Recognition of Cytokeratin 18 Marker by Flow Cytometry of Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Human Intervertebral Disc and Comparison of Proliferation and Morphology of these Cells in Chitosan-Gelatin and Alginate Scaffolds

Background: Low back pain is a major economical and social problem nowadays. Intervertebral disc herniation and central degeneration of disc are two major reasons of low back pain that occur because of structural impairment of discs. Intervertebral disc includes the annulus fibrosus, transitional region, and nucleus pulposus (NP). NP forms the central nucleus of the disc. Reduction of cell count and extracellular matrix, especially in NP, causes disc degeneration. Different scaffolds (natural and synthetic) have been used for tissue repairing and regeneration of intervertebral disc in tissue engineering. Most scaffolds have biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics and also prepare a fine condition for proliferation and migration of cells. Although no specific marker or method has been suggested for recognition of NP cells, some studies have used real time and immunocytochemical methods and reported high expression of cytokeratin 19, 18, 8, and others as markers for NP cells. This study aimed to recognize NP cells of human intervertebral disc by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker. It also compared the proliferation and morphology of these cells in chitosan-gelatin scaffold and alginate scaffold. Methods: NP cells were derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagenase from NP tissue of patients undergoing open surgery for discectomy in Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Chitosan was blended with gelatin and glutaraldehyde was used for cross linking of the two polymers. Then, alginate scaffold was prepared. After approving the NP cells by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker, a cellular suspension with 4 × 105 cells was transferred to each scaffold and cultured for 21 days. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by trypan blue and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to assert the porosity and to survey the structures of the scaffolds. Findings: We can use flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 markers for recognition of NP cells. MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability on the third day had significant difference with the first day in both scaffolds. There was also a significant reduction in cellular viability from day 3 to day 21. Results of cell count showed that mean difference between cell counts in alginate scaffold was significantly more than chitosan-gelatin scaffold (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 can be used as a method for recognition of NP cells. Compared to chitosan-gelatin scaffold, alginate scaffold prepared a better condition for proliferation of NP cells. The results of this study suggested that alginate scaffold could be useful in in-vivo studies and treatment

Insulin resistance surrogate markers and risk of hyperuricemia among patients with and without coronary artery disease: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAlthough emerging evidence emphasizes the associations between both insulin resistance and hyperuricemia with coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, no definite relationship has yet been established. In this respect, time-efficient and affordable methods to estimate insulin resistance (IR) status, and to predict risk of hyperuricemia, are needed. Thus, the goal of this investigation was to examine the associations between IR, as assessed by novel surrogate markers [triglyceride-glucose (TyG) and TyG–body mass index (TyG-BMI)], and risk of hyperuricemia in patients with and without diagnosed CAD.MethodsThis cross-sectional study used data from the medical records of 1,170 patients who were referred to the cardiology outpatient clinic. Medical records, anthropometrics, and serum analytes were determined at the initial visit. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid ≥ 5.6 mg/dL. IR was estimated through surrogate markers (TyG and TyG-BMI). Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between these indices and odds of hyperuricemia among patients with and without CAD.ResultsOverall, 814 angiographically-confirmed CAD cases (mean age (SD) = 52 (8)yrs) were compared with 356 patients without CAD (mean age (SD) = 48 (8)yr). There were positive associations between TyG and TyG-BMI indices and odds of hyperuricemia in CAD patients after controlling for confounders (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.60; 95%CI: 1.02–2.51; p-value = 0.036; and aOR = 1.83; 95%CI: 1.24–2.70; p-value = 0.002, third tertiles for TYG and TYG-BMI, respectively).ConclusionThe present findings suggest that higher levels of the IR surrogate markers, TyG and TyG-BMI, are associated with higher odds of hyperuricemia in patients with CAD. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, the sensitivity and specificity of these novel markers could not be determined for confirming the diagnosis of IR and hyperuricemia, further studies are needed to determine such outcomes and to confirm the current findings

Recognition of Cytokeratin 18 Marker by Flow Cytometry of Nucleus Pulposus Cells in Human Intervertebral Disc and Comparison of Proliferation and Morphology of these Cells in Chitosan-Gelatin and Alginate Scaffolds.

Background: Low back pain is a major economical and social problem nowadays. Intervertebral disc herniation and central degeneration of disc are two major reasons of low back pain that occur because of structural impairment of discs. Intervertebral disc includes the annulus fibrosus, transitional region, and nucleus pulposus (NP). NP forms the central nucleus of the disc. Reduction of cell count and extracellular matrix, especially in NP, causes disc degeneration. Different scaffolds (natural and synthetic) have been used for tissue repairing and regeneration of intervertebral disc in tissue engineering. Most scaffolds have biodegradable and biocompatible characteristics and also prepare a fine condition for proliferation and migration of cells. Although no specific marker or method has been suggested for recognition of NP cells, some studies have used real time and immunocytochemical methods and reported high expression of cytokeratin 19, 18, 8, and others as markers for NP cells. This study aimed to recognize NP cells of human intervertebral disc by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker. It also compared the proliferation and morphology of these cells in chitosan-gelatin scaffold and alginate scaffold. Methods: NP cells were derived by enzymatic hydrolysis of collagenase from NP tissue of patients undergoing open surgery for discectomy in Alzahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Chitosan was blended with gelatin and glutaraldehyde was used for cross linking of the two polymers. Then, alginate scaffold was prepared. After approving the NP cells by flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 marker, a cellular suspension with 4 × 105 cells was transferred to each scaffold and cultured for 21 days. Cell viability and proliferation were investigated by trypan blue and methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to assert the porosity and to survey the structures of the scaffolds. Findings: We can use flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 markers for recognition of NP cells. MTT assay demonstrated that cell viability on the third day had significant difference with the first day in both scaffolds. There was also a significant reduction in cellular viability from day 3 to day 21. Results of cell count showed that mean difference between cell counts in alginate scaffold was significantly more than chitosan-gelatin scaffold (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Flow cytometry of cytokeratin 18 can be used as a method for recognition of NP cells. Compared to chitosan-gelatin scaffold, alginate scaffold prepared a better condition for proliferation of NP cells. The results of this study suggested that alginate scaffold could be useful in in-vivo studies and treatment

Self-Care Education Based on Learning Style and its Impact on Lifestyle of Patients with Hypertension

Background & Objective: Hypertension is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Some more effective management of this disease can be achieved by making changes in the lifestyles of patients by self-care education. It is important to use new educational methods to better influence education on people's learning. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using educational tools appropriate to learning style during self-care training on the lifestyle of hypertensive patients. Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 44 patients with hypertension who were divided into four groups of visual, auditory, reading/writing and kinesthetic based on their answers to the VARK learning style questionnaire. Patients' self-care training was conducted in the form of four 60-minute sessions based on the learning style of each group. Before and two months after the intervention, the LSQ lifestyle questionnaire was completed by all patients, and finally, data were analyzed using SPSS ver.21. Results: According to the results of the present study, the mean score of lifestyle dimensions of all research units at all stages of lifestyle increased significantly after the educational intervention compared to before the intervention, (p< 0.001). Also, the increase in the mean of the total lifestyle score after the intervention compared to the time before it was statistically significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Considering the favorable effect of self-care education based on learning style in promoting patients' lifestyle, this educational method can be used as a cheap and practical method in changing the behavior of hypertensive patients

New look at about nature, structure and function of Trietz ligament

Background: Trietz ligament connects the duodeno-jejunal flexure to the right crus of the diaphragm. There are various opinions regarding the existence of the smooth muscle fibers in the ligament. We want to resolve this complexity with microscopic study of this part in cadavers. Materials and Methods: This study done on three cadavers in the medical faculty of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Three samples of histological specimens were collected from the upper, the central, and the lower parts of Trietz ligament and were stained by H and E staining and Mallory′s trichrome stain. Three samples were collected from the regions of exact connection of the main mesentery to the body wall, the intestine, and the region between these two connected regions, and these specimens were stained. Results: In the microscopic survey, no collagen bundles were observed in the collected samples of the Trietz ligament after the dense muscular tissues. In the samples which were collected to work on collagen tissues stretching from the Trietz ligament to the main mesentery of intestine, no collagen bundles were observed. Conclusion: Trietz ligament is connected to the right crus of the diaphragm from the third and the fourth parts of the duodenum. Number of researchers state that there are smooth and striated muscular tissues and some others, with regard to observations of histological phases made from the samples of Trietz muscles, conclude that it can probably be noted that muscular bundles or the dense connective tissue bundles of collagen cannot be observed in the way we imagine

Leaf Area Index Variations in Ecoregions of Ardabil Province, Iran

The leaf area index (LAI) is an important vegetation biophysical index that provides broad information on the dynamic behavior of an ecosystem’s productivity and related climate, topography, and edaphic impacts. The spatiotemporal changes of LAI were assessed throughout Ardabil Province—a host of relevant plant communities within the critical ecoregion of a semi-arid climate. In a comparative study, novel data from Google Earth Engine (GEE) was tested against traditional ENVI measures to provide LAI estimations. Moreover, it is of important practical significance for institutional networks to quantitatively and accurately estimate LAI, at large areas in a short time, and using appropriate baseline vegetation indices. Therefore, LAI was characterized for ecoregions of Ardabil Province using remote sensing indices extracted from Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI), including the Enhanced Vegetation Index calculated in GEE (EVIG) and ENVI5.3 software (EVIE), as well as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index estimated in ENVI5.3 software (NDVIE). Moreover, a new field measurement method, i.e., the LaiPen LP 100 portable device (LP 100), was used to evaluate the accuracy of the derived indices. Accordingly, the LAI was measured in June and July 2020, in 822 ground points distributed in 16 different ecoregions-sub ecoregions having various plant functional types (PFTs) of the shrub, bush, and tree. The analyses revealed heterogeneous spatial and temporal variability in vegetation indices and LAIs within and between ecoregions. The mean (standard deviation) value of EVIG, EVIE, and NDVIE at a province scale yielded 1.1 (0.41), 2.20 (0.78), and 3.00 (1.01), respectively in June, and 0.67 (0.37), 0.80 (0.63), and 1.88 (1.23), respectively, in July. The highest mean values of EVIG-LAI, EVIE-LAI, and NDVIE-LAI in June are found in Meshginshahr (1.40), Meshginshahr (2.80), and Hir (4.33) ecoregions and in July are found in Andabil ecoregion respectively with values of 1.23, 1.5, and 3.64. The lowest mean values of EVIG-LAI, EVIE-LAI, and NDVIE-LAI in June were observed for Kowsar (0.67), Meshginshahr (1.8), and Neur (2.70) ecoregions, and in July, the Bilesavar ecoregion, respectively, with values of 0.31, 0.31, and 0.81. High correlation and determination coefficients (r &gt; 0.83 and R2 &gt; 0.68) between LP 100 and remote sensing derived LAI were observed in all three PFTs (except for NDVIE-LAI in June with r = 0.56 and R2 = 0.31). On average, all three examined LAI measures tended to underestimate compared to LP 100-LAI (r &gt; 0.42). The findings of the present study could be promising for effective monitoring and proper management of vegetation and land use in the Ardabil Province and other similar areas

Multisensor assessment of leaf area index across ecoregions of Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran

Leaf area index (LAI), one of the most crucial vegetation biophysical variables, is required to evaluate the structural characteristic of plant communities. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the LAI of ecoregions in Iran obtained using Sentinel-2B, Landsat 8 (OLI), MODIS, and AVHRR data in June and July 2020. A field survey was performed in different ecoregions throughout Ardabil Province during June and July 2020 under the satellite image dates. A Laipen LP 100 (LP 100) field-portable device was used to measure the LAI in 822 samples with different plant functional types (PFTs) of shrubs, bushes, and trees. The LAI was estimated using the SNAPv7.0.4 (Sentinel Application Platform) software for Sentinel-2B data and Google Earth Engine (GEE) system–based EVI for Landsat 8. At the same time, for MODIS and AVHRR, the LAI products of GEE were considered. The results of all satellite-based methods verified the LAI variations in space and time for every PFT. Based on Sentinel-2B, Landsat 8, MODIS, and AVHRR application, the minimum and maximum LAIs were respectively obtained at 0.14–1.78, 0.09–3.74, 0.82–4.69, and 0.35–2.73 for shrubs; 0.17–5.17, 0.3–2.3, 0.59–3.84, and 0.63–3.47 for bushes; and 0.3–4.4, 0.3–4.5, 0.7–4.3, and 0.5–3.3 for trees. These estimated values were lower than the LAI values of LP 100 (i.e., 0.4–4.10 for shrubs, 1.6–7.7 for bushes, and 3.1–6.8 for trees). A significant correlation (p 0.63 and R2 > 0.89), Landsat 8 (|r| > 0.50 and R2 > 0.72), MODIS (|r| > 0.65 and R2 > 0.88), and AVHRR (|r| > 0.59 and R2 > 0.68). Due to its high spatial resolution and relatively significant correlation with terrestrial data, Sentinel-2B was more suitable for calculating the LAI. The results obtained from this study can be used in future studies on sustainable rangeland management and conservation

Investigating the association between dairy intake and migraine odds among pediatrics and adolescents: A case-control study

Abstract Objective Migraine is recognized as a disease with unknown etiology andvarious pathophysiologic pathways which are not fully understood. Due to the relation between dairy intake and various chronic conditions in children and also the paucity of data on the probable role of dairy intake on pediatrics’ odds of having migraine, this studywas designed. Materials &amp; Methods The present study was a population-based case-control design that was accomplished in a tertiary headache clinic.290 child (aged from7 to 14 years old) was included in this study. A definite diagnosis of migraine was performed by a neurologist; concerning the 2018 international classification of headache disorder 3 (ICHD3) criteria. Also, demographic and anthropometric characteristics were obtained. In addition, the usual dietary intake of participants was evaluated using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Results Those children in the case group significantly had higher age and BMI means (P.value:0.000). In the second regression model, odds of migraine were 48% (OR: 0.52; 95%CI:0.27-1.00) diminished in the second tertile and 53% (OR:0.47;95%CI:0.24-0.92) in the third tertile of low-fat dairy intake (P-trend:0.03). In the fully adjustedmodel, the achieved migraine ORs were as followings:0.48 (95% CI:0.240.95) in the second tertile and 0.46 (95% CI:0.21-0.96) in the third tertile (P-trend:0.04), respectively. Children with more high fat dairy intake also consumed higher amounts of energy, pastries, simple sugar, unhealthy snacks, and hydrogenated oil (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion This study results proposed that a greater amount of lowfat dairy intake may attenuate the odds of having migraine attacks in pediatrics and adolescents who might be at risk of headache, which can be attributed to the micronutrient and also to the bioactive content of these dietary components