Estimating the Population Size of Female Sex Worker Population in Tehran,Iran: Application of Direct Capture–Recapture Method

There is no reliable estimate of the size of female sex workers (FSWs). This study aimed to estimate the size of FSWs in south of Tehran, Iran in 2016 using direct capture–recapture method. In the capture phase, the hangouts of FSWs were mapped as their meeting places. FSWs who agreed to participate in the study tagged with a T-shirt. The recapture phase was implemented at the same places tagging FSWs with a blue bracelet. The total estimated size of FSWs was 690 (95% CI 633, 747). About 89.43% of FSWs experienced sexual intercourse prior to age 20. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection among FSWs was 4.60%. The estimated population size of FSWs was much more than our expectation. This issue must be the focus of special attention for planning prevention strategies. However, alternative estimates require to estimating the number FSWs, reliably.     

Bioinformatics Prediction and In Vitro Analysis Revealed That miR‐17 Targets Cyclin D1 mRNA in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies among women worldwide. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of breast cancer in which estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER‐2) are not expressed. There is no targeted therapy for this type of cancer, and available therapies have poor therapeutic effects. Performing a preliminary research, we selected cyclin D1 (CCND1) gene of Wnt signaling pathway which is a target of miRNAs, a promising set of biomolecules in diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. In this study using bioinformatic analyses, miR‐17 was selected as it targets the 3′UTR of CCND1 gene with the highest score. Luciferase assay results also confirmed the bioinformatic prediction. Decreased expression of miR‐17 in MDA‐MB‐231 cell line was observed using qRT‐PCR method. After lentiviral transduction of miR‐17 to the target cells, gene expression analysis showed decreased expression of CCND1 gene. We found miR‐17 as an attractive molecule that after intensive research can probably be used as a biomarker in TNBC.     

Four months of combined and compound morning training improves testosterone/cortisol ratio,adiponectin and insulin resistance in male students

Purpose

The aim of the study was to assess whether combined and compound morning training (CCMT) can improve hormonal and metabolic profiles in healthy male students.

Methods

Eighty-three male students were randomly put into two groups: experimental (n = 42) and control (n = 41). The experimental group participated in the selected (aerobic, balance, resistance and stretch) exercises with moderate intensity for 16 weeks, four sessions per week, a 40 min workout in the morning. Salivary testosterone and cortisol, serum adiponectin, insulin and lipid profile were determined in both groups before and after the intervention.

Results

Four months of training caused an increase in testosterone (85 ± 9.4 vs. 93 ± 9.7 pg/ml), adiponectin (11.35 ± 2.00 vs. 12.86 ± 1.97 ng/ml) and testosterone/cortisol ratio (0.006 ± 0.003 vs. 0.009 ± 0.004), as well as a reduction in cortisol (16.3 ± 6.15 vs. 12.4 ± 4.85 ng/ml) and insulin resistance (2.15 ± 0.52 vs. 1.79 ± 0.34), for the experimental as compared to their baseline data (P value <0.001). Furthermore, a moderate correlation between testosterone and adiponectin was revealed (r = 0.31, P value = 0.04).

Conclusions

This new training strategy successfully and meaningfully improved hormonal and metabolic parameters. The research proposed that CCMT can promote anabolic pathways. Favourably, the programme could be considered as a testosterone enhancer and cortisol reducer simultaneously.

     

Inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines in the seminal plasma of infertile men suffering from varicocele

Varicocele is one of causes of the declined sperm quality and low sperm production, which can lead to infertility in males. There are several experimental and epidemiological findings which support the idea that inflammatory mechanisms play an essential role in varicocele pathogenesis. Besides, in this pathological state, interleukin‐37 (IL‐37) as an anti‐inflammatory cytokine is able to bind interleukin‐18‐binding protein (IL‐18BP), and subsequently binds IL‐18 receptor β, inhibiting the pro‐inflammatory activity of IL‐18. To explore the interaction between IL‐37 and IL‐18 in infertility, we measured the amount of these cytokines in the seminal fluid of infertile men affected by varicocele. The seminal plasma levels of IL‐37 and IL‐18 were measured in 75 infertile men with varicocele and 75 healthy fertile controls (age range, 30–48 years) using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The seminal levels of IL‐37 and IL‐18 were significantly increased in infertile men with varicocele when compared to fertile controls (p < .0001). Because of the essential role(s) of cytokines in inflammatory response of cell systems, it could be possible that sperm motility is reduced following increased IL‐18, activated neutrophils and reactive oxygen species in semen of infertile patients with varicocele. Moreover, the results of this study indicated that interaction between IL‐37 and IL‐18Rβ can lead to reduced inflammatory responses. It seems that IL‐37 might be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for male infertility.     

Predicting the Correlation of EZH2 and Cancer Stem Cell Markers in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Background

Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), a stemness factor, plays roles in regulation of cell differentiation and embryonic development as well as cancer progression. Deregulation of EZH2 in cancers is correlated with tumor cell invasiveness, metastasis, and the patients’ poor outcome. However, the mechanistic role of EZH2 in cancer is ambiguous. In this study, we aimed to inhibit the expression of EZH2 in a cancer cell line, and evaluate consequence changes in gene expression pattern.

Materials and methods

Using specific retroviral shRNA-EZH2, EZH2 gene was silenced in the KYSE30 cell line. Relative comparative real-time PCR was used to confirm silencing of EZH2 and evaluate expression pattern of selected markers.

Results

Inhibition of EZH2 expression in KYSE30 cells caused significant changes in different genes. Indeed, HIWI and HEY1 genes were over- and underexpressed in KYSE30 cells, respectively, following EZH2 silencing. Other selected cancer stem cell markers were not changed significantly.

Conclusion

To the best our knowledge, there are variety of small molecule inhibitors to target EZH2 in cancer cells as a treatment candidate; therefore, our data in this study helps the researchers to select EZH2 for cancer therapy based on its mechanism and correlation with other markers.

     

Leptin and leptin-receptor polymorphisms in fertile and infertile men

The association of leptin (LEP) -2548G/A and/or leptin receptor (LEPR) Gln223Arg polymorphisms with male infertility and plasma FSH, LH, and testosterone (T) levels was examined. The genotypes and allele frequency distributions of LEP -2548G/A and LEPR Gln223Arg polymorphisms were investigated in 150 fertile and 150 infertile men by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Also, plasma levels of FSH, LH, and T were measured using commercial ELISA kits. Frequencies of AA, AG and GG genotypes of LEP-2548G/A polymorphism were statistically different in fertile and infertile men (p=0.012). The AG genotype showed a protective effect which could decrease risk of male infertility about 3 fold (p = 0.004). We did not observe any differences in frequencies of LEPR Gln223Arg alleles and genotypes between groups (p > 0.05). Sperm counts from infertile men with the AG and GG genotypes of the LEP polymorphism were significantly higher than AA genotype (p<0.05). Moreover, infertile men who carried the RR genotype of LEPR showed a statistically higher percentage of sperm with progressive motility than individuals with other genotypes (p = 0.004). There was no correlation between different combinations of LEP and LEPR genotypes and LH, FSH, and T levels (p > 0.05). Our study suggests that the LEP -2548G/A polymorphism may play a role in male fertility and the AG genotype may have a protective effect through increasing sperm counts. The distribution of genotypes of LEP -2548G/A polymorphism are different in fertile and infertile males and may be a useful tool in evaluation of male infertility.

Abbreviations: LEP: leptin; LEPR: leptin receptor; T: testosterone; FSH: follicle-stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone     

The Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on the Mental Health of Pregnant Women Residing in Slum Areas: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Intimate partner violence is one of the most common types of violence, and the association between intimate partner violence and mental health has serious implications for public health. This article aimed at investigating the impact of IPV on the mental health of pregnant women who reside in slum areas.

Methods

A group of 456 women living in slum areas was investigated. The Conflict Tactics Scale was used to measure the respondent’s experience of different types of IPV during the past year. General Health Questionnaire-28 was used to measure the likelihood that an individual had a psychiatric disorder.

Results

A total of 456 pregnant women aged ≥ 20 years were interviewed using a shortened version of the Conflict Tactics Scale and the General Health Questionnaire. All types of intimate partner violence were found to be associated with various mental health problems (p < 0.05). Overall, physical (AOR: 3.61; 95% CI 2.11–6.17) and sexual (AOR: 1.72; 95% CI 1.01–2.94) violence increased the odds of probable psychiatric disorders in victims compared with their counterparts who had not experienced such types of violence.

Conclusions

Further research is needed on the relationship between intimate partner violence and other mental health problems, protocols to screen for intimate partner violence in healthcare settings, and supportive services.

     

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus and Co-Infection with Epstein-Barr Virus in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is one of the most important malignancies, worldwide. Oncogenic viruses, such as human papilloma virus (HPV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), are linked to these cancers and studies suggest a possible interaction between HPV and EBV during co-infections to promote oncogenesis. Nonetheless, these reports are controversial and demand more investigations in this regard. The present work to assessed the prevalence of HPV and co-infection with EBV in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were collected from 166 archived oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma samples from Ahvaz Imam Khomeini hospital, Ahvaz, Iran, from March 2013 and December 2019. Nested-PCR was used to detect the viruses and type-specific PCR/nested-PCR and sequencing were performed for virus genotyping. Results: Out of the 166 specimens, 84.33% and 16.42% were from oral cavity and oropharynx, respectively; of which, 32 cases (19.3%) were HPV-positive (16.42% of oral cavity and 34.6% of oropharynx). HPV was detected in 36.36%, 25%, and 16.42% of base of tongue, tonsil, and oral tongue tumors, respectively. HPV was more associated with well differentiated tumors (24;18.04%) in compared to moderately and poorly differentiated ones. Regarding HPV-16 genotyping, 7 (21.8%) out of the 32 samples were found to be HPV-16 (4/26 (15.38%) for oropharynx and 3/140 (2.14%) for oral cavity). Moreover, 90 samples were evaluated for EBV infection and co-infection; of which, 4 (4.4%) subjects tested positive for EBV, including two cases with HPV co-infection. All the positive cases were EBV type B, from oral cavity, and histologically well differentiated. Conclusions: HPV was more associated with oropharyngeal cancer. This association has been linked to various factors such as repeated oral and oropharyngeal exposure to HPV due to change in patterns of sexual behaviors; a phenomenon that may demand routine HPV vaccination.     

Comments on: blood product transfusion in emergency department patients: a case control study of practice patterns and impact on outcome

Clinical decision makings according studies result require the valid and correct data collection, andanalysis. However, there are some common methodological and statistical issues which may ignore by authors. In individual matched case- control design bias arising from the unconditional analysis instead of conditional analysis. Using an unconditional logistic for matched data causes the imposition of a large number of nuisance parameters which may result in seriously biased estimates.     

Comparative study of radioprotective effects of selenium nanoparticles and sodium selenite in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model

Purpose: The current study was undertaken to evaluate radioprotective effects of selenium (Se) nanoparticles in irradiation-induced nephropathy of mice model compared to sodium selenite.

Materials and methods: Forty-five mice were divided into three major groups including control, Se nanoparticle, and sodium selenite. Each major group was further subdivided into three more groups receiving various doses of 0, 2, and 8?Gy gamma irradiation. Both of the supplements were administered intraperitoneally with the dose of 0.1?mg/kg for 14 consecutive days. At the end of each week, the animals were exposed to gamma radiation and 48?h after the last exposure, the animals were humanely euthanized, then blood and renal tissue samples were taken. Serum creatinine, urea, cystatin C, and beta-2-microglobulin levels as well as activities of renal antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase, also malondialdehyde level, total antioxidant capacity, renal tissue Se content, and histopathological features were assessed.

Results: The results showed that both of the supplements could normalize aforementioned indices. However, selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) were more effective than sodium selenite.

Conclusions: Conclusively, Se-NPs as an emerging potent antioxidant agent can protect against irradiation-induced nephropathy.