Effect of magnesium oxide or citrate supplements on metabolic risk factors in kidney stone formers with idiopathic hyperoxaluria: a randomized clinical trial.

Magnesium is one of the recommended treatments for calcium stone formers (CSFs) with hyperoxaluria. In this study, we compared the effect of magnesium oxide (MgO) or magnesium citrate (MgCit) with placebo on 24-hour urine (24-U) metabolites and the calcium oxalate supersaturation index (CaOx SS). In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 90 CSFs with idiopathic hyperoxaluria were recruited from a tertiary stone prevention clinic. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups: 120 mg MgO, 120 mg MgCit or placebo (supplements were taken three times per day, with meals). Finally, 76 patients were included in the final analysis. Analyses of 24-U were performed at baseline and after eight weeks. Study outcomes included changes in 24-U oxalate, magnesium, citrate, and CaOx SS. Dietary factors were controlled by 24-hour food recalls. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the results. After the intervention, both MgO and MgCit supplements decreased 24-U oxalate excretion (-8.13±16.45 in the MgO group and -16.99±18.02 in the MgCit group) and CaOx SS compared to the placebo, with the effects of MgCit reaching statistical significance (p=0.011 and p=0.010, respectively). An increasing trend was observed for 24-U magnesium and citrate excretion without significant differences among groups. Interestingly, MgCit exhibited a significantly greater inhibitory effect on 24-U oxalate in patients with normal urine magnesium levels (p=0.021). Clinically, both MgO and MgCit reduced 24-U oxalate and CaOx SS compared to placebo. However, MgCit demonstrated a greater effect, especially in patients with normal urine magnesium levels.

The Relationship between the Clinical Course of SARS-CoV-2 Infections and Expression of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase.

OBJECTIVES: The Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK), an important element for the production of several inflammatory cytokines, may play a role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to investigate the level of BTK gene expression in COVID-19 cases based on the severity and the outcome of the disease. METHODS: In this study, 33 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were recruited and were divided into two groups based on the severity of the disease: "mild to moderate" and "severe to critical". A blood sample was taken from each patient, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted, and BTK gene expression was measured. The level of BTK gene expression was compared based on the demographic data, laboratory results, and the severity and outcome of the disease. RESULTS: Among 33 patients, 22 (66.7%) were male. Nearly half of the cases had at least one underlying disease. According to the severity of the disease, 12 patients were in the "mild to moderate" group, and 21 were in the "severe to critical" group; eight (24.2%) eventually died. Age, weight, and BMI had no significant relationship with BTK expression. BTK expression was significantly lower in "severe to critical" and ICU-admitted cases and in subjects with low O2 saturation. There was no significant difference in BTK expression between cured and dead patients (p=0.117). CONCLUSION: BTK gene expression in PBMCs had an inverse relationship with the severity of the disease of COVID-19. However, no correlation between BTK expression and disease outcome was observed.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing in Organ and Cell Transplantation.

Single-cell RNA sequencing is a high-throughput novel method that provides transcriptional profiling of individual cells within biological samples. This method typically uses microfluidics systems to uncover the complex intercellular communication networks and biological pathways buried within highly heterogeneous cell populations in tissues. One important application of this technology sits in the fields of organ and stem cell transplantation, where complications such as graft rejection and other post-transplantation life-threatening issues may occur. In this review, we first focus on research in which single-cell RNA sequencing is used to study the transcriptional profile of transplanted tissues. This technology enables the analysis of the donor and recipient cells and identifies cell types and states associated with transplant complications and pathologies. We also review the use of single-cell RNA sequencing in stem cell implantation. This method enables studying the heterogeneity of normal and pathological stem cells and the heterogeneity in cell populations. With their remarkably rapid pace, the single-cell RNA sequencing methodologies will potentially result in breakthroughs in clinical transplantation in the coming years.

Tuning spacer length improves the functionality of the nanobody-based VEGFR2 CAR T cell.

BACKGROUND: The chimeric antigen receptor-expressing T (CAR-T) cells for cancer immunotherapy have obtained considerable clinical importance. CAR T cells need an optimized intracellular signaling domain to get appropriately activated and also for the proper antigen recognition, the length and composition of the extracellular spacer are critical factors. RESULTS: We constructed two third-generation nanobody-based VEGFR2-CARs containing either IgG1 hinge-CH2-CH3 region or hinge-only as long or short extracellular spacers, respectively. Both CARs also contained intracellular activating domains of CD28, OX40, and CD3ζ. The T cells from healthy individuals were transduced efficiently with the two CARs, and showed increased secretion of IL-2 and IFN-γ cytokines, and also CD69 and CD25 activation markers along with cytolytic activity after encountering VEGFR2+ cells. The VEGFR2-CAR T cells harboring the long spacer showed higher cytokine release and CD69 and CD25 expression in addition to a more efficient cytolytic effect on VEGFR2+ target cells. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrated that the third-generation anti-VEGFR2 nanobody-based CAR T cell with a long spacer had a superior function and potentially could be a better candidate for solid tumor treatment.

Implications of the Serum Concentrations of Neuregulin-4 (Nrg4) in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Case-Control Study.

Background: Neuregulin-4 (Nrg4), a novel brown fat-enriched factor, has been reported to play a crucial role in developing metabolic disorders. The current case-control study aimed to investigate the association between serum Nrg4 and coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods: This study enrolled 43 patients with CAD and 43 subjects with normal coronary arteries diagnosed by coronary angiography. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured and recorded. The serum Nrg4 level was determined using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationships between circulating Nrg4 and CAD and other clinical parameters were analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic analysis was applied to assess the utility of Nrg4 in identifying CAD. Results: The study population comprised 86 patients, including 64 men (74.4%), at a mean age of 57.83±6.01 years. Patients with CAD had significantly lower serum Nrg4 than the control group (P<0.001). The serum Nrg4 level was negatively correlated with anthropometric variables, including the body mass index, waist circumference, and the waist-to-hip ratio, fasting blood glucose, and the triglyceride-glucose index (P<0.05). In multivariable-adjusted regression analysis, the odds of CAD decreased by 46% per 1 SD elevation in the serum Nrg4 level (OR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.73; P<0.001) after controlling for potential confounders. Nrg4 showed a significantly high area under the curve value (AUC, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.75 to 0.94) with 81.4% sensitivity and 95.3% specificity to identify CAD. Conclusion: Generally, the serum level of Nrg4 declines in patients with CAD, which might be an independent risk factor for CAD.

Effect of diet low in advanced glycation end products on appetite, body composition, and brown adipose tissue markers in patients with coronary artery disease treated with angioplasty: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Recent changes in dietary habits have resulted in increased intake of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are known to have a predominant contribution to the pathogenesis and complications of coronary artery disease (CAD). AGEs are also thought to induce weight gain by affecting appetite, energy expenditure, and brown adipose tissue (BAT). Here, we investigated whether the restriction of dietary AGEs could affect appetite, body composition, anthropometric indices, and BAT-derived markers in CAD patients treated with angioplasty. Materials and Methods: Forty-two stented CAD patients were randomly allocated into two groups that received either a low-AGEs or a control diet for 12 weeks. At baseline and postintervention, fasting blood samples were analyzed for total AGEs, nesfatin-1, and BAT-derived markers (fibroblast growth factor 21 and neuregulin 4). Subjective appetite ratings and body composition were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and bioelectric impedance analysis. Anthropometric indices, including fat mass index (FMI), abdominal volume index (AVI), and body adiposity index (BAI), were calculated through the relevant formula. Results: Restricting dietary AGEs for 12 weeks could cause a significant reduction in weight, FMI, AVI, and BAI (P < 0.05) compared to the comparison group. In addition, VAS data analyses indicated a significant decrease in the sense of hunger and prospective food intake (P < 0.05) in the intervention group compared to the comparison group. No significant difference was seen in the measured biochemical markers between the two groups. Conclusion: This study indicated that the low-AGEs diet could decrease appetite, weight, and anthropometric indices in stented CAD patients.

Cross­cultural adaptation and validation of the Persian version of the new Knee Society Knee Scoring System (KSS).

BACKGROUND: The new Knee Society Knee Scoring System (KSS) has been widely used to assess the symptoms, satisfaction, expectations, and physical activities of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). KSS has been translated and validated into many languages but not Persian. The aim of this study was to translate and evaluate the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the new KSS. METHODS: The Persian version of the new KSS was translated and culturally adapted according to international guidelines, including translation, back-translation, pre-testing, and expert committee review. A total of 142 patients scheduled to undergo TKA were included in this study and were asked to complete the Persian-KSS, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) index both two weeks before the surgery and 6 months after the surgery. Face, content, and construct validity were evaluated to assess the validity of Persian-KSS. RESULTS: The Persian-KSS was comprehensive, indicating that the Persian version of KSS was clear and easy to understand for Persian-speaking patients undergoing TKA. The reliability of the Persian-KSS, assessed by Cronbach's alpha, was 0.894 and 0.800 for the pre- and post-operative stages, respectively. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) assessed the test-retest reliability, which was 0.766 and 0.796 for the pre- and post-operative stages, respectively. The construct validity analysis of Persian-KSS demonstrated a statistically significant correlation between Persian-KSS and the OKS (r = - 0.935, p-value = 0.000 for the pre-operative stage, and r = - 0.809, p-value = 0.000 for the post-operative stage) and VAS index (r = - 0.401, p-value = 0.001 for the pre-operative stage and r = - 0.259, p-value = 0.029 for the post-operative stage). CONCLUSION: The Persian-KSS, developed after the translation and cross-cultural adaptation process, was proven to be a reliable and valid assessment measure for those who undergo TKA.

Impact of Dietary Advanced Glycation End-Product Restriction on Insulin Resistance and Anthropometric Indices in Coronary Artery Patients Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Insulin resistance (IR), even in its subclinical state, is a significant risk factor for the onset and progression of coronary artery disease (CAD). IR is a multifactorial condition, and dietary composition is a factor associated with its development. Elevated advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in the body, secondary to highly processed food consumption, can impair glucose metabolism. The present study investigated whether a restricted AGE diet could affect insulin sensitivity and anthropometric indices reflecting visceral adipose tissue in nondiabetic CAD patients. Methods: This trial randomly allocated 42 angioplasty-treated patients to follow either low-AGE or control diets based on the AHA/NCEP guidelines for 12 weeks. Serum levels of total AGEs, insulin, HbA1c, and fasting blood sugar, as well as anthropometric measurements, were evaluated before and after the intervention. The Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) and anthropometric indices were calculated according to the proposed formula. The patients' health status was assessed using the Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) at baseline and after the intervention. Results: Our study showed a significant reduction in anthropometric indices in the low-AGE group after 12 weeks. Insulin levels and IR decreased during the low-AGE diet. No significant changes were observed in the other serum biochemical markers. All SAQ domains significantly decreased in both groups, except for Treatment Satisfaction. Conclusion: A low-AGE diet for 12 weeks had beneficial effects on HOMA-IR and insulin levels in patients with CAD. Regarding the fundamental role of AGE in IR development and body fat distribution, AGE restriction may positively affect these patients.

The protective effects of astaxanthin on pre-antral follicle degeneration in ovine vitrified/warmed ovarian tissue.

This study assesses the protective effects of astaxanthin (AST) against vitrification/warming-induced cryoinjuries of ovarian tissue slices in sheep. Cortical slices of slaughterhouse acquired-ovine ovaries were randomly distributed in different groups: fresh, toxicity, and five vitrification groups including vitrification in presence of 0 (control group), 1, 10 and 100 µM astaxanthin or 100 µM vitamin E. After vitrification/warming and 24 h culturing, the samples were subjected to histological studies, antioxidant evaluation by TAC and TBAR assays, and assessment of relative expression of BMP4, BMP15, GDF9 and KITLG genes related to folliculogenesis and follicular growth regulation. According to the results, vitrification reduced the percentage of morphologically intact follicles compared to the fresh and toxicity groups (p < 0.05). In vitrification groups, vitamin E and all three concentrations of AST increased the percentage of intact pre-antral follicles and antioxidant activity relative to the vitrified control (p < 0.05). This enhancement significantly occurred in 10 µM AST group more than vitamin E (p < 0.05). Also, 10 µM concentration of AST enhanced the expression of all the examined genes compared to the control (p < 0.05), while the expression of BMP4, BMP15 and KITLG was higher in the AST than vitamin E (p < 0.05). The latter could increase only the expression of GDF9 compared to the control group (p = 0.011). In conclusion, AST is a highly effective antioxidant for maintaining the survival of pre-antral follicles, retaining cell density, increasing total antioxidant capacity, and increasing the expression of some genes related to follicular development after short-term culture of vitrified/warmed ovarian tissue slices.

Effect of motivational interviewing on treatment adherence and self-efficacy of adolescents with asthma: A randomized controlled trial.

AIMS: This study examined the short-term effect of motivational interviewing on treatment adherence and self-efficacy of adolescents with asthma. DESIGN: The randomized controlled trial. METHOD: In this study, 72 adolescents with asthma were recruited and assigned to experimental and control groups randomly. In the experimental group, the motivational interviewing was performed for five weekly sessions lasting 80-90 min. The treatment adherence and self-efficacy questionnaires were completed before the intervention, 2 weeks and 3 months after the intervention in both groups. Data were analysed by Chi-Square test, independent samples T-test, repeated measures of Wilcoxon and generalized estimating equation. RESULTS: The treatment adherence was found to be significantly higher 2 weeks (p = 0.006) and 3 months after the intervention (p = 0.04) in the experimental group than the control group. In addition, the degree of self-efficacy was significantly more in the experimental group 2 weeks (p < 0.001) and 3 months later (p < 0.001) than the control group. The result of generalized estimating equation showed that the intervention group had an average of 14.44 more self-efficacy points than the control group (p < 0.001). Also, treatment adherence in the intervention group was significantly higher than the control group (ß = 6.14, p = 0.05(. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the evidence for the effectiveness of motivational interviewing in treatment of adolescents with asthma.

A path analysis to investigate the interaction between serum, urinary and demographic factors influencing urine calcium in kidney stone formers.

BACKGROUND: Hypercalciuria is one of the most important urinary risk factors in kidney stone formers. This study aimed to delineate the interaction of some demographic, serum, and urinary risk factors influencing 24-h urinary (24-U) calcium excretion. METHODS: This study was secondary data analysis, using data from 593 kidney stone patients referred to the Labbafinejad kidney stone prevention clinic from March 2015 to May 2019. The study considered serum, urinary and demographic factors that interact to influence 24-U calcium using path analysis. In addition to the direct impact of predictors on the 24-U calcium, this analysis considered the effects of the predictors on the 24-U calcium transmitted by a mediating variable named indirect effects. RESULTS: The results showed that age indirectly affected on 24-U calcium through 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D), serum and 24-U creatinine. As well, weight had an indirect effect through 24-urine metabolites (creatinine, citrate, urea, and sodium). Among serum variables, PTH and creatinine significantly directly affected on 24-U calcium. In comparison, 25(OH)D and phosphorus appeared to influence 24-U calcium indirectly through serum parathormone. Regarding 24-U metabolites, sodium, urea, and citrate had a significant direct effect on 24-U calcium. Moreover, 24-U creatinine has a significant direct and indirect effect on 24-U calcium through citrate and urea as mediator variables. CONCLUSION: Serum 25(OH)D and phosphorus, along with age and weight, indirectly affected urinary calcium through a third variable. Other variables (PTH, serum creatinine, and 24-U sodium, urea, and citrate) showed a direct effect on 24-U calcium excretion.

Comparison of outcomes and complications in conventional versus ultrasound-accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis for treatment of pulmonary embolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute submassive a massive pulmonary embolism are known as leading causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in emergency departments. Choosing the optimal type of catheter directed thrombolysis (CDT) for treatment of pulmonary embolism presents a quandary to the practitioners. To the best of our knowledge, there is no meta-analysis comparing superiority of conventional CDT and ultrasound-accelerated catheter directed thrombolysis (USACDT). Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare conventional CDT with USACDT regarding clinical outcomes and safety profile. METHODS: A systematic literature search of previous published studies comparing conventional CDT with USACDT regarding clinical outcomes and safety profile was carried out in the electronic databases including MEDLINE, Scopus, EBSCO, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane from inception to December 2021. Data were analyzed by comprehensive meta-analysis software (CMA, version 3). RESULTS: The meta-analysis included nine studies with a total of 705 patients. Our meta-analysis showed that there is no significant difference between two groups with respect to pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (SMD: -0.084; 95% CI: -0.287 to 0.12; p: 0.41), RV/LV (SMD: -0.003; 95% CI: -0.277 to 0.270; p: 0.98), and Miller score (SMD: -0.345; 95% CI: -1.376 to 0.686; p: 0.51). Similarly, we found no statistically significant differences between two groups regarding major and minor bleeding (p > .05). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis showed that when compared with USACDT, conventional CDT provides similar clinical and hemodynamic outcomes or safety for treatment of pulmonary embolism without the need for very expensive technologies. However, randomized clinical trials are required to further investigate cost-effectiveness of USACDT in comparison with conventional CDT.

Facts and fears that limit digital transformation in farming: Exploring barriers to the outreach of wireless sensor networks in Southwest Iran.

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are considered part of an environmentally friendly technology leading to more timely and cost-effective production and management of farms. Despite the potential of WSNs to agricultural development in the global South, outreach is still very limited, also in Iran. Therefore, in order to facilitate the adoption of WSNs, it is necessary to identify the factors influencing and challenging the adoption of this technology. This exploratory study uses a qualitative approach to identify the main barriers WSN outreach is facing. In the results, we distinguish facts that we define as issues or barriers that were identified by others from fears that are not supported by evidence so far, at the level of the farmers, the government actors as well as the technology itself. Facts include communication barriers such as internet access, farmers' knowledge levels and rigidity to change as well as the government's top-down organisation of the extension programme and support levels. Fears are mainly expressed on the technology itself and relate to costs, a lack of access, the complexity of use and reliability of the data. We provide a nuanced view of how fears need to be acknowledged and facts are to be tackled.

Comparison of ultrasound-accelerated versus conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis for deep vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Recent in vitro and clinical studies have shown that ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (USACDT) can accelerate thrombolysis. Therefore, in this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of USACDT with conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with deep vein thrombosis. METHODS: A systematic search of the following electronic databases was performed from their dates of inception to 20 June 2020: MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. All randomized controlled trials that directly compared the complications and efficacy of USACDT and conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis in patients with deep vein thrombosis were identified. The statistical analysis was performed using comprehensive meta-analysis software. RESULTS: Finally, 18 studies with a total of 597 participants were included in our meta-analysis according to the eligibility criteria. Pooled proportion of USACDT success in patients with deep vein thrombosis was 87.8% (18 studies; 95% CI: 83.1-91.3). Success rate was significantly higher in USACDT treatment than in conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis treatment (seven studies; OR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.69-5.16; P < 0.01)). Although the mean infusion time was higher in catheter-directed thrombolysis treatment compared to USACDT treatment, this difference was not statistically significant (three studies; MD: -1.46; 95% CI: -3.25-0.32; P = 0.10). Moreover, pooled rate of complications was lower in USACDT than catheter-directed thrombolysis which was not statistically significant (seven studies; OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.13-1.76; P = 0.27). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis revealed that USACDT significantly increased the success rate of thrombolysis compared to conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis. Furthermore, USACDT was associated with lower rate of complication and infusion time. Taken together, these findings confirm the superiority of this novel intervention over conventional catheter-directed thrombolysis in treatment of patients with deep vein thrombosis.

Correlation between aryl hydrocarbon receptor and IL-17+ and Foxp3+ T-cell infiltration in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most prevalent cancers around the world and, if not treated well, has high morbidity and mortality. Many studies have indicated that there may be various roles for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) in the immune system. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) and T helper 17 cells (Th17) in BC tissue in comparison with controls and determine the relationship between AHR, Foxp3+ Treg and Th17 cells in BC. A total of 40 patients with BC were enrolled in this study. The control group was selected from non-tumoural parts of bladder tissues from the patients who have undergone cystoscopy. The percentage of regulatory T cells (Foxp3+ /CD4+ ) and Th17 (IL-17+ /CD4+ ), as well as AHR+ cells in BC tissues and controls, were determined by immunohistochemistry. The results of this study showed that the number of Foxp3+ Treg and Th17 is significantly higher in bladder tumour tissues in comparison with non-tumoural tissues. Also, the percentage of AHR+ lymphocytes and AHR+ cells was increased significantly in bladder tumour tissues rather than non-tumoural tissues. This study also found a relation between AHR and Foxp3+ /CD4+ T lymphocytes ratio cells in BC. The percentage of Foxp3+ Tregs and AHR+ cells were significantly correlated with the grade and stage of BC. An increase in the percentage of Foxp3+ Treg and Th17 cells may play an important role in tumour immunity; and determining the relationship between AHR and differentiation of Th17/Foxp3+ Treg in BC can lead to a potential cancer therapeutic possibility.

Woodchuck Hepatitis Virus Post-Transcriptional Regulation Element (WPRE) Promotes Anti-CD19 BiTE Expression in Expi293 Cells.

Background: Bispecific antibodies represent an important class of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), with great therapeutic potentials due to their ability to target simultaneously two distinct epitopes. The generation of functional bispecific antibodies with the highest possible yields is particularly critical for the production of these compounds on industrial scales. Anti-CD3 × CD19 bispecific antibody (bsAb) is a bispecific T-cell engager currently used for treating ALL. Herein, we have tried to optimize the expression level of this antibody in mammalian hosts. Methods: Woodchuck hepatitis virus post-transcriptional regulation (WPRE) sequence was incorporated at the 3' end of the expression cassette. This modification resulted in a notable about two-fold increase in the expression of the bsAb in the Expi293 cell line. Results & Conclusion: Follow-up flow cytometry analysis demonstrated the binding properties of the produced antibody at acceptable levels, and in vitro bioactivity assays showed that this product is potent enough for targeting and destroying CD19-positive cells. Our findings show that WPRE enhances the expression of this type of bispecific mAbs in human embryonic kidney-293 family cell lines. This approach can be used in biopharma industry for the mass production of anti-CD3 × CD19 bispecific antibody.

The Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency, Its Predisposing Factors and Association with 24-hour Urine Metabolites Among Iranian Kidney Stone Formers.

INTRODUCTION: To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in kidney stone formers and its predisposing factors and to assess the relationship between serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and urine metabolites. METHODS: Kidney stone formers were selected from the records of the kidney stone prevention clinic in Labbafinejad hospital, Tehran, Iran. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25-Hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/mL. The association between vitamin D deficiency and predisposing factors, serum, and urine metabolites was evaluated. RESULTS: In 1005 patients (66.4% men and 33.6% women), the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 44.8%. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in patients under 50 years (P < .001) and patients with hyperparathyroidism (P < .05). The lowest prevalence of hyperparathyroidism was in the 25-Hydroxyvitamin D range of 40 to 49.9 ng/mL, followed by the range of 30 to 39.9 and 20 to 29.9 ng/mL. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had lower serum creatinine (P < .02), lower 24-hour urine calcium (P < .01), and lower 24-hour urine oxalate (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Iranian kidney stone formers have a relatively high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Our population seems to have different predisposing factors for vitamin D deficiency, i.e., higher prevalence among younger patients and no association between obesity and gender with vitamin D status. According to the parathyroid hormone, the favorable serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D level was 20 to 49.9 ng/mL in our kidney stone formers.

Comparing the frequency of CD33+ pSTAT3+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells and IL-17+ lymphocytes in patients with prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most epidemic types of cancer in men. The tumor microenvironment (TME) of PCa is involved in the emergence of immunosuppressive factors such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC), which regulate the immune system by several mechanisms, including interleukin (IL)-10 production. On the other hand, IL-17+ helper T cells (Th17) induce MDSCs and chronic inflammation in TME by producing IL-17. This study demonstrated that the frequency of CD33+ pSTAT3+ MDSC and IL-17+ lymphocyte as well as IL-10 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression were significantly higher in the PCa patients than in the benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) group. Moreover, there was no significant relationship between the frequency of CD33+ pSTAT3+ MDSC, and IL-17+ lymphocyte with Gleason scores in the PCa group. We suggested that the higher frequency of CD33+ pSTAT3+ MDSC and IL-17+ lymphocyte and the more frequent expression of IL-10 mRNA in PCa patients may play roles in tumor progression from BPH to PCa.