How Similar Are Drug Data and Disease Self-report? Estimating the Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Less Developed Settings.

Background: Drug data has been used to estimate the prevalence of chronic diseases. Disease registries and annual surveys are lacking, especially in less-developed regions. At the same time, insurance drug data and self-reports of medications are easily accessible and inexpensive.

Promising anticancer activity of cromolyn in colon cancer: in vitro and in vivo analysis.

Purpose: Colon cancer is a prevalent cancer globally, representing approximately 10% of all cancer cases and accounting for 10% of all cancer-related deaths. Therefore, finding new therapeutic methods with high efficiency will be very valuable. Cromolyn (C), a common anti-allergic and mast cell membrane stabilizing drug, has recently shown valuable anti-cancer effects in several studies.

In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of mebendazole in colon cancer: a promising drug repositioning.

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers and one of the main causes of death worldwide. Therefore, new treatment methods with better efficiency and fewer risks are very necessary. Mebendazole (MBZ), a drug commonly used for helminthic infections, has recently received attention as a suitable candidate for the treatment of various cancers.

Efficacy of Combination Therapy with Apigenin and Synovial Membrane-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Knee Joint Osteoarthritis in a Rat Model.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that causes a variety of adverse health effects. Considering the need to identify additional effective therapeutic options for OA therapy, we investigated the effect of co-injection of apigenin and synovial membrane-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMMSCs) on OA in male rats' knee joints.

Methods: The study was performed in 2019 at the Department of Pharmacology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.

Effect of Selenium on Quantitative Structural Changes in Dexamethasone-Induced Immunodeficiency Rat Models.

Background: One of the major indices of immunodeficiency is lymphoid organ atrophy. Some trace elements are candidates for the treatment of this defect. These conditions may induce structural changes in the sub-components of lymphoid organs.

The effect of kaempferol and apigenin on allogenic synovial membrane-derived stem cells therapy in knee osteoarthritic male rats.

Background: Based on the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties of kaempferol and apigenin, we hypothesized that co-injection of these phytochemicals would increase the effectiveness of cell therapy in knee osteoarthritic rats.

Methods: Anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was used to induce osteoarthritis (OA). Animals were treated by weekly intra-articular injections of kaempferol (10 or 20 μM) and/or isolated MSCs from synovial membrane (SMMSCs) (3 × 106 cells), a mixture of apigenin (0.

An Experimental Investigation of Ultraweak Photon Emission from Adult Murine Neural Stem Cells.

Neurons like other living cells may have ultraweak photon emission (UPE) during neuronal activity. This study is aimed to evaluate UPE from neural stem cells (NSC) during their serial passaging and differentiation. We also investigate whether the addition of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) or enhancement of UPE (by AgNPs or mirror) affect the differentiation of NSC.

Protoscolicidal Effects of the Garlic Chloroformic Extract on the Protoscolices of Hydatid Cyst at a Short Exposure Time, up to Five Minutes.

Background: The treatment of choice for hydatidosis as an important zoonotic disease is surgery. Different agents are injected into the cyst to prevent secondary hydatidosis. To avoid the side effects of such protoscolicidal agents, considering the high protoscolicidal effects of the garlic extract, we conducted the present study on protoscolices in limited applicable times and compared the extract with some chemical agents.

Effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on ovarian structures in cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure in female rats: a stereological study.

Background: Ovarian failure is diagnosed by ovarian destruction and reducing sex hormonal levels. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains several growth factors that induce tissue repair and may induce folliculogenesis.

Objective: This study evaluates the effect of PRP on ovarian structures and function in cyclophosphamide (Cy)-induced ovarian failure in female rats by a stereological method.

Differential Effects of Resveratrol on the Expression of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Transcripts and Protein in the Hippocampus of Rat Brain.

Background: The induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus has shown to play a role in the beneficial effects of resveratrol (RSV) on the learning and memory. The BDNF gene has a complicated structure with eight 5' noncoding exons (I-IXa), each of which can splice to a common coding exon (IX) to form a functional transcript. Estrogens increase levels of BDNF transcripts in the hippocampus of rats.

Effects of Ethanol on the Expression Level of Various BDNF mRNA Isoforms and Their Encoded Protein in the Hippocampus of Adult and Embryonic Rats.

We aimed to compare the effects of oral ethanol (Eth) alone or combined with the phytoestrogen resveratrol (Rsv) on the expression of various brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) transcripts and the encoded protein pro-BDNF in the hippocampus of pregnant and embryonic rats. A low (0.25 g/kg body weight (BW)/day) dose of Eth produced an increase in the expression of BDNF exons I, III and IV and a decrease in that of the exon IX in embryos, but failed to affect BDNF transcript and pro-BDNF protein expression in adults.

The healing effect of curcumin on burn wounds in rat.

Background: Burns are still considered one of the most devastating conditions in emergency medicine affecting both genders and all age groups in developed and developing countries, resulting into physical and psychological scars and cause chronic disabilities. This study was performed to determine the healing effect of curcumin on burn wounds in rat.

Methods: Seventy female Sprague-Dawley 180-220 g rats were randomly divided into 5 equal groups.

Preparation of a selective L-phenylalanine imprinted polymer implicated in patients with phenylketonuria.

Background: Molecular imprinting is a method for synthesizing polymers with structure-selective adsorption properties with applications such as, selectivity binding, drug delivery systems and anti-bodies. The present study aims at optimizing the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) against l-phenylalanine, in order to increase phenylalanine-binding in Enzymatic Intestinal Simulated Fluid (ESIF).

Methods: The MIP for l-phenylalanine, as a water-soluble template, was successfully synthesized without derivatization.

Inhibition of NR2B-Containing N-methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDARs) in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis, a Model of Multiple Sclerosis.

Neurodegeneration is the pathophysiological basis for permanent neurological disabilities in multiple sclerosis (MS); thus neuroprotection is emerging as a therapeutic approach in MS research. Modulation of excitotoxicity by inhibition of NMDARs has been suggested for neuroprotection, but selective antagonisation of the NR2B subtype of these receptors, a subtype believed to play a more pivotal role in neurodegeneration, has not been tested in MS. In this study inhibition of NR2B-containing NMDAR was evaluated on the animal model of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

Stereological study of the effect of ginger's alcoholic extract on the testis in busulfan-induced infertility in rats.

Background: In traditional medicine zingiber officinale used to regulate female menstural cycle and treat male infertility. Recent studies have suggested the possible role of ginger extract in improving the testicular damage of busulfan.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of zingiber officinale on the sperm parameters, testosterone level and the volume of the testes and seminiferous tubules by stereological methods.

Relationship of Dopamine of the Nucleus Accumbens with Intra-infralimbic Apomorphine Microinjection.

Objective(s): The dopamine level of the nucleus accumbens changes during some stereotyped behaviors. To study dopamine level of the nucleus accumbens in intra infralimbic apomorphine-induced climbing, microdialysis probes were implanted into the nucleus accumbens shell of male Sprague Dawley rats weighting 275-400 g.

Materials And Methods: The rats were divided into two groups (apomorphine and control) of least eleven rats in each group.

Protective effect of Brewer's yeast on methimazole-induced-adrenal atrophy (a stereological study).

Induction of hypothyroidism by thioamide drugs will cause adrenal gland atrophy and decrease in its hormones. To prevent side effect on the adrenal gland, brewer's yeast, a natural product rich in vitamins and minerals was used. Serological techniques were applied to measure the volume of adrenal gland.

Effect of oral resveratrol on the BDNF gene expression in the hippocampus of the rat brain.

Resveratrol is a plant polyphenolic compound. Evidence indicates that resveratrol has beneficial effects against aging and neurodegenerative diseases. The goal of our study was in vivo examination of the effects of resveratrol on the abundance of mRNA encoding Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of rat brain.

Curcumin protects rats against acetaminophen-induced hepatorenal damages and shows synergistic activity with N-acetyl cysteine.

Acetaminophen is one of the most popular analgesic and antipyretic drugs and its overdose, which can cause severe damage to liver and kidneys, is one of the most common reasons of emergency admissions. In this study we investigated the effects of curcumin, derived from plant Curcuma longa, on acetaminophen toxicity, and the possibility of combining therapy of curcumin and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) to treat this toxicity. The experiments were conducted on 72 male Sprague-Dawley rats randomly divided into 12 groups.

In vitro effects of adrenomedullin and calcitonin gene related peptide on the release of serotonin and amino acids from rat dorsal spinal cord.

Adrenomedullin (AM) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) are structurally related, interact with each others receptors and show overlapping biological activities. Immunoreactivity (IR) and mRNAs along with binding sites for both CGRP and adrenomedullin have been shown in the rat spinal cord. CGRP mediates the transmission of nociceptive information at the spinal cord level and both peptides has shown to induces c-fos expression and accumulation of cAMP in spinal cells.

Stereologic study of the effects of prostaglandin E2 on the induction of angiogenesis in full-thickness skin autografts.

Objective: To determine whether prostaglandin E2 improves angiogenesis in full-thickness skin grafts.

Design: Randomized study

Subjects: 20 male rabbits, divided into 2 experimental and 2 control groups.

Methodology: Prostaglandin E2 (experimental groups) or prostaglandin E2 vehicle (control groups) was injected locally into experimental skin autografts once a day for up to 5 days.