The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints in a rural area in Iran: a WHO-ILAR COPCORD study (stage 1, rural study) in Iran

The objective of this study is to study the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints and disorders in a rural area in Iran. Interviews were conducted in randomly selected subjects from five villages in Tuyserkan County, northwestern part of Iran. The three phases of stage 1 Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases were done during the same day. A total of 614 houses was visited, 1,565 persons interviewed, and 1,192 persons examined. Musculoskeletal complaints during the past 7 days were detected in 66.6% (shoulder 22.7%, wrist 17.4%, hands and fingers 14.9%, hip 13.9%, knee 39.2%, ankle 19.6%, toes 12.7%, cervical spine 17.9%, and dorsolumbar spine 41.9%). Degenerative joint diseases were detected in 20.5% (cervical spondylosis 2.2%, knee osteoarthritis [OA] 19.3%, hand OA 2.7%, and hip OA 0.13). Low back pain was detected in 23.4%, soft tissue rheumatism in 2.2%, rheumatoid arthritis in 0.19%, ankylosing spondylitis in 1.1%, systemic lupus erythematosus in 0.06%, and fibromyalgia in 0.06%. The prevalence of rheumatic complaints in rural Iran is very high and needs attention in the curricula of medical schools and in the planning of rural health care by the government.     

Pemphigus vulgaris and herpesviruses: is there any relationship?

Background Pemphigus is an autoimmune disorder, which results from interaction of exogenous and endogenous factors. One of these environmental factors is viral infections particularly, herpesviruses. We aimed to detect the presence of HSV 1 and 2 (herpes simplex virus) and HHV8 (human herpesvirus 8) in our patients who were suffering from pemphigus vulgaris. Methods In this cross‐sectional study, 38 patients (19 male and 19 female patients) with pemphigus vulgaris were entered, 32 skins and six peripheral blood cells samples were obtained from the study population. Thereafter, the presence of HHV8 and HSV DNA were evaluated by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results The mean age of patients was 45.05 ± 17.24 years (range: 16–81 years). Twelve patients mentioned history of herpes labial in the past (31.57%). Results of PCR test for detection of HSV and HHV8 DNA in all 32 skin samples and five peripheral blood samples and one case with skin and blood samples were reported negative. Conclusion Inability to detect HHV8 and HSV DNA in this study suggests that herpesviruses may be only occasional factors for development or exacerbation of pemphigus vulgaris.     

The effect of zinc supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials

Despite previous investigations on the effects of zinc supplementation on blood pressure, inconsistent findings are available in this regard. Therefore, we     

MicroRNAs mediate the anti-tumor and protective effects of ginsenosides

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRs(, as short non-coding RNAs, regulate important biological processes and mainly are associated with regulation of gene expression. The miRs are beneficial targets for diagnosis of various disorders, particularly cancer, since their expression profile undergoes alterations in pathological conditions. The numerous drugs have been designed with the capability of targeting miRs for treating pathological conditions. On the other hand, the application of naturally occurring compounds has been increased due to their minimal side effects and valuable biological and therapeutic activities. Ginsenosides are able to act as anti-tumor agents via either increasing or decreasing the expression level of miRs. Ginsenosides affect the expression profile of miRNAs to induce their protective impacts. Angiogenesis as a key factor in the progression of cancer can be suppressed by ginsenosides which is mediated by miR regulation. The aim of this review is to shed some light on the protective and anti-tumor activities of ginsenosides mediated by miRNAs.     

HGF/SF in Mammary Epithelial Growth and Morphogenesis: In Vitro and In Vivo Models

HGF/SF is a multifunctional cytokine whichthrough binding to its cellular receptor, c-MET, canelicit mitogenic, morphogenic and motogenic responses intarget cells. Expression of HGF/SF and c-MET has been shown to be critical in earlyembryogenesis affecting development of many organs andtissues. The effects of HGF/SF4 on established human andmouse mammary cell lines have previously been reported. This review describes the source and targetsfor HGF/SF in both human and mouse mammary tissue anddiscusses the effects of HGF/SF on primary mouse andhuman mammary epithelial cells in vitro, detailing the individual response of the two epithelialsub-population of cells which comprise this organ.Additionally, the effects of HGF/SF overexpression onmouse mammary gland development in vivo, aresummarized.     

Comparable Outcomes of Allogeneic Peripheral Blood versus Bone Marrow Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Major Thalassemia: A Multivariate Long-Term Cohort Analysis

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) currently is the only available curative option for transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Peripheral blood is a more convenient source for HSCT in comparison with bone marrow. Information about the relative success of transplantation with these 2 graft sources would help physicians and patients choose between them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the pros and cons of using peripheral blood instead of bone marrow as the graft source in thalassemia transplantation. We analyzed the transplant results of 567 transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients who received a transplant between 1998 and 2015 considering their stem cell source as a comparative variable. In multivariate Cox analysis the survival advantage for bone marrow compared with peripheral blood was not significant after adjusting for sex, age, and hepatic fibrosis presence. Rejection incidence was significantly lower in patients who used peripheral blood as their graft source. Acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease were more frequent in peripheral blood transplants, but the difference was not statistically significant. This study shows that peripheral blood could be an alternative stem cell source in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT for thalassemia.     

Immune Responses to Antigens of in vitro Reared Echinococcus granulosus Adult Worms in Balb/c Mice

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), also known as echinococcosis/hydatidosis, is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. It enhances both humoral and cellular (Th1 and Th2) responses in infected host. Different antigens of the worm may favor the Th1 or Th2 immune responses in CE patients. Objective: To evaluate the humoral and cellular immune responses of Balb/c mice against the crude and excretory/secretory (E/S) antigens of in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms. Methods: A total of 20 Balb/c mice divided into 5 groups of 4 mice each. Three groups of mice (n=4) were immunized with crude, E/S and an immunodominant antigen of in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms on day 1 and 28. The fourth and the fifth groups were negative control groups and received PBS plus adjuvant, or nothing, respectively. Two weeks after the second injection, the mice were killed and their blood was collected for determining antibody responses, and their spleens were employed for proliferation assay. Total IgG was measured by indirect ELISA. Spleen cells of immunized mice were cultivated and exposed to different antigens of adult worms including E/S and crude antigens. Levels of IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4 and IL-10 were measured in the recovered cell culture supernatants by capture ELISA. Results: Total IgG assay showed the highest level of antibody produced in mice immunized with crude antigens. Proliferation assay showed a statistically significant production of cytokines in the mice immunized with crude antigens (p<0.05). The highest levels of IFN-γ, IL-12 and IL-4 were produced in mice immunized with crude antigen of the in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms followed by E/S antigens. Immunodomonant antigen induced the lowest levels of cytokines (IL-12, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10) in immunized mice. Conclusion: Significant levels of Th1 related cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-12) were produced in Balb/c mice immunized with crude antigen of the in vitro reared Echinococcus granulosus adult worms.     

Fungal transformation of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione by Aspergillus brasiliensis

Background

The biotransformation of steroids by fungal biocatalysts has been recognized for many years. There are numerous fungi of the genus Aspergillus which have been shown to transform different steroid substances. The possibility of using filamentous fungi Aspergillus brasiliensis cells in the biotransformation of androsta-1,4-diene-3,17-dione, was evaluated.

Methods

The fungal strain was inoculated into the transformation medium which supplemented with androstadienedione as a substrate and fermentation continued for 5 days. The metabolites were extracted and isolated by thin layer chromatography. The structures of these metabolites were elucidated using ¹H-NMR, broadband decoupled ¹³C-NMR, EI Mass and IR spectroscopies.

Results

The fermentation yielded one reduced product: 17β-hydroxyandrost-1,4-dien-3-one and two hydroxylated metabolites: 11α-hydroxyandrost-1,4-diene-3,17-dione and 12β-hydroxyandrost-1,4-diene-3,17-dione.

Conclusions

The results obtained in this study show that A. brasiliendsis could be considered as a biocatalyst for producing important derivatives from androstadienedione.     

Socially assistive robots in health and social care: Acceptance and cultural factors. Results from an exploratory international online survey

Aim

This study explored the views of an international sample of registered nurses and midwives working in health and social care concerning socially assistive robots (SARs), and the relationship between dimensions of culture and rejection of the idea that SARs had benefits in these settings.

Methods

An online survey was used to obtain rankings of (among other topics) the extent to which SARs have benefits for health and social care. It also asked for free text responses regarding any concerns about SARs.

Results

Most respondents were overwhelmingly positive about SARs' benefits. A small minority strongly rejected this idea, and qualitative analysis of the objections raised by them revealed three major themes: things might go wrong, depersonalization, and patient-related concerns. However, many participants who were highly accepting of the benefits of SARs expressed similar objections. Cultural dimensions of long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance feature prominently in technology acceptance research. Therefore, the relationship between the proportion of respondents from each country who felt that SARs had no benefits and each country's ratings on long-term orientation and uncertainty avoidance were also examined. A significant positive correlation was found for long-term orientation, but not for uncertainty avoidance.

Conclusion

Most respondents were positive about the benefits of SARs, and similar concerns about their use were expressed both by those who strongly accepted the idea that they had benefits and those who did not. Some evidence was found to suggest that cultural factors were related to rejecting the idea that SARs had benefits.