Efficiency of multivariate tests in trials in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Measuring disease progression in clinical trials for testing novel treatments for multifaceted diseases as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), remains challenging. In this study we assess a range of statistical approaches to compare outcomes as measured by the items of the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale (PSPRS). We consider several statistical approaches, including sum scores, a modified PSPRS rating scale that had been recommended by FDA in a pre-IND meeting, multivariate tests, and analysis approaches based on multiple comparisons of the individual items.

Quantitative Comparisons of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Rating Scale Versions Using Item Response Theory.

Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative, late-onset disease that is challenging in terms of assessment. The Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Rating Scale (PSPRS), a 28-item clinician-reported scale, is the most established clinical outcome assessment method. Recently, the U.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis among the butchers of Tabriz city, the northwest of Iran: a case control study.

Introduction: Occupation plays an important role in the spread of infectious diseases in humans. Toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis are world-wide diseases with different routes of transmission. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of toxoplasmosis and hydatidosis and risk factors associated with these diseases among the butchers of Tabriz City, the northwest of Iran.

Cytotoxic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Curcumin and Chitosan on Experimental Toxoplasmosis.

Background: is a pathogenic parasite with worldwide distribution. We investigated curcumin and chitosan in combination on the viability of tachyzoites in silico, in vitro and in vivo.

Methods: A 3D model was employed in Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran in 2021 to study the interaction between curcumin and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).

Seroprevalence of sp. and Infections in Rural and Urban Inhabitants of Jolfa County, Northwest Iran.

Fascioliasis and toxoplasmosis are the two important zoonotic diseases that are endemic in Iran and share some common transmission routes. The present study is aimed at determining the seroprevalence of human fascioliasis and toxoplasmosis in rural and urban areas of Jolfa County, Northwest Iran. In a cross-sectional study, 600 human sera were collected randomly from humans living in Jolfa County including three cities and 13 villages from 2017 to 2018.

Evaluation of In Vitro Cytotoxic and Apoptotic Effects of Miltefosine on the RH Strain.

Background: We aimed to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of miltefosine on RH strain by various techniques.

Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2020. Four groups of five BALB/c mice were selected.

CytoLyt fixation impedes insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) immunoreactivity compared to formalin fixation.

Introduction: Insulinoma-associated protein 1 (INSM1) is an immunohistochemical marker commonly used to confirm cytomorphological concordant neuroendocrine tumors/carcinomas (NETs/NECs), demonstrating high utility in small samples. Previous reports have suggested comparable INSM1 staining in CytoLyt-fixed cell blocks and formalin-fixed surgical pathology specimens. This study aimed to assess INSM1 immunoreactivity using both fixation methods and investigate potential factors contributing to its variable expression.

Anti-Leishmania major activity of Calotropis procera extract by increasing ROS production and upregulating TNF-α, IFN-γ and iNOS mRNA expression under in vitro conditions.

Background: Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, is a neglected tropical disease with 700,000 to 1,000,000 global new cases annually. Adverse effects associated with expense, long-term treatment and drug resistance have made conventional therapies unfavorable, encouraging the search for alternative drugs based on plant products. In this study, the effect of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) extract against viability of promastigotes and amastigotes of Leishmania major was evaluated in vitro.

Prevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among women with miscarriage and their aborted fetuses in the northwest of Iran.

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease of various animals and human and results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Abortion and congenital defects are important consequences of the T. gondii infection.

In vitro and in silico scolicidal effect of sanguinarine on the hydatid cyst protoscoleces.

We aimed to investigate the scolicidal effects of sanguinarine on hydatid cyst protoscoleces (PSCs) in vitro and in silico. Different targets were docked into the active sites of sanguinarine. Molecular docking processes and visualization of interactions were performed using AutoDock Vina and Discovery Studio Visualizer.

Discrimination between Gaussian process models: active learning and static constructions.

The paper covers the design and analysis of experiments to discriminate between two Gaussian process models with different covariance kernels, such as those widely used in computer experiments, kriging, sensor location and machine learning. Two frameworks are considered. First, we study sequential constructions, where successive design (observation) points are selected, either as additional points to an existing design or from the beginning of observation.

The Iranian blood pressure measurement campaign, 2019: study protocol and preliminary results.

Purpose: Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for premature mortality and morbidity in Iran. The objective of the Iranian blood pressure (BP) measurement campaign was to identify individuals with raised blood pressure and providing appropriate care and increase the awareness among the public and policymakers of the importance of tackling hypertension.

Methods: The campaign was conducted in two phases.

Landscape of chromatin remodeling gene alterations in endometrial carcinoma.

Objective: Chromatin remodeling genes (CRGs) encode components of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms and alterations in these genes have been identified in several tumor types, including gynecologic cancers. In this study, we sought to investigate the prevalence and clinicopathological associations of CRG alterations in endometrial carcinoma (EC).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of 660 ECs sequenced using a clinical massively parallel sequencing assay targeting up to 468 genes, including 25 CRGs, and defined the presence of somatic CRG alterations.

Impact of the Error Structure on the Design and Analysis of Enzyme Kinetic Models.

The statistical analysis of enzyme kinetic reactions usually involves models of the response functions which are well defined on the basis of Michaelis-Menten type equations. The error structure, however, is often without good reason assumed as additive Gaussian noise. This simple assumption may lead to undesired properties of the analysis, particularly when simulations are involved and consequently negative simulated reaction rates may occur.

Policy Implications for Diabetes Prevention and Control: An Experience from Iran.

Diabetes and its complications threaten the life of communities at global, national, and sub-national levels. Following the United Nations' call to action and develop a global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs by The World Health Organization (WHO), all countries have a commitment to halt the rise in diabetes prevalence across the world. But the different situations of disease and risk factors, different priorities, and the context of the health care systems moved the countries to develop adapted targets and action plans.

The Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Non-Communicable Disease Prevention and Management Services in the Primary Health Care System of Iran.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions in the provision of non-communicable disease (NCDs) prevention and control services in many countries, and there is a concern that it would lead to long-term complications of the diseases. The aim of this study is to assess the changes in the provisions of selected NCD services before and after the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran's primary healthcare system. In this descriptive-analytical retrospective study, the number of eight NCD services provided during the first 10 months of the COVID-19 pandemic from Feb 2020 to Dec 2020 were compared with the same period in the previous year using the data from the Iranian integrated electronic health record system (SIB) and also the association between the number of deaths due to COVID-19 and a sample of NCD services were assessed using cross-correlation analysis.

Molecular-Based Immunohistochemical Algorithm for Uterine Leiomyosarcoma Diagnosis.

The morphologic assessment of uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) may be challenging, and diagnostic immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis is currently lacking. We evaluated the genomic landscape of 167 uterine LMS by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) to identify common genomic alterations. IHC analyses corresponding to these genomic landmarks were applied to a test cohort of 16 uterine LMS, 6 smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), and 6 leiomyomas with NGS data and a validation cohort of 8 uterine LMS, 12 STUMP, 21 leiomyomas and leiomyoma variants, 7 low-grade endometrial stromal sarcomas, and 2 diagnostically challenging uterine smooth muscle tumors.

Quantifying the hidden impact of COVID-19 pandemic: The cytology perspective.

Background: The burden of the COVID-19 pandemic is often enumerated in lives lost, but the strain on health care resources and mobility limitations contributed to the burden of non-COVID related disease. In this study, we evaluated the impact of the pandemic through a time series review of cytology samples.

Methods: Pathology reports for all cytology specimens received from January 2019 through April 2021 at our institution were reviewed.

Evaluation of TERT mRNA expression using RNAscope®: A potential histopathologic diagnostic and prognostic tool.

Background: Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) activation has been shown to be an important cancer hallmark; the activation and expression of TERT has been documented in >90% of tumors and TERT activation has been touted as a prognostic marker in many cancers. However, there is currently no simple testing modality to detect TERT mRNA expression in surgical pathology specimens. In this study we aim to evaluate and validate the utility and reliability of the TERT RNAscope® in-situ hybridization (ISH) assay for the detection of TERT mRNA expression in formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissue.

The Effect of Curcumin on the Expression of INFγ, TNF-α, and iNOS Genes in PBMCs Infected with [MRHO/IR/75/ER].

Background: Leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania parasite, is one of the most important tropical neglected diseases. The urgent search for effective, inexpensive, and preferably herbal anti-leishmanial agents, is needed.

Objective: Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound derived from turmeric that is well known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer activity.

Anti-toxoplasma and Cytotoxic Activities of Holothuria leucospilota Extract and TiONPs In vitro and In vivo.

Background: An impressive treatment for toxoplasmosis is the combinatory use of sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine. However, both the drugs involve significant side effects and toxicity for the host. Therefore, the discovery of new anti-toxoplasma medications with high efficacy and less to no side effects is urgently needed.

Metal Contamination of Oman Sea Seaweed and Its Associated Public Health Risks.

Oman Sea region is a major gateway for international and local shipping. Metal pollution of aquatic environment is primarily caused by such shipping and industrial activities. Agricultural runoffs are also of concern.

The gray zone of thyroid nodules: Using a nomogram to provide malignancy risk assessment and guide patient management.

Background: Thyroid nodules have a low prevalence of malignancy and most proven cancers do not behave aggressively. Thus, risk-stratification of nodules is a critical step to avoid surgical overtreatment. We hypothesized that a risk management system superior to those currently in use could be created to reduce the number of clinically indeterminate nodules (i.

Seroprevalence of Infection in Association with Different Risk Factors among Children of 4-12 Years Old Referred to Some Medical Centers in Aras Free Zone, Northwest Iran.

Background: Toxocariosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of species from dog and cat. It has a worldwide distribution with higher prevalence in children. This study aimed to determine seroprevalence of infection and its association with some risk factors among children of Aras Free Zone (Jolfa City) in Northwest of Iran.

Screening of Cystic Echinococcosis and Toxocariasis in Urmia Municipal Workers, Northwest Iran.

Background: Echinococcus granulosus and Toxocara spp., the causative agents of hydatid cyst and toxocariasis in humans and animals, are zoonotic infections with medical and veterinary significance respectively.

Aim: Herein, we aimed to investigate the seroprevalence of toxocariasis and cystic echinococcosis in Urmia municipal workers (gardeners and sweepers) in 2018 using ELISA assay.