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Glioblastoma, a highly lethal form of brain cancer, is characterized by its aggressive growth and resistance to conventional treatments, often resulting in limited survival. The response to therapy is notably influenced by various patient-specific genetic factors, underscoring the disease's complexity. Despite the utilization of diverse treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, many patients experience local relapse, emphasizing the critical need for improved therapeutic strategies to effectively target these formidable tumors. Recent years have witnessed a surge in interest in natural products derived from plants, particularly alkaloids, for their potential anticancer effects. Alkaloids have shown promise in cancer chemotherapy by selectively targeting crucial signaling pathways implicated in tumor progression and survival. Specifically, they modulate the NF-κB and MAPK pathways, resulting in reduced tumor growth and altered gene expression across various cancer types. Additionally, alkaloids exhibit the capacity to induce cell cycle arrest, further impeding tumor proliferation in several malignancies. This review aims to delineate recent advances in understanding the pathology of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and to explore the potential therapeutic implications of alkaloids in managing this deadly disease. By segregating discussions on GBM pathology from those on alkaloid-based therapies, we provide a structured overview of the current challenges in GBM treatment and the promising opportunities presented by alkaloid-based interventions. Furthermore, we briefly discuss potential future directions in GBM research and therapy beyond alkaloids, including emerging treatment modalities or areas of investigation that hold promise for improving patient outcomes. In conclusion, our efforts offer hope for enhanced outcomes and improved quality of life for GBM patients through alkaloid-based therapies. By integrating insights from pathology and therapeutic perspectives, we underscore the significance of a comprehensive approach in addressing this devastating disease., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier GmbH.. All rights reserved.)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly invasive brain malignancy originating from astrocytes, accounting for approximately 30% of central nervous system malignancies. Despite advancements in therapeutic strategies including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiopharmaceutical drugs, the prognosis for GBM patients remains dismal. The aggressive nature of GBM necessitates the identification of molecular targets and the exploration of effective treatments to inhibit its proliferation. The Notch signaling pathway, which plays a critical role in cellular homeostasis, becomes deregulated in GBM, leading to increased expression of pathway target genes such as MYC, Hes1, and Hey1, thereby promoting cellular proliferation and differentiation. Recent research has highlighted the regulatory role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in modulating Notch signaling by targeting critical mRNA expression at the post-transcriptional or transcriptional levels. Specifically, various types of ncRNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), have been shown to control multiple target genes and significantly contribute to the carcinogenesis of GBM. Furthermore, these ncRNAs hold promise as prognostic and predictive markers for GBM. This review aims to summarize the latest studies investigating the regulatory effects of ncRNAs on the Notch signaling pathway in GBM., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The use of biomaterials, such as bacteriophages, as drug delivery vehicles (DDVs) has gained increasing interest in recent years due to their potential to address the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. Bacteriophages offer several advantages as drug carriers, such as high specificity for targeting bacterial cells, low toxicity, and the ability to be engineered to express specific proteins or peptides for enhanced targeting and drug delivery. In addition, bacteriophages have been shown to reduce the development of antibiotic resistance, which is a major concern in the field of antimicrobial therapy. Many initiatives have been taken to take up various payloads selectively and precisely by surface functionalization of the outside or interior of self-assembling viral protein capsids. Bacteriophages have emerged as a promising platform for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents, including drugs, genes, and imaging agents. They possess several properties that make them attractive as drug delivery vehicles, including their ability to specifically target bacterial cells, their structural diversity, their ease of genetic manipulation, and their biocompatibility. Despite the potential advantages of using bacteriophages as drug carriers, several challenges and limitations need to be addressed. One of the main challenges is the limited host range of bacteriophages, which restricts their use to specific bacterial strains. However, this can also be considered as an advantage, as it allows for precise and targeted drug delivery to the desired bacterial cells. The use of biomaterials, including bacteriophages, as drug delivery vehicles has shown promising potential to address the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. Further research is needed to fully understand the potential of these biomaterials and address the challenges and limitations associated with their use., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Cancer is one of the deadliest and most heterogeneous diseases. Cancers often develop drug resistance, which can lead to treatment failure or recurrence. Accordingly, anticancer compounds are essential for chemotherapy-resistant cancer cells. Phenolic compounds are of interest in the development of cancer drugs due to their medicinal properties and ability to target different molecular pathways. Gallic acid (GA), as one of the main components of phenol, which is abundantly present in plant compounds such as walnut, sumac, grapes, tea leaves, oak bark, and other plant compounds, has antitumor properties. GA can prevent cancer progression, cell invasion, and metastasis by targeting molecular pathways and is an effective complement to chemotherapy drugs and combating multidrug resistance (MDR). In this review, we discuss various mechanisms related to cancer, the therapeutic potential of GA, the antitumor properties of GA in various cancers, and the targeted delivery of GA with nanocarriers., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Usually, in aerobic metabolism, natural materials including nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids can experience auxiliary injury by oxidative responses. This damage produced by reactive oxygen/nitrogen species has been identified as "oxidative stress." As a natural polyphenol got from red wine and peanuts, resveratrol is one of the most eminent anti-aging mixtures. Based on many studies', resveratrol hinders destructive effects of inflammatory causes and reactive oxygen radicals in several tissues. The nuclear erythroid 2-related factor 2 is a factor related to transcription with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant possessions which is complicated by enzyme biotransformation and biosynthesis of lipids and carbohydrates. This review provides current understanding and information about the character of resveratrol against oxidative stress and regulation of inflammation via Nrf2 signaling pathway., (© 2023 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

This review explores the potential of photonic nanoparticles for cancer theranostics. Photonic nanoparticles offer unique properties and photonics capabilities that make them promising materials for cancer treatment, particularly in the presence of near-infrared light. However, the size of the particles is crucial to their absorption of near-infrared light and therapeutic potential. The limitations and challenges associated with the clinical use of photonic nanoparticles, such as toxicity, immune system clearance, and targeted delivery to the tumor are also discussed. Researchers are investigating strategies such as surface modification, biodegradable nanoparticles, and targeting strategies to improve biocompatibility and accumulation in the tumor. Ongoing research suggests that photonic nanoparticles have potential for cancer theranostics, further investigation and development are necessary for clinical use.

Neuropsychiatric disorders that affect the central nervous system cause considerable pressures on the health care system and have a substantial economic burden on modern societies. The present treatments based on available drugs are mostly ineffective and often costly. The molecular process of neuropsychiatric disorders is closely connected to modifying the genetic structures inherited or caused by damage, toxic chemicals, and some current diseases. Gene therapy is presently an experimental concept for neurological disorders. Clinical applications endeavor to alleviate the symptoms, reduce disease progression, and repair defective genes. Implementing gene therapy in inherited and acquired neurological illnesses entails the integration of several scientific disciplines, including virology, neurology, neurosurgery, molecular genetics, and immunology. Genetic manipulation has the power to minimize or cure illness by inducing genetic alterations at endogenous loci. Gene therapy that involves treating the disease by deleting, silencing, or editing defective genes and delivering genetic material to produce therapeutic molecules has excellent potential as a novel approach for treating neuropsychiatric disorders. With the recent advances in gene selection and vector design quality in targeted treatments, gene therapy could be an effective approach. This review article will investigate and report the newest and the most critical molecules and factors in neuropsychiatric disorder gene therapy. Different genome editing techniques available will be evaluated, and the review will highlight preclinical research of genome editing for neuropsychiatric disorders while also evaluating current limitations and potential strategies to overcome genome editing advancements., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) grade IV glioma is the most frequent and deadly intracranial cancer. This tumor is determined by unrestrained progression, uncontroled angiogenesis, high infiltration and weak response to treatment, which is chiefly because of abnormal signaling pathways in the tumor. A member related to the Cap 'n' collar family of keypart-leucine zipper transcription agents-the transcription factor NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-regulates adaptive protection answers by organized upregulation of many genes that produce the cytoprotective factors. In reply to cellular pressures types such as stresses, Nrf2 escapes Kelch-like ECH-related protein 1 (Keap1)-facilitated suppression, moves from the cytoplasm towards the nucleus and performs upregulation of gene expression of antioxidant responsive element (ARE). Nrf2 function is related tocontrolling many types of diseases in the human specially GBM tumor.Thus, we will review the epigeneticalregulatory actions on the Nrf2/Keap1 signaling pathway and potential therapeutic options in GBM by aiming the stimulation of Nrf2., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Nuclear factor erythroid 2 p45-related factor (2Nrf2) is an essential leucine zipper protein (bZIP) that is primarily located in the cytoplasm under physiological conditions. Nrf2 principally modulates endogenous defense in response to oxidative stress in the brain.In this regard, Nrf2 translocates into the nucleus and heterodimerizes with the tiny Maf or Jun proteins. It then attaches to certain DNA locations in the nucleus, such as electrophile response elements (EpRE) or antioxidant response elements (ARE), to start the transcription of cytoprotective genes. Many neoplasms have been shown to have over activated Nrf2, strongly suggesting that it is responsible for tumors with a poor prognosis. Exactly like curcumin, Zinc-curcumin Zn (II)-curc compound has been shown to induce Nrf2 activation. In the cancer cell lines analyzed, Zinc-curcumin Zn (II)-curc compound can also display anticancer effects via diverse molecular mechanisms, including markedly increasing heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) p62/SQSTM1 and the Nrf2 protein levels along with its targets. It also strikingly decreases the levels of Nrf2 inhibitor, Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) protein.As a result, the crosstalk between p62/SQSTM1 and Nrf2 could be used to improve cancer patient response to treatments. The interconnected anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties of curcumin resulted from its modulatory effects on Nrf2 signaling pathway have been shown to improve insulin resistance. Curcumin exerts its anti-inflammatory impact through suppressing metabolic reactions and proteins such as Keap1 that provoke inflammation and oxidation. A rational amount of curcumin-activated antioxidant Nrf2 HO-1 and Nrf2-Keap1 pathways and upregulated the modifier subunit of glutamate-cysteine ligase involved in the production of the intracellular antioxidant glutathione. Enhanced expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a modifier subunit (GLCM), inhibited transcription of glutamate-cysteine ligase, a catalytic subunit (GCLC). A variety of in vivo, in vitro and clinical studies has been done so far to confirm the protective role of curcumin via Nrf2 regulation. This manuscript is designed to provide a comprehensive review on the molecular aspects of curcumin and its derivatives/analogs via regulation of Nrf2 regulation.

The mortality and morbidity rates for prostate cancer have recently increased to alarming levels, rising higher than lung cancer. Due to a lack of drug targets and molecular probes, existing theranostic techniques are limited. Human LIN28A and its paralog LIN28B overexpression are associated with a number of tumors resulting in a remarkable increase in cancer aggression and poor prognoses. The current review aims to highlight recent work identifying the key roles of LIN28A and LIN28B in prostate cancer, and to instigate further preclinical and clinical research in this important area.

Diabetes epidemiological quantities are demonstrating one of the most important communities' health worries. The essential diabetic difficulties are including cardiomyopathy, nephropathy, inflammation, and retinopathy. Despite developments in glucose decreasing treatments and drugs, these diabetic complications are still ineffectively reversed or prohibited. Several signaling and molecular pathways are vital targets in the new therapies of diabetes. This review assesses the newest researches about the key molecules and signaling pathways as targets of molecular pharmacology in diabetes and diseases related to it for better treatment based on molecular sciences. The disease is not cured by current pharmacological strategies for type 2 diabetes. While several drug combinations are accessible that can efficiently modulate glycemia and mitigate long-term complications, these agents do not reverse pathogenesis, and in practice, they are not established to modify the patient's specific molecular profiling. Therapeutic companies have benefited from human genetics. Genome exploration, which is agnostic to the information that exists, has revealed tens of loci that impact glycemic modulation. The physiological report has begun to examine subtypes of diseases, illustrate heterogeneity and propose biochemical therapeutic pathways., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this review is to highlight recent scientific developments and provide an overview of virus self-assembly and viral particle dynamics. Viruses are organized supramolecular structures with distinct yet related features and functions. Plant viruses are extensively used in biotechnology, and virus-like particulate matter is generated by genetic modification. Both provide a material-based means for selective distribution and delivery of drug molecules. Through surface engineering of their capsids, virus-derived nanomaterials facilitate various potential applications for selective drug delivery. Viruses have significant implications in chemotherapy, gene transfer, vaccine production, immunotherapy and molecular imaging., Competing Interests: Financial & competing interests disclosure The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript., (© 2021 The authors.)

Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease and one of the most widespread diseases in our country. This illness is a significant public health concern in most Iranian provinces. Therefore, it is necessary to study the prevalence and identification of new sources of this problem in many regions of Iran. The present study was intended to investigate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Yazd city., Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was performed on 121 patients with leishmaniasis in Nicopoor Center, Yazd in 2017. According to ethical and research standards, information about patients, including their gender, age, occupation, location and number of lesions and month of illness were collected and evaluated using SPSS Statistics, Version 21., Results: The highest incidence of leishmaniasis occurred in adults over 50 years of age (28.9%) and in children under the age of 10 (23.1%). An incidence of 41.3% was observed for other occupations, including driver, farmer and child. In second place, the highest frequency was related to housewives (25.6%), and in third place, a higher frequency was observed in students (19%). The most common venereal sites were the hands (38.8%), in second place the feet (28.1%) and in third place the face (15.7%). The highest seasonal frequency of leishmaniasis occurred during the autumn., Conclusion: In light of the current study findings and the adverse effects of leishmaniasis, it is necessary to design strategies with the aim of controlling the disease and to implement appropriate actions with the intention of decreasing its prevalence nationally.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive airflow limitation and decline in lung function. Although tobacco smoke is the leading risk factor for COPD, air contamination by wood-burning smoke is also of great concern. About half of the world's populations, especially in developing countries such as Iran, exploit this energy source for cooking and heating. It is remained unknown if COPD induced by wood smoke from baking bread (COPD-B) and COPD induced by tobacco smoke (COPD-S) have different symptoms and clinical presentations. To fill this gap, the present study was to describe such differences., Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed in Afshar COPD clinics affiliated with the Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran. The clinical records of 231 patients with the COPD diagnosis were reviewed. After considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 91 patients (46 with COPD -B and 45 with COPD-S) underwent physical examination and para-clinical assessments (i.e., respiratory function tests, Chest X-ray, and quality of life test)., Results: The COPD-B patients were mainly women at older age and had higher FEV 1 /FVC and FEF-75; however, they had fewer post-bronchodilator positive responses to FEV 1 (suggesting a restriction pattern) and sputum production, compared to the COPD-S patients. Regarding the other parameters, there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups., Conclusion: This was the first study evaluating and revealing some differences in the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of the COPD-B patients (with prolonged exposure to wood smoke from bread baking; >100 hours per year, for at least 10 years) and COPD-S patients (>10 packs per year of exposure to tobacco smoke)., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement There is no conflict of interests with any other authors, nor is there any financial/non-financial disclosure., (Copyright© 2021 National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.)

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to endanger world health and the economy. The causative SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has a unique replication system. The end point of the COVID-19 pandemic is either herd immunity or widespread availability of an effective vaccine. Multiple candidate vaccines - peptide, virus-like particle, viral vectors (replicating and nonreplicating), nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), live attenuated virus, recombinant designed proteins and inactivated virus - are presently under various stages of expansion, and a small number of vaccine candidates have progressed into clinical phases. At the time of writing, three major pharmaceutical companies, namely Pfizer and Moderna, have their vaccines under mass production and administered to the public. This review aims to investigate the most critical vaccines developed for COVID-19 to date.

Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive tumors of the central nervous system. Galbanic acid, a natural sesquiterpene coumarin, has shown favorable effects on cancerous cells in previous studies., Objective: The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of galbanic acid on proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of the human malignant glioblastoma (U87) cells., Methods: The anti-proliferative activity of the compound was determined by the MTT assay. Cell cycle alterations and apoptosis were analyzed via flow cytometry. Action on cell migration was evaluated by scratch assay and gelatin zymography. Quantitative Real-Time PCR was used to determine the expression of genes involved in cell migration (matrix metalloproteinases, MMPs) and survival (the pathways of PI3K/Akt/mTOR and WNT/β-catenin). Alteration in the level of protein Akt was determined by Western blotting., Results: Galbanic acid significantly decreased cell proliferation, inhibited cell cycle, and stimulated apoptosis of the glioblastoma cells. Moreover, it could decrease the migration capability of glioblastoma cells, which was accompanied by inhibition in the activity and expression of MMP2 and MMP9. While galbanic acid reduced the gene expression of Akt, mTOR, and PI3K and increased the PTEN expression, it had no significant effect on WNT, β-catenin, and APC genes. In addition, the protein level of p-Akt decreased after treatment with galbanic acid. The effects of galbanic acid were observed at concentrations lower than those of temozolomide., Conclusion: Galbanic acid decreased proliferation, cell cycle progression, and survival of glioblastoma cells through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. This compound also reduced the migration capability of the cells by suppressing the activity and expression of MMPs., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Given that conventional therapies are ineffective for COVID-19, obtained exosomes from stem cells have been proposed as a sustainable and effective treatment. Exosomes are subsets with lengths between 30 and 100 nanometers, and they can be secreted by different cells. Exosomes are containing different types of miRNAs, mRNAs, and different proteins. The role of immune system modulation of exosomes of mesenchymal stem cells has been studied and confirmed in more than one study. Exosome miRNAs detect and reduce cytokines that cause cytokine storms such as IL-7, IL-2, IL-6, etc. These miRNAs include miR-21, miR-24, miR-124, miR-145, etc. The risks associated with treatment with exosomes from different cells are relatively small compared to other treatments because transplanted cells do not stimulate the host immune system and also has reduced infection transmission. Due to the ineffectiveness of existing drugs in reducing inflammation and preventing cytokine storms, the use of immune-boosting systems may be suggested as another way to control cytokine storm., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and malignant astrocytic glioma, accounting for about 90% of all brain tumors with poor prognosis. Despite recent advances in understanding molecular mechanisms of oncogenesis and the improved neuroimaging technologies, surgery, and adjuvant treatments, the clinical prognosis of patients with GBM remains persistently unfavorable. The signaling pathways and the regulation of growth factors of glioblastoma cells are very abnormal. The various signaling pathways have been suggested to be involved in cellular proliferation, invasion, and glioma metastasis. The Wnt signaling pathway with its pleiotropic functions in neurogenesis and stem cell proliferation is implicated in various human cancers, including glioma. In addition, the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is closely related to growth, metabolism, survival, angiogenesis, autophagy, and chemotherapy resistance of GBM. Understanding the mechanisms of GBM's invasion, represented by invasion and migration, is an important tool in designing effective therapeutic interventions. This review will investigate two main signaling pathways in GBM: PI3K/Akt/mTOR and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor. Despite standard multimodality treatment, the highly aggressive nature of GBM makes it one of the deadliest human malignancies. The anti-cancer effects of dietary phytochemicals like curcumin provide new insights to cancer treatment. Evaluation of curcumin's efficacy against different malignancies including glioblastoma has been a motivational research topic and widely studied during the recent decade. In this review, we discuss the recent observations on the potential therapeutic effects of curcumin against glioblastoma. Curcumin can target multiple signaling pathways involved in developing aggressive and drug-resistant features of glioblastoma, including pathways associated with glioma stem cell activity. Notably, combination therapy with curcumin and chemotherapeutics like temozolomide, the GBM standard therapy, as well as radiotherapy has shown synergistic response, highlighting curcumin's chemo- and radio-sensitizing effect. There are also multiple reports for curcumin nanoformulations and targeted forms showing enhanced therapeutic efficacy and passage through blood-brain barrier, as compared with natural curcumin. Furthermore, in vivo studies have revealed significant anti-tumor effects, decreased tumor size and increased survival with no notable evidence of systemic toxicity in treated animals. Finally, a pharmacokinetic study in patients with GBM has shown a detectable intratumoral concentration, thereby suggesting a potential for curcumin to exert its therapeutic effects in the brain. Despite all the evidence in support of curcumin's potential therapeutic efficacy in GBM, clinical reports are still scarce. More studies are needed to determine the effects of combination therapies with curcumin and importantly to investigate the potential for alleviating chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced adverse effects., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

The main objective of this study was the development of a simple, clean, and industrial applicable electrochemical process for production of high pure nano-copper oxides from mining and industrial resources (e.g., ore, spent, slag and wastewater). To conduct the proposed process, a special set up containing an electrochemical cell in an ultrasonic system (28 kHz and 160 W) was proposed. Accordingly, using this set up and applying appropriate voltage (≈ 5 V) at 25 °C, in the presence of N 2 gas, the simultaneous anode dissolution and nano-copper oxides formation (≈ 24 nm) can be occurred, rapidly (less than 45 min). Then, the effect of N 2 gas and free radicals generated by ultrasonic irradiation was studied. The results showed, in the absence of ultrasonic irradiation and N 2 , an increase of electrolyte pH from 6.42 to 10.92, a decrease of electrolyte Eh from 285 mV to -1.14 V, and formation of copper nanoparticles. While, in the presence of ultrasonic and N 2 , the CuO nanoparticles were formed due to presence of H 2 O 2 generated by interaction of free radicals. Moreover, a novel method for kinetics modeling of nanoparticles agglomeration was proposed according to distributed activation energy model and Arrhenius parameters variation. The results showed that, in the absence of ultrasonic irradiation, the nanoparticle agglomerates were firstly formed (interface controlled mechanism) and then, the diffusion of nanoparticle agglomerates was occurred (diffusion controlled mechanism). Therefore, the control of nanoparticles size and shape may be impossible without surfactant. Also, in the presence of ultrasonic irradiation, the whole of agglomeration process followed interface controlled mechanism. Therefore, using ultrasonic irradiation, the nanoparticles shape and size don't change due to prevention of agglomerates diffusion., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the action of 2% lidocaine on the culture results of bronchial fluid in patients suspected of having lower respiratory tract infections., Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study., Place and Duration of Study: Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran, from November 2014 to November 2015., Methodology: Patients suspected of lower respiratory tract infections referred to bronchoscopy unit of the Hospital were included. Those with incomplete questionnaire and bronchoscopy contraindication were excluded. Bronchial fluid was aspirated before and after local application of 2% lidocaine and cultured, according to the suspected clinical diagnosis. Finally, statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, version 17.0. For statistical comparisons, McNemar's test was used. Level of significance was kept at p <0.05., Results: The mean age of the study population was 51.83 ±15.93 with a range of 25 - 80 years. Out of 130 patients, 60 patients had positive culture results. Nineteen (31.7%) cases had positive culture for tuberculosis and 41 (63.3%) cases had positive results for other bacteria before intervention that did not change after using 2% lidocaine (p=1). In 70 (53.84%) cases, results were negative before and after use of 2% lidocaine., Conclusion: No significant difference was found between culture results before and after the use of lidocaine. Therefore, lidocaine can be used during bronchoscopy to increase patient tolerance.

Here we report the case of a patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis, who was referred to our clinic in Yazd, Iran. On examining the patient, who was a housekeeper, we found a small plaque in the palmoplantar region due to cutaneous leishmaniasis. She had not any history from an identical case in this patient. After treatment, the lesions improved.

Occult HBV infection of hemodialysis (HD) patients is informative in terms of virus transmission. It may be of clinical importance in HD patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anti-HBc in the HD Patients. Number of 126 patients undergoing hemodialysis were included in this study from main hemodialysis units in Yazd. Hepatitis B surface antigens (HBsAg), hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) were examined in all subjects. Finally, stored serum samples from anti-HBcAb positive, HBsAg negative patients were anonymised and tested for HBV DNA by real time quantitative PCR assay. The age range of the patients was 17-88 years. Of the 126 patients, 123 patients (97.6%) were HBC-Ab negative and 3 (2.4%) were positive. Of 3 patients with Anti-HBC positive, HBV DNA was detected in 1 patient. This study showed a low rate of isolated anti-HBc (2.4%). HBV DNA was also detected in 1 patient.

Introduction: Tuberculosis is still a considerable health problem in many countries. Rapid diagnosis of this disease is important, and adenosine deaminase (ADA) has been used as a diagnostic test. The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of ADA in the sputum of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis., Methods: The current study included 40 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (culture positive, smear ±) and 42 patients with non tuberculosis pulmonary diseases (culture negative). ADA was measured on all of the samples., Results: The median value of ADA in non-tuberculosis patients was 2.94 (4.2) U/L and 4.01 (6.54) U/L in tuberculosis patients, but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.100). The cut-off point of 3.1 U/L had a sensitivity of 61% and a specificity of 53%, the cut-off point of 2.81 U/L had a sensitivity of 64% and a specificity of 50% and the cut-off point of 2.78 U/L had a sensitivity of 65% and a specificity of 48%. The positive predictive values for cut-off points of 3.1, 2.81 and 2.78 U/L were 55.7%, 57.44% and 69.23%, respectively. The negative predictive values for the abovementioned cut-off points were 56.75%, 57.14% and 55.88%, respectively., Conclusion: Our results showed that sputum ADA test is neither specific nor sensitive. Because of its low sensitivity and specificity, determination of sputum ADA for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis is not recommended.

Objective: Bronchial anthracosis is caused by the deposition of carbon, silica or asbestos particles in mucosal and submucosal cells and macrophages, and it can lead to chronic bronchial obstruction. Certain studies have reported an association between bronchial anthracosis and infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This study aimed to compare the samples obtained from bronchoscopy of patients with and without bronchial anthracosis for investigating the prevalence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis., Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between 2010 and 2013. A total of 514 patients underwent diagnostic bronchoscopy for pulmonary diseases. A sample of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was taken from each patient and tested for Mycobacterium tuberculosis through smear and culture techniques. The data were analyzed with Chi-square and Fisher's exact test, with p ≤.05 set as the significant level., Results: Totally, 514 patients were evaluated through bronchoscopy; bronchial anthracosis was diagnosed in 207 cases, of which 129 (62.3%) were women. The rate of pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher (p = .002) in the bronchial anthracosis group., Conclusion: In our study, the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis was significantly higher in the bronchial anthracosis group. Given that pulmonary tuberculosis is still one of the health problems of the present century, increased attention to specific risk factors including bronchial anthracosis in patients having pulmonary symptoms is recommended.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an often fatal viral infection described in about 30 countries around the world. It is transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected tick and by direct contact with blood or tissue from infected humans and livestock. In the following, we report nine cases of CCHF disease. This paper reported nine human CCHF cases, two in Tabas and Bandar Abbas and seven in Yazd. They were 21-, 33-, 28-, 29-, 61, 34, 35, 36 and 52 year-old men. The first, second and third patients were butchers and other patients were farmers. CCHF should be investigated in the patients with fever, bleeding and low platelet counts.

Brucellosis is the most widespread zoonotic infection in the world. The disease is endemic in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It is an important re-emerging infectious disease. This disease is closely associated with the evolution of mankind as an agrarian society linked to the practice of shepherding and popularization of animal husbandry. The patients with this disease are typically present with chills, fever, asthenia and sweating. This paper describes a patient with brucellosis and skin rashes on the leg. A 41-year-old man presented with fever, ataxia, and dysarthria. He was a shepherd. The patient reported the loss of appetite, arthralgia and weight loss during previous five months. Finally, he was diagnosed with brucellosis by positive blood culture and high titer for Brucella agglutination test. The clinical manifestation of brucellosis is very broad, ranging from asymptomatic infection to serious debilitating disease. Current patient had skin rashes on his leg. Brucellosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute infections, especially if there is a history of fresh milk product ingestion and living in an endemic region.

Objective: Although computer technologies are now widely used in medicine, little is known about its use among medical students in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the competence and access to computer and internet among the medical students., Methods: In this descriptive study, medical students of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran from the fifth years were asked to answer a questionnaire during a time-tabled lecture slot. The chi-square test was used to compare the frequency of computer and internet use between the two genders, and the level of statistical significance for all test was set at 0.05., Results: All the students have a personal computer and internet access. There were no statistically significant differences between men and women for the computer and internet access, use wireless device to access internet, having laptop and e-mail address and the difficulties encountered using internet. The main reason for less utilization of internet was slow speed of data transfer., Conclusions: Because of the wide range of computer skills and internet information among medical students in our institution, a single computer and internet course for all students would not be useful nor would it be accepted.

Background: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are a diverse group of infections caused by widely differing microorganisms (viruses, protozoa, bacteria, yeasts, ectoparasites and even a nematode), with transmission from person to person by sexual contact as its common characteristic. In all societies, sexually transmitted infections rank among the most common infectious diseases. These patients are at risk for hepatitis B virus infection, but have been relatively neglected in terms of hepatitis B virus vaccination., Objectives: In this study, compliance with hepatitis B vaccination among adult males with sexually diseases was examined., Patients and Methods: In this survey, 114 males, referred to an infectious diseases clinic, were asked to complete a questionnaire evaluating their knowledge of hepatitis B vaccine, and were interviewed to assess their reasons for refusal or acceptance. Finally, SPSS (version 16) was used to perform the statistical analyses. Variables were analyzed with Chi-square tests., Results: The results of this study indicated that the overall hepatitis B vaccine acceptance rate was acceptably high. Among all, 53.5% correctly identified that a vaccine to prevent hepatitis B virus infection had been available, 15% had a negative opinion, and 31.5% were neutral. The rations of all three doses of vaccination were 69.3%., Conclusions: Among the respondents, 87% were currently married, 86.8% were currently employed, 17.5% have addiction, 34.2 % used condom, and 36.8% correctly identified hepatitis B as a sexually transmitted infection.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis may present with clinical presentation such as zosteriform, sporotrichoid and erysipeloid. The eczema variant has rarely been reported. We report a 27- year- old patient with atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis resembling eczema on the hand of a man in Yazd province in the central of Iran.

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a lifestyle-related disease. This disease is transmitted through unprotected sex, contaminated needles, infected blood transfusion and from mother to child during pregnancy and delivery. Prevention of infection with HIV, mainly through safe sex and needle exchange programmes is a solution to prevent the spread of the disease. Knowledge about HIV state helps to prevent and subsequently reduce the harm to the later generation. The purpose of this study was to assess the willingness rate of couples referred to the family regulation pre-marital counselling centre for performing HIV test before marriage in Yazd., Patients and Methods: In this descriptive study, a simple random sampling was done among people referred to Akbari clinic. The couples were 1000 men and 1000 women referred to the premarital counselling centre for pre-marital HIV testing in Yazd in the year 2012. They were in situations of pregnancy, delivery or nursing and milking. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software and chi-square statistical test., Results: There was a significant statistical difference between the age groups about willingness for HIV testing before marriage (P < 0.001) and also positive comments about HIV testing in asymptomatic individuals (P < 0.001). This study also proved a significant statistical difference between the two gender groups about willingness to marry after HIV positive test of their wives., Conclusion: The willingness rate of couples to undergo HIV testing before marriage was significant. Therefore, HIV testing before marriage as a routine test was suggested.

Background: Growth of drug resistance is related to number of microbial characteristics, selective pressure by antibiotic use and social and technical vicissitudes that enhance the transmission of antibiotic resistant organisms. The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial-resistance of Escherichia coli isolated from children in Shahid Sadoughi hospital of Yazd., Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, antimicrobial susceptibility to cefixime , cefotaxime , ceftazidime , ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem, cotrimoxazole and nalidixic acid was determined for 148 E. coli isolates obtained from patients less than 18 years of age (hospitalized and outpatient) in Shahid Sadoughi hospital of Yazd., Results: Ciprofloxacin was the most active antibacterial agent (78% susceptible), followed by gentamicin. High rates of resistance were observed for cefixime (57.9%) and cotrimoxazole. The results for ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, imipenem, cotrimoxazole and nalidixic acid were insignificant with P-value= 0.302, P-value= 0.550, P-value= 0.334, P-value= 0.084, P-value= 0.948, P-value= 0.686, P-value= 0.120 and P-value= 0.162, respectively. The results were significant for cefixime with P-value= 0.013., Conclusion: The investigation of antimicrobial susceptibility is essential, and will help to identify E. coli resistance to antimicrobial agents. It also helps to limit E. coli spread.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in certain areas of Iran, and in recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reports for rare and new forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis. We describe one unusual clinical form of cutaneous leishmaniasis. In a 27-year-old man, who noted a pimple on the upper eyelid 4 months before. The lesion was nodular and measured 1 cm × 1 cm in diameter. A diagnosis of eyelid cutaneous leishmaniasis was made, and treatment was started with intramuscular meglumine antimonate. He showed a dramatic response, and the lesion almost completely disappeared.