Comparative impact of platelet rich plasma and transforming growth factor-β on chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells

Introduction: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is known as standard chondrogenic differentiation agent, even though it comes with undesirable side effects such as early hypertrophic maturation, mineralization, and secretion of inflammatory/angiogenic factors. On the other hand, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is found to have a chondrogenic impact on mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and differentiation, with no considerable side effects. Therefore, we compared chondrogenic impact of TGF-β and PRP on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), to see if PRP could be introduced as an alternative to TGF-β. Methods: Differentiation of ADSCs was monitored using a couple of methods including glycosaminoglycan production, miRNAs expression, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)/tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) secretion, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium content assays. Results: Accordingly, the treatment of differentiating cells with 5% (v/v) PRP resulted in higher glycosaminoglycan production, enhanced SOX9 transcription, and lowered TNFα and VEGF secretion compared to the control and TGF-β groups. Besides, the application of PRP to the media up-regulated miR-146a and miR-199a in early and late stages of chondrogenesis, respectively. Conclusion: PRP induces in vitro chondrogenesis, as well as TGF-β with lesser inflammatory and hypertrophic side effects

Investigating Education as the Key to Success in Non-pharmacological Interventions in the Control and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes: A Systematic Review

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is a global health challenge that requires continuous care. Non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling and treating type 2 diabetes can be less costly and have fewer complications. Accordingly, this study identifies non-pharmaceutical interventions in controlling and treating type 2 diabetes through systematic review.  Methods: This study is a systematic review of the papers published in non-pharmaceutical interventions to control and treat type 2 diabetes. The authors have used the standard guideline of systematic review (PRISMA). A total of 41 papers were selected from 529 full-text articles published between 2014 and 2020. The search included the electronic data banks, including Medline, Science Direct, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and the Google Scholar search engine. Results: Non-pharmaceutical interventions were classified into four categories: Lifestyle, treatment devices, traditional treatment, and education. The results showed that lifestyle modification is the most effective non-pharmaceutical intervention for treating type 2 diabetes. Conclusion: Study findings show that applying non-pharmaceutical interventions effectively controls and prevents type-2 diabetes complications. Education is a part that needs to be given more attention

SYNTHESIS OF PHOTOLUMINESCENT CORE-SHELL SILICA PARTICLES BY SACRIFICIAL POLYMER SHELL METHOD

A novel approach has been developed for the synthesis of SiO 2@Y 2O 3:Eu 3+ particles with core-shell structure. In this method the polymer shell is obtained by copolymerization of methacryl oxyethyl isocyanate onto silica particles which are chemically modified by 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate. The grafted polymer acts as template to prepare the luminescent shell on silica particles. Then, the obtained silica-polymer core-shell particles are dispersed in a solution of Yttrium and Europium nitrates to allow a physical adsorption of the ions by the polymer shell. The sacrificial polymer shell will be removed by thermal treatment to obtain photoluminescent SiO 2@Y 2O 3:Eu 3+ core-shell particles. Results reveal that the intensity of photoluminescence of these core-shell particles is much higher than intensity of particles prepared without sacrificial polymer shel

Designing a comprehensive clinical competency test for operating room technology student: Using Delphi technique and CIPP model evaluation

BACKGROUND: The ultimate goal in educating medical students is to train skilled workforce who by obtaining the required knowledge of the discipline, personal and professional skills, and attitudes to enter the national health-care system. This study was conducted with the goal of designing a comprehensive clinical competency test of operating room technology student using the Delphi technique, and then, the clinical skills of the operating room technology students of the paramedical school were assessed using the CIPP evaluation model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted in the University of Medical Sciences to evaluate clinical skills with Delphi technique and CIPP evaluation model. This was a mixed methods study. Purposive sampling method was employed in the qualitative stage, and a census was conducted in the quantitative part. A comprehensive clinical competency test was designed in this research using the Delphi technique and was conducted with 18 students. Then, clinical skills evaluation was performed by descriptive-analytical statistical tests and evaluator's observation using the CIPP model. RESULTS: The comprehensive clinical competencies test of the surgical technology students was designed in four sections: content, evaluation method, test conditions, and the criteria for passing the comprehensive test. The results in the implementation stage showed that the operating room technology students had a range of excellent to weak performances in exhibiting basic skills at different levels. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that the comprehensive test, designed based on the Delphi technique of experts, and using the CIPP model can be a good criterion for the evaluation of the operating room technology students before entering the clerkship