Correlation between anthropometric indexes and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly population in Amirkola

Background: The ageing of population is an increasing phenomenon worldwide. Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most important chronic disease in ageing. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the anthropometric indexes and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases among the elderly population in Amirkola (Mazandaran, Iran). Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was a part of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Cohort Project (AHAP). Demographic information was collected using a standard questionnaire. Fasting blood samples were collected from all participants to measure the serum level of lipids. Measurement of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric indexes e.g. body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to height ratio (WHR) were done for all participants. Results: One thousand five hundred and six elderly people of Amirkola (age> 60 years) were participated in this study. There was a positive and significant correlation between the BMI and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride. The WC had a positive and significant correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HDL-C and triglyceride. The correlation between WHR and systolic and diastolic blood pressures, HDL-C and triglyceride was positive and significant; however the correlation between the anthropometric indexes and TC and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) was negative and significant. The WHR had a significant positive correlation with all studied risk factors. Conclusion: According to the findings of present study, WHR index had stronger correlation with risk factors for cardiovascular disease in the elderly

Chronological response of prostacyclin changes to moderately low doses of radiation in rat cervical spinal cord

Background: Study of vascular and its secretory profile changes is an important issue in pathogenesis of radiation myelopathy. This paper reports the prostacyclin concentration changes after low-moderate doses of X-irradiation within a short period of time. Materials and Methods: Cervical cords of Wistar rats were irradiated to doses of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 Gy X-rays. After 24 hours, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, prostacyclin contents were quantified and cords specimens were also stained routinely for histological studies. Results: Twenty four hours post-irradiation, showed a decrease in the content of prostacyclin after doses of 0.5 and 1 Gy 91.67±1.47 96.80±2.17 of respectively age-matched control group. After 2 weeks the concentration of prostacyclin showed significant decreases after 6 Gy. After 13 weeks irradiation shows marked differences even after a small dose of 2 Gy (p<0.001), and after doses of the low dose group. The differences between concentration values at doses of 4 Gy and 6 Gy were significant in comparison with the control (p<0.001 and p<0.002, respectively). Conclusion: Results suggested that the response of the vascular tissues to low and moderate doses of radiation occurs prior to that of the nervous tissue of the spinal cord. It means that the asymptomatic interval after radiation is characterized by sequential physiological changes which are imperfectly reflected in routine histological study and that even in the histologically unaffected spinal cord; severe impairment is present in substructures and biochemistry of irradiated spinal

Fluconazole resistance Candida albicans in females with recurrent vaginitis and Pir1 overexpression

Background: Some genes may be associated with Candida albicans resistance to azoles. Pir1 gene is described as responsible to induce resistance in C. albicans. Objectives: The current study aimed to find the relationship between fluconazole resistance and Pir1 protein (Pir1p) overexpression in the females with recurrent C. albicans vaginitis requiring longer fluconazole therapy. Patients and Methods: A total of 52l vaginal samples were obtained from the females with C. albicans vaginitis. The azole susceptibility phenotype was determined according to the Clinical Laboratory for Standards Institute (CLSI) protocol for disk diffusion method and inhibition zone for fluconazole. Expression of pir1 gene and fluconazole -resistance were evaluated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in C. albicans. Results: In the 52 isolates, 49 (94) were resistant to fluconazole. Overexpression of Pir1 gene was detected in 47 (96) fluconazole-resistant C. albicans isolates. Conclusions: The findings show fluconazole -resistance in C. albicans isolates with overexpression of Pir1p. © 2015, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Evaluation of the ability of malassezia species in biofilm formation

Background: Although Malassezia genusare part of the skin normal flora, under certain conditions, they become pathogenic. Catheter-related fungemia, caused by Malassezia, which is associated with biofilm formation, is considered a nosocomial infection. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of Malassezia globosa and Malassezia restricta in biofilm formation. Methods: Biofilm formation was carried out using catheter segments in 12-well plates. Results were measured using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay in 96-well plates. The data was analyzed using univariate Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) or Repeated Measures ANOVA. P values of � 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 software. Results: Both M. globosa and M. restricta species were able to form biofilms in vitro. Malassezia restricta was more capable than M. globosa to form biofilms, yet, significant differences were not observed (P = 0.192). Conclusions: Over time, Malassezia biofilms matured. Due to the above species ability in forming biofilm, they could play an important role in fungemia that should be considered in therapeutic procedures. © 2017, Archives of Clinical Infectious Diseases

Relationship Between Sterol Regulatory Element- Binding Protein-2 Gene Expression Level and Lipid Profile

Background and purpose: Atherosclerosis is a form of arteriosclerosis that is one of the main causes of death in the world. In coronary artery disease, the vessels are stenosed due to lipid aggregation and inflammation. Epidemiologic studies have shown that in addition to demographic factors such as age and sex, blood pressure, smoking, obesity diabetes and genetics are also associated with development of atherosclerosis process. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between these factors and atherosclerosis. Materials and methods: One hundred twenty six Iranian subjects (68 males, 58 females) were recruited based on the study�s inclusion criteria. Total RNA was extracted from WBC and, the gene expression level was determined by RT-qPCR method. Results: Significant relationship was found between sex (P0.05). Conclusion: We found that among factors affecting atherosclerosis, sex and LDL-C could change the Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein-2 gene expression. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Fiducial markers in prostate cancer image-guided radiotherapy

Background: Image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) is recommended to reduce the risk of geometrical miss when modern radiotherapy technologies with high grades of conformity are used. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of fiducial markers (FMs) for electronic portal imaging in prostate cancer radiotherapy in term of evaluating the complications associated with FMs implantation, quantifying inter-fraction prostate motion, and determination of optimal planning target volume (PTV) margins. Methods: In this single institution, prospective, consecutive study, 27 patients underwent implantation of three-gold seed FMs into the prostate gland before prostate radiotherapy. Prior to computed tomography planning, all patients were asked to report any complication associated with FMs implantation that have experienced to date. Daily pre-treatment electronic portal images were captured, and prostate position errors were corrected if they were greater than 2 mm along three translational directions. Optimal PTV expansions were computed using van Herk formula PTV-margin= 2.5Z + 0.7a. Results: FMs implantation was successful with an acceptable toxicity profile in all patients. Without IGRT, margins of 5.4 mm, 5.8 mm and 5.5 mm, in vertical, longitudinal and lateral directions, respectively, are needed for a 95% confidence level of complete clinical target volume (CTV) coverage in each treatment session. The PTV margins of 3.0 mm, 3.3 mm and 4.0 mm in corresponding directions were calculated when FMs based electronic portal imaging was applied. Conclusion: FMs based electronic portal imaging is an effective tool for prostate cancer IGRT. © Iran University of Medical Sciences

Physical and dosimetric aspect of euromechanics add-on multileaf collimator on varian clinac 2100 C/D

Background: Before treatment planning and dose delivery, quality assurance of multi-leaf collimator (MLC) has an important role in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) due to the creation of multiple segments from optimization process. Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess the quality control of MLC leaves using EBT3 Gafchromic films. Material and Methods: Leaf Position accuracy and leaf gap reproducibility were checked with Garden fence test. The garden fence test consists of 5 thin bands A) 0.2 Cm width spaced at 2 Cm intervals and B) 1 Cm width spaced at 1 Cm intervals. Each leaf accuracy was analyzed with measuring the full-width half-maximum (FWHM). Maximum and average leaf transmission were measured with gafchromic EBT3 films from Ashland for both 6 MV and 18 MV beams. Results: Leaf positions were found to be in a range between 1.78 � 2.53 mm, instead of nominal 2 mm for the test A and between 9.09 � 10.36 mm, instead of nominal 10 mm for the test B. The Average radiation transmission of the MLC was noted 1.79 and 1.98 of the open 10x10 Cm 2 field at isocenter for 6 MV and 18 MV beams, respectively. Maximum radiation transmission was noted 4.1 and 4.4 for 6 MV and 18 MV beams, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, application of gafchromic EBT3 films for the quality assurance of Euromechanics multileaf collimator was studied. Our results showed that the average leaf leakage and positional accuracy of this type of MLC were in the acceptance level based on the Protocols. © 2019, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Candida albicans beta-glucan induce anti-cancer activity of mesenchymal stem cells against lung cancer cell line: An in-vitro experimental study

Objective: �-glucan, glucopyranosyl polymers of fungi cell wall, represent an immune stimulating effects with potential anti-cancer activity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have immunomodulating properties in cancer microenvironment. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effect of Candida albicans (C. albicans) beta-glucan on MSCs supernatant for apoptosis assay of lung cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Beta-glucan was extracted from cell wall of C.albicans. MSC isolated from adipose tissue of patients and confirmed using specific surface markers expression which examined by flow cytometry. MSCs treated with various concentrations of �-glucans for 48 hours. Cytotoxic effect of �-glucans was evaluated using MTT assay. MSC and lung cancer line cocultured and treated with �-glucans and apoptosis assay was done by flow cytometry. Results: Cytotoxicity findings showed a significant decrease in MSC viability during 48h, however it was dose-dependent (P<0.05). According to the obtained findings, supernatant of mesenchymal stem cells treated with �-glucans increased cancer cells apoptosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: Beta glucan may highlight a potential and novel promising candidate in future strategies to cause apoptosis of cancer cells and consider as therapeutic agent against tumor growth as well. Definitely, more in vitro and in vivo tudies are required to understand its functions. © 2020, Asian Pacific Organization for Cancer Prevention

Assessment of Neuroprotective Properties of Melissa officinalis in Combination With Human Umbilical Cord Blood Stem Cells After Spinal Cord Injury

Introduction: The pathophysiology of spinal cord injury (SCI) has a classically bad prognosis. It has been demonstrated that human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCBSCs) and Melissa officinalis (MO) are useful for the prevention of neurological disease. Methods: Thirty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into intact, sham, control (SCI), MO, hUCBSC, and MO-hUCBSC groups. Intraperitoneal injection of MO (150 mg/kg) was commenced 24 hr post-SCI and continued once a day for 14 days. Intraspinal grafting of hUCBSCs was commenced immediately in the next day. The motor and sensory functions of all animals were evaluated once a week after the commencement of SCI. Electromyography (EMG) was performed in the last day in order to measure the recruitment index. Immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and transmission electron microscopy evaluations were performed to determine the level of astrogliosis and myelination. Results: The results revealed that motor function (MO-hUCBSC: 15 ± 0.3, SCI: 8.2 ± 0.37, p <.001), sensory function (MO-hUCBSC: 3.57 ± 0.19, SCI: 6.38 ± 0.23, p <.001), and EMG recruitment index (MO-hUCBSC: 3.71 ± 0.18, SCI: 1.6 ± 0.1, p <.001) were significantly improved in the MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Mean cavity area (MO-hUCBSC: 0.03 ± 0.03, SCI: 0.07 ± 0.004, p <.001) was reduced and loss of lower motor neurons (MO-hUCBSC: 7.6 ± 0.43, SCI: 3 ± 0.12, p <.001) and astrogliosis density (MO-hUCBSC: 3.1 ± 0.15, SCI: 6.25 ± 1.42, p < 0.001) in the ventral horn of spinal cord were prevented in MO-hUCBSC group compared with SCI group. Conclusion: The results revealed that the combination of MO and hUCBSCs in comparison with the control group has neuroprotective effects in SCI. © 2016, © The Author(s) 2016

Evaluation of the immunity factors (THC, TPP, PO, SOD, POD) of shrimp fed with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae compared to shrimp fed without yeast

Effects of S. cerevisiae on immune parameters of the L. vannamei after 14 days of S .cerevisiae feeding were evaluated in this study. For this purpose a total of 300 pieces of shrimp with an average weight of 30 to 35 grams were selected from a pool shrimp Abadan CHOEBDEH. After making sure the health, absence of necrosis on the surface of the body, cuts antenna, shrimp were transferred to the center of BANDAR IMAM Research Station. Adaptation was carried out for 3-5 days. After the adaptation, shrimps were screened for virus (WSSV, TSV, MBV, HPV, YHV, BP, IHHNV and IMNV) and vibrio bacteria. After screening shrimps divided to two groups with three replication (including 50 pieces of shrimp in triplicate). The experimental diet has the commercial shrimp composition, but 2 g of S. cerevisiae substituted 2 g of fish meal. Shrimp of first group (T1) for 14 days with food containing nutritional yeast and shrimp in second group (T2) were fed with normal diet without yeast. After 14 days Immune Factors and survival rates in both groups were evaluated. The results showed that the relative survival rate between the two groups showed no significant difference. But Immune Factors (THC, TPP, PO, POD and SOD) in the treatment fed yeast (T1) compared to control treatment (T2) showed a significant increase. In conclusion these results suggest that the increased survival rate and resistance of shrimp after S. cerevisiae consumption occurs through immune modifications, such as increases in THC, TPP, SOD, SOP and PO activity