RAGE SIGNALING MEDIATES DEFICITS IN HIPPOCAMPAL FUNCTION IN MODELS OF DIABETES

Diabetes is a prevalent metabolic disorder that affects various body functions and systems. Effects of diabetes on cognitive function have been reported in animal models of diabetes, particularly learning and memory impairments and changes in hippocampal synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP), which depends primarily on NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate receptors. The Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-products (RAGE) has been particularly implicated in vascular and peripheral nervous system complications of diabetes. These observations led us to hypothesize that RAGE signaling in models of diabetes can alter the function of NMDA and AMPA subtypes of glutamate receptors, leading to dysfunction in synaptic transmission and subsequent impairment in learning and memory. Our findings showed that although recognition memory was unaffected in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes in both genotypes, hippocampal-dependent spatial memory was impaired in STZ-induced diabetic mice in wild-type (WT) but not in the RAGE knockout (RAGE-KO) group. This impairment in spatial memory was consistent with deficits in synaptic plasticity, i.e. LTP and paired pulse facilitation (PPF), and reduction in the expression and phosphorylation of the GluA1 subunit of the AMPA receptor in WT STZ-induced diabetic mice. These changes were associated with the activation of the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, leading to increased total p38, phospho-p38, and nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB) and decreased phospho c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK) and its kinase, mitogen activated protein kinase kinase 7 (pMEK7). In WT hippocampal cultures, high glucose caused a reduction of AMPA-evoked currents, as well as a reduction in cell excitability, and an increase in cytosolic ROS. This is the first study, to the best of our knowledge, that shows the contribution of RAGE signaling in abnormal hippocampal synaptic transmission and cognitive function in diabetes, which could help identify potential targets for therapeutic interventions

The survey of sexual function relationship with sexual satisfaction in referred to Tehran South City health centers

Results: The majority of study subjects (58.2%) had moderate sexual satisfaction. Of sexual function in recent months, most units (76.3%) had an intercourse or more per week. 34.5% of people in their most sexual activities, had a sense of being wet. Within a month, 35.2% of the units had reached orgasm sometimes. 50.7% of women reported that have come to the orgasm after his wife. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that all variables related to sexual function of people were associated with their sexual satisfaction. Therefore ..

Correlates of sexual satisfaction among Iranians women attending South Tehran health centers: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Introduction: Sexual activity not only is a crucial physiologic need, but also it has been associated with religious, mystical, and historical concepts. The aim of this study was to assess Iranian women’s sexual satisfaction and its correlating factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at South Tehran health centers (STHCs), which were affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Tehran, Iran). A convenience sample consist of 405 women who were married, had at least sixth-grade literacy level, were not addicted to opioids or alcohol, had no history of infertility, psychiatric, and physical disorders, and referred to STHCs to receive Primary Health Care services. Main outcome measures were women’s demographics, sexual function, and sexual satisfaction were assessed by a questionnaire. Results: Most women (58.2%) had moderate sexual satisfaction. A significant direct association was shown between sexual satisfaction and couple’s educational level (P < 0.001), partner’s higher income (P = 0.037), regular menstruation (P = 0.005), and degree of woman’s love toward her partner (P < 0.001). There was a significant indirect association between sexual satisfaction and gravidity number (P = 0.029), and number of offspring (P = 0.006). Having sexual intercourse at least once a week (P = 0.003), equal sex request (P = 0.028), accepting partner’s request pleasingly (P < 0.001), experiencing sexual arousal (P < 0.001), and lubrication (P < 0.001) was directly associated with sexual satisfaction. Dyspareunia (P < 0.001) and difficulty to reach orgasm (P < 0.001) showed significant indirect association. Conclusion: Women sexual satisfaction associates with interpersonal and sexual factors. Creating opportunity for midwives in health centers to consult with couples, assess their quality of sexual function, educate them, and refer them to specialists if needed, is strongly recommended for healthcare systems of Iran

Emergency Overcrowding Impact on the Quality of Care of Patients Presenting with Acute Stroke

Introduction: Emergency overcrowding is defined as when the amount of care required for patients overcomes the available amount. This can cause delays in delivering critical care in situations like stroke. Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the possible impact of emergency department (ED) crowding on the quality of care for acute stroke patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional prospective study, all patients with symptoms of acute stroke presenting to the ED of educational hospitals were enrolled. All patients were assessed and examined by the emergency medicine (EM) residents on shift and a questionnaire was filled out for them. The amount of time that passed from the first triage to performing the required interventions and delivering health services were recorded by the triage nurse. ED crowding was measured by the occupancy rate. Then, the correlation between all of the variables and ED crowding level were calculated. Results: The average daily bed occupancy rate was 184.9 ± 54.3%. The median time passed from the first triage to performing the interventions were as follows: the first EM resident visit after 34 min, the first neurologic visit after 138 min, head CT after 134 min, ECG after 104 min and ASA administration after 210 min. There was no statistically significant relationship between the ED occupancy rate and the time elapsed before different required health services in the management of stroke patients either throughout an entire day or during each 8-hour interval (p &gt; 0.05). Conclusion: In the current study, the ED occupancy rate was not significantly correlated with the time frame associated with management of admitted acute stroke patients

Global prevalence of suicide in patients living with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: In fact, people living with HIV are at a greater risk of mental health disorders. Based on lack of necessary information in this area the present systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted to determine the magnitude of committed suicides among HIV/AIDS people as well as their associated factors in a global setting. Method: Firstly we registered the protocol of study in PROSPRO. Then the publications were searched in the 4 main databases from January 2000 to April 2022. After removing duplication and inappropriate studies we applied inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally 60 studies were included for analysis. Comprehensive meta-analysis software were used for analyzing. Results: After reviewing 60 articles published from January 2000 to April 2021 in 24 countries, the total prevalence rate of suicide among 61,904 patients was estimated at 0.249 (95 % CI, 0.2–0.306). Findings indicated that the highest suicide prevalence was related to single patients estimated at 0.257 (95 % CI, 0.184–0.347). A gender-based meta-analysis depicted that the prevalence of suicide/ suicidal ideation was higher among females estimated at 0.22 (95 % CI, 0.15–0.29) compared with men at 0.17 (95 % CI, 0.11–0.23). Conclusion: Health planners and policymakers should develop suicide-prevention strategies aimed at female patients in younger age groups who live alone and are deprived of social support to effectively promote their self-efficacy in successful management of the disease. Integrating mental health services into anti-retroviral therapy for HIV/AIDS patients is also suggested in order to effectively design integrated programs for the management of individuals living with HIV/AIDS

Distribution assessment of maxillofacial fractures in trauma admitted patients in Yazd hospitals: An epidemiologic study

Background: Fracture, is discontinuity of anatomical bone relations. Commonly, a maxillofacial fracture occurs after trauma but the etiology and pattern of this entity is different amongst countries. The aim of this study was to clarify the main causes of this entity in Yazd to increase public and professional awareness to prevent more injuries and subsequent consequences. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study consisted of 194 patients admitted in public hospitals in Yazd, Iran. Variables such as age, gender, cause of accidents, site of fracture and treatment method were noted and recorded in a questionnaire filled during hospitalization of these patients. Causes of accident were classified by 6 reasons such as accident by car and motorcycle, fighting and violence, falls, sports and occupational injuries. The site of fractures, including mandible, maxilla, nasal, frontal and orbital were considered. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis. Results: The results showed that maxillofacial fractures are more prevalent in male than females (69% versus 31%). The Most sites of fractures were nasal bone (79%). The majority of people with maxillofacial fractures were in the age ranged between 20-29 years and the main reason of maxillofacial fractures was motorcycle accident. Conclusion: According to our result, most sites of fractures were in nasal bone. The main cause of maxillofacial fractures was motorcycle accident. However, in each age range the most common cause of accident was different

Evaluation of relative distribution and risk factors in patients with dry socket referring to Yazd dental clinics

Background: Dry socket is one of the most prevalent complications occurring after tooth extraction. The prevalence of such condition has been reported to be highly different, ranging from 0.5 to 68.4%. The etiology and pathogenesis of this entity are not clearly known and many related predisposing factors have been discussed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the relative prevalence of this entity after tooth extraction and determine the contributing factors in patient referring to Yazd dental clinics. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was carried out at Yazd dental clinics (from May 2010 to Jun 2010). Four thousand seven hundred and seventy nine patients were selected and included in our study. Characteristics such as: age, gender, site of extraction, number of extracted tooth, trauma during extraction, oral hygiene, smoking, systemic disease, menstrual cycle, history of dental infection and oral contraceptive pill intake were determined and data was analyzed using descriptive statistical analysis and Fisher′s exact test. P value ≤0.05 was considered significant. Results: Over the two-month period of the study, among of 4,779 patients, 28 patients returned with dry socket phenomena. Our results showed that the incidence of dry socket was 0.6% and females were more common involved than males (0.08% versus 0.04%). The ratio of mandible to maxilla was 2.5 to1 and mandibular third molars were more often involved than other teeth. Trauma, poor oral hygiene and smoking had increased the incidence of dry socket. Conclusion: The results of our study suggested that trauma during surgery or extraction and poor oral hygiene are important factors that increase the incidence of dry socket, these factors should be considered before and after tooth extractions

Type 1 Diabetes and the Menstrual Cycle: Where/How Does Exercise Fit in?

Regular exercise is associated with substantial health benefits for individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, the fear of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) due to activity-induced declines in blood glucose levels acts as a major barrier to partaking in exercise in this population. For females with T1D, hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle and their effects on blood glucose levels can act as an additional barrier. The impact that these cyclic changes may have on blood glucose and insulin needs and the consequent risk of hypoglycemia during or after exercise are still unknown in this population. Therefore, in this narrative review, we gathered existing knowledge about the menstrual cycle in T1D and the effects of different cyclic phases on substrate metabolism and glucose response to exercise in females with T1D to increase knowledge and understanding around exercise in this underrepresented population. This increased knowledge in such an understudied area can help to better inform exercise guidelines for females with T1D. It can also play an important role in eliminating a significant barrier to exercise in this population, which has the potential to increase activity, improve mental health and quality of life, and decrease the risk of diabetes-related complications

Electrochemical codeine sensor based on carbon paste electrode/HKUST-1

In this research, the Cu-MOF (metal-organic framework, HKUST-1) was synthesized via co-precipitation method and it was into the carbon paste electrode and has been investigated in the measurement of codeine. The electrochemical performance of the modified electrode was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The effective parameters in the sensitivity of the method were optimized. Quantitative measurements and determination of codeine at the surface of the modified electrode were performed by using differential pulse voltammetry. Finally, the ability of the developed method to measure codeine in real plasma samples was investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range was obtained from 2 to 100 μ M with a limit of detection of 0.66 μ M. The high efficiency of the developed electrode in plasma samples was proved by using high and acceptable accuracy and satisfactory relative recovery percentage. The results in which the recoveries values with RSD% for three repeated measurements were in the range of 97–109 (%RSD = 3.75 to 4)