Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of preeclampsia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Helicobacter pylori is associated with many pregnancy adverse effects such as preeclampsia (PE). We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis study to assess the possible association between H. pylori infection and PE and this is the first meta-analysis to clarify this issue.

Methods: PubMed, ISI (Web of Science), SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched (up to April 2017) to identify the relevant studies. The Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols guidelines were used to do this study. Pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the χ²-based Q-test and I² statistic.

Results: A total of eight studies including 889 participants (460 preeclamptic women and 429 controls) met the eligibility criteria. A positive association was found between H. pylori infection and PE (OR: 3.35; 95% CI: 2.21–5.10). Heterogeneity was acceptable (χ²?=?13.39; I²?=?47.7, 95% CI: 0–77). In subgroup analysis, cytotoxin-associated antigen A seropositivity was a substantial risk factor for PE when immunoblotting methods (OR: 11.12; 95% CI: 5.34–23.16; χ²?=?6.42; I²?=?53.3, 95% CI: 0–85) were used, whereas it was not potential risk factor for PE when ELISA was used as a detecting method (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 0.6–2.06; χ²?=?1.83; I²?=?0, 95% CI: 0–90).

Conclusions: This study indicated that women with H. pylori infection, especially those infected with Cag A positive strains are more likely to have PE compared with the uninfected women.     

Design,synthesis, and evaluation of novel cinnamic acid-tryptamine hybrid for inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase

BackgroundAcetylcholine deficiencies in hippocampus and cortex, aggregation of β-amyloid, and β-secretase over activity have been introduced as main reasons in pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.MethodsColorimetric Ellman’s method was used for determination of IC₅₀ value in AChE and BChE inhibitory activity. The kinetic studies, neuroprotective and β-secretase inhibitory activities, evaluation of inhibitory potency on β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregations induced by AChE, and docking study were performed for prediction of the mechanism of action.Result and discussionA new series of cinnamic acids-tryptamine hybrid was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as dual cholinesterase inhibitors. These compounds demonstrated in-vitro inhibitory activities against acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) and butyryl cholinesterase (BChE). Among of these synthesized compounds, (E)-N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylamide (5q) demonstrated the most potent AChE inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 11.51 μM) and (E)-N-(2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl)-3-(2-chlorophenyl)acrylamide (5b) were the best anti-BChE (IC₅₀ = 1.95 μM) compounds. In addition, the molecular modeling and kinetic studies depicted 5q and 5b were mixed type inhibitor and bound with both the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and catalytic sites (CAS) of AChE and BChE. Moreover, compound 5q showed mild neuroprotective in PC12 cell line and weak β-secretase inhibitory activities. This compound also inhibited aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in self-induced peptide aggregation test at concentration of 10 μM.ConclusionIt is worth noting that both the kinetic study and the molecular modeling of 5q and 5b depicted that these compounds simultaneously interacted with both the catalytic active site and the peripheral anionic site of AChE and BChE. These findings match with those resulted data from the enzyme inhibition assay. Graphical abstractOpen in a separate windowA new series of cinnamic-derived acids-tryptamine hybrid derivatives were designed, synthesized and evaluated as butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and neuroprotective agents. Compound 5b and 5q, as the more potent compounds, interacted with both the peripheral site and the choline binding site having mixed type inhibition. Results suggested that derivatives have a therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s40199-020-00346-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Determination of toxic element levels (lead and cadmium) in commonly used cosmetic products in Iran

Toxic elements are commonly used in cosmetic products for many reasons like coloring pigments or blocking ultraviolet light; however, the level of some metals exceed specific concentration which can cause serious safety issues. This study aims to evaluate the content of lead and cadmium in samples of sunscreen and foundation creams, most frequently used brands of cosmetic products, in Iran. Concentration of lead in the sunscreens and foundation creams was lower than that of USFDA standards. The content of cadmium was higher than Europe Union standard. Effort must be made to inform the users about the harmful consequences of cosmetics.     

Childhood Sex-Typed Behavior and Gender Change in Individuals with 46,XY and 46,XX Disorders of Sex Development: An Iranian Multicenter Study

Disorders of sex development (DSD) are congenital conditions in which the typical genetic and hormonal profiles are affected and thereby the usual process of sexual differentiation. Most of these studies, however, have been conducted in Western countries. In the present study, preschool sex-typed activities of Iranian individuals with DSD and their age-matched non-affected male and female relatives were assessed using the Pre-School Activities Inventory (PSAI) modified for retrospective self-report. A total of 192 individuals participated in our study, including 33 46,XX individuals with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH; M age?=?10.36, SD?=?5.52), 15 46,XY individuals with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS; M age?=?19.8, SD?=?7.14), and 16 46,XY individuals with 5-alpha reductase deficiency type-2 (5α-RD-2; M age?=?17.31, SD?=?7.28), as well as one age-matched non-affected male and female relative for each patient. With regard to PSAI scores, male-identifying participants with 5α-RD-2 and male controls reported similar levels of male-typical childhood play. Female-identifying participants with 5α-RD-2 and CAH showed comparable scores: significantly less masculine and more feminine than male controls, but significantly more masculine and less feminine than females with CAIS and female controls. These findings support the role of androgens in the development of sex-typical childhood play behavior, with those being exposed to higher levels of fetal functional androgens expressing more masculine behavior at preschool ages.     

Provisional restoration for abutment of an existing removable partial denture

The abutment of an existing removable partial denture may require a crown restoration. Fabrication of a provisional restoration to fit the existing clasp assembly requires special consideration. This article presents a simple technique for fabrication of such provisional restorations. An alginate impression is made of the arch with the removable partial denture in place. The abutment tooth is then prepared, providing adequate clearance between the clasp assembly and the tooth preparation. Cold curing acrylic resin of proper shade is mixed and poured in the impression of the abutment tooth. The impression is then seated in the mouth and removed before the acrylic resin is completely polymerized. The provisional restoration is then separated from the partial denture, finished and polished.     

Closure of critical sized defects with allogenic and alloplastic bone substitutes

PURPOSE: This study evaluates bone regeneration of critical sized cranial vault defects in New Zealand white rabbits using four commercially available bone substitutes: OsteoSet (calcium sulphate pellets), DynaGraft Putty (demineralized bone matrix delivered in a poloxmer excipient), Norian CRS, and Bone Source (two commercially available calcium phosphate cements). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Critical sized defects 15 mm in diameter were created bilaterally in the parietal bones of 30 adult male New Zealand White rabbits. They were divided into three groups with ten animals in each. Bone healing was assessed clinically, radiographically, and histomorphometrically. Group 1 had calcium sulfate bioimplant on one side of the calvarium and an unfilled defect on the contralateral side. Group 2 had DBM putty on one side and Poloxamer gel on the contralateral side. Group 3, the Calcium phosphate cements (CPC), had Norian CRS on one side and Bone Source on the contralateral side. Five animals in each group were killed at 6 weeks and 12 weeks post operatively. RESULTS: All unfilled defects healed with fibrous scar, as did the Plaster of Paris and the poloxamer gel defects. Defects reconstructed with the demineralized bone matrix putty healed with bone throughout the entire defect. This was obvious clinically and radiographically where the defects appeared completely filled with a dense radiopaque tissue. The six-week group displayed new bone formation (87.1%) surrounding the remaining allogeneic particles. Resorption was evidenced by the presence of osteoclastic activity and by the significant decrease in the size of the demineralized bone particles. By 12 weeks, the demineralized bone putty bioimplant was almost completely replaced by new bone (95.5%). Both calcium phosphate cement groups (Norian CRS and Bone Source) had identical patterns of healing. They clinically were visible and firm and uniformly radiopaque with little evidence of new bone formation. Histologically the cement remained unresorbed with little new bone with in the defect at 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: The utilization of a demineralized bone matrix putty appeared to allow for complete closure of critical sized calvarial defects in New Zealand white rabbits with viable new bone at 12 weeks.     

Placebo Analgesia: Clinical considerations

Pain is the predominant symptom that prompts patients to seek medical advice and treatment from physiotherapists. Various treatment modalities such as heat and cold, electrical stimulation (Cheing and Hui-Chan, 1999), ultrasound, manipulative techniques, massage and laser treatment have been demonstrated in varying degrees to be clinically effective for managing pain of different pathologies. However, all these treatments could be assumed to have some placebo elements (French, 1994).

From a research design perspective, the presence of placebo response is undesirable and must be controlled as it complicates the demonstration of ‘real' treatment effect. From a clinical perspective, it is intriguing to note that the condition of patients in the placebo control groups did improve considerably in many of these validation studies, although in the majority the improvement was not so marked as in the treatment groups. Conspicuously, some neuro-physiological and psychological aspects of the placebo effects may have clinical use in enhancing the effect of pain treatments and their outcomes.

Unfortunately, although placebo response has been a subject of continuing interest among some physiotherapy researchers and clinicians, information about placebo analgesia and its clinical utility is seldom discussed. The purpose of this paper is to provide clinicians with an overview of the construct and research related to placebo analgesia as well as a discussion of the potential clinical use of certain components of placebo analgesia to enhance pain rehabilitation outcomes in physiotherapy practice.     

Prostate cancer detection upon transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy in relation to digital rectal examination and prostate-specific antigen level: what to expect in the Chinese population?

We investigated the prostate cancer detection rates upon transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy in relation to digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), and risk factors of prostate cancer detection in the Chinese population. Data from all consecutive Chinese men who underwent first TRUS-guided prostate biopsy from year 2000 to 2013 was retrieved from our database. The prostate cancer detection rates with reference to DRE finding and PSA level of < 4, 4–10, 10.1–20, 20.1–50 and > 50 ng ml⁻¹ were investigated. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate for potential risk factors of prostate cancer detection. A total of 2606 Chinese men were included. In patients with normal DRE, the cancer detection rates were 8.6%, 13.4%, 21.8%, 41.7% and 85.2% in patients with PSA < 4, 4–10, 10.1–20, 20.1–50 and > 50 ng ml⁻¹ respectively. In patients with abnormal DRE, the cancer detection rates were 12.4%, 30.2%, 52.7%, 80.6% and 96.4% in patients with PSA < 4, 4–10, 10.1–20, 20.1–50 and > 50 ng ml⁻¹ respectively. Older age, smaller prostate volume, larger number of biopsy cores, presence of abnormal DRE finding and higher PSA level were associated with increased risk of prostate cancer detection upon multivariate logistic regression analyses (P < 0.001). Chinese men appeared to have lower prostate cancer detection rates when compared to the Western population. Taking the different risk factors into account, an individualized approach to the decision of TRUS-guided biopsy can be adopted.     

Mental Well‐Being Mediates the Relationship between Perceived Stress and Perceived Health

The association between stress and health has been well researched in the past; however, comparatively few mediators have been tested to understand the underlying mechanism. With increasing awareness on mental well‐being, this study evaluated the relationship between perceived stress and perceived health and examined mental well‐being as a mediator. Two‐hundred undergraduates aged 21 to 26 years completed the English Perceived Stress Scale, Health Status Questionnaire and Asian Mental Well‐Being Scale that assess perceived stress, perceived health and mental well‐being, respectively. Factor analysis and structural equation modelling on the Perceived Stress Scale replicated the reported two‐factor structure after excluding an insignificant item. Linear multiple regression analyses indicated that perceived stress was negatively associated with perceived health. Results showed that mental well‐being partially mediated the relationship between perceived stress and perceived health, although it is acknowledged that this association could be bidirectional. Findings from the present study suggest that future research could focus on reducing stress and improving mental well‐being to alleviate the effect of stress on health. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.