A two-week,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial of Viola odorata,Echium amoenum and Physalis alkekengi mixture in symptomatic benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) men

Context: As an alternative approach, administration of phytotherapeutic agents in management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), is rapidly growing each day. Different authors have indicated effectiveness of Viola odorata L. (Violaceae), Echium amoenum Fisch. &; C.A.Mey. (Boraginaceae) and Physalis alkekengi L. (Solanaceae) in treatment of BPH. However, none have reported the beneficial outcomes of the mixture yet.

Objective: This study evaluates the therapeutical effects of V. odorata, E. amoenum and P. alkekengi mixture on symptomatic BPH patients.

Materials and methods: Eighty six symptomatic BPH patients with International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of more than 13 and prostate volume of more than 30?cm³ were randomly allocated to receive a two-week course of placebo (control group) or 1?mL of mixed hydro-alcoholic solution of P. alkekengi, E. amoenum and V. odorata extracts (1.5, 1 and 1.5% respectively) (treatment group).

Results: IPSS score of incomplete urination (42.3?±?2.04%), frequency of urination (20.08?±?1.02%), intermittency (40.78?±?2.16%), urgency (60.91?±?3.14%), weak stream (50.58?±?2.14%), straining (55.67?±?2.53%) and nocturia (40.14?±?1.89%) in treatment group were significantly decreased after treatment compare to placebo receiving group. Furthermore, the prostate volume (16.92?±?0.89%) and extant urine volume (28.12?±?1.36%) also significantly decreased in treatment group compared to control group. No significant side effects or abnormalities in biochemical tests and urinalysis were observed throughout the study.

Discussion and conclusions: Based on results, mentioned mixture is safe and effective in improving life quality of patients suffering from BPH.     

Effect of Green Tea on Plasma Adiponectin Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Clinical Trials

Objective: Our objective was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of green tea on serum adiponectin concentration.

Method: We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and the Google Scholar databases up to November 2016. RCTs conducted among human adults studied the effects of green tea and green tea extract on serum adiponectin concentrations as an outcome variable was included. The weighted mean differences and standard deviations (SD) of change in serum adiponectin levels were calculated. The random effects model was used for deriving a summary of mean estimates with their corresponding SDs. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42017057716).

Result: Fourteen RCTs were eligible to be included in the systematic review and the meta-analysis. Our analysis showed that green tea did not significantly affect adiponectin concentrations in comparison with placebo (weighted mean difference = ?0.02 µg/ml, 95% confidence interval [CI], ?0.41, 0.38; p = 0.936). There was a substantial heterogeneity between studies (I² = 91.7%; p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses based on sex, type of intervention, continent, and body mass index (BMI) could not explain the sources of heterogeneity. Metaregression analyses revealed that the dose and duration of green tea ingestion did not have any effect on adiponectin concentrations.

Conclusion: Green tea could not change the circulatory adiponectin levels. The dose and duration of green tea could not change the result. RCTs with longer follow-up periods and higher doses are needed to replicate our results.     

A comparison inhibitory effects of cisplatin and MNPs‐PEG‐cisplatin on the adhesion capacity of bone metastatic breast cancer

To date, high mortality in women due to malignancy breast cancer related to the metastasis to the bone is a significant challenge. As, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with the biocompatible polymers was employed for the delivery of some hydrophobic anticancer agents, the main aim of the current research was to assess whether cisplatin‐loaded MNPs enhanced the anticancer effect of free cisplatin in breast cancer cells. MNPs decorated with PEG were synthesized by an improved coprecipitation technique, and then cisplatin was loaded onto the MNPs via a simple mixing method. Afterward, its morphology, size, chemical structure, magnetic property, hydrodynamic diameter, zeta potential, and crystal structure were characterized by scanning and transmittance electron microscopy, Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer, dynamic light scattering, and X‐ray powder diffraction and flame atomic absorption spectroscopy respectively. Additionally, the effects of cisplatin and MNPs‐PEG‐cisplatin on viability, migration and adhesion capacity of T47D cells were investigated by evaluating α2‐integrin and β1‐integrin; mRNAs were assessed by real‐time RT‐PCR. Consequently, the in vitro assay results showed a considerable dose‐dependent inhibitory effect of cisplatin and MNPs‐PEG‐cisplatin on proliferation, migration, and adhesion of T47D cells. Finally, current research was shown that MNPs‐PEG‐cisplatin strongly increased anticancer effects compared with free cisplatin in the T47D cell line.     

Effect of multimorbidity on quality of life in adult with cardiovascular disease: a cross-sectional study

Background

The aim of present study was to describe the effect of multimorbidity on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods

A cross-sectional study with a simple sampling method of 296 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery in a referral hospital of the northern part of Iran was conducted between April, 2015 and September, 2016. Multimorbidity was defined as the presence of at least two chronic diseases based on self-reporting and medical records. HRQoL was measured using the 36-item short form (SF-36) health status survey. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) to assess the effect of multimorbidity on mental and physical component of HRQoL.

Results

Approximately, 69% of CAD patients had at least one other disease like diabetes or hypertension. Patients without multimorbidity compared with patients with multimorbidity were significantly older (p?=?0.012) and more educated (p?=?0.002). Both physical and mental component score of HRQoL was better in patients without any morbidity (48.82 vs. 43.93 with 95%CI of mean difference: 3.37–6.42 and 54.85 vs. 50.44 with 95% CI of mean difference: 1.68–7.15, respectively). Both physical and mental component score was significantly lower in female and lower educated patients (physical mean score 43.07 vs. 46.54 with P?=?.001 and 42.53 vs. 46.82 with P?<?.001 and mental mean score 49.98 vs. 52.65 with P?=?.055 and 49.80 vs. 52.75 with P?=?.022 for sex and education, respectively). Also, two-way ANOVA showed that regards to morbidity, physical component score was greater in patients with lower education level than higher education level (P?<?.001).

Conclusion

The findings of this study suggest that women, lower education level and overweight patients reported lower quality of life. HRQoL is affected by multimorbidity among CAD patients specially in less educated.

     

Knowledge,attitude, and preventive behaviors of Hormozgan residents toward COVID-19, one month after the epidemic in Iran

Aim

COVID-19 has become prevalent in the world since December 2019. The further prevalence of the disease can be prevented by correct management of society and increasing knowledge, practices, and attitudes of the people. The present research aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitudes, and preventive behaviors of people in Hormozgan in the south of Iran toward COVID-19.

Subject and methods

The present cross-sectional research was conducted over 2 months (March 2020–April 2020). The online questionnaire comprised four sections: demographic information, knowledge, attitude, and behavior toward COVID-19. Knowledge included 36 items, attitude eight items, and behavior ten items. The collected data were analyzed statistically using SPSS ver. 22. The split-half method was used to test the reliability of knowledge and the estimated value was 0.84. That of attitude and behavior was estimated via Cronbach’s alpha and was found to be 0.81 and 0.75, respectively.

Results

A total number of 2024 participants with an average age of 33.94 years took part in this research. Of all participants, 64.4% were female. According to the results, 65.8% enjoyed a good level of knowledge and 34.2% enjoyed an average level. In addition, 63.2% demonstrated a good attitude and 36.8% an average level. A large percentage of participants (90.6%) had good practices and only 9.4% had an average level of practices.

Conclusion

The present findings show that participants had a relatively good level of knowledge, positive attitude, and good behavior concerning COVID-19.

     

Contraceptive Prevalence and Consulting Service in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), often affects women of childbearing age. Family planning consultation is a major aspect of medical care in these patients because of the risk of disease activation and poor pregnancy and fetal outcomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate contraceptive prevalence and consulting service in women with SLE.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, a total of 144 female patients with SLE, ages 15–50, who were presented to rheumatology clinics in Sari, north of Iran, were evaluated. The study was conducted between March 2019 and May 2020. Patients'' clinico-demographic profile and fertility information were obtained. Disease activity and damage were assessed by the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI) and Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology (SLICC/ACR) Damage Index (SDI).ResultsOne hundred and forty-four SLE patients of childbearing age participated in this study. From 102 patients with the possibility of pregnancy, 36(35.2%) received contraceptive consultations in last year. Withdrawal was the most prevalent contraceptive method (41.7%), followed by permanent (11.8%), and barrier methods (9%). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, marriage duration, SDI or SLEDAI scores between the women who received or not received contraceptive counseling (P>0.05).ConclusionMany SLE patients did not receive adequate information about contraception, and it may be associated with many adverse effects on disease activity and pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, contraceptive consultation as an important aspect of patient''s management is strongly suggested.     

The Effectiveness of ‘Good-Enough Sex Model’ on Sexual Satisfaction and Sexual Intimacy in Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Trail

Sexuality and Disability - Most women with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) suffer from disrupted sexual satisfaction and sexual intimacy. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the...