This study aimed to assess the effect of the Sargassum angustifolium extract in methamphetamine-induced SH-SY5Y cells death. The brown algae S. angustifolium was extracted with 80% ethanol. The SH-SY5Y cells were treated with different concentrations of methamphetamine to measure IC50 .. The MTT test was used to assess the toxic effect of the S. angustifolium extract in SH-SY5Y cells. SH-SY5Y cells’ survival was measured while cells were treated with different concentrations of methamphetamine and S. angustifolium extract simultaneously. A specific kit measured intracellular ROS levels. Western blot analysis evaluated the expression of cytochrome C and Bax/Bcl2 ratio. The results showed that 5 mM methamphetamine approximately killed 50% of the cells, so it is considered IC50. The MTT test showed no toxicity effect for the S. angustifolium extract. 80, 160, 320, and 640 μg/ml of S. angustifolium extract prevented the occurrence of methamphetamine toxic effects in SH-SY5Y cells after 24 hours. Moreover, the S. angustifolium extract decreased ROS levels and cytochrome C release and reduced BaX/Bcl2 ratio in cells treated by methamphetamine. On the whole, it seems that the S. angustifolium hydroalcoholic extract has the potential to increase cell survival through in vitro antioxidant and antiapoptotic activities.

Background The lives of babies and mothers are at risk due to the uneven distribution of healthcare facilities required for emergency cesarean sections (CS). However, CS without medical indications might cause complications for mothers and babies, which is a global health problem. Identifying spatiotemporal variations of CS rates in each geographical area could provide helpful information to understand the status of using CS services. Methods This cross-sectional study explored spatiotemporal patterns of CS in northeast Iran from 2016 to 2020. Space–time scan statistics and spatial interaction analysis were conducted using geographical information systems to visualize and explore patterns of CS services. Results The temporal analysis identified 2017 and 2018 as the statistically significant high clustered times in terms of CS rate. Five purely spatial clusters were identified that were distributed heterogeneously in the study region and included 14 counties. The spatiotemporal analysis identified four clusters that included 13 counties as high-rate areas in different periods. According to spatial interaction analysis, there was a solid spatial concentration of hospital facilities in the political center of the study area. Moreover, a high degree of inequity was observed in spatial accessibility to CS hospitals in the study area. Conclusions CS Spatiotemporal clusters in the study area reveal that CS use in different counties among women of childbearing age is significantly different in terms of location and time. This difference might be studied in future research to identify any overutilization of CS or lack of appropriate CS in clustered counties, as both put women at risk. Hospital capacity and distance from population centers to hospitals might play an essential role in CS rate variations and spatial interactions among people and CS facilities. As a result, some healthcare strategies, e.g., building new hospitals and empowering the existing local hospitals to perform CS in areas out of service, might be developed to decline spatial inequity.

BackgroundThe lives of babies and mothers are at risk due to the uneven distribution of healthcare facilities required for emergency cesarean sections (CS). However, CS without medical indications might cause complications for mothers and babies, which is a global health problem. Identifying spatiotemporal variations of CS rates in each geographical area could provide helpful information to understand the status of using CS services.MethodsThis cross-sectional study explored spatiotemporal patterns of CS in the northeast of Iran from 2016 to 2020. Space-time scan statistics and spatial interaction analysis were conducted using geographical information systems to visualize and explore patterns of CS services. ResultsThere were 74,291 CS cases, and the total CS rate was 35.4% of all deliveries from 2016 until 2020. Some spatiotemporal clusters regarding CS distribution were identified (p<0.05). According to spatial interaction analysis, there was a solid spatial concentration of hospital facilities in the political center of the study area. Moreover, a high degree of inequity was observed in spatial accessibility to CS hospitals in the whole study area.ConclusionsA high CS rate in comparison to the global CS rate was observed. Therefore, healthcare policymakers might investigate the study area for potential reasons for the remarkable difference. Hospital capacity and distance from population centers to hospitals play an essential role in CS rate variations and spatial interactions among people and CS facilities. As a result, some healthcare strategies, e.g., building new hospitals and empowering the existing local hospitals to perform CS in areas out of service, might be developed to decline inequity.