Gene-edited cells: novel allogeneic gene/cell therapy for epidermolysis bullosa.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic skin fragility disorders, which are hereditary. These disorders are associated with mutations in at least 16 genes that encode components of the epidermal adhesion complex. Currently, there are no effective treatments for this disorder. All current treatment approaches focus on topical treatments to prevent complications and infections. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the treatment of the severe genetic skin blistering condition known as EB through preclinical and clinical advancements. Promising developments have emerged in the areas of protein and cell therapies, such as allogeneic stem cell transplantation; in addition, RNA-based therapies and gene therapy approaches have also become a reality. Stem cells obtained from embryonic or adult tissues, including the skin, are undifferentiated cells with the ability to generate, maintain, and replace fully developed cells and tissues. Recent advancements in preclinical and clinical research have significantly enhanced stem cell therapy, presenting a promising treatment option for various diseases that are not effectively addressed by current medical treatments. Different types of stem cells such as primarily hematopoietic and mesenchymal, obtained from the patient or from a donor, have been utilized to treat severe forms of diseases, each with some beneficial effects. In addition, extensive research has shown that gene transfer methods targeting allogeneic and autologous epidermal stem cells to replace or correct the defective gene are promising. These methods can regenerate and restore the adhesion of primary keratinocytes in EB patients. The long-term treatment of skin lesions in a small number of patients has shown promising results through the transplantation of skin grafts produced from gene-corrected autologous epidermal stem cells. This article attempts to summarize the current situation, potential development prospects, and some of the challenges related to the cell therapy approach for EB treatment.

MicroRNA biosensors in lung cancer.

Lung cancer has been one of the leading causes of death over the past century. Unfortunately, the reliance on conventional methods to diagnose the phenotypic properties of tumors hinders early-stage cancer diagnosis. However, recent advancements in identifying disease-specific nucleotide biomarkers, particularly microRNAs, have brought us closer to early-stage detection. The roles of miR-155, miR-197, and miR-182 have been established in stage I lung cancer. Recent progress in synthesizing nanomaterials with higher conductivity has enhanced the diagnostic sensitivity of electrochemical biosensors, which can detect low concentrations of targeted biomarkers. Therefore, this review article focuses on exploring electrochemical biosensors based on microRNA in lung cancer.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of 12 Weeks of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises Training on the Serum Levels of Nesfatin-1, Irisin-1 and HOMA-IR.

Background/objective: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of a 12-week training of the aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), and combined exercise (CE) on the serum levels of nesfatin-1, irisin-1 and some other metabolic and anthropometric indices in overweight women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Sixty overweight women with metabolic syndrome were assigned equally into four groups: aerobic exercise (AE, n = 15), resistance exercise (RE, n = 15), combined exercise (CE, n = 15), and control (n = 15). All groups underwent 12 weeks of intervention. The study variables were measured before and 24 h after the intervention period. Results: Twelve weeks of training resulted in an increase of irisin-1 in the AE and CE groups and nesfatin-1 in all the intervention groups. As expected, all the trained groups exhibited a positive alteration in anthropometric indices and lipid profile in comparison with the control group. Besides, compared with the control group, insulin resistance (based on the homeostatic model assessment) in AE (p = 0.022), RE (p = 0.032), and CE (p < 0.001) groups were reduced significantly. According to the observed changes in the measured indices, serum irisin-1 was significantly correlated with body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. However, with regard to nesfatin-1, only a negative correlation was observed with body fat percentage and LDL-cholesterol. Conclusions: The 12-week systematic training program changed circulating irisin-1 and nesfatin-1. Also, change in the serum irisin-1 and nesfatin-1 were correlated with the change in glycemic and anthropometric indices in addition to LDL-cholesterol. Also, exercise training significantly reduced fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in all the intervention groups. RCT Registration Code: IRCT20180806040721N2.

The effects of aerobic, resistance, and combined exercises on the plasma irisin levels, HOMA-IR, and lipid profiles in women with metabolic syndrome: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Irisin is suggested to be an exercise beneficial effects mediator. This study aimed to examine the effects of the aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), and combined exercise (CE) on the plasma levels of irisin and some metabolic and anthropometric indices. METHODS: Sixty overweight women with metabolic syndrome were assigned equally into four groups: AE, RE, CE, and control. The study variables were measured before and 24 h after the intervention period. RESULTS: None of the study groups showed statistically significant changes in the serum irisin. However, muscle mass significantly increased in the RE and CE groups. Also, a significant decrease was observed in the body fat percentage in all groups. In addition, compared with the control group, the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance in the AE (p = 0.021), RE (p = 0.039), and in the CE (p = 0.003) groups reduced significantly. According to the analysis of indices' changes, serum irisin was significantly correlated with the body fat percentage (r = 0.532) and HOMA-IR (r = 0.424). CONCLUSIONS: The systematic exercise program for 8-weeks did not change circulating irisin and no statistically significant difference was observed between the exercise methods. Also, serum irisin seemed to be associated with the glycemic status, body fat and weight independent of exercise activity. RCT REGISTRATION CODE: IRCT20180806040721N2. REGISTRY NAME: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials.

Exercise and Type 2 Diabetes.

The epidemic of diabetes mellitus has already become a serious global health threat. In the past three decades, the number of people with diabetes mellitus has quadrupled globally, and diabetes mellitus is known as the ninth major cause of death in the world nowadays. The increasing prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus is in coincidence with the augmentation of obesity in most developed countries as well as in developing countries. A sedentary lifestyle is well-known as one of the major reasons for the rising epidemic of type 2 diabetes mellitus besides the other reasons such as adopting energy-dense diets relative to the actual need for energy and population aging. Exercise as a regular physical activity at a medium to vigorous intensity is found to be an efficient influencer that would switch back most of the known type 2 diabetes mellitus factors toward healthier positions. Exercise is proven to have clinical benefits, such as improved insulin sensitivity, reductions in glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C) and increased peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak) which are definitely preventive toward diabetes. Exercise training can favorably affect glycemic parameters, the lipid profile, blood pressure, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Exercise improves blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes, reduces cardiovascular risk factors, and regulates body weight by reducing body fat percentage and enhancing lean mass. In this chapter, the effect of regular exercise on the prevention of diabetes and short-term glucose and energy metabolism will be discussed. In addition, the effect of exercise on most common complications of type 2 diabetes including cardiovascular diseases, dyslipidemia, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy will be reviewed.

Effects of Exercise on the Immune Function, Quality of Life, and Mental Health in HIV/AIDS Individuals.

Physical exercise is a common type of planned physical activity in order to enhance or maintain a person's physical fitness. Physical exercise may act as an effective strategy to take control of certain conditions associated with HIV-1 infection. HIV infection and its related treatments not only affect the immune system but also cause several musculoskeletal disorders including pre-sarcopenia or sarcopenia, myalgia, and low bone mineral density. Moderate- to high-intensity aerobic exercise, progressive resistance exercise, or a combination of both is considered as a complementary part of medical care and treatment of HIV-infected individuals. In the present chapter, the results of recent investigations regarding the effects of physical activity on muscle strength and function, mental health, and immune system of HIV infected individuals will be discussed.

Dietary Habits and Physical Activity are Associated With the Risk of Breast Cancer Among Young Iranian Women: A Case-control Study on 1010 Premenopausal Women.

BACKGROUND: Several studies conducted in developed countries introduced diet and physical inactivity as major risk factors for several types of cancers. However, the impact of diet and physical inactivity on the risk of breast cancer (BC) is understudied, and the limited findings are controversial. In addition, no or limited knowledge is available from the developing world. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study was performed from November 2014 to March 2016 on 1010 young women aged 20 to 50 years who were newly diagnosed with BC. Data was obtained via a validated questionnaire and the global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ2). Also, patients' medical and histopathology reports were reviewed. RESULTS: The results of multiple logistic regression suggested that, except for the common risk factors for BC (older marital age, family history of BC, smoking, and being a passive smoker), eating red meat (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] >8 portions/week [p/w] vs. 0-2 p/w, 1.15; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.28); eating fish (aOR >8 p/w vs. 0-2 p/w, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.12-2.76), fruit consumption (aOR 0-4 p/w vs. >8 p/w, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.07-3.82), pickle consumption (aOR >8 p/w vs. 7-8 p/w, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.31-1.70), and intensity of physical activity (aOR light vs. vigorous, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.47-1.98) were directly associated with a higher risk of BC in young women. CONCLUSION: Our study supported the hypothesis that unhealthy dietary habits and physical inactivity are risk factors for BC. We found that a healthy diet containing low fat and high fruits and vegetables with regular exercise are effective ways to reduce the risk of BC among young women.

Data based investigation of the peer education methods on self-efficacy in patients with myocardial infarction using a randomized control trial design.

This database aims to show the effects of peer-education (PE) on self-efficacy in patients with MI referring to Zabol Emam Ali Hospital in 2016. The data provided in this paper are for a descriptive-analytical and experimental study which included 70 patients with MI that randomly assigned to PE group (n = 35) and control group (n = 35). We used two tools for data collection in this data article. Patient׳s demographic data questionnaire, consisting of two parts: the first section had questions about general details such as age, education, marital status, while the second section had questions about health status information. Cardiac self-efficacy questionnaire was the second questionnaire. Finally, the data of 30 intervention and 30 control individuals were then analyzed by SPSS software and P value < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. The data indicated that PE can be useful for providing a better care in MI patients, thus, it is recommended that it׳s better to use this training method besides the routine training of nurses for MI patients.

The effect of a 12-week combinational exercise program on CD4 count and mental health among HIV infected women: A randomized control trial.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There are conflicting results regarding the effects of exercise on immune function of HIV positive patients. Exercise can also be beneficial to psychological functioning of the patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a 12-week aerobic and resistance exercise training program on mental health and CD4 counts among female HIV+ patients. METHODS: This clinical trial was conducted between September and December 2013. Forty participants (women age range 20-40) were carefully selected from 240 HIV-positive women referred to Voluntary Counseling and Treatment Center (VCT) and randomly assigned to either exercise (80 min of aerobic and strength training while receiving the VCT's routine services) group (n = 20) or control (received the VCT's routine services only) group (n = 20). To assess their mental health status, all participants completed GHQ28 questionnaire. Blood samples were collected to measure CD4 and T-cell counts at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention. RESULTS: From a sample of 40 women with HIV infection, the data of 30 participants [experimental group (14) and control group (16)] were analyzed (participation rate 75%). The results indicated that after the intervention program, a significant difference in CD4 cell counts was found between the two groups (P = 0.01). With regard to mental health, after performing intervention, significant improvement in all subscales including anxiety disorder, social function, depression and mental health's total score was observed in the exercise compared to the control groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Exercise training can be included in health care services in order to improve the mental health status of women with HIV infection. No effect on CD4 count was detected.

Corrigendum: Author's Name and Affiliation Correction. The Effect of 12 Weeks Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises on Omentin-1 Levels and Insulin Resistance among Type 2 Diabetic Middle-Aged Women.

This corrects the article on p. 205 in vol. 41, PMID: 28537059.