Search

Background: Current data indicate that serum vitamin D and susceptible C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, both indicative of the inflammatory state, have the potential to predict the onset and severity of chronic pain. Therefore, the objective was to assess the intensity of pain experienced after breast cancer treatment and its relationship with these two parameters. Method: In this cross-sectional study between 2019 and 2021, 201 patients were enrolled. The McGill Pain Questionnaire was employed to evaluate localized pain intensity at the site six months after the conclusion of cancer treatments. Patients were stratified based on the type of breast surgery, with or without a tissue expander, axillary region surgery, chemotherapy treatment, radiotherapy treatment, serum vitamin D levels, serum hs-CRP levels, and pain intensity. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 21 software with a significance level set at 0.05. Results: Among the patients, 67.6% (136 individuals) reported mild pain, 31.3% (63 individuals) reported moderate pain, and 1% (2 individuals) reported severe pain. The results of this study demonstrated a positive correlation between high serum hs-CRP levels and increased pain intensity, with serum marker levels being higher in patients experiencing more severe pain compared with those with milder pain. However, no statistically significant association was observed between various serum concentrations of vitamin D and pain intensity (P = 0.12). Conclusion: Elevated levels of inflammatory factors, such as hs-CRP, are linked to a higher likelihood of developing chronic post-surgical pain.

Urological cancers including those of the prostate, bladder, and kidney, are prevalent and often lethal malignancies besides other less common ones like testicular and penile cancers. Current treatments have major limitations like side effects, recurrence, resistance, high costs, and poor quality of life. Nanotechnology offers promising solutions through enhanced diagnostic accuracy, targeted drug delivery, controlled release, and multimodal imaging. This review reflects clinical challenges and nanomedical advances across major urological cancers. In prostate cancer, nanoparticles improve delineation and radiosensitization in radiation therapy, enable fluorescent guidance in surgery, and enhance chemotherapy penetration in metastatic disease. Nanoparticles also overcome bladder permeability barriers to increase the residence time of intravesical therapy and chemotherapy agents. In renal cancer, nanocarriers potentiate tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immunotherapy while gene vectors and zinc oxide nanoparticles demonstrate antiproliferative effects. Across modalities, urological applications of nanomedicine include polymeric, liposomal, and metal nanoparticles for targeted therapy, prodrug delivery, photodynamic therapy, and thermal ablation. Biosafety assessments reveal favorable profiles but clinical translation remains limited, necessitating further trials. In conclusion, nanotechnology holds significant potential for earlier detection, precise intervention, and tailored treatment of urological malignancies, warranting expanded research to transform patient outcomes.

Brain glioblastoma multiforme with leptomeningeal metastasis is a rare medical condition. Although autopsy series have demonstrated a higher incidence of leptomeningeal metastasis, it is usually a late complication in the course of the disease. The disease progression is almost always rapid, resulting in a poor performance status and short survival. There is no single standard treatment but different individualized choices including chemotherapy (standard, anti-angiogenic, intrathecal, immunotherapy), and radiation have been utilized. In this manuscript, we report a male patient with glioblastoma multiforme of left prefrontal lobe that presented with concomitant cervical leptomeningeal metastasis. Because of poor performance, he received hypofractionated radiotherapy of brain and cervical spine which consisted of a total dose of 45 Gy in 10 fractions with 300c Gy per fraction and 30 Gy local boost to the areas of enhancement. Despite this treatment, there was no response and the patient died three days after the completion of the treatment.

Abstract Background Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men. However, leptomeningeal involvement by prostate carcinoma is a rare event. Case Here, we report a 69‐year‐old patient with castration‐resistant metastatic prostate cancer who presented with headache and ataxia. Brain MRI revealed a huge invasive interaxial mass at right occipital lobe with diffuse thickening and enhancement of meninges, the arachnoid, and the pia mater, and he was diagnosed with leptomeningeal carcinomatosis. The patient received whole brain radiotherapy. Conclusion Despite the fact that brain and leptomeningeal metastases are not very common in patients with prostate cancer, signs and symptoms of nervous system disorders should be assessed carefully, and consideration of such unusual metastases must be considered.

Abstract Given the wide range of differential diagnoses for adnexal masses, the key issue is the correct assessment of the initial location to rule out malignant or emergency cases. Here, we report a case of perforated sigmoid colon cancer initially diagnosed as a tubo‐ovarian abscess.

AimTo determine the efficacy and safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV) in patients with breast cancer.MethodsIn this multi- institutional cohort study, a total of 160 breast cancer patients (mean age of 50.01 ± 11.5 years old) were assessed for the SARS-CoV-2 Anti-Spike IgG and SARS-CoV2 Anti RBD IgG by ELISA after two doses of 0.5 mL inactivated, COVID-19 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV). All patients were followed up for three months for clinical COVID-19 infection based on either PCR results or imaging findings. Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events were used to assess the side effects.ResultsThe presence of SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike IgG, SARS-CoV2 anti-RBD IgG, or either of these antibodies was 85.7%, 87.4%, and 93.3%. The prevalence of COVID-19 infection after vaccination was 0.7%, 0% and 0% for the first, second and third months of the follow-up period. The most common local and systemic side-effects were injection site pain and fever which were presented in 22.3% and 24.3% of patients, respectively.DiscussionThe inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV) is a tolerable and effective method to prevent COVID-19.

Abstract Epididymal leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare malignancy. Because the risk of recurrence is high, proper approach is important. Here, we present a patient with scrotal swelling who underwent surgical excision via scrotal incision, and the histopathological diagnosis was epididymal LMS. The decision was then made to perform inguinal radical orchiectomy.

Abstract In children and adolescents presenting with skull base sarcoma, treatment strategies will face challenging decisions due to the unique chemoresistant pathologies, limitations imposed by the not‐yet fully mature anatomical structures, and the small surgical site.

Abstract Despite the fact that prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men, metastases to the central nervous system including leptomeningeal involvement by prostate carcinoma is a rare event. The prognosis of metastatic prostate cancer is very poor due to lack of CNS penetrating therapeutic agents.

Abstract In patients with a history of solid tumors, any new onset of neurological symptoms should be assessed for central nervous system involvement even in rare cases such as gynecological malignancies that nervous system involvement is a rare event.

Abstract Despite Radiation‐induced dermatitis is a self‐limiting complication, it can be complicated if inappropriate self‐medications have been used such as opium latex traditional extract.

Abstract When faced with a hypervascular mediastinal tumor, mediastinal hemangioma should be taken into consideration. Although it is uncommon, considering this important diagnosis may avoid a possible extensive surgery that is not necessary.

Background: Carbamazepine is a pharmaceutical compound used as an anticonvulsant for epilepsy and can enter the environment by inappropriate treatment of hospital wastewater. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the removal of carbamazepine from the aquatic environment, using the ozonation process. Methods: This is an experimental study in which certain concentrations of carbamazepine were removed, using the ozonation process. The effect of such factors as pH (3-11), carbamazepine concentration (5-15 ppm), ozone dose (200-400 mg/hr), and reaction time (15-180 seconds) on the removal efficiency was studied. Data analysis was performed to measure carbamazepine, using the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Results: The results showed that the carbamazepine removal efficacy at pHs of 5, 7, and 11 was 81%, 66%, and 21%, respectively at 15 ppm, the reaction time of 30 seconds, and the ozone dose of 200 mg/hr, respectively. Also, at the dose of 200 and 400 mg/hr injectable ozone at pHs of 5 and 7, removal efficiency was 81%, 66%, 97%, and 78%, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, at pH=5, reaction time of 30 seconds, the carbamazepine concentration of 15 ppm, injectable ozone dose of 200 mg/h, a removal efficiency of 81% was obtained. The ozonation process can react directly or indirectly with the drug contaminant in very low concentrations in aqueous solutions due to its high oxidation power, leading to its destruction or elimination, which may indicate that the ozonation method may be used as an effective method to remove carbamazepine and other similar contaminants.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases, with considerable public health and economic importance. Camels play a significant role in transmission cycle of Echinococcus granulosus especially, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The present study aimed to identify the genetic variation and haplotype distribution of camel isolates of E. granulosus sensu lato using all existing E. granulosus mitochondrial DNA data from camels in different parts of the world. Sequence data from 1,144 camel isolates of E. granulosus s.l. available in the NCBI GenBank including 57 camel hydatid cysts collected in central Iran were used to analyze the nature of genetic variation within the camel isolates of E. granulosus s.l. in MENA region. Fifty-seven camel isolates were also PCR-sequenced on mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene. Haplotype network analysis revealed seven different haplotypes clustered into four major groups. E. intermedius G6 was identified as the most commonly represented genotype in camels followed by G1. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene sequence analysis on 57 camel isolates identified three different genotypes, including E. intermedius/G6 (35/57, 61.4%), E. granulosus sensu stricto/G1-G3 (21/57, 36.8%) as well as one isolate identified as E. ortleppi/G5 (1/57, 1.8%). The number of base substitutions per site over 420 positions of partial 12S rRNA gene sequences were shown as 0.000 and 0.004 for E. intermedius (G6) corresponding to the Middle East and sub-Saharan isolates, respectively. Camel isolates of E. granulosus in the MENA region present moderate genetic diversity (Hd = 0.5540–0.6050). The Middle East isolates demonstrated a more diverse population than the North/sub-Saharan isolates, where six out of seven 12S rRNA haplotypes were identified in the former region. E. intermedius (G6 genotype) was shown to be the most common species in the world camel population. In conclusion, camels showed to be an important intermediate host species in the MENA region with different patterns of genetic variation between the Middle East and Africa.

BACKGROUND: Mental health is one of the major determinants of a person's health which has a significant impact on the quality of life. Implementing of mental health training programs for promotion of health affected teenage girls to premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in Shiraz, southern Iran: a community-based study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study is randomized controlled trial done on 100 teenage girls affected to PMS in Shiraz-Iran (selected from400 girls). Multistage cluster sampling method was used f or sampling. In the intervention group, six training sessions were held twice a week for 2 h. For data collection, Standard Goldberg Mental Health Questionnaire-28 and Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool were used. For data analysis, independent t-test and Chi-square statistics were used at significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: The average age was (16.56 ± 0.92) and (16.24 ± 1.45) in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The average intensity of physical complaints, level of anxiety and sleep disorder, level of social functions disorders and depression were significantly lower in the group of training classes than control group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Appropriate training-care programs are effective in reducing stress and improving mental health, prevention and treatment of mental disorders, emotional growth, and development of communication skills among female students with premenstrual syndrome.

Wastewater sludge typically contains large amounts of water and organic materials; therefore, its stabilization and dewatering is of particular importance. In this study, Fenton oxidation process is used for stabilization and dewatering of sludge in the output of a wastewater treatment plant. To evaluate the sludge stabilization and dewatering, specific resistance to filtration (SRF), volatile organic compounds (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and heterotrophic bacteria were measured. During the experiment, the optimal values of various parameters such as pH (2-9), hydrogen peroxide (0.015- 0.18mol/L), Fe2+ (0.008- 0.1mol/L) and time (5 - 60 minutes) for optimum sludge dewatering and stabilization were investigated. The results showed that the highest percentages of SRF reduction and removal rates of SCOD, VSS and TSS were 99.48, 61, 42, and 41 percent respectively. These results were obtained in optimum pH 5, 0.05 mol/l Fe2+, 0.12 mol/l hydrogen peroxide, and the retention time of 15 minutes. The removal rate of heterotrophic bacteria increased with increasing dose of hydrogen peroxide, so that a removal rate of 84 percent was observed at a dose of 0.18 mol/l. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering.

Wastewater sludge typically contains large amounts of water and organic materials; therefore, its stabilization and dewatering is of particular importance. In this study, Fenton oxidation process is used for stabilization and dewatering of sludge in the output of a wastewater treatment plant. To evaluate the sludge stabilization and dewatering, specific resistance to filtration (SRF), volatile organic compounds (VSS), total suspended solids (TSS), soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) and heterotrophic bacteria were measured. During the experiment, the optimal values of various parameters such as pH (2-9), hydrogen peroxide (0.015- 0.18mol/L), Fe2+ (0.008- 0.1mol/L) and time (5 - 60 minutes) for optimum sludge dewatering and stabilization were investigated. The results showed that the highest percentages of SRF reduction and removal rates of SCOD, VSS and TSS were 99.48, 61, 42, and 41 percent respectively. These results were obtained in optimum pH 5, 0.05 mol/l Fe2+, 0.12 mol/l hydrogen peroxide, and the retention time of 15 minutes. The removal rate of heterotrophic bacteria increased with increasing dose of hydrogen peroxide, so that a removal rate of 84 percent was observed at a dose of 0.18 mol/l. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering. In general, Fenton process can reduce volatile organic materials and chemical oxygen demand of the sludge resulting in its significant stabilization and dewatering.

Background: High amount of heavy metals in sludge is one of the major obstacles to its use on farms. The present study aimed to investigate the possibility of leaching heavy metals from wastewater sludge by Fenton method and determine the optimum level of parameters, such as iron, hydrogen peroxide, time, and pH for Fenton reaction. Methods: The effects of various parameters, such as pH (2-9), hydrogen peroxide concentration (0.5-6 g/l), Fe concentration (0.5-4 g/l), and leaching time (5-60 min), were studied. Results: The results showed that the optimal condition for leaching of heavy metals occurred at pH of 2-3, hydrogen peroxide concentration of 3 g/l, iron concentration of 2 g/l, and leaching time of 15 min. Under these optimal conditions, 92% of Zn, 100% of Cd, 100% of Pb, and 80% of Cu were leached from the wastewater sludge. Conclusions: Fenton method can leach heavy metals from wastewater sludge through decomposition of organic materials at H2O2/Fe ratio of 1.5:2.

ABSTRACT Canine taeniids are among the major tapeworms with remarkable medical and economic significance. Reliable diagnosis and differentiation of dog taeniids using simple and sensitive tools are of paramount importance for establishing an efficient surveillance system. Microsatellites as abundant unique tandem repeats of short DNA motifs are useful genetic markers for molecular epidemiological studies. The purpose of the present study was to find a primer pair for rapid differentiation of major tapeworms of dogs, Taenia hydatigena, T. multiceps, T. ovis and Echinococcus granulosus, by screening existing nucleotide data. All the mitochondrial genome records as well as non-coding ITS1 sequences of Taeniidae species were downloaded from Nucleotide database from NCBI. For prediction and analysis of potential loci of STR/SSR in ITS1 as well as mitochondrial regions, we used ChloroMitoSSRDB 2.0 and GMATo v1.2. software. Different tapeworm species were categorized according to different motif sequences and type and size of each microsatellite locus. Three primer sets were designed and tested for differentiating taeniid species and evaluated in a conventional PCR system. Four taeniid species were successfully differentiated using a primer pair in a simple conventional PCR system. We predicted 2-19 and 1-4 microsatellite loci in ITS1 and mitochondrial genome, respectively. In ITS1, 41 Di and 21 Tri motifs were found in the taeniids while the majority of the motifs in the mitochondrial genome were Tetra (89) and Tri (70). It is documented that the number and diversity of microsatellite loci is higher in nuclear ITS1 region than mostly coding mitochondrial genome.

Background: Echinococcus granulosus, Taenia multiceps, Taenia ovis and Taenia hydatigena are among the most prevalent taeniid species of dogs. These tapeworms infect ruminant and humans as intermediate hosts and domestic/wild carnivores as the definitive hosts. Molecular tools using hypervariable microsatellite regions might provide more information about parasite variation. Highly variable and specific tools are needed for transmission tracking studies of canine echinococcosis as an essential element for implementation of hydatid control programs. Suitable microsatellite markers used so far are EmsJ, EmsK, EmsB, EMms1, Egmsca1, Egmsga1, U1 snRNA. The purpose of the present study was to determine the microsatellite variability of EmsB as well as six other microsatellites in major taeniid species infecting dogs in Iran. Methods: Twenty isolates of each of the four Taeniidae tapeworms were collected from sheep during routine veterinary inspection in Tehran, Alborz and Kerman provinces from October 2010 to May 2011. After DNA extraction, PCR was set up with optimum conditions using specific primers for each individual microsatellite marker. All the PCR products were evaluated by agarose gel electrophoresis. We used SDS-PAGE for evaluating patterns of PCR products in the tapeworms. Results: E. granulosus as well as Taenia species could be differentiated based on EmsB microsatellite patterns. The electrophoresis patterns of two taeniid genera were readily distinguishable. EmsB could be specifically used in epidemiological studies of canine echinococcosis. Conclusion: Different patterns of EmsB proved this microsatellite marker as a reliable tool for epidemiological studies on canine echinococcosis.