J Res Med Sci
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Amphetamine abuse has been conceived as an addictive illness where stress regulation and inhibitory control may be crucial factors determining chronicity and relapse. Since amphetamine consumption may disrupt the cerebral systems regulating inhibition and stress behaviors, deregulation on these systems may be expected even after long-term abstinence periods. The present study aimed to evaluate the ability of abstinent amphetamine consumers to regulate stress parameters and to inhibit cognitive patterns under the acute trier social stress test (TSST) paradigm. ⋯ We concluded that both the stress regulatory system and executive function system (attentional/inhibitory control) represent key vulnerability conditions to the long-term effect of compulsive amphetamine consumption.
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Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a great need to demonstrate a more efficient biomarker that would confirm the diagnosis of DVT. Our work aimed to evaluate the role of platelet-derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-B) as a new marker of DVT and its correlation with other radiological and laboratory tools used for the diagnosis. ⋯ Our study submits a novel association of PDGF-B plasma levels with DVT, and PDGF-B is considered to be a more specific indicator for DVT than is DD.
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The objectives of this study were to compare the interferon-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) promoter methylation level between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients and healthy controls and to evaluate its diagnostic value in SLE. ⋯ The level of IFI44L promoter methylation from whole peripheral blood in Iranian SLE patients was significantly lower than healthy controls. Furthermore, the DNA methylation level of IFI44L promoter was not associated with renal damage in patients with SLE.
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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of natural antioxidant formula (blend of herbs: ginger root, cinnamon bark and raw almond fruit powder, rosemary leaf powder, and honey) on oxidative status, antioxidant enzyme activity, and relative heat shock protein (HSP-70) expression in recreational female athletes. ⋯ The results presented herein revealed that natural antioxidant rich formula had variable effects on oxidative status. However, in contrast to many antioxidant supplements, this formulation increases the HSP-70 mRNA expression which might improve the antioxidant ability of cells in the long-term period and exercise-induced adaptation.
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The significant association between epicardial adipose tissue and cardiovascular risk factors as well as outcome of ischemic heart diseases has been recently proposed. We determined the association between epicardial adipose tissue thickness and in-hospital as well as 3-month outcome after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG). ⋯ Epicardial adipose tissue thickness is a useful predicting parameter for in-ICU complications after CABG.