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Akbarzadeh A, Mikaeili H, Zarghami N, Mohammad R, Barkhordari A, Davaran S. Int J Nanomedicine. 2012;7:511—526. The Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of International Journal of Nanomedicine with to retract the published article. We were notified of potential image duplication in the published article. The issue related to the same images allegedly published in similar articles by several of the same authors: ● Figure 6A, 6B and 6C, Figure 7D, Figure 8, Figure 9A, Figure 12A and Figure 15A, 15B and 15C appear to be the same images used in Figure 5A, 5B and 5C, Figure 6B, Figure 7A, Figure 8A, Figure 9A andFigure 12A, 12B and 12C, respectively, in the article ‘Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of novel polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for controlled delivery of doxorubicin’. Nanotechnology,Science and Applications. 2012;5:13–25 (https://doi. org/10.2147/NSA.S24328).● Figure 7D, Figure 8 and Figure 9A and 9C appear to be the same images used for Figure 10c, Figure 5 and Figure 6a and 6c, respectively, in the article ‘Synthesis, characterization and in vitro studies of doxorubicin-loaded magnetic nanoparticles grafted to smart copolymers on A549 lung cancer cell line’. Journal of Nanobiotechnology. 2012;10:46 (https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-3155-10-46).● Figure 8 and Figure 9 appear to contain the same images used for Figure 5 and Figure 6, respectively, in the article ‘Synthesis, Characterization, and In vitro Studies of PLGA –PEG Nanoparticles for Oral Insulin Delivery’. Chemical Biology & Drug Design. 2014;84(3):307–315 (https://doi.org/10.1111/cbdd.12318).● Figure 9A and 9C appear to be the same images used for Figure 3a and 3b, respectively, in the article ‘Inhibition of hTERT Gene Expression by Silibinin-Loaded PLGA-PEG-Fe3O4 in T47D Breast Cancer Cell Line’. Bioimpacts 2013;3(2):67–74 (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23878789/). The sample was described in Figure 9C as doxorubicin-loaded Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles, whereas the sample in Figure 3b was described as silbinin-loaded Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles. The authors were unable to responded to our queries in a timely manner and the editor determined that the findings of the study were no longer valid and requested for the article to be retracted. Our decision-making was informed by our policy on publishing ethics and integrity and the COPE guidelines on retraction. The retracted article will remain online to maintain the scholarly record, but it will be digitally watermarked on each page as “Retracted”. This retraction relates to this paper

Akbarzadeh A, Zarghami N, Mikaeili H, et al. Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of novel polymer-coated magnetic nanoparticles for controlled delivery of doxorubicin. Nanotechnol Sci Appl. 2012;5:13–25. The Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Nanotechnology, Science and Applications wish to retract the published article. Concerns were raised about the level of similarity between the published article and another article published by the same authors in the International Journal of Nanomedicine titled ‘Preparation and in vitro evaluation of doxorubicin loaded Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with biocompatible copolymers’ (http://dx. doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S24326). Following a review, it was determined the level of text matching between the two articles was unacceptable. In addition, it was found there was an unacceptable level of image duplication between the same two articles and the findings and conclusions in the present study were no longer supported. The affected figures within the present article are: ● Figure 2 is the same as Figure 1 in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● Figure 3 is the same as Figure 3C in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● The MTT assay results in Figure 5 are the same as those presented in the MTT assay results in Figure 6 of the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● Figure 6B is the same as Figure 7D in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● Figure 7A is the same as Figure 8 in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● Figure 8A is the same as Figure 9A in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● Figure 9A is the same as Figure 12A in the International Journal of Nanomedicine article● The optical images in Figure 12A, B and C are the same as those presented in the optical images in Figure 15A, B and C of the International Journal of Nanomedicine article Our decision-making was informed by COPE’s retraction guidelines. The authors cooperated throughout the process and agree with the decision to retract. The authors wish to apologize for this error. This retraction relates to this paper

Haleh Mikaeili,1 Mohammad Yazdchi,2 Shiva Solahaye Kahnamouii,2 Elyar Sadeghi-Hokmabadi,2 Reshad Mirnour2 1Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; 2Neuroscience Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of optic neuropathy in COPD patients.Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with COPD and 60 healthy subjects as control group enrolled. After examination by a pulmonary subspecialist, patients were ranked by Global initiative for chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and patients with zero grades on GOLD criteria were excluded. Visual evoked potential by checkerboard (raster background) method with a frequency of 2 Hz were done for all participants. P-values less than 0.05 were considered as significant.Results: Fifty-five percent of COPD patients had visual evoked potential abnormalities. Mean P100 latency in both eyes was significantly longer in COPD patients. Average P100/N140 amplitude in both eyes were insignificantly higher in COPD.Conclusion: Higher P100 latency in COPD patients shows demyelinating type of optic nerve involvement; however, further investigation in this area is needed. Keywords: visual evoked potential, neuropathy, COPD

Abolfazl Akbarzadeh1, Nosratollah Zarghami2, Haleh Mikaeili3, Davoud Asgari4, Amir Mohammad Goganian5, Hanie Khaksar Khiabani5, Mohammad Samiei6, Soodabeh Davaran31Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 2Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 3Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 4Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, 5Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, 6Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranAbstract: Poly (N-isopropylacrylamide-methyl methacrylic acid, PNIPAAm-MAA)-grafted magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized using silane-coated magnetic nanoparticles as a template for radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide and methacrylic acid. Properties of these nanoparticles, such as size, drug-loading efficiency, and drug release kinetics, were evaluated in vitro for targeted and controlled drug delivery. The resulting nanoparticles had a diameter of 100 nm and a doxorubicin-loading efficiency of 75%, significantly higher doxorubicin release at 40°C compared with 37°C, and pH 5.8 compared with pH 7.4, demonstrating their temperature and pH sensitivity, respectively. In addition, the particles were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry. In vitro cytotoxicity testing showed that the PNIPAAm-MAA-coated magnetic nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible, indicating their potential for biomedical application.Keywords: magnetic nanoparticles, drug loading, doxorubicin release, biocompatibility

Abolfazl Akbarzadeh1, Haleh Mikaeili2, Nosratollah Zarghami3, Rahmati Mohammad3, Amin Barkhordari3, Soodabeh Davaran21Drug Applied Research Center, 2Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center of Tabriz, 3Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranBackground: Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles are attractive materials that have been widely used in medicine for drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and therapeutic applications. In our study, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and the anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride, were encapsulated into poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) poly (ethylene glycol) (PLGA-PEG) nanoparticles for local treatment. The magnetic properties conferred by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles could help to maintain the nanoparticles in the joint with an external magnet.Methods: A series of PLGA:PEG triblock copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of D, L-lactide and glycolide with different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG2000, PEG3000, and PEG4000) as an initiator. The bulk properties of these copolymers were characterized using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry. In addition, the resulting particles were characterized by x-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometry.Results: The doxorubicin encapsulation amount was reduced for PLGA:PEG2000 and PLGA:PEG3000 triblock copolymers, but increased to a great extent for PLGA:PEG4000 triblock copolymer. This is due to the increased water uptake capacity of the blended triblock copolymer, which encapsulated more doxorubicin molecules into a swollen copolymer matrix. The drug encapsulation efficiency achieved for Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles modified with PLGA:PEG2000, PLGA:PEG3000, and PLGA:PEG4000 copolymers was 69.5%, 73%, and 78%, respectively, and the release kinetics were controlled. The in vitro cytotoxicity test showed that the Fe3O4-PLGA:PEG4000 magnetic nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity and were biocompatible.Conclusion: There is potential for use of these nanoparticles for biomedical application. Future work includes in vivo investigation of the targeting capability and effectiveness of these nanoparticles in the treatment of lung cancer.Keywords: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, triblock copolymer, doxorubicin encapsulation, water uptake, drug encapsulation efficiency

Mohammad Yazdchi1, Mohammad Kazem Tarzemani2, Haleh Mikaeili3, Hormoz Ayromlu1, Hooman Ebadi11Neuroscience Research Center, 2Department of Radiology, 3Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, IranBackground: Although controversial, recent studies have demonstrated advantages of sonographic techniques in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of median nerve ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CTS in Iranian patients.Methods: Ninety patents with clinically suspected CTS were studied. Based on gold standard electromyography/nerve conduction velocity studies, wrists with CTS were divided into three groups on the basis of severity of CTS, ie, mild, moderate, and severe. In addition, both sides of the wrist were examined using sonography. Transverse images of the median nerve were obtained and median nerve cross-section areas were measured at three levels, ie, immediately proximal to the carpal tunnel inlet, at the carpal tunnel inlet, and at the carpal tunnel outlet. Furthermore, flexor retinaculum thickness was evaluated.Results: The mean age of the studied patients was 48.52 ± 12.17 years. Median values of the median nerve cross-section at the carpal tunnel inlet, carpal tunnel outlet, and proximal carpal tunnel significantly differed between the wrists with and without CTS (P < 0.05). Comparisons between the CTS groups (mild, moderate, and severe) and non-CTS wrists demonstrated that the median cross-sections of median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet, carpal tunnel outlet, and inlet proximal carpal tunnel were significantly greater in the severe CTS group than in the other three groups (P < 0.05). The results showed that the median nerve cross-section at the three levels of carpal tunnel could only fairly differentiate severe CTS from other cases.Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that median nerve ultrasonography cannot replace the gold standard test (nerve conduction velocity) for the diagnosis of CTS because of low overall sensitivity and specificity, although it might provide useful information in some patients.Keywords: median nerve, ultrasonography, carpal tunnel syndrome, diagnosis

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory process in the airways that results in airflow obstruction. It is mainly linked to cigarette smoke exposure. Th17 cells have a role in the pathogenesis of COPD by secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines, which cause hyperinflammation and progression of the disease. This study aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of nanocurcumin on the Th17 cell frequency and its responses in moderate and severe COPD patients. This study included 20 patients with severe COPD hospitalized in an intensive care unit (ICU) and 20 patients with moderate COPD. Th17 cell frequency, Th17-related factors gene expression (RAR-related orphan receptor t (RORγt), IL-17, IL-21, IL-23, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor), and serum levels of Th17-related cytokines were assessed before and after treatment in both placebo and nanocurcumin-treated groups using flow cytometry, real-time PCR, and ELISA, respectively. According to our findings, in moderate and severe nanocurcumin-treated COPD patients, there was a substantial reduction in the frequency of Th17 cells, mRNA expression, and cytokines secretion level of Th17-related factors compared to the placebo group. Furthermore, after treatment, the metrics mentioned above were considerably lower in the nanocurcumin-treated group compared to before treatment. Nanocurcumin has been shown to decrease the number of Th17 cells and their related inflammatory cytokines in moderate and severe COPD patients. As a result, it might be used as an immune-modulatory agent to alleviate the patient's inflammatory state., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Majid Ahmadi reports financial support was provided by 10.13039/501100012155National Institute for Medical Research Development. Majid Ahmadi reports a relationship with 10.13039/501100004366Tabriz University of Medical Sciences that includes: employment. Majid Ahmadi has patent pending to NA. NA If there are other authors, they 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 Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Chronic pain affects millions of people worldwide and new treatments are needed urgently. One way to identify novel analgesic strategies is to understand the biological dysfunctions that lead to human inherited pain insensitivity disorders. Here we report how the recently discovered brain and dorsal root ganglia-expressed FAAH-OUT long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) gene, which was found from studying a pain-insensitive patient with reduced anxiety and fast wound healing, regulates the adjacent key endocannabinoid system gene FAAH, which encodes the anandamide-degrading fatty acid amide hydrolase enzyme. We demonstrate that the disruption in FAAH-OUT lncRNA transcription leads to DNMT1-dependent DNA methylation within the FAAH promoter. In addition, FAAH-OUT contains a conserved regulatory element, FAAH-AMP, that acts as an enhancer for FAAH expression. Furthermore, using transcriptomic analyses in patient-derived cells we have uncovered a network of genes that are dysregulated from disruption of the FAAH-FAAH-OUT axis, thus providing a coherent mechanistic basis to understand the human phenotype observed. Given that FAAH is a potential target for the treatment of pain, anxiety, depression and other neurological disorders, this new understanding of the regulatory role of the FAAH-OUT gene provides a platform for the development of future gene and small molecule therapies., (© The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Guarantors of Brain.)

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is still a challenging problem in the case of infection treatment. The immunomodulatory effect of Nanocurcumin was investigated in the present study in an attempt to counterbalance the immune response and improve the patients' clinical symptoms. 60 confirmed COVID-19 patients and 60 healthy controls enrolled in the study. COVID-19 patients were divided into Nanocurcumin and placebo received groups. Due to the importance of the role of NK cells in this disease, the frequency, cytotoxicity, receptor gene expression of NK cells, and serum secretion levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, as well as circulating C5a as a chemotactic factor an inflammatory mediator was evaluated by flow cytometry, real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in both experimental groups before and after the intervention. Given the role of measured factors in the progression and pathogenesis of COVID-19 disease, the results can help find appropriate treatments. The results of this study indicated that the Nanocurcumin could significantly increase the frequency and function of NK cells compared to the placebo-treated group. As an immunomodulatory agent, Nanocurcumin may be a helpful choice to improve NK cell function in COVID-19 patients and improve the clinical outcome of patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be considered as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Psoriasis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by the aberrant proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes, leading to skin lesions. Abnormal immune responses mediated by T cells and dendritic cells and increased production of inflammatory cytokines have been suggested as underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of psoriasis. Emerging evidence suggests that there is a heritable basis for psoriatic disorders. Moreover, numerous gene variations have been associated with the disease risk, particularly those in innate and adaptive immune responses and antigen presentation pathways. Herein, this article discusses the genetic implications of psoriatic diseases' etiopathogenesis to develop novel investigative and management options., (© 2022 Bentham Science Publishers.)

Natural killer (NK) cells belong to innate immune system that are large granular lymphocytes differentiating from the common lymphoid progenitors. These cells were first identified by their functional response against tumor cells and virus-infected cells. That notwithstanding, NK cells are able to affect both adaptive and innate immune arms and modulate a wide range of immune cells. As a consequence, NK cells are capable of bridging between the innate and adaptive immune responses. The effector cytokines as well as direct cell-cell cytotoxicity by NK cells have been shown to be involved in the regulation of the immune responses and might participate in the etiopathogenesis of several disorders, particularly autoimmune rheumatic diseases (AIRDs), such as Ankylosing spondylitis (AS), Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Behcet's disease (BD), Systemic sclerosis (SSc), and psoriasis. Nonetheless, NK cells demonstrate both harmful and protective functions during autoimmune diseases pathogenesis based on the subset of NK cell as well as disease microenvironment and disease phase or genetic/environmental stimuli. Here in this review, we intend to go through the recent findings in the etiology and pathogenesis of AIRDs and discuss about their clinical potential to be utilized as targets for the sake of therapy in the context of such disorders., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)-related organ failure is partly related to a sepsis-like syndrome and extreme pro-inflammatory cytokine release, named cytokine storm. Therapeutic strategies that prevent the production of or remove the pro-inflammatory cytokines could potentially be an effective therapy in critically afflicted COVID-19 patients., Methods: In this clinical trial study, from April until June 2020, 68 COVID-19 patients (35 vs. 33 controls) with severe critical symptoms, and PaO 2 /FiO 2 (P/F) ratio less than 200 mmHg either received a single standard therapy or a combination of standard treatment for COVID-19 combined with hemoperfusion (hemofilter, HA330 D Javfron) for 4 h, in 3 consecutive days. The length of hospital stay and mechanical ventilation, the resolution of radiologic abnormalities, and the mortality rate were defined as the primary outcomes., Results: Demographic characteristics, the acute physiology, and chronic health evaluation score of both groups were similar (p > 0.05). Importantly, we noticed a significant mortality rate reduction in the perfused group compared with controls (37.1% vs. 63.6%, p = 0.02), this positive effect was stronger among those with a P/F ratio higher than 75 (mortality rate of 84.7% for P/F ratio < 75 vs. 15.4% for P/F ratio ≥ 75, p = 0.02)., Conclusions: The results imply that early start of hemoperfusion could be more effective and significantly reduce the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients with critical diseases., (© 2021 International Society for Hemodialysis.)

In the course of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), raising and reducing the function of Th17 and Treg cells, respectively, elicit hyperinflammation and disease progression. The current study aimed to evaluate the responses of Th17 and Treg cells in COVID-19 patients compared with the control group. Forty COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU) patients were compared with 40 healthy controls. The frequency of cells, gene expression of related factors, as well as the secretion levels of cytokines, were measured by flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques, respectively. The findings revealed a significant increase in the number of Th17 cells, the expression levels of related factors (RAR-related orphan receptor gamma [RORγt], IL-17, and IL-23), and the secretion levels of IL-17 and IL-23 cytokines in COVID-19 patients compared with controls. In contrast, patients had a remarkable reduction in the frequency of Treg cells, the expression levels of correlated factors (Forkhead box protein P3 [FoxP3], transforming growth factor-β [TGF-β], and IL-10), and cytokine secretion levels (TGF-β and IL-10). The ratio of Th17/Treg cells, RORγt/FoxP3, and IL-17/IL-10 had a considerable enhancement in patients compared with the controls and also in dead patients compared with the improved cases. The findings showed that enhanced responses of Th17 cells and decreased responses of Treg cells in 2019-n-CoV patients compared with controls had a strong relationship with hyperinflammation, lung damage, and disease pathogenesis. Also, the high ratio of Th17/Treg cells and their associated factors in COVID-19-dead patients compared with improved cases indicates the critical role of inflammation in the mortality of patients., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Supernumerary tooth is defined as any extra tooth or odontogenic structure that is formed on normal dentition. Supernumerary teeth cause such problems as deficiency in tooth growth, ectopic growth, displacement, crowding, diastema, odontogenic cyst formation, decay of the adjacent tooth, malocclusion, and esthetic problems. This study was conducted aiming at determining epidemiology of supernumerary teeth in Ardabil city in 2020. Materials & Methods . In this retrospective descriptive analytical study, 5000 panoramic radiographs of patients referring to Rad and Baser Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Centers were selected through multistage sampling method during 2015-2020. The data were collected by checklist and analyzed with using SPSS-21 and chi-squared, Fisher, and one-way ANOVA tests with a significance level less than 5%., Results: The prevalence of supernumerary teeth was estimated as 1.06% ( n  = 53), and no significant difference between the males and females was seen. Most supernumerary teeth were found in the distomolar (44.1%) and parapremolar (29.4%) locations. The majority of supernumerary teeth were present in the maxilla (73.5%) and were impacted (77.9%) and unilateral (71.7%). The number of supernumerary teeth was 68 cases and majority of patients (86.8%) had one supernumerary tooth., Conclusion: Supernumerary tooth in this study had a high prevalence compared to similar studies, and unlike most previous studies, the most common type of supernumerary tooth was distomolar. Early diagnosis and proper medical planning are essential for managing supernumerary teeth., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Emran Hajmohammadi et al.)

Background: Numerous investigations have previously evaluated the association of interleukin (IL) 4 gene polymorphisms and the risk of asthma, conferring inconsistent results. To resolve the incongruent outcomes yielded from different single studies, we conducted the most up-to-date meta-analysis of IL4 gene -589C/T (rs2243250) polymorphism and susceptibility to asthma., Methods: A systematic literature search was performed in ISI web of science, Scopus, Medline/PubMed databases prior to September 2020, and the pooled odds ratio (OR) and their corresponding 95% CI were calculated to determine the association strength., Results: Literature search led to retrieving of 49 publications (55 case-control studies) containing 9572 cases and 9881 controls. It was revealed that IL4 gene -589C/T polymorphism increased the risk of asthma across all genetic models, including dominant model (OR = 1.22), recessive model (OR = 1.17), allelic model (OR = 1.21), and TT vs. CC model (OR = 1.34), but not the CT vs. TT model. The subgroup analysis by age indicated that IL4 gene -589C/T polymorphism was significantly associated with asthma risk in both pediatrics and adults. Additionally, the subgroup analysis by ethnicity revealed significant association in Asian, American, and Europeans. Finally, subgroup analysis by East Asian and non-East Asian populations indicated significant associations., Conclusions: The current meta-analysis revealed that IL4 gene -589C/T polymorphism was a susceptibility risk in both pediatrics and adults in the whole and different ethnic groups.

Background: The association between the polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been evaluated in several studies. However, the findings were inconclusive. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to comprehensively evaluate the effect of VDR gene polymorphisms on the risk of T1DM., Methods: All relevant studies reporting the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to T1DM published up to May 2020 were identified by comprehensive systematic database search in ISI Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed/MEDLINE. Strength of association were assessed by calculating of pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The methodological quality of each study was assessed according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. To find the potential sources of heterogeneity, meta-regression and subgroup analysis were also performed., Results: A total of 39 case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. The results of overall population rejected any significant association between VDR gene polymorphisms and T1DM risk. However, the pooled results of subgroup analysis revealed significant negative and positive associations between FokI and BsmI polymorphisms and T1DM in Africans and Americans, respectively., Conclusions: This meta-analysis suggested a significant association between VDR gene polymorphism and T1DM susceptibility in ethnic-specific analysis.

We reported a 33-year-old female case with novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) accompanied by Acute tubular necrosis (ATN). She had a gestational age of 34 weeks. The patient referred to treatment clinic for COVID-19 in Imam Reza hospital of Tabriz (Iran) after having flu-like symptoms. In radiologic assessment, ground glass opacity (GGO) with consolidation was found in upper right lobe. Lopinavir/ritonavir (200mg/50mg) two tablet tow times, Ribavirin 200mg every 6 h, and Oseltamivir 75mg tow times were given for the treatment of COVID-19. The medications used for treatment of pneumonia were Meropenem, Ciprofloxacin, Vancomycin. All doses of medications were administrated by adjusted dose assuming the patient is anephric. Also, a few supplements were also given after ATN development including daily Rocaltrol and Nephrovit (as a multivitamin appropriate for patients with renal failure), Folic acid and Calcium carbonate. The patient is still under ventilator with a Fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO 2 ) of 60% and Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of eight. SpO 2 is 94% but the patient's ATN problem has been resolved. We started weaning from mechanical ventilator. The patient is conscious with full awareness to time, person and place. The maternal well-being is achieved and her neonate was discharged., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA) is a multisystem genetic disorder caused by GAA repeat expansion mutations within the FXN gene, resulting in heterochromatin formation and deficiency of frataxin protein. Elevated levels of the FXN antisense transcript (FAST-1) have previously been detected in FRDA. To investigate the effects of FAST-1 on the FXN gene expression, we first stably overexpressed FAST-1 in non-FRDA cell lines and then we knocked down FAST-1 in FRDA fibroblast cells. We observed decreased FXN expression in each FAST-1 overexpressing cell type compared to control cells. We also found that FAST-1 overexpression is associated with both CCCTC-Binding Factor (CTCF) depletion and heterochromatin formation at the 5'UTR of the FXN gene. We further showed that knocking down FAST-1 in FRDA fibroblast cells significantly increased FXN expression. Our results indicate that FAST-1 can act in trans in a similar manner to the cis-acting FAST-1 overexpression that has previously been identified in FRDA fibroblasts. The effects of stably transfected FAST-1 expression on CTCF occupancy and heterochromatin formation at the FXN locus suggest a direct role for FAST-1 in the FRDA molecular disease mechanism. Our findings also support the hypothesis that inhibition of FAST-1 may be a potential approach for FRDA therapy.

High-mobility group AT-hook2 (HMGA2), involved in epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, has a pivotal role in lung cancer metastasis. Lung cancer therapy with HMGA2 suppressing small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been introduced recently while doxorubicin (DOX) has been used as a frequent cancer chemotherapy agent. Both reagents have been faced with obstacles in clinic which make them ineffective. NanoParticles (NPs) provided a platform for efficient co delivery of the anticancer drugs. The aim of this study was production and in vitro characterization of different pharmacological groups (siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX) of carboxymethyl dextran thrimethyl chitosan nanoparticles (CMDTMChiNPs) on cytotoxicity, gene expression, apoptosis and migration of metastatic lung cancer cell line (A-549). CMDTMChiNPs were synthesized and encapsulated with siRNA, DOX or siRNA-DOX. Then the effects of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX co delivery was assessed in A549 viability and target genes (HMGA2, Ecadherin, vimentin and MMP9) by MTT and real time PCR, respectively. In addition capability of apoptosis induction and anti-migratory features of formulated NPs were analyzed by flowcytometry and wound healing assays. SiRNA-DOX-CMDTM ChiNPs approximate size were 207±5 with poly dispersity index (PDI) and zeta potential of 0.4 and 16.3±0.3, respectively. NPs loaded with DOX and siRNA were the most efficient drug formulations in A549 cell cytotoxicity, altering of EMT markers, apoptosis induction and migration inhibition. Generally our results showed that co delivery of HMGA2 siRNA and DOX by novel designed CMDTMChiNPs is a new therapeutic approach with great potential efficiency for lung cancer treatment.

The term phantom tumor may be used to describe a well-demarcated opacity resulted from pleural effusion. Phantom tumors are commonly associated with congestive heart failure causing transudative pleural effusion within pulmonary fissures. The figure may bring about inaccurate invasive diagnostic interventions. We report a heavy smoker patient with multiple phantom tumors in the right lung resolved with medical management. This case report provides records for a timely management of similar patients., Competing Interests: Conflict of interests The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this manuscript.

Introduction: Although cuff leak test has been proposed as a simple method of predicting the occurrence of postextubation stridor, cut-off point of cuff-leak volume substantially differs between previous studies. In addition, laryngeal ultrasonography including measurement of air column width could predict postextubation stridor. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the value of laryngeal ultrasonography versus cuff leak test in predicting postextubation stridor., Methods: In a prospective study, all patients intubated for a minimum of 24 h for acute respiratory failure, airway protection and other causes were included. Patients were evaluated for postextubation stridor and need for reintubation after extubation. The cuff leak volume was defined as a difference between expiratory tidal volumes with the cuff inflated and deflated. Laryngeal air column width was defined as the width of air passed through the vocal cords as determined by laryngeal ultrasonography. The air-column width difference was the width difference between balloon-cuff inflation and deflation., Results: Forty one intubated patients with the mean age of 57.16±20.07 years were included. Postextubation stridor was observed in 4 patients (9.75%). Cuff leak test (cut off point: 249 mL) showed sensitivity and specificity of 75% and 59%, respectively. In addition, laryngeal ultrasonography (cut off point for air column width: 10.95 mm) resulted in sensitivity and specificity of 50% and 54%, respectively. Positive predictive value of both methods were <20%., Conclusion: Both cuff leak test and laryngeal ultrasonography have low positive predictive value and sensitivity in predicting postextubation stridor and should be used with caution in this regard.

This review introduces quantum dots (QDs) and explores their properties, synthesis, applications, delivery systems in biology, and their toxicity. QDs are one of the first nanotechnologies to be integrated with the biological sciences and are widely anticipated to eventually find application in a number of commercial consumer and clinical products. They exhibit unique luminescence characteristics and electronic properties such as wide and continuous absorption spectra, narrow emission spectra, and high light stability. The application of QDs, as a new technology for biosystems, has been typically studied on mammalian cells. Due to the small structures of QDs, some physical properties such as optical and electron transport characteristics are quite different from those of the bulk materials.

Objective: To examine the effect of euglycemic blood glucose control with normal insulin therapy on the incidence of critical illness polyneuropathy and duration of mechanical ventilation compared to that of conventional insulin therapy in a medical ICU., Background: Despite the criticism over increased risk of hypoglycemia, the prevention of hyperglycemia through intensive insulin therapy has recently been confirmed to reduce the critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP)., Methods: In a single blind randomized clinical trial, forty adult patients admitted to the medical ICU were randomized to either euglycemic control (80-140 mg/dL) (Group N) or conventional approach (180-200 mg/dL, Group C). Duration of mechanical ventilation and the presence of CIP were investigated., Results: The mean blood glucose levels were 131.76 ± 40.15 mg/dL in group N and 169.87 ± 50.66 mg/dL in group C (p < 0.001). Patients in group N were on mechanical ventilation for significantly less time than those in group C (p = 0.04). The diagnosis of CIP was significantly more frequent in group C than in group N (p = 0.01)., Conclusions: Glucose control at levels 80-140 mg/dL with normal insulin administration is likely to be associated with both reduced incidence of CIP and duration of ventilator dependency in medical ICU (Tab. 3, Ref. 24).