Search

Objective Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease in which the myelin lining the central nervous system is damaged. The complex nature of the disease making the diagnosis more difficult for the patient to face. This study explored the experiences of facilitators and barriers adjustment to MS by Iranian patients. Materials & Methods This study was conducted by using descriptive phenomenological approach. The participants included 14 patients (8 women and 6 men) referred to Rafideh Hospital in Tehran. The participants were selected by purposive sampling and maximum variety. Data collection continued through semi-structured interviews until theoretical saturation. The duration of the interviews was between 30-60 minutes. Data analysis was done with MAXQDA software and using the 7-step descriptive collaizzi,s method continuously and simultaneously with data collection. In order to check the robustness of the results, Lincoln and Goba criteria of validity, reliability, transferability and verifiability were used. Results The 5 main themes related to facilitators of adaptation that emerged included religious strategies, receive emotional and professional support, search and find information, psychological coping strategies, and life style (and 18 subcategories). Also the three main themes related to barrier of adaptation that emerged included health-related, patient-related and social-related barriers (and 8 subcategories). Conclusion These themes represent the perceived characteristics, facilitators and barriers of adaptation to Multiple Sclerosis by patients. Therefore, it is necessary to design or implement therapeutic interventions based on these findings by psychologists and counselors for patients to reduce psychological problems.

سابقه و هدف: مسئلۀ هویت دینی و ملی جوانان با توجه به درصد بالای جمعیت و نقش سازندۀ آنان در سرنوشت آیندۀ کشور، اهمیت دوچندانی دارد. مدرسه به‌دلیل الگوگیری دانش‌آموزان از دیگران، نقش بسزایی در شکل‌گیری هویت دارد و هویت ملی و دینی در دانش‌آموزان می‌تواند نقش مهمی در عملکرد آنان ایفا کند. هدف از این پژوهش بررسی رابطۀ هویت ملی و دینی با افسردگی و کیفیت زندگی در دانش­آموزان بود. روش کار: پژوهش حاضر از نوع همبستگی و توصیفی است. جامعۀ آماری پژوهش تمامی دانش‌آموزان مقطع تحصیلی متوسطۀ اول شهرستان بوکان بودند که به‌روش نمونه­گیری دردسترس 525 نفر از آنان برای نمونه انتخاب شدند. داده­ها با استفاده از پرسش‌نامه­های هویت ملی و هویت دینی احدی و پرسش‌نامه‌های کیفیت زندگی و افسردگی کودک و نوجوان (CADS) جمع­آوری شد. برای تحلیل داده‌ها نیز از آمار توصیفی میانگین و انحراف استاندارد و ضریب همبستگی پیرسون و رگرسیون چندگانه استفاده شد. در این پژوهش همۀ موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است و مؤلفان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: نتایج همبستگی پیرسون نشان داد که هویت ملی با نمرۀ کلی کیفیت زندگی، سلامت روانی، سلامت جسمانی و کیفیت محیط زندگی رابطۀ مثبت؛ و با افسردگی رابطۀ منفی و معنادار داشت؛ اما هویت دینی با افسردگی رابطۀ منفی و معنادار و با نمرۀ کلی کیفیت زندگی و خرده‌مقیاس‌های سلامت روانی، سلامت جسمانی و روابط اجتماعی رابطۀ مثبت و معنادار داشت و فقط با کیفیت محیط زندگی رابطۀ معنادار نداشت. نتایج رگرسیون نیز نشان داد که هویت ملی و دینی پیش‌بینی‌کننده­های معتبری برای کیفیت زندگی و افسردگی در دانش‌آموزان هستند. نتیجه‌گیری: هویت ملی و دینی متغیّرهای مهمی برای سلامت روان و بالابردن کیفیت زندگی‌ هستند. بنابراین لازم است صاحبان امر در آموزش و پرورش در برنامه‌ریزی درسی و تحصیلی آنها را مدنظر قرار دهند. استناد مقاله به این صورت است: Asmari-Bardezard Y, Mehraban Sh, Hallajisani M. The Relationship between Religious and National Identity with Depression and Quality of Life in the First High School Students. Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va salāmat. 2021;6(4):7-17. https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v6i4.26519

سابقه و هدف: شایع‌­ترین سرطان در میان زنان، سرطان پستان است که می‌­تواند مشکلات روان‌شناختی زیادی برای افراد مبتلا به آن به وجود آورد. هدف پژوهش حاضر بررسی اثربخشی معنویت‌درمانی گروهی بر تسهیل فرایند رشد پس از سانحه در بیماران مبتلا به سرطان پستان بود. روش کار: این پژوهش از نوع نیمه‌آزمایشی با طرح پیش‌آزمون-پس‌­آزمون با گروه کنترل است. جامعۀ آماری پژوهش را همۀ زنان مبتلا به سرطان پستان شهر ارومیه در سال 1396 تشکیل دادند که از میان آنان با استفاده از روش نمونه‌­گیری دردسترس، 30 نفر انتخاب شدند و به‌طور تصادفی در دو گروه آزمایش (15 نفر) و کنترل (15 نفر) قرار گرفتند. شرکت‌کنندگان گروه آزمایش 12 جلسه (هر جلسه 90 دقیقه) معنویت‌درمانی گروهی دریافت کردند ولی شرکت­کنندگان گروه گواه هیچ مداخله­‌ای دریافت نکردند. در این پژوهش از پرسش‌نامۀ رشد پس از سانحه استفاده شد. داده‌ها با استفاده از آزمون آماری تحلیل کوواریانس چندمتغیّره تجزیه ‌و تحلیل شد. در این پژوهش همۀ موارد اخلاقی رعایت شده است و مؤلفان مقاله هیچ‌گونه تضاد منافعی گزارش نکرده‌اند. یافته‌ها: یافته‌­ها نشان داد معنویت‌درمانی به‌طور معناداری در تسهیل فرایند رشد پس از سانحۀ زنان مبتلا به سرطان پستان مؤثر بوده است (05/0>P)؛ به عبارتی دیگر، این مداخله توانست میزان رشد پس از سانحه را در گروه آزمایش ارتقا دهد. نتیجه‌گیری: نتایج این پژوهش حاکی از کارآمدی معنویت‌درمانی گروهی بر تسهیل فرایند رشد پس از سانحه در بیماران مبتلا به سرطان پستان بود؛ بنابراین معنویت‌درمانی را می‌توان روشی برای رشد و بهبود بیماران مبتلا به سرطان پستان دانست و از آن بهره برد. استناد مقاله به این صورت است: Mehraban Sh, Khalilzadeh N, Sharifi M, Asmari-Bardezard Y. The Effectiveness of Group Spiritual Therapy on Facilitating the Post-Traumatic Growth Process in Women with Breast Cancer. Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va salāmat. 2020;6(3):7-17. https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v6i3.24105

Objectives: Dysmorphic disorders of the body are one of the most common abnormalities in women with breast cancer. Women with this disorder seem to be over-represented, which affects their individual and social life. In this regard, the present study aims at assessing the effectiveness of group psychotherapy based on admission and commitment to the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder of Body Dysmorphic Disorder in women with breast cancer. Methods: The present study is a quasi-experimental research with a pre-test-post-test-follow-up design with the control group. For this purpose, 30 patients with breast cancer, who were referred to Khansari and Shariati Hospitals in Arak in 2016, were selected through convenience sampling method; they were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups (15 patients in each group). This study used a correctional scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale modified for Body Dysmorphic Disorder); the experimental group was treated for 8 sessions (each session 60 minutes), but no intervention was received in the control group. For data analysis, descriptive and deductive statistics were used to analyze covariance. Results: The results of covariance analysis showed a significant difference between the two groups in improving the Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder of the body during the post-test (F=16.53, P

Objectives: The challenges of caring for students with learning disabilities expose their mothers to mental health problems; however, less attention has been paid to treatment interventions for them. The present study aimed to examine the effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) group training on subjective wellbeing and interpersonal relationships in the mothers of students with learning disabilities. Methods: In this experimental research, 40 mothers of students with learning disabilities were selected through simple random sampling method. They were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups after observing ethical issues. The study participants completed the subjective wellbeing and interpersonal problems questionnaires Then, the multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the obtained data. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups (F30.9=P

Cell replacement therapy using mesenchymal (MSC) and other stem cells has been evaluated for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. This approach has significant limitations, including few cells integrated, aberrant growth, and surgical complications. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes/Extracellular Vesicles (MSC EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles, are an emerging alternative, promoting immunomodulation, repair, and regeneration by mediating MSC’s paracrine effects. For the clinical translation of EV therapy, it is important to determine the cellular destination and time course of EV uptake in the retina following administration. Here, we tested the cellular fate of EVs using in vivo rat retinas, ex vivo retinal explant, and primary retinal cells. Intravitreally administered fluorescent EVs were rapidly cleared from the vitreous. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) had maximal EV fluorescence at 14 days post administration, and microglia at 7 days. Both in vivo and in the explant model, most EVs were no deeper than the inner nuclear layer. Retinal astrocytes, microglia, and mixed neurons in vitro endocytosed EVs in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our results indicate that intravitreal EVs are suited for the treatment of retinal diseases affecting the inner retina. Modification of the EV surface should be considered for maintaining EVs in the vitreous for prolonged delivery.

Objectives: This present study aims to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral-based stress management training on anxiety in female MS patients. Methods: This study employed a semi-experimental research method with pre-test post-test, control group and random assignment. The statistical population fully consisted of female MS patients referred to the Iran MS association in 2014, from which 24 individuals were selected by accessible sampling, who were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. For measuring the independent variable, Beck’s Anxiety inventories were used. Results: The results of ANCOVA showed that cognitive-behavioral-based stress management training was effective in reducing the anxiety of female MS patients (P≤0.05). Discussion: According to the results obtained, we believe that the cognitive-behavioral-based stress management training program has been effective on anxiety reduction in female MS patients. Thus, this training method can be used for target groups and the general population as an interventional program.

Metal contamination in soil poses a significant environmental concern worldwide, necessitating effective remediation strategies such as phytoremediation. The present study investigated the effects of EDTA dosage (1.5 and 3 mmol kg -1 ) and two Trichoderma species (T. harzianum and T. aureoviride) on copper (Cu) content and growth of maize plants grown in a Cu-contaminated soil, as well as Cu fractionation in the soil. In the absence of EDTA, only inoculation with T. harzianum led to a significant increase in shoot biomass. Combining fungal inoculum with EDTA only yielded a significant increase in shoot biomass when using T. aureoviride at a low EDTA rate, highlighting the interplay between fungal species and EDTA rates on plant growth. Results also indicated that EDTA application increased Cu bioavailability, enhancing Cu dissolution and root (not shoot) Cu concentrations. Conversely, inoculation with both Trichoderma species reduced Cu mobility and bioavailability in soil, thereby decreasing the shoot Cu concentrations of plants. When combined with EDTA, only application of T. harzianum resulted in an enhanced shoot Cu concentration, whereas combined application of T. aureoviride and EDTA did not make a significant change compared to the corresponding control (no fungal inoculation, no EDTA), possibly due to a lower compatibility of the T. aureoviride isolate with EDTA. Our results demonstrated that EDTA application, in both non-inoculated and inoculated treatments, increased Cu availability by facilitating its redistribution and transformation from less plant-available fractions (residual, Fe/Mn oxide-bound, and carbonate-bound) to the more readily plant-available forms (water-soluble and exchangeable fractions). In conclusion, although individual Trichoderma application proved beneficial for phytostabilization by reducing Cu content and mitigating Cu toxicity in plants, the combined application of EDTA and a compatible Trichoderma isolate (here, the T. harzianum isolate) holds promise for enhancing the phytoextraction capacity of plants. Although using maize has the advantage of being a food crop, to optimize phytoextraction, plant species with superior metal tolerance and phytoextraction capabilities should be selected, exceeding those of maize., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Background: CD19 + IL-10 + B cells are considered as a particular subset of immunosuppressive cells by producing interleukin 10 (IL-10), which plays an important role in infectious and autoimmune diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the number of CD19 + IL-10 + B cells in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) positive patients in comparison with H. pylori negative patients, and to determine the association with different clinical outcomes, such as gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD), in infected patients., Methods and Materials: We studied 25 infected patients with gastritis, 25 infected patients with PUD, and 25 patients negative for H. pylori. The number of CD19 + IL-10 + B cells was determined by immunofluorescence., Results: The number of CD19 + IL-10 + B cells in patients infected with H. pylori was significantly 2.5-fold higher than uninfected patients (P < 0.0001). Also, the number of CD19 + IL-10 + B cells in infected patients with gastritis was significantly 1.45-fold elevated compared to infected patients with PUD (P = 0.001)., Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the increased number of CD19 + IL-10 + B cells in infected patients and its association with other cells may play an important role in the pathogenesis of H. pylori infection., (Copyright © 2020 Southern Society for Clinical Investigation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been shown to be one of the leading causes of peptic ulcer diseases (PUDs) and gastritis. T helper-22 (Th22) cells and its most important cytokine, interleukin-22 (IL-22) are importantly active in inflammation and inflammatory tissues. Since inflammation is one of the main attributes of infection caused by H. pylori and resulting complications (gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcer), this study was designed to evaluate the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression in people suffering from PUD and gastritis. The present study was conducted on 55 patients with gastritis, 47 patients with PUD and 48 uninfected subjects. After preparation of section and extraction of protein from antral biopsies, immunohistochemistry and western blot methods were used to evaluate the Th22 cells and IL-22 protein expression level, respectively. According to findings, the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression level in the infected subjects were siginficantly more than in the uninfected subjects. It should be noted that the Th22 cells count and the IL-22 protein expression level in the infected subjects with PUD were significantly greater than those in the infected subjects with gastritis. In addition, the Th22 cells count had positive correlation with the density of H. pylori, chronic inflammation score and acute inflammatory score in the infected subjects with PUD. The Th22 cells count had positive correlation with the Th17 cells count and inverse correlation with the Treg cells count in the infected subjects with PUD and gastritis. Our data demonstrated that abnormal hyper-activation of Th22 cells as well as its correlation with the Th17 cells during infection caused by H. pylori might damage tissues through immunopathological responses.

Background: Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a common disease worldwide moreover known as stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer. Increased the number of T CD4 + helper cells in response to gastric infection by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) play an important role in the development of PUD. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of T-bet + cells in H. pylori-infection, its interaction with Th17/Treg cells and its association with the clinical consequences of the infection., Methods: A total of 63 patients with PUD, 89 patients with gastritis and 48 H. pylori-negative subjects were enrolled in this study. The number of T-bet + cells were determined by immunohistochemistry., Results: The numbers of T-bet + cells and INF-γ expression in infected patients were significantly higher than uninfected. Moreover, the number of T-bet + cells and INF-γ expression in infected patients with PUD were significantly higher than infected patients with gastritis. Additionally, the number of T-bet + cells and INF-γ expression were found to be inversely correlated with degree of H. pylori density and chronic inflammation score (CIS) in infected patients with gastritis disease, but this correlation was positive in the infected patients with PUD. The number of T-bet + cells was found to be positively correlated with the number of Th17 cells and inversely correlated with the number of Treg cells in infected patients with gastritis and PUD., Conclusion: Abnormal hyper-activation of T-bet + cells during H. pylori-infection may lead to tissue damage caused by immunopathologic reactions., (Copyright © 2019 IMSS. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Despite the fact that cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential element for plants, it can influence nutrients and affect human health. Potassium (K) can influence the transportation of heavy metals (HMs) in soil-plant systems. Here, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of Cd and K fertilizers on the different partitioning forms of HMs, their concentrations, uptake in the shoots and roots of Ocimum basilicum. Treatments comprised 2 levels of Cd (0 and 40 mg kg -1 ) and three levels of K (0, 100, and 200 mg kg -1 ) from three sources, i.e. KCl, K 2 SO 4, and K-nano-chelate. 40 mg Cd kg -1 increased the shoot (above ground parts) Cd concentration. Addition of K as KCl, K 2 SO 4, and K-nano-chelate increased the presence of Cd in shoots by 86, 82 and 76%, respectively, compared to the control. Using the nano-chelate of K can increase the accumulation of Cd in plants grown on contaminated soils to lesser content than that of the other forms of K. Application of 40 mg Cd kg -1 reduced the concentration of Zn, Cu, and Mn in the shoot, but increased shoot Fe concentration. Transfer factor (TF), which is the ratio of metal concentration in shoot to its concentration in root, of the studied HMs, was significantly affected by Cd and K treatments. Therefore, the proper form and dose of chemical fertilizers should be applied in Cd-contaminated soils.

Background and Study Aims: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of most important gastro-duodenal diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD) and gastric cancer. H. pylori upregulates the expression and activity of several matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the gastric mucosa, but the role of MMP-3 and MMP-9 in infected patients with H. pylori have not been clearly defined yet. We examined mucosal MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA levels in gastric mucosa of H. pylori infected patients and evaluated the effects of virulence factors cagA and vacA allelic variants on these levels. We also determined correlation between mucosal MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA levels and types of disease., Patients and Methods: Total RNA was extracted from gastric biopsies of 50 H. pylori-infected patients and 50 H. pylori-negative patients. Mucosal MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expression level in H. pylori-infected and non-infected gastric biopsies were determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Presence of vacA (vacuolating cytotoxin A) and cagA (cytotoxin associated gene A) virulence factors were evaluated using PCR., Results: The levels of MMP-3 in gastric mucosa were not different between H. pylori-positive and H. pylori-negative patients. There was no correlation between MMP-3 mRNA expression and virulence factor (cagA and vacA allelic variants) and the different types of disease (gastritis and PUD) in infected patients. But MMP-9 mRNA expression was significantly higher in biopsies of H. pylori-infected patients compared to H. pylori-negative patients. Also mucosal MMP-9 mRNA expression in H. pylori-infected patients was significantly associated with cagA status PUD., Conclusion: Our results suggest that MMP-9 might be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori. PUD could be associated with cag PAI-dependent MMP-9 upregulation., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Background: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) is one of the pathogenic factors responsible for intestinal injury in Ulcerative colitis (UC). Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) plays a critical role against ROS factors to conserve epithelial integrity. This study aimed to localize Nrf2 and IL-17A protein in the inflamed mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis. The gene expression of Nrf2 was also correlated with GST-A4 and PRDX1., Materials and Methods: A total of 20 patients and 20 healthy controls with definite UC based on the clinical criteria were enrolled for this study. The expression pattern of Nrf2 and IL-17A protein was compared in inflamed and non-inflamed colonic biopsies by immunohistochemical staining. Nrf2, GST-A4 and PRDX1 gene expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)., Results: In inflamed colonic biopsies, an increased level of Nrf2 protein factor was detected in epithelial cells. Conversely, IL-17A protein was presented more in mononuclear cells in mucosa and lamina propria regions. A significant increase of Nrf2, GST-A4 gene expression was observed in both mild and severe patients with ulcerative colitis. GST-A4 gene expression indicated a high exponential rate in logistic regression., Conclusion: Oxidative stress in inflamed colonic tissue can induce Nrf2 gene expression. The performance of Nrf2 transcription factor may lead to the induction of GST-A4 and PRDX1. IL-17A is less detected in intestinal inflammation, presenting Nrf2 factor. The present findings suggest that Nrf2 function in the gut plays a role in arresting both inflammatory response and oxidative damages of UC., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Background: During Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection CD4 + T cells in the gastric lamina propria are hyporesponsive and polarized by Th1/Th17 cell responses controlled by Treg cells. The objective of this study was to determine the number of Th17 cells in gastric mucosa of patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer and determined the relationship between main virulence factor of H. pylori and Th17 cells., Methods and Materials: A total of 89 H. pylori-infected gastritis patients, 63 H. pylori-infected peptic ulcer patients and 48 H. pylori-negative non-ulcer dysplasia patients were enrolled in this study. The number of Th17 was determined by immunohistochemistry. IL-8 and IL-17A expressions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Also, the grade of chronic and active inflammation was investigated for involvement according to the density of neutrophils and mononuclear in gastric mucosal crypts, from one to all crypts., Results: The number of Th17 cells and the expression of IL-8 and IL-17A in infected patients were significantly higher than uninfected subjects. The number of Th17 cells and the expression of IL-8 and IL-17A in infected patients with peptic ulcer were significantly higher than patients with gastritis. Additionally, the numbers of Th17 cells as well as the expression of IL-8 and IL-17A were positively correlated with the degree of H. pylori density in infected patients with peptic ulcer, while this correlation was negative in infected patients with gastritis. The numbers of Th17 cells as well as the expression of IL-8 and IL-17A were positively correlated with the degree of chronic inflammation., Conclusion: The predominant Th17 cell responses may play a role in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcers disease in infected patients., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) chronically colonizes gastric/duodenal mucosa and induces gastroduodenal disease such as gastritis and peptic ulcer and induces vigorous innate and specific immune responses; however, the infection is not removed, a state of chronic active gastritis persists for life if untreated. The objective of this study was to determine the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in gastric mucosa of patients with gastritis and peptic ulcer and determined the relationship between main virulence factor of H. pylori and Tregs., Methods and Materials: A total of 89 patients with gastritis, 63 patients with peptic ulcer and 40 healthy, H. pylori-negative subjects were enrolled in this study. Expression of CD4 and Foxp3 was determined by immunohistochemistry. Antrum biopsy was obtained for detection of H. pylori, bacterial virulence factors and histopathological assessments. TGF-β1, IL-10 and FOXP3 expressions were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR)., Results: The numbers of CD4 + and Foxp3 + T cells as well as the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1, FOXP3, INF-γ and IL-17A in infected patients were significantly higher than the ones in uninfected patients. Also, the number of CD4 + T cells was independent on the vacuolating cytotoxin A (vacA) and outer inflammatory protein A (oipA), but it was positively correlated with cytotoxin-associated gene A (cagA). Instead, the number of Foxp3 + T cells was dependent on the vacA and oipA, but it was independent on cagA. The number of Foxp3 + T cells and the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1 and FOXP3 in infected patients with gastritis were significantly higher than the ones in infected patients with peptic ulcer. Moreover, the number of CD4 + T cells and the expression of IL-17A and INF-γ was the lowest in the gastritis patients, however, increased progressively in the peptic ulcer patients. Additionally, the numbers of CD4 + and Foxp3 + T cells as well as the expression of IL-10, TGF-β1, FOXP3 and INF-γ were positively correlated with the degree of H. pylori density and chronic inflammation., Conclusion: Tregs are positively associated with vacA alleles and oipA status of H. pylori and histological grade but negatively associated with peptic ulcer disease., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has been involved in the pathogenesis of most important gastroduodenal diseases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a large family of zincendopeptidases which play important roles in degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and various inflammatory diseases. Therefore, we examined MMP-7 mRNA levels in the gastric mucosa of patients with H. pylori infection and evaluated the effects of virulence factors, such as vacA (vacuolating cytotoxin A) and cagA (cytotoxin-associated gene), in H. pylori-infected patients upon the MMP-7 mRNA mucosal levels. We also determined the correlation between mucosal MMP-7 mRNA levels and the types of disease. Total RNA was extracted from gastric biopsies of 50 H. pylori-infected patients and 50 uninfected individuals. Mucosal MMP-7 mRNA expression level in H. pylori-infected and non-infected gastric biopsies was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The presences of cagA and vacA virulence factors was evaluated using PCR. MMP-7 expression was significantly higher in biopsies of patients infected with H .pylori compared to uninfected individuals. In addition, mucosal MMP-7 mRNA expression in H. pylori-infected patients significantly associated with the cagA status and the types of disease. Our results suggest that MMP-7 might be involved in the pathogenesis of H. pylori. Peptic ulcer was associated with cag pathogenicity island-dependent MMP-7 upregulation.

Purpose: The Mechanical properties of the ureteral wall may be altered by certain diseases such as megaureter. Ureter compliance and wall tension alterations can occur, leading to some abnormalities such as reflex mechanisms. Familiarizing with the mechanical properties of the ureter can help us advance in the understanding of urinary tract diseases., Materials and Methods: A constitutive model that can predict the mechanical response of ureteral tissue under complex mechanical loading is required. Parameters characterizing the mechanical behaviour of the material were estimated from planar biaxial test data, where human ureter specimens were simultaneously loaded along the longitudinal and circumferential directions., Results: The biaxial stress-stretch curve was plotted and fitted to a hyperelastic four-parameter Fung type model and five-parameter Mooney-Rivlin model. The average strength in the longitudinal direction was 3.48 ± 0.47 MPa and 2.31 ± 0.46 MPa (P <.05) for the circumferential direction.In the Fung model the value of parameter a2 (0.699 ± 0.17) was higher than a1 (0.279 ± 0.07), which may be due to the collagen fiber orientation's preference along the longitudinal axis., Conclusion: According to this study, it seems that ureter tissue is stiffer in the longitudinal than in the circumferential direction and maybe the collagen fiber are along the axial axes. Also the specimens showed some degree of anisotropy.

Objective: The incidence of cognitive impairment is increasing with age; however, little is known about the role of hyperglycemia in cognitive impairment. This study focuses on investigating the relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 and cognitive impairment., Methods: 60 diabetic patients, amongst whom, 30 had a well-controlled diabetes status and the other 30 had not. These patients were compared to 60 non-diabetic controls whose age, sex and educational class matched with the individuals of the first group. Patients with important risk factors for cognitive disorders (renal failure, major depressive disorders and psychoactive drug users, cerebrovascular accident history, etc.) were not included in the study. Modified Mini Mental Status examination (mMMSE) was done for all patients by a blinded expert examiner., Results: Subjects with diabetes (n=60) had lower MMSE score than those without diabetes (P<.01). Diabetes was also associated with increased odds of cognitive decline as determined by MMSE scores (odds ratio=1.9; CI=95%, 1.01-3.6). A significant correlation between duration of disease and cognitive dysfunction was observed, P=0.001. Also, the same correlation was found for quality of diabetes control, P=0.002., Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus is associated with lower levels of cognitive function.