Ephrin-A1 and the sheddase ADAM12 are upregulated in COVID-19.

More than 3.5 million people have died globally from COVID-19, yet an effective therapy is not available. It is, therefore, important to understand the signaling pathways that mediate disease progression in order to identify new molecular targets for therapeutic development.

Ultrarapid Mutation Screening Followed by Comprehensive Next-Generation Sequencing: A Feasible, Informative Approach for Lung Carcinoma Cytology Specimens With a High Success Rate.

Introduction: For patients with advanced NSCLC, cytologic samples may be the only diagnostic specimen available for molecular profiling. Although both rapid and comprehensive assessment are essential in this setting, an integrated multitest approach remains an important strategy in many laboratories, despite the risks and challenges when working with scant samples. In this study, we describe our experience and high success rate in using a multitest approach, focusing on the clinical validation and incorporation of ultrarapid testing using the Idylla system followed by comprehensive next-generation sequencing (NGS).

A Comprehensive, Epidemiological and Ecological Descriptive Study on Vitamin D Status in Iran (308005 People, from 2009-2018).

Background: Vitamin D is an essential substance for absorption of calcium and phosphorus from intestine so it is vital for muscles and skeletal development. Deficiency of this vitamin is pandemic. The vitamin D status depends on the different factors such as UV exposure, diet, and ecological features of living location, age and gender.

Major Discrepancies of HCV Viral Loads Determined by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Caused by Use of Collection Tubes that Differ Only with the Presence or Absence of Serum Separator.

Background: For viral load (VL) analysis of hepatitis C virus (HCV) by Real Time PCR, approved collection tubes were lavender top (LTT) and plasma processing (PPT) tubes, that differ in that PPTs include plasma separator. Using a Real Time PCR method, we investigated how the results correlated for the two tube types.

Methods: The plasma fractions of blood samples from each of 202 patients were collected in LTT and PPT tubes at the same time and were assayed for HCV VL by the Abbott m2000 Real Time PCR System; the results were analyzed statistically.

Do Serum Creatinine Levels Show Clinically Significant Fluctuations on Serial Determinations on the Siemens Advia 1800 Analyzer?

Background: The goal of this work was to determine whether there are clinically significant fluctuations in the level of serum creatinine on serial determinations, especially in the borderline range (1.1-1.3 mg/dl), after specimen storage.

Overexpression of signal transducers and activators of transcription in embryos derived from vitrified oocytes negatively affect E-cadherin expression and embryo development.

Vitrification apart from all drawbacks on oocyte ultra-structure can affect the oocyte mRNA content. Among those evaluated transcripts, no data is available regarding the effect of vitrification on signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) expression in oocytes and the resulting preimplantation embryos. Considering the bidirectional relationship between E-cadherin (CDH1) and STAT3 and the adverse effect of cryopreservation on adherent junctions, we aimed to ascertain to what extent STAT3 and CDH1 genes expression is affected by vitrification in oocytes and the resulting embryos.

A randomized clinical trial on comparison of corticosteroid injection with or without splinting versus saline injection with or without splinting in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Background: Lateral epicondylitis is a common problem affecting 1-3% of the population. There has been much debate about the best treatment modality for this condition. There is, however, no conclusive evidence in support of any of the proposed treatment modalities.

Development of liposomes loaded with anti-leishmanial drugs for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is caused by different species of Leishmania parasites and its available treatments have not yet provided a strong consistent result. The weak response of current chemotherapeutics is due to their deficient effects on stealth parasites inside macrophages, rapid clearance from the site of action and systemic side effects in high doses. Liposomal formulation of anti-leishmanial drugs could overcome these problems.

Results of a unilateral lip lift for correction of a vertical disproportion in upper lip vascular anomalies.

Congenital vascular anomalies most notably hemangiomas involving the lips, especially those which fail to regress, pose a difficult problem both for the surgeon and the patient. These lesions not only discolour the skin but may also distort the shape of the lip. When nonsurgical modalities fail to treat these lesions, surgery is chosen as the next viable step.

Adenoviral gene therapy in gastric cancer: a review.

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide. With current therapeutic approaches the prognosis of gastric cancer is very poor, as gastric cancer accounts for the second most common cause of death in cancer related deaths. Gastric cancer like almost all other cancers has a molecular genetic basis which relies on disruption in normal cellular regulatory mechanisms regarding cell growth, apoptosis and cell division.

The use of oral cyclophosphamide with dexamethasone pulse therapy in the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris.

Background: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a severe acquired autoimmune disease. During the past 15 years we used dexamethasone pulse therapy (DP) and oral cyclophosphamide for treatment of our patients with PV.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and side effects of this treatment.