Metal-based nanoparticles in cancer therapy: Exploring photodynamic therapy and its interplay with regulated cell death pathways.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) represents a non-invasive treatment strategy currently utilized in the clinical management of selected cancers and infections. This technique is predicated on the administration of a photosensitizer (PS) and subsequent irradiation with light of specific wavelengths, thereby generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) within targeted cells. The cellular effects of PDT are dependent on both the localization of the PS and the severity of ROS challenge, potentially leading to the stimulation of various cell death modalities. For many years, the concept of regulated cell death (RCD) triggered by photodynamic reactions predominantly encompassed apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. However, in recent decades, further explorations have unveiled additional cell death modalities, such as necroptosis, ferroptosis, cuproptosis, pyroptosis, parthanatos, and immunogenic cell death (ICD), which helps to achieve tumor cell elimination. Recently, nanoparticles (NPs) have demonstrated substantial advantages over traditional PSs and become important components of PDT, due to their improved physicochemical properties, such as enhanced solubility and superior specificity for targeted cells. This review aims to summarize recent advancements in the applications of different metal-based NPs as PSs or delivery systems for optimized PDT in cancer treatment. Furthermore, it mechanistically highlights the contribution of RCD pathways during PDT with metal NPs and how these forms of cell death can improve specific PDT regimens in cancer therapy.

Indices/Indicators Developed to Evaluate the "Creating Supportive Environments" Mechanism of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion: A Setting-Based Review on Healthy Environment Indices/ Indicators.

This study aimed to identify the indices/indicators used for evaluating the "creating supportive environments" mechanism of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion, with a focus on built environments, in different settings. A search for literature with no time limit constraint was performed across Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, and Embase databases. Search terms included "Ottawa Charter," "health promotion," "supportive environments," "built environments," "index," and "indicator." we included the studies conducted on developing, identifying, and/or measuring health promotion indices/indicators associated with "built environments" in different settings. The review articles were excluded. Extracted data included the type of instrument used for measuring the index/indicator, the number of items, participants, settings, the purpose of indices/indicators, and a minimum of two associated examples of the indices domains/indicators. The key definitions and summarized information from studies are presented in tables. In total, 281 studies were included in the review, within which 36 indices/indicators associated with "built environment" were identified. The majority of the studies (77%) were performed in developed countries. Based on their application in different settings, the indices/indicators were categorized into seven groups: (1) Healthy Cities (n=5), (2) Healthy Municipalities and Communities (n=18), (3) Healthy Markets (n=3), (4) Healthy Villages (n=1), (5) Healthy Workplaces (n=4), (6) Health-Promoting Schools (n=3), and (7) Healthy Hospitals (n=3). Health promotion specialists, health policymakers, and social health researchers can use this collection of indices/indicators while designing/evaluating interventions to create supportive environments for health in various settings.

Global Mapping of Potentially Inappropriate Prescribing for Older Adults in Community Settings: An Umbrella Review.

Potentially inappropriate prescribing (PIP) is a major public health concern with several undesirable health consequences for older adults. In this overview, we aimed to map and gather information from existing literature to provide a better insight into the prevalence of PIP among community dwellers. Electronic databases were searched from their inception to April 2022. The quality of the included systematic reviews (SRs) was assessed using the assessment of multiple systematic reviews checklist. The degree of overlap within the SRs was also evaluated (2% overlap). All SRs on the prevalence of PIP in older individuals in community settings were included, and a narrative approach was used to synthesize data. Nineteen SRs comprising 548 primary studies met the inclusion criteria, and the average quality of the included SRs was moderate. More than half (50.5%) of the primary studies were conducted in Europe, followed by the United States (22.8%), and Asia (18.9%). Thirty different criteria were used in the primary studies to estimate the prevalence of PIP. The most widely used criteria were those presented in Beers (41.8%) and STOPP (Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions)/START (Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment) (21.8%) criteria. Benzodiazepines, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and antidepressants were the most frequently reported PIPs. A considerable variation in the prevalence of PIP ranging from 0% to 98% was reported by SRs. However, there is a high degree of uncertainty regarding the extent of PIP in community settings. To identify knowledge-to-action gaps, SR authors should consider the differences in prevalence of PIP according to settings, applied tools, data sources, geographical areas, and specific pathologies. There is also a need for primary and SR studies from low- and middle-income countries regarding the prevalence of PIP.

Gender and urban-rural residency based differences in the prevalence of type-2 diabetes mellitus and its determinants among adults in Naghadeh: Results of IraPEN survey.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most important risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, with a high economic burden on health care systems. Since gender and residency can affect people's lifestyle and health behaviors, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of T2DM and its determinants by gender and residency. METHODS: A secondary analysis study was conducted on the survey data of the IraPEN (Iran's Package of Essential Non-Communicable Disease) pilot program conducted in 2017 in Naghadeh County, Iran. Data of 3,691 participants aged 30-70 years from rural and urban areas of the County were included into data analysis process. Sociodemographic factors, anthropometric measurements, and cardiovascular risk factors related to T2DM were assessed. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of T2DM within the population was 13.8%, which was significantly higher among women (15.5%) than men (11.8%), and non-significantly higher in urban (14.5%) areas than rural (12.3%) areas. In both genders, age (male: OR 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.03; P = 0.012; female: OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.02-1.04; P<0.001), blood pressure (male: OR 1.77, 95% CI: 1.13-2.79; P = 0.013; female: OR 2.86, 95% CI: 2.12-3.85; P<0.001), and blood triglycerides (male: OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.01-2.11; P = 0.04; female: OR 1.34, 95% CI: 1.02-1.77; P = 0.035) had a significant relationship with the chance of developing T2DM. Among women, a significant relationship was found between abdominal obesity (OR 1.68, 95% CI: 1.17-2.40; P = 0.004) and the chance of developing T2DM. Age (rural: OR 1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; P<0.001; urban: OR 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; P<0.001), blood pressure (rural: OR 3.14, 95% CI: 2.0-4.93; P<0.001; urban: OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.66-3; P<0.001), and abdominal obesity (rural: OR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.41-3.87; P = 0.001; urban: OR 1.46, 95% CI: 1.06-2.01; P = 0.019), in both rural and urban areas, blood cholesterol (OR 1.59, 95% CI: 1.07-2.37; P = 0.02) in rural areas, and blood triglycerides (OR 1.51, 95% CI: 1.16-1.98; P = 0.002) in urban areas were significant predictors of T2DM. CONCLUSION: Given the higher prevalence of T2DM among females, risk reduction strategies at the community level should be more targeted at women. The higher prevalence of T2DM risk factors among the urban population is a wake-up call for policymakers to pay more attention to the consequences of unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles within urban communities. Future actions should be focused on appropriate timely action plans for the prevention and control of T2DM from early years of life.

Indices and Indicators Developed to Evaluate the "Strengthening Community Actions" Mechanism of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion: A Scoping Review.

OBJECTIVE: To determine 1) the indexes/indicators used for evaluating the "strengthening community actions" mechanism of the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion and 2) to extract the characteristics and key components of the indexes/indicators using a scoping review.Data Source:In May 2020, the search was conducted across three databases: Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Scopus.Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: All primary studies relating to development, identification, and measurement of health promotion indices/indicators associated to the "strengthening community actions" were included. The review articles were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION: The data were extracted to a data-charting form that was developed by the research team. Two authors reviewed the extracted data. DATA SYNTHESIS: To summarize and report the data, a descriptive numerical analysis and a narrative descriptive synthesizing approach were used. RESULTS: In total, 93 study articles were included. A majority of studies (82%) were conducted in developed countries. Different types of recognized indices were categorized into seven groups: social cohesion (n = 3), community capacity (n = 1), community participation (n = 7), social capital (n = 6), social network (n = 3), social support (n = 1), and others (n = 5). CONCLUSIONS: Having a collection of "strengthening community actions" indices/indicators in hand, health policymakers and health promotion specialists might be able to do their best in considering, selecting, and applying the most appropriate indices/indicators while evaluating community health promotion interventions in different settings.

Effect of MA01 rhamnolipid on cell viability and expression of quorum-sensing (QS) genes involved in biofilm formation by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

A group of biosurfactants, called rhamnolipids, have been shown to have antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Here, we examined the effect of rhamnolipid biosurfactants extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa MA01 on cell growth/viability, biofilm formation, and membrane permeability of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ATCC6538 bacterial cells. The results obtained from flow cytometry analysis showed that by increasing the concentration of rhamnolipid from 30 to 120 mg/mL, the cell viability decreased by about 70%, and the cell membrane permeability increased by approximately 20%. In fact, increasing rhamnolipid concentration was directly related to cell membrane permeability and inversely related to cell survival. Microtiter plate biofilm assay and laser scanning confocal microscopy analysis revealed that rhamnolipid, at a concentration of 60 mg/mL, exerts a reducing effect on the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus. Real-time PCR analysis for monitoring the relative changes in the expression of agrA, agrC, icaA, and icaD genes involved in biofilm formation and related to the quorum-sensing pathway after treatment with rhamnolipid indicated a reduced expression level of these genes, as well as sortase A gene. The results of the present study deepen our knowledge regarding the use of microbial natural products as promising candidates for therapeutic applications.

Effects of serine protease inhibitors on growth and development and digestive serine proteinases of the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps.

In the current study the effects of serine proteinase inhibitors (TLCK, TPCK, SBTI, and a combination of SBTI and TPCK) with concentrations of 1% and 4% of dietary protein in artificial diets were tested against growth of the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae), development, and its gut serine proteinase targets. Analysis of variance indicated that protease inhibitors affected nymphal development time, adult weight, and survival. Mean development time of third instar nymphs in control, SBTI (1%), TLCK (1%), and TPCK was 7.18, 9.74, 9.97, and 8.52 days, respectively. The highest mortality (100 % mortality) was observed when a combination of TPCK and SBTI, both at 4% of dietary protein, was used followed by TPCK (4%) that produced 95% mortality. There were significant differences in proteinase activity between treatments and controls when BApNA and SAAPFpNA were used as substrates for trypsin and chymotrypsin, respectively. Reduction of trypsin activity in insects fed with low doses of SBTI (1%), TLCK (1%), and both doses of TPCK (1% and 4%) was 40, 26, 23, and 17%, respectively. Inhibition of chymotrypsin activity was seen in the insects fed on SBTI (1%), TLCK (1%), and TPCK (4%) where inhibition was 14, 9, and 36%, respectively. Maximum inhibition of chymotrypsin activity was observed in the insects fed on diets containing high doses of TPCK (4%). In gel assays, the greatest effects were observed when E. integriceps were fed on high doses of SBTI and TPCK. Therefore, TPCK followed by SBTI proved to be the most effective proteinase inhibitors of E. integriceps.

Inhibition of Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps, α-amylases by α-amylase inhibitors (T-αAI) from Triticale.

The effect of triticale α-amylases inhibitors on starch hydrolysis catalyzed by the Sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton (Hemiptera: Scutelleridae) midgut amylases was examined. Biochemical studgawies showed that inhibitors from Triticale (a hybrid of wheat and rye) had inhibitiory effects on E. integriceps α-amylases. The effects of the triticale α-amylase inhibitor (T-αAI) on α-amylase of E. integriceps showed a dose dependent manner of inhibition, e.g. less inhibition of enzyme activity (around 10%) with a lower dose (0.25 mg protein) and high inhibition of enzyme activity (around 80%) when a high dose of inhibitor was used (1.5 mg protein). The enzyme kinetic studies using Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk equations showed the K(m) remained constant (0.58%) but the maximum velocity (V(max)) decreased in the presence of a crude extract of Triticale inhibitors, indicating mixed inhibition. The temperature giving 50% inactivation of enzyme (T(50)) during a 30-min incubation at pH 7.0 was 73° C. The maximum inhibitory activity was achieved at 35° C and pH 5.0. Gel assays showed the meaningful inhibition of E. integriceps α-amylases by various concentrations of Triticale inhibitors. Based on the data presented in this study, it could be said that the T-αAI has good inhibitory activity on E. integriceps gut α-amylase.

Sleep quality and its relationship with quality of life among high-risk pregnant women (gestational diabetes and hypertension).

BACKGROUND: Sleep is one of the most basic human requirements. This research aims at determining the status of sleep quality and its relationship with quality of life among high-risk pregnant women in Tabriz, Iran, in 2015. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research was a sectional study done on 364 qualified women in 28-36 weeks of pregnancy suffering from mild preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The sampling was done as convenience. Personal-social-midwifery questionnaire, Pittsburg sleep quality, and quality of life in pregnancy (QOL-ORAV) were used for gathering data. Multivariate linear regression model was used for determining the relationship between sleep quality and its subsets with quality of life and controlling confounders. FINDINGS: In the current study, the prevalence of sleep disturbance was 96.4%. Mean (SD) of the total score of sleep quality was 10.1 (4.1) and the total score of quality of life was 61.7 (17.3). According to Pearson's correlation test, there was statistically significant relationship between quality of life and sleep quality and all its subsets except sleep duration and use of sleep medication (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, according to the multivariate linear regression model, sleep latency, day time dysfunction, health status, and home air-conditioning were related with quality of life. DISCUSSION: The findings of current research show that sleep quality is low among high-risk pregnant women and quality of life is medium. So, it is necessary that required training is given by health cares for improving sleep quality and quality of life to mothers.