The effect of cold atmospheric plasma on inflammatory and joint destructive factors in osteoarthritic fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Introduction: Activated fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) are associated with the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), causing inflammation and joint destruction, and play a role in disease progression. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising approach for cancer treatment, and its anti-inflammatory properties have recently been demonstrated in some inflammatory disorders. This study aimed to determine the effects of CAP produced by an argon plasma jet device on osteoarthritic fibroblast-like synoviocytes (OA-FLS).

Gene expression profiling in cardiac tissue of mice chronically infected with Toxoplasma gondii: implications for immune response pathways.

Toxoplasma gondii is a common and opportunistic protozoan in vertebrates. Most cases of infection are asymptomatic, but in individuals with an immune system deficiency, it can cause severe complications. The parasite has the ability to form cysts in the host's heart, brain, and other tissues.

Radiation-induced coronary artery calcification in breast cancer: insights from a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Radiation therapy for breast cancer increases the risk of coronary artery disease by promoting atherosclerotic plaques. However, the extent of changes in coronary artery calcification (CAC) scores postradiation and the influencing factors remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated studies investigating changes in CAC scores following breast cancer radiation therapy.

An extremely rare primary non-gestational choriocarcinoma of the vagina: a case report.

Introduction And Importance: Primary non-gestational choriocarcinoma (NGC) of the vagina is an exceedingly rare and aggressive malignancy originating from pluripotent germ cells, with very few cases documented in the literature. Differentiating it from gestational choriocarcinoma is crucial, as NGC exhibits poorer prognosis and reduced chemotherapy responsiveness. This case report highlights a unique presentation of vaginal NGC in a postmenopausal woman, emphasizing diagnostic complexities and therapeutic challenges.

Depression, anxiety, and stress in breast cancer patients: prevalence, associated risk factors, and clinical correlates.

Overall, the prevalence and determinants of various forms of psychological distress such as depression and anxiety in breast cancer (BC) patients exhibit conflicting results, with some factors underexplored. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of depression, anxiety, and stress among BC patients. This cross-sectional study assessed depression, anxiety, and stress in BC patients in Mazandaran, Iran, using the DASS-21 questionnaire, which showed high reliability (Cronbach's alpha: 0.

Environmental heavy metal exposure and altering anti-Mullerian hormone levels in women.

Background: Serum levels of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), a key indicator of ovarian aging, decrease with age. This decline may be accelerated by genetic and environmental factors. Accordingly, the present study investigates the relationship between serum AMH concentrations and exposure to heavy metals.

First report of Leishmania RNA virus 2 and its high genetic diversity in cutaneous leishmaniasis cases from Ilam Province, Iran.

Introduction: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne disease caused by a protozoan parasite and considered a public health challenge in many countries, including Iran. Recent research has focused on the role of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) in the pathogenesis of cutaneous and mucosal forms of leishmaniasis. This study assessed the presence of LRV2 and its genotype diversity among isolates in Ilam province, western Iran, an old focus of Zoonotic CL.

Prevalence of undiagnosed stage 3 chronic kidney disease in the Tabari Cohort: a population-based study.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a well-established public health concern worldwide. Considering the asymptomatic nature of early-stage CKD and its importance, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed stage 3 CKD in a large-scale, population-based cohort study.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, data collected during the enrollment phase of the Tabari Cohort Study (TCS) were utilized.

Decision Fatigue in Nursing: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis.

Background And Aims: Decision fatigue, a critical cognitive challenge for nurses, significantly impacts patient care quality and individual well-being. This concept analysis aims to thoroughly examine decision fatigue in nursing, a consequence of frequent and challenging decisions for healthcare personnel.

Methods: Utilizing Rodgers' evolutionary method, this concept analysis of "decision fatigue" in nursing involved a systematic literature search across PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

Effect of Mindful Self-Care Training on Body Image Concern and Self-Esteem of Patients Before and After Orthognathic Surgery.

Background: Some studies among orthognathic surgery candidates revealed that the patients doing orthognathic surgery suffer from Body Image Concern (BIC) and impaired Self-Esteem (SE) before and after surgery. Despite the merits behind orthognathic surgery, self-care training in such patients seems logical. The present study was performed to outline the effect of Mindful Self-Care Training on Body Image Concern and Self-Esteem of Patients before and after Orthognathic Surgery.

The spectrum of person-centered care: from luxury to necessity: a descriptive qualitative study.

Background: Person-centered care (PCC) constitutes a fundamental element of holistic nursing practice, emphasizing patient engagement and comprehensive understanding beyond pathology. This study sought to investigate nurses’ perceptions of PCC within the Iranian healthcare system. Given the aging population in Iran, ongoing challenges in implementing PCC in clinical practice, and the limited qualitative research on this topic, understanding nurses’ perspectives is crucial for improving care delivery.

Psychometric evaluation of the Farsi version of the Marwit-Meuser caregiver grief inventory-short form among family caregivers of patients with dementia.

Introduction: One of the available tools for assessing caregiver grief is the Marwit-Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory - Short Form, which has not been translated into Farsi. This study aimed to translate and psychometrically evaluate the short form of this Inventory in family caregivers of patients with dementia in Iran.

Methods: After translating the inventory, face validity was assessed using the item impact score method.

Mapping antimicrobial susceptibility of community-acquired uropathogenic Escherichia coli across low, middle and high-income countries highlights significant differences: insights for empiric treatment.

Objectives: Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in urinary tract infections (UTI) poses a global challenge. Evidence-based treatment of cystitis requires local resistance data. The DASH to Protect Antibiotics (https://dashuti.

Transcultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher Scale Among Undergraduate Nursing Students.

Clinical learning is the core of nursing education. The clinical learning environment, supervision, and nurse teacher (CLES + T) play a significant role in the formation of optimal clinical learning. So, this study aimed to investigate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the CLES + T scale among undergraduate nursing students.

Assessing the Protective Effects of Pioglitazone on Radiation-Induced Cardiac Injury in an In Vivo Model: A Biochemical and Histopathological Investigation.

Introduction: RIHD is a significant complication in cancer radiotherapy, caused by oxidative stress and tissue damage. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effect of PGZ pretreatment against RIHD by assessing oxidative stress markers, enzyme levels, biochemical parameters, and cardiac tissue changes in a mouse model.

Materials & Methods: 72 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into eight groups: control, PGZ (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg), IR (8 Gy), and IR + PGZ (at three doses).

Albumin Binding as a Strategy for Improving Tumor Targeting of Radiolabeled Compounds.

Radiolabeled compounds have been designed and used for imaging and therapy of cancers that have overexpressed receptors such as SSTR2, PSMA, and HER2 on cell surfaces. Rapid elimination of radiopharmaceuticals from the blood results in a reduction of their efficacy. Rapid renal clearance of radiopharmaceuticals leads to shorter circulation times in the blood and therefore have less tumor accumulation.

Global prevalence and correlation of intestinal parasitic infections in patients with colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, and researchers continue to explore its underlying factors. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to clarify the prevalence and potential association between intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) and CRC.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across databases that contain articles in English, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar, to identify articles published up to October 2024 that reported on the prevalence of IPIs in CRC patients.

Study on delay factors and time to hospital arrival after acute stroke in patients at Shahid Rajaei hospital, Tonekabon (2022-2023).

Background: Stroke is a sudden focal neurological deficit caused by vascular damage to the central nervous system. Globally, stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, with a particularly significant burden in low- and middle-income countries. In Iran, the incidence of acute stroke is increasing, and the age of onset is lower compared to developed countries.

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.

Response Rate to Treatment of Achalasia Patients With Thyroid Disorders Versus Euthyroid Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran.

Background: Achalasia, characterized by impaired esophageal motility, presents a challenge in diagnosis and management. Emerging evidence suggests a potential association between achalasia and thyroid disorders (TD). Understanding the prevalence and treatment response of achalasia in Iranian patients with TD compared to euthyroid counterparts is crucial for optimizing clinical care and informing further research efforts.

Effects of Risperidone and Aripiprazole Antipsychotic Drugs on Behavioral Changes and the Expression Levels of DRD2, HTR2A, AKT1, and CACNA1C Genes in the Hippocampus of a Ketamine-induced Schizophrenia-like Rat Model.

Schizophrenia, a severe neuropsychiatric disorder, is characterized by significant impairments in neurological function. The disease includes a spectrum of symptoms that are divided into four main categories: positive, negative, cognitive, and mood symptoms. In this study, 32 male Wistar rats, approximately 10 to 12 weeks old, were randomly separated into four groups: vehicle (saline), ketamine (30 mg/kg), aripiprazole (0.

Fibrotic Disease: from Signaling Pathways and Biomarkers to Molecular Imaging.

Fibrotic diseases are characterized by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components following tissue injury, ultimately leading to organ dysfunction and failure. The progression of fibrosis is governed by complex molecular signaling pathways, including TGF-β, PDGF, FGF, CTGF, VEGF, and many others, which regulate myofibroblast activation, ECM production, and tissue remodeling. Traditional diagnostic modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and biopsy are limited in their ability to distinguish active fibrogenesis from established fibrosis or detect early molecular changes.

Phage Therapy: A Targeted Solution for Brucellosis.

Brucellosis is a widespread zoonotic bacterial infection that affects over 500,000 people annually, with significant economic losses in the livestock industry, particularly in endemic regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and parts of Africa and Latin America. Despite standard antibiotic treatments, relapse rates remain as high as 10%-15%, highlighting the limitations of current therapeutic options. Phage therapy, which uses bacteriophages to selectively target and lyse Brucella spp.

Pathophysiology of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and the Potential Role of Dexmedetomidine as a Modulator.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is a fundamental process that profoundly influences immune cell function and plays a critical role in the development and progression of various physiological and pathological conditions. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of ER stress and its implications for cellular function and disease pathogenesis is of paramount importance in developing targeted therapeutic interventions. Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist primarily used as a sedative, has emerged as a potential modulator of ER stress.