Background::High concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have been a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Also, the role of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in forming atherosclerosis plaque has been proven. However, it has not yet been proven that atherogenic LDL-C by-products like ox-LDL will decrease by keeping the LDL levels at the desired level. This study aimed to examine the relationship between LDL-C and ox-LDL in different LDL-C values in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods::In this cross-sectional study, 347 patients with T2D who received statins were enrolled. LDL-C values were defined into four groups as LDL-C < 55 mg/dL, 55 mg/dL ≤ to <70 mg/dL, 70 mg/dL ≤ to <100 mg/dL and LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and ox-LDL were studied in the four defined groups.Results::Ox-LDL levels were not different among the four groups ( p = 0.30). In addition, LDL-C and ox-LDL levels had no significant correlation (r = 0.480, p = 0.376). Additionally, based on this study analysis, ox-LDL levels were significantly correlated with TG levels ( r = 0.119, p < 0.05) and TG/HDL ratio ( r = 0.390, p < 0.01). Conclusions::It is concluded that ox-LDL levels were not associated with different LDL-C level categories from <55 mg/dL to >100 mg/dL in patients with T2D. However, the revealed association of ox-LDL with TG level and TG/HDL ratio may be considered in the clinic.

Background::High concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) have been a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Also, the role of oxidized LDL (ox-LDL) in forming atherosclerosis plaque has been proven. However, it has not yet been proven that atherogenic LDL-C by-products like ox-LDL will decrease by keeping the LDL levels at the desired level. This study aimed to examine the relationship between LDL-C and ox-LDL in different LDL-C values in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).Methods::In this cross-sectional study, 347 patients with T2D who received statins were enrolled. LDL-C values were defined into four groups as LDL-C < 55 mg/dL, 55 mg/dL ≤ to <70 mg/dL, 70 mg/dL ≤ to <100 mg/dL and LDL-C ≥ 100 mg/dL. Total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and ox-LDL were studied in the four defined groups.Results::Ox-LDL levels were not different among the four groups ( p = 0.30). In addition, LDL-C and ox-LDL levels had no significant correlation (r = 0.480, p = 0.376). Additionally, based on this study analysis, ox-LDL levels were significantly correlated with TG levels ( r = 0.119, p < 0.05) and TG/HDL ratio ( r = 0.390, p < 0.01). Conclusions::It is concluded that ox-LDL levels were not associated with different LDL-C level categories from <55 mg/dL to >100 mg/dL in patients with T2D. However, the revealed association of ox-LDL with TG level and TG/HDL ratio may be considered in the clinic.

This study investigated the effect of ethanol extracts of horsetail, alfalfa, ortie, chêne and aleppo oak on blood coagulation in vitro. Extraction was performed by the maceration method. Extracts were mixed with platelet and plasma, then prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and platelet aggregation tests were conducted. Alfalfa extract had a dose-dependent effect on the PT. Ortie, and horsetail, reduced the PT significantly compared to control group. Alfalfa, horsetail, and ortie reduced the APTT, but their effect was insignificant compared to the control group. The pooled extract showed the highest effect compared to the single extracts in a dose-dependent manner. Horsetail and alfalfa induced platelet aggregation in response to arachidonic acid but not in response to collagen. In the case of ortie, no aggregation occurred regarding the arachidonic acid, and incomplete was observed in response to collagen. Interestingly, blood clotting occurred immediately after adding the chêne, aleppo oak and the pooled extract, and therefore platelet poor plasma (PPP) and platelet rich plasma (PRP) became jelly. Generally, chêne and aleppo oak, as well as pooled extract, were more effective in inducing both primary and secondary coagulation pathways via shortening the PT and APTT, and induction of platelet aggregation.

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on the hospitalization rate, emergency department (ED) visits, and outpatient clinic visits in western Iran. Methods: We collected data on the monthly hospitalization rate, rate of patients referred to the ED, and rate of patients referred to outpatient clinics for a period of 40 months (23 months before and 17 months after the COVID-19 outbreak in Iran) from all 7 public hospitals in the city of Kermanshah. An interrupted time series analysis was conducted to examine the impact of COVID-19 on the outcome variables in this study. Results: A statistically significant decrease of 38.11 hospitalizations per 10,000 population (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.93–51.29) was observed in the first month of the COVID-19 outbreak. The corresponding reductions in ED visits and outpatient visits per 10,000 population were 191.65 (95% CI, 166.63–216.66) and 168.57 (95% CI, 126.41–210.73), respectively. After the initial reduction, significant monthly increases in the hospitalization rate (an increase of 1.81 per 10,000 population), ED visits (an increase of 2.16 per 10,000 population), and outpatient clinic visits (an increase of 5.77 per 10,000 population) were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion Our study showed that the utilization of outpatient and inpatient services in hospitals and clinics significantly declined after the COVID-19 outbreak, and use of these services did not return to pre-outbreak levels as of June 2021.

Translating progress in neuroscience into clinical benefits for patients with psychiatric disorders is challenging because it involves the brain as the most complex organ and its interaction with a complex environment and condition. Dealing with such complexity requires powerful techniques. Computational neuroscience approach to psychiatry integrates multiple levels and types of simulation, analysis and computation according to the different types of computational models to enhance comprehending, prediction and treatment of psychiatric disorder. This approach comprises two approaches: theory-driven and data-driven. In this review, we focus on recent advances in theory-driven approaches that mathematically and mechanistically examine the relationships between disorder-related changes and behavior at different level of brain organization. We discuss recent progresses in computational neuroscience models that relate to psychiatry and show how principles of neural computational modeling can be employed to explain psychopathology.

Adherence to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive guidelines (ACPG) is an important strategy to control the COVID-19 pandemic effectively. The present study aimed to identify and summarize the social determinants of ACPG among the general population. A comprehensive review was performed from December 2019 to February 2021 through searching electronic databases. Two independent reviewers assessed and selected relevant studies. Next, the characteristics and main findings of the included studies were summarized. Finally, the World Health Organization’s conceptual framework of social determinants of health was used to synthesize the identified social determinants of ACPG. Forty-one of 453 retrieved articles met the inclusion criteria. The study results showed different patterns of ACPG among various communities. Furthermore, 84 social determinants were identified and categorized into structural and intermediary determinants. ACPG is a set of complex behaviors associated with different individual sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics; living and working conditions; COVID-19 knowledge, attitudes, and risk perceptions; exposure to sources and information level; leisure activities; social support; trust; social norms; psychosocial well-being; socio-economic position; and the socio-economic and political context. Interventions to promote ACPG among the general population should consider the identified social determinants of ACPG.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of central nervous system (CNS). The mmune system plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Current treatments are unable to cure patients and prevent the progression of MS lesions. Stem cell-based cell therapy has opened a new window for MS treatment. Stem cells regulate immune responses and improve axonal remyelination. Stem cells can be obtained from different origins such as embryonic, neural, bone marrow, and adipose tissues. But yet there is a challenge for the selection of the best cell source for stem cell therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of stem cell obtained from different origins and have significant immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. The increasing evidence have suggested that umbilical cord and adipose tissue can be a suitable source for isolation of MSCs. Moreover, human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) as novel stem cell origins by having immunoregulatory effects, regenerative effects, and less capacity of antigenicity can be a candidate for MS treatment. This review discussed the mechanistic effects of MSCs with a focus on human amniotic epithelial cells, which can be used to treatment and improvement of outcome in MS disease.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of central nervous system (CNS). The mmune system plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Current treatments are unable to cure patients and prevent the progression of MS lesions. Stem cell-based cell therapy has opened a new window for MS treatment. Stem cells regulate immune responses and improve axonal remyelination. Stem cells can be obtained from different origins such as embryonic, neural, bone marrow, and adipose tissues. But yet there is a challenge for the selection of the best cell source for stem cell therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a type of stem cell obtained from different origins and have significant immunomodulatory effects on the immune system. The increasing evidence have suggested that umbilical cord and adipose tissue can be a suitable source for isolation of MSCs. Moreover, human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) as novel stem cell origins by having immunoregulatory effects, regenerative effects, and less capacity of antigenicity can be a candidate for MS treatment. This review discussed the mechanistic effects of MSCs with a focus on human amniotic epithelial cells, which can be used to treatment and improvement of outcome in MS disease.