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The aim of this study is to scrutinize the effect of nano-additions on failure modes and loads of glass-epoxy laminate subjected two parallel pin-loaded holes, experimentally and numerically. Furthermore, the effect of physical and geometrical parameters such as the ratio of free edge distance of laminated composite to holes diameter (e/d) and the ratio of centre to centre distances of holes to holes diameter (M/d) have been investigated. Afterwards, to exactly prognosticate failure modes and the ultimate load obtained from the experimental procedure, a numerical simulation in finite element software was implemented. There have found a close agreement between two methods. It should be acknowledged that after augmenting glass-epoxy laminate with nano-addition A12O3, there was seen to be a clear difference between the two samples while the bearing strength of reinforced samples has been improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remission failure and relapse numerate as one of the main problems in patients with antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAVs). The need for new agents that provide effective and safe induction accompanied by sustained remission seems to be urgent in clinical care. The efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) for AAVs therapy has been reported in various studies. RTX therapy offers several advantages to treating AAVs patients compared to other therapeutic approaches including reduction of Glucocorticoids (GCs) and conventional Immunosuppressive therapy (IST) usage during both the induction of remission and maintenance phases. This reduction can lead to a lower rate of serious complications making RTX therapy a safer option. It seems that RTX may provide improved clinical outcomes in these patients mediated via B-lymphocyte depletion, Proteinase 3-antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (PR3-ANCA), and myeloperoxidase-antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) titers reduction. In this regard, some uncertainties have been reported to validate the association between such depletion and clinical improvement, as suggested by other sources of autoreactive B cells that did not target with RTX. Due to the prolonged B cell depletion, fixed intervals and adjusted dosage of RTX may be required in patients with AAVs. In this narrative review, we aimed to insight better understand regarding the efficacy of RTX for effective induction and sustained remission in patients with AAVs. It seems that discovering new biomarkers predicting relapse in AAVs patients can lead to future targeted therapy., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines show promise for glioma treatment, but optimal use remains uncertain. This meta-analysis examined DC vaccine efficacy and safety for gliomas., Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. From the date of inception to October 23, 2023, electronic databases PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus have been thoroughly evaluated., Results: A total of 12 studies with 998 patients and a mean age ranging from 40.2 to 56 years were included. Across 12 articles, DC vaccine 6-month overall survival (OS) was 100% [95% confidence interval {95%CI}: 100%-100%]. Respectively, 12-month OS reported 75% [95%CI: 65%-85%] but declined to 32% [95%CI: 20%-43%] for 24-month OS. 6- and 12-month progression-free survival reached 49% [95%CI: 21%-77%] and 19% [95%CI:8%-30%]. Studying radiological outcomes shows that complete response and partial response rates were 13% [95%CI: 17%-42%], and 26% [95%CI: 10%-42%], though stable disease reached 33% [95%CI: 15%-51%], suggesting predominant antineoplastic effects. The progressive disease rate also was 24% [95%CI: 9%-57%]., Conclusions: In gliomas, DC vaccinations show a temporary efficacy; stability is more prevalent than regression. Impacts favor decreased resistance to early disease. Enhancing efficacy remains critical. Early therapy can be enhanced by appropriate supplementary therapy integration., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: T follicular helper (Tfh) cells are a subdivision of T helper cells involved in antigen-specific B cell immunity. Tfh cells play an essential role in the interaction of T cells/B cells in the germinal centers (GC), and dysregulation of Tfh actions can offer pathogenic autoantibody formation and lead to the development of autoimmune diseases. This study seeks to evaluate changes in Tfh frequency and its related cytokines in autoimmune disease, its association with disease phase, severity, prognosis, and the effect of immunosuppressive treatment on the Tfh population., Method: The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 Statement. Electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase, were systematically searched for potentially eligible studies up to January 1, 2024., Results: We identified 4998 articles in the initial search, from which 1686 similar titles were removed. A total of 3312 articles were initially screened, and 3051 articles were excluded by title/abstract screening. A total of 261 studies were considered for full-text assessment, and 205 articles were excluded by reason. Finally, a total of 56 studies were included in our review., Conclusion: The population of Tfh cells is generally higher in autoimmune diseases versus Health control. Moreover, the number of Tfh cells is associated with the disease severity and can be considered for determining the prognosis of studies. Also, peripheral blood circulating Tfh (cTfh) cells are an available sample that can be used as an indicator for diagnosing diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide with low survival rates and poor outcomes. The treatment landscape for PC is fraught with obstacles, including drug resistance, lack of effective targeted therapies and the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The resistance of PC to existing immunotherapies highlights the need for innovative approaches, with the TME emerging as a promising therapeutic target. The recent advancements in understanding the role of macrophages, this context highlight their significant impact on tumor development and progression. There are two important types of macrophages: M1 and M2, which play critical roles in the TME. Therapeutics strategies including, depletion of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), reprogramming TAMs to promote anti-tumor activity, and targeting macrophage recruitment can lead to promising outcomes. Targeting macrophage-related pathways may offer novel strategies for modulating immune responses, inhibiting angiogenesis, and overcoming resistance to chemotherapy in PC treatment., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Melanoma brain metastases present a major challenge in cancer treatment and reduce overall survival despite advances in managing primary melanoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target PD-1/PD-L1 pathways have shown promise in treating advanced melanoma, but their efficacy for melanoma brain metastases is debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize evidence on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for melanoma brain metastases. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. PICO criteria targeted melanoma brain metastasis patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, assessing overall survival, progression-free survival, and complications. Inclusion criteria were English studies on humans using PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for melanoma brain metastases with > 10 patients. A total of 22 trials involving 1523 melanoma brain metastase patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors were thoroughly analyzed. Our findings show the 6-month OS rate of 0.75 [95%CI:0.67-0.84], the 6-months PFS rate of 0.42 [95%CI:0.31-0.52], the 1-year OS rate of 0.63 [95%CI:0.52-0.74], the 1-year PFS rate was 0.45 [95%CI:0.32-0.58], the 18-months OS rate of 0.52 [95%CI:0.37-0.67], the 2-year OS rate of 50% [95% CI: (34%-65%)], the 2 year PFS rate of 0.36 (95%CI:0.23-0.50), the 3-year OS rate of 0.42 (95%CI:0.17-0.67), the 4-year PFS rate of 0.35 [95%CI:0.08-0.61], the 4-year OS rate of 0.29 [95%CI:0.01-0.56], the 5-year OS rate of 0.29 (95%CI:0.09-0.50), and the 5-year PFS rate of 0.11 (95%CI:0.03-0.19). The combined disease stability rate was 0.13 [95%CI:0.05-0.20], the progressive disease rate was 0.49 [95%CI:0.37-0.62], the partial response rate was 0.14 [95%CI:0.07-0.20], the object response rate was 0.35 [95%CI:0.24-0.46], and the complete response rate was 0.22 [95%CI:0.12-0.32]. In conclusion, our meta-analysis provides compelling evidence supporting the efficacy of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in patients with melanoma brain tumors, as evidenced by favorable survival outcomes and disease control rates., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

As healthcare systems transition into an era dominated by quantum technologies, the need to fortify cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive medical data becomes increasingly imperative. This paper navigates the intricate landscape of post-quantum cryptographic approaches and emerging threats specific to the healthcare sector. Delving into encryption protocols such as lattice-based, code-based, hash-based, and multivariate polynomial cryptography, the paper addresses challenges in adoption and compatibility within healthcare systems. The exploration of potential threats posed by quantum attacks and vulnerabilities in existing encryption standards underscores the urgency of a change in basic assumptions in healthcare data security. The paper provides a detailed roadmap for implementing post-quantum cybersecurity solutions, considering the unique challenges faced by healthcare organizations, including integration issues, budget constraints, and the need for specialized training. Finally, the abstract concludes with an emphasis on the importance of timely adoption of post-quantum strategies to ensure the resilience of healthcare data in the face of evolving threats. This roadmap not only offers practical insights into securing medical data but also serves as a guide for future directions in the dynamic landscape of post-quantum healthcare cybersecurity., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Cyclophosphamide (CP), as an anti-cancer drug, is frequently used to treat various types of cancer. A decreased number of ovarian follicles impaired normal ovarian function, and subsequent premature ovarian failure (POF) presented as a side effect of cyclophosphamide usage. These events may eventually affect the fertility rate of individuals. The present study showed the effect of cyclophosphamide on ovarian reserves and the protective effect of L-carnitine (LC) as an antioxidant to prevent POF. To design the study, six to eight-week-old NMRI female mice were divided into three groups: control, cyclophosphamide (CP), and cyclophosphamide + L-carnitine (CP + LC). Mice received drugs intraperitoneally (IP) for 21 days. In the following 24 h after the last injection, both ovaries were used to evaluate the expression of Sohlh1 and Lhx8 genes by Real-time PCR. Furthermore, the alteration of Lhx8 promoter methylation was examined by Methylation-sensitive high-resolution melting analysis (MS-HRM). The present data showed the negative effect of CP on regulator genes of oogenesis including Sohlh1 and Lhx8. In addition, an examination of the epigenetic status of the Lhx8 gene showed a change in promoter methylation of this gene following cyclophosphamide injection. Although, L-carnitine is an effective antioxidant in relieving oxidative stress caused by cyclophosphamide and its damage, in the present study, however, the use of L-carnitine failed to protect the ovaries from changes caused by CP injection. So, using cyclophosphamide can alter the expression of folliculogenesis genes through its effects on epigenetic changes and may cause POF. The results of the present study showed that L-carnitine consumption can't protect the ovaries against the adverse effects of CP., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study investigated issues related to noise, lighting, and temperature in trauma rooms that impact patient care and staff performance., Background: Uncontrolled sensory stimuli can hinder healthcare delivery quality in trauma rooms. High noise and temperature levels can increase staff stress and discomfort as well as patient discomfort. Conversely, proper lighting can decrease staff stress levels and reduce burnout. Sensory overload in trauma rooms is a crucial concern, but no studies have been conducted on this issue., Method: Using a convenience sampling method, 65 trauma team members (e.g., surgeons, physicians, nurses) from six Level I trauma centers in the United States were recruited to participate in 20 focus groups. Focus groups were semi-structured and 1 hr long., Results: Staff covered issues related to communications and disruption from noise sources (e.g., equipment, conversations). Having control over lighting allows staff to change light intensity and facilitate their work during the resuscitation. A well-maintained temperature can provide patient comfort or reduce risk of hypothermia, given that patients can lose body heat rapidly due to loss of blood., Conclusion: Excessive sensory stimuli can result in disrupted communication, fatigue, and stress, making staff susceptible to errors. Staffs' control over environmental conditions may lead to a more efficient, comfortable, and safer environment. Technology should be reliable and flexible to facilitate this., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Aims: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the disorders recently associated with an increase in insulin resistance (IR) and, consequently, diabetes mellitus (DM) affection by causing oxidative stress. In this study, we look at how IDA may contribute to developing type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), controlling diabetes, and reducing IR in women with T2DM., Methods: In this single group, clinical interventional study, we enrolled 40 women with T2DM and IDA. Before and after intervention with ferrous sulfate tablets, their blood glucose (BG) levels and IR levels were evaluated. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qom University of Medical Sciences (ethics code: IR.MUQ.REC.1397.031) and registered at the Iranian Center for Clinical Trials (No. IRCT20170215032587N3). A significant level was considered p <0.05., Result: The mean age of patients was 48.18 ± 4.6 years, with 5.3-5.8 years duration of T2DM. After the intervention, the mean fasting blood glucose (FBG) level reached 198.53 ± 48.11 to 170.93 ± 37.41, which was significant (p <0.0001). Also, hemoglobin A1C level reached from 8.49 ± 0.9 to 7.96 ± 0.58, which was significant (p <0.0001). Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR) demonstrating a significant reduction of IR levels after intervention with ferrous sulfate tablets (p <0.018)., Conclusions: IDA treatment in patients with T2DM can significantly reduce the BG and IR levels. To better control BG, checking iron status and its correction may provide better clinical outcomes in these patients., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is felt as a discomfort or pain on the center line or upper abdomen. In this study, we aimed to compare the effects of Govarcin herbal capsule and Metoclopramide for alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with FD., Methods: Totally, 106 patients enrolled in a double-blind, clinical trial study. The participants had FD and were divided into two groups receiving Govarcin and Metoclopramide by block randomization. The patients were treated for four weeks, taking one Govarcin capsule or Metoclopramide tablet after each meal. The rate of improvement in patients was assessed by mitigation of clinical symptoms, including epigastric pain, fullness, discomfort, nausea, vomiting and heartburn. Also, before and after intervention, we used Nepin questionnaire and ROME III. SPSS statistics 25 software was used for data analyzing., Results: Clinical symptom score changes between Govarcin and Metoclopramide patients' groups showed that there was no significant difference in any of the clinical symptom scores (except for heartburn, p-value =0.012) between the study groups. Nepean score in Govarcin group before and after treatment were 19.3±4.8 and 8.9±2.8, respectively ( p-value <0.001). For Metoclopramide group, these values were 19.8±3.5 and 9.4±2.1 respectively ( p-value <0.001). No significant difference was found in terms of Nepean score between the Govarcin and Metoclopramide groups ( p-value =0.995)., Conclusion: Govarcin herbal capsule can be used to remedy symptoms in patients with FD. It seems that Govarcin is as effective as Metoclopramide in fighting symptoms of FD as no significant difference in efficacy has been demonstrated between them., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Tumors can produce bioactive substances called tumor-derived supernatants (TDS) that modify the immune response in the host body. This can result in immunosuppressive effects that promote the growth and spread of cancer. During tumorigenesis, the exudation of these substances can disrupt the function of immune sentinels in the host and reinforce the support for cancer cell growth. Tumor cells produce cytokines, growth factors, and proteins, which contribute to the progression of the tumor and the formation of premetastatic niches. By understanding how cancer cells influence the host immune system through the secretion of these factors, we can gain new insights into cancer diagnosis and therapy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Improving oocyte competence during chemotherapy is widely known as a contributing factor to increasing the probability of fertility. Additionally, the role of cumulus cells in oocyte quality is of utmost importance. Therefore, this study was designed to simultaneously probe into the relative gene expression of oocytes and cumulus cells as biomarkers of oocyte quality with cyclophosphamide and L-carnitine treatment. A total of 60 adult NMRI mice were divided into four groups: control, L-carnitine (LC), cyclophosphamide (CP), and cyclophosphamide+L-carnitine (CP+LC). The relative mRNA expression levels of oocyte quality genes including growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9), hyaluronan synthase 2 (Has2), and mitochondrial sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) in oocytes, and genes involved in bilateral communication between cumulus cells and between the oocyte and its neighboring cumulus cells including connexin 37 (Cx37) and connexin 43 (Cx43) were detected by Real-time-PCR. DCFH-DA staining analyzed the level of intracellular ROS in oocytes. Under the influence of L-carnitine, Gdf9, Has2, Cx43, and Cx37 were significantly up-regulated (p ≤ 0.05). However, cyclophosphamide considerably reduced the expression of all these genes (p ≤ 0.05). The expression of the Sirt3 gene in the CP group increased significantly compared to the other groups (p ≤ 0.05). Analysis of fluorescent images revealed that the level of intracellular ROS in the cyclophosphamide group was significantly increased compared to the other groups (p ≤ 0.05), while it plummeted in the L-carnitine group (p ≤ 0.05). L-carnitine as an antioxidant can reduce the destructive effects of cyclophosphamide and enhance bilateral communications between oocytes and cumulus cells, and it may ultimately lead to an increase in the fertility rate., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Gynecologic cancer is a significant cause of death in women worldwide, with cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and endometrial cancer being among the most well-known types. The initiation and progression of gynecologic cancers involve a variety of biological functions, including angiogenesis and metastasis-given that death mostly occurs from metastatic tumors that have invaded the surrounding tissues. Therefore, understanding the molecular pathways underlying gynecologic cancer metastasis is critical for enhancing patient survival and outcomes. Recent research has revealed the contribution of numerous non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to metastasis and invasion of gynecologic cancer by affecting specific cellular pathways. This review focuses on three types of gynecologic cancer (ovarian, endometrial, and cervical) and three kinds of ncRNAs (long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs). We summarize the detailed role of non-coding RNAs in the different pathways and molecular interactions involved in the invasion and metastasis of these cancers., Competing Interests: MH declares the following potential conflicts of interest—Scientific Advisory Boards: Transdermal Cap Inc., Cleveland, OH; BeWell Global Inc., Wan Chai, Hong Kong; Hologenix Inc., Santa Monica, CA; LumiTheraInc, Poulsbo, WA; Vielight, Toronto, Canada; Bright Photomedicine, Sao Paulo, Brazil; Quantum Dynamics LLC, Cambridge, MA; Global Photon Inc., Bee Cave, TX; Medical Coherence, Boston, MA; NeuroThera, Newark, DE; JOOVV Inc., Minneapolis-St. Paul MN; AIRx Medical, Pleasanton, CA; FIR Industries, Inc., Ramsey, NJ; UVLRx Therapeutics, Oldsmar, FL; Ultralux UV Inc., Lansing, MI; Illumiheal&Petthera, Shoreline, WA; MB Lasertherapy, Houston, TX; ARRC LED, San Clemente, CA; Varuna Biomedical Corp., Incline Village, NV; Niraxx Light Therapeutics, Inc., Boston, MA; Consulting; Lexington Int., Boca Raton, FL; USHIO Corp, Japan; Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany; Philips Electronics Nederland B.V. Eindhoven, Netherlands; Johnson & Johnson Inc., Philadelphia, PA; Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Stockholdings: Global Photon Inc., Bee Cave, TX; Mitonix, Newark, DE. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Rezaee, Ahmadpour, Jafari, Aghili, Zadeh, Rajabi, Raisi, Hamblin, Mahjoubin-Tehran and Derakhshan.)

Autoimmune diseases develop due to self-tolerance failure in recognizing self and non-self-antigens. Several factors play a role in inducing autoimmunity, including genetic and environmental elements. Several studies demonstrated the causative role of viruses; however, some studies showed the preventive effect of viruses in the development of autoimmunity. Neurological autoimmune diseases are classified based on the targets of autoantibodies, which target intracellular or extracellular antigens rather than neurons. Several theories have been hypothesized to explain the role of viruses in the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation and autoimmune diseases. This study reviewed the current data on the immunopathogenesis of viruses in autoimmunity of the nervous system., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: So far, several protocols have been used for the treatment of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). In this study, we aimed to study the effect of interferon on the treatment of hypoxemia caused by COVID-19., Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experiment with a nonequivalent group design. All participants were admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom province. In total, 60 patients were enrolled in the study, and inclusion criteria were age over 18 years, positive PCR test result, pulmonary involvement in computed tomography (CT) scan, and SpO 2 level below 93%. Individuals were divided into two control (hydroxychloroquine + lopinavir/ritonavir [Kaletra]) and intervention (hydroxychloroquine + lopinavir/ritonavir [Kaletra] + interferon-β 1a [recigen]) groups. The data were analyzed in Stata/SE 14.2 using Chi-square, t -test, and Mann-Whitney U test., Results: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of patients was 63 ± 16.12 years and 43.3% were male. In terms of outcome variables, 20% of patients in the intervention group and 53.3% of subjects in the control group died and this difference was significant ( P = 0.007). According to the quick sequential organ failure assessment (qSOFA) score, the severe cases were 16.7% in the intervention group and 50% in the control group ( P = 0.006). In addition, the median days of hospitalization were 11.5 days-significantly higher than those in the control group (5.5 days) ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the use of interferon in the treatment of COVID-19 can improve health and reduce the severity of the disease and mortality., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2023 Journal of Education and Health Promotion.)

Background: Increasing the number of COVID-19 patients raises concerns about the capacity of the health care system. This issue emphasizes reducing the admission rate and expediting patient discharge., Objective: This study aimed to develop a discharge protocol for COVID-19 patients based on the existing capacity of the healthcare system and to assess its post-discharge outcomes., Methods: This is a multicenter cohort study. All COVID-19 patients referred to selected medical centers in Qom, Iran, from Feb. 19 to Apr. 19, 2020, were target populations. Eligible patients were classified into a) the criterion group and b) the non-criterion group. Patients were followed up daily for 14 days after discharge by phone, and the required data was gathered and recorded in follow-up form. Univariate (chi-square and t-tests) and multivariate multiple (multivariate probit regression) analysis were used., Results: A total of 2775 patients were included in the study (1440 people in the criterion group and 1335 in the non-criterion group). Based on multivariate probit regression, death was statistically associated with discharge outside our criteria (p<0.001), rising age (p<0.001), and being male (p=0.019), and readmission were associated with discharge outside our criteria (p<0.001), rising age (p=0.009), and having the history of underlying diseases (p=0.003). Furthermore, remission had statistically significant associations with discharge based on our criteria (p<0.001), decreasing age (p=0.001), and lack of a history of underlying diseases (p<0.001)., Conclusion: Mortality and readmission were significantly lower according to our discharge criteria. Our designed criteria apply to less developed and developing countries due to the limited capacity and resources available in the health care system., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: The lung is one of the major organs affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Lung CT scan and RT-PCR are the most valuable diagnostic methods in the early diagnosis and management of COVID-19. Due to the possible inconsistency of the false-negative results for the RT-PCR test, in our study, we aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of lung CT-scan as an accurate diagnostic method of COVID-19., Methods: In this cross-sectional study, patients suspected of COVID-19 and referred to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Qom city from February 26 to April 13, 2020, were enrolled. For a definitive diagnosis of COVID-19, chest CT scan and RT-PCR testing was performed for 644 patients, and both sensitivity and specificity of lung CT scan were evaluated., Results: According to the findings, and comparing to the RT-PCR test as the gold standard, sensitivity, specificity as well as, positive predictive and negative predictive values of lung CT-scan were found as follow; 94.47% (95% CI: 90.73 - 97.02%), 24.71% (95% CI: 20.70 - 29.07%), 40.73% (95% CI: 36.58 - 44.99%), 89.08% (95% CI: 82.4 - 94.05%), respectively., Conclusion: According to the findings, the lung CT scan has a better diagnostic value than RTPCR in symptomatic patients who were referred to the hospital for COVID-19 diagnosis. Performing lung CT-scan in patients with negative RT-PCR tests should be assessed., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Xenografts of various human cancers in nude mice provide a helpful model in cancer research. This study aimed to develop a xenograft mouse model of MCF-7 breast cancer using injectable estradiol valerate., Methods: Thirty healthy female C57 nu/nu mice were engrafted with three protocols to establish an MCF-7 tumor. Injectable estradiol valerate (10 mg/ml) was used as a substitute for estradiol pellets. The development of tumors was recorded daily, and data were statistically analyzed. Histology of bladder, kidney, and tumors was used to estimate tumor establishment and probable urinary adverse effects., Results: According to the findings, the duration of MCF-7 tumor growth was the lowest for protocol B (tumor tissue). Also, this protocol had the highest xenograft yield within the shortest time duration (37 days for protocol B vs. 73 days for protocol A) without causing urinary adverse effects., Conclusion: Our findings revealed that estradiol valerate, which is way less expensive than estradiol pellets, can be used as a tumor proliferator to establish MCF-7 tumors with the highest yield when MCF-7 tumors have been used for xenograft., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Background: Pancreatitis is one of the most crucial complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The purpose of the current study was to investigate patient-related post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) risk factors in two groups of patients: prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin., Methods: Two different prophylactic modalities were planned and complications were assessed based on the defined inclusion criteria. In this study, the patients were evaluated for the procedure and patient-related risk factors in post-ERCP pancreatitis in the recipient groups of the prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin., Results: Pancreatitis was confirmed in 27 of all 170 selected patients after ERCP. By univariate analysis, two variables were significant with the development of PEP. Regarding the patient-related risk factors, unique subjects with common bile duct (CBD) dilated 10mm were more exposed to an increased chance of PEP (P=0. 015); meanwhile, other factors did not correlate with the increased possibility of PEP in both groups. The only procedure-related risk factor for PEP was the deep cannulation of the pancreatic duct in both groups during the procedure with an incremental significant incidence of pancreatitis (P=0.005). Comparison of prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin showed no effects in term of post ERCP pancreatitis reduction. Additionally, there was no significant difference between these two strategies in the rate of PEP., Conclusion: Prophylactic pancreatic duct stents and administration of rectal indomethacin cannot have particular approaches for reducing the possible occurrence of PEP. The increase in time of deep cannulation and the presence of CBD dilation <10mm could be considered as important risk factors., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Background: Evidence on seroconversion profile of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infected patients is limited. We mainly aimed to evaluate seroconversion and persistence of virus-specific antibodies in patients infected by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)., Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 118 patients with COVID-19 presentations admitted to three hospitals in Iran and recovered from the disease, during April and May 2020. Presence of COVID-19 was confirmed by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing on nasopharyngeal swabs. Serum samples were collected at different time points, including 0-5, 6-15, 16-25, 26-35, and 36-95 days of clinical symptom onset. For measurement of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM antibody titers, Iran's Food and Drug Administration-approved SARS-CoV-2 ELISA kits were used., Results: Serologic assay revealed that 37.3% of patients (n=44) were positive for IgM at 0-5 days interval after clinical symptom onset. This rate was 60.2% (n=71) for IgG. There were increasing IgM and IgG seroconversion rates during first 25 days of clinical symptom onset, but seropositivity started to decrease thereafter, which was more evident for IgM (17.9%) than IgG (58.9%) at the 36-95 days post symptoms appearance. In other words, it was found that 83.6% of IgM-positive and 32.9% of IgG-positive patients in the first month of clinical symptom onset became seronegative in the third month of clinical symptom onset., Conclusion: The findings demonstrated that antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection were developed in recovered COVID-19 patients; however, some of them were seronegative three months after onset of relevant symptoms. Furthermore, the stability of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies could also correct our expectations from COVID-19 vaccination responses., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest All authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright© 2022 Avicenna Research Institute.)

Objective: This study assessed the perception of people toward drive-through healthcare services, their willingness to use them, and the scope of services they would like to receive in a post-pandemic world., Background: The abrupt spread of COVID-19 urged healthcare facilities to adopt new infection-control measures. Drive-through testing facilities were implemented as one of the measures to minimize physical contact between healthcare workers and test-takers. Many studies describe drive-through models' merits, but people's opinions about them as a permanent attachment to healthcare facilities are unclear., Methods: An online survey was distributed through snowball sampling. The survey solicited feedback from adults who lived in the United States. The survey consisted of Likert-type and multiple-choice questions and was completed by176 eligible participants., Results: The use of drive-through pharmacies increased after the spread of COVID-19. Most people agreed drive-through healthcare services could be more convenient and safer to use. People prefer to have their vitals checked, and vaccinations received in a drive-through because of the improved infection-control matters and increased comfort; however, they are neutral about the level of privacy they have and the hygiene of drive-through healthcare settings., Conclusions: This study shows permanent drive-throughs offering medical services benefit people in times of crisis for the perceived infection control purposes and the improved convenience. A drive-through model can redefine the waiting experience and serve as a new safe triage system in urgent care centers. Drive-through urgent care centers can be adopted as a hybrid of telemedicine and in-person visits.

Glioma is the most prevalent invasive primary tumor of the central nervous system. Glioma cells can spread and infiltrate into normal surrounding brain tissues. Despite the standard use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy after surgery in glioma patients, treatment resistance is still a problem, as the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Non-coding RNAs are widely involved in tumor progression and treatment resistance mechanisms. In the present review, we discuss the pathways by which microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs can affect resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, as well as offer potential therapeutic options for future glioma treatment.

BACKGROUND : Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused a global pandemic. Since its start, widespread safety measures have been adopted by nations worldwide. Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis are two forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). IBD is a common inflammatory illness with a high worldwide incidence. Its clinical symptoms include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, anorexia, and weight loss. Genetics, microbes, cigarette smoking, appendectomy, lack of personal hygiene, using anti-inflammatory agents, vitamin D deficiency, and stress are the main risk factors for IBD. COVID-19 pandemic raised concerns about the exacerbation of COVID clinical manifestations in patients with IBD and increasing the risk of mortality. During COVID-19 pandemic, intestinal inflammation, and promoting adherence need to be controlled using medications and vaccinations as a primary goal. In this review, we reviewed unique concerns about IBD risk in the population as well as management of the disease, and the effectiveness of vaccination during COVID-19 pandemic., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this work., (© 2022 Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases.)

Background: Natural killer cells (NKC) and Sorafenib (Sor) are two important agents for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Over the past decade, the interaction of Sor and NKC against HCC has been widely challenging. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of NKC & Sor for the treatment of HCC in vivo., Methods: Subcutaneous xenograft models of HCC were established in nude mice. For safety assessment of treatment, the kidney and liver functions were analyzed. Paraffin embedded tumor sections were histopathologically studied and immunohistochemistry (IHC) tests were done to evaluate the angiogenesis (CD34) and proliferation (Ki67) indexes. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay was performed to identify the tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and expression levels of major inflammatory cytokines and cytoplasmic granules in xenograft HCC were quantified using real-time PCR., Results: NKC & Sor significantly inhibited necrosis and apoptosis in tumor cells and increased angiogenesis and proliferation of HCC compared to the monotherapy of NKC or Sor alone. The serum levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ as well as the expression levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ, interleukins (ILs)-1, 6, 10, granzyme-B and perforin in the xenograft HCC tissues of the treated mice with NKC & Sor were significantly lower than those of treated with NKC or Sor alone., Conclusion: Therapy with the specific dosage of NKC & Sor could not inhibit the HCC xenograft growth rate through a synergistic effect in a mouse model of HCC., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Background: Trichotillomania and trichophagia cause trichobezoars, which are masses made of hair. The main presentation of this condition is abdominal pain. However, other complications include gastric outlet obstruction, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, malnutrition, hematemesis, diarrhea, and constipation., Case Presentation: A 57-year-old woman with trichotillomania was admitted to the Emergency Department with the chief complaints of dyspnea on exertion, shortness of breath, dysphagia, generalized weakness, and hoarseness. Spiral chest computed tomography (CT) scan did not reveal any parenchymal lesions Pulmonary CT angiography did not reveal pulmonary embolism. The patient was admitted to the Surgery Department for hand fasciotomy due to contrast leakage, and during laryngoscopy, a trichobezoar was detected that was removed with Magill forceps., Conclusions: Rare cases of trichobezoars can be observed in humans with gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms. Precise and timely diagnosis are key for the prevention of more invasive diagnostic procedures., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

A significant number of cancer cases are afflicted by gastrointestinal cancers annually. Lifestyle and nutrition have a huge effect on gastrointestinal function, and unhealthy habits have become quite widespread in recent decades, culminating in the rapid growth of gastrointestinal cancers. The most prevalent cancers are lip and mouth cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, liver and bile duct cancer, pancreatic cancer, and colorectal cancer. Risk factors such as red meat consumption, alcohol consumption, tea, rice, viruses such as Helicobacter pylori and Ebstein Bar Virus (EBV) , along with reduced physical activity, predispose the gastrointestinal tract to damage and cause cancer. According to the rapid increase of cancer incidence and late diagnosis of gastrointestinal malignancies, further epidemiological researches remain necessary in order to make appropriate population-based preventive policies. In this study, we reviewed clinical symptoms, risk factors, preventative measures, as well as incidence and mortality rates of gastrointestinal malignancies worldwide with focus on Iranian population., Competing Interests: CONFLICT OF INTEREST The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this work., (© 2022 Middle East Journal of Digestive Diseases.)