Improving the growth rate of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in alginate/gelatin versus alginate hydrogels

Background: Expansion and differentiation of stem cells relies on the soluble materials as well as the physical conditions of their microenvironment. Several methods have been studied in attempt to enhance the growth and differentiation rates of different adult stem cells extracted from different sources. Objectives: The purpose was to improve the three-dimensional (3D) culture condition of the semi-permeable polymeric beads for encapsulation of the human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) by modifying the ratio of the alginate-gelatin composition. Materials and Methods: Following isolation and characterization of hADSCs by flow cytometry and their functional differentiation, encapsulation in the alginate and alginate/gelatin compositions were performed. Moreover, the stability, swelling, size frequency, growth kinetics, and cytotoxicity of the beads were measured to meet proper condition in the designed experimental and control culture conditions. Finally, the growth rates of the cells in different experimental groups and control were measured and analyzed statistically. Results: Viability decreased in 2 and 3 percent alginate once compared to 1 alginate in beads (p�0.05). Moreover swelling of the beads in the alginate/gelatin compositions (50:50 and 70:30) were higher than the pure alginate beads (p� 0.05). Finally, the cell growth rate in alginate/gelatin (50:50) beads was significantly higher than alginate and alginate/gelatin (70:30) beads (p�0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested for the first time that the composite of alginate/gelatin beads with the ratio of 50:50 might provide a suitable culture condition for the encapsulation and in vitro expansion of the hADSCs. © 2016, Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All Rights Reserved

Efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of chronic hand eczema

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of chronic hand eczema comparing with topical clobetasol propionate. A total 60 patients of chronic hand eczema were recruited in the study. Thirty patients (Group A) were treated with intralesional triamcinolone acetonide and the rest 30 (Group B) with topical clobetasol propionate. Severity and improvement were assessed using Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI) score. The patients of both groups were followed up at 4th week and 12th week. In Group A, median HECSI score at baseline, 4th week and 12th week were 3, 20 and 20 respectively; whereas these scores were 54, 10 and 8 in Group B. In both groups, HECSI score was decreased gradually but the rate was higher in Group B than Group A (p0.05). The result of this study demonstrates that intralesional triamcinolone acetonide is effective and safe in treating chronic hand eczema but less effective than the topical clobetasol

Effects of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the process of active phase of labor in nulliparas women

Introduction.The reduction of the duration and pain of the active phase of labor is a very important issue and therefore always under serious investigation. Objective.The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the duration and pain of the active phase of labor in nulliparas women. Method.A single blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible nulliparas women who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (34cm dilatation of cervix plus proper uterine contractions). The women were randomly assigned into two groups. The case group (n60), received acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (above the ankle), for 30min during contractions. In the control group (n60), simply a touch at this point without massage was performed. Two hours later a second pelvic examination was performed and in the absence of good forceful contractions oxytocin in the classical form was infused. Finally, duration of active phase, severity of pain (using the Visual Analogue Scale), the amount of necessary oxytocin and necessity to administer oxytocin and the route of delivery were compared between the two groups and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 15. Results.The mean duration of active phase was shorter in the case group (252.37±108.50min vs. 441.38±155.88, p0.0001). Six patients (10) in the case group and 25 patients (41.7) in the control group delivered via cesarean section (p0.0001). The severity of pain in the case group was less than the control group (5.87±1.77 vs. 6.79±1.52, p0.003). Twenty-five women (41.7) in the case group and 38 women (63.3) in the control group needed oxytocin (p0.017) The amount of necessary oxytocin in the case group was less than the control group (73.33±97.19ml vs. 126.6±97.19ml, p0.003). Conclusion.Acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (SP6) reduced the duration and severity of pain of the active phase of labor, cesarean section rates, and necessity and amount of oxytocin. © 2010 Informa UK Ltd

Effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the process of active phase of labor in nulliparas women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Labor pain is considered as one of the most painful experience in women life so the reduction of pain of the active phase of labor is a very important issue. One way to reduce labor pain is acupressure. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of acupressure at the Sanyinjiao point (SP6) on the duration and pain of the active phase of labor in nulliparas women. METHODS: A single blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 eligible nulliparas women (18-35 years old) who were at the beginning of active phase of labor and referred to Shahid Akbarabadi hospital, Tehran. The women were assigned into case group (n=60) and control group (n=60) one by one. The contractions and severity of pain controlled for 30 minutes in patients, the case group received acupressure at Sanyinjiao point, for 30 min during the pain and touch of this point occurred in control group. Finally, at the end of the active phase, severity of pain (with visual analog scale from 0 to 10), and the route of delivery were noted and compared between the two groups. FINDINGS: There are significant differences between the mean duration of active phase in the control group (441.38±155.88) and case group (252.37±108.50) (p=0.0001), the kind of delivery (p=0.0001) and the severity of pain in the case group (5.87±1.77) and control group (6.79±1.52) (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that acupressure at Sanyinjiao point (SP6) reduced the duration and severity of pain of the active phase of labor and cesarean section rates. So it's advisable to use this safe and ease way to reduce the labor pain

Mitochondrial and caspase pathways are involved in the induction of apoptosis by nardosinen in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line

Natural products isolated from plants provide a valuable source for expansion of new anticancer drugs. Nardosinen (4,9-dihydroxy-nardosin-6-en) is a natural sesquiterpene extracted from Juniperus foetidissima. Recently, we have reported the cytotoxic effects of nardosinen in various cancer cells. The aim of the current study was to investigate the anticancer features of nardosinen as well as its possible molecular mechanisms of the nardosinen cytotoxic effect on breast tumor cells. MTT assay showed that nardosinen notably inhibited cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. The growth inhibitory effect of nardosinen was associated with the induction of cell apoptosis, activation of caspase-6, increase of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and loss of mitochondrial membrane potentials (ΔΨm). Western blot assay following treatment with nardosinen showed that the expression levels of the Bax were significantly up-regulated and the expression levels of the Bcl-2 were significantly down-regulated. Our results finally exhibited that nardosinen induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via the mitochondrial and caspase pathways

Contamination of milk and dairy products by Brucella species: A global systematic review and meta-analysis

Brucellosis is known as an influential zoonosis in different regions worldwide, with significant effects on the reproductive performance of livestock. Considering the high incidence of brucellosis in dairy products and further negative impacts on food safety, the present study was aimed to systematically investigate prevalence worldwide among published data regarding the identification of Brucella spp. in dairy products. In this regard, some databases, i.e., Scopus, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science have been searched to retrieve all related articles regarding the incidence of Brucella contaminations in dairy products from 1 January 1983 to 1 April 2019. The prevalence of Brucella spp. in unpasteurized dairy products based on countries, WHO regions, and dairy product subgroups were evaluated and statistically compared. Based on the findings, the prevalence of Brucella spp. in dairy products increased while the GDP (C = 0.17, P-value Eastern Mediterranean (2.41) > Region of America (1.65) > European Region (1.54) > Africa region (1.46) > Western Pacific (reference). The results of this study showed that decreasing poverty and an increase in the level of education in societies could reduce the prevalence of Brucella spp. in dairy products. The outcome of the current investigation can be used for the implementation of sustainable intervention and prevention strategies in affected regions128sem informaçãosem informaçã

Barriers to healthcare provision for victims of sexual assault: A grounded theory study

Background: Victims of sexual assault need comprehensive healthcare services to deal with the consequences of their experience. However, there are still many girls/women that delay seeking healthcare after they experience sexual assault. Objectives: To explore the process of health care and clinical services for victims of sexual assault in the health care centers of Iran. Patients and Methods: This was a qualitative study based on the grounded theory method. The sample consisted of 23 health care providers and 10 victims of sexual violence. Unstructured interviews and observations were used for data collection. Constant comparative analysis was used according to the Strauss and Corbin method. Results: The analysis of all data led to the extraction of four categories: �performing routines�, �victims� expectations�, �conflict between expectations of victims and existing healthcare services�, and the core category of �neglect of healthcare providers to address the needs and expectations of victims�. Providers were offering health care to the victims of sexual violence regardless of their needs. Due to this neglect, victims sought illegal solutions to overcome the consequences that led to social stigma. Conclusions: The findings indicate the lack of mutual understanding between health care providers and victims of sexual violence in relation to the expectations and priorities of victims. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Barriers and facilitators of integrating physiotherapy into primary health care settings: A systematic scoping review of qualitative research.

This scoping review investigated the barriers and facilitators to integrating physiotherapy into primary health care (PHC). PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ProQuest, and REHABDATA were searched. Two independent reviewers were involved in screening, selecting, and extracting data. Data were synthesized using thematic analysis. Of the 483 screened documents, 44 qualitative studies, primarily from high-income countries, were included. All of the studies had good methodological quality. Barriers and facilitators of integrating physiotherapy into PHC were extracted within the WHO six building blocks framework. In total, 41 items were identified as barriers to the integration process. The studies included 49 recommendations to facilitate integrating physiotherapy services into PHC. Integrating physiotherapy services into PHC faces many barriers. The most commonly suggested potential barriers are poor knowledge of physicians about physiotherapy, ineffective teamwork, physiotherapists' time constraints/workload, a lack of clarity over the role and knowledge of physiotherapists, unawareness of physiotherapy users about these services, and lack of intra- and inter-professional collaborations. The most commonly suggested recommendations to facilitate the integration process include: Clarifying the role of involved professionals, strengthening teamwork, improving intra- and inter-professional collaborations, and providing comprehensive training programs for physiotherapists

Kinetic of NO₂ uptake by Phleum pratense pollen: Chemical and allergenic implications

Phleum pratense pollen was exposed to NO2 in a reactor allowing a continuous analysis of NO2 concentration by FTIR. The uptake coefficient of NO2 on pollen was calculated postulating a first order kinetic reaction and a value of (1.1 ± 0.1) × 10−7 was determined. NO2 uptake was faster when the pollen water content was increased and when the pollen was pre-treated with ozone. The effect of NO2 exposure on pollen allergic properties was investigated by quantifying Th2- and Th1-associated chemokines in a model of human dendritic cells. Cellular analysis clearly showed that cells exposed to fumigated pollen favored the production of chemokines known to promote Th2-cell responses. Altogether these data demonstrate that NO2 uptake by pollen directly correlates with increased Th2 response in human cells, and are in favor of the involvement of NO2 pollution in the increase of allergic diseases