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

Disabilities and Activities of Daily Living Among Veterans With Old Hip Disarticulation and Transpelvic Amputation

Background: The Iran-Iraq imposed war lasted eight years and was one of the longest wars of the last century. Twenty-three years have passed since the war ended, but little has been discussed about the long-term results of war amputations in the literature. Objectives: In this long-term study, we have evaluated the activities of daily living among veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on Iran-Iraq war veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations in Iran. Eighty-four (96.5%) veterans out of 87 registered veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations participated in the study. The degree of independence for activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by the Barthel index. The degree of independence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed by the Lawton-Brody scale. Results: The average follow-up time was 26.6 ± 3.7 years. The average age of veterans was 44.1±7 years old. Of 84 amputees, 57 (67.85%) had limitations in at least one domain of the ADL. The most common single item that affected the patients was ascending and descending stairs seen in 45 (78.9%) veterans, followed by eating seen in 4 (7.01%) veterans. In addition, 70 (83.33%) had limitations in at least one domain of the IADL. The most common single item that affected the veterans was shopping seen in 56 (80%), followed by responsibility for own medications seen in 13 (18.57%) veterans. Spearman correlation coefficient of the sum scores of ADL and IADL showed an intermediate to strong correlation (r = 0.58). Conclusions: Increasing dependency in ADL is accompanied by increasing dependency in IADL. In the past, the duty of health care providers was saving the life of veterans due to injuries while at present, because these injuries occurred in young and healthy individuals, the need for increased function is being highlighted

Transdifferentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Into Oligoprogenitor Cells

Introduction: The nerve fibers in central nervous system are surrounded by myelin sheet which is formed by oligodendrocytes. Cell therapy based on oligodendrocytes and their precursors transplantation can hold a promising alternative treatment for myelin sheet repair in demyelinating diseases. Methods: Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) are noninvasive, autologous and easy available source with multipotency characteristics, so they are in focus of interest in regenerative medicine. In the present study, hDPSCs were differentiated into oligoprogenitor using glial induction media, containing Retinoic Acid (RA), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), Platelet- Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), N2 and B27. The differentiated Oligoprogenitor Cells (OPCs) were evaluated for nestin, Olig2, NG2 and O4 using immunocytochemistry. Also, the expression of nestin, Olig2 and PDGFR-alpha gens (neuroprogenitor and oligoprogenitor markers) were investigated via RT-PCR technique. Results: The results indicate that glial differentiation medium induces the generation of oligoprogenitor cells as revealed via exhibition of specific glial markers, including Olig2, NG2 and O4. The expersion of nestin gene (neuroprogenitor marker) and Olig2 and PDGFR-alpha genes (oligoprogentor markers) were detected in treated hDPSCs at the end of the induction stage. Conclusion: hDPSCs can be induced to transdifferentiate into oligoprogenitor cells and respond to the routinely applied regents for glial differentiation of mesanchymal stem cells. These data suggest the hDPSCs as a valuable source for cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases

Prostate cancer in Iran: Trends in incidence and morphological and epidemiological characteristics

Background: Prostate cancer is second most common cancer in men overall in the world, whereas it is the third most common cancer in men and the sixth most common cancer in Iran. Few studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Iran. Since ethnicity of Iranian men is different from Asian people and given the epidemiologic and demographic transition taking place in Iran, this study aimed to investigate trends of incidence and morphology of prostate cancer during 2003 - 2008 in the country. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively reviewing all new prostate cancer patients in the Cancer Registry Center of the Health Deputy for Iran during a 6-year period. Also carcinoma, NOS and adenocarcinoma, NOS morphology were surveyed. Trends analysis of incidence and morphology was by joinpoint regression. Results: During the six years a total of 16,071 cases of prostate cancer were recorded in Iran. Most were adenocarcinomas at 95.2 percent. Trend analysis of incidence (ASR) There was a significant increase incidence, with annual percentage change (APC) of 17.3 and for morphology change percentage trends there was a significant decrease in adenocarcinoma with an APC of -1.24. Conclusions: Prostate cancer is a disease of older men and the incidence is increasing in Iran. The most common morphology is adenocarcinoma this appears to be decreasing over time. Due to the changing lifestyles and the aging of the population, epidemiological studies and planning assessment of the etiology of prostate cancer and its early detection are essential

Bacterial biofilm in colorectal cancer: What is the real mechanism of action?

Human colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer around the world. Colorectal cancer has various risk factors, but current works have bolded a significant activity for the microbiota of the human colon in the development of this disease. Bacterial biofilm has been mediated to non-malignant pathologies like inflammatory bowel disease but has not been fully documented in the setting of colorectal cancer. The investigation has currently found that bacterial biofilm is mediated to colon cancer in the human and linked to the location of human cancer, with almost all right-sided adenomas of colon cancers possessing bacterial biofilm, whilst left-sided cancer is rarely biofilm positive. The profound comprehension of the changes in colorectal cancer can provide interesting novel concepts for anticancer treatments. In this review, we will summarize and examine the new knowledge about the links between colorectal cancer and bacterial biofilm. © 202

Separating mouse malignant cell line (EL4) from neonate spermatogonial stem cells utilizing microfluidic device in vitro

Background: Some children who have survived cancer will be azoospermic in the future. Performing isolation and purification procedures for spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) is very critical. In this regard, performing the process of decontamination of cancerous cells is the initial step. The major objective of the present study is to separate the malignant EL4 cell line in mice and spermatogonial stem cells in vitro. Methods: The spermatogonial stem cells of sixty neonatal mice were isolated, and the procedure of co-culturing was carried out by EL4 which were classified into 2 major groups: (1) the control group (co-culture in a growth medium) and (2) the group of co-cultured cells which were separated using the microfluidic device. The percentage of cells was assessed using flow cytometry technique and common laboratory technique of immunocytochemistry and finally was confirmed through the laboratory technique of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The actual percentage of EL4 and SSC after isolation was collected at two outlets: the outputs for the smaller outlet were 0.12 for SSC and 42.14 for EL4, while in the larger outlet, the outputs were 80.38 for SSC and 0.32 for EL4; in the control group, the percentages of cells were 21.44 for SSC and 23.28 for EL4 (based on t test (p � 0.05)). Conclusions: The present study demonstrates that the use of the microfluidic device is effective in separating cancer cells from spermatogonial stem cells. © 2020 The Author(s)

Quantitative trait loci and genes associated with salmonid alphavirus load in Atlantic salmon:implications for pancreas disease resistance and tolerance

publishedVersio

Correction to: Separating mouse malignant cell line (EL4) from neonate spermatogonial stem cells utilizing microfluidic device in vitro (Stem Cell Research & Therapy, (2020), 11, 1, (191), 10.1186/s13287-020-01671-1)

The original article 1 displays incorrect affiliation information; the correct affiliations for each author can be viewed in this Correction article. © 2020, The Author(s)

A feasibility study on the application development of farming aquatic plants in the country

In recent years, according to increase in consumption of fish in the world, however, due to the lack of control of many common diseases with disease-causing pathogens, the total world production of fish has decreased. Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) is one of the most preferred species in aquaculture of Iran. Development of an economical artificial to accelerate the growth and to maintain the health status of this fish is of major importance for sustainable rainbow trout culture. Fish diseases are a serious threat to economic viability of any aquaculture practice. Currently, the commercial aquaculture industry prefers to reduce the costs of production. Because the cost of antibiotics used for prevention and treatment of diseases, and excessive use of growth hormones for improving growth performance is very high. However, the development of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains, accumulation of residue in cultured fish and environmental problems associated with the use of chemicals have led to investigate on suitable methods of disease management. Therefore, a new approach to immunotherapy is actively used to prevent or treat fish diseases, increased disease resistance, feed efficiency and growth performance of fish in a sustainable aquaculture industry. In this regard, extensive research has been carried out to test the new compounds led to the development of the aquaculture industry. It has been proved that use of medicinal herbs in fish diet enhance the immune system against infections with various bacteria, especially, Aeromonas hydrophila in different species of fish, which is of the major bacterial pathogens, leading to heavy mortality rate and decrease the productivity efficiency, causing high economic loss of the fish farmers. The present project “the use of development medicinal plants in Aquaculture” with 4 separate sections reveled their results as follows: Part one: In this study, Origanum vulgare, Aloe vera extracts and placebo (70 % lactose, 10 % starch and 20 % talc) were used at a rate of 1% and levamisole at a rate of 0.1% of weight feed at a rate 2% of body weight.In conclusion, dried Origanum Vulgare and Aloe vera extracts at a rate of 1% of weight feed increased specific and non-specific immune systems in rainbow trout (13 and 2 gram) in identical weeks (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10). Therefore, these extracts can use to enhance immune system in aquaculture industry. Part two: In this study, some non-specific immune responses, hematology and biochemical parameters in rainbow trout juveniles (16 gr mean weight) and their resistance to Streptococcus iniae were evaluated following oral administration of Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp. extract. Three concentrations (0.5, 1 and 1.5 gr/kg of feed) of Echinacea purpurea and three concentrations (2, 3 and 5 gr/kg of feed) of Astragalus sp extract and control group were used for 60 days. Parameters evaluated included: levels of C4, C3 (complement components), free oxygen radicals (respiratory burst), Lysozyme, numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. In the end, the relative survival rate (RSR) of fish was evaluated against S. iniae. The results showed that the levels of C3, lysozyme, oxygen free radicals, the number of neutrophils and lymphocytes in the experiment groups (the highest dose) compared to control group were increased significantly (p 0.05). The relative survival rates of fish following challenge with Streptococcus iniae, were 91/11, 93/33 and 44/44 percent in experiments (Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp.) and control groups, respectively. In conclusion, it may be state that Echinacea purpurea and Astragalus sp. extracts enhance the non-specific immune system and fish resistance against Streptococcusis, and it seems it can be used as immunostimulant in feed. Part three: Today, regarding the development of sturgeon rearing and importance of the aquatic health, it is necessary to apply natural material to combat pathogenic factors. Therefore, using medicinal plants is an excellent alternative instead of chemical material to control pathogenic factors. As, protozoan ectoparasites are one of the most important factors which have threatened sturgeon life, so this study carried out to determine lethal concentration of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts on fingerlings of Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus) that the efficiency and the effective dose of theses extracts determined for controlling protozoan parasite naming Trichodina. Then, considering the results of the mentioned experiments, the study conducted on effective concentrations (EC50) of these extracts to combat Trichodina protozoan parasite. In this study the concentration of Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract for final experiments was 200 to 600 mg/L. Therefore, it was determined for the first time that Zataria multiflora extract can be effective to combat Trichodina. The EC50 of Zataria multiflora extract for 1h bath is 437.62mg/L. Moreover, the concentration of garlic hydroalchoholic extract for final experiments set at 50 to 400 mg/L and the EC50 of garlic extract is 172.58 mg/L for 1h. In experiments of EC50, the differential counts of white blood cells (WBC) showed no significant difference in numbers of lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils in different treatments (P>0.05). But there is significant difference in numbers of eosinophils in different treatments (P<0.05). During the experiments of EC50 for garlic and Zataria multiflora extracts, no abnormal behavior observed in Persian sturgeon fingerlings which indicates that these extracts have not created stressful and irritable conditions. The final effective time for these extracts to completely eradicate Trichodina by garlic hydroalchoholic extract is less than 3h in 172.58 mg/L (EC50). But, for Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract, it is less than 5h in 437.62 mg/L. The results showed that in all treatments of garlic hydroalchoholic extract, Trichodina eradicated completely from gill and skin of Persian sturgeon fingerlings during 9h. This time for Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract is 12h. The results of this study showed that garlic and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts with EC50 of 172.58 and 437.62mg/L, have categorized in low toxicity materials which are suitable to be replaced with chemical materials. This investigation showed that the therapeutic index of garlic hydroalchoholic extract is 73.15 that found to be more than Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extract (22.69). So, regarding this index, garlic hydroalchoholic extract is more healthful. Considering the results of this study which indicates the health of these herbal extracts, applying medicinal herbs can be emphasized as a suitable material to be replaced with chemical ones. Part four: In order to investigate the effect of ethanol extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora on Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)took the kids to the isolation and identification of bacteria , the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts to determine the lethal concentrations of hydroalchoholic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts on Persian sturgeon (Acipenser persicus)children , and also to evaluate the efficacy and determine the effective doses of the bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila extracts of in vitro and in vivo were measured . Due to the absence of the Aeromonas hydrophila identification by molecular country in the study of bacteria isolated from sturgeon disease is suspected after detection by screening DNA extraction and molecular By toward action and results by NSBI Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria and Authentication Code NSBI was recorded in Gen Bank JX987090 . Based on studies done in vitro (in vitro) in this study, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) Aeromonas hydrophila bacteria by extracts of garlic and thyme and arrange 1 mg/ml, 0.25mg/ml and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila by the extracts, respectively , and 2mg/ml, 0.5mg/ml. Study on the pictures taken out from sections of gill, liver and kidny of Persian sturgeon fingerlings (Acipenser persicus) showed that in different doses of garlic (Allium sativum) and Zataria multiflora hydroalchoholic extracts the teretment grups were examined and some microscopic damages observed. They are hyperemia, adhesion in the gill filaments, cell necrosis, melanin pigments in gill primary filaments, cloudy swelling of hepatocytes, liver necrosis, hyperemia and increase in melanin pigments and melano macrophage centers in liver, glomerular changes such as congestion and blocked the dilation of Bowman's space, bleeding, cell necrosis, cloudy swelling of the in kidney

Curcumin inhibits NF-kB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways in cervical cancer cells

Curcumin is a natural non-toxic phenol which is isolated from Curcumin longa L. Mounting evidence has revealed the anticancer properties of curcumin in various tumors, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of this suppression in cervical cancer is still remained unclear. Here we assessed the antitumor effects of curcumin compared with 5-Fluorouracil in Hella cells in spheroids models and monolayer cell cultures. The anti-proliferative effects of curcumin and 5-Fluorouracil were as examined in spheroid and monolayer models. The expression levels of Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB pathways as well as the influence of the cell cycle were evaluated. Curcumin inhibited cell growth in Hella cells through the regulation of NF-kB and Wnt pathways. Also, cells developed a G2/M cell cycle arrest followed by sub-G1 apoptosis with 5-Fluorouracil and curcumin. It was also shown that curcumin either considerably affects the Wnt/β-catenin and NF-kB pathways. We showed that curcumin inhibits invasion and proliferation of cervical cancer cells via impairment of NF-kB and Wnt/β-catenin pathways, proposing further studies on the potential impacts of this compound on cancer therapy. © 2019 Elsevier Gmb