Prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 in patients with neuromyelitis optica in Isfahan, Iran, and a review on recent reports and literature.

Despite many studies, it is still unclear how patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) would respond to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a research on prevalence of COVID-19 in patients with NMOSD in Isfahan, Iran. We have also reviewed the recent publications on this issue.

Comparing the Clinical Characteristics, Laboratory Findings, and Outcomes between Epidemic and Episodic Methanol Poisoning Referrals; a Cross-sectional Study.

Introduction: Due to illegal manufacturing and sales of alcoholic beverages, epidemic outbreaks of methanol poisoning may occur. The aim of this study was to determine if there were differences in the severity, course of poisoning, and outcomes between methanol-poisoned patients admitted during an outbreak versus those who were admitted following episodic exposures.

Methods: The present retrospective study was performed in a single referral poisoning center between March 2018 and March 2019 in patients with confirmed methanol poisoning.

Relationship of anteroposterior position of maxillary central incisors with the forehead in an adult Iranian subpopulation: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the relationship of the anteroposterior position of maxillary central incisors with the forehead in an Iranian subpopulation residing in Kermanshah city.

Materials And Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 12 orthodontists were requested to analyse full-smile profile photographs with complete maxillary incisor and forehead show in 70 patients with optimal facial harmony (35 males and 35 females) as the control group and 140 patients without optimal facial harmony (70 males and 70 females) as the test group. The inclusion criteria were (I) males and females between 18-60 years seeking orthodontic treatment and (II) willingness for participation in the study.

Pathogenic role of the SP/ NK1R system in GBM cells through inhibiting the thioredoxin system.

Objectives: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly aggressive Grade IV brain tumor, is a significant public health issue due to its poor prognosis and incurability. Neuropeptide substance P (SP) plays a critical role in GBM tumor growth and development via activation of neurokinin-1receptor (NK1R). Moreover, SP is a pro-oxidant factor contributing to oxidative stress in various cell types.

Genetic diversity through social heterosis can increase virulence in RNA viral infections and cancer progression.

In viral infections and cancer tumours, negative health outcomes often correlate with increasing genetic diversity. Possible evolutionary processes for such relationships include mutant lineages escaping host control or diversity, , creating too many immune system targets. Another possibility is social heterosis where mutations and replicative errors create clonal lineages varying in intrinsic capability for successful dispersal; improved environmental buffering; resource extraction or effective defence against immune systems.

Hydrothermal synthesis of hydroxyapatite powders using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

Hydroxyapatite (HAp)-[Ca10 (PO4)6(OH) 2] has a similar chemical composition to bone material, making it the main mineral supplement in bone-making. Due to its high biocompatibility, hydroxyapatite is widely used in the repair of bone deficiencies and in the production of dental or orthopedic implants. In this research, hydroxyapatite nanopowder was synthesized using a hydrothermal technique.

Effect of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on adipokines: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Although a large body of literature reported the beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) consumption on adipokines levels, but recent findings from clinical trials are not univocal. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of omega-3 FAs supplements on adipokines.

Methods: We searched Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to August 2020 without any particular language limitations.

Robust Principal Component Thermography for Defect Detection in Composites.

Pulsed Thermography (PT) data are usually affected by noise and as such most of the research effort in the last few years has been directed towards the development of advanced signal processing methods to improve defect detection. Among the numerous techniques that have been proposed, principal component thermography (PCT)-based on principal component analysis (PCA)-is one of the most effective in terms of defect contrast enhancement and data compression. However, it is well-known that PCA can be significantly affected in the presence of corrupted data (e.

Programming Fluorogenic DNA Probes for Rapid Detection of Steroids.

The ability of aptamers to recognize a variety of different molecules has fueled their emergence as recognition agents to probe complex media and cells. Many detection strategies require aptamer binding to its target to result in a dramatic change in structure, typically from an unfolded to a folded state. Here, we report a strategy based on forced intercalation (FIT) that increases the scope of aptamer recognition by transducing subtle changes in aptamer structures into fluorescent readouts.

Effects of Sertraline on Spermatogenesis of Male Rats and its Reversibility after Terminating the Drug.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to studding the effects of Sertraline on spermatogenesis of male rats and whether these probable effects are constant or provisional after terminating the drug.

Materials And Methods: In this study, 32  two-month old male Wistar albino rats were equally divided into the Sertraline-treated and the control groups. The drug group was gavaged with Sertraline daily while the control group was gavaged with water at the same volume.

Is Serum TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 levels Correlated to Children with Autism Intensity?

Objective: Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a group of multifunctional growth factors, plays an important role in the neuron survival and neurodevelopmental functions. Some studies have evaluated the correlation between TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 abnormalities and autism spectrum disorders. In this study, we compared the TGF-β1 and TGF-β2 levels between autistic and intellectually normal individuals.

Autoimmune manifestations among 461 patients with monogenic inborn errors of immunity.

Background: The inborn errors of immunity (IEIs) are a group of heterogeneous disorders mainly characterized by severe and recurrent infections besides other complications including autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we aim to evaluate clinical, immunologic, and molecular data of monogenic IEI patients with and without autoimmune manifestations.

Methods: We have retrospectively screened cases of monogenic IEI in the Iranian PID registry for the occurrence of autoimmunity and immune dysregulation.

Nor-abietane Diterpenoids from Roots with Anti-inflammatory Potential.

Fractionation of an EtOAc extract of the roots of yielded 28 diterpenoids, including 12 new analogues, -. The structures of these diterpenoids were established using comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR, high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, electronic circular dichroism spectroscopy, and comparison with literature data. The extract and some of the tested compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory activity on J774A.

An analysis of variations in morphological characteristics, essential oil content, and genetic sequencing among and within major Iranian Juniper (Juniperus spp.) populations.

Junipers (Juniperus spp.) are important pharmaceutical plants, and they are commonly grown in the northern hemisphere because of the various medicinal properties attributed to the Juniperus genus. However, despite their pharmaceutical and also industrial importance, and despite plant diversity being a common topic of research among professional breeding programs, there is a relatively small body of work which focuses on diversity in juniper, and this is especially true of juniper species that are native to Iran.

Effect of Transdermal Estradiol and Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 on Bone Endpoints of Young Women With Anorexia Nervosa.

Context: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is prevalent in adolescent girls and is associated with bone impairment driven by hormonal alterations in nutritional deficiency.

Objective: To assess the impact of estrogen replacement with and without recombinant human insulin-like growth factor-1 (rhIGF-1) administration on bone outcomes.

Design: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled 12-month longitudinal study.

Chromone derivatives bearing pyridinium moiety as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease.

A new serise of 7-hydroxy-chromone derivatives bearing pyridine moiety were synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional agents against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most of the compounds were good AChE inhibitors (IC = 9.8-0.

Total Antioxidant Capacity, Catalase Activity and Salivary Oxidative Parameters in Patients with Temporomandibular Disorders.

Objectives: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are characterized by pain or discomfort in the temporomandibular joint, periauricular region, masticatory muscles, and neck on one or both sides. It may also be associated with joint sounds, restricted mandibular movements and mandibular deviation. Oxidative agents may have a deleterious role in the pathogenesis of joint diseases, and oxidative stress can lead to TMD.

Contribution of hsa-miR-146a and hsa-miR-223 gene variations in patients with multiple sclerosis reveals association of rs2910164 and rs1044165 with risk of multiple sclerosis susceptibility.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of non-coding RNAs that play a role in gene regulation. Due to their possible functional importance, genetic variants within miRNA genes have been recognized as candidate biomarkers. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNA genes can be related to the risk of different autoimmune diseases.

Xanthomicrol Exerts Antiangiogenic and Antitumor Effects in a Mouse Melanoma (B16F10) Allograft Model.

Xanthomicrol, a trimethoxylated hydroxyflavone, is the main active component of Boiss leaf extract. Preliminary in vitro studies identified this compound as a potential antiangiogenic and anticancer agent. This study aimed to evaluate in vivo anticancer effect of xanthomicrol and investigate its molecular mechanism of action in a mouse melanoma (B16F10) model.

Enrichment and Aggregation of Purple Non-sulfur Bacteria in a Mixed-Culture Sequencing-Batch Photobioreactor for Biological Nutrient Removal From Wastewater.

Mixed-culture biotechnologies are widely used to capture nutrients from wastewater. Purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB), a guild of anoxygenic photomixotrophic organisms, rise interest for their ability to directly assimilate nutrients in the biomass. One challenge targets the aggregation and accumulation of PNSB biomass to separate it from the treated water.

MicroRNA Regulation of Androgen Receptor in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Premises, Promises, and Potentials.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) is the most frequently used therapeutic strategy in PCa; however, the development of resistance to ADT, known as castration- resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), continues to be a major obstacle against the successful treatment of PCa. The abnormal activation of the androgen receptor (AR) signaling pathway has been found as one of the main contributing factors to the development of resistance in CRPC.