The effects of kefir drink on liver aminotransferases and metabolic indicators in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Background And Aim: Probiotics play an important role in the control and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Kefir drink is a fermented beverage and has indicated some beneficial health effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of kefir drink on liver aminotransferases, anthropometric indices, glycemic index, lipid profile, blood pressure (BP), high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and malondialdehyde in patients with NAFLD.

Revisiting the Normal Ranges of Aortic Valve Area in 2D Echocardiography and Its Association With Age, Sex, and Anthropometric Characteristics.

Purpose: Defining normative aortic echocardiographic values in each geographical district is crucial as aortic valve area (AVA) may vary across races, genders, and ages. Notably, variations in normal values can have implications for clinical decision-making, and available data on the Middle East population is also scarce. We sought to establish normal ranges for aortic valve echocardiographic parameters in the Iranian population and assess the effect of age, gender, weight, height, BMI, BSA, and blood pressure on them.

Gamification and Serious Games in Orthopedic Education: A Systematic Review.

Gamification and serious games have successfully been used in surgical specialties to improve technical skills related to systematic procedures. However, the use of gamified education material has remained limited in orthopedic residency training. The objective of this systematic review is to summarize the current use, development, and future directions of gamification for developing orthopedic skills.

Factors affecting the survival of prediabetic patients: comparison of Cox proportional hazards model and random survival forest method.

Background: The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults is experiencing a rapid increase. This study aimed to identify the factors affecting the survival of prediabetic patients using a comparison of the Cox proportional hazards model (CPH) and the Random survival forest (RSF).

Method: This prospective cohort study was performed on 746 prediabetics in southwest Iran.

Revisiting Echocardiographic Ranges of Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Volume Index: An Analysis of the Discrepancies Between the 2006 and the 2015 Recommendation for Chamber Quantification Guidelines.

Background: Indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDVi) is a left ventricle (LV) size marker. The "Recommendations for Chamber Quantification" guideline was published in 2006 and updated in 2015. Although the previous guideline maintained uniform cutoff points for both men and women, the latest revision introduced new thresholds that vary between genders.

Chemical composition of essential and fixed oils of Tagetes erecta fruits (Iran) and their implications in inhibition of cancer signaling.

The current research was conducted to explore, for the first time, Tagetes erecta L. (family Asteraceae) fruits from northwest Iran in terms of the chemical composition of essential and fixed oils, their cytotoxic activities, and the inhibitory effect of essential oil on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. The volatile oil was obtained through hydrodistillation (Clevenger apparatus).

Vahl. Leaves: Determination of Total Phenolic and Sennoside Contents of Different Fractions in Comparison with Their α- Glucosidase and Tyrosinase Inhibitory Effects.

Background: Vahl. () is a medicinal plant containing anthraquinone compounds such as sennoside. is primarily valued for its laxative properties.

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of against bile duct ligation-induced cholestasis.

Background And Purpose: Cholestasis is caused by a malfunction of the biliary liver system. Oxidative stress plays an essential role in the progression of cholestasis. This study aimed to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of (JE) fruits on hepatic impairment induced by bile duct ligation (BDL) in rats.

The association between diet quality indices and oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers and healthy active controls.

Objective: The aim of the present study was the association between the relationship between Dietary Quality Index-International (DQI-I) and Healthy Eating Index (HEI) and the urinary levels of F-isoprostane (F-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) was investigated as indicators of oxidative stress.

Results: Based on HEI (low, moderate, and good), the diet quality of both groups was classified as moderate. In all participants, HEI (β=-0.

MicroRNAs targeted mTOR as therapeutic agents to improve radiotherapy outcome.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate genes and are involved in various biological processes, including cancer development. Researchers have been exploring the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic agents in cancer treatment. Specifically, targeting the mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway with miRNAs has shown promise in improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT), a common cancer treatment.

Modelling and optimising the performance of graphene oxide-CuSnS-polyaniline nanocomposite as an adsorbent for mercury ion removal.

Finding a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly technique for the removal of mercury ion (Hg) in water and wastewater can be a challenging task. This paper presents a novel and efficient adsorbent known as the graphene oxide-CuSnS-polyaniline (GO-CTS-PANI) nanocomposite, which was synthesised and utilised to eliminate Hg from water samples. The soft-soft interaction between Hg and sulphur atoms besides chelating interaction between -N and Hg is the main mechanism for Hg adsorption onto the GO-CTS-PANI adsorbent.

Establishing research impact assessment in Iran: The first report from a non-high-income country.

Background: This study presents the first report on research impact assessment (RIA) in non-high-income countries, undertaken as a pilot initiative in 2021. Within it, we aimed to explore the feasibility of employing the 'payback' model for evaluating the impact of health research and enhancing the accountability of universities. We focussed on three key impact domains: 'production of decision support documents and knowledge-based products,' 'implementation of research results,' and 'health and economic impact.

The effects of powdered drinks enriched with curcumin and probiotics on lipid profile and atherogenic indices in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Cardiovascular disease is prevalent globally and is the most common complication of metabolic syndrome (MetS). Previous studies have suggested that curcumin and probiotics may improve the lipid profile, so we aimed to investigate the effects of the edible powder enriched with these substances on lipid profile level and atherogenic indices such as Atherogenic Coefficient (AC), Castelli Risk Index-I (CRI-I), Castelli Risk Index-II (CRI-II), and Atherogenic Index of Plasma (AIP). In the present parallel randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled clinical trial, 124 people with MetS with overweight or obesity were randomly allocated to 4 groups and were followed up for 8 weeks.

Effect of a plant-based diet on oxidative stress biomarkers in male footballers.

Proper nutrition plays a vital role in modulating oxidative status. There is an increasing popularity of plant-based dietary patterns among athletes. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the plant-based diet index (PDI) score among male footballers and their non-athlete controls, as well as its relationship with oxidative biomarkers by evaluating the urinary excretion of F-isoprostane (F-IP) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG).

Prevalence and factors associated with inter-arm systolic and diastolic blood pressure differences: results from the baseline Fasa Adult's Cohort Study (FACS).

Background: One of the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is the inter-arm blood pressure difference (IAD), which can be easily measured. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors related to the Iranian population's inter-arm differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on the baseline data of participants who had Iranian nationality, were at least 1 year of residence in the area, aged within the age range of 35-70 years, and willed to participate from the Fasa Persian Adult Cohort Study (FACS).

The impact of an ultrasonic standing wave on the sorption behavior of proteins: Investigation of the role of acoustically induced non-spherical bubble oscillations.

Hypothesis: Protein molecules adsorb on the air/liquid interface due to possessing a hydrophobic side. A full surface coverage is important in many processes such as in protein harvesting by foam fractionation. The adsorption of proteins in low concentration solutions is preceded by a relatively long time lag known as the induction period.

Diagnostic value of [ 68 Ga]Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT in malignant melanoma: a pilot study.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of [ 68 Ga] Ga-Pentixafor in malignant melanoma patients.

Methods: In this prospective study, patients with histology-proven melanoma were included and underwent [ 18 F]fluoro-D-glucose ([ 18 F]FDG) and [ 68 Ga] Ga-Pentixafor PET/computed tomography (CT) within a week. Suspicious lesions were interpreted as benign vs.

The FEDBD plasma's quantitative investigation of skin parameters: Skin elasticity, thickness, density, tissue oxygenation, perfusion, and edema.

This study used the FEDBD plasma device for skin rejuvenation in animal samples. There were two groups of six male Wistar rats. Before starting the treatment, immediately after the treatment, the fourth week, and the tenth week of follow-up, biometric tests were performed, including moisture level, evaporation from the skin surface, erythema and melanin, skin elasticity and firmness with an MPA9 device and cutometer.

Effects of L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) increases with age. Considering that BPH drug treatment is associated with complications, this study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation as an adjunct therapy to finasteride in the management of LUTS in older men affected with BPH. Fifty eligible volunteers (25 per group) were randomly assigned to either intervention (finasteride + LC and CoQ10 supplements) or control (finasteride + placebo) groups.

Congenital tunnel-shaped ventricular septal defect.

We report a 47-year-old man who presented with right-sided heart failure. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a tunnel-shaped communication (ventricular septal defect) between the left ventricle and the right ventricle with a significant left-to-right shunt. The VSD is connected to the lateral wall of the right ventricle by a large tunnel.

Severity of oxidative stress as a hallmark in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: Understanding the mechanisms and identifying effective treatments for the COVID-19 outbreak are imperative. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the antioxidant status and oxidative stress parameters as potential pivotal mechanisms in asymptomatic, non-severe, and severe COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This study is a case-control study that was performed on patients referred to the Persian Gulf Martyrs Hospital of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran, from May 2021 to September 2021.