BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVESβ-thalassemia major is one of the most frequent hematological genetic disorders, worldwide. Chemokines are the main components of the immune system and play fundamental roles in pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine whether serum CXC chemokines are altered in β-thalassemia major patients.DESIGN AND SETTINGSWe enrolled 63 β-thalassemia patients and 80 controls in this cross-sectional study, which was performed during 2012–2013 in Kerman, Iran.METHODSWe enrolled 63 β-thalassemia patients and 80 controls in the present study. Patients were selected from referrals to Samenolhojaj clinic for thalassemia, Kerman, Iran. The circulating levels of CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in thalassemia patients and healthy controls immediately after blood collection. Data were analyzed by χ2, t-test, and analysis of variance statistical methods and using SPSS, version 13 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).RESULTSThe results of the study demonstrated a significant elevation of CXCL1, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL12 in thalassemia patients than in control. These results also demonstrated that serum chemokine levels are related to transfusion duration and post-transfusion viral infections.CONCLUSIONAccording to the results obtained, it can probably be concluded that chemokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia major and its clinical complications in addition to several other parameters.
Objectives
Preterm infants often suffer from nutritional problems because of gastrointestinal problems. Massage could make the infants feel more peace and comfort, but limited studies have focused on the effects of massage on the gastric function. This study aimed to investigate the effects of abdominal massage on the gastric function of preterm infants.
Methods
A randomized controlled trial compared gastric function of preterm infants with and without massage therapy. The preterm infants were randomly allocated to control and massage groups. The massage group received the abdominal massage before feeding, twice a day, for 15 min, over 5 days. Furthermore, the gastric function was compared between the control and experimental groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version 15.0).
Results
The average weight in both groups had no significant (p>0.05) changes before and after the study, and both groups showed a negative trend in the weight gain. The abdominal circumference, the frequency of vomiting episodes, the residual volume, and defecation frequency were significantly (p<0.05) different between the two groups after the intervention.
Conclusions
The abdominal massage could be an effective nonmedicinal method to reduce the gastrointestinal problems in the preterm infants. The abdominal massage could be offered to the preterm infants as an inexpensive, available, and feasible method to alleviate gastrointestinal problems as well as improve the gastric function.
Chronic opioid abuse can impair the hippocampal region of the brain. This study evaluates the neuroprotective effect of Achillea
millefolium (Ach) on chronic morphine‑induced learning and memory impairment, oxidative stress, and neuronal apoptosis in the
CA1 region of the rat hippocampus. Thirty‑two male Wistar rat rats were classified into four treatment groups (n=8). Morphine
sulfate was administered chronically. The treatment groups were given Ach aqueous extract (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg), orally,
each day. After 28 days, the Morris water maze test was performed on all subjects. Caspase‑3, Bax, and Bcl‑2 proteins expression
in the CA1 region of hippocampal tissue was analyzed using the western blot method. Also, malondialdehyde concentration,
glutathione peroxidase activity, and superoxide dismutase activity were evaluated. The results indicated that Ach extract can
improve spatial learning and memory defects in morphine‑treated rats. Ach administration also ameliorated apoptosis and
oxidative stress indicator levels in hippocampal CA1 of morphine‑treated animals. Based on the present study, Ach improved
spatial learning and memory defects, and reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hippocampus CA1 region, in chronic
morphine‑treated animals.
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