Synthesizing efficacious genistein in conjugation with superparamagnetic Fe₃O₄ decorated with bio-compatible carboxymethylated chitosan against acute leukemia lymphoma

Abstract Background Genistein (C15H10O5) is a soy isoflavone with anti-cancer properties such as inhibition of cell growth, proliferation and tumor invasion, but effective dosage against hematopoietic malignant cells was not in non-toxic range. This property cause to impede its usage as chemotherapeutic agent. Therefore, this hypothesis raised that synthesizing biocompatible nanoparticle could assist to prevail this struggle. Methods Genistein covalently attached on Fe3O4 nanoparticles decorated with carboxymethylated chitosan to fabricate Fe3O4-CMC-genistein in alkaline circumstance. This obtained nanoparticles were evaluated by TEM, DLS, FTIR, XRD and VSM and its anti-cancer effect by growth rate and MTT assays as well as flow cytometer on ALL cancer cell lines. Results Different evaluations indicated that the drug delivery vehicle had a mean diameter size around 12ƞm with well bounded components. This system presented high degree of magnetization and superparamagnetic properties as well as good water solubility. In comparison with pure genistein, significant growth inhibition on hematopoietic cancer cells in lower dose of genistein nano-conjugated onto Fe3O4-CMC. It increased long lasting effect of genistein in cancer cells also. Conclusion This delivery system for genistein could be remarkably promised and futuristic as biocompatible chemotherapeutic agent against hematopoietic malignant cells

Synthesis and characterization of nano Bi2O3 for radiology shield

Objective (s): Recently, the use of nanoparticles in medicine has increased for radiation protection purpose. So the aim of this study was application of nano Bi2O3 in prepared shield for dose reduction during medical imaging.Materials and Methods: Nano Bi2O3 shield with 90% silicon and 10% nano Bi2O3 was prepared and dosimetry test was down in radiology by PTW DIADOS E dosimeter.Results: The mean dose without using nano Bi2O3 shields were 421 µGy, 733 µGy and 1110 µGy for 60, 80 and 100 kVp , respectively. After using 0.5 mm thickness of nano Bi2O3 shield dose reduction in 60, 80 and 100 kVp was 42%, 35% and 31%. A comparison between increasing energy from 60 to 100 kVp and dose reduction showed a significant reverse effect.Conclusion: The results indicate that the new shields containing nano Bi2O3 particles have a high X-rays attenuation ability but the attenuation property of the shields was decreased by the increasing of the energy. Based on the results, this new shield can help social health and decline the radiation risk

Emotional Processing In Patients with Ischemic Heart Diseases

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is the most prevalent public health problem on a worldwide scale, and ischemic heart disease accounts for approximately one-half of these events in high-income countries. One of the most important risk factors for this disease is mental and psychological especially stressful experiences. AIM: This research was established to compare emotional processing, as a key factor in stress appraisal, between IHD patients and people with no cardiovascular disease. METHODS: Using simple sampling, fifty patients were selected from people who diagnosed as IHD in the hospital and referred for treatment after discharging care and treatment. Control group participants were selected as control group peoples, using neighbourhood controls selection. The Emotional Processing Scale was filled by all members of the two groups. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups on the EPS-25 total scores, as well as on emotional processing dimensions of signs of unprocessed emotion, unregulated emotion; avoidance and impoverished. Also, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the dimension of Suppression. The final step of regression revealed a β of 10.15 and 1.05 for AVO and IEE subscales respectively. CONCLUSION: The result showed that patients with IHD are using more negative emotional processing styles

Multimorbidity as an important issue among women: results of gender difference investigation in a large population-based cross-sectional study in West Asia

Objectives: To investigate the impact of gender on multimorbidity in northern Iran. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of the Golestan cohort data. Setting: Golestan Province, Iran. Study population: 49 946 residents (age 40–75 years) of Golestan Province, Iran. Main outcome measures: Researchers collected data related to multimorbidity, defined as co-existence of two or more chronic diseases in an individual, at the beginning of a representative cohort study which recruited its participants from 2004 to 2008. The researchers utilised simple and multiple Poisson regression models with robust variances to examine the simultaneous effects of multiple factors. Results: Women had a 25.0% prevalence of multimorbidity, whereas men had a 13.4% prevalence (p<0.001). Women of all age-groups had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Of note, multimorbidity began at a lower age (40–49 years) in women (17.3%) compared with men (8.6%) of the same age (p<0.001). This study identified significant interactions between gender as well as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, physical activity, marital status, education level and smoking (p<0.01). Conclusion: Prevention and control of multimorbidity requires health promotion programmes to increase public awareness about the modifiable risk factors, particularly among women

Comparison of the Effects of Media-based and Face-to-face Cardiac Rehabilitation Training Programs on Self-efficacy in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Background: Several complications may occur in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) leading to decreased self-efficacy. Rehabilitation training is the best method for reducing the complications and increasing self-efficacy. Various educational techniques lead to different rehabilitation results and levels of self-efficacy. Improving these measures requires the selection of the most appropriate educational technique. Aim: This study aimed to compare the effect of two media-based and face-to-face cardiac rehabilitation training methods on self-efficacy in patients undergoing CABG. Method: This clinical trial was conducted among 60 patients, who were randomly assigned into two groups, in Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, 2017. Cardiac rehabilitation training program was implemented face-to-face or using a researcher-made multimedia upon admission, discharge, at the start of cardiac rehabilitation, and at the end of the 10th session for half-hour. A researcher-constructed questionnaire on self-efficacy was completed by the participants in the mentioned stages. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 16. Results: The mean ages of the participants in the face-to-face and multimedia groups were 56.0±8.1 and 57.5±7.3 years old, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the self-efficacy scores of the patients upon admission (P=0.36). However, there was a significant difference between the groups at the post-intervention stage (

Construct and Psychometric Properties of a New Version Quality of Life Scale Based on Choice Theory

BACKGROUND: Choice theory, as a psychopathological model, postulated five basics, genetically and universally, needs. Accordingly, the rate of everybody happiness and quality of life is depended on the number of his needs fulfilling. Although some scales have been constructed to assess basic needs, they have proposed unity of needs for all human. AIM: The present study was designed to construct a new scale, considering individualisation needs for each person; quality of life scale based on choice theory (QOLSCT). METHODS: Using cluster sampling, six hundred (49% female and 51% male) postgraduate students were selected. One hundred fifty participants also filled SF-36 and GHQ, and 80 participants refilled QOLSCT with four weeks’ interval again. RESULTS: Cronbach’s alpha, split-half and test re-test (one month) reliability scores were 0.78, 0.75, and 0.92 successively. The correlation between items and total scores range from 0.36 to 0.72, all with P values ≥ 0.0001. Confirmatory factor analysis showed satisfactory values of goodness-of-fit indices, RMSEA, CFI, NFI and GFI were, 0.05, 0.99, 0.99 and 0.99 respectively. Convergent and divergent validity also showed significant correlations. CONCLUSION: The result of the present study showed that the new version of quality of life scale based on choice theory could be confirmed. The good level of reliability, fairly goodness of fit indexes, and very good convergent validity support this idea

Multimorbidity as an important issue among women: results of gender difference investigation in a large population-based cross-sectional study in West Asia

Objectives: To investigate the impact of gender on multimorbidity in northern Iran. Design: A cross-sectional analysis of the Golestan cohort data. Setting: Golestan Province, Iran. Study population: 49 946 residents (age 40–75 years) of Golestan Province, Iran. Main outcome measures: Researchers collected data related to multimorbidity, defined as co-existence of two or more chronic diseases in an individual, at the beginning of a representative cohort study which recruited its participants from 2004 to 2008. The researchers utilised simple and multiple Poisson regression models with robust variances to examine the simultaneous effects of multiple factors. Results: Women had a 25.0% prevalence of multimorbidity, whereas men had a 13.4% prevalence (p<0.001). Women of all age-groups had a higher prevalence of multimorbidity. Of note, multimorbidity began at a lower age (40–49 years) in women (17.3%) compared with men (8.6%) of the same age (p<0.001). This study identified significant interactions between gender as well as socioeconomic status, ethnicity, physical activity, marital status, education level and smoking (p<0.01). Conclusion: Prevention and control of multimorbidity requires health promotion programmes to increase public awareness about the modifiable risk factors, particularly among women

Expression of Hemagglutinin\u2013Neuraminidase and fusion epitopes of Newcastle Disease Virus in transgenic tobacco

Background: Newcastle disease is an important avian infectious disease that brings about vast economic damage for poultry industry. Transgenic plants represent a cost-effective system for the production of therapeutic proteins and are widely used for the production of poultry vaccines. In an attempt to develop a recombinant vaccine, a plant expression binary vector pBI121, containing the genes encoding Hemagglutinin\u2013Neuraminidase (HN) and Fusion (F) epitopes of Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV) under the control of CaMV35S promoter and NOS terminator was constructed and introduced into the tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum ) plant by Agrobacterium -mediated transformation. Results: Putative transgenic plantswere screened in a selection medium containing 50 mg/L kanamycin and 30mg/L meropenem. Integration of the foreign gene in plant genome was confirmed by PCR. Expression of foreign gene was analyzed at transcription level by RT-PCR and at translation level by means of dot blotting and ELISA. All analyses confirmed the expression of recombinant protein. Conclusion: Developments in genetic engineering have led to plant-based systems for recombinant vaccine production. In this research, tobacco plant was used to express F and HN epitopes of NDV. Our results indicate that for the production of recombinant vaccine, it is a novel strategy to use concatenated epitopes without their genetic fusion onto larger scaffold structure such as viral coat protein

Evaluation of GJB2 and GJB6 Mutations in Patients Afflicted with Non-syndromic Hearing Loss

Background Non-syndromic hearing loss (NSHL) is assumed as one of the highly prevalent congenital defects in the world. In this regard, gap junction protein beta 2(GJB2), and gap junction protein beta 6(GJB6) mutations are considered as the leading congenital causes of deafness. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of GJB2 and GJB6 mutations in NSHL cases. Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was implemented from Jan. 2015 to Sep. 2017 at Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran).46 patients afflicted with NSHL were recognized and recruited by physicians. Heparinized blood was collected and DNA of each participant was extracted. Genetic analysis of GJB2 and GJB6 genes was performed using PCR and GAP-PCR methods respectively. Results: 35delG mutation had the highest prevalence with allelic frequency of 6.12%. The allelic frequencies of 35delG, and delE120 were 6(6.12%), and 3(3.06%), respectively. Allelic frequency of W77R, Y65H, G160, and R127H was 2(2.04%) for each of them. In addition, 2 patients were heterozygous for p.V153I rare polymorphism (2.04%). Conclusion Overall, the present study indicated that 35delG mutation could be considered as the foremost causative factor of NHCL.  GJB2 mutations were highly prevalent among NSHL cases (23.9%). As a result, the mutation analysis of this gene could be appropriately used for prevention and early diagnosis of NSHL

Protocol Design for Large–Scale Cross–Sectional Studies of Surveillance of Risk Factors of Non–Communicable Diseases in Iran: STEPs 2016

INTRODUCTION: The rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has gained increasing attention. There is a great need for reliable data to address such problems. Here, we describe the development of a comprehensive set of executive and scientific protocols and instructions of STEPs 2016. METHODS/DESIGN: This is a large-scale cross-sectional study of Surveillance of Risk Factors of NCDs in Iran. Through systematic proportional to size cluster random sampling, 31,050 participants enrolled in three sequential processes, of completing questionnaires; physical measurements, and lab assessment. RESULTS: Out of 429 districts, samples were taken from urban and rural areas of 389 districts. After applying sampling weight to the samples, comparing the distribution of population and samples, compared classification was determined in accordance with the age and sex groups. Out of 31,050 expected participants, 30,541 participant completed questionnaires (52.31% female). For physical measurements and lab assessment, the cases included 30,042 (52.38% female) and 19,778 (54.04% female), respectively. DISCUSSION: There is an urgent need to focus on reviewing trend analyses of NCDs.To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first comprehensive experience on systematic electronic national survey. The results could be also used for future complementary studies