Innovative nanosensing methods for lysozyme identification.

Lysozyme (LYZ) is a critical enzyme recognized for its significant antimicrobial properties, playing an integral role in the immune response and being implicated in various diseases, including infections and inflammatory conditions. Traditional detection methods for LYZ, such as enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and spectrophotometric techniques, often encounter limitations regarding sensitivity, specificity, and time efficiency. In light of these challenges, there has been substantial advancement in the development of novel biosensor technologies over the past two decades, particularly those that incorporate nanomaterials.

Bilirubin biosensors for liver disease management.

Bilirubin is a vital biomarker that plays a significant role in assessing liver function and diagnosing hemolytic disorders. While current detection methods are indeed sufficient for clinical practice, the accurate and timely detection of bilirubin levels remains essential for effective management of liver diseases. Enhanced detection capabilities through sensitive nanoscale biosensors can provide more precise monitoring, which may lead to earlier identification of abnormalities and improved patient outcomes.

Circular RNAs and Cancers.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a recently discovered type of endogenous RNA molecules that are formed through the back-splicing process of exons in precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs), resulting in a unique covalently closed circular structure. CircRNAs are just beginning to be acknowledged for their roles as microRNA sponges and protein scaffolds, their ability to regulate transcription and splicing, and their occasional use as templates for polypeptide synthesis. However, the exploration of their functions is still in its early stages.

Evaluating Various Ultrasound Criteria for Determining Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Severity.

This study aimed at assessing the value of a variety of ultrasound criteria for grading carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) severity. Ultrasound evaluations were conducted on confirmed CTS patients by an experienced radiologist, blinded to NCS results. Cross-sectional area (CSA) at pronator quadratus muscle, carpal tunnel inlet and outlet, echogenicity, transverse motion during flexion, flattening ratio, and thickening of the flexor retinaculum were measured.

Post-COVID-19 depression prevalence in Iranian nurses: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the pooled prevalence of post-COVID-19 depression among Iranian nurses, identify at-risk groups and provide practical recommendations for intervention.

Design: In adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis, encompassing studies published from 2019 to 2024. Comprehensive searches were performed across international and Iranian databases.

Exploring the mediating roles of bullying, school fighting, and media literacy in the relationship between social-emotional competence and cyberbullying among adolescents.

Background: Cyberbullying has become a significant concern among adolescents, with various factors contributing to its prevalence. Previous research suggests that social-emotional competence can influence bullying behaviors and cyberbullying, but the mediating roles of bullying, school conflict, and media literacy remain underexplored.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate how social-emotional competence relates to cyberbullying, specifically examining the mediating roles of bullying behaviors, school fighting, and media literacy among Iranian adolescents.

An updated narrative review on revolutionizing erectile dysfunction treatment: the crucial role of trophic factors in Adipose-Derived stem cell therapy.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a pervasive condition projected to affect some 322 million men worldwide by 2025, profoundly impairing quality of life and psychosocial well‑being. Current therapies-most notably phosphodiesterase‑5 inhibitors and mechanical devices-offer only transient, symptomatic relief and do not repair the underlying vascular, smooth muscle, and neural degeneration driving ED, particularly in diabetic and neurogenic subtypes. Emerging non‑cellular modalities (e.

The IL-12 family cytokines in neurodegenerative diseases: dual roles in neurotoxicity and neuroprotection.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and chronic neuroinflammation. Increasing evidence highlights the interleukin-12 (IL-12) cytokine family-including IL-12, IL-23, IL-27, and IL-35-as central regulators of immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS). IL-12 and IL-23 predominantly promote pro-inflammatory pathways by driving Th1/Th17 activity, microglial activation, and neurotoxicity, whereas IL-27 and IL-35 exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects through IL-10 induction and expansion of regulatory immune subsets.

The role of religious leaders in the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations: a systematic review.

Background: The development of COVID-19 vaccines was progressing rapidly, but vaccination acceptance posed many challenges in different communities. This study systematically reviewed the impact of religious leaders on the acceptance of COVID-19 vaccinations. It also examined religious leaders' role in shaping their followers' vaccination decisions and explored the strategies religious organizations use to promote vaccination against COVID-19.

Targeting the HGF/MET axis in cancer: therapeutic promise for natural compounds.

The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)/MET signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in cancer progression, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance, making it an attractive target for anticancer therapies. HGF, a multifunctional cytokine, binds to the MET receptor, triggering downstream pathways such as PI3K/AKT, MAPK/ERK, and STAT3, which regulate cell proliferation, survival, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Dysregulation of this pathway-through mutations, amplifications, or overexpression-contributes to tumorigenesis, drug resistance, and poor prognosis in various cancers, including lung, breast, gastric, and hepatocellular carcinomas.

The promise of gene therapy in common types of dementia.

Dementia is an umbrella term describing different types of diseases that lead to cognitive impairment and memory dysfunction, predominantly affecting older adults. The most common forms include Alzheimer's disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Despite extensive research, there is no definitive cure for dementia, primarily due to its complex and multifactorial nature, particularly the role of genetic abnormalities.

Erratum to "Heterogeneous Sono-Fenton like catalytic degradation of metronidazole by FeO@HZSM-5 magnetite nanocomposite" [Heliyon Volume 9, Issue 6, June 2023, Article e16461].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.

Diagnostic value of the Risk of Ovarian Malignancy Algorithm (ROMA) index in the detection of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Given the significance of ovarian cancer and the importance of early diagnosis, this meta-analysis aimed to assess the diagnostic value of the ROMA index in predicting ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.

Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Relevant articles were retrieved from databases, including Web of Science, PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase.

Nanosensing for tramadol detection: Innovative opioid analysis.

Tramadol, a widely used analgesic, plays a significant role in pain management but poses risks of misuse and addiction, necessitating accurate detection methods. Traditional analytical techniques for opioid determination, such as chromatography and mass spectrometry, often face limitations, including lengthy processing times, high costs, and the need for specialized equipment. In contrast, nanosensing technologies have emerged as innovative approaches for the sensitive and rapid detection of tramadol at the nanoscale.

HIV status is not associated with SARS-CoV-2 viral load and longer duration of infection among people with well-controlled HIV and high COVID-19 vaccine coverage.

Background: HIV may alter SARS-CoV-2 viral load and increase the duration of SARS-CoV-2 infection and, thereby, drive the emergence of variants of concern. This study investigated the association between HIV with SARS-CoV-2 viral load and duration of infection in Botswana, in the era of high antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage.

Methods: This cohort study was conducted in Gaborone, Botswana, covering 6 healthcare facilities.

Global, Regional, and National Burden of Nontraumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: The Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Importance: Nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) represents the third most common stroke type with unique etiologies, risk factors, diagnostics, and treatments. Nevertheless, epidemiological studies often cluster SAH with other stroke types leaving its distinct burden estimates obscure.

Objective: To estimate the worldwide burden of SAH.

QTc Interval Dispersion in Pediatric Epilepsy: A Case-Control Study From Iran.

Introduction: QT interval corrected dispersion (QTcd) reflects the heterogeneity of ventricular repolarization and has been proposed as a marker for arrhythmic risk in various neurologic and cardiac conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate QTcd differences between children with epilepsy and healthy controls, with attention to age and antiepileptic drug use.

Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 50 children with epilepsy and 50 age- and sex-matched control children admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan in 2019.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and the Role of Tele-Nursing in Reducing Bed Occupancy: A Systematic Review.

Aim: This systematic review examines the tele-nursing methods used during the coronavirus disease-2019 outbreak to manage the increase in patient numbers and investigates strategies for reducing hospital bed occupancy.

Method: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The primary databases used to search the literature were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) biosensors.

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) is a glycoprotein mainly produced during fetal development, and elevated levels in adults are frequently associated with liver diseases, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), as well as certain germ cell tumors. Measuring AFP in biological samples is crucial for early diagnosis, monitoring disease progression, and evaluating treatment efficacy. While traditional detection methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and radioimmunoassay are dependable, they often face limitations such as lengthy processes, complexity, and the need for specialized equipment.

Microfluidic-Synthesized Chitosan Nanoparticles Loaded with Azithromycin: Impact on Tissue Cysts in Mouse Model.

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of chitosan nanoparticles loaded azithromycin on reducing the number of tissue cysts in the brain of a mouse model.

Methods: Chitosan nanoparticles and azithromycin loaded nanoparticles were synthesized using microfluidic system and characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and TEM images. Forty BALB/c mice after infection with a cyst forming strain, were divided into four groups daily receiving PBS, 10 mg/kg azithromycin, 10 mg/kg chitosan nanoparticles, and 10 mg/kg chitosan nanoparticles loaded azithromycin, respectively, for 10 days.

Postoperative complications of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is one of the most frequently performed spine procedures for different indications in the cervical spine. Various postoperative complications have been reported following the ACDF. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to calculate the incidence rate of different postoperative complications associated with ACDF surgery and also identify underlying risk factors for each complication.

Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) pathway's role in cancer cell plasticity and drug resistance.

Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) is a central regulator of gene expression via the trimethylation of histone H3 on lysine 27. This epigenetic modification plays a crucial role in maintaining cell identity and controlling differentiation, while its dysregulation is closely linked to cancer progression. PRC2 silences tumor suppressor genes, promoting cell proliferation, metastasis, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cell plasticity.

Rare pathogenic NR2F2 (COUP-TFII) variants as potential etiological causes in pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases (CHDs).

Objectives: Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are complex genetic disorders, and their genetic basis is not yet fully understood. Nuclear receptor subfamily 2 group F member 2 (NR2F2 or COUP-TFII) encodes a transcription factor which is expressed at high levels during mammalian development. Few studies have identified heterozygous and rare variants in the NR2F2 gene in individuals with CHD.

Enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and biocompatibility of albumin nanoparticles loaded with Mentha extract against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

In an effort to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), this study investigates the potential of mentha-loaded albumin nanoparticles (MLAN) as a novel antimicrobial agent. MLAN was synthesized by a desolvation method in which the mentha extract was encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles to increase stability and reduce toxicity. Characterization of the nanoparticles by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed their spherical morphology, a size range of 100-200 nm and uniform distribution.

Looting and antisocial behavior after disasters: a systematic review.

Background: There are different opinions about looting after disasters. Many believe that post-disaster chaos is the best chance for antisocial behavior.

Aim: The purpose of this systematic review is to explore the literature regarding looting after disasters, its different dimensions, and to examine coping strategies.