Computed Tomography Scan and Clinical-based Complete Response Prediction in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer after Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy: A Machine Learning Approach.

Background: Treatment of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) involves neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT), followed by total mesorectal excision. Examining the response to treatment is one of the most important factors in the follow-up of patients; therefore, in this study, radiomics patterns derived from pretreatment computed tomography images in rectal cancer and its relationship with treatment response measurement criteria have been investigated.

Methods: Fifty patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who were candidates for nCRT and surgery were included.

Ameliorative effect of Melatonin on 5-Fluorouracil-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) is an antimetabolite chemotherapeutic agent that can cause oxidative stress and complications in normal organs, including the reproductive system. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of melatonin (MEL) on 5-FU-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats. Male Wistar rats weighing 180 ± 20 g were divided into five groups: control, 5-FU (50 mg/kg), 5-FU + MEL (2.

Unveiling the Antibacterial Properties of Statins: An Study on .

Background: (), a widespread bacterial pathogen, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including gastric cancer. Statins, widely prescribed cholesterol-lowering agents, have demonstrated pleiotropic effects, including potential antimicrobial properties. This study investigated the direct antibacterial effects of three clinically approved statins, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and rosuvastatin, against isolates.

Exosomes, and the potential for exosome-based interventions against COVID-19.

Since late 2019, the world has been devastated by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), with more than 760 million people affected and ∼seven million deaths reported. Although effective treatments for COVID-19 are currently limited, there has been a strong focus on developing new therapeutic approaches to address the morbidity and mortality linked to this disease. An approach that is currently being investigated is the use of exosome-based therapies.

Distal Forearm Arteriovenous Fistula Maturation in Diabetic Hemodialysis Patients.

Purpose: Atherosclerotic disease of the forearm arteries can impede the maturation of distal fistulas in diabetic patients. The goal of this study was to look at the maturity of diabetic hemodialysis patients' distal forearm (radiocephalic snuffbox or distal forearm) arteriovenous fistulas.

Materials And Methods: Patients with chronic renal failure who were candidates for distal forearm radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula implantation were evaluated in this cross-sectional study.

Protective effect of thymoquinone nanoemulsion in reducing the cardiotoxic effect of 5-fluorouracil in rats.

5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is one of the most widely used chemotherapy drugs, has various side effects on the heart. Thymoquinone (TMQ), the main bioactive component of Nigella sativa, has antioxidant and protective effects against toxicity. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of thymoquinone against cardiotoxicity caused by 5-FU in vitro and in vivo models.

Kaempferol alleviates bisphenol A reproductive toxicity in rats in a dose-dependent manner.

Background: Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), are a major cause of male infertility by disrupting spermatogenesis.

Objective: Here, we examined the potential protective benefits of kaempferol (KMF), a flavonol known for its antioxidant properties, on BPA-induced reproductive toxicity in adult male rats.

Methods: Human skin fibroblast cells (HNFF-P18) underwent cell viability assays.

The effect of melatonin on capecitabine-induced hepatic and renal toxicity in rats.

Background: Capecitabine (CAPE), an antimetabolite chemotherapy, can induce hepatic and renal toxicity. Melatonin (MEL), a neurohormone, possesses antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the impact of MEL on capecitabine-induced hepatic and renal toxicity.

Therapeutic benefit of melatonin in 5-fluorouracil-induced renal and hepatic injury.

Nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity include increased oxidative stress and apoptosis; as a result, liver and kidney damage are related to its pathogenesis. These are significant side effects caused in cancer patients treated with 5-FU. In the research, 25 rats were divided into five groups, including control, 5-FU and 5-FU + 2.

An Update on Betrixaban, The Challenging Anticoagulant Agent for Extended Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a prevalent yet preventable cause of death, particularly among hospitalized patients. Studies have shown that the risk of VTE remains high for up to 6 months after discharge, highlighting the need for extended thromboprophylaxis as a viable treatment approach. Despite the availability of several anticoagulant drugs such as vitamin K antagonists, heparinoids, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, and dabigatran, none of them has received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for long-term thromboprophylaxis.

Comparison of Aripiprazole and Risperidone effectiveness in treating obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients with bipolar disorder: Double-blind, randomized clinical trial.

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a mental illness with a chronic coarse and waxing and waning of symptoms. Treatment of OCD in patients with bipolar disorder (BD) remains challenging.

Objectives: The present study aims to compare the safety and effectiveness of Risperidone and Aripiprazole as adjunctive therapy with valproate sodium, in treating mania, depression, and OCD in patients with comorbidity of OCD-BD.

Efficacy of sesame oil versus placebo in the management of acute radiation-induced dermatitis in breast cancer patients: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.

Aim: Considering the anti-inflammatory and positive effects of sesame oil in treating skin diseases, the present research aimed to study its therapeutic effects on acute radiotherapy dermatitis in such patients.

Methods: Forty women with breast cancer during radiotherapy (for 5 weeks) were randomly grouped into two categories: sesame oil (20 patients) and placebo (20 patients). After each radiotherapy session, they were asked to use 3cc of the ointment on the treating field and continue the treatment until the end.

Fabrication of an ultra-sensitive electrochemical DNA biosensor based on CT-DNA/NiFeONPs/Au/CPE for detecting rizatriptan benzoate.

A novel and first electrochemical biosensor based on Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as a biological component to measure an antimigraine drug, rizatriptan benzoate (RZB) for patients under treatment in biological samples was developed. A carbon paste electrode (CPE) was modified by calf thymus (CT) double-stranded (ds)-DNA, nickel ferrite magnetic nanoparticles (NiFeONPs), and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The morphology of the CT-DNA/NiFeONPs/AuNPs/CPE was characterized by Field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM).

Design, synthesis, in vitro anti-α-glucosidase evaluations, and computational studies of new phthalimide-phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenyl (or benzyl) acetamides as potential anti-diabetic agents.

An important target in the treatment of type 2 diabetes is α-glucosidase. Inhibition of this enzyme led to delay in glucose absorption and decrease in postprandial hyperglycemia. A new series of phthalimide-phenoxy-1,2,3-triazole-N-phenyl (or benzyl) acetamides 11a-n were designed based on the reported potent α-glucosidase inhibitors.

Thymoquinone protects against 5-Fluorouracil-induced mucositis by NF-κβ and HIF-1 mechanisms in mice.

Mucositis is among the most common side effects of 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and other cancer therapeutic drugs. Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent extracted from Nigella sativa, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can modify acute gastrointestinal injury. To investigate the effects of TQ on mucositis induced by 5-FU, studied animals were divided into four groups: control, 5-FU unit dose (300 mg/kg) to cause oral and intestinal mucositis (OM and IM), TQ (2.

Interaction of quercetin and 5-fluorouracil: cellular and pharmacokinetic study.

5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent, and its uncontrolled blood levels contribute to toxicity. Quercetin, as an important flavonoid, has many biological effects, including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory features. The current study investigated the synergistic effect between 5-FU and quercetin using HT-29 cell line and fibroblast cells.

Virtual screening reveals aprepitant to be a potent inhibitor of neutral sphingomyelinase 2: implications in blockade of exosome release in cancer therapy.

Purpose: Exosomes are membrane-derived nano-vesicles upregulated in pathological conditions like cancer. Therefore, inhibiting their release is a potential strategy for the development of more efficient combination therapies. Neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) is a key component in exosome release; however, a clinically safe yet efficient nSMase2 inhibitor remains to be used discovered.

N-Acetylcysteine attenuated pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin immunomodulation responses.

Background And Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic and life-threatening interstitial lung disease. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an antioxidant pharmaceutically available to reduce endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis, however, the therapeutic effect of NAC on PF has not been clearly identified. This research aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic impact of NAC on PF induced by bleomycin in the rat model.

Effect of thymoquinone on pharmacokinetics of 5-fluorouracil in rats and its effect on human cell line .

Thymoquinone (TQ) is one of the components extracted from seeds and has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. We evaluated the effect of TQ on 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) pharmacokinetics (PK) and on human colorectal cancer cell line. Ten Adult male Wistar rats were assigned to two groups.

Drug interactions in elderly (Amirkola Health and Ageing Project).

Background: Due to physiological changes and co-existing chronic diseases, the elderly has to take various drugs with different mechanisms that may increase the risk of drug interactions and side effects of medications. This study was performed to evaluate the profile of drug interactions of Amirkola elderly patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study is part of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) which was done during 2012-2013 (Amirkola, Babol, Iran).

Effect of Ketorolac on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of 5-Fluorouracil: In Vivo and In Vitro Study.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of ketorolac on the pharmacokinetics of 5-FU and its effect on the efficacy of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on the HT-29 cell line.

Methods: Cell culture: the HT-29 cell line was treated with different concentrations of 5-FU, ketorolac, and combination of 5-FU and ketorolac for 24 and 48 hours. The cell viability (%) was calculated by the MTT assay.

Galangin Nanoparticles Protect Acetaminophen-Induced Liver Injury: A Biochemical and Histopathological Approach.

One of the main causes of acute liver failure is overdose with acetaminophen. Excessive consumption of acetaminophen leads to the production of NAPQI (N-acetyl-p-benzoquinone imine) through the activity of the enzyme cytochrome c oxidase. For this purpose, the effect of galangin nanoparticles with antioxidant activities will be evaluated for the treatment of acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity.

Effect of L. aqueous extract in maternal reproductive outcome, some serum indices and fetal anomaly frequency in rat.

Background: was used traditionally as laxative in pregnant women. Nevertheless, its fetal and maternal effects in pregnancy have not been studied yet.

Methods: Oral (Lethal Dose, 50%) LD50 was determined in mice.

Ophthalmological aspects of mustard gas poisoning (focus on management).

Background: Amongst the chemical warfare agents, blistering (vesicant) agents can be significant materials. The most important agent in this group is sulfur mustard (mustard gas) which is known as "King of chemical warfare (CW) agents ". Exposure to this agent, seriously causes damages in several organs, such as the eyes.