Identification and comparison of the yield and composition of essential oil constituents of four Eucalyptus species adapted to the climatic conditions of Khorramabad

Introduction: Eucalyptus has more than 400 species, while only a few species of this genus have been imported in Iran. In this study we aimed to investigate chemical compounds of the essential oils of Eucalyptus species adapted in Lorestan climate. Methods: In this study, the fresh young leaves of four different Eucalyptus species including E. suggrandis, E. globulus subsp. bicostata, E. nitens and E. globulus subsp. maidenii were collected in spring (the middle of May) in khorramabad, Iran. The powder of air-dried leaves of different species of Eucalyptus was subjected to hydro-distillation using a Clevenger-type apparatus. The chemical compositions of different essential oils were detected using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and determination of their retention time (RT), retention index (RI) and Mass Spectra. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results of this study indicated that there was significant difference (P&lt;0.01) among the yield and chemical compounds of the essential oils of studied species. The results showed that the yield of essential oil extracted from E. suggrandis, E. globulus bicostata, E. nitens and E. globulus maidenii were 1.12, 1.34, 2.57 and 5.38, respectively. Conclusion: The essential oil constituents of four Eucalyptus species plant were different in among of some compounds. E. globulus maidenii&nbsp; &nbsp;had most content of essential oil and 1.8-Cineole compound so it is necessary to identify quality and quantity characteristics of compounds available in this plant.</p

Muscle-specific overexpression of AdipoR1 or AdipoR2 gives rise to common and discrete local effects whilst AdipoR2 promotes additional systemic effects

Hypoadiponectinemia and adiponectin resistance are implicated in the aetiology of obesity-related cardiometabolic disorders, hence represent a potential therapeutic axis. Here we characterised the effects of in vivo electrotransfer-mediated overexpression of the adiponectin receptors, AdipoR1 or AdipoR2, into tibialis anterior muscle (TAM) of lean or obese mice. In lean mice, TAM-specific overexpression of AdipoR1 (TAMR1) or AdipoR2 (TAMR2) increased phosphorylation of AMPK, AKT and ERK and expression of the insulin responsive glucose transporter glut4. In contrast, only TAMR2 increased pparα and a target gene acox1. These effects were decreased in obese mice despite no reduction in circulating adiponectin levels. TAMR2 also increased expression of adipoQ in TAM of lean and obese mice. Furthermore, in obese mice TAMR2 promoted systemic effects including; decreased weight gain; reduced epididymal fat mass and inflammation; increased epididymal adipoQ expression; increased circulating adiponectin. Collectively, these results demonstrate that AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 exhibit overlapping and distinct effects in skeletal muscle consistent with enhanced adiponectin sensitivity but these appear insufficient to ameliorate established obesity-induced adiponectin resistance. We also identify systemic effects upon TAMR2 in obese mice and postulate these are mediated by altered myokine production. Further studies are warranted to investigate this possibility which may reveal novel therapeutic approaches

Self-Powered Plasmonic UV Detector, Based on Reduced Graphene Oxide/Ag Nanoparticles

We report a plasmonic self-poweredUV detector based on triboelectric nanogenerators, for the first time. The proposed structure benefits from plasmon-Assisted photoresponse in reduced graphene oxide/Ag nanoparticles heterostructure, serving as a high-sensitive photoconductive layer in the fabricated triboelectric nanogenerator. Ag nanoparticlesenhance the contacting surface area of the triboelectric nanogenerator, and improve the output open circuit voltage by a factor of about five. The presented triboelectric nanogenerator operates as an active self-powered UV detector so that the open circuit voltage is modulated by the UV illumination. The open circuit voltage sensitivity (δV p-p/V p-p) is measured as about 50% in response to UV illumination, with illuminationpower density of 500 μW/cm2.</p

7-Chloro-2-[1-(4-methoxy­phen­yl)pyrazol-4-yl]-3,3-dimethyl-3H-indole

In the title compound, C20H18ClN3O, the dihedral angle between the pyrazole and the 3H-indole components is only 13.28 (6)°, indicating that there is conjugation between the two heterocyclic subunits. The N-methoxy­phenyl unit makes a dihedral angle of 25.10 (7)° with the pyrazole ring

Efficacy of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate therapy in nucleoside-analogue naive Iranian patients treated for chronic hepatitis B

Background: Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is a new effective treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Objectives: To evaluate TDF efficacy in nucleos(t)ide analogues (NAs)-naive Iranian patients with CHB. Patients and Methods: The NA-naive patients received TDF for at least six months. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving a complete virological response (CVR) during the treatment. Multivariate Cox regression analysis determined predictive factors independently associated with the time to CVR. The secondary endpoints were biochemical and serological responses, frequency of virological breakthrough, genotypic resistance development, safety and tolerability. Results: In all, 93 patients (64.5 hepatitis B e antigen HBeAg-negative) were eligible. Of these, 70 patients completed 24 months of treatment. The cumulative CVR rates in HBeAg-negative and HBeAg-positive patients were 87% versus 53% at 24 months, respectively. The multivariate Cox regression model showed only HBeAg positivity at baseline and a high baseline HBV DNA level were independent factors predicting a CVR. No patient achieved hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBeAg loss or seroconversion and no virologic breakthrough occurred. A new amino acid substitution (rtD263E) was observed to develop in 60% of patients with viremia. Conclusions: The cumulative CVR rates showed that patients with HBeAg-negative have better virologic respond than those with HBeAg-positive during the same period. The rtD263E mutation might be associated with partial resistance to TDF. © 2015, Kowsar Corp

Evaluating the safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes for treatment of refractory perianal fistula in IBD patients: clinical trial phase I.

BACKGROUND: Exosome administration is a novel medical approach that promises excellent immunomodulatory properties without the conventional side effects of current antitumor necrosis factor drugs and stem cells. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosomes to treat refractory fistulas in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. METHODS: MSCs were derived from the umbilical cords and their exosomes were isolated. Five patients with refractory perianal Crohn's disease fistulas with a median age of 35 years (range 31-47 years) were enrolled in the study. Exosome injections were administered in the operating room to patients with refractory fistula (fistulas that are irresponsive to anti-tumor necrosis factor-α administration within 6 months). Six months later, a physical examination, face-to-face interviews, and magnetic resonance imaging were employed to evaluate the therapy responses of patients. RESULTS: The outcomes within 6 months after initiation of therapy showed that four patients had responded to therapy. Three patients who received exosome injections exhibited complete healing, while one reported no improvement and active discharge from the fistula site. In addition, five patients (100%) reported neither systemic nor local adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of exosomes extracted from MSCs demonstrates safety and a satisfactory therapeutic effect, as evidenced in this and other studies, and may play a significant role in the future treatment of gastrointestinal fistulas

Enzymatic antioxidant system and endothelial function in patients with metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship between serum glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx-1) activity and endothelial dysfunction in the subjects with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS). METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 76 subjects, 38 were patients with MetS and 38 were without MetS. The demographic, clinical, and laboratory features of the subjects were measured and then compared. The MetS was diagnosed according to the definitions of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) and International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Serum GPx-1 activity was measured by standard methods. Endothelial dysfunction was assessed with flow-mediated dilation (FMD) technique. RESULTS: In case-control study of 76 subjects, all of MetS risk factors including abdominal obesity, triglyceride (TG), low serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), hypertension (HTN), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) were significantly higher than healthy individuals (P < 0.050). FMD was significantly lower than normal subjects (P < 0.050). Serum GP-1 activity was significantly lower in patients with MetS compared to normal subjects (21.7 +/- 13.5 vs. 79.0 +/- 38.6, respectively) (P = 0.001). The value of GPx-1 was significantly correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (r = -0.249, P = 0.040), C-reactive protein (CRP) (r = -0.409, P = 0.014), and FMD (r = 0.293, P = 0.050) in patients with MetS. The results of logistic regression showed that a unite increase in CRP (mg/dl), FMD (), and endothelin-1 (ET-1) (pg/ml) and a unit decrease in GPx significantly increased the odds ratio (OR) of MetS; after adjusting for age and sex the results remained significant except for FMD (P < 0.050) CONCLUSION: Endothelial dysfunction is related to serum GPx-1 activity in patients with MetS. GPX-1 activity is associated with risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and peripheral vascular diseases (PVDs) in patients with MetS

The effect of the Iranian health transformation plan on hospitalization rate: Insights from an interrupted time series analysis

Background: Healthcare policy- and decision-makers make efforts to build and maintain high-performing and effective health systems, implementing effectiveness programs and health reforms. In May 2014, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education has launched a series of ambitious reforms, known as the Health Transformation Plan (HTP). This study aimed to determine the effect of the HTP on hospitalization rate in Iranian public hospitals affiliated to the Ministry of Health and Medical Education. Methods: This study was designed as a quasi-experimental, counterfactual study utilizing the interrupted time series analysis (ITSA), comparing the trend of hospitalization rate before and after the HTP implementation in 16 hospitals in the Lorestan province. Data was collected from March 2012 to February 2019. Results: In the first month of the HTP implementation, an increase of 2.627 95% CI: 1.62-3.63 was noted (P < 0.001). Hospitalization rate increased by 0.68 95% CI: 0.32-0.85 after the HTP implementation compared to the first month after the launch of the HTP (P < 0.001). After the HTP implementation, monthly hospitalization rate per 1000 persons significantly increased by 0.049 95% CI: 0.023-0.076 (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The HTP implementation has resulted in an increased hospitalization rate. Health planners should continue to further improve this service. ITSA can play a role in evaluating the impact of a given health policy. © 2020 The Author(s)

Pancreatic beta-cell IL-22 receptor deficiency induces age-dependent dysregulation of insulin biosynthesis and systemic glucose homeostasis

The IL-22RA1 receptor is highly expressed in the pancreas, and exogenous IL-22 has been shown to reduce endoplasmic reticulum and oxidative stress in human pancreatic islets and promote secretion of high-quality insulin from beta-cells. However, the endogenous role of IL-22RA1 signaling on these cells remains unclear. Here, we show that antibody neutralisation of IL-22RA1 in cultured human islets leads to impaired insulin quality and increased cellular stress. Through the generation of mice lacking IL-22ra1 specifically on pancreatic alpha- or beta-cells, we demonstrate that ablation of murine beta-cell IL-22ra1 leads to similar decreases in insulin secretion, quality and islet regeneration, whilst increasing islet cellular stress, inflammation and MHC II expression. These changes in insulin secretion led to impaired glucose tolerance, a finding more pronounced in female animals compared to males. Our findings attribute a regulatory role for endogenous pancreatic beta-cell IL-22ra1 in insulin secretion, islet regeneration, inflammation/cellular stress and appropriate systemic metabolic regulation.IL-22RA1 is highly expressed on pancreatic islets and absent on immune cells. Here, the authors investigate its role by generating animals that lack IL-22RA1 on beta cells and reveal IL22RA1 signalling is critical for insulin biosynthesis and beta-cell health, evidenced by its regulation of MHC II expression and its suppressive effect on inflammation and cellular stress

Cost-effectiveness analysis of adding low dose ribavirin to peginterferon alfa-2a for treatment of chronic hepatitis C infected thalassemia major patients in Iran

Background: The prevalence of hepatitis C in Iran is 1 and 18 in general population and thalassemia patients respectively. The cost effectiveness analysis of adding Ribavirin to Peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG IFN alfa-2a) as a combination treatment strategy of chronic hepatitis C in thalassemia patients in comparison with monotherapy could help clinicians and policy makers to provide the best treatment for the patients. Objectives: In this study we aimed to assess whether adding Ribavirin to PEG IFN alfa-2a is a cost effective strategy in different genotypes and different subgroups of 280 patients with chronic hepatitis C infection from the perspective of society in Iranian setting. Patients and Methods: A cost effectiveness analysis including all costs and outcomes of treatments for chronic hepatitis C infected thalassemia major patients was conducted. We constructed a decision tree of treatment course in which a hypothetical cohort of 100 patients received "PEG IFN alfa-2a" or "Peg IFN alfa-2a plus Ribavirin." The cost analysis was based on cost data for 2008 and we used 9300 Iranian Rials (IR Rial) as exchange rate declared by the Iranian Central Bank on that time to calculating costs by US Dollar (USD). To evaluate whether a strategy is cost effective, one time and three times of GDP per capita were used as threshold based on recommendation of the World Health Organization. Results: The Incremental Cost Effectiveness Ratio (ICER) for combination therapy in genotype-1 and genotypes non-1 subgroups was 2,673 and 19,211 US dollars (USD) per one Sustain Virological Response (SVR), respectively. In low viral load and high viral load subgroups, the ICER was 5,233 and 14,976 USD per SVR, respectively. The calculated ICER for combination therapy in subgroup of patients with previously resistant to monotherapy was 13,006 USD per SVR. Combination therapy in previously resistant patients to combination therapy was a dominant strategy. Conclusions: Adding low dose of Ribavirin to PEG IFN alfa-2a for treatment of chronic hepatitis C patients with genotype-1 was "highly cost effective" and in patients with low viral load and in previous monotherapy resistant patients was "cost effective." © 2013, Kowsar Corp