Kombucha tea ameliorates experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mouse model of multiple sclerosis

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a mouse model for multiple sclerosis (MS), in which an inflammatory demyelination and axonal damage occurs. Kombucha tea is a fermented beverage made from kombucha mushroom, brewed tea, and sugar. In recent years kombucha tea has attracted interest due to its pharmacological properties like antioxidant effects. The aim of the present research was to test the therapeutic effect of kombucha tea in EAE. We induced EAE model in 18 female C57BL/6 mice by inoculation of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-35-55 (MOG_35-55) in complete Freund’s adjuvant emulsion. Then, in order to ameliorate EAE symptoms, we used kombucha tea. During the course of study clinical evaluation was assessed, and on the day 21 post-immunization, for evaluation of nitric oxide (NO), total antioxidants capacity and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), blood samples were taken from the heart of mice. The mice were sacrificed and brains and cerebellums of mice were removed for histological analysis. Our findings demonstrated that kombucha tea had beneficial effects on EAE by lower incidence, attenuation in the severity, and also a delay in the onset of disease. Histological analysis showed that inflammatory criteria including the number of infiltrated immune cells and plaques as well as demyelination in kombucha tea dosed mice were significantly lower than the control group. Also, in comparison with control mice, the serum levels of NO and TNF-α in kombucha tea-treated mice were significantly decreased. Kombucha tea with its potential therapeutic effects and immunomodulatory properties might be proposed, after additional necessary tests and trials, for treatment of MS.     

GJB2 mutations: passage through Iran

Hereditary hearing loss (HHL) is a very common disorder. When inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, it typically presents as an isolated finding. Interestingly and unexpectedly, in spite of extreme heterogeneity, mutations in one gene, GJB2, are the most common cause of congenital severe-to-profound deafness in many different populations. In this study, we assessed the contributions made by GJB2 mutations and chromosome 13 g.1777179_2085947del (the deletion more commonly known as del (GJB6-D13S1830) that includes a portion of GJB6 and is hereafter called Delta(GJB6-D13S1830)) to the autosomal recessive non-syndromic deafness (ARNSD) genetic load in Iran. Probands from 664 different nuclear families were investigated. GJB2-related deafness was found in 111 families (16.7%). The carrier frequency of the 35delG mutation showed a geographic variation that is supported by studies in neighboring countries. Delta(GJB6-D13S1830) was not found. Our prevalence data for GJB2-related deafness reveal a geographic pattern that mirrors the south-to-north European gradient and supports a founder effect in southeastern Europe.     

Spinal Manipulation for Subacute and Chronic Lumbar Radiculopathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectiveWe evaluated the efficacy of spinal manipulation for the management of nonacute lumbar radiculopathy.MethodsIn a university hospital we performed a randomized controlled trial with 2 parallel arms. Patients (n = 44) with unilateral radicular low back pain lasting more than 4 weeks were randomly allocated to manipulation and control groups. The primary outcome was the intensity of the low back pain on a visual analog scale. The secondary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire score. We also measured spinal ranges of motion. The assessments were carried out at the baseline, immediately after intervention, and at 3 months’ follow-up. All patients underwent physiotherapy. The manipulation group received three sessions of manipulation therapy 1 week apart. For manipulation, we used Robert Maigne's technique.ResultsBoth groups experienced a decrease in back and leg pain significantly (all P ≤ 0.003). However, only the manipulation group showed significantly favorable results in the Oswestry scores (P < 0.001), and the straight leg raise test (P = 0.001). All ranges of motion increased significantly with manipulation (all P < 0.001), but the control group showed favorable results only in right and left rotations and in extension (all P < 0.001). Between-group analyses showed significantly better outcomes for manipulation in all measurements (all P ≤ 0.009) with large effect sizes.ConclusionSpinal manipulation improves the results of physiotherapy over a period of 3 months for patients with subacute or chronic lumbar radiculopathy.     

CO2 conversion into methanol under ambient conditions using efficient nanocomposite photocatalyst/solar-energy materials in aqueous medium

A promising route to solve the CO₂ issue is its photocatalytic back-conversion to H-based solar fuels/chemicals, particularly methanol – being widely used as a strategic material in chemical/energy-related industries. Herein, the authors address this globally interesting problem and demonstrate how through an effortless hydrothermal route and using earth-abundant elements, two efficient carbon nanotube (CNT)-based heterojunction photocatalyst/solar-energy materials, viz. CNT/NiO and CNT/NiO/Fe₂O₃ are synthesized and employed for methanol production. The investigations revealed that both binary and ternary composites could selectively (≥93%) produce methanol using CO₂ feed in aqueous medium. Moreover, a higher performance (energy efficiency: 1.81%) was witnessed for the ternary photocatalyst. From a catalytic standpoint, the superior activity of the CNT/NiO/Fe₂O₃ photocatalyst was discussed in detail in terms of its larger surface area, higher absorption of incident light, better charge separation/transfer, and generation of greater photo-voltage/current to effectually split the water medium and achieve the photoconversion process. A mechanistic scheme was finally proposed for the production of methanol and methane, as liquid and gas phase products, respectively.

CNT-based nanocomposite photocatalyst/solar-energy materials serving as in situ hydrogen generators for selective conversion [hydrogenation] of CO₂ into methanol: a mechanistic/photoelectrochemical outlook.     

Dietary patterns and anthropometric indices among Iranian women with major depressive disorder

Major depression is a common mental disorder among women. A number of studies have demonstrated the association between some nutrients and food items with depression, but the studies on the association of dietary patterns with depression, especially in the Middle East, are rare. Further, the literature examining the relationship between anthropometric status and depression are inconsistent. In this study, 45 women with major depression and 90 patients with no mental disorder participated. We collected dietary intakes by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and measured anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences). Using factor analysis, two major dietary patterns were extracted: Healthy and Unhealthy. After adjusting for confounders, individuals who gained higher scores in healthy dietary pattern, had 84% lower odds of major depression; while the odds of major depression in participants who gained higher scores in unhealthy dietary pattern showed no significant association. No significant association was found between anthropometric indices and major depression. These results suggest that the healthy dietary pattern is significantly associated with lower odds of major depression in adult women. Further researches are needed to confirm these findings.     

Predictive performance of obesity indexes for the risk of high blood pressure in an adult population

Background and objectives

Comparisons of predictive performance of various anthropometric measures in high blood pressure have not been investigated. This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the predictive power of Body Mass Index (BMI), Body Adiposity index (BAI) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) for predicting hypertension in adults.

Effects of cashew nut consumption on body composition and glycemic indices: A meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials

Background and aimsPresent meta-analysis and systematic review was conducted to synthesis a definitive conclusion from previous randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs).MethodsA comprehensive search was done up to July 2020, in order to extract RCTs which investigated the effect of cashew nut on weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR). Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to estimate effect size. Meta regression analysis was done to identify probable sources of heterogeneity.ResultsSix clinical trials with 521 participants were included. Combined effect sizes demonstrated no effect of cashew consumption on weight (WMD): 0.02, 95% CI: ?1.04, 1.09, P > 0.05), BMI (WMD: 0.1, 95% CI: ?0.72, 0.74, P > 0.05), and WC (WMD: ?0.13, 95% CI: ?1.97, 1.70, P > 0.05). Results were also not significant for FBS (WMD: 3.58, 95% CI: ?3.92, 11.08, P > 0.05), insulin (WMD: ?0.19, 95% CI: ?1.63, 1.25, P > 0.05), and HOMA-IR (WMD: 0.25, 95% CI: ?0.55, 1.06, P > 0.05).ConclusionThe sum up, incorporating cashew into the diet has no significant effect on body composition or modifying glycemic indices.     

Analgesic effects and hemodynamic mechanisms of perpendicular and transverse needling at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) in patients with primary dysmenorrhea: A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo explore the analgesic effects and uterine hemodynamics of perpendicular needling (PN) and transverse needling (TN) at SP 6 in patients with primary dysmenorrhea (PD).MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial, patients with PD diagnosed with cold-dampness congealing pattern were randomly assigned in a ratio of 1:1 to receive PN or TN at bilateral SP 6 for 10 min. Acupuncture was performed when the menstrual pain score was over 40 mm on the first day of menstruation, as measured using the visual analog scale for pain (VAS-P). The primary outcome was average menstrual pain (VAS-P). Secondary outcomes included the pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and systolic-diastolic peaks ratio (S/D) in uterine arteries as measured using color Doppler ultrasonography; anxiety as assessed using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR).ResultsForty-eight patients completed the study. The TN group exhibited a significant reduction in VAS-P scores (–5.71 mm, 95% confidence interval (CI): –8.78, –2.63, P = .001), RI values (–0.05, 95% CI: –0.09, –0.01, P = .015), and HAMA values (–2.50, 95% CI: –4.78, –0.22, P = .032) when compared with the PN group. No significant differences in PI, S/D, BP, or HR values were observed between the two groups (P > .05).ConclusionTN at SP 6 was superior to PN in alleviating menstrual pain and anxiety in patients with PD. This analgesic effect of TN may be due to its better ability to improve uterine arterial blood flow via decreases in RI values.