Sensitivity or resistance to steroid therapy in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome is not associated with polymorphism of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)

It's about years that the relation between renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAS) and involving enzymes such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) with nephrotic syndrome is under the focus of researchers and also there are a lot of meta-analyses. However there were few studies investigated the relation of ACE polymorphism and sensitivity or resistance to steroid therapy in children. So we intend to do that. In the current study the sample size was 40 children. Among them, 22 patients were sensitive and 18 patients were resistant to steroid therapy. The samples were collected from Ali-Asghar pediatric hospital in Tehran, Iran. We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the genotyping. After that, we used Chi-squared test for statistical analysis. The statistical analysis showed no significant correlation between ACE polymorphism and sensitivity or resistance to steroid therapy (P = 0.77). Although the frequency of DD genotype was higher in the resistant group, but this difference was not statistically significant. Finally we found that although based on previous studies, D allele and DD genotype are more frequent in children with idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in comparison to healthy children, but the resistance or sensitivity to steroid therapy in children is not associated with ACE polymorphism. Further meta-analysis on the studies done on children is suggested. � 2016 Parisadat Ahmadi et al

Negative performance of root extract of Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. on the burn wound healing in an animal model

Background: Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. belongs to the Boraginaceae family which locally known as" Hava Chobeh", and it is considered as one of the most important Mountainous medicinal plants in North of Iran, Its red roots have been used by the rural healers as either singular or combination with other plants as antiseptic and anti-inflammatory to treat the burns and wound healing. Methods and Findings: In this study, the acetonic extract of plant root was used for the evaluation of its healing efficiency on burn wound model in rat. Burn induced in Wistar rats, and subsequently they were divided into five groups were treated as follow: Group-I ointment containing of extract 2%, Group-II, traditional ointment containing of goat lipid and root extract, Groups-III ointment alone, Group-IV (positive control) the standard drug (silver sulphadiazine) and Group-V (negative control) untreated rats. The assessment the burn area healing was carried out within 14 days. Our results showed that the treated group in I and II, the intensity of wound increased up to the day 8, even the wound diameter much more expanded than negative control group (group V). The best result was demonstrated by Silver sulphadiazine treated group (group IV). Conclusion: This study shows that Onosma dichroanthum Boiss. root did not have any effect on healing of burn wounds in an animal model. Further studies are requiring for assessment of this plant in combination with other plants on burn wound healing. © Under License of Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License

Half-dose photodynamic therapy for chronic central serous chorioretinopathy

Purpose: To report the outcomes of half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC). Methods: A chart review of patients with chronic CSC who had received half-dose verteporfin PDT (3 mg/m2) was performed. The main outcome measures were resolution of subretinal fluid and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Results: Fifty-three eyes of 51 patients with mean age of 45.01 ± 8.9 years were studied. Three, 6 and 12 months after half-dose PDT, subretinal fluid was completely resolved in 51 eyes (96.2). In 2 eyes (one patient), subretinal fluid decreased at 3 months but one year later, an increase in subretinal fluid was detected on optical coherence tomography (OCT) which completely resolved following additional PDT. Another patient with recurrence of subretinal fluid rejected further treatment. Mean baseline central subfield thickness was 385 ± 113.0 μm which was decreased to 235 ± 39.7, 247 ± 49.7, and 244 ± 49.52 μm after 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively (all P-values < 0.001). Mean BCVA was 0.33 ± 0.27 LogMAR before PDT and 0.11 ± 0.18, 0.11 ± 0.17, 0.17 ± 0.26 and 0.10 ± 0.23 LogMAR, 3, 6 and 12 months and at final visit (up to 60 months) after PDT, respectively (all P-values < 0.001). Improvement �2 lines in BCVA occurred in 20 eyes (37.7). Statistically significant correlations were found between improvement in BCVA and baseline BCVA, baseline central subfield thickness and central subfield thickness after resorption of subretinal fluid (P < 0.001, P= 0.04 and P= 0.01, respectively). No complications attributed to PDT were observed. Conclusion: Half-dose PDT is effective for treatment of patients with chronic CSC. © 2016 Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research

Scalp metastasis of cervical cancer with favorable outcome

Introduction: Carcinoma of the uterine cervix is the most common gynecological malignancies in developing countries. Human papilloma virus is known as the main etiology. In addition, the spread of uterine cervical cancer often occurs through direct local extension and the lymphatics although the hematogenous spread is uncommon. Further, the scalp metastasis of cervical cancer is extremely rare. Case Presentation: In this regard, a 50-year-old woman with scalp metastasis of previous cervical cancer was discussed in the present study. She was suffering from a fast-growing and painful nodule, located on the frontal part of the scalp as a sole site of metastasis. A multidisciplinary approach was considered for her, which consisted of radical excision, followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Given the lack of abundant evidence for the efficacy of this treatment, our patient has fortunately survived for more than two years. Conclusions: During the follow-up period after the completion of treatment, it is not sensible to only focus on the primary site of the tumor and thus entire examination is mandatory in this regard. © 2020 The Author(s)

Subsidization of substance use treatment: Comparison of methadone maintenance treatment and abstinence-based residential treatment in Iran

Background: Subsidization is a policy to encourage the purchase and use of goods and services and to promote their affordability for the poor. The Welfare Organization of Iran subsidizes substance use treatment in order to increase coverage and adherence to treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to answer the following questions: is the model efficient? Has the policy resulted in increased coverage and higher adherence to substance use treatment? How could the model be improved? Methods: We compared two types of substance use treatments of abstinence-based residential program and outpatient methadone maintenance. Based on their severity of addiction and retention in treatment clients who benefited from subsidization were compared with other clients. Therefore, 109 clients, 78 from methadone maintenance and 31 from residential abstinence-based programs were interviewed. Results: Subsidization had an encouraging effect on clients to enter substance use treatment in both treatment programs (P = 0.001). However, we were unable to find evidence that subsidization helped retention in the treatment (P = 0.389), or that concomitant use of illegal substances in clients on methadone maintenance was lower (P = 0.500). Based on economic status of clients (P = 0.05) their criminal record (P = 0.001), length of use of substances (P = 0.05), and comorbid psychiatric conditions (P = 0.05), it was evident that assignment to subsidization in methadone maintenance services was significantly more reasonable, while it was almost random in abstinence-based residential facilities assignment. Conclusions: The current model of substance use treatment subsidization is not efficient. Addiction severity subscales and socioeconomic status of clients could be considered appropriate factors for assignment to the subsidization program. Copyright © 2020, Author(s). This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits copy and redistribute the material just in noncommercial usages, provided the original work is properly cited

A novel method for the synthesis of spiroindoline-pyrazolo4',3':5,6] pyrido2,3-dpyrimidinetriones by alum as a reusable catalyst

Synthesis of spiroindoline-pyrazolo4',3':5,6]pyrido2,3-dpyrimidine trione derivatives by a cyclo-condensation reaction of indolin-2-ones, barbituric acids, and 1,3-diphenyl-1H-pyrazol-5-amines with the ionic liquid as an effective green reaction media and in the presence of Alum as a reusable catalyst was reported. Excellent yields of products, green media, use of a reusable catalyst, and short reaction time are the main advantages of this new method. © 2012 HeteroCorporation

Isolation and proliferation of spermatogonial cells from ghezel sheep

Background: Sheep industry has taken steps toward transforming itself into a more efficient and competitive field. There are many varieties of sheep breeds in the world that each of them serves a useful purpose in the economies of different civilizations. Ghezel sheep is one of the Iranian important breeds that are raised for meat, milk and wool. Field of spermatogonial cell technologies provides tools for genetic improvement of sheep herd and multiple opportunities for research. Spermatogonial cells are the only stem cells capable of transmitting genetic information to future generations. Methods: This study was designed to extend the technique of isolation and in vitro proliferation of spermatogonial cells in Ghezel sheep. Results: Isolated cells were characterized further by using specific markers for type A spermatogonia, including PLZF. Also, sertoli cells were characterized by vimentin which is a specific marker for sertoli cells. After 10 days of co-culture, viability rates of the cells was above 94.7, but after the freezing process the viability rates were 74 percent. Conclusion: In this study, a standard method for isolation and in vitro proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells in Ghezel sheep was developed. © 2018, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved

Isolation and proliferation of spermatogonial cells from ghezel sheep

Background: Sheep industry has taken steps toward transforming itself into a more efficient and competitive field. There are many varieties of sheep breeds in the world that each of them serves a useful purpose in the economies of different civilizations. Ghezel sheep is one of the Iranian important breeds that are raised for meat, milk and wool. Field of spermatogonial cell technologies provides tools for genetic improvement of sheep herd and multiple opportunities for research. Spermatogonial cells are the only stem cells capable of transmitting genetic information to future generations. Methods: This study was designed to extend the technique of isolation and in vitro proliferation of spermatogonial cells in Ghezel sheep. Results: Isolated cells were characterized further by using specific markers for type A spermatogonia, including PLZF. Also, sertoli cells were characterized by vimentin which is a specific marker for sertoli cells. After 10 days of co-culture, viability rates of the cells was above 94.7, but after the freezing process the viability rates were 74 percent. Conclusion: In this study, a standard method for isolation and in vitro proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells in Ghezel sheep was developed. © 2018, Avicenna Journal of Medical Biotechnology. All rights reserved

Anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2018

Anemia is a globally widespread condition in women and is associated with reduced economic productivity and increased mortality worldwide. Here we map annual 2000–2018 geospatial estimates of anemia prevalence in women of reproductive age (15–49 years) across 82 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), stratify anemia by severity and aggregate results to policy-relevant administrative and national levels. Additionally, we provide subnational disparity analyses to provide a comprehensive overview of anemia prevalence inequalities within these countries and predict progress toward the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target (WHO GNT) to reduce anemia by half by 2030. Our results demonstrate widespread moderate improvements in overall anemia prevalence but identify only three LMICs with a high probability of achieving the WHO GNT by 2030 at a national scale, and no LMIC is expected to achieve the target in all their subnational administrative units. Our maps show where large within-country disparities occur, as well as areas likely to fall short of the WHO GNT, offering precision public health tools so that adequate resource allocation and subsequent interventions can be targeted to the most vulnerable populations.Peer reviewe