A Summary of Planarian Signaling Pathway for Regenerative Medicine

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Regenerative medicine has been increased for helping crucial diseases and injuries. Planarians have appeared...     

Using dual polarities of transcranial direct current stimulation in global cerebral ischemia and its following reperfusion period attenuates neuronal injury

Metabolic Brain Disease - Multiple neuronal injury pathways are activated during cerebral ischemia and reperfusion (I/R). This study was designed to decrease potential neuronal injuries by using...     

Comparative evaluation of serological tests used for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases prevalent in the temperate region of North India

PurposeThe clinical manifestations of rickettsial diseases mimic other endemic infections with similar presentations thus posing a serious challenge to clinicians for their diagnosis. For the diagnosis of rickettsial disease serological tests like Weil Felix, ELISA and IFA are used. There are limited studies that have evaluated different serological tests for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the ELISA and Weil Felix test for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases prevalent in this region.MethodsSamples from 281 patients clinically suspected of rickettsial diseases were tested for spotted fever group (SFG), typhus group (TG) and scrub typhus group (STG) by Weil Felix, ELISA and IFA was taken as the gold standard. Baseline titers and cut-off ODs were calculated by taking samples from healthy blood donors.ResultsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of Weil Felix test ranged from 30% to 44%, 83.46%–97.86%, 9%–77%, 92–96% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity, positive and negative predictive value of ELISA ranged from 80.77% to 96.15%, 96.33%–98.43%, 70.21%–88.64%, 92.89%–99.60% respectively. Maximum cross-reactions were observed between SFG and STG by the Weil Felix test and between STG and TG by ELISA.ConclusionsELISA was found to be sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of rickettsial diseases. It is easy to perform, does not require a technical expert for result interpretation and a large number of samples can be processed at a time.     

Urrets-Zavalia Like Syndrome,as a Complication of Sickle Cell Disease

Introduction: We present a case of a sickle cell patient who presented with Urrets-Zavalia Syndrome (UZS) like characteristics without having undergone any surgical procedures.

Case report: A 41-year-old woman diagnosed with sickle cell thalassemia presented with glaucoma of the both eyes. Visual acuity was decreased in both eyes. Epithelial edema was observed in corneas of both eyes, most prominently in the left eye. Peripheral anterior synechiae were present bilaterally. Intraocular pressure was measured to be 26 mmHg in the right eye and 36 mmHg in the left eye. Fixed dilated pupils were observed in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography revealed ischemia of the iris in the right eye.

Conclusion: Physicians should keep a high suspicion of UZS in all patients with fixed dilated pupils, especially in sickle cell disease, regardless of having undergone ophthalmic surgeries or not.     

Effects of Pistacia atlantica on Oxidative Stress Markers and Antioxidant Enzymes Expression in Diabetic Rats

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects many patients all over the world. It involves different parts of the body, such as brain, eyes, kidneys, vessels, and so on. The lack of balance between free radicals and antioxidants is a possible mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Antioxidant treatment, especially natural forms, can be a beneficial solution. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of Pistacia atlantica oleoresin (PAO) on oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzymes expression in diabetic rats.

Method: Fifty adult male Wistar rats were allotted randomly into five groups as follow: control group, diabetic control group, glibenclamide control group, diabetic glibenclamide group, diabetic treated group with 200?mg/kg PAO. Then PAO was prepared and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). LD50 was also estimated for essential oil. Oxidative stress markers and antioxidant enzyme including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also measured. The expression of GPx, CAT, and SOD genes was investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results: The main constituents of essential oil gum were beta-pinene (29.38%), followed by alpha-pinene (18.15%), myrcene (7.36%), trans-pinocarveol (7.15%), and camphene (4.12%). Diabetes induced an increased level of MDA (69.92?±?3.92 vs. 43.76?±?3.73) and decreased levels of GSH (2.57?±?0.40 vs. 7.05?±?1.59), GPx (11.66?±?2.2 vs. 16.38?±?2.1), CAT (12.17?±?3.38 vs. 18.7?±?2.66), and SOD (0.78?±?0.67 vs. 2.41?±?0.46). In contrast, PAO treatment significantly decreased MDA (54.59?±?12.54 vs. 69.92?±?3.92) and increased GSH (4.5?±?0.89 vs. 2.57?±?0.40), GPx (25.86?±?5.37 vs. 11.66?±?2.2), CAT (22.69?±?0.36 vs. 12.17?±?3.38), and SOD (3.65?±?1.08 vs. 0.78?±?0.67) (p?<?0.05). Moreover, our results indicated that both GPx and CAT mRNA levels significantly increased approximately 4.46 and 6.23 times in rats fed with 200?mg/kg of PAO, more than that of the healthy control group, respectively (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.001, respectively). Also, the average expression level of SOD was also significantly 1.57 higher in rats fed with 200?mg/kg of PAO in comparison to the diabetic control group (p?<?0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that PAO could be propose as an agent that protects the body against diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.     

Tobacco consumption,opium use,alcohol drinking and the risk of esophageal cancer in North Khorasan,Iran

Background: There are some unique epidemiological characteristics of esophageal cancer in Iran. The objective of this study was finding the association between tobacco, substance and alcohol using with the risk of esophageal cancer in North Khorasan, Iran.

Methods: This Case-Control study was carried out on 96 patients with esophageal cancer and 187 controls. Controls were matched to cases by age and sex. Data were collected through structured interview. Data were analyzed by using chi-square test, T-test and logistic regression, in Stata software version 12.

Results: Our findings show Hookah smoking [OR = 6.1(CI_95%:1.2–13.1)] and opium consumption [OR = 2.1(CI_95%:1.2–3.5)] were associated with esophageal cancer. Cigarette and pipe smoking, age of onset of smoking, duration of smoking, number of smoking per day, leaving history of smoking, years of leaving smoking, drug withdrawal, number of times of drug withdrawal, a history of drug relapse, alcohol consumption and alcohol dose–response were not related to esophageal cancer.

Conclusion: According to our results, hookah smoking and opium consumption enhance the risk of esophageal cancer in North Khorasan of Iran. We suggest appropriate planning to prevent the esophageal cancer in this district.     

Predictors of Weight Regain and Insufficient Weight Loss According to Different Definitions After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Retrospective Analytical Study

Background

Weight regain (WR) and insufficient weight loss (IWL) after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) are challenging issues. This study aimed to evaluate the predictors of WR and IWL after SG.

Methods

In this retrospective analytical study, 568 patients who underwent SG at Hazrat-e Rasool General Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between January 2015 and April 2022 were evaluated. A total of 333 patients were included. WR and IWL were evaluated by multiple criteria such as a BMI of > 35 kg/m², an increase in BMI of > 5 kg/m² above nadir, an increase in weight of > 10 kg above nadir, percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) < 50% at 18 months, an increase in weight of > 25% of EWL from nadir at 36 months, and percentage of total weight loss (%TWL) < 20% at 36 months. All participants were followed up for 36 months.

Result

The univariate analysis showed that preoperative BMI, obstructive sleep apnea, metformin consumption, and grades 2 and 3 fatty liver disease were associated with WR and IWL (P < 0.05). WR or IWL incidence varied (0–19.3%) based on different definitions. The multivariate analysis showed that a preoperative BMI of > 45 kg/m² [odds ratio_Adjusted (OR_Adj) 1.77, 95% CI: 1.12–4.11, P = 0.038] and metformin consumption [OR_Adj: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.19–0.78, P = 0.001] were associated with WR and IWL after SG, regardless of the definition of WR or IWL.

Conclusion

This study showed that preoperative BMI of > 45 kg/m², obstructive sleep apnea, metformin consumption, and grades 2 and 3 of fatty liver disease were associated with WR or IWL.

Graphical abstract

     

Melanoma of the nail apparatus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of current challenges and prognosis

Nail apparatus melanoma (NAM) is a rare dermatologic malignancy. Its prognosis is poor because it is often diagnosed late. However, progression and survival of NAM patients have only been studied among small populations. Early biopsy could help to identify suspicious lesions at a less invasive stage. While surgery is generally seen as the treatment of choice, the extent of excision margins and the use of sentinel biopsy remain debated. This systematic review aims to summarize the treatment procedures and observed prognosis in the literature during the last two decades and present pooled survival and progression rates of NAM by using meta-analysis. A systematic review on studies assessing pathology, treatment and prognosis of NAM was carried out up to end of 2018. After evaluation of eligible studies, the main emerging topics were outlined and pooled survival outcomes estimated. A total of 30 articles out of 624 identified records were included for systematic review. Finally, meta-analysis of pooled mortality rates including 18 studies was 4.6 × 100 patient-years (95% CI: 2.7, 6.8) equivalent to 5-year cumulative survival of 77.0%. Additionally, the pooled progression rate based on 17 studies was 6.3 × 100 patient-years (95% CI: 4.1, 8.9) with estimated 5-year cumulative progression-free survival of 68.5%. While the optimal extent of surgical treatment remains debated, prompt biopsy could help to identify early lesions. This is the first study to present pooled survival and progression rates by meta-analysis.