forecasted to be greatest in super-regions with comparatively low life expectancies (such as sub-Saharan Africa) compared with super-regions with higher life expectancies (such as the high-income super-region), leading to a trend towards convergence in life expectancy across locations between now and 2050. At the super-region level, forecasted healthy life expectancy patterns were similar to those of life expectancies. Forecasts for the reference scenario found that health will improve in the coming decades, with all-cause age-standardised DALY rates decreasing in every GBD super-region. The total DALY burden measured in counts, however, will increase in every super-region, largely a function of population ageing and growth. We also forecasted that both DALY counts and age-standardised DALY rates will continue to shift from CMNNs to NCDs, with the most pronounced shifts occurring in sub-Saharan Africa (60·1% [95% UI 56·8–63·1] of DALYs were from CMNNs in 2022 compared with 35·8% [31·0–45·0] in 2050) and south Asia (31·7% [29·2–34·1] to 15·5% [13·7–17·5]). This shift is reflected in the leading global causes of DALYs, with the top four causes in 2050 being ischaemic heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared with 2022, with ischaemic heart disease, neonatal disorders, stroke, and lower respiratory infections at the top. The global proportion of DALYs due to YLDs likewise increased from 33·8% (27·4–40·3) to 41·1% (33·9–48·1) from 2022 to 2050, demonstrating an important shift in overall disease burden towards morbidity and away from premature death. The largest shift of this kind was forecasted for sub-Saharan Africa, from 20·1% (15·6–25·3) of DALYs due to YLDs in 2022 to 35·6% (26·5–43·0) in 2050. In the assessment of alternative future scenarios, the combined effects of the scenarios (Safer Environment, Improved Childhood Nutrition and Vaccination, and Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenarios) demonstrated an important decrease in the global burden of DALYs in 2050 of 15·4% (13·5–17·5) compared with the reference scenario, with decreases across super-regions ranging from 10·4% (9·7–11·3) in the high-income super-region to 23·9% (20·7–27·3) in north Africa and the Middle East. The Safer Environment scenario had its largest decrease in sub-Saharan Africa (5·2% [3·5–6·8]), the Improved Behavioural and Metabolic Risks scenario in north Africa and the Middle East (23·2% [20·2–26·5]), and the Improved Nutrition and Vaccination scenario in sub-Saharan Africa (2·0% [–0·6 to 3·6]). Interpretation: Globally, life expectancy and age-standardised disease burden were forecasted to improve between 2022 and 2050, with the majority of the burden continuing to shift from CMNNs to NCDs. That said, continued progress on reducing the CMNN disease burden will be dependent on maintaining investment in and policy emphasis on CMNN disease prevention and treatment. Mostly due to growth and ageing of populations, the number of deaths and DALYs due to all causes combined will generally increase. By constructing alternative future scenarios wherein certain risk exposures are eliminated by 2050, we have shown that opportunities exist to substantially improve health outcomes in the future through concerted efforts to prevent exposure to well established risk factors and to expand access to key health interventions

Analysis of cells and matrix in cyclosporine-induced gingival overgrowth

Background and objective: Gingival overgrowth is one of the side effects of cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressant agent. Cyclosporine A is used clinically to counteract rejection following organ transplantation. The aim of the present study was to characterize the tissue changes that occur in gingival tissue in patients receiving this medication, compared to control patients' tissues. -Materials and Methods: Gingival biopsies were taken from 18 kidney transplant patients referred to Labafi hospital in Tehran/ Iran. Periodontal flap approach was a part of the procedure to treat their gingival overgrowth. In order to compare these samples with normal tissues, 12 gingival tissue samples were obtained from healthy individuals in the process of crown lengthening that took part in the school of dentistry in SHB University, Tehran/ Iran. The patients from the two groups were as sex and age-matched as much as possible. In all cases, patients gave informed consent for the use of their tissue samples for research. Tissue collection, fixation, histological and histochemical stainings were performed under the same conditions in both groups. The antibodies utilized for immunohistochemical stainings comprised of 1A4, PCNA, LC2, 2B1 and CD44. These antibodies target α-smooth muscle actin, proliferating cells, c terminal and core of versican and hyaluronan receptors, respectively. -Results: Compared to controls, histological features from gingival overgrowth samples revealed changed retepegs, some degrees of acanthosis, hyperkeratosis and parakeratosis, increased vascularization, and severe inflammatory infiltration. The inflammatory infiltrate included high number of macrophages. Matrix changes included prominent accumulation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (mainly versican). Conclusion: Both epithelium and connective tissue showed changes in gingival overgrowth samples. Gingival overgrowth tissues showed increased inflammation in which CD44 positive cells (macrophages) predominated. More proliferative activity and changes in retepegs were observed in epithelium. The presence of myofibroblasts was noted in connective tissue. Versican accumulation was also observed in connective tissue, in gingival overgrowth samples. Our studies are consistent with a macrophage-driven accumulation of versican-rich connective tissue, associated with epithelial proliferation in gingival overgrowth, secondary to cyclosporine therapy.Dentistry, Faculty ofGraduat

Studying the Anti-Aging Effect of Nitric Oxide on the Cell Proliferation and Telomerase Activity of Human Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Introduction: Accumulating evidences indicated that during increasing of the animals age, the number and the functional properties of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) become altered because of a gradual decrease in replication potential. The efficient factors in this process are DNA damaging, reduced telomerase activity, shortening of telomeres and oxidative stresses. For overcoming these factors, using of the anti-oxidants and activating of telomerase would be effective. The aim of this research was to study the effect of Nitric Oxide (NO) as an anti-oxidant on the cell proliferation, cell viability and telomerase activity of HSCs in vitro. Methods: HSCs were isolated from human cord bloods. Cells were treated by L-Arginine and Sodium Nitro-Pruscide (as NO donors) in a dose dependent manner. The cell viability and proliferation were assayed by trypan blue, MTT and BrdU methods. The profile of aging was assayed by senescence sensitive β- Galactosidase staining and telomerase activity was assayed by TRAP-PCR ELISA method. Finally, Nitric Oxide Synthatase mRNA expression level was analyzed by RT-PCR. Result: HSCs those treated with SNP exhibited an increase 3-7 fold (400-1000 &micro;mol) in NO production in comparison to untreated control cells (140&micro;mol). Treatment of cells by L-Arg resulted lower release of NO (Up to 200 &micro;mol) in comparison to SNP. Increasing NO production resulted to the inducing of cells growth potential and proliferation parameters up to 40% which accompanied by the increasing of telomerase activity up to 25% in the presence of 100 µM of SNP or 1.0 mM of L-Arg in comparison to untreated control cells. Discussion: The present work demonstrates that NO affect telomerase activity and cellular replicative capacity in human hematopoietic stem cells. A significant behavior was observed on the telomerase activity and cell proliferation after treatment of cells. Induction of cell proliferation was accompanied by a slight inhibition of HSCs senescence. Finally the telomerase induction and reduction in cell senescence were accompanied by increasing of the cell proliferation parameters

Association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet with cardiometabolic risk factors: a cross-sectional study on PERSIAN cohort study in Fasa

Abstract The relationship between Mediterranean diet and obesity-related markers is a matter of debate. We investigated the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and anthropometric indices, body composition, and cardiometabolic risk factors in Iranian population. The cross-sectional study was performed on data of 3386 participants from Fasa PERSIAN cohort study. The Mediterranean diet score (MDS) was calculated based on consumption of 11 food groups (unrefined cereals, potatoes, fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, red meat, poultry, dairy, olive oil, and alcoholic beverages). The association between MDS and cardiometabolic risk factors was examined by linear regression analysis. MDS was inversely associated with waist circumference (β =  − 1.11; P = 0.033), waist-to-hip ratio (β =  − 0.007; P = 0.011), waist-to-height ratio (β =  − 0.009; P = 0.015), fasting glucose (β =  − 3.59; P = 0.001), and HDL-cholesterol (β =  − 0.96; P = 0.031) in unadjusted model. After adjusting for energy intake, the associations of MDS with markers of abdominal obesity and HDL-cholesterol disappeared. In fully adjusted model, MDS showed inverse relationships with waist-to-hip ratio (β =  − 0.005; P = 0.037) and fasting glucose (β =  − 2.71; P = 0.013). In conclusion, MDS showed an inverse relationship with fasting glucose and waist-to-hip ratio. Since energy intake increased along with increasing MDS, adherence to the Mediterranean diet may associate with lower abdominal obesity and better glycemic control if an energy-controlled Mediterranean diet is used

COVID-19 Risk Perception and its Related Factors and Outcomes in Vulnerable Groups: A Systematic Review

Background: The COVID-19 disease has worse outcomes in individuals with underlying diseases and elderly individuals. Therefore, identifying COVID-19 risk perception and its related factors and outcomes in vulnerable groups is essential for the health system. Objectives: This study aimed to determine COVID-19 risk perception, its related factors, and outcomes in vulnerable groups (individuals with underlying diseases, smokers, opioid addicts, the elderly, and pregnant women). Methods: This systematic review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search was carried out using the keywords “Risk perception” and “COVID-19” in PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, SID, Proquest, and Magiran databases in the period from 2019 to July 3, 2021. The quality of selected studies was checked by two authors independently according to Newcastle-Ottawa Scale adapted for cross-sectional. Results: In the initial search, 640 articles were found, of which 56 remained in the screening phase. Then, the full text of 56 articles was studied. Eventually, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the articles, 8 articles were reviewed. This systematic review showed that suffering from an underlying disease, more anxiety, younger age, and female gender are associated with higher COVID-19 risk perception. The outcomes of COVID-19 risk perception were higher COVID-19 risk perception, delayed treatment sessions, increased anxiety and fear, increased ineffective safety behaviors, and greater compliance with health protocols. Conclusion: Creating sensitivity and proper COVID-19 risk perception is necessary to follow health protocols, but high COVID-19 risk perception can endanger vulnerable groups’ mental and physical health. Besides, reducing the sensitivity of vulnerable groups toward COVID-19 can expose them to the diseas

The Therapeutic Role of Vasopressin on Improving lactate Clearance During and After Vasogenic Shock: Microcirculation, Is It The Black Box?

Arginine vasopressin as a supplementary vasopressor in septic shock restores vascular tone and mean arterial pressure, meanwhile decreases dose and exposure time to catecholamines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vasopressin on lactate and lactate clearance as markers of tissue perfusion during septic shock. In this prospective, randomized, controlled trial, 30 patients with septic shock were enrolled in two groups. One group received norepinephrine infusion (titrated to reach the target MAP of ≥65 mm Hg) and the other group in addition to norepinephrine, received vasopressin at a constant rate of 0.03 u/min. Serum lactate levels were assessed at baseline, 24 and 48 hours after randomization. Lactate clearance was estimated for each patient at 24 and 48 hours. Venous lactate was measured in both groups. Despite a tendency toward higher venous lactate at 24 and 48 hours in the norepinephrine group (3.1 vs. 2.5, P=0.67 and 1.7 vs. 1.1, P=0.47), the conflict was not statistically significant among them. While lactate clearance after 24 hours was significantly higher in vasopressin treatment group (46% vs. 20%, respectively; P=0.048), the 48-hour lactate clearance did not differ from statistic viewpoints despite their clinical values (66% vs. 40%, P=0.17). Although lactate levels did not significantly differ between treatment groups, lactate clearance at 24 hours was significantly higher in vasopressin group. This may be the effect of vasopressin effect on microcirculation and tissue hypoperfusion or its catecholamine sparing effect