Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Year:2023 | Volume:27 | Issue:3|Papers Count:6

Background: There is considerable evidence suggesting that exposure to bisphenol-A (BPA) may affect the dopaminergic system. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of pre- and postnatal BPA exposure on the severity of experimental Parkinson's disease in adult male rats. Methods: Four groups of pregnant Wistar rats (200 - 230 g) were used: (1) control; (2) sham (solvent); (3) prenatal BPA (50 µg/rat, 10 days), and 4. pre- and postnatal BPA (from 8 - 30 days). Bisphenol-A or its solvent was injected intraperitoneally into the mothers from days 8 to 18 of gestation and into the neonates from days 10 to 30 of life. Thirty days after birth, eight males were randomly selected from each group. At 120 days after birth, the Parkinson-like behavior of the rats was assessed by injecting 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) into the right striatum. Results: The outcomes showed that exposure to BPA during embryonic and/or fetal periods, especially concurrently, significantly increased the rate of apomorphine-induced rotations and muscle rigidity compared to the control group and decreased the number of neurons in the substantia nigra. Conclusions: Based on the results, exposure to BPA during the pre- and/or neonatal period affects dopaminergic neurons and can exacerbate the effects of 6-OHDA toxicity.

Biodegradable plastics play a critical role in reducing the build-up of solid wastes. Increasing efforts have been made to develop non-degradable and chemically degradable products to replace current plastics. Polycaprolactone (PCL), an aliphatic polyester and biocompatible thermoplastic, is the "green" material and one of the most promising and widely used materials with the most significant development potential. This biodegradable plastic is utilized in various applications including medication release monitoring, tissue processing, bone scaffolding, bag shielding, and composting. This study provides a summary of the latest PCL-based biomaterial architectures and their uses, including drug delivery, various organ tissue engineering applications, biodegradation, and PCL safety. It is also concluded that combining PCL with other materials to create nanocomposites enhances the properties of the resultant products and broadens the range of applications.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The programmed cell death 1 (PDCD1) gene, which encodes the PD1 protein, is one of the many genes involved in susceptibility to SLE. The PD1 protein is an inhibitory immunoreceptor that plays a key role in maintaining immunological tolerance to self-antigens. The PD1.5 C/T polymorphism (rs2227981, c.804 T > C) alters the expression and function of the PD‐1 receptor.Objectives: This case-control study aimed to determine the association between the rs2227981 polymorphism of the PDCD1 gene and susceptibility to SLE in the northwestern population of Iran.Methods: The rs2227981 genotype was determined in 52 SLE patients and 53 controls using the PCR-RFLP method with the Pvu II restriction enzyme.Results: The study found a significant association between the rs2227981 polymorphism and susceptibility to SLE in the study population.Conclusions: The rs2227981 polymorphism appears to be a risk factor for SLE in northwestern Iran.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by the gradual loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SNpc) and reduced DA innervation in the striatum. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impact of rilmenidine on DA neurons in the SNpc using a rat model of PD induced by 6-hydroxydopamine. Methods: A total of thirty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: Sham, lesion, and treatment. In each group, a behavioral evaluation utilizing apomorphine was conducted one week prior to surgery and repeated four weeks after the procedure. In the treatment group, 10 mg/kg rilmenidine was injected intraperitoneally four times a week after surgery. Microscopic examination of the SNpc was performed after the preparation of brain tissue blocks, Nissl staining, photography of slides, and counting of neurons. The number of rotations and neurons in the SNpc were analyzed after surgery using ANOVA and Tukey’s test. The number of rotations before and after surgery and the number of cells in the right and left hemisphere were compared using the paired t-test. The significance level was set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: The number of rotations significantly decreased, and the number of neurons in the SNpc significantly increased in the treatment group compared to the lesion group (P ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: Rilmenidine can reduce the neuronal damage induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in the SNpc.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed significant challenges to health systems and the global economy. As a result, effective vaccines against Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are necessary to reduce the enormous burden of SARS-CoV-2 deaths. However, vaccination may cause side effects (SE) that threaten individuals’ lives. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the vaccination status and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine complications among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 on 739 HCWs in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Healthcare workers were selected by cluster sampling, and their information was collected using a demographic questionnaire and disease history. The data were analyzed using binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Most HCWs (712, 96.3%) were vaccinated. About half of them reported complications after vaccination. More complications were reported in those vaccinated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. Male gender, contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients, COVID-19 history, and type of vaccine were risk factors significantly associated with COVID-19 vaccine complications (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study aimed to investigate vaccination status and factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine complications among HCWs. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine had the most SE, while the BIVI-Cove-Iran vaccine had the fewest SE after the first dose. Additionally, men experienced fewer vaccine SE than women. Healthcare workers have a higher likelihood of facing complications from the COVID-19 vaccine if they have been exposed to infected individuals and have previously contracted the virus.

Background: Despite growing evidence linking Vitamin D (Vit-D) deficiency with heart dysfunction, objective evidence such as echocardiographic findings remains limited and inconclusive. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between Vit-D levels and both systolic and diastolic function of the ventricles in patients with normal coronary arteries using echocardiography. Methods: This study, conducted between 2019 and 2020, examined individuals without apparent coronary artery disease (CAD). The researchers measured the participants' Vit-D levels and divided them into two groups based on a 30 ng/dL cut-off point. All patients underwent echocardiography, and the researchers analyzed and compared their ventricular systolic function characteristics. Results: A total of 27 patients with normal Vit-D levels and 47 patients with Vit-D deficiency were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) systolic function parameters, including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), LV end-systolic/diastolic volume, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion. The mean LVEF between the patients with normal Vit-D levels (53%) and those with Vit-D deficiency (57%) did not show a significant difference (P = 0.420). Right ventricle diastolic parameters, such as A, E, E', deceleration time (DT), and Right Atrial Volume Index (RAVi), also did not show a significant difference between the two groups. However, patients with Vit-D deficiency had higher diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (P = 0.019). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that there is no significant correlation between Vit-D levels and systolic dysfunction in the right and LV s of individuals with normal coronary arteries. However, it is important to note that this is a complex area of study, and further research is needed.