n-3 fatty acids as preventive and therapeutic agents in attenuating PCOS complications

To our knowledge, in spite of several trials exploring the beneficial effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), no comprehensive evidence has investigated the effects of n-3 PUFA consumption on PCOS complications. Therefore, our aim was to conduct a review to investigate the possible effect and related mechanisms. A comprehensive systematic search was conducted in Embase, MED-LINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, and SCOPUS, to identify studies investigating n-3 fatty acids as a preventative or therapeutic agent for the attenuation of PCOS complications. Subsequently, the impact of omega-3 on PCOS, omega-3 and inflammation, omega-3 and insulin resistance, omega-3 and adipokines, omega-3 and lipid metabolism, omega-3 and endothelial function and omega-3 and hormonal factors were discussed. There are multiple mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs may exert their beneficial effects on PCOS, including anti-obesity, glycemic and hormonal hemostasis, anti-inflammatory, regulation of adipokine production and enhancement of endothelial function. N-3 PUFAs are a promising agent in relieving complications associated with PCOS. Although most of the studies in patients with PCOS reported an improvement in most complications after administration of omega-3 supplements, there is a distinct dearth of studies investigating the dietary intake of these types of fatty acids. Moreover, favorable effects regarding the improvement of dyslipidemia, regulation of adipokines, regulation of hormonal factors and enhancement of endothelial function are limited. Therefore, more trials are warranted to investigate palatable mechanisms for clarifying the metabolic and hormonal effects of these agents in PCOS. © 2019, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors. All rights reserved

99mTc-ECD brain perfusion SPECT imaging for the assessment of brain perfusion in cerebral palsy (CP) patients with evaluation of the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy

Abstract: Objective: The present study was carried out to evaluate cerebral perfusion in different types of cerebral palsy (CP) patients. For those patients who underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy, brain perfusion before and after the therapy was compared. Methods: A total of 11 CP patients were enrolled in this study, of which 4 patients underwent oxygen therapy. Before oxygen therapy and at the end of 40 sessions of oxygen treatment, 99mTc-ECD brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed , and the results were compared. Results: A total of 11 CP patients, 7 females and 4 males with an age range of 5-27 years participated in the study. In brain SPECT studies, all the patients showed perfusion impairments. The region most significantly involved was the frontal lobe (54.54%), followed by the temporal lobe (27.27%), the occipital lobe (18.18%), the visual cortex (18.18%), the basal ganglia (9.09%), the parietal lobe (9.09%), and the cerebellum (9.09%). Frontal-lobe hypoperfusion was seen in all types of cerebral palsy. Two out of 4 patients (2 males and 2 females) who underwent oxygen therapy revealed certain degree of brain perfusion improvement. Conclusion: This study demonstrated decreased cerebral perfusion in different types of CP patients. The study also showed that hyperbaric oxygen therapy improved cerebral perfusion in a few CP patients. However, it could keep the physiological discussion open and strenghten a link with other areas of neurology in which this approach may have some value

Effect of chitosan on propagation of zamiifolia as tropical ornamental indoor plant by leaf cutting

Zamiifolia (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an ornamental and perennial medicinal plant, which belongs to Araceae family. This plant holds a prominent place in the economic significance of this particular plant family. This study aimed to examine the process of root development and rhizome production through leaf cuttings of zamiifoliain the this experiment. This experiment was conducted as factorial design within a completely randomized framework design with three replications. Experimental treatments composed of chitosan application at three levels (0, 250 and 500 mg L-1), and the positioning of leaflet cuttings along the main axis of the mother leaf (apical, middle, and basal). After the application of the treatments, the leaflet cuttings were subjected to a four-month rooting period. This rooting process took place in a growth medium consisting of a balanced mixture of perlite and cocopeat mixed in a volume ratio of 1:1. The results exhibited significant effects of different chitosan concentrations on several parameters, including rhizome number, rhizome width, the number of roots, and the quality of the mother leaf. In addition, the type of leaflet cutting demonstrated a significant influence on the width and number of rhizomes. These results demonstrated that the application of chitosan at concentrations of 250 and 500 mg L-1 had a positive effect and resulted in increased rhizome number, rhizome width, and number of roots. Overall, it can be concluded that chitosan can promote the growth and development of zamiifolia by stimulating rhizome production and improving root proliferation

Blood pressure lowering effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: The aim of the present meta-analysis was to detect the effect of a-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Material and methods: The related records were selected from several electronic databases from the earliest date 1980 until October 2019. The heterogeneities were assessed by I 2 test (I 2 < 50%) and X 2 test on Cochrane's Q statistic. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were considered for net change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Subgroup analyses were also conducted by baseline BP, health status, doses of supplementation, study duration and supplement utilization. Results: As a result, a total of 10 studies with 612 subjects were included in the final analysis. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduced SBP (SMD = –0.50, 95% CI: –0.84, –0.16, p = 0.004) and DBP (SMD = –0.40, 95% CI: –0.71, –0.09, p = 0.01), compared to the controls, with the reduction of 6.1 mm Hg and 3.6 mm Hg of the mean SBP and DBP, respectively. Heterogeneities were explored in both SBP and DBP. Moreover, a statistically significant reduction in BP was detected in elevated BP and hypertensive patients as compared with the normotensive subjects. Conclusion: ALA supplementation could be considered as a BP-lowering agent, especially in subjects with higher blood pressure

Brain perfusion imaging with voxel-based analysis in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis patients with a moderate to severe stage of disease: a boon for the workforce

Background: The present study was carried out to evaluate cerebral perfusion in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with a moderate to severe stage of disease. Some patients underwent hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and brain perfusion between before and after that was compared. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 25 secondary progressive (SP)-MS patients from the hospital database. Neurological disability evaluated by Expanded Disability Status Scale Score (EDSS). Brain perfusion was performed by (99 m) Tc-labeled bicisate (ECD) brain SPECT and the data were compared using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). In total, 16 patients underwent HBOT. Before HBOT and at the end of 20 sessions of oxygen treatment, 99mTc-ECD brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was performed again then the results were evaluated and compared. Brain perfusion was performed by (99 m) Tc-labeled bicisate (ECD) brain SPECT and the data were compared using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Results: A total of 25 SP-MS patients, 14 females (56 %) and 11 males (44 %) with a mean age of 38.92 ± 11. 28 years included in the study. The mean disease duration was 8.70 ± 5.30 years. Of the 25 patients, 2 (8 %) had a normal SPECT and 23 (92 %) had abnormal brain perfusion SPECT studies. The study showed a significant association between severity of perfusion impairment with disease duration and also with EDSS (P <0.05). There was a significant improvement in pre- and post-treatment perfusion scans (P <0.05), but this did not demonstrate a significant improvement in the clinical subjective and objective evaluation of patients (P >0.05). Conclusions: This study depicted decreased cerebral perfusion in SP-MS patients with a moderate to severe disability score and its association with clinical parameters. Because of its accessibility, rather low price, practical ease, and being objective quantitative information, brain perfusion SPECT can be complementing to other diagnostic modalities such as MRI and clinical examinations in disease surveillance and monitoring. The literature on this important issue is extremely scarce, and follow up studies are required to assess these preliminary results

The impact of immediate breast reconstruction on the time to delivery of adjuvant therapy: the iBRA-2 study

Background: Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is routinely offered to improve quality-of-life for women requiring mastectomy, but there are concerns that more complex surgery may delay adjuvant oncological treatments and compromise long-term outcomes. High-quality evidence is lacking. The iBRA-2 study aimed to investigate the impact of IBR on time to adjuvant therapy. Methods: Consecutive women undergoing mastectomy ± IBR for breast cancer July–December, 2016 were included. Patient demographics, operative, oncological and complication data were collected. Time from last definitive cancer surgery to first adjuvant treatment for patients undergoing mastectomy ± IBR were compared and risk factors associated with delays explored. Results: A total of 2540 patients were recruited from 76 centres; 1008 (39.7%) underwent IBR (implant-only [n = 675, 26.6%]; pedicled flaps [n = 105,4.1%] and free-flaps [n = 228, 8.9%]). Complications requiring re-admission or re-operation were significantly more common in patients undergoing IBR than those receiving mastectomy. Adjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy was required by 1235 (48.6%) patients. No clinically significant differences were seen in time to adjuvant therapy between patient groups but major complications irrespective of surgery received were significantly associated with treatment delays. Conclusions: IBR does not result in clinically significant delays to adjuvant therapy, but post-operative complications are associated with treatment delays. Strategies to minimise complications, including careful patient selection, are required to improve outcomes for patients

Exploration and morphologic variation of Iris wild species with ornamental potential

Nowadays, the flower industry is growing so fast that its development requires introducing new varieties to the flower market. Iran is the habitat of numerous species of wild plants that are among the valuable genetics in the breeding process. The identification of native Iris species, investigation of morphological diversity, and distribution method have a significant effect on the introduction of this flower as new and superior cultivars cut flower and bedding plant. The documentation of the most important habitats of Iris in Arak province, identification of morphological characteristics and correlation determination of morphological traits are the most important aims of this research. The results showed that there is a correlation between some of the traits. The highest positive correlation was related to the height of flower and length of the leaf, length of the flowering stem and the length of the leaf and the height of the flower and the length of the flowering stem. The ecotypes of Iris sp. were divided into six groups. Based on the results of the cluster diagram, the bulbous species were separated from rhizome species. Generally, due to the color diversity of Iris sp. and unique beauty of the flowers and the resistance of the native species, they can be used as native foundations. Due to the prominent traits such as high durability of Iris meda, odor of I. hymernospatha Subsp. leptoneura and color diversity of I. persica, I. songarica and height of I. spuria, they can be used to introduce new ornamental species. Iris spuria is the most suitable genotype because of the high height, large flower, high durability, and beautiful flower

Blood pressure lowering effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: The aim of the present meta-analysis was to detect the effect of a-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementationon systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP). Material and methods: The related records were selected from several electronic databases from the earliest date 1980 until October 2019. The heterogeneities were assessed by I2 test (I2 &lt; 50%) and X2 test on Cochrane’s Q statistic. Standardized mean difference (SMD) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were considered for net change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Subgroup analyses were also conducted by baseline BP, health status, doses of supplementation, study duration and supplement utilization. Results: As a result, a total of 10 studies with 612 subjects were included in the final analysis. Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation significantly reduced SBP (SMD = –0.50, 95% CI: –0.84, –0.16, p = 0.004) and DBP (SMD = –0.40, 95% CI: –0.71, –0.09, p = 0.01), compared to the controls, with the reduction of 6.1 mm Hg and 3.6 mm Hg of the mean SBP and DBP, respectively. Heterogeneities were explored in both SBP and DBP. Moreover, a statistically significant reduction in BP was detected in elevated BP and hypertensive patients as compared with the normotensive subjects. Conclusion: ALA supplementation could be considered as a BP-lowering agent, especially in subjects with higher blood pressure