A novel diblock copolymer of (monomethoxy poly [ethylene glycol]-oleate) with a small hydrophobic fraction to make stable micelles/polymersomes for curcumin delivery to cancer cells

Curcumin is a potent natural anticancer agent, but its effectiveness is limited by properties such as very low solubility, high rate of degradation, and low rate of absorption of its hydrophobic molecules in vivo. To date, various nanocarriers have been used to improve the bioavailability of this hydrophobic biomaterial. This study investigates the encapsulation of curcumin in a novel nanostructure of monomethoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-oleate (mPEG-OA) and its anticancer effect. Tests were done to determine the critical micelle concentration (CMC), encapsulation efficiency, drug-loading efficiency, and cytotoxicity (against U87MG brain carcinoma cells and HFSF-PI3 cells as normal human fibroblasts) of some nanodevice preparations. The results of fluorescence microscopy and cell-cycle analyses indicated that the in vitro bioavailability of the encapsulated curcumin was significantly greater than that of free curcumin. Cytotoxicity evaluations showed that half maximal inhibitory concentrations of free curcumin and curcumin-loaded mPEG-OA for the U87MG cancer cell line were 48 μM and 24 μM, respectively. The Annexin-V-FLUOS assay was used to quantify the apoptotic effect of the prepared nanostructures. Apoptosis induction was observed in a dose-dependent manner after curcumin-loaded mPEG-OA treatments. Two common self-assembling structures, micelles and polymersomes, were observed by atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scat­tering, and the abundance of each structure was dependent on the concentration of the diblock copolymer. The mPEG-OA micelles had a very low CMC (13.24 μM or 0.03 g/L). Moreover, atomic force microscopy and dynamic light scattering showed that the curcumin-loaded mPEG-OA polymersomes had very stable structures, and at concentrations 1,000 times less than the CMC, at which the micelles disappear, polymersomes were the dominant structures in the dispersion with a reduced size distribution below 150 nm. Overall, the results from these tests revealed that this nanocarrier can be considered as an appropriate drug delivery system for delivering curcumin to cancer cells. © 2014 Erfani-Moghadam et al

Which therapies will provide the best results in IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic abdominal pain with the change of defecation. The present study aimed to compare the effects of standard medical treatment plus stress management treatment and standard medical treatment alone in IBS symptoms and quality of life. An experimental study has been carried out among participants with Rome-III diagnostic criteria. Participants randomly assigned into two groups. The case group received the standard medical treatment plus stress management treatment, n= 15, while, the control group received the standard medical treatment alone, n= 15. The training programs were contain 8 domains of relaxation, cognation reproduce, contrast skills training, express trains and problem solving, anger management training and social supports. Data were collected using demographic, ROME III, Bowel Syndrome Symptom Severity Score and Quality of Life- IBS. Overall, 30 male participants were evaluated. The age range of participants was 25-55 years. The stress management training could decrease the ROME-II scores. Also the stress management training has a significant effect on quality of life and the HSE. Therefore, it is necessary that IBS suffering referred to psychologists for psychotherapy while they are under medical treatment

The incidence of prostate cancer in Iran: Results of a population-based cancer registry

Background: Little is known about the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Iranian men. We carried out an active prostate cancer surveillance program in five provinces of Iran. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from population-based cancer registries between 1996 and 2000. Results: The age-standardized incidence rate of prostate carcinoma in the five provinces was 5.1 per 100,000 person-years. No significant difference was seen in the age-standardized incidence rate of prostate cancer within the provinces studied. The mean±SD age of patients with prostate cancer was 67±13.5 years. Conclusion: The incidence of prostate cancer in Iran is very low as compared to the Western countries. This can partly be explained by lack of nationwide screening program, younger age structure and quality of cancer registration system in Iran

Comparison of muscular tissue concentration of heavy metals in Sharpnose stinger (Himantura gerrardi) and Bigeye scade (Selar crumenophthalmus) of the Persian Gulf

We assessed concentration of heavy metals (Cu, Fe, Hg and Zn) in the muscular tissue of benthic species Himantura gerrardi and pelagic species Selar crumenophthalmus caught from the Persian Gulf during winter 2008. After biometrical measurements, the muscle tissues of 51 randomly selected samples were separated from 86 stations. Specimens were digested using the wet method and the concentrations of Cu, Fe and Zn were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (flame method) and also concentration of mercury was determined using Mercury Analyzer device. The mean concentration of heavy metals in muscle tissues of Himantura gerrardi were as follows: Fe: 74.78; Hg: 0.77; Zn: 875.99 and Cu: 3.5. However, these values for muscle tissues of Selar crumenophthalmus were: Fe: 25.07; Hg: 0.20; Cu: Zn: 15.54 and Zn: 2.31kg/g dry weight. Results showed that concentration of the selected heavy metals in H. gerrardi, were significantly higher than Selar crumenophthalmus (P <0.05)

Molecular and serological survey of selected viruses in free-ranging wild ruminants in Iran

A molecular and serological survey of selected viruses in free-ranging wild ruminants was conducted in 13 different districts in Iran. Samples were collected from 64 small wild ruminants belonging to four different species including 25 Mouflon (Ovis orientalis), 22 wild goat (Capra aegagrus), nine Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) and eight Goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa) during the national survey for wildlife diseases in Iran. Serum samples were evaluated using serologic antibody tests for Peste de petits ruminants virus (PPRV), Pestiviruses [Border Disease virus (BVD) and Bovine Viral Diarrhoea virus (BVDV)], Bluetongue virus (BTV), Bovine herpesvirus type 1 (BHV-1), and Parainfluenza type 3 (PI3). Sera were also ELISA tested for Pestivirus antigen. Tissue samples including spleen, liver, lung, tonsils, mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes and white blood cells (WBCs) were tested using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for PPRV, Foot and Mouth Disease virus (FMDV), Pestivirus, BTV, Ovine herpesvirus type 2 (OvHV-2) and BHV-1. Serologic tests were positive for antibodies against PPRV (17%), Pestiviruses (2%) and BTV (2%). No antibodies were detected for BHV-1 or PI3, and no Pestivirus antigen was detected. PCR results were positive for PPRV (7.8%), FMDV (11%), BTV (3%), OvHV-2 (31%) and BHV-1 (1.5%). None of the samples were positive for Pestiviruses.Farhid Hemmatzadeh, Wayne Boardman, Arezo Alinejad, Azar Hematzade, Majid Kharazian Moghada

Investigating the probable consequences of super absorbent polymer and mycorrhizal fungi to reduce detrimental effects of lead on wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

ArticleIn many parts of the world, agricultural use of soils is restricted due to heavy metal contamination. Absorption of heavy metals, such as (Pb), in the tissue of plants increases the plant’s metabolism and causes physiological disorders or even death. In order to study the potential of super absorbent polymers (SAP) and mycorrhiza fungi application to mitigate adverse effects of lead (Pb) on wheat, a greenhouse experiment was conducted. The experiment was setup as a completely randomized design, with two treatments arranged in a factorial scheme with three levels of lead (0, 100 and 200 mg per kg soil) and four levels of SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application (without SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application, SAP application alone, mycorrhiza fungi application alone, SAP and mycorrhiza fungi application combined). The results showed that Pb significantly affected all parameters measured of wheat. The Pb-contamination caused a significantly decreasing in plant height, total dry weight per plant and total chlorophyll contents. And also, the results indicated that the combined use of superabsorbent and mycorrhiza reduced the amount of superoxide dismutase enzyme. As well as, our results show that the application of super absorbent polymer and mycorrhizal fungi seems to be a promising path to reduce detrimental effects of heavy metal pollution of agricultural soils on plant performance.http://dx.doi.org/10.15159/ar.18.00

Performance evaluation of a scoria-compost biofilter treating xylene vapors

The removal of xylene vapors was studied in a biofilter packed with a new hybrid (scoria/compost) packing material at various inlet loads (IL) and empty bed residence times (EBRT) of 90, 60, and 40s. The best performance was observed for EBRT of 90s, where a removal efficiency of 98% was obtained under steady state condition for inlet xylene concentration of 1.34 g m(-3), while a maximum elimination capacity of 97.5 g m(-3) h(-1) was observed for IL of 199.5 g m(-3) h(-1). Carbon dioxide production rates and the microbial counts for xylene-degraders followed xylene elimination capacities. Overall look to the results of this study indicates that the scoria/compost mixture could be considered as a potential biofilter carrier, with low pressure drop (here <4 mm H2O), to treat air streams containing VOCs

Paradox of Modern Pregnancy: A Phenomenological Study of Women's Lived Experiences from Assisted Pregnancy

The purpose of our study was describing the meaning of pregnancy through Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). A qualitative design with hermeneutic phenomenology approach was selected to carry out the research. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 12 women who experienced assisted pregnancy. Three themes emerged from women's experience including finding peace in life, paradoxical feelings, and struggling to realize a dream. We concluded that pregnancy is the beginning of a new and hard struggle for women with fertility problems. The findings of our study resulted in helpful implications for the health care professionals managing assisted pregnancies. Copyright © 2015 Fahimeh Ranjbar et al

An evaluation of the effectiveness of a reproductive health education program for nonmedical students in Iran: A quasi-experimental pre-test, post-test research

Background: Young people age 10 - 25 are an important population to evaluate the female youth educational program essential to the prevention of issues related to reproductive health. Objectives: This study evaluated the effectiveness of the education program for improving university student�s reproductive health. Patients and Methods: This quantitative study was conducted in Iran from July 2014 to March 2015. The questionnaire addressed socio-demographic features, knowledge of reproductive problems, and attitudes. Program effectiveness was examined using a quasi-experimental research design with pre-intervention and post-intervention. Data from questionnaires was collected preintervention and post-intervention from 150 female students. Results: In this study, results showed that an intervention and education program had a significant effect on several issues related to reproductive health. Most participants stressed the need to provide reproductive health services for young girls. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that the reproductive health education program improved the students� knowledge and attitudes about sexuality and decision-making after the program and that these educational programs are important for youths. © 2016, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Clinical presentation of coronary arteriovenous fistula according to age and anatomic orientation

Background: Coronary arteriovenous fistulas (CAVFs) are direct connections from one or more coronary arteries to cardiac chambers or a large vessel. They are mostly of congenital origin. The aim of this study was to describe clinical presentation and also delineate the course and management of CAVF. Methods: Clinical data, chest x-rays, echocardiographic and angiographic evaluation of 40 patients with congenital CAVF during 1990 to 2008 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Seventeen patients were �20 years old (42.5) were mostly asymptomatic, and twenty tree cases were older than 20 years old (57.5), mostly symptomatic (P < 0.05). Twenty one (52.5) patients had pure CAVF and nineteen (47.5) patients with associated intarcardiac congenital heart disease (15) or acquired valvular and coronary arteries diseases (32.5). CAVFs mostly originated from left anterior descending artery (LAD) (42.5) and mostly drained into the main pulmonary artery (MPA) (35 ). Twenty-four patients underwent CAVF surgical ligation. From twenty-one patients with pure CAVF, eight (38) patients were complicated by congestive heart failure and aneurism formation of fistula. Conclusion: Unlike some previous reports, in our study, the most prevalent origin site for CAVFs was the left anterior descending (LAD). Most patients with CAVFs especially those who went first diagnosed before 20 years old were asymptomatic. On the other hand, as the continuous murmur is not always detected in children or infants, consequently, cases of spontaneous closure may remain undetected. All symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with moderate to severe shunting should be operated on and minimal morbidity and good surgical results could be expected