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Today, due to the growing importance of sustainable development in urban areas, the decision to prioritize different transportation options in an area where users have to combine different transportation modes has received much attention in the scientific community. In this research, different modes of transportation including pedestrians, taxis, buses, and bicycles are considered as a combination of two different transportation modes in Tehran's densely populated area. With the aim of prioritizing travel options in order to achieve sustainable urban development, public transport users were first asked about their travel means preferences. Next, by obtaining the opinions of urban transportation experts of Tehran Municipality regarding sustainable development of urban transportation, a set of transportation options in this area were prioritized on the basis of some criteria optimized using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. The results indicate that air pollution and noise pollution, with the score of 0.33 and 0.24, respectively, were the two most important criteria for choosing a trip mode in dense population areas according to the opinion of transportation and traffic experts of Tehran. The AHP analysis indicated that the use of combined bicycle-walk mode with a score of 0.282 is the most preferred option, while bus-bicycle mixed mode with a score of 0.116 is the least preferred. Survey data indicate that there is a significant difference between people's general preferences in choosing their urban transportation options and the sustainable urban development approach., Author(s): Seyed Omid Mousavimasouleh [1]; Iraj Salehi [2]; Farzaneh Sadeghi (corresponding author) [3]; Mahshad Mohammadi Fard [4]; Alireza Roshanghalb [5] 1. Introduction The increasing number of people living in cities [...]

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic elicited the general population to use various dietary supplements (DSs) and nutraceuticals as a protective means against the disease. The present study aimed to evaluate changes and certain determinants of DS intake during the COVID-19 lockdown among Iranian households. Methods: This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from April 4 to April 25, 2020, during which Iran was in lockdown. To collect data, a web-based electronic self-administered questionnaire was created. The data were compared among provinces based on their food security situations. Results: A total of 21,290 households were included in the analyses. Approximately 27% of the households were using DSs after the epidemic. The most common DSs used were vitamin D (42%) and vitamin C (20%), followed by multi-vitamin (16%), zinc (9%), omega-3 (6%), vitamin A (4%), and probiotics (3%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that DS intake was directly associated with the household income but inversely with household size and the food security status of the provinces. DS intake was positively associated with the presence of high-risk persons in the households, the education of the households' head, and the presence of a person with a history of COVID-19 within the household. Conclusions: During epidemic lockdown, DS use was remarkably increased among the Iranian households. Apart from the debatable usefulness of DSs against COVID-19, the inverse association of DS use with a household's income and provincial food security well indicates inequity in accessibility to DS. Actions to improve the nutritional status of the under-privileged populations including targeted supplementation are strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown that the health burden associated with vitamin D deficiency is increasing globally. Vitamin D supplementation appears to be a feasible strategy for improving vitamin D status within populations. Little information is available on the perception and barriers to the widespread application of vitamin D supplements in Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to explore the perception of health care providers regarding the implementation of vitamin D supplementation program in the Iranian cities of Mashhad, Qom and Zahedan. This qualitative conventional content analysis study was conducted at 3 medical universities in Iran: Mashhad (MUMS), Qom (QUMS) and Zahedan (ZAUMS) University of Medical Sciences. These universities, are within regions with differing prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, and were selected based on the results of National Integrated Micronutrient Survey 2012 (NIMS-II study). Individual semi-structured in-depth interviews were performed with 103 participants (consisting of health professionals and health providers) to understand the perceptions of health professionals and health care providers'. The data were collected from December 2018 to July 2019. Guba and Lincoln's criteria were used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis based on the approach of Graneheim and Lundman's. There were three categories of barriers to distribution and use of individual supplements, and the funding to implement the program; there were ten subcategories. Supplement distribution were affected by three subcategories of inadequate distribution of the supplement, irregular distribution of the supplement, and insufficient space to store the supplements. Individual barriers to the use of supplement comprised five subcategories: forgetting to take them, lack of knowledge about their benefits, accessing a health care center providing them, negative advertising for supplement use, and not taking them because of cost. Funding to implement the program contained the two subcategories of financial limitation in urban and rural area and financial limitation for all target groups. The findings showed that health care providers reported a variety of barriers to supplement use. Applying a multiple strategy requires: training, conducting advertising campaigns, financial support, sufficient and regular distribution of the supplement and perhaps the use of alternative methods of supplement delivery, such as food fortification can be helpful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent decades, because of increasing prevalence of immunocompromised disease, non-tuberculous mycobacteria that have been known already as environmental bacteria presented as an important pathogens. In this study, the prevalence of NTM in Isfahan city water samples was determined bydifferent methods including culture methods with biochemical tests. Materials and Methods: Eighty-five water samples were collected from different sources in Isfahan, Iran. The mycobacterial isolates were identified by the growth characteristics, pigment production, semi-quantitative catalase test, Tween 80 hydrolysis, arylsulfatase test (3 and 14 days), heat-stable catalase (pH 7, 68°C), pyrazin amidase (4 and 7 days), urease, nitrate reduction test, and colony morphology. Results: Chlorine concentrations of the samples ranged from 0 to 1.8 mg/l. Twenty-one culturable species including M. fortuitum, 23.8% (5 cases); M.smegmatis, 14.3% (3 cases); M. chelonae like organisms, M. terrae complex, M. gordonae and M. mucogenicum, 9.5% (2 cases for each species); M. avium complex, M.phlei, M. xenopi, M. fallax, and M. flavescenc 4.8% (1 case for each species) were identified. Conclusion: The results of this study showed the incidence of different species of NTM in this geographical region in Iran. Studies show that the prevalence of immunocompromised disease is increasing in the community and it needs different treatment management strategy; therefore, the results of this study can be useful in this strategy.

Background and Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent lockdown has multifaceted effects on people's life including fall in economy which may affect food choices. This study was designed to evaluate changes in dietary intakes of the Iranian households during COVID-19 lockdown and also to predict the consequent health impacts. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study is conducted using a web-based electronic self-administered questionnaire. A previously developed platform is applied to develop the electronic questionnaire. A web link is created (https://digit.rabit.info/s/2ZRaVKMB.html) and the questionnaire is uploaded. An official letter from the Community Nutrition Office of the Ministry of Health is sent to the vice-chancellor in health affairs and the Community Nutrition Offices of the medical universities of all provinces. In that letter, the objectives of the study and the related link are explained and the provincial health and nutrition workers are requested to encourage the community under their service coverage to participate in the study through completing the questionnaire. In addition, the questionnaire link is distributed massively to all popular social media networks such as Telegram and WhatsApp. Conclusions: Because of pandemic lockdown and consequent economic changes, it is expected that expensive food items, notably animal protein sources including meat, fish and poultry, to be less consumed. Be that as it may, the important questions are firstly what are the alternatives of these food items' and secondly what are the potential health consequences of these dietary shifts' This national survey will clarify the answers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changes of mean platelet volume (MPV) and platelet count (PC) could be a marker or a predictor of acute stroke (AS). We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature on the reporting of MPV and PC in AS. Studies were included in accordance with Patient Population or Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcomes, and Setting framework. The PRISMA strategy was used to report findings. Risk of bias was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. We included 34 eligible articles retrieved from the literature. PC was significantly lower in AS patients [standardized mean difference (SMD) = − 0.30, (95% CI: − 0.49 to − 0.11), N = 2492, P =.002] compared with controls (N = 3615). The MPV was significantly higher [SMD = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.28–0.76), N = 2739, P <.001] compared with controls (N = 3810). Subgroup analyses showed significantly lower PC in both ischemic stroke (Difference SMD = −0.18, 95% CI: −0.35–0.01) and hemorrhagic stroke (−0.94, −1.62 to −0.25), but only samples by citrate anticoagulant showed significantly lower result for patients compared to controls (−0.36, −0.68 to −0.04). Ischemic stroke patients had higher MPV (0.57, 0.31–0.83), and samples by Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulant showed significantly higher result for patients compared to controls (0.86, 0.55–1.17). PC and MPV appeared to be significantly different between patients with AS and control populations. MPV was significantly higher in ischemic stroke and PC was significantly lower in both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. These characteristics might be related to AS and associated with it. It is advisable to pay attention to elapsed time between phlebotomy and hematology analysis, anticoagulant and hemocytometer types in AS. This meta-analysis is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under registration number CRD42017067864 (). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Boswellia from the family Burseraceae has been proposed for prevention of amnesia; however, the molecular mechanism by which it affects memory is not clear. To reveal the potential molecular mechanism, the effects of boswellia on the expression of two memory related genes, CREB and BDNF, were investigated. Materials and methods: Twenty-one male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 7): the control group received distilled water and the treatment groups received two doses of aqueous extract of Boswellia serrata gum resin (boswellia) (50 and 100 mg/kg) every day for 4 weeks. The animals were tested by the Morris water maze (MWM) and their hippocampus was isolated. Expression of CREB and BDNF genes was analyzed by Q-RT-PCR. Results: The MWM test showed improvement in spatial learning and memory in both treatment groups. Gene expression analysis revealed a significant increase in BDNF but not CREB expression in rats treated with both 50 and 100 mg/kg doses in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: Although boswellia exerts its effects on memory formation at least partly by affecting the expression of BDNF, the results imply that boswellia probably affects memory via another BDNF-related pathway than the BDNF-CREB-BDNF cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective(s): Adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be engineered to express bone specific markers. The aim of this study is to evaluate repairing tibia in animal model with differentiated osteoblasts from autologous ADSCs in alginate scaffold. Materials and Methods: In this study, 6 canine's ADSCs were encapsulated in alginate and differentiated into osteoblasts. Alkaline phosphatase assay (ALP) and RT-PCR method were applied to confirm the osteogenic induction. Then, encapsulated differentiated cells (group 1) and cell-free alginate (group 2) implanted in defected part of dog's tibia for 4 and 8 weeks. Regenerated tissues and compressive strength of samples were evaluated by histological and Immunohistochemical (IHC) methods and Tensometer Universal Machine. Results: Our results showed that ADSCs were differentiated into osteoblasts in vitro, and type I collagen and osteocalcin genes expression in differentiated osteoblasts was proved by RT-PCR. In group 2, ossification and thickness of trabecula were low compared to group 1, and in both groups woven bone was observed instead of control group's compact bone. Considering time, we found bone trabeculae regression and ossification reduction after 8 weeks compared with 4 weeks in group 2, but in group 1 bone formation was increased in 8 weeks. Presence of differentiated cells caused significantly more compressive strength in comparison with group 2 (P-value ≤0.05). Conclusion: This research showed that engineering bone from differentiated adipose-derived stem cells, encapsulated in alginate can repair tibia defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays high accident rates, fractures leading to permanent bone disorders, and the impossibility of bone transplant have made scientists to look for new methods of repairing injured bones. Considering the application of stem cells in bone tissue engineering, there exists the necessity to investigate various culture methods and suitable fields and scaffolds. Thus, we decided to induce adipose-derived stem cells into osteoblast cells in two systems of pellet culture and monolayer and compare osteogenic markers. Methods: Stem cells have been separated via mechanical and enzymatic methods and cultured in osteogenic medium. Then, RNA was separated from differentiated cells, complementary DNA (cDNA) was synthesized and amplified. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) product was transferred to electrophoresis gel. The intensity of the bands was measured by Image-J software and analyzed by SPSS. Findings: Osteocalcin gene expression in differentiated cells in the two culture systems showed no significant difference. Therefore, the expression of osteocalcin gene in both monolayer and pellet systems is the same and acceptable. However, average osteopontin gene in differentiated cells in the two culture systems showed a significant difference. The expression of osteopontin gene in pellet system was more than monolayer systems. Conclusion: This study indicated that pellet and monolayer culture systems are appropriate for bone engineering but osteocalcin and osteopontin gene expressions were different in the two culture system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Bone diseases and injuries, including bone fractures during accidents and trauma, in all communities are prevalent and in most cases, crushed bone is not able to repair; various treatment ways including tissue graft from an allograft or autograft have risks and lead to problems. One method for treatment of bone fractures is using outologous osteoblasts with culturing on suitable scaffolds and then implant of cells to defect region. In this study, we cultured osteoblast cells on monolayer and calcium phosphate hydroxyapatite (HA-TC) scaffolds and the behavior of these two types of cells in different cultures were analyzed. Methods: During the craniotomy operation in Alzahra hospital in five individual, bone samples were obtained and in sterile condition were sent to the laboratory. Each sample after washing with PBS was cut into small pieces and plates containing the medium culture were transferred to the incubator. After 10-12 days, the cells have started to leave the bones covering the floor plate and after using the enzyme Trypsin_EDTA isolated from plate divided into two groups. One group was cultured in HA-TC scaffold and other as monolayer culture. Van kossa staining, flow cytometry, alkaline phosphatase assay and MTT method were used to investigate the characteristics of osteoblasts. Finding: Osteoblasts in monolayer culture were observed as fibroblast- like cells. Van kossa staining determined the mineral deposits in the two groups. The cell proliferation increased in cellular scaffolding HA-TC more than monolayer (P < 0.001). Results of MTT showed more activity items on living cells in scaffold HA-TC than monolayer (P < 0.001). In alkaline phosphatase staining, blue granules were observed; in the flow cytometry, 57 percent of primary cultured cells and 5 percent in the third passage cells showed alkaline phosphatase marker. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the hydroxyapatite scaffold is better than monolayer culture for osteoblast cells. This could be because of having more calcium and similar elements to bone matrix that facilitate feeding cultured cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cartilage damaged by trauma or degenerative arthritis has a limited capacity for regeneration most likely because of its avascularity and low cellularity. In this study, adipose-derived stem cells were cultured in chondrogenic medium supplemented isolated from adipose tissue then were induced for chondrogenesis with BMP-6 in Pellet culture system. Methods: Human adipose tissues obtained from cesarean section and ADSCs were isolated and characterized by flowcytometry techniques for CD14, CD44, CD45, and CD90 markers. To induct of chondrogenesis ADSCs were cultured in Pellet culture for 21 days in chondrogenic medium supplemented with BMP-6. Resulted constructs were investigated by histological, immunohistochemical and RT-PCR methods. Findings: ADSCs were expressed CD44, CD90 and not CD14 or CD45. ADSCs chondrogenesis was occurred successfully. Stained-sections in H-E and alcian blue were showed chondrocytes in lacuna with sulfated proteoglycans extracellular matrix. Existence of collagen type-II and aggrecan was proved in constructs by immunohistochemical study. RT-PCR method was exhibited collagen type-II and aggrecan genes expression in differentiated cells. Conclusion: Human adipose-derived stem cells are excellent candidate for cartilage tissue engineering. In Pellet culture ADSCs in presence of BMP-6 were induced for chondrogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we sought to better understand the immunoregulatory function of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). We studied the role of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-axis in immunoregulation of SHED compared to bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) under the same conditions. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, recently isolated human T cells were stimulated either by mitogen or inactivated allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These T cells were subsequently co-cultured with, either SHED or BMMSCs in the presence or absence of 1-methyl-tryptophan (1-MT) or neutralizing antihuman-IFN-γ antibodies. In all co-cultures we evaluated lymphocyte activation as well as IDO activity. Results: SHED, similar to conventional BMMSCs, had anti-proliferative effects on stimulated T cells and reduced their cytokine production. This property of SHED and BMMSCs was changed by IFN-γ neutralization. We detected IDO in the immunosuppressive supernatant of all co-cultures. Removal of IDO decreased the immunosuppression of BMMSCs. Conclusion: SHED, like BMMSCs, produced the IDO enzyme. Although IFN-γ is one of inducer of IDO production in SHED, these cells were not affected by IFN-γ in the same manner as BMMSCs. Unlike BMMSCs, the IDO enzyme did not contribute to their immunosuppression and might have other cell-type specific roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, tissue engineering has developed approaches for repair and restoration of damaged skeletal system based on different scaffolds and cells. This study evaluated the ability of differentiated osteoblasts from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) seeded into hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate (HA-TCP) to repair bone., Methods: In this study, ADSCs of 6 canines were seeded in HA-TCP and differentiated into osteoblasts in osteogenic medium in vitro and bone markers evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was applied for detection of cells in the pores of scaffold. HA-TCP with differentiated cells as the test group and without cells as the cell-free group were implanted in separate defected sites of canine's tibia. After 8 weeks, specimens were evaluated by histological, immunohistochemical methods, and densitometry test. The data were analyzed using the SPSS 18 version software., Results: The expression of Type I collagen and osteocalcin genes in differentiated cells were indicated by RT-PCR. SEM results revealed the adhesion of cells in scaffold pores. Formation of trabecular bone confirmed by histological sections that revealed the thickness of bone trabecular was more in the test group. Production of osteopontin in extracellular matrix was indicated in both groups. Densitometry method indicated that strength in the test group was similar to cell-free group and natural bone (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: This research suggests that ADSCs-derived osteoblasts in HA-TCP could be used for bone tissue engineering and repairing.

Background: During adolescence, sex hormones play an important role in regulating proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and the scheduled death of chondrocytes. Although some studies have reported the regulatory role of estrogen in the development and progression of cartilage, some of the mechanisms still remain unclear, including the role of estrogen in the expression of cartilage-specific genes in chondrogenesis process, which we cover in this study., Materials and Methods: In the present study, we used adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into cartilage. Differentiated cartilage cells were used in the control (without estrogen E2 in the culture medium) and experimental (with estrogen in the culture medium) groups to evaluate the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan as chondrogenic genes markers, with -real-time polymerase chain reaction technique., Results: Our results indicated that estrogen leads to inhibition of type II collagen gene expression and reduction of aggrecan gene expression., Conclusion: Therefore, estrogen probably has negative effects on chondrogenesis process of ADSCs.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), a specific type of adult tissue stem cell; have the immunosuppressive effects that make them valuable targets for regenerative medicine and treatment of many human illnesses. Hence, MSC have been the subject of numerous studies. The classical source of MSC is adult bone marrow (BM). Due to many shortcomings of harvesting MSC from BM, finding the alternative sources for MSC is an urgent. Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) are relative new MSC populations that fulfill these criteria but their potential immunosuppressive effect has not been studied enough yet. Thus, in this work the effect of SHED on the proliferation of in vitro activated T lymphocytes were explored., Materials and Methods: In this study, both mitogen and alloantigen activated T cells were cultured in the presence of different numbers of SHED. In some co-cultures, activated T cells were in direct contact to MSCs and in other co-cultures; they were separated from SHED by a permeable membrane. In all co-cultures, the proliferation of T cells was measured by ELISA Bromodeoxyuridine proliferation assay., Results: In general, our results showed that SHED significantly suppress the proliferation of activated T cells in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the suppression was slightly stronger when MSCs were in physical contact to activated T cells., Conclusion: This study showed that SHED likewise other MSC populations can suppress the activation of T lymphocytes, which can be used instead of BM derived MSCs in many investigational and clinical applications.

Objectives: Mesenchymal stem cells or "multipotent stromal cells" are heterogeneous cell population with self-renewal and multilinage differentiation. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the expression of important stem cell surface markers on two populations of mesenchymal stem cells, one derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth and the other derived from human adipose tissue. These new stem cells will offer a promising avenue for prevention and reversal of many human diseases such as type 1 diabetes and prevention of liver fibrotic process., Methods: Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from human adipose tissue and dental pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth. The cultured cells then were harvested and stained by different fluorescent labeled monoclonal antibodies against surface markers and were analyzed using flow cytometry., Results: Both different cell populations expressed CD44, CD90 and CD13 (stem cell markers) with similar intensity. They did not express hematopoietic markers (CD11b, CD19 and CD34), and lymphocyte or leukocyte antigens CD3, CD7, CD20, CD14, CD45, CCR5 (CD195), CD11b and CD10 on their surfaces. Two different cell types demonstrated different levels of expression in CD56 and CD146. Mesenchymal stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth were positive for CD105 and were negative for CCR3 and CCR4 expression., Conclusions: Both cell populations derived from adipose tissue and dental pulp showed common phenotypic markers of mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, mesenchymal stem cells could be isolated and cultured successfully from dental pulp of human exfoliated deciduous teeth, they are very good candidates for treatment and prevention of human diseases.