Therapeutic effects of probiotics and herbal medications on oxalate nephrolithiasis: a mini systematic review.

Background and Objectives: The majority of all kidney stone cases are oxalate urolithiasis with a high risk of recurrence. Beside its widespread occurrence, kidney stones are characterized by severe complications and high treatment costs. Probiotics and herbal medications could be forthcoming therapeutic interventions in the management of oxalate kidney stones. Materials and Methods: The PubMed/MEDLINE database was searched for keywords "Oxalobacter formigenes" AND "Oxalate" OR "oxalate degradation" AND "Lactobacillus" OR "Bifidobacterium" OR "recombinant Lactobacillus" OR "Bacillus subtilis", and "urolithiasis" AND "herbal extract". The search returned 253 results, 38 of which were included in the review. Results: Most of the oxalate-degrading probiotics belong to the Oxalobacter formigenes, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Bacillus genus with a minimum dosage of 107 CFU in the form of capsules, sachets, and lyophilized powder. Oxalate concentration in media was 5-50mM with an incubation time ranging from 24h to 14 days. The majority of the studies suggested that probiotic supplementation might be useful for reducing urinary excretion of oxalate and urea and alleviation of stone formation. Different herbal extracts were used on murine models of nephrolithiasis (induced by 0.5-3% ethylene glycol) with reduction of renal inflammation and urinary parameters, and calcium oxalate crystals. Conclusion: Several strains of probiotics and herbal extracts confer protective effects against kidney stone/nephrolithiasis, indicating their promising nature for being considered as elements of preventive / adjuvant therapeutic strategies.

Effect of Shields in Radiation Dose and Secondary Biological Risk of Gonads in Lumbosacral Digital and Computerized Radiography.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of shields in imposed radiation dose to gonads in anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral views of lumbosacral radiography using digital radiography (DR) and computerized radiography (CR) methods. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients who were suspected to AP and lateral view of lumbosacral radiography were included in this study. The patients were exposed with and without shields which have 0.25 mm thickness. This study also compared the imposed dose to gonads for one and two plates of shields with none shields situation. Measurement of the radiation dose was performed using thermo luminescence dosimeters on the surface of the gonads. Furthermore, the absolute and excess relative risk (ERR) of biological abnormalities was estimated in the above-mentioned method using the BEIR VII model. Results: The mean dose of the DR method (10.14 ± 0.27) for the AP view was significantly lower than CR (32.43 ± 0.17) with and without shields. In addition, the imposed dose to gonads in the lateral view of DR (6.41 ± 0.47) was lower compared to CR (9.38 ± 0.14). Furthermore, the mean imposed dose to gonads for one and two pate shields of DR was lower than CR. Moreover, the excess relative risk to gonads in the AP for DR was lower compared to CR in all mentioned situations. Conclusion: Lumbosacral radiography is suggested to be performed by DR systems, due to the lower imposed dose and ERR to the gonads. Moreover, using shields may lead to decrease of scatter rays and also ERR of the gonads.

Evaluation of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) for Patients with and without Thyroid Nodules: A Patient-Based Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) between patients with and without thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 86 patients with normal Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level (0.5-4.5 mIU/L) with thyroid nodules, who referred to Imam Khomeini and Golestan Hospitals (Ahvaz, Iran). Furthermore, 43 nonnodule patients with normal TSH level and normal thyroid ultrasonography were recruited from the general population as control group. The insulin resistance was evaluated for them made and the HOMA-IR ≥2.5 was defined as insulin resistance. Results: The mean of HOMA-IR value was significantly higher in thyroid nodule patients compared to controls (3.02 ± 1.92 vs. 1.10 ± 1.55; P < 0.001). Insulin resistance was seen in 49 thyroid nodule patients (57.0%), and 4 patients (9.3%) in the control group (P < 0.0001). Waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood sugar, triglyceride, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and insulin levels were significantly higher in the thyroid nodule group. Conclusions: Our study shows there is an association between insulin resistance and thyroid nodules. The patients with thyroid nodules have higher HOMA-IR value.

Diffusion-Weighted MRI Monitoring of Embolic Brain Stroke for COVID-19 Patients.

Background: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic around the world has some adverse effects on the human body, and there is limited data about the impacts of this pandemic disease on embolic brain stroke. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two COVID-19 patients with embolic brain stroke were included in this study. The COVID-19 patients were diagnosed according to their clinical findings. The patients underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of different points of their brain were calculated using MRIcro software. Results: The embolic strokes were mostly diagnosed in the medial temporal lobe for both COVID-19 and others. In addition, a combination of COVID-19 with other inflammations and infections was not diagnosed in the studied patients. The mean ADC values of the central region were significantly lower than other regions of the brain stroke for the COVID-19 and other patients. Moreover, the maximum and minimum ADC values of the central region for COVID-19 and other patients were significantly different compared to the other regions. Whereas, the mean and minimum ADC values of the brain's normal regions were not significantly different in the edge regions for both groups, while in the COVID-19 and other patients the maximum ADC value of the edge regions was considerably lower compared to the normal regions. Conclusion: The embolic stroke of COVID-19 patients is likely to occur in the medial temporal lobe of the brain. Moreover, the ADC and relative ADC (rADC) values of embolic brain stroke in COVID-19 patients are not significantly different compared to others.

Effect of Mangifera Indica (Mango) on Dental Caries: A Systematic Review.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mangifera indica (mango) on dental caries. The entire plant, including the leaves, fruit, roots, and flowers, has various therapeutic characteristics used for centuries to cure various illnesses. This systematic review aimed to identify an inexpensive, simple, and effective method of preventing and controlling dental caries. The search was performed among the studies written in English, the database of abstracts concentrating on the effects of Mangifera indica (Mango) on dental caries detected in Pubmed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Central. In total, we find 37 articles. The relevant English language articles published up to August 2022 were collected, screened, and reviewed. Search words contained "Mangifera indica" and "dental caries" or "Streptococcus mutans" or "tooth demineralization." For our systematic review analysis, we included 3 randomized controlled trial studies studying a total of 130 people, of whom 110 were children aged 8 to 14 and 20 were adults aged 20 to 25. These experiments all employed mouthwash containing an extract from Mangifera indica. In conclusion, it has been proven in 2 separate studies that saliva's PH will increase significantly. In addition, a reduction of S. mutants has been observed in another research. Overall, it was concluded that mango extract mouthwash is highly effective in decreasing the bacteria that can cause dental caries. however, we firmly believe that conduction of more detailed in vivo studies regarding Mangifera indica implications in dental caries treatment is essentially needed for further confirmation.

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in colorectal cancer: potential therapeutic target

All phases of carcinogenesis are affected by inflammation. Activation of the inflammasome is a crucial signaling mechanism that leads to acute and chronic inflammation. When specific nucleotide-binding domains, leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (NLRs) are activated, inflammasomes are formed. The NLRP3 is one of the NLR family members with the most functional characterization. NLRP3 can modulate the immune systems, apoptosis, growth, and/or the gut microbiome to impact cancer development. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, and it begins as a tissue overgrowth on the internal part of the rectum or colon. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that the NLRP3 inflammasome has a role in CRC development due to its broad activity in shaping immune responses. Here, onwards, we focus on the NLRP3 inflammasome role in CRC development, as well as the therapeutic prospective of modifying NLRP3 inflammasome in the context of anti-cancer therapy. (AU)

Pre-clinical Studies Identifying Molecular Pathways of Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by neuroinflammation, formation of Lewy bodies, and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra of the brain. In this review, we summarize evidence obtained by animal studies demonstrating neuroinflammation as one of the central pathogenetic mechanisms of PD. We also focus on the protein factors that initiate the development of PD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Our targeted literature search identified 40 pre-clinical in vivo and in vitro studies written in English. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathway is demonstrated as a common mechanism engaged by neurotoxins such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), as well as the bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The α-synuclein protein, which plays a prominent role in PD neuropathology, may also contribute to neuroinflammation by activating mast cells. Meanwhile, 6-OHDA models of PD identify microsomal prostaglandin E synthase-1 (mPGES-1) as one of the contributors to neuroinflammatory processes in this model. Immune responses are used by the central nervous system to fight and remove pathogens; however, hyperactivated and prolonged immune responses can lead to a harmful neuroinflammatory state, which is one of the key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of PD.

The role of NLRP3 inflammasome in colorectal cancer: potential therapeutic target.

All phases of carcinogenesis are affected by inflammation. Activation of the inflammasome is a crucial signaling mechanism that leads to acute and chronic inflammation. When specific nucleotide-binding domains, leucine-rich repeat-containing proteins (NLRs) are activated, inflammasomes are formed. The NLRP3 is one of the NLR family members with the most functional characterization. NLRP3 can modulate the immune systems, apoptosis, growth, and/or the gut microbiome to impact cancer development. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers, and it begins as a tissue overgrowth on the internal part of the rectum or colon. In vivo and in vitro studies showed that the NLRP3 inflammasome has a role in CRC development due to its broad activity in shaping immune responses. Here, onwards, we focus on the NLRP3 inflammasome role in CRC development, as well as the therapeutic prospective of modifying NLRP3 inflammasome in the context of anti-cancer therapy.

Relationship between common interleukin 1-beta gene polymorphisms and the risk of gestational disorders: An updated meta-analysis.

Background: To quantitatively estimate the relationship between IL-1ß -511C>T, -31T>C, and +3954C>T polymorphisms and risk of gestational disorders. Methods: In this meta-analysis, eligible publications were searched in Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases (updated April 2020), using appropriate or relevant keywords. Case-control population-based reports were included if provided with genotypic frequencies of both studied groups. Statistical analyses were performed using the MetaGenyo web tool software, where a P value less than 0.05 indicated a significant association. For the assessment of between-study variations, heterogeneity analysis was applied with the I2 statistics. Results: A total of thirteen studies were included. We observed a significant association between IL-1ß-31T>C polymorphism and reduced risk of gestational disorders under codominant CT vs. CC [OR= 0.74, CI (0.59-0.92)], and dominant CT+TT vs. CC [OR= 0.74, CI (0.60-0.91)] contrasted genetic models. The stratified analysis considering the disease type showed that the 511C>T variant, under the recessive CC vs. CT+TT model, enhanced the risk of preterm birth by 1.29 fold. Conclusion: Our results failed to support an association between two IL-1ß polymorphisms, 511C>T and +3954C>T, with the overall risk of gestational disorders. In contrast, the 31T>C variant reduced the incidence of such diseases. Further studies are encouraged to get more precise estimates of effect sizes.

Association between Peptidylarginine Deiminase Type 4 rs1748033 Polymorphism and Susceptibility to Rheumatoid Arthritis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran.

There are controversial reports regarding the role of peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 (PADI4) gene polymorphisms and risk of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of PADI4 rs1748033 polymorphism and susceptibility to RA in a sample of the Iranian population. This case-control study was done on 150 patients with RA and 150 healthy subjects.PADI4 rs1748033 genotyping was done using amplification refractory mutation system- polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) assay. The PADI4 rs1748033 variant increased the risk of RA in codominant (OR=1.67, 95%CI=1.03-2.71, p=0.048, CT vs CC; OR=2.73, 95%CI=1.25-5.97, p=0.013, TT vs CC) and dominant (OR=1.84, 95%CI=1.15-2.92, p=0.014, CT+TT vs CC) tested inheritance models. In addition, the PADI4 rs1748033 T allele increased the risk of RA (OR=1.63, 95%CI=1.16-2.29, p=0.006) in comparison with C allele. In conclusion, our finding indicated that PADI4 rs1748033 gene polymorphism increased the risk of RA in a sample of the Iranian population.