Self-stigma, religiosity, and perceived social support in people with recent-onset psychosis in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Associations with symptom severity and psychosocial functioning.

AIMS: Most evidence on psychosocial factors in recent-onset psychosis comes from high-income countries in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA, while these factors are likely to differ under varying sociocultural and economic circumstances. In this study, we aimed to investigate associations of self-stigma, religiosity and perceived social support with symptom severity and psychosocial functioning in an Iranian cohort of people with recent-onset psychosis (i.e. illness duration of <2 years). METHODS: We used baseline data of 361 participants (N = 286 [74%] male, mean age = 34 years [Standard Deviation = 10.0]) from the Iranian Azeri Recent-onset Acute Phase Psychosis Survey (ARAS). We included assessments of self-stigma (Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness, ISMI), religiosity (based on Stark & Glock), perceived social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, MSPSS), symptom severity (Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale, PANSS) and psychosocial functioning (clinician-rated Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, GAF, and self-reported World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0, WHODAS 2.0). Descriptive analyses were employed to characterize the study sample. Covariate-adjusted ordinal and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to investigate cross-sectional associations of baseline ISMI, religiosity and MSPSS with concurrent PANSS, GAF and WHODAS 2.0. RESULTS: Higher self-stigma was associated with poorer self-reported functioning (B = 0.375 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.186, 0.564]) and more severe concurrent symptoms (B = 0.436 [95% CI: 0.275, 0.597]). Being more religious was associated with poorer clinician-rated functioning (OR = 0.967 [95% CI: 0.944, 0.991]), but with less severe symptoms (B = -0.258 [95% CI: -0.427, -0.088]). Stronger social support was associated with poorer clinician-rated (OR = 0.956 [95% CI: 0.935, 0.978]) and self-reported functioning (B = 0.337 [95% CI: 0.168, 0.507]). CONCLUSION: This study shows that self-stigma, religiosity and perceived social support were associated with symptom severity and clinician-rated as well as self-reported psychosocial functioning in an Iranian cohort of people with recent-onset psychosis. The findings extend previous evidence on these psychosocial factors to one of the largest countries in the Middle East, and suggest that it may be worthwhile to develop strategies aimed at tackling stigma around psychosis and integrate the role of religiosity and social support in mental ill-health prevention and therapy.

Purification of extra cellular poly-γ-glutamic acid as an antibacterial agent using anion exchange chromatography.

BLAST analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence for the newly isolated bacterium, revealed significant identity (99.5%) with Bacillus sonorensis [Ijadi Bajestani, M., et al., International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 2017. 96: p. 100-110]. According to the literature review for closely related species of Bacillus sonorensis, the production of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) as an extra cellular biopolymer was investigated for the isolated bacteria which is deposited in IBRC (Iranian Biological Resource Center) as Bacillus sp. Strain M2 (IBRC-M11173). To determine if γ-PGA production by Bacillus sp. Strain M2 is glutamate dependent, it was grown on PGA medium, consisted of sodium glutamate. The results proved that γ-PGA production is highly dependent on glutamate component. In the following, the bioproduct has undergone different purification processes mainly consisting of dialysis, deproteinization and anion exchange chromatography. Based on the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) results for ion chromatography effluents, 59% of the initial PGA in main solution was eluted via NaCl elution. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) characterization analysis was accomplished to determine the polydispersity and γ-PGA molecular weight. Two major average molecular weights were distinguished; the heavy weight fraction of 7.7×106g/mol with polydispersity index of 1.73 and the other one with an average molecular weight number of 1.7×104g/mol and polydispersity index of 4.4. The antibacterial activity of the extracellular γ-PGA, as an anionic biopolymer, toward Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli, was assayed using the clinical and laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines. For Staphylococcus aureus the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value was about 34g/L while for E. coli this value reaches 53g/L.

Novel nanocomposite coating for dental implant applications in vitro and in vivo evaluation.

This study aimed at preparation and in vitro and in vivo evaluation of novel bioactive, biodegradable, and antibacterial nanocomposite coating for the improvement of stem cells attachment and antibacterial activity as a candidate for dental implant applications. Poly (lactide-co-glycolide)/bioactive glass/hydroxyapatite (PBGHA) nanocomposite coating was prepared via solvent casting process. The nanoparticle amounts of 10, 15, and 20 weight percent (wt%) were chosen in order to determine the optimum amount of nanoparticles suitable for preparing an uniform coating. Bioactivity and degradation of the coating with an optimum amount of nanoparticles were evaluated by immersing the prepared samples in simulated body fluid and phosphate buffer saline (PBS), respectively. The effect of nanocomposite coating on the attachment and viability of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) was investigated. Kirschner wires (K-wires) of stainless steel were coated with the PBGHA nanocomposite coating, and mechanical stability of the coating was studied during intramedullary implantation into rabbit tibiae. The results showed that using 10 wt% nanoparticles (5 wt% HA and 5 wt% BG) in the nanocomposite could provide the desired uniform coating. The study of in vitro bioactivity showed rapid formation of bone-like apatite on the PBGHA coating. It was degraded considerably after about 60 days of immersion in PBS. The hASCs showed excellent attachment and viability on the coating. PBGHA coating remained stable on the K-wires with a minimum of 96% of the original coating mass. It was concluded that PBGHA nanocomposite coating provides an ideal surface for the stem cells attachment and viability. In addition, it could induce antibacterial activity, simultaneously.

Subcutaneous connective tissue reactions to three types of bioactive glass nanopowders.

Silica-based bioactive glasses are considered promising bone substitutes and tissue regeneration matrices, because of their bioactivity, biocompatibility, osteoconductivity, and possibly even osteoinductivity. The aim of this work was to evaluate the subcutaneous connective tissue reactions to 58S, 63S, and 72S bioactive glass nanopowders. Our previous study showed the antibacterial activities of 58S and 63S bioactive glass nanopowders on aerobic bacteria, while 72S showed no antibacterial effects at all. Bioactive glass nanopowders were prepared via the sol-gel technique. Characterization techniques such as X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray fluorescent (XRF) were utilized to carry out the phase analysis, study of the structure, particle size and the composition of the synthesized bioactive glasses. To evaluate the subcutaneous connective tissue reactions, the specimens were placed in polyethylene tubes and implanted into the dorsal connective tissue of rats. Empty polyethylene tubes were used as the control and bioactive glass micropowders (NovaBone) was used as a FDA approved bone graft. The evaluation of inflammatory reactions was performed 3, 7, 15, and 28 days after implantation. Results showed a particle size of below 100 nm for samples with amorphous structure. The samples were well tolerated by the tissues over a 28-day evaluation period. The extra tissue reactions of the 72S specimen in comparison with 58S and 63S specimens could be attributed to its higher silica content. It may be concluded that biocompatible 58S and 63S bioactive glass nanopowders with antibacterial activities can be synthesized for the treatment of osseous defects.

Temporal expression pattern of sodium channel Nav 1.8 messenger RNA in pulpitis.

AIM: To determine mRNA expression levels of Nav 1.8 in inflamed pulps of rats. METHODOLOGY: Inflammation was induced by creating pulp exposures in rat incisors. Histopathological changes in the induced pulpitis were evaluated 1, 3, 7 and 10 days after exposure. Using real-time PCR, the relative mRNA expression levels of Nav 1.8 in the inflamed rat dental pulp was determined. RESULTS: At day 1, no inflammation was evident in the pulp tissue, whereas increased levels of inflammatory responses were identified at day 3 and day 7. No pulpal inflammation was evident in day 10 or in the control group. Nav 1.8 was expressed in the rat dental pulp and increased at day 3 and day 7. Time course study of dental pulp inflammation indicated that differences in relative mRNA expression levels of Nav 1.8 were correlated with the severity of inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Nav 1.8 channels seem to be expressed significantly more under a temporal control so as to be associated with a severity of inflammation during pulpitis. As Nav 1.8 has been considered to have a role in neuropathic pain, its expression within dental pulp may contribute to the pathophysiology of tooth pain.

Antibacterial effects of sol-gel-derived bioactive glass nanoparticle on aerobic bacteria.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the antibacterial effect of bioactive glass nanopowders. The 58S, 63S, and 72S compositions were prepared via the sol-gel technique. Characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Zetasizer, and X-ray fluorescent were used. The antibacterial activity was studied using Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus. Cytotoxicity of the samples was evaluated using mouse fibroblast L929 cell line. The chemical compositions of the prepared samples were as predicted, and the particle size of the samples with an amorphous structure mainly ranged over 20-90 nm. At broth concentrations below 50 mg/mL, they showed no antibacterial activity. The 58S showed the highest antibacterial activity with the minimum bactericidal concentrations of 50 and 100 mg/mL for E. coli plus S. aureus and for P. aeruginosa, respectively. The 63S exhibited bactericidal and bacteriostatic effects on E. coli and S. aureus at concentrations of 100 and 50 mg/mL, respectively, at an minimum bactericidal concentrations of 100 mg/mL. However, 72S bioactive glass nanopowder showed no antibacterial effect. They showed no cytotoxicity. It was concluded that bioactive glass nanopowders could be considered as good candidates for the treatment of oral bone defects and root canal disinfection. (c) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010.