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Review the steps to successful fallopian tube reanastomosis after tubal ligation using a robot-assisted approach. Educational surgical video of a case of successful tubal reanastomosis using robot-assistance resulting in pregnancy. Patient positioned in dorsal lithotomy, four robotic port sites and one accessory laparoscopic port site with an assistant. Single participant who consented to surgical video and outcome dissemination for educational and publication purposes. Robot-assisted laparoscopic fallopian tube reanastomosis The patient's candidacy was selected based on young age, multiparity, desire for conception again after tubal ligation with Filshie clips, and the patient's own decision to prefer tubal reversal over in-vitro fertilization. Pregnancy was achieved two months post-operatively and delivery is expected soon. Using our demonstrated technique, successful pregnancy after tubal ligation can be achieved via fallopian tube reanastomosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives Bleeding tendency in obligate carriers of hemophilia A has been found since several years ago; some of haemophiliacs with factor levels of 40-60% also have abnormal bleeding. The present study is to measure factor VIII and von Willebrand levels and evaluate their correlation with clinical finding in obligate carriers. Materials and Methods In this cross-sectional study conducted 49 obligate carriers of Haemophilia A. F.VIII, vWF: Ag, PT, and APTT levels were checked and their correlationship with the bleeding score was evaluated and analyzed. Results Fourty-Nine Obligate carriers included in the study. The mean of PT, PTT , F.VIII, vWF: Ag and bleeding score (BS) were 12.6 1.3, 36.3 ± 4.2, 52.5 ± 22.6, 83.7 ± 35.2, and 1.5 ± 1.7, respectively. The present study showed only 4% (2) of the carriers having had bleeding score (BS) equal to 5 and higher. Only F.VIII / vWF: Ag positively correlated with BS significantly (p = 0.006). Conclusions The present study showed that PT, PTT, and F.VIII levels and the bleeding score alone could not be helpful in screening obligate carriers. It seems that only determination of F.VIII/vWF: Ag ratio be helpful hn carrier states. But definitive diagnosis carrier states is by molecular genetic testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The polyomaviruses WUPyV and KIPyV have been detected in various sample types including feces indicating pathogenicity in the gastrointestinal (GI) system. However, quantitative viral load data from other simultaneously collected sample types are missing. As a consequence, primary replication in the GI system cannot be differentiated from swallowed virus from the respiratory tract. Here we present a retrospective quantitative longitudinal analysis in simultaneously harvested specimens from different organ sites of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). This allows the definition of sample types where deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) detection can be expected and, as a consequence, the identification of their primary replication site. Findings Viral DNA loads from 37 patients undergoing HSCT were quantified in respiratory tract secretions (RTS), stool and urine samples as well as in leukocytes (n = 449). Leukocyte-associated virus could not be found. WUPyV was found in feces, RTS and urine samples of an infant, while KIPyV was repeatedly detected in RTS and stool samples of 4 adult patients. RTS and stool samples were matched to determine the viral load difference showing a mean difference of 2.3 log copies/ml (p Conclusions The data collected in this study suggest that virus detection in the GI tract results from swallowed virus from the respiratory tract (RT). We conclude that shedding from the RT should be ruled out before viral DNA detection in the feces can be correlated to GI symptoms.

Introduction: Radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer has changed over the years with the advent of minimally invasive (MIRP) approaches, which includes robotic-assisted RP (RARP). The MIRP approaches have been shown to reduce complication rate, but there remain barriers to adoption. The objective of this study was to quantitatively describe the trend in the RP approach in Ontario, and to assess the trend in complication rates., Methods: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study including all men who underwent RP for prostate cancer in Ontario from 2010-2019. We used administrative data from Ontario's health databases to gather surgical outcome data. Our primary outcomes were the annualized frequency of RP by surgical approach and annualized 30-day composite complication rate., Results: In total, 22 118 patients were included in the analysis over the study period. There was a trend away from retropubic (RRP) frequency over the study period (80.3% of cases in fiscal year [FY] 2010 to 55.6% in FY 2018) and towards RARP approach (6.8% of cases in FY 2010 and 36.7% in FY 2018). The most common complication was blood transfusion at 6.26%, which saw a downtrend over the study period (7.96% FY 2010, 3.47% FY 2018). The odds ratio for 30-day complication for open RP compared to MIRP was 1.74 (95% confidence interval 1.57-1.92, p<0.001)., Conclusions: In Ontario, there has been a steady shift away from RRP and towards RARP. Minimally invasive approaches portend a significantly lower complication rate, likely driven by a lower blood transfusion rate.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to global public health systems. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practice about AMR, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria., Methods: A web-based questionnaire survey was conducted among the residents of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences from May to November 2023. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0 software., Results: Overall, 400 out of 450 medical residents responded to the questionnaire, giving a response rate of 88.9%. The participants' ages ranged from 26 to 54 years, and the majority were female (227/400 56.8%). Average scores for knowledge, attitudes, and practices were 53.70 ± 15.88, 36.97 ± 5.89 and 24.69 ± 4.24, respectively. In terms of knowledge, only 26.8% had heard the term "ASPs" and knew what it was. Most incorrect answers appeared to the treatment of infection caused by MDR bacteria including ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (27.8%) and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (30.8%), as well as the atypical bacteria (45.5%). Approximately, 50 and 71.7% said they had received no specific training in the fields of microbiological sampling methods and the appropriate time to prescribe antibiotics, respectively. Surprisingly, regarding practice, 81.8% of the respondents stated that antibiotics are used to treat flu or the common cold., Conclusion: Residents considered their training on important issues including ASPs, MDR bacteria and the spectrum of antibiotics insufficient. This result highlights the need for targeted training interventions about antibiotic prescription in the curriculum at the university with more emphasis on ASPs to limit the development of resistance., Competing Interests: The 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 © 2024 Kiani, Sajadi, Motamedi, Salmasi and Solgi.)

Introduction: In 2015, radical prostatectomy (RP) in Ontario transitioned to the quality-based procedures (QBP) funding model, which assigns disbursement from surgical quality indicator (QI) outcome performance. The objective of this study was to assess the QBP QI outcomes before and after implementation of the QBP funding model for RP, and to determine whether changes seen were attributable to the QBP model., Methods: We conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study including all men who underwent RP for prostate cancer in Ontario from 2010-2019. We used administrative data from Ontario's health databases to gather surgical and QI outcome data. Our primary outcomes were the five measurable QBP QIs outlined by the province. We performed a pre- and post-intervention comparison, in addition to an interrupted-time series (ITS) analysis., Results: Two of the five QIs improved after implementation of the QBP model (complication rate: 11.89% vs. 9.96%, p<0.001; proportion meeting length of stay target: 78.11% vs. 86.84%, p<0.001). ITS analysis revealed that there was no difference in trend in either outcome between pre- and post-implementation periods (p=0.913 and p=0.249, respectively). Two QIs were worse in the post-implementation period (unplanned visit rate: 23.45% vs. 25%, p=0.015; proportion meeting Wait 2 target: 94.39% vs. 92.88%, p<0.001). ITS revealed no significant trend changes post-implementation (p=0.260 and p=0.272, respectively). There was no difference in re-operation rate (2.84% vs. 2.45%, p=0.107)., Conclusions: The QBP model for RP corresponds with mixed QI changes, but further analysis suggests that these changes were pre-existing trends and not attributable to the model.

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AI) may improve height in short stature conditions; however, the effect in childhood cancer survivors (CCS) is unknown. We assessed final adult height (FAH) in CCS treated with AI and GH compared with those treated with GH alone., Methods: Retrospective cohort study of GH-deficient male CCS treated between 2007 and 2023. FAH was noted as the height at the fusion of growth plates or 18 years of age. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine treatment association with FAH, adjusting for other risk factors., Results: Ninety-two patients were included; 70 were treated with GH and 22 with combination AI/GH. The mean age at GH initiation did not differ between groups. The mean age at AI initiation was 13.7 ± 1.9 years. A greater proportion of patients in the AI/GH group were treated with stem cell transplantation, abdominal radiation, total body irradiation, and cis-retinoic acid (p < .01). Multivariable linear regression demonstrated no significant treatment association with FAH Z-score (β = 0.04, 95% CI: -0.9 to 0.9). History of spinal radiation (β = -0.93, 95% CI: -1.7 to -0.2), lower starting height Z-score (β = -0.8, 95% CI: -1.2 to -0.4), and greater difference between bone age and chronological age (β = -0.3, 95% CI: -0.5 to -0.07) were associated with lower FAH Z-score., Conclusions: Adjuvant AI was not associated with increased FAH in male CCS compared with GH monotherapy. Future work is needed to determine the optimal adjunctive treatment to maximize FAH for this population., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: The objective is to summarize evidence from systematic reviews, scoping reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating the effects of any format of Internet-based, mobile-, or telephone-based intervention as a technology-based intervention in suicide prevention., Materials and Methods: This is an umbrella review, that followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 statement guidelines. An electronic search was done on September 29, 2022. Data were extracted by reviewers and then methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed by A Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews-2. Statistical analysis was done by STATA version 17. Standard mean difference was extracted from these studies and by random effect model, the overall pooled effect size (ES) was calculated. I2 statistic was used to assess the heterogeneity between studies. For publication bias, the Egger test was used., Results: Six reviews were included in our study, all with moderate quality. The overall sample size was 24631. The ES for standard mean differences of the studies is calculated as - 0.20 with a confidence interval of (-0.26, -0.14). The heterogeneity is found as 58.14%, indicating a moderate-to-substantial one. The Egger test shows publication bias., Conclusion: Our results show that technology-based interventions are effective. We propose more rigorous randomized controlled trials with different control groups to assess the effectiveness of these interventions., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences.)

Introduction: Head and neck sarcomas are uncommon tumors that account for less than 1% of head and neck malignancies and fewer than 5% of all sarcomas. This study aims to assess the head and neck sarcomas pattern in Isfahan, Iran, compare its results with previous findings, and investigate treatment methods and the recurrence and survival rate., Materials and Methods: This study was done on 160 patients diagnosed with head and neck sarcomas between 2001 and 2020 in four medical centers in Isfahan, Iran. The patients with head and neck sarcoma confirmed by biopsy were included. Patient information included sex, age at diagnosis, and full characteristics of the mass. Disease recurrence and 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) were investigated by phone., Results: Among 160 patients, 94 (58.8%) were male. The mean age was 36.9 ± 23.2 years. The neck was the most reported location for sarcomas (N=34, 21.3%). Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma was the most frequent histopathologic pattern (N=48, 30.0%). The brain and lungs were the most common destinations for metastasis. "Surgery and adjuvant therapy together" was the most common type of treatment (N=108, 68.8%). The 2-year and 5-year recurrence rates were N=100, 62.5%, and N=110, 68.8%, respectively. The 2-year and 5-year OS was N=103, 64.4%, and N=58, 36.6%, respectively. Eighty-nine patients have had metastasis (55.6%)., Conclusions: Both 2-year and 5-year recurrence rates and OS were significantly correlated with metastasis. The OS within two years and five years were significantly higher in those treated only by "Surgery"., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Inflammation has been suggested to play a role in heart failure (HF) pathogenesis. However, the role of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), as a novel biomarker, to assess HF prognosis needs to be investigated. We sought to evaluate the impact of PLR on HF clinical outcomes., Methods: English-published records in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web-of-science databases were screened until December 2023. Relevant articles evaluated PLR with clinical outcomes (including mortality, rehospitalization, HF worsening, and HF detection) were recruited, with PLR difference analysis based on death/survival status in total and HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) patients., Results: In total, 21 articles ( n  = 13,924) were selected. The total mean age was 70.36 ± 12.88 years (males: 61.72%). Mean PLR was 165.54 [95% confidence interval (CI): 154.69-176.38]. In total, 18 articles ( n  = 10,084) reported mortality [either follow-up (PLR: 162.55, 95% CI: 149.35-175.75) or in-hospital (PLR: 192.83, 95% CI: 150.06-235.61) death rate] and the mean PLR was 166.68 (95% CI: 154.87-178.50). Further analysis revealed PLR was significantly lower in survived HF patients rather than deceased group (152.34, 95% CI: 134.01-170.68 versus 194.73, 95% CI: 175.60-213.85, standard mean difference: -0.592, 95% CI: -0.857 to -0.326, p  < 0.001). A similar trend was observed for HFrEF patients. PLR failed to show any association with mortality risk (hazard ratio: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.99-1.05, p  = 0.289). Analysis of other aforementioned outcomes was not possible due to the presence of few studies of interest., Conclusion: PLR should be used with caution for prognosis assessment in HF sufferers and other studies are necessary to explore the exact association.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the potential value of placental anatomic features and various types of normal and abnormal cord insertion types in predicting adverse maternal-fetal outcomes in singleton pregnancies. We also tried to assess the association between these outcomes and various types of placental cord insertion., Method: This prospective observational study was performed on singleton pregnancies. For each patient placental features including diameter, thickness, type of cord insertion, and the shortest distance between the cord insertion point and placental edge were recorded. The relationship between these factors and the development of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes including preterm labor, intrauterine fetal death (IUFD), and the rate of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions were evaluated and reported., Results: Overall 308 patients were enrolled in the study. Smoker mothers had significantly smaller placentas ( P -value = .008), and those with lower diameter placentas were more likely to suffer from IUFD ( P -value = .0001). Shorter placental cord insertion distances led to more episodes of preterm labor ( P -value = .057). Eccentric-type placental cord insertion was significantly associated with the development of preeclampsia ( P -value = .006)., Discussion: Abnormalities in placental diameter and cord insertion can lead to significant maternal-fetal complications including preterm labor, IUFD, and preeclampsia., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Gastrointestinal (GI) manifestations of lead poisoning include abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. Depending on the severity of a symptom, surgical consultation is required. The present study aimed to make a comparison between the mean blood lead levels of patients hospitalized for lead toxicity and the various Gl symptoms. A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed in 2020 at Khorshid Hospital, the main regional referral center for poisoned patients (Isfahan, Iran). A total of 82 patients aged ≥18 years who were hospitalized for lead poisoning during 2017-2018 were included in the study. Patients' information was extracted from hospital medical records, including demographic information, clinical manifestations, blood lead levels, and treatment outcome. The mean age of the patients was 48.18±11.9 years, 91.5% were men, and 62.2% suffered from multiple GI symptoms, with abdominal pain being predominant (31.7%). Blood lead levels in patients with multiple GI symptoms were higher than those with only one symptom (P=0.01). Surgical consultation was required in 14.6% of the patients. Multiple GI symptoms were the main predictive factor for blood lead levels above 70 mg/dL (P=0.03, Odds ratio=3.06, 95% CI=1.09-8.61). Given the prevalence of abdominal pain and its association with elevated blood lead levels, differential diagnosis of abdominal pain should include lead toxicity., Competing Interests: None declared., (Copyright: © Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Complications or death risk factors is necessary for better monitoring and treatment. The aim of this study was to define the relative risk of toxico-clinical parameters with regard to poisoning severity and outcomes in patients with acute poisoning., Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study entailed of patients with acute poisoning admitted to the poisoning emergency center of khorshid hospital, Isfahan, Iran from December 2018 until March 2019. Patients (n = 300) were categorized into four groups (minor, moderate, severe, and fatal poisoning) based on severity. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) as the estimate of the relative risk of the different variables for the poisoning severity and outcomes prediction., Results: In the minor group, opioids/opiates, alcohols, and benzodiazepines (14.7%) were the most prevalent poisoning, multidrug (23.3%) was in the moderate and severe groups and finally, pesticides poisoning (23%) was most common in the fatal group. The predictive factors for poisoning severity were pre-hospital antidote administration [OR, (95%CI); P value) [7.08 (1.77-28.34); 0.006]; loss of consciousness [4.38 (1.84-10.42), 0.001]; abnormal ECG [4.56 (1.65-12.56); 0.003]; and time interval of poisoning to admission in the hospital [1.15 (1.02-1.28); 0.01). Patients without complications was observed in 49.7% of subjects. Patients with the loss of consciousness [66.06 (2.41-180.07); 0.01); underlying disease [3.65 (1.09-12.24); 0.03]; abnormal respiration [1.14 (1.02-1.27); 0.02); have had a greater risk of complications and death., Conclusion: Important factors for poisoning severity and/or outcome were loss of consciousness, pre-hospital antidote administration, abnormal ECG or respiration, underlying disease, and delay to presentation to hospital., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Background: Hypertension is one of the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases. Patients with hypertension have a lower quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the effects of mindfulness meditation on blood pressure, mental health, and quality of life in patients with hypertension., Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in 2019 in Isfahan. Eighty adult women with Stage I or II hypertension were included and assigned randomly to 2 groups: 12 weeks of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and routine care. At baseline and 1 week after the end of the intervention, blood pressure, stress, depression, anxiety, and quality of life of the studied participants were measured using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test, the paired t-test, and the MANCOVA test., Results: After the intervention, the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures decreased significantly in the intervention group compared with the baseline (142.82±11.01 mmHg vs 133.7±510.43 mmHg for systolic pressure and 86.12±8.24 mmHg vs 79.15±6.26 mmHg for diastolic pressure) and the control group (140.18±14.27 mmHg vs 142.15±10.23 mmHg for systolic pressure and 84.62±9.22 vs mmHg 88.51±8.54 mmHg for diastolic pressure; P=0.001). There was also a significant increase in quality of life, stress, anxiety, and depression scores in the intervention group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: The 12-week MBSR program resulted in a significant reduction in the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressures and improvement in mental health and different aspects of quality of life., (Copyright © 2022 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Objective: To elucidate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to fertility services., Methods: A retrospective quality improvement study was conducted at a university-affiliated fertility practice in southwestern Ontario. Annual procedural volumes for intrauterine and donor inseminations (IUI/DI), in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injections (IVF/ICSI), and frozen embryo transfers (FET) during the COVID-19-affected year were compared with mean annual volumes from the 2 preceding years. In addition, volumes for the same procedures were compared between the first quarter of 2021 and mean first quarter volumes from 2018 to 2019. Piecewise linear regressions were conducted to evaluate whether any changes in monthly procedural volume were attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: In 2020, our fertility practice attained the mean annual volumes of 89.7% for IUI/DI, 69.0% for IVF/ICSI, and 60.6% for FET. In contrast, in 2021, we performed mean first quarter volumes of 130.1% for IUI/DI, 164.3% for IVF/ICSI, and 126.8% for FET. The slopes of the pre- and post-COVID-19 segments of the piecewise linear regressions were significantly different for IUI/DI (P < 0.001) and IVF/ICSI (P = 0.001), but not for FET (P = 0.133)., Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased annual volumes of medically assisted reproductive procedures at a university-affiliated fertility practice in southwestern Ontario. Impact on monthly procedural volume was confirmed for IUI/DI and IVF/ICSI by linear regression. Local adaptations helped compensate and exceed expected volumes in 2021. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a short-lived limitation in access to fertility care., (Copyright © 2021 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a community-based intervention on social capital, quality of life, self-care, and health literacy among elderly., Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental trial was conducted at two health-care centers in Isfahan, Iran, which assigned to the intervention and control groups. A total of 86 elderly (60 years or above) enrolled in the study. The intervention program consisted of 12 weekly group sessions with various health topics. Nine sessions held in the health-care center and three local tours in different locations of the neighborhood. The control group received routine care of health centers. Social capital, quality of life, self-care, and health literacy were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the intervention in two groups., Results: Mental component of quality of life ( P = 0.026), self-care, and health literacy ( P < 0.001) showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group at 1 month after the intervention. The total score of social capital and the dimensions of local community participation, social agency, feelings of security and trust, interactions with neighbors, and interactions with family and friends improved in the intervention group ( P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in the dimensions of tolerance of diversity ( P = 0.241) and value of life ( P = 0.928)., Conclusions: This community-based interventions with a variety of diverse and participatory components can be used as a strategy to promote the health of the elderly in primary health care., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2022 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

Purpose: Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is a protein secreted by lymphocytes exposed to progesterone (P4). P4 and PIBF have immunomodulatory effects on peripheral CD4 + T cells during normal pregnancy. Membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) may correlate with the immunomodulatory properties of P4 on T cells. Variation in expression of mPRs may influence P4 regulatory performance during pregnancy. On the other hand, PIBF increases in pregnant normal women compared to women who have experienced abortion. The present study aimed to determine whether PIBF, in addition to having a direct influence on the immune system, can affect P4 performance through its effect on mPR expression. Such novel research findings demonstrate the importance of PIBF in the maintenance of pregnancy., Methods: Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 30 healthy women were stimulated with the mitogen phytohemagglutinin (PHA). Cells were either exposed to various concentrations of PIBF or had no exposure at all in a culture medium at 37 °C for 3 days. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of mPRα and mPRβ was evaluated using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies on CD4 + T cells., Results: PIBF was able to significantly increase mPR expression on the surface of peripheral CD4 + T cells (p ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: This study characterized the effects of PIBF on mPR expression on peripheral CD4 + T cells of healthy fertile women. Thus, a decrease in PIBF concentration during abnormal pregnancy can modulate mPR expression and regulatory performance of P4 on T cells. Future research into this issue is likely to open up a new understanding of the etiology of abortion., (© 2021. Hellenic Endocrine Society.)

Background: This study aimed at investigating the effect of home-based physical activity schedule on the quality of life (QOL), sleep quality, and mood of the elderly at risk of depression as compared to the control group., Materials and Methods: The open-label randomized controlled trial was performed on 61 elderly people at risk of depression who were divided into two groups. In addition to routine care provided by the health-care center (relaxation techniques), the elderly in the intervention group were given a home-based physical activity booklet. The control group only received the routine care of the health-care center. Moreover, before and after the intervention, the results of the QOL questionnaire, petersburg sleep quality questionnaire index (PSQI), and depression questionnaire were assessed and recorded., Results: The depression scores in the 1 st and 3 rd months during the intervention and 1 month after the intervention were significantly lower in the intervention group with the means of 3.60 ± 3.91, 2.03 ± 2.43, and 2.66 ± 3.37 as compared with the control group with the means of 5.39 ± 2.88, 4.96 ± 2.77, and 5.13 ± 3.14, respectively ( P < 0.05). Furthermore, the QOL and total PSQI scores in the physical and mental dimensions in the 3 rd months during and 1 month after the intervention were higher in the intervention group as compared with the control group ( P < 0.05)., Conclusion: According to the findings of the study, the addition of home-based physical activity schedule to the routine care of the elderly can play a significant role in reducing the severity of their depression and improving their physical-psychological quality and sleep quality., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Advanced Biomedical Research.)

The improvement in the enzyme activity of Aspergillus flavus urate oxidase (Uox) was attained by immobilizing it on the surface of a Ni-based magnetic metal-organic framework (NimMOF) nanomaterial; physicochemical properties of NimMOF and its application as an enzyme stabilizing support were evaluated, which revealed a significant improvement in its stability upon immobilization on NimMOF (Uox@NimMOF). It was affirmed that while the free Uox enzyme lost almost all of its activity at ~40-45 °C, the immobilized Uox@NimMOF retained around 60% of its original activity, even retaining significant activity at 70 °C. The activation energy (Ea) of the enzyme was calculated to be ~58.81 kJ mol -1 after stabilization, which is approximately half of the naked Uox enzyme. Furthermore, the external spectroscopy showed that the MOF nanomaterials can be coated by hydrophobic areas of the Uox enzyme, and the immobilized enzyme was active over a broad range of pH and temperatures, which bodes well for the thermal and long-term stability of the immobilized Uox on NimMOF.

Background: Retraction is a mechanism for correcting the literature and a warning for readers in relation to publications that contain serious flaws or erroneous data. As a result of growth and development of Iranian publications in the last two decades, that brings unethical behavior of researchers led to retraction of their publications. We aimed to investigate Iranian retracted publications indexed in PubMed database., Methods: All Iranian retracted publications published in PubMed up to Dec 2017 have been retrieved. Bibliographic information of retracted publications, retraction notice, time lag between article publication date and the date of retraction notice, reasons of retraction, Issuer of retraction and acknowledge information of retracted publication were recorded. Additionally, citation data of retracted publications before 2013 were analyzed., Results: Overall, 164 Iranian retracted publications were identified. Meantime lag was 20.8 months. "Islamic Azad University" and "Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)" were two affiliations that have received highest number of retracted publications. The most issuer of retraction publications was editor-in-chief and the most mentioned reasons for retractions were authorship issues, plagiarism, and redundant publication. Thirty-three (20.12%) publications have received funds from various agencies. Citation study of retracted publications indicates that these publications have received 789 citations (Citation per publication=11.6)., Conclusion: Although Iranian retracted publications represent small portion of all Iranian publications, but the number of retracted publications has increased. More than half of retracted publications have had authorship issues and plagiarism that requires more attention to research ethics authorities., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2021 Mansourzadeh et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Polyomaviruses are a family of small, non-enveloped DNA viruses that can cause severe disease in immunosuppressed individuals. Studies with SV40, a well-studied model polyomavirus, have revealed the role of host proteins in polyomavirus entry and trafficking to the nucleus, in viral transcription and DNA replication, and in cell transformation. In contrast, little is known about host factors or cellular signaling pathways involved in the late steps of productive infection leading to release of progeny polyomaviruses. We previously showed that cytoplasmic vacuolization, a characteristic late cytopathic effect of SV40 infection, depends on the specific interaction between the major viral capsid protein VP1 and its cell surface ganglioside receptor GM1. Here, we show that, late during infection, SV40 activates a signaling cascade in permissive monkey CV-1 cells involving Ras, Rac1, MKK4, and JNK to stimulate SV40-specific cytoplasmic vacuolization and subsequent cell lysis and virus release. Inhibition of individual components of this signaling pathway inhibits vacuolization, lysis, and virus release, even though high-level intracellular virus replication occurs. Identification of this pathway for SV40-induced vacuolization and virus release provides new insights into the late steps of non-enveloped virus infection.

Objective: Vitamin D3 and progesterone (P4) both belong to steroid hormones. These hormones have effects on the function of each other in different ways. The immunomodulatory activity of vitamin D3 and P4 and their role in inducing maternal tolerance for fetus have been shown in various studies. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 on the expression of membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs) on CD4 + T cells., Materials and Methods: Naive CD4 + T cells were isolated from peripheral blood of 38 healthy women of childbearing age. After stimulating by anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAb), these cells were exposed to either various concentrations of vitamin D3 or no exposure at all in a culture medium at 37 °C for 3 days. In the final stage, the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of mPRα and mPRβ were evaluated using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and several gating strategies on CD4 + T cells., Results: Vitamin D3 significantly increased the expression of mPR α and mPR β on the surface of CD4 + T cells (p ≤ 0.05)., Conclusion: The present study demonstrated the potential effect of vitamin D3 on increasing the expression of P4 receptors on CD4 + T cells. This study shows a new aspect of correlation between vitamin D3 and P4 that may influence P4 performance. Therefore, our findings suggest that the appropriate level of this vitamin may affect the optimum P4 immunomodulatory activity during pregnancy., (Copyright © 2019. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Objective: This study was conducted to compare the effect of low-dose isotretinoin with its conventional dose in patients with moderate and severe acne., Methods: This was a clinical trial conducted on 60 male and female patients with moderate and severe acne vulgaris. The patients were divided into two treatment groups: 0.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin capsule and low-dose isotretinoin capsule (0.25 mg/kg/day). Patients in both groups received 6-month treatment. At the end of the 6 th month and 12 th month (6 months after the end of the treatment), they were examined again, and their improvement was determined and compared., Findings: The average severity of acne in the two treatment groups did not differ significantly within any of the study periods. The most common side effects were nose dryness in the low-dose group (17%) and hair thinning and loss in the conventional-dose group (33.2%), although all the patients had dry lips., Conclusion: According to the same severity of the acne in two groups in different study periods, as well as fewer side effects and more patients' satisfaction, the low-dose isotretinoin can be considered in the treatment of acne., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.