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Background: In severe COVID-19 cases, a hypercoagulable state may occur. Antiphospholipid syndrome-related auto-antibodies (APSRAs) contribute to coagulopathy, but their role in COVID-19 remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of positive APSRAs and their effect on clinical outcomes in confirmed COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, severe hospitalized COVID-19 cases were enrolled. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from the day of admission. APSRAs including IgG and/or IgM anticardiolipin (aCL) and anti-ß2-glycoprotein1 (anti-ß2GP1) as well as lupus anticoagulant (LAC) were measured. Results: In this study, 54 severe COVID-19 cases with positive RT-PCR and chest CT scans were recruited. Positive APSRAs were found in 7 (12.9%) patients. Positive LAC was a more prevalent marker as compared to other tests (11.1%). The prevalence of positive aCL (IgM or IgG) and anti-ß2 GPI (IgM or IgG) w as 1.8% (in an elderly woman). Lower oxygen saturation was found in the positive APSRAs group as opposed to the negative APSRAs group (70.3±9 vs. 84.8±9.7%). The mortality rate in the positive APSRAs group was significantly higher relative to the negative APSRAs group (83.3% vs. 27.1%; Pvalue: 0.01). Likewise, the mechanical ventilation requirement in the positive group was also higher (50% vs. 27.1%, P-value: 0.28). Conclusion: This study indicated that LAC might be associated with critical cases and high mortality of COVID-19. Nonetheless, the mortality was not related to macrothrombotic incidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huntington disease (HD) is an inherited disorder hallmarked by progressive deterioration of specific neurons, followed by movement and cognitive anomalies. Cell therapy approaches in neurodegenerative conditions have concentrated on the replenishment of lost/dying neurons with functional ones. Multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been represented as a potential remedy for HD. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of umbilical cord matrix stem cells (UCMSCs) and their paracrine effect against oxidative stress with a specific focus on HD. To this end, UCMSCs were isolated, immunophenotypically characterized by the positive expression of MSC markers, and exhibited multilineage potentiality. Besides, synthesis of neurotrophic factors of GDNF and VEGF by UCMSC was confirmed. Initially, PC12 cells were exposed to superoxide in the presence of conditioned media (CM) collected from UCMSC (UCMSC-CM) and cell viability plus neuritogenesis were measured. Next, bilateral striatal transplantation of UCMSC in 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) lesioned rat models was conducted, and 1 month later, post-graft analysis was performed. According to our in vitro results, CM of UCMSC protected PC12 cells against oxidative stress and considerably enhanced cell viability and neurite outgrowth. On the other hand, transplanted UCMSC survived, decreased gliosis, and ameliorated motor coordination and muscle activity, along with an increase in striatal volume as well as in dendritic length of the striatum in HD rats. Collectively, our findings imply that UCMSCs provide an enriched platform by largely their paracrine factors, which downgrades the unfavorable effects of oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neuropsychological manifestations are increasingly reported in patients with COVID-19, but the subject is poorly understood and our knowledge about cognitive impairment is limited. This study aimed to investigate neuropsychological involvement of COVID-19 and its relation to laboratory data. Material and methods: This study was conducted among patients admitted to a tertiary medical center in Iran, in the period March 2020 to March 2021. Neuropsychiatric assessments were carried out by the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE) test in all patients and interpreted by a specialist. It was performed using the Persian version of ACE in six domains consisting of attention, orientation, memory, language, visual perception and visuospatial skills. Laboratory data were assessed among all patients. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Results: Among 114 patients with COVID-19, the mean age was 48.46 ±13.61 years, and the male/female ratio was 1.32. The mean values of some abnormal laboratory data were: erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) 57.2 ±29.8, C-reactive protein (CRP) 81.7 ±59.8 and D-dimer 459.3 ±395.4. Cognitive impairment was detected in 41 patients (63%). The mean score of ACE was 80.68 ±19.29. Statistical analysis showed correlations between total result of the ACE test and laboratory findings that were not statistically significant. Conclusions: In our study, no relation was found between laboratory test results and the overall cognitive examination score but statistical analysis showed a correlation between CRP and verbal fluency, between hemoglobin level and language and visuospatial domains, and also between total level of bilirubin and memory. These relations may suggest that we should follow the neurocognitive features in COVID-19 patients earlier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A gradual degeneration of the striatum and loss of nigral dopamine cells are characteristic of Parkinson's disease. Nowadays, combination therapy for neurodegenerative disease is considered. This study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and dopaminergic neurons derived from adipose tissue stem cells (ADSCs) in a rat model of Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's disease was induced in rats using neurotoxin 6-Hydroxydopamine. The treatment was performed using melatonin and dopaminergic neurons transplantation. Subsequently, behavioral tests, western blot analysis for Caspase-3 expression, GSH (Glutathione) content and stereology analysis for the volume and cell number of substantia nigra and striatum were performed. Treatment with melatonin and dopaminergic neuron transplantation increased the number of neurons in substantia nigra and striatum while the number of glial cell and the volume of substantia nigra and striatum did not show significant change between groups. Western blot analysis for caspase 3 indicated the significant differences between groups. The results also indicated the increased level of glutathione (GSH) content in treatment groups. this study showed that combination therapy with melatonin and dopaminergic neurons could greatly protect the neurons, reduce oxidative stress and improve the symptoms of PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder that significantly affects the quality of life of patients. In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) transplantation in decreasing inflammation and cell death in brain cells, thus reducing seizure damage. We induced seizures in rats using intraperitoneal injections of pentylenetetrazole (PTZ). In the PTZ + DPSC group, we conducted bilateral hippocampal transplantation of DPSCs in PTZ-lesioned rat models. After 1 month, we performed post-graft analysis and measured some behavioral factors, such as working memory and long-term memory, using a T-maze test and passive avoidance test, respectively. We investigated the immunohistopathology and distribution of astrocyte cells through light microscopy and Sholl analysis. Additionally, we employed the Voronoi tessellation method to estimate the spatial distribution of the cells in the hippocampus. Compared to the control group, we observed a reduction in astrogliosis, astrocyte process length, the number of branches, and intersections distal to the soma in the hippocampus of the PTZ + DPSC group. Further analysis indicated that the grafted DPSCs decreased the expression of caspase-3 in the hippocampus of rats with induced seizures. Moreover, the DPSCs transplant protected hippocampal pyramidal neurons against PTZ toxicity and improved the spatial distribution of the hippocampal neurons. Our findings suggest that DPSCs transplant can be an effective modifier of astrocyte reactivation and inflammatory responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose: Population aging and advancing longevity is one of the achievements of the present century. Life satisfaction is considered as a typical sign of a successful adaptation to changes in various life situations. It seems that self-efficacy and social support may be associated with life satisfaction. There are limited publications in this field, so this study was done to investigate the relationship between life satisfactions, self-efficacy and social support in communitydwelling elderly in Sari, north of Iran. Materials and methods: In this descriptive-analytic study 129 elderly who agreed to participate were randomly selected from 10 health centers in Sari. The samples who aged more than 60 years of old were included and exclusion criteria were having incurables disease such as cancer, dementia, and severe psychological diseases. The data was collected using demographic questionnaires, Ed Diener life satisfaction, social support and self-efficacy questionnaires. To analyze the data SPSS V. 16 was applied. Results: The mean age of the elderly and life satisfaction were 67.86 ± 7.49 and 20.64 ± 8.36, respectively. We observed a significant correlation between life satisfaction and demographic variables such as economic status (P=0.002) and home status (P=0.01). Total average of social support and selfefficacy were 25.08 ± 5.98, 24.35 ± 7.55, respectively. This study found a significant association between life satisfaction with social support (r=0.44, P=0.001) and self-efficacy (r=0.49, P=0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, there is a direct relationship between life satisfaction, social support, and self-efficacy. Life satisfaction in elderly can be increased by strengthening the support, independence and dignity of older people, thereby improving their social support and self-efficacy conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]