Retinoic Acid Decorated Albumin-Chitosan Nanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Doxorubicin Hydrochloride in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Retinoic acid (R) grafted chitosan (C) copolymers with different degree of substitution of retinoic acid on the chitosan were synthesized. Retinoic acid targeted chitosan-albumin nanoparticles were prepared for targeted delivery of doxorubicin in hepatocellular carcinoma by coacervation method. Physical properties of nanoparticles including particle size, zeta potential, drug loading efficiency, and drug release profiles were studied. TEM micrographs were taken to see the morphology of nanoparticles. The cytotoxicity of doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles was studied on HepG2 cells using MTT assay and their cellular uptake by fluorescence microscopy. FTIR and 1HNMR spectra confirmed successful production of RC conjugate which was used in production of the targeted RC-albumin nanoparticles. IC50 of drug loaded in these nanoparticles reduced to half and one-third compared to nontargeted nanoparticles and free drug, respectively

Associated factors of birth weight outcomes in the south of Iran: A cross-sectional survey

Background: Adverse birth outcomes are serious health problems that increase morbidity and mortality in neonates. Socioeconomic inequities are linked with Low Birth Weight (LBW) and High Birth Weight (HBW); however, the associations of these factors differ in various groups. The present survey aimed to estimate the prevalence of LBW and HBW and also to determine the associated demographic and socioeconomic factors. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted on 6495 children, aged 0-2 years, selected through cluster and multistage sampling methods in 30 cities of Fars province, Iran, from December 2012 to January 2013. Determinants were assessed using a questionnaires including demographic, health parameters, and socioeconomic variables. Also, birth weights were recorded from health report cards. We examined the association between probable factors related to LBW and HBW, and analyzed the data using multinomial regression model. Results: Among the study population, 636 (9.7%) were LBW and the rate of HBW was estimated to be 152 (2.3%). In multinomial regression, the odds ratio of LBW was significantly higher in girls (OR=1.38, 95%CI=1.17-1.63), and the first (OR=1.7, 95%CI=1.25-2.31) and the second born child (OR=1.4, 95%CI=1.06-2.02); this ratio was lower in families with the father as the head of the family (OR=0.31, 95%CI=0.13-0.68) or mother (OR=0.43, 95%CI=0.11-1.64), and children from low populated families (OR=0.54, 95%CI=0.42-0.68). Moreover, the lower maternal education (OR=2.52, 95%CI=1.36-4.70) was significantly associated with increased HBW; however, girls (OR=0.56, 95%CI=0.39-0.79), low populated families (OR=0.60, 95%CI=0.37-0.96), and fathers as family head (OR=0.19, 95%CI=0.05-0.71) lowered the odds of HBW. Conclusion: LBW was identified at a relatively high level. The prevention of adverse birth outcomes may be applicable by targeting demographic and social determinants like gender, birth order, family size, mother’s education, and family head as predictors of birth weight in public health interventions

Prevalence and determinants of under-nutrition among children under six: a cross-sectional survey in Fars province, Iran

Background: Childhood malnutrition as a major public health problem among children in developing countries can affect physical and intellectual growth and is also considered as a main cause of child morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of under-nutrition and identify determinants of malnutrition among children under 6 years of age in Fars province, Iran. Methods: This survey was conducted by house to house visit through multi-stage sampling in 30 cities of Fars province, during December 2012 to January 2013. A total of 15408 children, aged 0–6 years old, were studied for nutritional assessment in terms of underweight, stunting, and wasting. Also, socio-demographic measures were obtained from structured questionnaire. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to relate underlying factors to the odds of under-nutrition indices. Results: The rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 9.53, 9.66, and 8.19%, respectively. Male children were more stunted compared to females (OR= 1.41, CI: 1.26–1.58). Also, stunting was significantly associated with lower family income (OR= 3.21, CI: 1.17–8.85) and lower maternal education (OR= 0.80, CI: 0.64–0.98). Living in urban areas, and poor water supply were identified as significant risk factors of all three types of childhood under-nutrition. Moreover, Khamse and Arab ethnic groups were more vulnerable to under-nutrition. There was a suggestion that non-access to health services were associated with wasting (OR= 1.87, CI: 1.39–2.52) and also large family size was related to underweight (OR= 1.35, CI: 1.10–1.65). Conclusion: The prevalence of under-nutrition in the study population was categorized in low levels. However, planning the public preventive strategies can help to control childhood under-nutrition according to underlying factors of malnutrition in the study population including gender, settlement area, family size, ethnicity, family income, maternal education, health services, and also safe water supply

Effect of Game-Based Nutrition Education on Nutritional Knowledge of Preschool Children

Background: Nutrition education during childhood plays a substantial role in promotion of healthy eating habits throughout the life. We aimed to assess the effect of a newly designed game-based nutrition education program on nutritional knowledge of preschool children. Methods: An experimental study was conducted at eight kindergartens from various socioeconomic levels in Shiraz, Iran. Forty-eight children aged 5 to 6 years old were recruited to the study. We developed a computer-game containing health improving nutritional messages, based on snake and ladder game. The intervention period of game playing was 20 minutes per day for a week. All children were asked to complete a questionnaire, including 9 questions designed for their age group, before and after playing the game. Also, we assessed the acceptance of the game among the experimental group. Results: Forty-seven children including 27 boys and 20 girls completed the study (23 in the experiment and 24 in the control groups). The mean age of participants was 5.71±0.41 years. Baseline scores of nutritional knowledge were significantly more in high socioeconomic regions. The mean score of nutritional knowledge in experimental and control groups improved significantly (0.73±1.62 and 0.52±1.78, respectively). Considering the baseline mean score as covariate, the mean score of nutritional knowledge significantly increased in the experiment group. The results showed that all children preferred to select more healthy foods after playing game. Moreover, the experimental group was interested in playing the game in 3 levels; low (8.7%), high (52.2%), and very high (39.1%). Conclusion: This new game-based educational approach may simplify the education in preschool children and enhance their nutritional knowledge

Prevalence and Determinants of Under-Nutrition Among Children Under Six: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Fars Province, Iran

Background: Childhood malnutrition as a major public health problem among children in developing countries can affect physical and intellectual growth and is also considered as a main cause of child morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of under-nutrition and identify determinants of malnutrition among children under 6 years of age in Fars province, Iran. Methods: This survey was conducted by house to house visit through multi-stage sampling in 30 cities of Fars province, during December 2012 to January 2013. A total of 15408 children, aged 0–6 years old, were studied for nutritional assessment in terms of underweight, stunting, and wasting. Also, socio-demographic measures were obtained from structured questionnaire. Backward stepwise logistic regression was used to relate underlying factors to the odds of under-nutrition indices. Results:The rates of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 9.53, 9.66, and 8.19%, respectively. Male children were more stunted compared to females (OR= 1.41, CI: 1.26–1.58). Also, stunting was significantly associated with lower family income (OR= 3.21, CI: 1.17–8.85) and lower maternal education (OR= 0.80, CI: 0.64–0.98). Living in urban areas, and poor water supply were identified as significant risk factors of all three types of childhood under-nutrition. Moreover, Khamse and Arab ethnic groups were more vulnerable to under-nutrition. There was a suggestion that non-access to health services were associated with wasting (OR= 1.87, CI: 1.39–2.52) and also large family size was related to underweight (OR= 1.35, CI: 1.10–1.65). Conclusion:The prevalence of under-nutrition in the study population was categorized in low levels. However, planning the public preventive strategies can help to control childhood under-nutrition according to underlying factors of malnutrition in the study population including gender, settlement area, family size, ethnicity, family income, maternal education, health services, and also safe water supply

Effects of " vitex agnus castus" extract and magnesium supplementation, alone and in combination, on osteogenic and angiogenic factors and fracture healing in women with long bone fracture

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the combination of vitex agnus castus extract, as a source of phytoestrogens, plus magnesium supplementation on osteogenic and angiogenic factors and callus formation in women with long bone fracture. Material and Methods: In a double-blind randomized placebo controlled trial, 64 women with long bone fracture, 20-45 years old, were randomly allocated to receive 1) one Agnugol tablet (4 mg dried fruit extract of vitex agnus castus) plus 250 mg magnesium oxide (VAC + Mg group (n = 10)), 2) one Agnugol tablet plus placebo (VAC group (n = 15)), 3) placebo plus 250 mg magnesium oxide (Mg group (n = 12)), or 4) placebo plus placebo (placebo group (n = 14)) per day for 8 weeks. At baseline and endpoint of the trial, serum alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured together with radiological bone assessment. Results: There were no significant differences in the characteristic aspects of concern between the four groups at baseline. Despite the increased level of alkaline phosphatase in the VAC group (188.33 ± 16.27 to 240.40 ± 21.49, P = 0.05), administration of VAC + Mg could not increase alkaline phosphatase activity. However, treatment with VAC + Mg significantly enhanced the osteocalcin level. The serum concentration of VEGF was increased in the VAC group (269.04 ± 116.63 to 640.03 ± 240.16, P < 0.05). Callus formation in the VAC + Mg group was higher than the other groups but the differences between the four groups were not significant (P = 0.39). No relevant side effect was observed in patients in each group. Conclusion : Our results suggest that administration of vitex agnus castus plus magnesium may promote fracture healing. However, more studies need to further explore the roles of vitex agnus castus in fracture repair processes