Co-transplantation of Human Embryonic Stem Cell-derived Neural Progenitors and Schwann Cells in a Rat Spinal Cord Contusion Injury Model Elicits a Distinct Neurogenesis and Functional Recovery

Co-transplantation of neural progenitors (NPs) with Schwann cells (SCs) might be a way to overcome low rate of neuronal differentiation of NPs following transplantation in spinal cord injury (SCI) and the improvement of locomotor recovery. In this study, we initially generated NPs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and investigated their potential for neuronal differentiation and functional recovery when co-cultured with SCs in vitro and co-transplanted in a rat acute model of contused SCI. Co-cultivation results revealed that the presence of SCs provided a consistent status for hESC-NPs and recharged their neural differentiation toward a predominantly neuronal fate. Following transplantation, a significant functional recovery was observed in all engrafted groups (NPs, SCs, NPs+SCs) relative to the vehicle and control groups. We also observed that animals receiving co-transplants established a better state as assessed with the BBB functional test. Immunohistofluorescence evaluation five weeks after transplantation showed invigorated neuronal differentiation and limited proliferation in the co-transplanted group when compared to the individual hESC-NPs grafted group. These findings have demonstrated that the co-transplantation of SCs with hESC-NPs could offer a synergistic effect, promoting neuronal differentiation and functional recovery

The effects of curcumin on glycemic control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic syndrome and related disorders: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs), were performed to determine the effects of curcumin intake on glycemic control and lipid profiles among patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and related disorders. Methods: We searched the following databases up until January 2018: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. The relevant data were extracted and evaluated for quality of the studies in accordance with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Data were pooled using the inverse variance method and expressed as standardized mean difference (MDs) with 95 confidence intervals (95 CI). Results: Twenty-six trials with 1890 participants were included in the current meta-analysis. The findings demonstrated the significant association between curcumin intake and reduced fasting glucose levels (SMD-0.78; 95 CI,-1.20,-0.37; P<0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (SMD-0.91; 95 CI,-1.52,-0.31; P=0.003) and HbA1c (SMD-0.92; 95 CI,-1.37,-0.47; P<0.001). In addition, curcumin supplementation was significantly associated with triglyceride (SMD-1.21; 95 CI,-1.78,-0.65; P<0.001) and total cholesterol reduction (SMD-0.73; 95 CI,-1.32,-0.13; P= 0.01). However, curcumin intake significantly increased insulin levels (SMD 0.92; 95 CI, 0.06, 1.78; P=0.036). We found no significant effect of curcumin supplementation on LDL-(SMD-0.52; 95 CI,-1.14, 0.11; P=0.10) and HDL-cholesterol levels (SMD 0.28; 95 CI,-0.22, 0.77; P=0.27). Conclusion: Overall, curcumin consumption was associated with a significant reduction in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, HbA1c, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels among patients with MetS and related disorders, but did not affect LDL-and HDL-cholesterol levels. © 2018 Bentham Science Publishers

The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Clinical Symptom, Weight Loss, Glycemic Control, Lipid and Hormonal Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is to determine the effectiveness of probiotic supplementation on clinical symptoms, weight loss, glycemic control, lipid and hormonal profiles, and biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Eligible studies were systematically searched from Cochrane Library, Embase, Medline, and Web of Science databases until January 2019. Cochran (Q) and I-square statistics were used to measure heterogeneity among included studies. Data were pooled by using random-effect model and expressed as standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 confidence interval (CI). Eleven articles were included in this meta-analysis. Probiotic supplementation significantly decreased weight (SMD � 0.30; 95 CI, � 0.53, � 0.07; P = 0.01), body mass index (BMI) (SMD � 0.29; 95 CI, � 0.54, � 0.03; P = 0.02), fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (SMD � 0.26; 95 CI, � 0.45, � 0.07; P < 0.001), insulin (SMD � 0.52; 95 CI, � 0.81, � 0.24; P < 0.001), homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (SMD � 0.53; 95 CI, � 0.79, � 0.26; P < 0.001), triglycerides (SMD � 0.69; 95 CI, � 0.99, � 0.39; P < 0.001), VLDL-cholesterol (SMD � 0.69; 95 CI, � 0.99, � 0.39; P < 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (SMD � 1.26; 95 CI, � 2.14, � 0.37; P < 0.001), malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD � 0.90; 95 CI, � 1.16, � 0.63; P < 0.001), hirsutism (SMD � 0.58; 95 CI, � 1.01, � 0.16; P < 0.001), and total testosterone levels (SMD � 0.58; 95 CI, � 0.82, � 0.34; P < 0.001), and also increased the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (SMD 0.41; 95 CI, 0.11, 0.70; P < 0.01), nitric oxide (NO) (SMD 0.33; 95 CI 0.08, 0.59; P = 0.01), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD 0.64; 95 CI, 0.38, 0.90; P < 0.001), glutathione (GSH) (SMD 0.26; 95 CI, 0.01, 0.52; P = 0.04), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels (SMD 0.46; 95 CI, 0.08, 0.85; P = 0.01). Probiotic supplementation may result in an improvement in weight, BMI, FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol, CRP, MDA, hirsutism, total testosterone, QUICKI, NO, TAC, GSH, and SHBG but did not affect dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate levels, and total, LDL, and HDL cholesterol levels in patients with PCOS. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

The effects of Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes

Background: This study was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co- supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes (GDM) patients. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 120 GDM women. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive: 1) 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) twice a day + vitamin D placebo (n = 30); 2) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30); 3) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids twice a day (n = 30) and 4) vitamin D placebo + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Results: Subjects who received vitamin D plus omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo had significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-2.0 ± 3.3 vs. -0.8 ± 4.4, -1.3 ± 2.4 and +0.9 ± 2.7 mg/L, respectively, P = 0.008), malondialdehyde (-0.5 ± 0.5 vs. -0.2 ± 0.5, -0.3 ± 0.9 and +0.5 ± 1.4 μmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and increased total antioxidant capacity (+92.1 ± 70.1 vs. +55.1 ± 123.6, +88.4 ± 95.2 and +1.0 ± 90.8 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) and glutathione (+95.7 ± 86.7 vs. +23.0 ± 62.3, +30.0 ± 66.5 and -7.8 ± 126.5 μmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001). In addition, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation, compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo, resulted in lower incidences of newborns' hyperbilirubinemiain (P = 0.037) and newborns' hospitalization (P = 0.037). Conclusion: Overall, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on some biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes. © 2017 The Author(s)

The effects of Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in patients with gestational diabetes

Background: This study was carried out to determine the effects of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co- supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes in gestational diabetes (GDM) patients. Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted among 120 GDM women. Participants were randomly divided into four groups to receive: 1) 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) twice a day + vitamin D placebo (n = 30); 2) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30); 3) 50,000 IU vitamin D every 2 weeks + 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids twice a day (n = 30) and 4) vitamin D placebo + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30) for 6 weeks. Results: Subjects who received vitamin D plus omega-3 fatty acids supplements compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo had significantly decreased high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (-2.0 ± 3.3 vs. -0.8 ± 4.4, -1.3 ± 2.4 and +0.9 ± 2.7 mg/L, respectively, P = 0.008), malondialdehyde (-0.5 ± 0.5 vs. -0.2 ± 0.5, -0.3 ± 0.9 and +0.5 ± 1.4 μmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001), and increased total antioxidant capacity (+92.1 ± 70.1 vs. +55.1 ± 123.6, +88.4 ± 95.2 and +1.0 ± 90.8 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001) and glutathione (+95.7 ± 86.7 vs. +23.0 ± 62.3, +30.0 ± 66.5 and -7.8 ± 126.5 μmol/L, respectively, P = 0.001). In addition, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation, compared with vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and placebo, resulted in lower incidences of newborns' hyperbilirubinemiain (P = 0.037) and newborns' hospitalization (P = 0.037). Conclusion: Overall, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids co-supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on some biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes. © 2017 The Author(s)

Molecular pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome based on gene expression

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic bladder inflammation that leads to chronic bladder pain and urinary urgency and frequency. The presentation of IC/PBS is heterogeneous, and it is classified as ulcerative IC/PBS and nonulcerative IC/PBS. The main cause of IC/PBS is thought to be a persistent inflammatory condition in the bladder, though the actual pathophysiology has not been identified yet. Although the underlying pathophysiology of IC/PBS is not completely understood, several theories for the etiology of this syndrome have been suggested, including deficiency of the glycosaminoglycan covering urothelium surface that results in leaky urothelium infection, immunological etiology, activated mast cells, neural changes, and inflammation. In addition, there are no gold standards for the detection of this disorder to date. So, determination of gene expression and its role in different signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disorder contribute to the more efficient cognition of the pathophysiology of this disease and to the design of effective treatments and molecular diagnostic methods for IC/PBS. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Association of hypogonadism with the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with weight loss and muscular weakness. Low serum testosterone level (hypogonadism) may contribute to muscle wasting. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the association of hypogonadism with the severity of COPD. Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 57 patients with COPD who had medical records in the lungs clinic of Qazvin during 2012 and 2013. The patients were divided into two groups of mild and sever disease. Total and free testosterone levels and FEV1 were measured. Smoking status and history of taking corticosteroids were assessed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Findings: Based on free testosterone level, 26.7% of patients with mild disease and 22.2% of patients with severe disease had hypogonadism. Mean total and free serum testosterone levels were not significantly different between the two groups (3.2±1.5 ng/ml and 3.9±1.6 pg/ml in mild group and 3.3±1.1ng/ml and 4.2±1.7pg/ml in sever group). After adjusting for age, body mass index, history of taking corticosteroids and smoking status, the mean total and free testosterone levels were not significantly different between the two groups. Conclusion: With regards to the results, hypogonadism occurs frequently in patients with COPD. It seems that serum testosterone level is not clinically associated with severity of COPD

Molecular pathogenesis of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome based on gene expression

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic bladder inflammation that leads to chronic bladder pain and urinary urgency and frequency. The presentation of IC/PBS is heterogeneous, and it is classified as ulcerative IC/PBS and nonulcerative IC/PBS. The main cause of IC/PBS is thought to be a persistent inflammatory condition in the bladder, though the actual pathophysiology has not been identified yet. Although the underlying pathophysiology of IC/PBS is not completely understood, several theories for the etiology of this syndrome have been suggested, including deficiency of the glycosaminoglycan covering urothelium surface that results in leaky urothelium infection, immunological etiology, activated mast cells, neural changes, and inflammation. In addition, there are no gold standards for the detection of this disorder to date. So, determination of gene expression and its role in different signaling pathways in the pathogenesis of this heterogeneous disorder contribute to the more efficient cognition of the pathophysiology of this disease and to the design of effective treatments and molecular diagnostic methods for IC/PBS. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Tricuspid valve geometry in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation: A three-dimensional echocardiographic study

Introduction: Tricuspid valve (TV) has a complex anatomy causing some difficulties in echocardiographic evaluation. In this study, we sought to assess the geometry of TV in patients with functional tricuspid regurgitation (TR) by the implementation of 2- and 3-dimennsional (2D and 3D) echocardiography. Methods: In a case�control study, the geometrical features of TV were evaluated in forty patients with functional TR using echocardiographic examinations, and those data compared with twenty-five age- and sex-matched healthy individuals. Results: The mean age of patients was 50 ± 12 years, and 75 were female. All echocardiographic features of TV geometry were significantly greater in TR compared to control group. The 3D evaluation of TV annulus showed that the annulus shape was more circular in the TR compared to the control group. When compared patients with moderate and severe TR, there was a significant difference between groups regarding the size of the TV septolateral annulus diameter (3.5 ± 0.4 vs 3.9 ± 0.7 cm; P =.048), and the angle between mitral valve and TV annuluses (12.5 ± 4.3 vs 17 ± 9º; P =.048). Tenting areas measured by 2D echocardiography and obtained by TomTec software were significantly greater in severe TR compared to moderate TR group. The diameter of TV by 2D echocardiography was significantly higher in atrial fibrillation than that in sinus rhythm group among patients with TR. Conclusions: The implementation of 3D echocardiography is useful in the determination of TV geometry in patients with functional TR. The accurate evaluation of anatomical features of TV might provide valuable tools in the evaluation of patients with functional TR. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL