Immunogenicity and safety of RAZI recombinant spike protein vaccine (RCP) as a booster dose after priming with BBIBP-CorV: a parallel two groups, randomized, double blind trial.

BACKGROUND: The immunity induced by primary vaccination is effective against COVID-19; however, booster vaccines are needed to maintain vaccine-induced immunity and improve protection against emerging variants. Heterologous boosting is believed to result in more robust immune responses. This study investigated the safety and immunogenicity of the Razi Cov Pars vaccine (RCP) as a heterologous booster dose in people primed with Beijing Bio-Institute of Biological Products Coronavirus Vaccine (BBIBP-CorV). METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, active-controlled trial in adults aged 18 and over primarily vaccinated with BBIBP-CorV, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. Eligible participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive a booster dose of RCP or BBIBP-CorV vaccines. The primary outcome was neutralizing antibody activity measured by a conventional virus neutralization test (cVNT). The secondary efficacy outcomes included specific IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S1 and receptor-binding domain, RBD) antigens and cell-mediated immunity. We measured humoral antibody responses at 2 weeks (in all participants) and 3 and 6 months (a subgroup of 101 participants) after the booster dose injection. The secondary safety outcomes were solicited and unsolicited immediate, local, and systemic adverse reactions. RESULTS: We recruited 483 eligible participants between December 7, 2021, and January 13, 2022. The mean age was 51.9 years, and 68.1% were men. Neutralizing antibody titers increased about 3 (geometric mean fold increase, GMFI = 2.77, 95% CI 2.26-3.39) and 21 (GMFI = 21.51, 95% CI 16.35-28.32) times compared to the baseline in the BBIBP-CorV and the RCP vaccine groups. Geometric mean ratios (GMR) and 95% CI for serum neutralizing antibody titers for RCP compared with BBIBP-CorV on days 14, 90, and 180 were 6.81 (5.32-8.72), 1.77 (1.15-2.72), and 2.37 (1.62-3.47) respectively. We observed a similar pattern for specific antibody responses against S1 and RBD. We detected a rise in gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and interleukin 2 (IL-2) following stimulation with S antigen, particularly in the RCP group, and the flow cytometry examination showed an increase in the percentage of CD3 + /CD8 + lymphocytes. RCP and BBIBP-CorV had similar safety profiles; we identified no vaccine-related or unrelated deaths. CONCLUSIONS: BBIBP-CorV and RCP vaccines as booster doses are safe and provide a strong immune response that is more robust when the RCP vaccine is used. Heterologous vaccines are preferred as booster doses. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trial at www.irct.ir , IRCT20201214049709N4. Registered 29 November 2021.

Biallelic variants in SLC4A10 encoding a sodium-dependent bicarbonate transporter lead to a neurodevelopmental disorder.

PURPOSE: SLC4A10 encodes a plasma membrane-bound transporter, which mediates Na+-dependent HCO3- import, thus mediating net acid extrusion. Slc4a10 knockout mice show collapsed brain ventricles, an increased seizure threshold, mild behavioral abnormalities, impaired vision, and deafness. METHODS: Utilizing exome/genome sequencing in families with undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorders and international data sharing, 11 patients from 6 independent families with biallelic variants in SLC4A10 were identified. Clinico-radiological and dysmorphology assessments were conducted. A minigene assay, localization studies, intracellular pH recordings, and protein modeling were performed to study the possible functional consequences of the variant alleles. RESULTS: The families harbor 8 segregating ultra-rare biallelic SLC4A10 variants (7 missense and 1 splicing). Phenotypically, patients present with global developmental delay/intellectual disability and central hypotonia, accompanied by variable speech delay, microcephaly, cerebellar ataxia, facial dysmorphism, and infrequently, epilepsy. Neuroimaging features range from some non-specific to distinct neuroradiological findings, including slit ventricles and a peculiar form of bilateral curvilinear nodular heterotopia. In silico analyses showed 6 of 7 missense variants affect evolutionarily conserved residues. Functional analyses supported the pathogenicity of 4 of 7 missense variants. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that pathogenic biallelic SLC4A10 variants can lead to neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by variable abnormalities of the central nervous system, including altered brain ventricles, thus resembling several features observed in knockout mice.

The effectiveness of couple-based interventions on the marital outcomes of women with genital and breast cancer and their partners: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer and genital cancer are known as cancers that affect people's relationships with their partners. Women with such cancers are emotionally vulnerable and need more support from their partners. The present systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of couple-based interventions on the marital outcomes of patients with these cancers and their intimate partners. METHODS: To perform this systematic review, Google Scholar and databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Scopus, SID (Scientific Information Database), and Magiran were searched systematically. The reviewed studies included randomized controlled trials and quasiexperimental studies in which the intervention group, couple-based interventions, and the control group received routine care, general education or no intervention for cancer treatment. In this study, the included participants were patients with breast cancer or genital cancer and their intimate partners. The primary outcomes considered in this study included patients' marital adjustment, patients' marital satisfaction, patients' marital intimacy, and patients' marital relationships. The secondary outcomes were partners' marital adjustment, partners' marital satisfaction, partners' marital intimacy, and partners' marital relationships. A meta-analysis was performed with Review Manager v. 5.3 software (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, Cochrane Collaboration, 2014; Copenhagen, Denmark). The intervention impacts on continuous outcomes were measured using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence interval because of the use of various scales to evaluate the outcomes. The quality of evidence presented in the included studies was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. In the subgroup analysis, the studied outcomes were divided into two parts (theory-based and non-theory-based) in terms of the theoretical context of couple-based interventions. RESULTS: From a total of 138 retrieved studies, 14 trials were eligible for inclusion in the study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the patient's marital satisfaction increased significantly with couple-based interventions (SMD 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.85; 7 trials, 341 patients, very low certainty) compared to the control group, but the evidence was uncertain. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in the partner's marital satisfaction, the patient's and partner's marital adjustment, and the patient's and partner's marital intimacy. Additionally, the results of the subgroup analysis showed that the couple-based interventions significantly increased the patient's marital adjustment (SMD 1.96, 95% CI 0.87 to 3.06; 4 trials, 355 patients, very low certainty), the partner's marital adjustment (SMD 0.53, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.86; 4 trials, 347 partners, very low certainty), the patient's marital satisfaction (SMD 0.89, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.43; 2 trials, 123 patients, very low certainty), and the partner's marital satisfaction (SMD 0.57, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.94; 2 trials, 123 partners, very low certainty) compared to the control group in theory-based studies. In. However, in non-theory-based studies, the results of the meta-analysis revealed no significant differences between the intervention and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrated the impact of couple-based interventions on the marital outcomes of patients with breast and genital cancers. Because of the very low confidence in the evidence, high-quality randomized trials with a sufficient sample size should be conducted considering the proper theoretical context.

Exosomes in skin photoaging: biological functions and therapeutic opportunity.

Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles secreted by most cell types, which are filled with proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (non-coding RNAs, mRNA, DNA), can be released by donor cells to subsequently modulate the function of recipient cells. Skin photoaging is the premature aging of the skin structures over time due to repeated exposure to ultraviolet (UV) which is evidenced by dyspigmentation, telangiectasias, roughness, rhytides, elastosis, and precancerous changes. Exosomes are associated with aging-related processes including, oxidative stress, inflammation, and senescence. Anti-aging features of exosomes have been implicated in various in vitro and pre-clinical studies. Stem cell-derived exosomes can restore skin physiological function and regenerate or rejuvenate damaged skin tissue through various mechanisms such as decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP), increased collagen and elastin production, and modulation of intracellular signaling pathways as well as, intercellular communication. All these evidences are promising for the therapeutic potential of exosomes in skin photoaging. This review aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms and the effects of exosomes in photoaging.

Current perspectives on brain circuits involved in food addiction-like behaviors.

There is an emerging view that the increased availability of energy-dense foods in our society is contributing to excessive food consumption which could lead to food addiction-like behavior. Particularly, compulsive eating patterns are predominant in people suffering from eating disorders (binge-eating disorder, bulimia and anorexia nervosa) and obesity. Phenotypically, the behavioral pattern exhibits a close resemblance to individuals suffering from other forms of addiction (drug, sex, gambling). Growing body of evidence in neuroscience research is showing that excessive consumption of energy-dense foods alters the brain circuits implicated in reward, decision-making, control, habit formation, and emotions that are central to drug addiction. Here, we review the current understanding of the circuits of food addiction-like behaviors and highlight the future possibility of exploring those circuits to combat obesity and eating disorders.

Attenuation of brown adipocyte whitening in high-fat diet-induced obese rats: Effects of melatonin and ß-hydroxybutyrate on Cidea, Fsp27 and MT1 expression.

AIM: To investigate the effects of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and melatonin on brown adipose tissue (BAT) plasticity in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: We employed a 7-week experimental design for a study on 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided into five groups: (1) a control-diet fed group; (2) a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed group; (3) a group that received an HFD and a BHB solution in their drinking water; (4) a group that received an HFD with 10 mg/kg/day melatonin in their drinking water; and (5) a group that received an HFD and were also treated with the combination of BHB and melatonin. Following the treatment period, biochemical indices, gene expression levels of key thermogenic markers (including uncoupling protein 1 [UCP1], PR domain containing 16 [PRDM16], Cidea, fat-specific protein 27 [Fsp27], and metallothionein 1 [MT1]), and stereological assessments of BAT were evaluated. RESULTS: Treatment with BHB and melatonin significantly boosted blood ketone levels, improved lipid profiles, and reduced weight gain from an HFD. It also downregulated genes linked to WAT, namely, Cidea and Fsp27, and upregulated key BAT markers, including UCP1, PRDM16 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1-alpha. Additionally, the co-treatment increased MT1 receptor expression and enhanced the structural density of BAT. CONCLUSION: The combined oral administration of BHB and melatonin successfully prevented the whitening of BAT in obese rats fed an HFD, indicating its potential as a therapeutic strategy for obesity-related BAT dysfunction. The synergistic effects of this treatment underscore the potential of a combined approach to address BAT dysfunction in obesity.

ß-Hydroxybutyrate and melatonin suppress maladaptive UPR, excessive autophagy and pyroptosis in Aß 1-42 and LPS-Induced SH-SY5Y cells.

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disease characterized by the build-up of amyloid beta peptide (Aß) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which causes synapse dysfunction, cell death, and neuro-inflammation. A maladaptive unfolded protein response (UPR), excessive autophagy, and pyroptosis aggravate the disease. Melatonin (MEL) and hydroxybutyrate (BHB) have both shown promise in terms of decreasing Aß pathology. The goal of this study was to see how BHB and MEL affected the UPR, autophagy, and pyroptosis pathways in Aß1-42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were treated with BHB, MEL, or a combination of the two after being exposed to A ß1-42 and LPS. Cell viability was determined using the MTT test, and gene expression levels of UPR (ATF6, PERK, and CHOP), autophagy (Beclin-1, LC3II, P62, and Atg5), and pyroptosis-related markers (NLRP3, TXNIP, IL-1ß, and NFκB1) were determined using quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). For statistical analysis, one-way ANOVA was employed, followed by Tukey's post hoc test. RESULTS: BHB and MEL significantly increased SH-SY5Y cell viability in the presence of A ß1-42 and LPS. Both compounds inhibited the expression of maladaptive UPR and autophagy-related genes, as well as inflammatory and pyroptotic markers caused by Aß1-42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells. CONCLUSION: BHB and MEL rescue neurons in A ß1-42 and LPS-induced SH-SY5Y cells by reducing maladaptive UPR, excessive autophagy, and pyroptosis. More research is needed to fully comprehend the processes behind their beneficial effects and to discover their practical applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.

Targeting apoptosis and unfolded protein response: the impact of ß-hydroxybutyrate in clear cell renal cell carcinoma under glucose-deprived conditions.

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) plays a significant role in the mortality associated with kidney cancer. Targeting biological processes that inhibit cancer growth opens up new treatment possibilities. The unfolded protein response (UPR) and apoptosis have crucial roles in RCC progression. This study investigates the impact of ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) on ccRCC cells under glucose deprivation resembling as a ketogenic diet. METHOD: Caki-1 ccRCC cells were exposed to decreasing glucose concentrations alone or in combination with 10 or 25 mM BHB during 48 and 72 h. Cell viability was determined using MTT assay. The mRNA expression level of apoptosis-and UPR-related markers (Bcl-2, Bax, caspase 3, XBP1s, BIP, CHOP, ATF4, and ATF6) were assayed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: Cell viability experiments demonstrated that combining different doses of BHB with decreasing glucose levels initially improved cell viability after 48 h. Nevertheless, this trend reversed after 72 h, with higher impacts disclosed at 25 mM BHB. Apoptosis was induced in BHB-treated cells as caspase-3 and Bax were increased and Bcl-2 was downregulated. BHB supplementation reduced UPR-related gene expression (XBP1s, BIP, CHOP, ATF4, and ATF6), revealing a possible mechanism by which BHB affects cell survival. CONCLUSION: This research emphasizes the dual effect of BHB, initially suppressing cell- survival under glucose deprivation but eventually triggering apoptosis and suppressing UPR signaling. These data highlight the intricate connection between metabolic reprogramming and cellular stress response in ccRCC. Further research is recommended to explore the potential of BHB as a therapeutic strategy for managing ccRCC.

Quercetin declines LPS induced inflammation and augments adiponectin expression in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes SIRT-1 dependently.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is an important factor contributing to obesity-induced metabolic disorders. Different investigations confirm that local inflammation in adipose issues is the primary reason for such disorder, resulting in low-grade systemic inflammation. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and epigenetic modification are among the varied properties of Quercetin (QCT) as a natural flavonoid. OBJECTIVE: The precise molecular mechanism followed by QCT to alleviate inflammation has been unclear. This study explores whether the anti-inflammatory effects of QCT in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes may rely on SIRT-1. METHODS: The authors isolated 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cells and exposed them to varying concentrations of QCT, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and a selective inhibitor of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT-1) called EX-527. After determining the optimal dosages of QCT, LPS, and EX-527, they assessed the mRNA expression levels of IL-18, IL-1, IL-6, TNF-α, SIRT-1, and adiponectin using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: The study showed considerable cytotoxic effects of LPS (200 ng/mL) + QCT (100 µM) + EX-527 (10 µM) on 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes after 48 h of incubation. QCT significantly upregulated the expression levels of adiponectin and SIRT-1 (p < 0.0001). However, introducing SIRT-1 inhibitor (p < 0.0001) reversed the impact of QCT on adiponectin expression. Additionally, QCT reduced SIRT-1-dependent pro-inflammatory cytokines in 3T3-L1 differentiated adipocytes (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that QCT treatment reduced crucial pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and increased adiponectin levels following LPS treatment. This finding implies that SIRT-1 may be a crucial factor for the anti-inflammatory activity of QCT.

Uric acid to HDL ratio: A marker for predicting incidence of metabolic syndrome in patients with type II diabetes.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to existence of a set of risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Recently, uric acid to HDL ratio has attracted attention in predicting development of diabetes and incidence of metabolic syndrome in diabetic individuals. This study was performed to investigate UHR in patients with type II diabetes as a predicting factor for metabolic syndrome. METHODS AND RESULTS: This descriptive-analytical study examined 300 patients with type II diabetes referring to diabetes clinic of Ali-Ibn Abi-Talib hospital, Rafsanjan city in 2021, selected through convenient sampling. Data were collected by a research-made checklist (including demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters) and analyzed by SPSS 24 and chi-square, Fisher exact test, independent paired t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mann-Whitney U, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC). The findings revealed that 74.33 % (95 % CI: 69 to 79.18 %) of the patients had metabolic syndrome. Further, patients with metabolic syndrome demonstrated a significantly higher mean UHR ratio and triglyceride levels compared to their counterparts without the syndrome (p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). The ROC analysis identified a UHR threshold of 8.118 % with a sensitivity of 70.32 % and specificity of 55.08 % for diagnosing metabolic syndrome development in type II diabetes (AUC: 0.621, P = 0.001, 95%CI: 0.549-0.694). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study revealed that the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was high in diabetic patients. UHR showed good sensitivity in the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome in type II diabetes. Thus, regular monitoring of laboratory tests is recommended in patients with diabetes.

What factors influence couples' decisions to have children? Evidence from a systematic scoping review.

BACKGROUND: One of the most significant demographic challenges over the past three decades has been the substantial reduction in fertility rates, worldwidely. As a developing country, Iran has also experienced a rapid decline in fertility over the past decades. Understanding factors influencing fertility is essential for development programs. Moreover, it's crucial to study the parameters that affect the intention for childbearing in any society. Therefore, through a systematic scoping review, the present study investigates the factors influencing couples' decisions toward childbearing. METHODS: This study was a systematic scoping review conducted in 2023. To design and conduct this scoping review, Joanna Briggs Institute's Protocol (Institute TJB, The Joanna Briggs Institute Reviewers ' manual 2015; methodology for JBI scoping reviews, 2015) was used and the framework presented by Levac et al. (2010) was also used as a guide for conducting this review. Studies were searched in three main databases including ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed, and Scopus, using a predefined search strategy. Google Scholar was also used for complementary search. The search period was from 2002 to 2022. RESULTS: A total of 18,454 studies were identified across three primary databases. After evaluating articles in three distinct phases based on title, abstract, and full-text, 46 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion in the scoping review. The qualitative analysis of the collected data from the selected studies through the scoping review led to classifying factors influencing households' desire for childbearing into eight main themes and 101 sub-themes. The main themes associated with factors impacting households' intention for childbearing encompass individual determinants, demographic and familial influencing factors, cultural elements, social factors, health-related aspects, economic considerations, insurance-related variables, and government support/incentive policies. CONCLUSIONS: Comprehensive and holistic attention from governments and officials toward the various factors affecting households' intention and behavior regarding childbearing appears beneficial and effective. Furthermore, given the relative ineffectiveness of some of the current government's supportive/incentive policies to increase couples' desire for childbearing, it seems necessary to review and amend these policies. This review should address the most significant challenges and factors contributing to couples' reluctance to childbearing or strengthen factors that can play a substantial role in fostering fertility and childbearing desires.

Preferences of Iranian smokers regarding smart smoking cessation technologies: a parallel convergent mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Considering the values and preferences of individuals who attempt to quit smoking is a crucial step in the development of smoking cessation technologies. This study aimed to explore preferences regarding smart smoking cessation technologies. METHODS: This parallel convergent mixed-methods study was conducted in two phases: quantitative and qualitative. In the quantitative phase, a cross-sectional study was conducted with 360 participants selected through stratified random sampling from technology-based smoking cessation clinics in Tabriz, Tehran, and Karaj cities in Iran. Data on demographic characteristics and preferences for smart smoking cessation technologies were collected using questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. In the qualitative phase, 25 users of these technologies were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling. The data were gathered through in-depth semistructured interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with a conventional approach. Quantitative and qualitative data were integrated using the merging strategy and convergence model. RESULTS: The quantitative phase results indicated that the highest preference was related to wearing and using a smartwatch for smoking cessation and using mobile apps. In the qualitative phase, 17 subcategories were extracted and classified into 8 main categories: high effectiveness, better management of the smoking cessation process, personalized technology, safe and uncomplicated technologies, attractiveness and innovative design, scientific basis, mobile applications, and smart monitoring devices. CONCLUSION: By combining and integrating quantitative and qualitative results, it can be concluded that users are more interested in wearable technologies and interactive mobile applications. The findings of this study can assist smoking cessation technology developers in designing and improving their tools based on user needs and preferences to enhance their effectiveness and acceptability.

Association between internet addiction and musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian medical sciences students.

BACKGROUND: The utilization of the Internet can lead to adverse outcomes in students' lives. Prolonged Internet usage may result in academic failure, an elevated risk of musculoskeletal problems, and the emergence of issues impacting the lives of students and their peers. This study aimed to explore the relationship between Internet addiction and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among students in the field of medical sciences. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 314 medical sciences students in Semnan, Iran, were assessed using the census sampling method. The participants' Internet addiction status and the presence of MSDs were determined through Young's Internet Addiction questionnaire and the Nordic self-report questionnaire, respectively. Data underwent analysis employing logistic regression test to ascertain the relationship between Internet addiction and MSDs. RESULTS: Among the 314 participating students in this research, about 21% and 1.6% of the participants were lay open to and suffered from Internet addiction, respectively. Internet addiction was associated with the presence of pain, discomfort, burning, or numbness in the neck, wrist, upper back, hips, and thighs. For each unit increase in the Internet addiction score, the chance of neck and wrist pain rises by 3% compared to a 2% increase in upper back and hip/thigh pain. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that excessive Internet use is linked to a heightened risk of MSDs in medical sciences students. Consequently, it is imperative to raise awareness about these complications and promote the adoption of proper posture when using the Internet. Further research is also warranted among diverse student populations to investigate the impact of Internet addiction.

The Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion Polymorphism on the Severity and Death Rate of COVID-19 in Iranian Patients.

The study was designed to assess the association of ACE I/D polymorphism with the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 in the Iranian population. Hence, 186 adult patients were categorized into three clinical groups based on the severity of COVID-19: 1) Outpatients or mildly symptomatic patients as control (n = 71); 2) Hospitalized patients or severe symptomatic cases (n = 53); 3) Inpatients led to ICU/death or critically ill patients needed mechanical ventilation (n = 62). The possible association of ACE I/D polymorphism with the risk of comorbidities and serum level of C-reactive protein was evaluated in two severe cases. The results showed that the frequency of D and I alleles are 69.35% and 30.65%, respectively, in the total population. The analysis of allelic frequencies via Fisher's exact test confirmed significantly higher frequency of D allele in both severe groups than that in the mild one, 78.31% in Hospitalized patients (OR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.46 to 4.46; p-value = 0.0011) and 74.19% in Inpatients led to ICU/death (OR = 2.04; 95% CI = 1.22 to 3.43; p-value = 0.0094) compared to 58.45% in Outpatients. The results of genotype proportions displayed an association between COVID-19 severity and DD genotype. Overall, our findings in Iranian patients supported the undeniable role of the DD genotype in the intensity of the disease, comparable to other populations. Furthermore, there is no definite evidence regarding the protective effect of the I allele in our inquiry.

Inactivation of Mst/Nrf2/Keap1 signaling flexibly mitigates MAPK/NQO-HO1 activation in the reproductive axis of experimental fluorosis.

Fluoride induced reprotoxicity through oxidative stress-mediated reproductive cell death. Hence, the current study evaluated the importance of the MST/Nrf2/MAPK/NQO-HO1 signaling pathway in fluorosis-induced reproductive toxicity. For this purpose, the reproductive toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF) at physiological, biochemical, and intracellular levels was evaluated. In-vivo, NaF at 100 mg/L instigated physiological dysfunction, morphological, stereological, and structural injuries in the gut-gonadal axis of fluorosis mice through weakening the antioxidant signaling, Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1signaling pathway, causing the gut-gonadal barrier disintegrated via oxidative stress-induced inflammation, mitochondrial damage, apoptosis, and autophagy. Similar trends were also observed in-vitro in the isolated Leydig cells (LCs) challenging with 20 mg/L NaF. Henceforth, activating the cellular antioxidant signaling pathway, Nrf2/HO-1/NQO1, inactivating autophagy and apoptosis, or attenuating lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can be the theoretical basis and valuable therapeutic targets for coping with NaF-induced reproductive toxicity.

Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence dosimetry properties of Ag/Y co-doped ZnO nanophosphor for radiation measurements.

This work explores the thermoluminescence (TL) and photoluminescence (PL) properties of Ag/Y co-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanophosphor. The proposed dosimeter was prepared by the coprecipitation method and sintered at temperatures from 400°C to 1000°C in an air atmosphere. Raman spectroscopy was studied to investigate the structural features of this composition. The new proposed dosimeter revealed two peaks at 150°C and 175°C with a small shoulder at high temperature (225°C). The PL spectrum showed strong green emissions between 500 to 550 nm. The Raman spectrum showed many bands related to the interaction between ZnO, silver (Ag), and yttrium oxide (Y2 O3 ). The rising sintering temperature enhanced the TL glow curve intensity. The Ag/Y co-doped ZnO nanophosphor showed an excellent linearity index within a dose from 1 to 4 Gy. The minimum detectable dose (MDD) of the Ag/Y co-doped ZnO nanopowder (pellets) equaled 0.518 mGy. The main TL properties were achieved in this work as follows: thermal fading (37% after 45 days at 1 and 4 Gy), optical fading (53% after 1 h and 68% after 6 h by exposure to sunlight), effective atomic number (27.6), and energy response (flat behavior from 0.1 to 1.3 MeV). Finally, the proposed material shows promising results nominated to be used for radiation measurements.

Nanophytomedicine: A promising practical approach in phytotherapy.

The long and rich history of herbal therapeutic nutrients is fascinating. It is incredible to think about how ancient civilizations used plants and herbs to treat various ailments and diseases. One group of bioactive phytochemicals that has gained significant attention recently is dietary polyphenols. These compounds are commonly found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, nuts, drinks, legumes, and grains. Despite their incredible therapeutic properties, one challenge with polyphenols is their poor water solubility, stability, and bioavailability. This means that they are not easily absorbed by the body when consumed in essential diets. Because of structural complexity, polyphenols with high molecular weight cannot be absorbed in the small intestine and after arriving in the colon, they are metabolized by gut microbiota. However, researchers are constantly working on finding solutions to enhance the bioavailability and absorption of these compounds. This study aims to address this issue by applying nanotechnology approaches to overcome the challenges of the therapeutic application of dietary polyphenols. This combination of nanotechnology and phytochemicals could cause a completely new field called nanophytomedicine or herbal nanomedicine.

Polyethylene bearing wear is comparable for cemented and cementless Oxford unicompartmental knee replacements: Ten-year results of a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: There is concern that using cementless components may increase polyethylene wear of the Oxford unicompartmental knee replacement (OUKR). Therefore, this study aimed to measure bearing wear at 10 years in patients from a randomized trial comparing Phase 3 cemented and cementless OUKRs and to investigate factors that may affect wear. It was hypothesized that there would be no difference in wear rate between cemented and cementless OUKRs. METHODS: Bearing thickness was determined using radiostereometric analysis at postoperative, 3-month, 6-month, 1-year, 2-year, 5-year and 10-year timepoints. As creep occurs early, wear rate was calculated using linear regression between 6 months and 10 years for 39 knees (20 cemented, 19 cementless). Associations between wear and implant, surgical and patient factors were analysed. RESULTS: The linear wear rate of the Phase 3 OUKR was 0.06 mm/year with no significant difference (p = 0.18) between cemented (0.054 mm/year) and cementless (0.063 mm/year) implants. Age, Oxford Knee Score, component size and bearing thickness had no correlation with wear. A body mass index ≥ 30 was associated with a significantly lower wear rate (p = 0.007) as was having ≥80% femoral component contact area on the bearing (p = 0.003). Bearings positioned ≥1.5 mm from the tibial wall had a significantly higher wear rate (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: At 10 years, the Phase 3 OUKR linear wear rate is low and not associated with the fixation method. To minimize the risk of wear-related bearing fracture in the very long-term surgeons should consider using 4 mm bearings in very young active patients and ensure that components are appropriately positioned, which is facilitated by the current instrumentation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective comparative study.

A Comparison of the Periprosthetic Fracture Rate of Cemented and Cementless Mobile Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasties: An Analysis of Data From the National Joint Registry for England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and the Isle of Man.

BACKGROUND: Periprosthetic fractures are rare but serious complications of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). Although cementless UKA has a lower risk of loosening than cemented, there are concerns that tibial fracture risk may be higher given the reliance on interference fit for primary stability. The risk of fracture and the effect of surgical fixation are currently unknown. We compared the periprosthetic fracture rate following cemented and cementless UKA surgery. METHODS: A total of 14,122 medial mobile-bearing UKAs (7,061 cemented and 7,061 cementless) from the National Joint Registry and Hospital Episodes Statistics database were propensity score-matched. Cumulative fracture rates were calculated and Cox regressions were used to compare fixation groups. RESULTS: The three-month periprosthetic fracture rates were similar (P = .80), being 0.10% in the cemented group and 0.11% in the cementless group. The fracture rates were highest during the first three months postoperatively, but then decreased and remained constant between one and 10 years after surgery. The one-year cumulative fracture rates were 0.2% (confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 0.3) for cemented and 0.2% (CI: 0.1 to 0.3) for cementless cases. The 10-year cumulative fracture rates were 0.8% (CI: 0.2 to 1.3) and 0.8% (CI: 0.3 to 1.3), respectively. The hazard ratio during the whole study period was 1.06 (CI: 0.64 to 1.77; P = .79). CONCLUSIONS: The periprosthetic fracture rate following mobile bearing UKA surgery is low, being about 1% at 10 years. There were no significant differences in fracture rates between cemented and cementless implants after matching. We surmise that surgeons are aware of the higher theoretical risk of early fracture with cementless components and take care with tibial preparation. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: III.

Relationship between resilience and self-efficacy among Iranian nurses: a cross-sectional study during the post-Corona era.

BACKGROUND: Resilience and self-efficacy play an influential role in nurses' clinical performance, which are considered resources for improving adaptability and promoting work engagement. This study aimed to determine the relationship between resilience and self-efficacy among nurses at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences hospitals during the post-Corona era. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 280 nurses in all clinical departments. Nurses with a bachelor of science in nursing or higher degree and at least one year of full-time work experience were included in the study using a convenience sampling method. Participants completed a three-part tool, which included the demographic information form, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests (multivariate linear regression using the backward method). RESULTS: In this study, nurses reported low levels of resilience (63.64 ± 15.66) and high levels of self-efficacy (63.01 ± 9.57). Among the five resilience subscales, the highest mean item score was associated with "spiritual influences" (2.80 out of 4), while the lowest mean item score was associated with "trust in one's instincts and tolerance of negative affect" (2.36 out of 4). Furthermore, the multivariate linear regression model results indicated that self-efficacy accounted for 33.6% of the variance in resilience (P < 0.001 and ß = 0.952). CONCLUSION: According to the results of the present study, it is suggested that nurses' psychological capabilities, such as self-efficacy, should be increased to improve resilience and address the stressful conditions of the work environment.