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  Background & Objectives: Stem cells are fundamental supporter of multicellular tissue. They allow blood, bone, gametes, epithelia, nervous system, muscle, and other tissues to be replaced by fresh cells throughout life. In recent years human Wharton’s jelly stem cells (WJSCs) have gained attention. They express a number of surface markers characteristic of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were isolated using explant method. To show the stemness property of these cells, three CD markers including CD105, CD44 and CD34 were tested.

  Methods: The umbilical cord samples were collected by Caesarian section at Arta Hospital in Ardabil. Cords were transferred in sterile conditions and stem cells were isolated using explant method. After log phase, cells were passaged then growth characteristics and CD105, CD44 and CD34 markers investigated by RT-PCR.

  Results: Separation of human Wharton’s jelly stem cells were started after 7 days. WJSCs in culture revealed two distinct cell population named Type 1 and Type 2. RT-PCR results showed that WJSCs were CD105⁺, CD44⁺ and CD34^-.

  Conclusion: Human umbilical cord stem cells could be an alternative source instead bone marrow stem cells for cell therapy and tissue engineering. These cells have a fibroblastic appearance. Following the lag phase and into log phase respectively, cells grow easily in culture and retain stemness properties in higher passages.

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  Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare disease characterized by focal or diffuse eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal system. The clinical presentation is depending on the involved area and its extension into the layers of the gastrointestinal tract. We repor ted a case of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in the setting of cryptogenic cirrhosis which initially appeared as a tumoral obstruction of the 3^rd portion of duodenum which is relieved by surgical bypass and two years later presented as eosinophilic ascitis. The patient was treated with corticosteroid with full absorption of ascitis.

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  Background & objectives: Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells that replace dead or injured cells. There are adult stem cells in some regions of human tissues and hair follicle is one of the tissues that have adult stem cell source and these cells have an important role in hair life cycle. In this study, we investigated the isolation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers on the isolated cells.

  Methods : Human hair follicles obtained from men scalp tissue by micro punch technique. Hair follicles isolated and cultured in culture flasks in DMEM-F12 + FBS. After outgrowth of stem cells from hair bulges, they analyzed by flow cytometry for detection of stem cell markers.

  Results: 23 to 27 days after isolation and culture of HFSCs in uncoated cell culture flasks, cell surface markers expression studied by flow cytometry. Flow cytometric analysis showed 25.26% Stro-1, 50.85% CD90, 45.24% CD105, 61.20% CD44, 8.20% CD45, 11.86% CD146, 2.72% CD106, 7.21% CD166 and 26.74% CD19 expression in HFSCs.

  Conclusion: In this study, isolated stem cells significantly expressed some of the mesenchymal stem cell markers higher than other markers. These markers give certain characteristics to HFSCs, and introduce the cells as an alternative option for cell therapy, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

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Background & objectives: Iron overload is involved in the pathophysiology of many diseases including diabetes. In fact, the excess iron by creating free radicals makes damage to pancreas and leads to insulin resistance and diabetes. Andrographolide extract has hypoglycemic and antioxidant properties. This study has surveyed the effects of andrographolide on blood glucose and lipid profile in rats with secondary iron overload.

Methods: In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the healthy control group, secondary iron overload group, secondary iron overload groups treated with a dose of 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of andrographolide extract, and andrographolide groups treated with a dose of 3.5 and 7 mg/kg of extract. Iron and extract were injected for 6 and 12 days, respectively. Blood samples were taken for measurement of blood glucose and lipid profiles. Data were analyzed using ANOVA test.

Results: The pathological results of samples from liver of animals receiving iron showed that the iron was deposited in the liver tissues. Iron injection significantly increased blood glucose levels compared to healthy control group (p<0.05). In the iron overload group, andrographolide extract with a dose of 3.5 mg/kg or 7 mg/kg significantly decreased blood glucose levels (p<0.05). Iron injections did not increase the serum triglyceride and cholesterollevels. Injections of andrographolide extract with a dose of 3.5 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg, significantly decreased the cholesterol levels compared to iron receiving group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that the andrographolide with different doses may be effective in the treatment of diabetes by reducing serum glucose and cholesterol levels.

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Background & objectives: The relationship between dietary patterns and esophageal cancer has not been documented yet. However, recent studies have shown that the Western dietary pattern is associated with an increased risk of esophageal cancer. The current study was performed a comparative evaluation of the food habits and serum nitrate level in patients with esophageal cancer and healthy individuals in Gorgan city.
Methods: In a case-control study, 44 patients with esophageal cancer (the case group) and 44 healthy subjects (control group) were selected for one year in Gorgan city. Anthropometric factors were measured, and then demographic and dietary data were recorded using general and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs), respectively. Fasting blood samples from both groups were collected to measure serum nitrate levels. Data were analyzed by independent t-test, Chi-square, Fisher, and Monte Carlo tests.
Results: the mean weight, body mass index (BMI) and serum nitrate levels were statistically lower in the case group than in control group (p<0.05). Salt intake, smoking cigarette or hookah was higher in patients than in control group (p<0.05). Based on nutritional habits , consumption of bread , rice, saturated fats, hot tea, sausages and industrial soft drinks was statistically higher in the patient group than control group, but intake of vegetables, fruits, unsaturated fats, honey and grilled meat was lower in patients  than control group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Consumption of fast foods, hot tea and saturated fats may be associated with esophageal cancer. Serum nitrate levels were lower in patients than control group, probably indicating the need for further research in this field.

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Background & objectives: Andrographolide has potent antioxidant properties. There is still not a complete understanding of the antioxidant effects of andrographolide. In this study, the effect of andrographolide on the serum antioxidant activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase was investigated in the rats with secondary iron overload. 
Methods: In this experimental study, 32 rats were divided into 4 groups of 8 each. The groups included: 1-Control 2- Receiving iron 3- Receiving iron treated with 7 mg/kg andrographolide 4- Receiving 7 mg/kg andrographolide. The serum activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase and serum level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was measured using colorimetric method. Prussian blue was used to evaluate iron deposition in liver.
Results: The results showed that iron was deposited in the liver. The activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in the secondary iron receiving group, compared to control group, was significantly increased (p<0.05). The activity of catalase was significantly decreased in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared to the control and iron receiving groups (p<0.05). Also, the activity of superoxide dismutase in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide decreased significantly compared to the iron receiving group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the iron receiving group were higher than the control group (p<0.05). Serum levels of malondialdehyde in the group receiving iron and treated with andrographolide, compared with the iron receiving group, showed a significant decrease (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Andrographolide (7mg/kg) reduced the serum activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde serum levels in rats with secondary iron overload.

 
 

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Background & objectives: Due to the widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and their possible unwanted effects in biological environments, we made an attempt to investigate the effect of ZnO-NPs on the blood lipid profile.
Methods: In this study, 24 male Wistar rats were used. The rats were randomly divided into three groups: control group, the group receiving ZnO-NPs at 25 mg/kg (ZnO-NPs 25 mg/kg) and the group receiving ZnO-NPs at 50 mg/kg (ZnO-NPs 50 mg/kg). The duration of the test was two weeks. The blood samples were taken and the serums were separated. Serum levels of triglyceride, cholesterol, VLDL, LDL and HDL were determined using standard kits and methods.
Results: Based on the findings of this study, serum levels of triglyceride and VLDL in both ZnO-NPs receiving groups were significantly increased in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Also,  the serum levels of HDL , LDL and LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly in both ZnO-NPs receiving groups compared to the control group (p<0.05), while the  serum cholesterol levels did not change compared with the control group.
Conclusion: Our results showed that 25 and 50 mg/kg doses of ZnO-NPs had both harmful (increase triglyceride and VLDL and reduction of HDL) and beneficial (reduction of LDL and LDL/HDL ratio) effects on the blood lipid profile.

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Background & objectives: Several studies have shown that pentoxifylline is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. Pentoxifylline (PTX), has been shown to exert protective effects on autoimmune disorders. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of pentoxifylline on histopathology of pancreas in diabetic mice.
Methods: Diabetes was induced by multiple injection of low-dose streptozotocin (40 mg/kg/day for 5 consecutive days) in male C57BL/6 mice. After induction of diabetes, mice were treated with pentoxifylline (100 mg/kg/day i.p.) for 21 days. The nitric oxide levels were evaluated in spleen cell culture supernatant. Pancreases were isolated and stained by hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Gomori aldehyde fuchsin (GAF).
Results: Pentoxifylline treatment significantly inhibited the production of nitric oxide (p<0.05). In addition, PTX improved the pancreas tissue. It increased the mean diameter of islets and the number of islets and beta cells. (p<0.05).
Conclusion: These findings indicated that pentoxifylline might have a therapeutic effect against the autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta-cells during the development of STZ-induced type 1 diabetes in mice.
 

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Background & objectives:  Fleas are clinically important parasites for affecting human health. These insects are carriers of some pathogens such as Yersinia pestis, Rickettsia typhi, Q fever, Tularemia and Bartonella henselae which are infectious for humans and animals. The aim of this cross –sectional study was to detection of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia pathogens in infected Ctenocephalides canis and Pulex irritans using molecular method in West and Northwest of Iran.
Methods: The present study is a, descriptive, cross-sectional study (prevalence rate=10%, confidence level=95%,  error rate=5%) which  performed on samples collected from five provinces including  Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Azerbaijan Western, Lorestan and Hamedan for 13 months from May 2018 to June 2019. In this study, samples were collected by optical trap, human prey and direct isolation of the sample from the host and identified in the parasitology laboratory using valid diagnostic keys. The prevalence of Rickettsia, Bartonella and Wolbachia in the collected samples was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Amplification and sequencing of gltA, pap31 and 16SrRNA genes were used for molecular diagnosis of  Rickettsia, Bartonella, and Wolbachia respectively.
Results: The collected samples included 918(47.39%) fleas of C.canis and 1019 (52.60%) fleas of P.irritant. The PCR products of each gene was subject to sequencing. In this study, 12.9% , 5.21% and 5.21% of fleas were positive for  Wolbachia , Rickettsia and Bartonella, respectively .
Conclusion: Bartonella, Rickettsia and Welbachia are vector borne infectious agent. Due to their high pathogenicity and easily transmission among insect and human, monitoring of insects is essential for the controlling of the infection and preserving the public health in endemic area.

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Background & objectives: Research on intelligent nanomaterials that accelerate the process of nerve regeneration and treatment by different methods such as antioxidant effects, stimulation of nerve cell proliferation, modulation of the immune system and inflammatory factors is great importance. The aim of this study was to prepare cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles and evaluate its antioxidant and cytotoxicity effects on PC12 cell line.
Methods: Cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles were prepared and their structural properties were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). To evaluate the antioxidant properties of the compounds, free radical trapping methods 2 and 2 diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl were used. Cell viability in the presence of compounds was measured by a toxicity test (MTT) [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide]. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post hoc test.
Results: FTIR spectra and TEM images showed the processing of nanoparticles with an average size of less than 100 nm with cinnamon coating on their surface. Also, the antioxidant capacity of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles was significantly higher (*p<0.038) than extracts and nanoparticles alone at similar concentrations. Evaluation the results of cytotoxicity showed that the lowest toxicity was observed in the cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles group.
Conclusion: Results showed higher antioxidant properties and low cytotoxic effects of cinnamon-coated cerium oxide nanoparticles compared to other groups, which leads to better efficacy, proliferation, longer cell survival, its green synthesis and coverage by cinnamon

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Background & objectives: Covid's anxiety is a threat to students' mental health and it is important to identify the psychological factors that affect it .The aim of the present study was to investigate the structural relationships of Covid-19 anxiety disorder based on cognitive flexibility with the mediating role of perceived social support in students.
Methods: In this descriptive-correlational study, based on Kameri and Lee rule, 322 students of Islamic Azad University of Tehran Markaz were selected online through cluster random sampling. Coronavirus Anxiety Inventory, Psychological Flexibility Questionnaire and Perceived Social Support Questionnaire were used to collect data. Data analysis was performed using structural equation modeling by SPSS₂₇ and AMOS₂₄ statistical software.
Results: The general model of the research was consistent with the experimental data (RMSEA=0.056). There was a negative and significant relationship between cognitive flexibility (p=0.001, β= -0.262) and social support (p=0.001, -0.516) with Covid-19 anxiety. Using the bootstrap method, the mediating role of social support between cognitive flexibility and covid-19 disease anxiety was confirmed (p=0.008, -0.338).
Conclusion: Given the inverse relationship between the level of anxiety caused by the Covid-19 epidemic and cognitive flexibility and confirmation of the mediating role of social support in students, it seems necessary to improve psychological flexibility and supportive measures by the family and others during coronavirus epidemic.

 

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Candida albicans is the most common cause of invasive candidiasis, but in recent years the incidence of infections caused by other species such as Candida Kruzei, Candida glabrata, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis and Candida lusitania has increased. In the last decade, the treatment methods for invasive candidiasis have changed completely, and a successful treatment depends on the timely start of treatment, the selection of an effective drug, and the lack of resistance of the fungus to that particular drug. On the other hand, the widespread use of immunosuppressive drugs as well as organ transplants has all caused widespread problems in the treatment of invasive candidiasis. Together, these observations highlight a rationale for the immediate development of new immunotherapy methods to enhance antifungal therapy in immunocompromised hosts. The past decade has seen great advances in our understanding of fungal immunobiology, leading to a number of new molecular and cellular immunotherapy methods for invasive fungal infections. Therefore, the aim of this study was to review the common and new antifungal drugs in the treatment of invasive candidiasis and to discuss the role of immunotherapy in better prevention and control of the disease.

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Background & objectives: Tissue engineering is a growing field to repair and replace the defective function of damaged tissue or organ, and today it is proposed as a new treatment to replace conventional transplant methods. For this purpose, polymeric biomaterials (scaffolds) and living cells are used. The purpose of this study is to fabricate polycaprolactan (PCL) nanoscaffold and load silymarin on the nanoscaffold to check the biocompatibility and proliferation ability of pc12 cells on it.
Methods: In order to prepare polycaprolactan nanoscaffold and load silymarin on it, 7% polycaprolactan solution (dissolved in acetic acid) was mixed with silymarin solution with a concentration of 0.9% (weight percent), and then the scaffold was prepared using electrospinning device. The morphology of the scaffold was evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the chemical structure of the scaffold was evaluated by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Toxicity of the scaffold and cell survival of PC12 cells were investigated by MTT test and SEM microscope respectively.
Results: Examining the morphology of the scaffold and its chemical structure showed the appropriate porosity of the scaffold and the successful loading of silymarin on the PCL scaffold. The toxicity of the scaffold was investigated 24, 48 and 72 hours after the cultivation of PC12 cells, and the results showed an increase in cell viability and proper attachment of cells on the scaffold.
Conclusion: The results of this research showed that the loading of silymarin on polycaprolactan scaffold increases the proliferation and survival of PC12 cells. Therefore, this scaffold can be a suitable candidate for nerve tissue engineering.
 

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Background & objectives: One of the functions of RNA editing is to change the RNA sequence without changing the genomic DNA sequence and changing the fate of cellular RNA. Therefore, studying the clinical application of RNA editing for targeted therapies is necessary.
Methods: All articles related to the subject of the study were searched in the Scopus,
PubMed/Medline, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Google Scholar database.
Results: The changes that occur within the RNA editing are A to I base replacement by adenosine deaminase (ADAR) on RNA and C to U replacement by the apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing enzyme, catalytic polypeptide1 (APOBEC1). Recently, the role of RNA editing in human diseases has been reported.
Conclusion: RNA editing can be used as a new strategy to identify new disease biomarkers and more personalized treatments for various diseases.
 

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Background: Given the high prevalence of obesity and overweight and the detrimental impact on the mental health of affected people, the objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of narrative therapy on social physique anxiety in obese and overweight women.
Methods: The current research was a semi-experimental type, with a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The study population for this research consisted of all obese and overweight women in Tabriz city in 2023. 30 women were selected by the available sampling method and were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group received narrative treatment in 8 sessions of 90 minutes, while the control group did not receive any treatment and was placed on the waiting list. At the end of the treatment period, a post-test was performed in both groups. The Social Physique Anxiety Scale by Hart et al. (1989) was used as the measurement tool. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (covariance test with repeated measures) by SPSS-24 software.
Results: In the pre-test, the mean and standard deviation of social physique anxiety in the experimental group were 44.33±2.289, while in the control group, it was 43.67±3.063. In the post-test stage, the values for social physique anxiety in the experimental group were 36.33±3.117, while in the control group, it was 43.80±3.385. The results indicated the effectiveness of narrative therapy (p<0.001). In the follow-up stages, it was found that the effects of narrative therapy are lasting (p<0.001).
Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that narrative can be an effective method for reducing social physique anxiety in obese and overweight women.
 

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