Cobalt is an essential trace element in biochemistry that plays a crucial role in the structure and function of several important biomolecules. In this review, vitamin B12 is discussed as one of the best-known examples in this area. Various forms of this vitamin, including methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, play a crucial role in metabolic reactions in mammals and prokaryotes. It also discusses cobalt-containing enzymes that are essential for various biological processes. These enzymes are B12-dependent enzymes, which are well studied, and cobalt-containing enzymes, which are less well known, such as methionine aminopeptidase, nitrile hydratase, glucose isomerase, and prolidase. In addition to the significant role of cobalt complexes in biochemistry, these complexes are considered potent anticancer agents that can exert their antiproliferative effects through the production of ROS, cell cycle arrest, MMP breakdown, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Cobalt complexes are also being explained here for their antimicrobial properties against a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Furthermore, examples of these complexes are presented as promising agents for the suppression of AD, which could be effective by binding to Aβ-peptides and preventing their aggregation, which is a central feature of the pathogenesis of AD, or by combating the oxidative damage associated with the disease, or even by interfering with the enzyme activities associated with this disease. Finally, the challenges related to the toxicity of cobalt and its compounds in medicine are discussed, and chelation therapy is considered an effective treatment for cobalt poisoning.
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, chronic, and life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). The disease is most frequently linked to genetic or acquired dysregulation of the alternative complement pathway and affects both children and adults. The paucity of a gold standard for diagnostic testing and the variety of clinical manifestations are the primary reasons for the challenge in accurately diagnosing aHUS, which can have an impact on patient care. This is due to the fact that the more prevalent autoinflammatory diseases are multifactorial in nature, with both genetic and non-genetic factors playing critical roles. Until the last decade, treatment options were limited to plasma therapy and, in selected cases, liver transplantation, neither of which directly addressed the underlying pathophysiology and both of which carried substantial risks. Since its introduction in 2011, the anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab has significantly improved outcomes and transformed disease management. Trials on novel complement inhibitors, regenerative medicine, targeted therapy, and stem cell therapy may also improve future treatment options. The primary objectives of this investigation are to identify the genetic and epigenetic causes of aHUS, as well as the limitations and debates surrounding its management. Due to the prevalence and significance of this type of illness, researchers have investigated effective therapeutic methods and more recent approaches.
Emotional eating, defined as eating in response to emotional distress rather than physiological hunger, is a major psychological barrier to effective weight management. Despite its high prevalence among women with obesity, limited research has examined this behavior in the Iranian context. This study aimed to explore how emotional eating hinders weight management efforts among obese Iranian women. A qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological design was applied, following Diekelmann’s seven-step method. Seventeen women aged 27–45 years with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 30 were purposively recruited from two Iranian cities. Data were collected through semi-structured, face-to-face interviews and analyzed interpretively to extract themes and subthemes representing participants’ lived experiences. This study involved 17 obese women with a mean age of 38.6 ± 5.9 years and a mean BMI of 31.8 ± 1.8. Four main themes emerged: (1) emotional eating as compromising roles, (2) problematic eating behaviors, (3) facilitating living environment, and (4) harmful consequences. Emotional eating served as a coping mechanism to manage negative emotions, foster self-compassion, and provide temporary relief. However, it was accompanied by uncontrolled, compulsive, and secretive eating patterns, and reinforced by environmental factors such as constant exposure to food during meal preparation. These behaviors impaired self-efficacy in weight management and increased stigma, perpetuating a cycle of overeating and emotional distress. Emotional eating fulfills transient psychological needs but undermines sustained weight control and emotional stability. Addressing emotional and contextual determinants through culturally sensitive interventions such as mindfulness, emotion regulation, and self-compassion training can improve the effectiveness of obesity management programs for women in Iran.
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs, ) particularly those from saffron petals (Crocus sativus L.), are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that offer an accessible and cost-effective option for therapeutic applications and possess significant potential in reducing oxidative stress and supporting cell survival. This study aimed to isolate and characterize saffron petal-derived EVs and evaluate their antioxidant properties and cytotoxic effects on L929 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. In this experimental study, EVs were extracted from saffron petals using a multistep centrifugation method. Their morphology and size were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Protein concentration was determined by the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, and total antioxidant capacity was measured using the ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) assay. EVs were applied to cells at concentrations of 0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml, and cell viability and migration was assessed via the thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scratch assay. The results showed that the isolated EVs exhibited a predominantly spherical to oval morphology with an average size of 58.37 ± 12.92 nm. DLS analysis revealed a size distribution in the range of 80–140 nm, and the zeta potential of − 12.2 mV indicated a negative surface charge and relative colloidal stability. The protein concentration of the EVs was 11.5 µg/ml, and their antioxidant capacity ranged from 0.21 to 0.71 mmol Vitamin C eq/mg protein, with the highest activity observed at 0.1 mg/ml. MTT assay results demonstrated that L929 cell viability significantly increased at 0.5 mg/ml and slightly decreased at 1 mg/ml, yet remained higher than the control, whereas the protective effect on MDA-MB-231 cells was lower, with approximately half of the cells dying at 0.5 mg/ml. These findings indicate that saffron petal-derived EVs possess favorable physical and biological characteristics and can serve as natural carriers of antioxidant compounds, supporting healthy cells. They hold considerable potential for the development of novel plant-based therapeutic strategies.
The care of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a challenging task for parents and caregivers, affecting their physical and mental health. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the care burden (CB) in caregivers of children with ASD. This study was conducted using the PRISMA 2020 guideline with no time limitation (by March 2024). Eligible articles were selected following a comprehensive search in various databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Embase, and Google Scholar) using keywords and operators of “AND” “OR”. Following duplicate papers detection and merging, primary and secondary screenings were applied. Finally, 20 cross-sectional eligible articles (with 2063 caregivers among 13 different countries) were included for data analysis (CMA software, v2). Following assessment of 13 studies, the CB value for caregivers of children with ASD was calculated as 42.8 ± 4.3 using the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) questionnaire. Also, according to the data extracted from 16 eligible articles, the severity of CB was categorized in four groups including No CB (10.6
