12014 research outputs found
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COVID-19: A perspective from Iran
Full text linkThe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented unique challenges to healthcare systems the world over. The management of the current pandemic places a huge strain on healthcare sectors and demands new strategies on a global level. We herein review the latest epidemiologic data on the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iranian healthcare system's response, and the impact on cardiac surgery practice in Iran. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL
Preparation, escalation, de-escalation, and normal activities
Full text linkIran is one of the earliest countries involved with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In the present short report, we have presented our experiences as a cardiovascular tertiary center during the COVID-19 outbreak. At the beginning, we have pursued our activities in four field of administrative, preventative, therapeutic, and research. Then by gaining new experiences, we have tailored our strategies. Finally, we have described our challenges and future strategies on returning to normal activities. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL
Chitosan hydrogel loaded with Aloe vera gel and tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the wound healing material: in vitro and in vivo study
No full textThe main aim of the current study was to develop a chitosan hydrogel containing Aloe vera gel and Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) as the wound healing materials. Chitosan with the concentration of (2 w/v) was prepared in AA (0.5, v/v) and Tetrasodium EDTA (0.01 w/w) and AV (0.5 v/v) were added to the prepared polymer solution. As prepared solution was cross-linked by β-GP with the weight ratio of 1/6 w/w (1 chitosan and 6 β-GP). The characterization of the hydrogels showed that the hydrogels have porous structures and interconnected pores with the pores size range from 41.5 ± 14 to 48.3 ± 11 μm. The swelling and weight loss measurements of the hydrogels showed that the hydrogels could swell up to 240 of their initial weight during 8 h and loss 79.7 ± 3.5 of the initial weight during 14 days. The antibacterial studies depicted that the prepared Cs/tEDTA/AV hydrogel inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus (the minimum inhibition concentration, MIC of 73 ± 4.8) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (the MIC of 40 ± 7.9). Moreover, the prepared hydrogels were hemocompatible (Cs/tEDTA/AV: OD of 0.24 ± 0.30) and biocompatible (Cs/tEDTA/AV: OD of 0.38 ± 0.01). At the final stage, the wound healing assessments in the animal model revealed that the application of the prepared hydrogels effectively enhanced the wound healing process. In conclusion, the results confirmed the efficacy of the prepared hydrogels as the wound healing materials. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Immunodeficiency, Centromeric Region Instability, and Facial Anomalies Syndrome (ICF) in a Boy with Variable Clinical and Immunological Presentations
Full text linkImmunodeficiency, centromeric instability, and facial anomalies (ICF) syndrome is a rare primary immunodeficiency disorder characterized by recurrent infections and low immunoglobulin levels due to variable combined immunodeficiency, and centromeric region instability, and facial dysmorphism. We describe a 12-year-old boy with recurrent respiratory tract infections, facial anomalies, scoliosis, and psychomotor retardation. He had recurrent pneumonia with low serum IgG and IgM levels during infancy and preschool age. Later at the age of 10, he developed recurrent ear infections. An IgA and IgM deficiency was found accompanied by a normal B-cell and T-cell count as well as an impaired candida-induced T-cell proliferation. Further evaluations revealed a missense mutation in the DNMT3B gene on chromosome 20. Chromosomal analysis showed a sunburst multi-radial feature on chromosome 1, which is a hallmark of ICF syndrome. The genetic mutation and chromosomal abnormality along with clinical findings are compatible with the diagnosis of ICF syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that scoliosis is observed in an ICF patient. The additional variable clinical symptoms in the case were the presence of spastic gait as well as hypogammaglobulinemia with immunoglobulin isotype switch at different ages
Ultrasound�assisted synthesis of FeTiO3/GO nanocomposite for photocatalytic degradation of phenol under visible light irradiation
No full textPhenolic compounds are dangerous pollutants in industrial effluents that have caused many human and environmental problems. These compounds are resistant to decomposition conventional biological systems. Photocatalytic treatment is amongst the most efficient technique for phenol removal from aqueous media. In this study, FeTiO3/GO nanocomposite was synthesized through the ultrasound�assisted method. Structural, morphological, and optical properties of the synthesized nanocomposite were characterized by TEM, XRD, EDS, XPS, BET, TGA, FTIR, and UV�visible techniques. Optimum conditions for phenol photocatalytic degradation were obtained in 3 of GO content, 0.75 g/L nanocomposite dosage, and pH = 8. The degradation efficiency decreased by increasing phenol concentrations and complete mineralization was observed after 240 min of irradiation in optimum conditions. The effect of scavengers indicated that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals had the main role in the photodegradation process. The hindrance effect of inorganic ions was obtained asHCO3- > Cl- > SO42� > NO3-. Our experimental results put forward the FeTiO3/GO nanocomposite as a highly stable catalyst that can successfully remove phenolic compounds from aqueous solutions. Only a 10.8 decrease was observed in phenol degradation efficiency after five cycles, showing high recyclability of the FeTiO3/GO nanocomposite. © 2020 Elsevier B.V
Elucidating role of reactive oxygen species (Ros) in cisplatin chemotherapy: A focus on molecular pathways and possible therapeutic strategies
Full text linkThe failure of chemotherapy is a major challenge nowadays, and in order to ensure effective treatment of cancer patients, it is of great importance to reveal the molecular pathways and mechanisms involved in chemoresistance. Cisplatin (CP) is a platinum-containing drug with anti-tumor activity against different cancers in both pre-clinical and clinical studies. However, drug resistance has restricted its potential in the treatment of cancer patients. CP can promote levels of free radicals, particularly reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce cell death. Due to the double-edged sword role of ROS in cancer as a pro-survival or pro-death mechanism, ROS can result in CP resistance. In the present review, association of ROS with CP sensitivity/resistance is discussed, and in particular, how molecular pathways, both upstream and downstream targets, can affect the response of cancer cells to CP chemotherapy. Furthermore, anti-tumor compounds, such as curcumin, emodin, chloroquine that regulate ROS and related molecular pathways in increasing CP sensitivity are described. Nanoparticles can provide co-delivery of CP with anti-tumor agents and by mediating photodynamic therapy, and induce ROS overgeneration to trigger CP sensitivity. Genetic tools, such as small interfering RNA (siRNA) can down-regulate molecular pathways such as HIF-1α and Nrf2 to promote ROS levels, leading to CP sensitivity. Considering the relationship between ROS and CP chemotherapy, and translating these findings to clinic can pave the way for effective treatment of cancer patients. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
Effectiveness of rectal displacement devices during prostate external-beam radiation therapy: A review
Full text linkDose-escalated prostate radiotherapy (RT) can improve treatment outcomes, but rectal toxicity is the main limiting factor for introducing dose-escalated RT. Pushing rectal wall away from the prostate reduces the volume of the rectum in high-dose region, which can decrease both short- A nd long-term rectal toxicities after RT. This review focuses on the literature using different rectal displacement devices such as endorectal balloons, tissue spacers, rectal retractor, and ProSpare during prostate External beam radiotherapy, with regard to dosimetric effects, clinical benefits, prostate motion, and postoperative RT setting. © 2021 Journal of Cancer Research and Therapeutics | Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow
Minocycline mitigation of tremor syndrome and defect of cognitive and balance induced by harmaline
Full text linkIntroduction: Minocycline has anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and anti-oxidant effects. Preclinical data suggest that minocycline could be beneficial for treating common neurological disorders, including Parkinson disease and multiple sclerosis. Methods: In this study, the effects of minocycline on harmaline-induced motor and cognitive impairments were studied in male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into four groups of ten animals each. Harmaline was used for the induction of Essential Tremor (ET). Minocycline (90 mg/kg, IP) was administered 30 minutes before the saline or harmaline. Tremor intensity, spontaneous locomotor activity, passive avoidance memory, anxiety-related behaviors, and motor function were assessed in the rats. Results: The results showed that minocycline could recover tremor intensity and step width but failed to recuperate the motor balance. The memory impairments observed in harmalinetreated rats were somewhat reversed by administration of minocycline. The cerebellum and inferior olive nucleus were studied for neuronal degeneration using histochemistry and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Harmaline caused ultrastructural changes and neuronal cell loss in inferior olive and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Minocycline exhibited neuroprotective changes on cerebellar Purkinje cells and inferior olivary neurons. Conclusion: These results open new therapeutic perspectives for motor and memory impairments in ET. However, further studies are needed to clarify the exact mechanisms. © 2021 Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Investigating changes in calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxy vitamin d after surgical repair of fractures of femur or tibia
No full textBackground: The recovery of long bones after fracture requires a specific process to restore the natu-ral bone anatomy as well as its proper function. Changes in calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and 25-hydroxy vitamin D can be justified either in the fracture process or in the repair procedure. The aim of this sectional study is to investigate changes in all these compounds after the surgical repair of fractures of femur and tibia bones. Materials and Methods: A random sample of 68 patients was selected from whom referring to a hospital with fractures of femur or tibia and candidate for repair surgery. The mentioned bone markers were measured at the time after surgery, six and twelve weeks after the surgery with laboratory-specific kits. A p-value, lower than 0.05, was considered to be statistically significant. Result: Of the patients, 34 were with fractures of femur and 34 were with fractures of tibia, equally. The patients were aged 2 to 69 with a mean age of 27.93 ± 14.8 years old. The means of calcium (p = 0.001) and phosphorus (p = 0.014) at three intervals were statistically significant difference. In contrast, the means serum alkaline phosphatase and vitamin D levels did not show any significant changes over time (p = 0.042). Conclusion: In conclusion, the means of calcium and phosphorus over the follow-up were statistically significant. The observed difference of vitamin D after the surgery, as well the level of alkaline phosphatase for femoral fracture between male and female are one of our important findings. (www.actabiomedica.it). © 2021, Mattioli 1885. All rights reserved
Tinea pedis caused by Trichosporon asahii: case report
No full textBackground: Trichosporon species are commonly known as causative agents of skin infections and also responsive in some other systemic and disseminated diseases, especially in immunocompromised patients and those with leukemia or lymphoma. Chronic cutaneous infections with Trichosporon have been reported in non-immunocompromised patients, too. Case Presentation: This study is a case report of tinea pedis caused by Trichosporon asahii in an immunocompetent 39-year-old man who was a member of the military force with continuous wearing of army boots during his daytime work. In April of 2019, after visiting a dermatologist, he was referred to the Ghaem medical mycology laboratory of the Department of Health, Rescue and Treatment of Iran Police Force in Tehran. Clinical symptoms were scaling and erythematous patches on his left foot with intensive itching for four-months. In the laboratory, macroscopic and microscopic examination using direct 15 KOH wet mount was carried out as well as culture methods on fungal media (Sabouraud's dextrose agar with and without cycloheximide and chloramphenicol). According to microscopic observation and appearance of culture media colonies, the diagnosis was Trichosporon genus as the fungal agent of disorder. Molecular method analysis (polymerase chain reaction, (PCR) using amplification of ITS region with universal primers (ITS1 and ITS4) and sequencing identified Trichosporon asahii as a causative species of the disease. The patient was treated with topical clotrimazole (twice/day) and oral fluconazole (150 mg/day) for four weeks, and recovered. Conclusion: The conditions that cause the feet to be exposed to excessive sweating, moisture and darkness for a long time (wearing shoes and army boots for a long time); increase the risk of skin fungal infection. Therefore, full respect for an individual healthy manner seems to be essential. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved