Astaxanthin as an adjunct therapy in Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis: neuroprotective mechanisms and future perspective.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Multiple sclerosis (MS) are progressive neurodegenerative conditions. AD is characterized by neuroinflammation, plaques, tangles, and synaptic loss, while MS involves inflammatory demyelination. Although AD and MS have different pathogenesis, they may share some neurodegenerative mechanisms, so similar therapeutic strategies could potentially be effective for both.

Genetic algorithm optimization of tree-based models to predict cargo- and carrier-related factors affecting drug release from liposomes.

Liposomal drug delivery systems have shown promising potential to improve drug delivery in several aspects. Precise characterization of formulated liposomes is vital to achieve proper function. In particular, release testing of liposomes offers crucial insights for predicting drug release behavior, guiding the development of more effective liposomal formulations.

Valproic acid preconditioning of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes remyelination of the corpus callosum in a cuprizone-induced demyelination model.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disorder that currently has no exact treatment. However, stem cell therapy shows promise in treating neurodegenerative disorders. One of the main challenges with this treatment is the high apoptosis rate and low migration capacity of the transplanted stem cells.

Platelet-enriched microRNAs as novel biomarkers in atherosclerotic and cardiovascular disease patients.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global health challenge. Various studies have shown that genetic and environmental factors play roles in the development and progression of CVD. Small non-coding RNAs, namely microRNAs (miRs), regulate gene expression and have key roles in essential cellular processes such as apoptosis, cell cycle, differentiation, and proliferation.

Quercetin as a possible complementary therapy in multiple sclerosis: Anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory and remyelination potential properties.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a complex autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) which causes various symptoms such as fatigue, dyscoordination weakness and visual weakness. The intricacy of the immune system and obscure etiology are the main reasons for the lack of a definite treatment for MS. Oxidative stress is one of the most important key factors in MS pathogenesis.

Thiolated chitosan hydrogel-embedded niosomes: A promising crocin delivery system toward the management of aphthous stomatitis.

Aphthous stomatitis is a common inflammatory oral disease with challenging management. Crocin is a natural carotenoid that has shown great anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to develop thiolated chitosan (TCS)-based hydrogels containing niosomes to serve as a mucoadhesive crocin delivery system for aphthous stomatitis.

Exosomes as cutting-edge therapeutics in various biomedical applications: An update on engineering, delivery, and preclinical studies.

Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles, circulating in different body fluids, and acting as an intercellular mechanism. They can be purified from culture media of different cell types and carry an enriched content of various protein and nucleic acid molecules originating from their parental cells. It was indicated that the exosomal cargo can mediate immune responses via many signaling pathways.

Effects of Calorie Restriction on Multiple Sclerosis: A Review of the Preclinical and Clinical Studies.

It has been indicated that calorie restriction (CR) leads to several neuroprotective effects against physiological aging and different neurodegenerative disorders. Unfortunately, the definite therapeutic strategy is not introduced for Multiple sclerosis (MS) as an autoimmune disease of central nervous system (CNS) and researchers are striving to find the best treatment procedures and then optimize them. More recently, several preclinical studies have reported beneficial effects of CR on MS.

Alkaline phosphatase and score of HRCT as indicators for predicting the severity of COVID-19.

Background: The clinical symptoms, blood laboratory data, O2 saturation and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings are critical factors in diagnosis of COVID-19 infection.

Methods: In this study, 105 hospitalized patients suspected of having COVID-19 were evaluated. Finally, the laboratory and HRCT and related factors data of 83 confirmed cases by HRCT and RT-PCR were analyzed.

Methanol poisoning as a new world challenge: A review.

Background: Methanol poisoning (MP) occurs often via ingestion, inhalation, or dermal exposure to formulations containing methanol in base. Clinical manifestations of MP include gastrointestinal symptoms, central nervous system (CNS) suppression, and decompensated metabolic acidosis occurred with blurred vision and early or late blindness.

Objective: This study reviewed the clinical manifestations, laboratory and radiology findings, and treatment approaches in MP.

Alleviation of cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity by gliclazide: Involvement of oxidative stress and caspase-3 activity.

Aims: Cisplatin (CP), as an effective alkylating agent, is widely used in cancer treatment, while hepatotoxicity is one of its side effects. Gliclazide (GLZ), as an oral hypoglycemic drug, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of GLZ against CP-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.

Anxiety and Depression in Health Workers and General Population During COVID-19 in IRAN: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: The COVID-19 outbreak has exerted a great deal of psychological pressure on Iranian health workers and the general population. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of pandemic on anxiety and depression in Iranian population.

Methods: An online cross-sectional study was conducted for the general public and healthcare workers in Iran using a questionnaire comprised of demographic questions and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Validity of self-reporting depression in the Tabari cohort study population.

Aims: Depression is a common cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. To detect depression, we compared BDI-II scoring as a valid tool with participants' self-reporting depression.

Methods: The sample size was determined to include 155 participants with positive self-reporting of depression in a total of 1300 samples with 310 healthy participants were included in the study through random selection.

Naso-pharyngeal discharge: The first symptom of COVID-19 infection: Report two cases from Iran.

Naso-pharyngeal discharge as the first symptom of COVID-19 infection is presented in two cases. Actually, based on the presented cases here we concluded that the early clinical symptoms of COVID-19 may be mimicked the common cold features. Appropriate diagnosis and isolation of the patients help reduce further transmission.

Gliclazide attenuates cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through inhibiting NF-κB and caspase-3 activity.

Cisplatin (CP), as a chemotherapeutic drug, causes nephrotoxicity that has limited the clinical utility of CP. Gliclazide (GLZ), as an antihyperglycemic drug, at low dose has antioxidant property. In this study, we aimed to investigate the protective effect of GLZ against CP-induced acute renal injury.

Efficacy of guided self-change for smoking cessation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of guided self-change (GSC), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and their combination, on smoking cessation among patients with COPD.

Methods: A total of 60 participants were randomly assigned to three groups for GSC (n=20), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (n=20) or their combination (n=20), from December 2016 to November 2017. The quality of life (QoL) questionnaire, clinical assessment test (CAT) and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), were measured at baseline and post-treatment.

Efficacy of Smoking Cessation on Stress, Anxiety, and Depression in Smokers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Stress, anxiety, and depression have been reported as very common comorbidities in smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was aimed to investigate the effectiveness of smoking cessation on stress, anxiety, and depression in smokers with COPD.

Methods: Three block-randomized controlled trial groups with a block size of 6 and 9 including guided self-change (GSC) (n = 19), nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) (n = 19), and combined GSC-NRT (n = 19) with a follow-up of 29 weeks were considered in this research.

An Overview of the Research Reports on Addiction in Iranian Journals from 2010 to 2015.

Background: The articles and research reports presented in the scientific journals are selected without a proper critical appraisal in many cases. This is a major problem, as it leads to the opinions of the experts being neglected in many of these scientific journals. A descriptive study was done in fall and winter of 2016.

Clinical and laboratory findings of rhabdomyolysis in opioid overdose patients in the intensive care unit of a poisoning center in 2014 in Iran.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics and some laboratory findings of hospitalized patients with acute opioid toxicity and rhabdomyolysis.

Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 354 patients hospitalized at Baharloo Hospital in Tehran in 2014 with acute illicit drug toxicity. Data were collected using an investigator-made checklist.

Methadone Replacement Therapy and Sexual Disorders among Opium Dependent Iranian Men: A Meta-Analysis Study.

Background: Evaluation of sexual disorders among persons receiving methadone replacement therapy is of great importance, because these problems may lead to non-compliance and relapse. This study aimed to estimate the effect of methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) on sexual function among addicted Iranian men using met-analysis.

Methods: Investigating the available data banks, relevant studies were identified.

Procrastination and Self-Efficacy Among Intravenous Drug Users on a Methadone Maintenance Program in Sari City, Iran, 2013.

Background: Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to produce a desired effect. There has been growing interest in the role of self-efficacy as a predictor and/or mediator of treatment outcome in a number of domains. Procrastination is a self-regulatory failure, defined as the voluntary delay of an intended course of action despite expecting to be worse off for the delay.

Drug Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors of Women at a Drop-In Center in Mazandaran Province, Iran, 2014.

Background: Female drug users are more likely to transmit human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to their sexual partners. Little is known about HIV, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cervicitis, and drug abuse among female sex workers in Iran.

Objectives: Therefore, this study was conducted at a drop-in center (DIC) in Iran to investigate the prevalence of HIV associated risk factors, the prevalence of drug use, high-risk sexual behaviors, and the relationship between the associated factors in women.

Relationship between addiction relapse and self-efficacy rates in injection drug users referred to Maintenance Therapy Center of Sari, 1391.

Background & Purpose: Self-efficacy is the belief that one has the ability to implement the behaviors needed to produce a desired effect. There has been growing interest in the role of self-efficacy as a predictor and/or mediator of treatment outcome in number of domains. In numerous studies of substance abuse treatment, self-efficacy has emerged as an important predictor of outcome, or as a mediator of treatment effects.