Mechanistic Insight into Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD): Anatomy, Epidemiology, Genetics, Pathogenesis, Prevention, Implications, and Treatment Strategies to Pace AMD Management

Mohammad Amin Amini,Ashkan Karbasi,Mohammad Vahabirad,Masoud Khanaghaei,Aida Alizamir 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2023 전남의대학술지 Vol.59 No.3

One of the most complicated eye disorders is age-related macular degeneration (AMD) which is the leading cause of irremediable blindness all over the world in the elderly. AMD is classified as early stage to late stage (advanced AMD), in which this stage is divided into the exudative or neovascular form (wet AMD) and the nonexudative or atrophic form (dry AMD). Clinically, AMD primarily influences the central area of retina known as the macula. Importantly, the wet form is generally associated with more severe vision loss. AMD has a systemic component, where many factors, like aging, genetic, environment, autoimmune and non-autoimmune disorders are associated with this disease. Additionally, healthy lifestyles, regular exercise, maintaining a normal lipid profile and weight are crucial to decreasing the risk of AMD. Furthermore, therapeutic strategies for limiting AMD should encompass a variety of factors to avoid and improve drug interventions, and also need to take into account personalized genetic information. In conclusion, with the development of technology and research progress, visual impairment and legal blindness from AMD have been substantially reduced in incidence. This review article is focused on identifying and developing the knowledge about the association between genetics, and etiology with AMD. We hope that this review will encourage researchers and lecturers, open new discussions, and contribute to a better understanding of AMD that improves patients’ visual acuity, and upgrades the quality of life of AMD patients.

Anti-hypertensive Effects of Artichoke Supplementation in Adults: A Systematic Review and Dose-response Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Mohammad Reza Amini,Fatemeh Sheikhhossein,Mohsen Alvani,Seyyed Morteza Seyyed Shoura,Asma Sohrabnavi,Ehsan Heidarian,Azita Hekmatdoost 한국임상영양학회 2022 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.11 No.3

Despite controversies, no earlier study has systematically summarized findings from earlier studies on the effect of artichoke supplementation on blood pressure. Therefore, current systematic review and meta-analysis was done on the effect of artichoke supplementation on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in adults. Five databases were searched from inception to January 2022 using relevant keywords. All randomized clinical trials investigating the impact of oral artichoke supplementation on any of the blood pressure parameters including SBP or/and DBP were included. Out of 1,507 citations, 7 trials that enrolled 472 subjects were included. Artichoke supplementation resulted in significant reduction in SBP (weighted mean difference [WMD], −2.01 mmHg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −3.78, −0.24; p = 0.026) and DBP (WMD, −1.45 mmHg; 95% CI, −2.81, −0.08; p = 0.038). Greater effects on SBP were detected in trials using ≤ 500 mg artichoke, lasted > 8 weeks, participants aged < 50 years’ old and sample size ≤ 70. There was also a similar impact of artichoke on DBP. However, significant non-linear associations were found between artichoke supplementation dosage and study duration with both SBP (for dosage: pnon-linearity = 0.002, for duration: pnon-linearity = 0.016) and DBP (for dosage: pnon-linearity = 0.005, for duration: pnon-linearity = 0.003). We found a significant reduction in both SBP and DBP following artichoke supplementation in adults. It could be proposed as a hypotensive supplement in hypertension management.

The Association of Oxidative Stress and Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (ROMO1) with Infertility: A Mini Review

Mohammad Amin Amini,Masoud Karimi,Seyed Saman Talebi,Hossein Piri,Jamshid Karimi 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2022 전남의대학술지 Vol.58 No.3

Infertility is one of the disorders that worries many couples around the world, although novel and molecular methods can be used to cure this disease in different stages. One of the factors that causes infertility in men and women is the increased oxidative stress within the cells, which can lead to damage in zygote formation. ROMO1 is one of the most important proteins in the production of reactive oxygen species. This protein can enhance oxidative stress in the cells and body through cellular pathways, such as TNF-a and NF-kB routes, which will eventually lead to many diseases, especially infertility. We engage several international databases by using keywords; ROMO1, Infertility, and Reactive Oxygen Species, and gained a great quantity of information about ROMO1, Infertility, and Oxidative Stress. Although not proven, it is hypothesized that ROMO1 might elevate oxidative stress by activating NF-kB pathway in the cells, furthermore, TNF-a can arouse ROMO1 that can end up with apoptosis and cell death, which consequently can have a lot of disturbing effects on the body, especially the reproductive system. To sum up, revealing the exact cellular and molecular mechanisms of ROMO1-dependent TNF-a and NF-kB pathways in the pathogenesis of infertility might find interesting therapeutic and management strategies for this disorder.

Quasi Resonant DC Link Inverter with a Simple Auxiliary Circuit

Mohammad Reza Amini,Hosein Farzanehfard 전력전자학회 2011 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.11 No.1

In this paper, a new soft switching three phase inverter with a quasi-resonant dc-link is presented. The proposed inverter has a dc-link switch and an auxiliary switch. The inverter switches are turned on and off under zero voltage switching condition and all auxiliary circuit switches and diodes are also soft switched. The control utilizes PWM and the auxiliary switch does not require an isolated gate drive circuit. In this paper, the operation analysis and design considerations of the proposed soft switching inverter are discussed. The presented experimental results of a realized prototype confirm the theoretical analysis.

Soft Switching Three Phase Inverter with Two Auxiliary Switches

Mohammad Mahdavi,Mohammad Reza Amini,Amin Emrani,Hosein Farzanehfard 전력전자학회 2011 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.11 No.6

In this paper, a new three phase soft switching inverter is presented. All of the semiconductor elements of this converter are soft switched. Employing only two auxiliary switches as DC-link switches and a simple control circuit are the advantages of the proposed inverter. The analytical equations and operating modes of the presented inverter are explained in details. The design considerations are presented and the experimental results verify the theoretical analysis.

Reactive Oxygen Species Modulator 1 (ROMO1), a New Potential Target for Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment

Mohammad Amin Amini,Seyed Saman Talebi,Jamshid Karimi 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2019 전남의대학술지 Vol.55 No.3

Today, the incidence of cancer in the world is rising, and it is expected that in the next several decades, the number of people suffering from cancer or (the cancer rate) will double. Cancer is defined as the excessive and uncontrolled growth of cells; of course (in simple terms), cancer is considered to be a set of other diseases that ultimately causes normal cells to be transformed into neoplastic cells. One of the most important causes of the onset and exacerbation of cancer is excessive oxidative stress. One of the most important proteins in the inner membrane of mitochondria is Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Modulator 1 (ROMO1) that interferes with the production of ROS, and with increasing the rate of this protein, oxidative stress will increase, which ultimately leads to some diseases, especially cancer. In this overview, we use some global databases to provide information about ROMO1 cellular signaling pathways, their related proteins and molecules, and some of the diseases associated with the mitochondrial protein, especially cancer.

Effect of Tart Cherry Juice Consumption on Body Composition and Anthropometric Measures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Mohammad Reza Amini,Nastaran Payandeh,Fatemeh Sheikhhossein,Hossein Shahinfar,Sanaz Pourreza,Azita Hekmatdoost 한국임상영양학회 2023 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.12 No.1

The present systematic review and meta-analysis were accomplished to understand the effects of tart cherry juice consumption on body composition and anthropometric measures. Five databases were searched using relevant keywords from inception to January 2022. All clinical trials investigating the effect of tart cherry juice consumption on body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), and percentage body fat (PBF) were included. Out of 441 citations, 6 trials that enrolled 126 subjects were included. Tart cherry juice consumption significantly did not reduce BW (weighted mean difference [WMD], −0.4 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI], −3.25 to 2.46; p = 0.789; GRADE = low), BMI (WMD, −0.07 kg/m2 ; 95% CI, −0.89 to 0.74; p = 0.857; GRADE = low), FM (WMD, 0.21 kg; 95% CI, −1.83 to 2.25; p = 0.837; GRADE = low), FFM (WMD, −0.12 kg; 95% CI, −2.47 to 2.27; p = 0.919; GRADE = low), WC (WMD, 1.69 cm; 95% CI, −1.88 to 5.27; p = 0.353; GRADE = low), and PBF (WMD, 0.18%; 95% CI, −1.81 to −2.17; p = 0.858; GRADE = low). Overall, these data suggest that tart cherry juice consumption has no significant effect on BW, BMI, FM, FFM, WC, and PBF.

The Effects of Capsinoids and Fermented Red Pepper Paste Supplementation on Lipid Profile: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

( Mohammad Reza Amini ),( Nastaran Payandeh ),( Fatemeh Sheikhhossein ),( Mohsen Alvani ),( Alireza Talebyan ),( Fatemeh Mohtashaminia ),( Azita Hekmatdoost ) 한국임상영양학회 2022 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.11 No.4

The present systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in order to investigate the effects of capsinoids and fermented red pepper paste (FRPP) supplementation on lipid profile. Relevant studies were identified by searches of five databases from inception to November 2021 using relevant keywords. All clinical trials investigating the effect of capsinoids and FRPP on total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were included. Out of 1,203 citations, eight trials that enrolled 393 participants were included. Capsinoids and FRPP resulted in a significant reduction in TC (weighted mean differences [WMD], -9.92 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -17.92 to -1.92; p = 0.015) but no significant changes in TG (WMD, -19.38 mg/dL; 95% CI, -39.94 to 1.18; p = 0.065), HDL-C (WMD, 0.83 mg/dL; 95% CI, -0.76 to 2.42; p = 0.305) and LDL-C (WMD, -0.59 mg/dL; 95% CI, -4.96 to 3.79; p = 0.793). Greater effects on TC were detected in trials performed on duration lasting less than twelve weeks, mean age of > 40, both sexes, and sample size of > 50. TG was reduced by using FRPP in studies conducted on mean age of > 40. HDL-C increased by using FRPP in studies conducted on duration of < 12 weeks, mean age of > 40, and sample size of ≤ 50. Overall, these data provided evidence that capsinoids and FRPP supplementation has beneficial effects on TC but not TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C.

A Primer on Authorial Voice-Promoting Pedagogy in an Academic Argumentative EFL Context : An Innovative Mixed-Methods Research Approach

Mohammad Amini Farsani,Esmaeel Abdollahzadeh,Bahareh Sadat Minaye Hashemi 아시아영어교육학회 2023 The Journal of Asia TEFL Vol.20 No.2

Authorial voice is a remarkably slippery construct in second language (L2) argumentative writing. Given its fluid and dynamic nature, Zhao (2013) projects a framework which evokes different dimensions that writers should navigate in their L2 argumentative writing performance. However, such framework has not been empirically considered as a pedagogical one. As such, this study, adhering to Zhao’s (2013) rubric and Riazi’s (2016) innovative mixed-methods research, quantitatively examined the effect of teaching authorial voice on 27 MA students’ voice development and argumentative writing quality. Then, qualitatively, the study traced the learners’ conceptions of and potential challenges in constructing their authorial voice in their argumentative writing through stimulated recall interviews. The integrative results reveal that voice-promoting pedagogy was influential in promoting students’ voice repertoire and argumentative writing quality. Although the quantitative results revealed that the three authorial voice dimensions (i.e., the presence and clarity of ideas in content, the manner of presentation, and the writer and reader presence) were almost equally affected by the treatment, the qualitative findings showed the centrality of reader-and-writer engagement in constructing good enough voice in L2 argumentative writing performance. The pedagogical and methodological implications for L2 writing instruction and argumentative writing are also discussed.

Effects of Artichoke Supplementation on Liver Enzymes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Mohammad Reza Amini,Fatemeh Sheikhhossein,Alireza Talebyan,Elham Bazshahi,Farhang Djafari,Azita Hekmatdoost 한국임상영양학회 2022 Clinical Nutrition Research Vol.11 No.3

Studies examining the effect of artichoke on liver enzymes have reported inconsistent results. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of artichoke administration on the liver enzymes. PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched for articles published up to January 2022. Standardized mean difference (Hedges’ g) were analyzed using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analysis were assessed for the liver enzymes. Pooled analysis of seven randomized controlled trials (RCTs) suggested that the artichoke administration has an effect on both alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (Hedges’ g, −1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.76 to −0.40; p = 0.002), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (Hedges’ g, −1.02; 95% CI, −1.76 to −0.28; p = 0.007). Greater effects on ALT were detected in trials that lasted ≤8 weeks. Also, greater effects on AST were detected in trials using > 500 mg artichoke. Overall, this meta-analysis demonstrated artichoke supplementation decreased ALT and AST.