The protective effects of ginger on the development of coronary atherosclerosis: An experimental animal study

The use of ginger extracts has been recently suggested to be effective for prevention of establishing and development of coronary atherosclerosis due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components. In the present study, the effect of standardized ginger extract on the development of experimentally induced atherosclerosis in animal models was investigated. The study protocol was consist of three groups of male rabbits (n = 5 each group) that were randomly divided to three groups to fed a common stock diet (containing bran and fresh vegetables) plus high cholesterol pack, or stock diet plus ginger (0.1 g/kg body weight/day) (group II) together with cholesterol, or only stock diet as the atheroma control for 75 days. Atheroma was graded macroscopically by mean graticule count percent. The degree of experimental cholesterol atherosclerosis was graded on an arbitrary scale of 0 to 4, and serum level of total cholesterol was also measured. The atherosclerotic lesion area was macroscopically smaller in rabbits that consumed ginger in comparison with the lesion area in those animals no received ginger extract (43.26 ± 8.7 mm2 versus 82.3 ± 7.9 mm2, p<0.001). Microscopically, the mean grading in coronary artery of rabbits received high cholesterol diet without ginger was 3.1±0.56, while in the group received high cholesterol diet plus ginger was 1.6±0.85 with a significant difference. Regarding effects of ginger on total cholesterol level and considering nonsignificant cholesterol level at baseline, the level of cholesterol after 75 days reached 66.72±0.12 mg/dL in the control group, 776±40.55 mg/dL in group fed high cholesterol without ginger, and 446±23.97 mg/dL in the group fed ginger with a significant level in high cholesterol plus ginger group than in high cholesterol alone group (p<0.001). Ginger can effectively protect the development of atherosclerosis manifested by lowering serum cholesterol level, as well as reducing infarct size and grade

Anti-hyperelipidemic effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.): Can sumac strengthen anti-hyperlipidemic effect of statins?

People believe that sumac is used as reducing fat. In the present study, the hypolipidemic effect of sumac fruits was compared with lovastatin in patients suffered hypercholesterolemia. In a randomized double-blinded-controlled trial, 172 patients diagnosed as hypercholesterolemia (high LDL level) and indicated for lipid-lowering schedules were randomly allocated to receive lovastatin (20 mg/day) or a combination of lovastatin (20 mg/day) and sumac (1 gram equivalent to a teaspoon/day, soluble in water). Immediately before initial assessment and also after a 3- month period of drugs prescription, the level of serum lipid profile was measured in both intervention groups by enzymatic assay and serum LDL level was determined using the Friedewald's equation. At baseline, the mean level of LDL was 149.26±22.36 mg/dL in the group received combination therapy, and 146.25±19.89 mg/dL in the group received lovastatin alone with no significant different (p=0.352). However, following administration of the two treatment schedules, the level of LDL was significantly more reduced in combination treatment group compared with another group that the serum level of LDL after 3-month study period was 105.75±21.21 mg/dL in combination therapy group and 117.04±15.78 mg/dL in single therapy group (p≤0.001). The positive response rate in the two groups was 93.0% and 75.6%, respectively (p=0.002). Using Multivariable logistic regression model, the use of sumac combined with statin led to higher response rate indicated by lowering serum LDL level (p=0.019). Sumac has a potential role in lowering LDL level especially when combined with anti-hyperlipidemic drugs as statins

Ethical challenges in gestational diabetes

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Prevalence of single umbilical artery, clinical outcomes and its risk factors: A cross-sectional study

Background: Single umbilical artery (SUA) is found in 0.5–6% of all pregnancies worldwide. Although the association of SUA with some congenital malformations is mainly accepted, its effect on pregnancy/neonatal outcomes is still controversial. Objective: This is the first study aimed to approximate the SUA prevalence in southern part of Iran. SUA epidemiologic features accompanied by some of its effects on pregnancy/neonatal outcomes are investigated as well. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data from two referral centers in Southern Iran were analyzed. In total, 1,469 pregnancies, fetuses, and neonates were examined for epidemiological features associated with SUA. SUA was confirmed by pathological examination, while congenital anomalies were diagnosed by clinical, ultrasound, and echocardiographical examinations. Data on pregnancy outcome were recorded based on the patients’ medical records. Results: The prevalence of SUA was 3.47% (95% CI: 2.6–4.6%). Fetal anomalies including renal, cardiac, and other congenital anomalies, intrauterine fetal death, early neonatal death, low birth weight, low placental weight, and preterm birth were significantly higher in the SUA group (OR = 68.02, 31.04, 16.03, 3.85, 11.31, 3.22, 2.70, and 2.47, respectively). However, the maternal multiparity was lower in the SUA group (OR = 0.65; 95% CI: 0.44–0.98). Conclusion: A significant association was observed between SUA and increased risk of intrauterine fetal death and early neonatal death, as well as low birth weight and preterm birth. Obstetrical history of the mother like parity was identified as an important predictor of SUA. Further investigations are suggested on risk stratification of neonates in this regard. &nbsp; Key words: Umbilical cord, Single umbilical artery, Pregnancy outcome, Congenital abnormalities

Decoy Cell Viruria in Kidney Transplant Patients. Does it correlate with Renal Function?

Objective: BK virus (BKV) infection after kidney transplantation has been a topic of great interest in the recent decade. Prospective screening studies have revealed that BKVN is principally an early complication of renal transplantation occurring within the first post-transplant year in most cases. The aim of the present study was to observe the incidence of decoy cell viruria in renal transplant recipients. Furthermore, correlation of decoy cell viruria with graft function was assessed. Methods: This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in the Transplant Center of Alzahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran between Jun 2014 and June 2015. Clinical screening for polyomavirus infection was done by means of urine cytological evaluation for decoy cells. Urine samples were analyzed in three steps including 2-4 months after transplantation, three and six months later. Results: Thirty-three patients (22 male and 11 female) received kidney transplant from living donors. The average of patients' age was 41.9 +/- 12.83 (range: 20-63 years). Peritoneal and hemodialysis were used for 15.6% and 84.4% of recipients. The occurrence of decoy cell viruria at the time of enrollment, 3 and 6 months later was found in 18.2%, 10.7% and zero, respectively. Conclusion: As urine cytology is easy to perform and of low cost, it is a useful tool for the investigation of active polyoma virus infection. Moreover, the findings advocate that the presence of decoy cells along with high creatinine is a better indicator of the virus presence

Comparison of Insulin Expression Levels in White Blood Cells of infants with and without Family History of Type II Diabetes

Background: Type II diabetes is known as one of the most important, prevalent, and expensive diseases of mankind. Late diagnosis and subsequent delayed initiation of treatment or surveillance of patients create a variety of problems for affected individuals. This has raised increasing concerns for public health authorities throughout the world. In the current study, we aimed to find a new approach for early identification of high-risk individuals at initial months of their life. This allows us to take preventive measures as early as possible.Materials and Methods: In our study, 102 infants - from one to six months - were selected and placed in two case and control groups. The case group contained 52 babies with at least one of their parents identified as a type II diabetic patient. The control group comprised 50 babies with no family history of type II diabetes in paternal and maternal first-degree relatives. Afterwards, the expression level of insulin gene was analyzed in white blood cells of both groups. Information related to infants - referred to outpatient and inpatient wards of three main pediatric hospitals placed in Tehran - and their parents were collected through questionnaires within a two-year period. The study inclusion criteria for infants were confirmed type II diabetes in at least one of their parents, the absence of any metabolic disorder, and the absence of any disturbing vital signs. After drawing 2 ml of babies’ peripheral blood, total RNA of white blood cells (WBC) was extracted, and used for cDNA synthesis. Real-Time PCR was then applied to quantitatively evaluate the expression levels of insulin gene. The results of Real-Time PCR were statistically analyzed by non-parametric tests of Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis.Results: The expression of insulin gene was observed in white blood cells of all samples. However, there was a significant difference in expression levels between case and control groups (p&lt;0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in mean levels of gene expression among babies with diabetic mother, and healthy groups (RQ=0.5, P-value=0.002), but this value wasn’t significant for babies with diabetic father (RQ=0.78, P&gt;0.05).Conclusion: Numerous genes contribute to the development of diabetes and novel disease-causing genes are increasingly being discovered. Identification of disease-prone individuals through examining merely one underlying gene is complicated and challenging. Interestingly, all of these abnormally functioning genes finally manifest themselves in the altered expression levels of insulin gene. The expression status of insulin gene in WBCs could be suggested as a useful approach for identification of individuals at high risk for developing diabetes. This paves the way for taking appropriate measures at infancy period in order to prevent the disease as well as inhibit its various side effects in the following years of patient’s life

Durability of the two-lumen catheter in hemodialysis patients; Ethanol 70%-heparin versus cefazolin-heparin: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial study

Introduction: Maintenance of hemodialysis catheters is essential for the patients and medical staff due to their repeated use for hemodialysis and other therapeutic interventions in the hospital. Objectives: This study aimed to comprise the effect of ethanol 70%-heparin versus cefazolin-heparin on the catheter durability time of hemodialysis patients. Patients and Methods: The study population consisted of 73 hemodialysis patients referred to Shahid Mohammadi hospital in Bandar Abbas. Patients were divided into two groups cefazolin (cefazolin 5 mg/dL, and heparin 2500 IU/mL) and ethanol (ethanol 70%, and heparin 2500 IU/mL). In both groups, after each hemodialysis session, 2.9 to 3.3 mL of the locking solution was locked in the catheter lumen and remained until the next session. This intervention was conducted for all patients continuously for five months. The time of catheter durability was calculated from the time of catheter placement in the central vein until the time that it has been taken out according to the doctor’s diagnosis. Data were collected and analyzed by SPSS version 26. Results: Results showed that demographic characteristics, including age, weight, gender, marital status, catheter type, underlying diseases, and dialysis adequacy between the two groups were similar (P>0.05). In the ethanol group, the mean time of the catheter durability was 27.5 days, and in the cefazolin group was 26.98 days. Although the time of the catheter durability was slightly higher in the ethanol group, this difference was not significant (P=0.194). Conclusion: Cefazolin and ethanol 70% did not show a significant difference in the catheter durability time of hemodialysis patients. Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20210811052145N1; https://en.irct.ir/trial/58037, ethical code; IR.HUNS.REC.1398.052)

The Larval Stages of Echinostoma spp. in Freshwater Snails as the First and Second Intermediate Hosts in Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces, Northern Iran

Background: Identification of the larval stages of Echinostoma spp. in freshwater snails is an essential guide to continue monitoring the possibility of their transmission and the potential of echinostomiasis in areas where trematodes are the primary agent of parasitic diseases. The aim of this study was investigate Echinostoma using morphological and molecular techniques.Methods: The study was conducted in Gilan and Mazandaran Provinces, northern Iran, from April 2019 to October 2021. Overall, 5300 freshwater snails were randomly collected and were identified using external shell morphology. Meanwhile, snails infected with trematodes were studied via shedding and dissecting methods. Larvae stages of Echinostoma were identified and the genomic DNA of the samples was extracted. The PCR amplification of the ITSI gene was carried out for 17 isolates and products were sequenced. Seven sequences were deposited in GenBank.Results: Totally, 3.5% of snails containing three species (Stagnicola sp., Radix sp. and Planorbis sp.) were infected with two types of cercaria, E. revolutum with 37 and Echinostoma sp. with 45 spines in the collar. Moreover, 35% of the snails were infected with Echinostoma spp. metacercaria. Phylogenetic analysis illustrated that isolates were included in two ITSI haplogroups. Conclusion: Results showed the potential hazard of a zoonotic parasite as Echinostoma in northern Iran. The potential of disease environmental relationship investigation and resource control optimization is necessary for effective disease prevention and health management

The association between acylcarnitine and amino acids profile and metabolic syndrome and its components in Iranian adults: Data from STEPs 2016

BackgroundEvidence, albeit with conflicting results, has suggested that cardiometabolic risk factors, including obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), dyslipidemia, and hypertension, are highly associated with changes in metabolic signature, especially plasma amino acids and acylcarnitines levels. Here, we aimed to evaluate the association of circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed on 1192 participants from the large–scale cross-sectional study of Surveillance of Risk Factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Iran (STEP 2016). The circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in individuals with MetS (n=529) and without MetS (n=663).ResultsThe higher plasma levels of branched-chain amino acids (Val, Leu), aromatic amino acids (Phe, Tyr), Pro, Ala, Glu, and the ratio of Asp to Asn were significantly associated with MetS, whereas lower circulating levels of Gly, Ser, His, Asn, and citrulline were significantly associated with MetS. As for plasma levels of free carnitine and acylcarnitines, higher levels of short-chain acylcarnitines (C2, C3, C4DC), free carnitine (C0), and long-chain acylcarnitines (C16, C18OH) were significantly associated with MetS. Principal component analysis (PCA) showed that factor 3 (Tyr, Leu, Val, Met, Trp, Phe, Thr) [OR:1.165, 95% CI: 1.121-1.210, P&lt;0.001], factor 7 (C0, C3, C4) [OR:1.257, 95% CI: 1.150-1.374, P&lt;0.001], factor 8 (Gly, Ser) [OR:0.718, 95% CI: 0.651-0.793, P&lt; 0.001], factor 9 (Ala, Pro, C4DC) [OR:1.883, 95% CI: 1.669-2.124, P&lt;0.001], factor 10 (Glu, Asp, C18:2OH) [OR:1.132, 95% CI: 1.032-1.242, P= 0.009], factor 11 (citrulline, ornithine) [OR:0.862, 95% CI: 0.778-0.955, P= 0.004] and 13 (C18OH, C18:1 OH) [OR: 1.242, 95% CI: 1.042-1.480, P= 0.016] were independently correlated with metabolic syndrome.ConclusionChange in amino acid, and acylcarnitines profiles were seen in patients with MetS. Moreover, the alteration in the circulating levels of amino acids and acylcarnitines is along with an increase in MetS component number. It also seems that amino acid and acylcarnitines profiles can provide valuable information on evaluating and monitoring MetS risk. However, further studies are needed to establish this concept