JOURNAL OF ISFAHAN MEDICAL SCHOOL (I.U.M.S)
Year:2019 | Volume:37 | Issue:521|Papers Count:5

Background: Electrospun nanofibers have shown significant potential as an origin for forming cartilage tissue engineering scaffolds. Acellular extracellular matrices have been incorporated into nanofiber scaffolds to more closely replicate the extracellular niche. The aim of this study was to investigate the electrospinning of poly(ε-caprolactone)/extracellular matrix (PCL/ECM) and its mechanical and biological behavior for tissue engineering. Methods: PCL and PCL/ECM scaffolds were prepared via electrospinning of the 10% (w/v) solution contain PCL and PCL/ECM by dichloromethane (DCM) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solutions. The MTT technique was used to study the survival and proliferation of human adipose-derived stem cells in scaffold. The morphology, stability, and scaffold surface properties were studied using scanning electron microscopy, tensile strength test, water absorption, and contact angle measurement. Findings: The PCL/ECM electrospinning scaffold showed significant increase in hydrophobicity, water absorption, and tensile strength compared to PCL electrospinning scaffold. The porosity and diameter of the fibers in the scaffold had a relative reduction. Moreover, the viability and proliferation of cells on the seventh day showed a significant increase. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that adding extracellular matrix to PCL scaffold improves the properties of the scaffold for tissue engineering.

Background: Personality disorders may affect people's tendency to addiction. The purpose of this study was to compare the schizotypal personality characteristics between addicted and non-addicted people in Zarrin Shahr prison, Iran. Methods: A total of 145 prisoners in Zarrin Shahr prison were selected using census method, and responded to the Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (O-LIFE) questionnaire. This questionnaire includes five factors of cognitive disorganization, impulsive nonconformity, unusual experiences/magical thinking, tendency to isolation, and introversive anhedonia. Data were analyzed using Student’ s t and Man-Whitney U tests via SPSS software. Findings: Based on the Student’ s t test, considering schizotypal personality characteristics, there was a significant difference between the prisoners with positive and negative addiction test results (t = 3. 06; P < 0. 05). There were also significant differences in the dimensions of cognitive disorganization, impulsive nonconformity, unusual experiences/magical thinking, and tendency to isolation (P < 0. 050 for all), but in the introversive anhedonia dimension, there was no difference between the two groups (P > 0. 05). The results of Man-Whitney U test confirmed the above findings. Conclusion: The tendency to addiction is not affected by one factor, and it is necessary that the experts of the field of addiction, consider environmental, social, and psychological factors of addiction simultaneously in order to act more effectively.

Background: Endurance training through PGC-1α gene expression induces mitochondrial biogenesis. Furthermore, air pollution causes mitochondrial biogenesis disorders. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training in air pollution on the expression of muscle tissue mitochondria PGC-1α and MEF2C genes in Wistar male rats. Methods: 32 male Wistar 8-week-old rats (weight: 180. 77 ± 10. 65 g) were randomly divided into four groups of control, training, pollution, and training + pollution. In order to place the animals exposed to air pollution, a chamber with dimensions of 166 × 199 × 272 cm, which was completely isolated, was used. The pollutants included carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. The endurance training was performed five times per week for eight weeks. Twenty four hours after the completion of the protocol, the gastrocnemius muscle tissue was extracted. Then, the expression of PGC-1α and MEF2C genes was measured using teal time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Two-way ANOVA test was used to analyze the data. Findings: There was a statistically significant interaction between the effects of exercise and pollution on the expression of PGC-1α gene (P = 0. 03). Moreover, there was not a statistically significant interaction between the effects of exercise and pollution on the expression of MEF2C gene (P = 0. 61). But, simple main effects analysis showed that both exercise and pollution significantly affected expression of MEF2C gene (P = 0. 03). Conclusion: Air pollution significantly reduces the expression of PGC-1α and MEF2C genes; however, endurance training significantly increases the expression of these genes; but, endurance training in air pollution only increases the expression of PGC-1α gene.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) is a chronic disease with unknown etiology which can involve different body organs. Polymorphism in Fcγ receptors have been identified as a genetic susceptibility factor to SLE and other autoimmune diseases. This study aimed to identify Fcγ RIIB genotype in rs10550501 and Fcγ RIIIA genotype in rs396991, as well as their association with SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI). Methods: Eighty clinically diagnosed patients with SLE based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria were included. High-resolution melt-polymerase chain reaction (HRM-PCR) method was used to detect Fcγ RIIB and Fcγ RIIIA polymorphism. Disease activity was assessed using SLEDAI. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Findings: Of the eighty patients, 90% were women, and 10% were men. Minimum and maximum SLEDAI scores were 0 and 51, respectively, with a mean of 21. 1. Among the patients with SLE, Fcγ RIIB frequency was 37. 5 % for TT genotype and 31. 25% for CT and CC genotypes. There was no significant association between Fcγ RIIB genotype and SLEDAI (P = 0. 557). Fcγ RIIIA frequency was 47. 5% for TT, 31. 25% for CT, and 21. 25 for GG genotype. There was a significant association between Fcγ RIIIA polymorphism and SLEDAI (P = 0. 029). Conclusion: The genotypes in rs1050501 position do not have any effect on SLE disease severity. TG genotype in rs396991 has a protective effect in SLE.

No definite treatment has been reported thus far for spinal cord injuries (SCI) that is mainly due to its complex nature and pathophysiology, specifically in chronic stages of the disease. The disease imposes lots of financial and psychological costs to the families and society. From pathophysiological aspects, the disease can be divided into two phases of primary and secondary injuries. The primary damage begins with an initial lesion which-during a series of secondary molecular events in the form of a cascade-produces a large cavity in the initial damaged area called glial scar. The glial scar creates a physical and chemical barrier against repairing the injured spinal cord. In fact, there are many barriers against recovery of neurons that regenerative treatment strategies have to overcome. Many of methods suggested to cure SCI have been shown to be successful in vitro and pre-clinical studies, and have not reached clinical trial phases. This review study provides some of the latest strategies shown to be effective for treatment of SCI.