Background: Ducrosia anethifolia (DC.) Boiss., a member of the Apiaceae family, is a valuable medicinal plant with antimicrobial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial effects of green zinc nanoparticles synthesized using an aqueous extract of the musk plant against pathogenic bacteria. Methods: Total phenolic content was measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu reagent method. Total flavonoid content was measured using a colorimetric spectrophotometric method with an aluminum chloride solution. Antioxidant activity was assessed using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Antibacterial activity was determined by measuring the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). Results: Total phenolic content (54.99 mg gallic acid [GA]/g D.W.), total flavonoid content (1.2 mg quercetin [Q]/g D.W.), and antioxidant activity (78.02%) in musk plant extract containing green zinc nanoparticles were higher than those in the control sample (water extract of musk). Antimicrobial testing showed that the greatest inhibitory activity was against Proteus mirabilis, and the most resistant strain was Escherichia coli. Conclusions: The results of this experiment showed that green ZnO nanoparticles in musk extract could potentially be considered a nature-based antibiotic for use in the food or cosmetic industries.
Background: Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease characterized by endothelial dysfunction and altered expression of regulatory microRNAs. Among these, microRNA-126 (miR-126) and microRNA-146a (miR-146a) play important roles in angiogenesis, endothelial repair, and the modulation of inflammatory pathways. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on circulating levels of miR-126 and miR-146a in women with atherosclerosis. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 45 women with clinically diagnosed atherosclerosis were randomly assigned to the control, MICT, or HIIT group (n = 15 each). Exercise interventions were performed three times per week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after 6 and 12 weeks. Circulating miR-126 and miR-146a expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Other cardiovascular and physiological variables were assessed for safety and participant characterization purposes and were not predefined efficacy endpoints. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models with Bonferroni post hoc tests. Results: Significant time × group interactions were observed for both miR-146a (F = 35.5, P < 0.001, η = 0.53) and miR-126 (F = 33.1, P < 0.001, η = 0.52). Both HIIT and MICT significantly increased circulating levels of miR-146a and miR-126 compared with those in the control group (P < 0.001). Although the overall increases after 12 weeks were comparable between the exercise modalities, HIIT induced earlier elevations in both microRNAs during the first 6 weeks, whereas MICT produced a more gradual but sustained increase during the latter phase of the intervention. Conclusions: Twelve weeks of aerobic exercise increased circulating miR-126 and miR-146a in women with atherosclerosis. Although both training modalities produced similar long-term benefits, HIIT elicited more rapid molecular adaptations. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may promote vascular health through favorable epigenetic modulation and support the use of individualized exercise prescriptions for cardiovascular rehabilitation.
Background: Schizophrenia is associated with persistent deficits in social functioning that often continue despite standard pharmacotherapy. Objectives: This study evaluated the efficacy of multi-family psychoeducational group therapy (MFPGT) in reducing interpersonal conflict and social isolation among individuals with schizophrenia. Methods: This 2025 quasi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest design with a 3-month follow-up. The sample comprised 16 individuals with schizophrenia who had recently been discharged in Ahvaz. After eligibility screening, participants were purposively selected and nonrandomly assigned to either an intervention group (n = 8) or a control group (n = 8). Because the study was classified as an educational intervention, clinical trial registration was not required. The intervention group attended 24 weekly MFPGT sessions, whereas the control group received routine care. The Persian versions of the Social Isolation Scale (SIS) and the Interpersonal Relationship Inventory (IRI) were administered. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures analysis of variance. Results: Compared with routine care, MFPGT significantly reduced interpersonal conflict (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.47) and social isolation (P < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.50). These improvements were maintained at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: Preliminary findings suggest that MFPGT may be a promising adjunctive intervention for reducing interpersonal conflict and social isolation in individuals with schizophrenia. However, the small sample size warrants further research in larger cohorts to confirm these findings and their generalizability.
Background: Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are widely used for family planning. However, evidence regarding their association with psychological symptoms remains inconsistent, particularly in low-resource settings. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the association between OCP use and psychological symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and mood swings, and to identify associated sociodemographic and reproductive factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 400 women aged 18 - 49 years who attended a tertiary hospital in Yemen. Current OCP use was defined as use within the preceding 3 months. Data were collected through structured interviews covering sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, and self-reported psychological symptoms. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for depression, anxiety, and mood swings after adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking, Qat chewing, duration of OCP use, education, income, parity, and employment status. Results: Of the 400 participants, 216 (54.0%) were OCP users. The prevalence of depression (18.1% vs. 10.3%, P = 0.039), mood swings (51.9% vs. 40.2%, P = 0.026), and premenstrual syndrome (65.7% vs. 50.0%, P = 0.002) was higher among OCP users than among non-users. In multivariable analyses, OCP use was associated with increased odds of depression (aOR = 2.11; 95% CI, 1.09 - 4.11; P = 0.027) but was not associated with anxiety or mood swings. Longer duration of OCP use was associated with anxiety and mood swings (aOR = 1.01 per month). Education was inversely associated with depression (aOR = 0.37; P = 0.009), whereas employment was positively associated with depression (aOR = 2.55; P = 0.014). Among OCP users, progestin-only formulations were associated with a higher prevalence of psychological symptoms than combined formulations. Conclusions: Oral contraceptive pill use was associated with a higher likelihood of self-reported depression, but not with anxiety or mood swings. Hormonal formulation and duration of use, together with socioeconomic and contextual factors, may influence psychological outcomes. However, causality cannot be inferred, and prospective studies are needed to clarify these associations and to inform individualized contraceptive counseling.
Background: In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased. MicroRNAs are currently regarded as valuable clinical tools for identifying and preventing major noncommunicable diseases. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of combined moderate-intensity exercise and thyme supplementation on the expression of miRNA-223 and miRNA-146, as well as selected metabolic variables, in women with overweight and obesity. Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 26 participants with overweight/obesity aged 35 - 40 years were assigned to the combined exercise group (n = 8; body mass index [BMI], 27.6 kg/m2), resistance exercise group (n = 9; BMI, 27.8 kg/m2), or combined exercise plus thyme supplementation group (n = 9; BMI, 28.6 kg/m2). The exercise interventions were conducted for 8 weeks, with 3 sessions per week; each session lasted 70 minutes. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention to assess miRNA levels, C-reactive protein, and lipid profiles. Results: All groups showed significant improvements in muscle strength and aerobic endurance and reductions in weight, BMI, and body fat percentage compared with baseline values (P < 0.01). Biochemical analysis showed decreases in miR-223 and miR-146 levels in the 3 exercise groups compared with baseline levels (P > 0.05). In addition, the combined exercise plus thyme group showed potential additive effects in reducing C-reactive protein levels compared with baseline values and with the other exercise interventions. Conclusions: With the exception of body fat percentage in the combined exercise group, all three exercise interventions showed comparable effectiveness in between-group comparisons of the measured variables. These findings underscore the importance of customized exercise programs and support further investigation of the influence of microRNAs on exercise adaptations.
