A randomized clinical trial evaluating Hydralazine's efficacy in early-stage Alzheimer's disease: The EHSAN Study.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder escalating worldwide, remains incurable with existing interventions merely mitigating symptoms. Hydralazine, an antihypertensive agent, has displayed neuroprotective potential in AD animal models via amplification of mitochondrial functionality and stimulation of stress management and repair pathways. Nevertheless, its effectiveness and tolerability in human AD cohorts are yet to be confirmed.

The Role of Genomics and Proteomics in Lung Cancer Early Detection and Treatment.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) being the primary type. Unfortunately, it is often diagnosed at advanced stages, when therapy leaves patients with a dismal prognosis. Despite the advances in genomics and proteomics in the past decade, leading to progress in developing tools for early diagnosis, targeted therapies have shown promising results; however, the 5-year survival of NSCLC patients is only about 15%.

A novel role for aspirin in enhancing the reprogramming function of miR-302/367 cluster and breast tumor suppression.

Recent studies have provided evidence for tumor suppressive function of the embryonic stem cell-specific miR-302/367 cluster through induction of a reprogramming process. Aspirin has been found to induce reprogramming factors of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in breast cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether overexpression of miR-302/367 cluster and aspirin treatment cooperate in the induction of reprogramming and tumor suppression in breast cancer cells.

The Role of and Polymorphisms in Fluoropyrimidine-Based Cancer Chemotherapy in an Iranian Population.

Background: The fluoropyrimidine drug 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) and the prodrug capecitabine have been extensively used for treatment of many types of cancer including colorectal, gastric, head and neck. Approximately, 10 to 25% of patients suffer from severe fluoropyrimidine-induced toxicity. This may lead to dose reduction and treatment discontinuation.

The Frequency and Importance of Common α-globin Gene Deletions Among β-Thalassemia Carriers in an Iranian Population.

[This retracts the article on p. 196 in vol. 9, PMID: 29090069.

The Frequency and Importance of Common α-globin Gene Deletions Among β-Thalassemia Carriers in an Iranian Population.

Background: β-thalassemia is the most common monogenic disorder in Iran, and one of the challenges in the screening of the carriers is the coinheritance of α-thalassemia mutations. In the view of high prevalence of α-thalassemia mutations in many parts of the country, the aim of this study was to determine the carrier frequency of common alpha deletions, as a secondary modifier in clinical manifestations of beta thalassemia, in known beta-thalassemia carriers and some hematology parameter changes.

Methods: The study included families referred from different primary health care centers with microcytic hypochromic anemia [MCV<80fl; MCH<27 ] and A2>3.

Relationship between Bone Density and Biochemical Markers of Bone among Two Groups Taking Carbamazepine and Sodium Valproate for Epilepsy in Comparison with Healthy Individuals in Yazd.

Introduction: Chronic antiepileptic therapy has been associated with metabolic bone diseases including osteomalacia and osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to determine frequency of changes in biochemical and bone mineral density (BMD) in adults receiving valproaic acid (VPA) & carbamazepine (CBZ).

Methods: In a cross sectional study evaluating adults (age 20-50 y) epileptic patients receiving valproic acid or carbamazepine for at least 2 years.

Evaluation of interleukin 12 and CD56+ lymphocyte cells in pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for early diagnosis of acute graft versus host disease.

The present study tried to explain CD56+ lymphocyte cells activities and possible prognostic role of these cells in Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD). The role of IL-12 activation and function is of interest in this study. Peripheral blood samples of 51 Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) recipients collected at before (day -8) and after (days 7 and 14).

Online Social Support for Patients with Multiple Sclerosis: A Thematic Analysis of Messages Posted to a Virtual Support Community.

Background: Currently with the emergence of the Internet, patients have an opportunity to exchange social support online. However, little attention has been devoted to different dimensions of online social support exchanged in virtual support communities for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: To provide a rich insight, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore and categorize different dimensions of online social support in messages exchanged in a virtual support community for patients with MS.

Effect of Chronic Restraint Stress on HPA Axis Activity and Expression of BDNF and Trkb in the Hippocampus of Pregnant Rats: Possible Contribution in Depression during Pregnancy and Postpartum Period.

Introduction: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and its receptor, TrkB, in the hippocampus are targets for adverse effects of stress paradigms; in addition, BDNF and its receptor play key role in the pathology of brain diseases like depression. In the present study, we evaluated the possible role of hippocampal BDNF in depression during pregnancy.

Methods: To achieve the purpose, repeated restrain stress (1 or 3 hours daily for 7 days) during the last week of pregnancy was used and alteration in the gene expression of hippocampal BDNF and TrkB evaluated by semi-quantitative PCR.

Antioxidant and apoptotic effects of an aqueous extract of Urtica dioica on the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line.

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer and one of the leading causes of death among women in the world. Plants and herbs may play an important role in complementary or alternative treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative potential of Urtica dioica.

Association study of the TNF-α -1031T/C and VEGF +450G/C polymorphisms with susceptibility to endometriosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, have been investigated in endometriosis patients of different populations. This study was carried out to investigate whether the two polymorphisms, TNF-α -1031T/C and VEGF +450G/C are associated with susceptibility to endometriosis in an Iranian population. Totally, 135 women with diagnosis of endometriosis and 173 women with no evidence of the disease were included in this study.

Short exposure to collagenase and coculture with mouse embryonic pancreas improve human dermal fibroblast culture.

The dermal fibroblast as a major component of connective tissue has attracted much attention in the past few years, and application of these very fast growing cells in several fields has been intensively studied. Isolating dermal fibroblasts is an appropriate way to expand these fast growing cells in vitro. Although using a dissociated fibroblast culture method is more convenient than skin explant culture, its enzymatic digestion is critical because a large number of cells can be lost over prolonged exposure to collagenase.

Non-Invasive Detection of Esophageal Cancer using Genetic Changes in Circulating Cell-Free DNA.

Cell free DNA (cfDNA) is a genetic biomarker that is present in serum or plasma in high concentration in many types of cancer. Identification of circulating cancer related DNA molecules in serum or plasma is a non-invasive tool for early diagnosis and prognosis in many cancer patients. For this review, study selection and data extraction were performed by the authors.

Prostaglandin E2 induces growth inhibition, apoptosis and differentiation in T and B cell-derived acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines (CCRF-CEM and Nalm-6).

Despite advances in the treatment of ALL, in most patients long-term survival rates remain unsatisfactory. The objective of the present study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in two different ALL cell lines (CCRF-CEM (T-ALL) and Nalm-6 (B-ALL)). The anti-leukemic effects of PGE2 were also compared with two epigenetic compounds (trichostatin A and 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine).

Evaluation of the relationship between endometriosis and omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Background: Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammation causing major problems including infertility. The role of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as their potential anti-inflammatory effects in endometriosis needs to be further explored. The objective of this study was to compare serum phospholipid fatty acid profile in endometriosis patients with controls, and to explore the correlation of this profile with the severity of the disease.

Occupational hazards to dental staff.

Dental professionals are predisposed to a number of occupational hazards. These include exposure to infections (including Human Immunodeficiency Virus and viral hepatitis); percutaneous exposure incidents, dental materials, radiation, and noise; musculoskeletal disorders; psychological problems and dermatitis; respiratory disorders; and eye insults. Percutaneous exposure incidents remain a main concern, as exposure to serious infectious agents is a virtual risk.

Bryostatin-1, Fenretinide and 1α,25 (OH)(2)D(3) Induce Growth Inhibition, Apoptosis and Differentiation in T and B Cell-Derived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cell Lines (CCRF-CEM and Nalm-6).

In many acute leukemias, normal differentiation does not occur. However, in many cell lines derived from hematologic malignancies, differentiation or apoptosis can be induced by variety of agents. Despite advances in the treatment of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), in most patients long-term survival rates remain unsatisfactory, especially in T-cell derived ALL.

Stress-induced proteomic changes in the hippocampus of pregnant wistar rats.

Stress is a threatening factor that all living organisms encounter throughout life. Depending on the type of stress, there are several mechanisms for keeping body homeostasis to minimize stress effects. Brain is an organ which shows high sensitivity to stress conditions.