Prevalence of physical activity using validated tools among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many interventions have been taken around the world to limit the spread of COVID-19. These interventions have affected people's lifestyles such as physical activity. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine the prevalence of physical activity using validated tools among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Association of Perceived Stress and Physical Activity Level with Severity of Coronary Artery Disease in Gaza Strip, Palestine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The association between life-event stressors and low physical activity linked to the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) is poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the perceived stress status and physical activity level associated with the severity of CAD.

Methods: The study was conducted among 423 patients with newly discovered CAD (both sexes, aged 35-65 years) confirmed by coronary angiography results.

Different scoring methods of the VARK questionnaire to evaluate dentistry Students' learning styles.

Introduction: The way students process and organise information to facilitate learning is known as learning style. Knowing one's learning style can improve learning and help teachers choose their teaching methods more effectively. This study was conducted to investigate different scoring methods of the VARK questionnaire and compare different learning styles in different stages of dental school.

Hormones can influence drug addiction-A narrative review.

Drug addiction is a dangerous condition that is the concern of human societies. Nevertheless, several issues exist ahead of people with a drug use disorder during addiction. Accordingly, various types of studies have been conducted to understand better the problems that people with a drug use disorder encountered.

Role of Tumor Microenvironment in Cancer Stem Cells Resistance to Radiotherapy.

Cancer is a chronic disorder that involves several elements of both the tumor and the host stromal cells. At present, the complex relationship between the various factors presents in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and tumor cells, as well as immune cells located within the TME, is still poorly known. Within the TME, the crosstalk of these factors and immune cells essentially determines how a tumor reacts to the treatment and how the tumor can ultimately be destroyed, remain dormant, or develop and metastasize.

Association of Diet Quality and Food Insecurity with Metabolic Syndrome in Obese Adults.

Background: The link between diet quality, food insecurity (FI), and metabolic syndrome (MetS) remains unclear in obese adults. The aim of this study was to examine the association of diet quality and FI with MetS in obese Iranian adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 300 obese adults.

Modulation of Radiation-Induced NADPH Oxidases in Rat's Heart Tissues by Melatonin.

Background: Experimental studies have shown that infiltration of inflammatory cells as well as upregulation of some cytokines play a central role in the development of late effects of ionizing radiation in heart tissues. Evidences have shown that an increased level of TGF-β has a direct correlation with late effects of exposure to ionizing radiation such as chronic oxidative stress and fibrosis. Recent studies have shown that TGF-β, through upregulation of pro-oxidant enzymes such as NOX2 and NOX4, promotes continuous ROS production and accumulation of fibrosis.

Effect of bariatric surgery on endogenous sex hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin levels: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Most studies have shown beneficial effect of bariatric surgery (BS) on serum levels of sex hormones.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to examine the magnitude of possible changes in levels of sex hormones following BS.

Settings: Electronic databases were searched, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, for relevant studies.

Undiagnosed Depression among Hypertensive Individuals in Gaza: A Cross-sectional Survey from Palestine.

Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and to determine the associated factors of undiagnosed depression amongst hypertensive patients (HTNP) at primary health care centers (PHCC) in Gaza.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted including 538 HTNP as a recruitment phase of a clustered randomized controlled trial. Data were collected through face-to-face structured interview, and depression status was assessed by Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II).

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing on medication adherence among Palestinian hypertensive patients: a clustered randomized controlled trial.

Background: This trial aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MINT) among medication non-adherent hypertensive patients attending primary healthcare centres in Gaza Strip.

Methods And Results: A clustered randomized controlled trial was run among 355 hypertensive participants; who were identified as non-adherent by a self-reported adherent scale and were recruited from 10 centres by two stages cluster random sampling approach (five centres were randomly allocated to each group). Standard of hypertension care was provided to 173 participants, parallel to 182 one who received their standard of care including non-blinded MINT sessions for 3 months.

Evaluation of smoking status: comparison of self-reports with exhaled carbon monoxide analysis in university students in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: Smoking is considered the leading risk factor for many chronic diseases and deaths worldwide. Thus, it is important to determine the number of smokers before implementing tobacco control initiatives. Due to stigma and deterrent measures, it is impossible to access smokers through a self-report questionnaire.

Circulating resistin and follistatin levels in obese and non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was performed to resolve the inconsistencies regarding resistin and follistatin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by pooling the available evidence. A systematic literature search using PubMed and Scopus was carried out through November 2020 to obtain all pertinent studies. Weighted mean differences (WMDs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the strength of the association between the levels of resistin and follistatin with PCOS in the overall and stratified analysis by obesity status.

Radioprotective effect of a combination of melatonin and metformin on mice spermatogenesis: A histological study.

Background: The spermatogenesis system includes highly radiosensitive cells. Hence, this system is a potential target for toxic effects of ionizing radiation during radiotherapy of abdomen and pelvis cancers, as well as after accidental radiation events. Accordingly, metformin and melatonin are two important radioprotectors that have shown an ability to prevent cell death through neutralization of free radicals and stimulating DNA damage responses.

Radioprotective Effects of Zinc and Selenium on Mice Spermatogenesis.

Background: Spermatogenesis system is one of the most radiosensitive organs in the body. A usual therapeutic dose of radiation such as the conventional 2 Gy in each fraction of radiotherapy and lower doses seen in diagnostic radiology or a radiation disaster affect the process of spermatogenesis potently. Selenium and zinc are two important elements playing key roles in the development of sperms and also have radioprotective effects.

Dental rehabilitation of a cleft lip and palate patient by implant-supported overdenture: A case report.

Our patient was a 27-year-old male with a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Considering the mobility of bone segments around the cleft, an implant-supported removable overdenture (obturator) was fabricated, which improved the function and esthetics and led to patient satisfaction. The treatment results are still satisfactory after 5 years of follow-up.

Resveratrol as an Enhancer of Apoptosis in Cancer: A Mechanistic Review.

The resistance to therapy of cancer cells is a challenge for achieving an appropriate therapeutic outcome. Cancer (stem) cells possess several mechanisms for increasing their survival following exposure to toxic agents such as chemotherapy drugs, radiation, as well as immunotherapy. Evidences show that apoptosis plays a key role in the response of cancer (stem) cells and their multi-drug resistance.

Effect of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on microtensile bond strength of dental composite restorations to dentin in use of an etch-and-rinse adhesive system.

Aim: This study assesses the effect of matrix metalloproteinases on microtensile bond strength (μTBS) of an etch-and-rinse adhesive system.

Methods: This in vitro study evaluated 88 extracted premolars. The teeth were sectioned to expose dentin and were then randomly divided into four groups (n = 22).

The interactions and communications in tumor resistance to radiotherapy: Therapy perspectives.

Tumor microenvironment (TME) includes a wide range of cell types including cancer cells, cells which are involved in stromal structure and immune cells (tumor suppressor and tumor promoting cells). These cells have several interactions with each other that are mainly regulated via the release of intercellular mediators. Radiotherapy can modulate these interactions via shifting secretions into inflammatory or anti-inflammatory responses.

Damage-associated molecular patterns in tumor radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy is one of the most common modalities for the treatment of cancer. One of the most promising effects of radiotherapy is immunologic cell death and the release of danger alarms, which are known as damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs are able to trigger cancer cells and other cells within tumor microenvironment (TME), either for suppression or promotion of tumor growth.

Abscopal effect in radioimmunotherapy.

Abscopal effect is an interesting phenomenon in radiobiology that causes activation of immune system against cancer cells. Traditionally, this phenomenon was known as a suppressor of non-irradiated tumors or metastasis. However, it can be used as a stimulator of the immune system against primary tumor during radiotherapy.

Birth Weight and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Incidence in Adulthood: a Dose-Response Meta-analysis.

Purpose Of Review: Studies have revealed a relation between birth weight (BW) and later risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This meta-analysis aimed to report the dose-response relationship between BW and risk of CVDs.

Recent Findings: The relation of BW to CVD subtypes was found to be U-shaped as BW below ~ 2500 g and above ~ 4000 g affected positively CVD risk (OR = 1.

Targeting of cellular redox metabolism for mitigation of radiation injury.

Accidental exposure to ionizing radiation is a serious concern to human life. Studies on the mitigation of side effects following exposure to accidental radiation events are ongoing. Recent studies have shown that radiation can activate several signaling pathways, leading to changes in the metabolism of free radicals including reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO).

TGF-β in radiotherapy: Mechanisms of tumor resistance and normal tissues injury.

Emerging evidences show that changes in tumor stroma can adapt cancer cells to radiotherapy, thereby leading to a reduction in tumor response to treatment. On the other hand, radiotherapy is associated with severe reactions in normal tissues which limit the amount radiation dose received by tumor. These challenges open a window in radiobiology and radiation oncology to explore mechanisms for improving tumor response and also alleviate side effects of radiotherapy.

Determining the Prevalence of and the Factors Associated with Antihypertensive Medication Non-Adherence in the Gaza Strip.

Background: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of and determine the factors associated with antihypertensive medication (A-HTNM) non-adherence among hypertension care seekers attending primary health clinics in the Gaza Strip.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted as the recruitment phase of a clustered randomized controlled trial including 538 participants. The participants were randomly selected from 10 primary health care centers by two-stage cluster random sampling.