Prevalence of mental disorders among middle-aged population of primary healthcare centers in Northeastern Iran.

BACKGROUND: Primary healthcare centers (PHCs) serve as the cornerstone of accessible medical services in society, playing a crucial role in screening, detecting, and treating various health issues. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in middle-aged individuals who refer to PHCs and the potential of PHCs in diagnosing mental disorders. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was implemented at PHCs under the supervision of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) in northeast Iran in 2018. The enrolled subjects were middle-aged adults who had electronic medical records in SINA, an integrated health management system, and the electronic medical records of MUMS. The prevalence of psychiatric disorders by type and their relationship with demographic information was evaluated by a Chi-square test using SPSS 22. RESULTS: This study involved 218,341 middle-aged participants. Prevalence of psychiatric disorders was 8.59%, and depression (53.72%) and anxiety (42.02%) were the most common psychiatric disorders in both males and females. The prevalence of mental disorders was significantly higher in females than in males (88.18% vs. 18.81%; P < 0.0001). Indeed, a significant higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, somatoform, childhood psychiatric disorder, and bipolar disorders was observed in females compared to males (P < 0.05). In addition, individuals between the age of 45-60 years, and those from rural areas showed more prevalence of mental disorders than others, but these differences were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the previous studies in Iran, the prevalence of mental disorders among patients presenting to PHCs was noticeably lower than expected rates. It seems probable that this huge difference is due to poor screening and detection of mental illness in PHCs of MUMS. It is recommended that health policymakers pursue specific measures to make PHCs more helpful for people with mental health problems in the community.

Zingerone improves the immune responses in an animal model of breast cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The potent anti-tumorigenic effects were attributed to ginger and there are some reports regarding the anti-cancer and immunomodulatory properties ginger-derived components. This study aimed to investigate the effects of zingerone on some immune-related parameters in an animal model of breast cancer. METHODS: The breast cancer was established in female BALB/c mice using a carcinogenic 4T1 cell line. At day 10 after cancer induction, tumor-bearing mice were divided into five groups and treated intraperitoneal (daily from days 11-30) with saline or zingerone (at doses 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg/day). The mice were sacrificed on day 31 and the number of splenic Th1- and Treg cells, the expression of IFN-γ and TGF-ß in the blood mononuclear cells, the antibody production against sheep red blood cell (SRBC) were determined using flow cytometry, real time-PCR and a standard hemagglutination assay, respectively. RESULTS: Zingerone at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg enhanced the number of splenic Th1 cells (p<0.03 and 0.007, respectively); at doses 10, 20, 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced the number of splenic Treg cells (p<0.02, 0.01, and 0.01, respectively), at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg enhanced the expression of IFN-γ (p<0.03), at doses 50 and 100 mg/kg reduced the expression of TGF-ß, at doses 50 mg/kg reduced the titer of anti-SRBC antibody (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Zingerone improve the T cell-mediated and antibody responses in a mouse model of breast cancer. The immunotherapeutic potentials of zingerone in cancers need more considerations.

The Impact of Traditional Medicine-Based Lifestyle and Diet on Infertility Treatment in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproduction: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The problem of infertility is growing rapidly in the world. Traditional medicine with thousands of years of history has claimed that it can treat some kinds of infertility using nutritional and lifestyle modifications and interventions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a traditional medicine-oriented diet and lifestyle on infertility treatment. Based on a clinical trial study, 180 infertile women who were 20-40 years old and candidates for in vitro fertilization (IVF) were randomly assigned to 2 groups: an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group used diet and lifestyle recommendations based on Iranian traditional medicine for at least 3 months. The number of ova, mature ovum number, embryo number, embryo quality, and fertilization rate were significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (for all items; p < 0.05). Overall pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the intervention group (35.2 vs. 12.4%; odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% CI, 1.8-8.3). The intervention group had a higher rate of getting spontaneous pregnancy than the control group (20.9 vs. 2.2%; OR, 11.5; 95% CI, 2.6-50.9). Chemical pregnancy was significantly higher in the intervention group (64 vs. 27.5%; OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.9-11.6). Diet and lifestyle modifications based on traditional medicine can contribute greatly to the infertility treatment. Thus, many infertility cases can be treated without the need to use advanced methods. In case of using assisted reproductive techniques, traditional medicine can enhance the efficiency of these methods.

Therapeutic potentials of ginger for treatment of Multiple sclerosis: A review with emphasis on its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by chronic inflammatory response-induced demyelination of the neurons and degeneration of the axons within the central nervous system (CNS). A complex network of immunopathological-, inflammatory- and oxidative parameters involve in the development and advancement of MS. The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-oxidative characteristics of the ginger and several of its components have been indicated in some of experimental and clinical investigations. The possible therapeutic potentials of ginger and its ingredients in the treatment of MS may exert mainly through the regulation of the Th1-, Th2-, Th9-, Th17-, Th22- and Treg cell-related immune responses, down-regulation of the B cell-related immune responses, modulation of the macrophages-related responses, modulation of the production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, down-regulation of the arachidonic acid-derived mediators, interfering with the toll like receptor-related signaling pathways, suppression of the inflammasomes, down-regulation of the oxidative stress, reduction of the adhesion molecules expression, and down-regulation of the expression of the chemokines and chemokine receptors. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive knowledge regarding the immunomodulatory-, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of ginger and its components, and highlight novel insights into the possible therapeutic potentials of this plant for treatment of MS. The review encourages more investigations to consider the therapeutic potentials of ginger and its effective components for managing of MS.

Ginger Extract Modulates the Expression of Chemokines CCL20 and CCL22 and Their Receptors (CCR6 and CCR4) in the Central Nervous System of Mice with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Background Chemokines facilitate the leukocytes infiltration into the central nervous system (CNS) which is an essential step in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis. Ginger has also a broad anti-inflammatory properties. The aim was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors (CCR6 and CCR4, respectively) in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Material and Methods Female C57BL/6 mice used for EAE induction by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein. Then, the EAE mice were treated with PBS or ginger extract, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, mice were scarified and the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors in the spinal cord measured using real time-PCR. Results The expression of CCL20, CCL22 and CCR4 in the spinal cord of PBS-administrated EAE mice was significantly higher than healthy group (P<0.04, P<0.05 and P<0.02, respectively). In 200- and 300 mg/kg ginger extract-treated EAE mice, the expression of CCL20, CCL22 and CCR4 were significantly reduced as compared with PBS-administrated EAE group (P<0.04, P<0.01 and P<0.002 for 200 mg/kg ginger extract and P<0.01, P<0.005 and P<0.004 for 300 mg/kg ginger extract, respectively). The CCR6 expression in EAE mice treated with 200- or 300 mg/kg ginger extracts was lower than PBS-administrated EAE mice (P<0.01 and P=0.07, respectively). Conclusion Treatment of EAE mice with ginger extract down-regulate the expression of CCL20 and CCL22 and their receptors in EAE mice. The possible therapeutic potential of ginger for treatment of MS can be considered in future investigations.

Ginger Extract Reduces the Expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in the Sera and Central Nervous System of EAE Mice.

BACKGROUND: IL-17/IL-23 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The immunomodulatory properties of ginger are reported in previous studies. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in a model of EAE. METHODS: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein and then treated with PBS or ginger extracts, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, mice were scarificed and the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA in spinal cord were determined by using real time-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: The mRNA expression of IL-17, IL-23 P19 and IL-23 P40 in CNS and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in PBS-treated EAE mice than non-EAE group (p<0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively). In 200 mg/kg ginger-treated EAE mice the mRNA expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and serum IL-23 levels were significantly decreased as compared to PBS-treated EAE mice (p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, 300 mg/kg ginger-treated EAE group had significantly lower expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and lower serum IL-17 and IL-23 levels than PBS-treated EAE group (p<0.02, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.03 and p<0.004, respectively). CONCLUSION: Ginger extract reduces the expression of IL-17 and IL-23 in EAE mice. The therapeutic potential of ginger for treatment of MS could be considered in further studies.

Vitamin D Modulates the Expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in the Central Nervous System in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis (EAE).

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that vitamin D has broad anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of vitamin D on the expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). METHODS: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein mixed with complete Freund's adjuvant. The mice were administered with PBS or olive oil, intraperitoneally, in the control groups and vitamin D (200 ng every two days) in the treatment group, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, the mice were scarified and their spinal cords and brains were harvested. The expression of the IL-27 and IL-33 mRNA in the spinal cord was measured using real time-PCR. RESULTS: In PBS- or olive oil-treated EAE mice the expression of IL-27 P28 mRNA was significantly lower than that in the healthy control group (p<0.002). In both PBS- and olive oil-treated EAE groups, the expression of IL-27 EBI3 mRNA was also lower than that observed in the healthy group, but the differences were not significant. In vitamin D-treated EAE group, the expression of IL-27 P28 and IL-27 EBI3 were significantly higher compared with the olive oil-treated EAE groups (p<0.002 and p<0.04, respectively). The expression of IL-33 was significantly higher in PBS-or olive oil-treated EAE groups compared with healthy mice (p<0.05 and p<0.02, respectively). Vitamin D significantly decreased the expression of IL-33 compared with PBS- or olive oil-treated EAE mice (p<0.04, p<0.02, respectively). The PBS- or olive oil -treated EAE mice showed the clinical symptoms of EAE at days 9 and 10, respectively. The vitamin D-treated EAE group exhibited the symptoms at day 12 post immunization. The maximum mean clinical score and mean pathological scores were also significantly lower in vitamin D-treated EAE group, in comparison with PBS- or olive oil treated EAE mice (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Vitamin D may modulate the expression of IL-27 and IL-33 in the spinal cord of EAE mice and also ameliorate the clinical symptoms of the disease.

Lifelong physical activity affects mini mental state exam scores in individuals over 55 years of age.

INTRODUCTION: The positive effects of physical activity on cognition have been widely documented. Human studies and the results obtained from animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have shown that if commenced early in life, exercise effectively reduces the development of cognitive deficits caused by aging. In the present study, the scores on Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) of individuals over 55 years old who had a history of exercising have been compared to those without a history of exercising. METHODS: This research was carried out on 273 individuals over 55 years of age. The subjects were randomly chosen from different areas of Mashhad and from exercise clubs. Each person completed a personal information form containing data such as demographics in addition to details of their involvement in sporting activity. Subjects were categorized as follows: 1- non-exercised, 2- exercised. The people in group 2 were then divided into non-professionally exercised (with a history of 2-10 years exercising) or professionally--exercised subjects (i.e. people who were currently, or had previously been members of an exercise club and/or had been trained for at least 10 years). RESULT: Out of 273 subjects questioned in the present study, 229 were males and 44 were females. The MMSE score in men was significantly higher than women (p < 0.001). The exercised individuals of both sexes had significantly higher scores compared to non-exercised group (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between professionally- exercised individuals of either sex in comparison with exercised ones. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that lifelong physical activity and exercise affects cognitive performance in old age.