Swimming exercise with l-arginine coated nanoparticles supplementation upregulated HAND2 and TBX5 expression in the cardiomyocytes of aging male rats

Biogerontology - We investigated possible cardioprotective mechanisms of l-arginine coated nanoparticles (L-ACN) combined with swimming exercise (SE) in aging male rats considering heart and neural...     

Factors associated with HIV testing among people who inject drugs Tehran

Background: Little published research have assessed factors predicting the uptake of HIV-testing services for people who inject drugs (PWID) in Iranian settings. The objectives of the present study were to determine factors associated with HIV testing uptake among PWID in Tehran.

Methods: We surveyed 500 PWID in Tehran concerning demographic characteristics, drug-related and sexual risk behaviors, and HIV testing. HIV-related stigma variables were assessed using a scale consisted of 22 agree/disagree statements in three subscales including shame/blame/isolation, perceived discrimination, and equity. We used multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with HIV testing.

Results: Participant ages ranged from 19 to 67 years. Multivariable model shows that factors independently associated with recent HIV testing included level of education (adjusted odds ratios [aOR] 1.12, 95% CI 1.44–4.42), living status (aOR 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–2.71), income (aOR 1.64, 95% CI 1.18–2.29), length of injecting career (aOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.2–2.23), and perceived risk of HIV infection (aOR 0.51, 95% CI 1.18–0.88). There was a statistically significant relationship between lower level of HIV-related stigma and HIV testing among PWID (OR 2.78, 95% CI 1.15–5.2).

Conclusions: These findings suggested a need to strengthen current HIV testing programs by social support and reducing HIV-related stigma. It is also important to modify the attitude of the public toward people living with HIV/AIDS.     

Higher order aberration comparison between two aspherical intraocular lenses:MC6125AS and Akreos advanced optics

AIM: To compare higher order aberrations in two aspherical intraocular lenses (IOLs):Akreos advanced optics (AO) and Dr. Schmidt Microcrystalline 6125 aspheric anterior surface (MC6125AS) with each other.METHODS: Forty eyes of 39 patients underwent phacoemulsification and Akreos AO and MC6125AS were implanted in their eyes in a random manner. Three months post-operatively, higher order aberrations including spherical aberration, coma aberration, and total aberrations were measured and compared.RESULTS: The total aberration was 0.24±0.17 in eyes with Dr. Schmidt and 0.20±0.01 in eyes with Akreos AO (P=0.361). The mean of coma aberration was 0.17±0.21 and 0.09±0.86 in Dr. Schmidt and Akreos lenses, respectively (P=0.825). Total spherical aberration was almost the same in both groups (Mean:0.05, P=0.933). Best corrected visual acuity in Akreos AO (0.10±0.68) and Dr. Schmidt (0.09±0.67) did not differ significantly (P=0.700).CONCLUSION: There is no statistically significant difference in the higher order aberrations between these two aspherical lenses.     

Machine‐learning algorithms for predicting hospital re‐admissions in sickle cell disease

Reducing preventable hospital re‐admissions in Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) could potentially improve outcomes and decrease healthcare costs. In a retrospective study of electronic health records, we hypothesized Machine‐Learning (ML) algorithms may outperform standard re‐admission scoring systems (LACE and HOSPITAL indices). Participants (n = 446) included patients with SCD with at least one unplanned inpatient encounter between January 1, 2013, and November 1, 2018. Patients were randomly partitioned into training and testing groups. Unplanned hospital admissions (n = 3299) were stratified to training and testing samples. Potential predictors (n = 486), measured from the last unplanned inpatient discharge to the current unplanned inpatient visit, were obtained via both data‐driven methods and clinical knowledge. Three standard ML algorithms, Logistic Regression (LR), Support‐Vector Machine (SVM), and Random Forest (RF) were applied. Prediction performance was assessed using the C‐statistic, sensitivity, and specificity. In addition, we reported the most important predictors in our best models. In this dataset, ML algorithms outperformed LACE [C‐statistic 0·6, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0·57–0·64] and HOSPITAL (C‐statistic 0·69, 95% CI 0·66–0·72), with the RF (C‐statistic 0·77, 95% CI 0·73–0·79) and LR (C‐statistic 0·77, 95% CI 0·73–0·8) performing the best. ML algorithms can be powerful tools in predicting re‐admission in high‐risk patient groups.     

Elaboration and Characterization of Vitreous Fertilizers and Study of Their Impact on the Growth,Photosynthesis, and Yield of Wheat (Triticum durum L.)

Four different phosphate glass formulations (F₀, F₁, F₂, and F₃) were developed according o wheat nutrient requirements to be used as controlled-release fertilizers. These glasses contain macro-elements (P₂O₅-K₂O-CaO-MgO), with the addition of microelements (Fe-Mn-Zn-B-Cu-Mo) in each formulation. The effects of these elements’ addition on thermal properties, glass structure, and dissolution behaviors were investigated. Results showed that these glasses are composed essentially of metaphosphate chains and that the addition of micronutrients could change the chemical durability of phosphate glasses. A greenhouse experiment was performed using wheat (Triticum durum L.) to evaluate the efficiency of the four glasses, with or without application of chemical nitrogen (N) (N + VF and VF, respectively). The different formulas were tested using two rates of 0.3 and 1 g per plant. In addition to the vitreous fertilizer formulations, two other treatments were applied: control treatment with no amendment and Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium treatment with the application of the conventional fertilizers on the base of optimal rates. After four months of cultivation, vitreous fertilizers application significantly improved growth (7% to 88%), photosynthetic (8% to 49%) parameters, and yield (29% to 33%) compared to NPK treatment and to the control. It has been found that formulas F₁, F₂, and F₃ may constitute a potential alternative to conventional fertilization due to their positive impact on wheat production and can be used in practice as an environmentally controlled-release fertilizer.     

Promoted hydrogel formation of lignin-containing arabinoxylan aerogel using cellulose nanofibers as a functional biomaterial

In this work, three-dimensional (3D) aerogels and hydrogels based on lignin-containing arabinoxylan (AX) and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) were prepared. The effects of the CNF and the crosslinking with citric acid (CA) of various contents (1, 3, 5 wt%) were evaluated. All the aerogels possessed highly porous (above 98%) and lightweight structures. The AX-CNF hydrogel with a CA content of 1 wt% revealed a favorable network structure with respect to the swelling ratio; nanofiber addition resulted in a five-fold increase in the degree of swelling (68 g of water per g). The compressive properties were improved when the higher CA content (5 wt%) was used; when combined with CNF, there was a seven-fold enhancement in the compressive strength. The AX-CNF hydrogels were prepared using a green and straightforward method that utilizes sustainable resources efficiently. Therefore, such natural hydrogels could find application potential, for example in the field of soft tissue engineering.

Plant biomimicking assembly: the use of cellulose nanofibers as a functional biomaterial for promoted hydrogel formation from lignin-containing arabinoxylan-based aerogels.     

Vagus nerve stimulation in drug-resistant epilepsy: the efficacy and adverse effects in a 5-year follow-up study in Iran

Drug-resistant epilepsy seems like a different disease compared with easy to control epilepsy, and new strategies are needed to help these patients. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) therapy is the most frequently used neurostimulation modality for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who are not eligible for seizure surgery. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of VNS in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in an open-label, prospective, long-term study in Iran. We selected 48 patients with partial-onset drug-resistant epilepsy. Implantations were performed in the neurosurgery department of Loghman Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Follow-up visits were done on monthly bases for 5 years. Forty-four patients completed the study. Mean age of patients was 24.4 years. Mean years of epilepsy history was 14 years. The mean number of anti-epileptic drugs did not significantly change over five years (p = 0.15). There was no exacerbation of epilepsy; however, one patient discontinued his therapy due to unsatisfactory results. Five patient had more than 50 %, and 26 patients (59 %) had 25–49 % reduction in the frequency of monthly seizures persistently. Overall mean frequency of monthly seizures decreased by 57.8, 59.6, 65, 65.9, and 67 %, in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th years of follow-up, respectively. Most common side effects were as follows: hoarseness (25 %) and throat discomfort (10 %). We found VNS as a safe and effective therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy, with an approximate long-term decrease in mean seizure frequency of 57.8–67 %. Thus, VNS is recommended for suitable patients in developing countries.