With the aim of making specific targeting of silver nanoparticles as a drug for tumor cells and developing new anticancer agents, a novel nano-composite was developed. Albumin coated silver nanoparticles (ASNPs) were synthesized, and their anti-cancerous effects were evaluated against MDA-MB 231, a human breast cancer cell line. The synthesized ASNPs were characterized by spectroscopic methods. The morphological changes of the cells were observed by inverted, florescent microscopy and also by DNA ladder pattern on gel electrophoresis; the results revealed that the cell death process occurred through the apoptosis mechanism. It was found that ASNPs with a size of 90 nm and negatively charged with a zeta-potential of about −20 mV could be specifically taken up by tumor cells. The LD50 of ASNPs against MDA-MB 231 (5 μM), was found to be 30 times higher than that for white normal blood cells (152 μM). The characteristics of the synthesized ASNPs included; intact structure of coated albumin, higher cytotoxicity against cancer cells than over normal cells, and cell death based on apoptosis and reduction of gland tumor sizes in mice. This work indicates that ASNPs could be a good candidate for chemotherapeutic drug.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to design a new nanocomposite that would have high cytotoxicity against invasive breast cancer cells and minimum side effects on normal cells.MethodsAn albumin nano-carrier for delivery of CuNPs was developed. The ACuNPs formation was characterized by TEM, DLS and UV-Vis, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy. The cytotoxic efficacy of the ACuNPs against human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB 231) and normal cells (MCF-10A) was compared using a standard MTT assay. The mechanism of cell death induced by ACuNPs was considered by inverted and fluorescent microscopy, flow cytometry and gel electrophoresis. The effects of compounds on ROS generations in MDA-MB 231 cells were also studied.ResultsIt was found that the resulted ACuNPs with a diameter of 62.7 nm and zeta potential of about -10.76 mV, are suitable for extravasation into tumor cells. In ACuNPs, the 90% of the secondary structure and almost all the tertiary structure of albumin remained intact. Comparing to CuNPs, ACuNPs could significantly suppress the viability of cancer cells while they were less toxic on normal cells. Compared with the untreated cells, the MDA-MB 231 cell line showed higher levels of ROS production after treatment with ACuNPs. The increase in ROS production after 24 hours indicated that ACuNPs induce apoptosis.ConclusionsThe ACuNPs characteristics such as intact structure of albumin, high toxicity against cancer cells comparing to normal cells and apoptosis induction as the mechanism of cell death, revealed that this nanocomposite is a good candidate to be used as a chemotherapeutic agent against invasive breast cancer cells.

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In this study, we investigated the synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Peganum harmala water extract at ambient temperature. The Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized by ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The average particle size of the silver nanoparticles was about 23 nm. Inhibitory activity of the synthesized AgNPs was tested against human pathogens like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The results indicated that the AgNPs showed moderate inhibitory actions, demonstrating its antibacterial value against pathogenic diseases. ARTICLE HISTORY

Background:Pseudocyesis is a psychopathological clinical syndrome in which a non-pregnant woman firmly believes herself to be pregnant and manifests many symptoms and signs of pregnancy. Although the exact etiology of pseudocyesis has not been determined.Objective:This study was conducted with the aim of assessing the biopsychosocial view to pseudocyesis.Materials and Methods:A comprehensive search in electronic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted between 1943-2016 to retrieve pseudocyesis related articles. For this purpose, 1149 articles were collected and 66 items were used.Results:Findings were classified into 2 main categories: a) pseudocyesis etiology, which could include (biological psychological factors and psychiatric disorders, and social factors); and b) pseudocyesis management.Conclusion:Pseudocyesis results from a multidimensional group of factors, and a holistic and comprehensive approach should be taken to its treatment. Cooperation between gynecologists and psychiatrists would likely be useful in addressing the condition.

Objectives: The present study was conducted to assess 3(HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A total number of 7626 HCWs were included in this web-based crosssectional study, via the convenience sampling technique. To collect the required data, the sociodemographic characteristics information form, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and the Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) were also employed. In addition, data analysis was performed using the SPSS Statistics software (ver. 24), as well as descriptive statistics, Chi-square test (χ 2 ), and univariate/multivariate logistic regression models. Results:The CDAS results revealed that 47.9% and 70.5% of the HCWs had experienced moderate levels of physical and psychological anxiety, respectively. Based on the DASS results, 44.8%, 43%, and 34.8% of the HCWs had been subjected to depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic, respectively. The logistic regression models correspondingly showed that depression among the HCWs was significantly correlated with risk factors, such as the age groups of 20-30

Context: Peer education is an effective strategy for improving adolescents' health. It focuses on the improvement of knowledge, attitudes and beliefs among adolescents with regards to different healthcare issues and empowers them to make informed decisions. This review study aimed to determine factors that promote peer education among adolescents.Evidence Acquisition: In this narrative review, electronic databases including Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed (including Medline), Web of Science, Scientific Information Database, and Scopus were searched. Articles published between 1991 and 2016 were retrieved and undergone abstract and full-text appraisal. Lastly, 53 articles were selected and used to write this review. Results:The factors influencing the promotion of peer education among adolescents were classified as follow: 'characteristics of peer educators': personal, skills and communication characteristics; 'characteristics of the educational program': theoretical foundations, program transparency, program sustainability, adolescents' comprehensive participation, and evaluation and monitoring; and 'structural characteristics of the educational program': supportive structure, and financial-official structure. Conclusions:Taking into account the importance of adolescence and issues surrounding this period, the important role of peer education in the promotion of adolescents' health should be emphasized.

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