Publications by authors named "Faham M"

Article Synopsis
  • AccuScan is a new technology for whole genome sequencing (WGS) of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) that significantly reduces the error rate, making it more reliable for detecting molecular residual disease (MRD).
  • It achieves an impressive analytical sensitivity of detecting low levels of cancer variants with 100% specificity in colorectal and esophageal cancers shortly after surgery.
  • AccuScan also effectively monitors treatment response in melanoma patients by tracking circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), demonstrating its utility in predicting disease outcomes without needing large sample amounts.
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Article Synopsis
  • AccuScan is a new whole genome sequencing (WGS) technology that significantly reduces error rates in analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA), achieving a much higher accuracy than previous methods.
  • This technology successfully detects molecular residual disease (MRD) with high sensitivity and specificity, particularly in cancers like colorectal and esophageal cancer, and also aids in monitoring responses to immunotherapy in melanoma patients.
  • Overall, AccuScan makes it easier and more efficient to detect circulating tumor DNA at very low levels without the need for extensive sample input or complex procedures.
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Background: CLA (conjugated linoleic acid)-mediated activation of the schistosome tegument-associated sphingomyelinase and consequent disruption of the outer membrane might allow host antibodies to access the apical membrane antigens. Here, we investigated a novel approach to enhance specific antibody delivery to concealed surface membrane antigens of Schistosoma mansoni utilising antibody-conjugated-CLA nanomicelle technology.

Methodology/principal Findings: We invented and characterised an amphiphilic CLA-loaded whey protein co-polymer (CLA-W) as an IV injectable protein nanocarrier.

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Article Synopsis
  • Early detection of cancer can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality, and the study explores cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentomics as a promising biomarker for this purpose.
  • The research involved analyzing blood samples from 364 cancer patients across six types and 675 healthy individuals, focusing on the cfDNA's genetic features, fragment sizes, and associated protein biomarkers.
  • Results indicate that combining ctDNA mutations with protein and fragmentomic data improves cancer detection sensitivity, especially for early-stage cancers, highlighting a potential multifaceted approach to diagnosis.
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Background: Minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring has been used to identify early molecular relapse and predict clinical relapse in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Few published data exist in MCL on the performance of next-generation sequencing-based assay of immunoglobulin gene rearrangements for MRD assessment.

Patients And Methods: In a prospective clinical trial (NCT01484093) with intensive induction chemotherapy and autologous stem-cell transplantation, posttreatment peripheral blood samples were collected from 16 MCL patients and analyzed with an earlier version of the Adaptive Biotechnologies MRD assay.

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Here, we report on the results of a phase I/II trial (NCT00490529) for patients with mantle cell lymphoma who, having achieved remission after immunochemotherapy, were vaccinated with irradiated, CpG-activated tumor cells. Subsequently, vaccine-primed lymphocytes were collected and reinfused after a standard autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). The primary endpoint was detection of minimal residual disease (MRD) within 1 yr after ASCT at the previously validated threshold of ≥1 malignant cell per 10,000 leukocyte equivalents.

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Previous studies have shown that rabbit IgG antibodies against Schistosoma mansoni egg antigens (SmSEA) cross-react with allergens in natural rubber latex, peanuts and grass and tree pollens. Here we describe antigenic molecules that cross-react with rabbit anti-S. mansoni IgG antibodies in extracts of the house dust mite (HDM) Dermatophagoides farinae, the Australian cockroach (ACR) Periplaneta australasiae and in the venom of the honey bee Apis mellifera (HBV).

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Objectives: The Aging Voice Index (AVI) was developed to study quality of life in older adults with voice disorders. The purpose of this study was to translate the original English version of the AVI to Persian version of Aging Voice Index (P-AVI) and validate the P-AVI for the Persian-speaking older adults with voice disorders.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and methodological study was performed to translate and validate the Persian version of the AVI.

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Introduction: To diminish the risk of voice disorders in people who are highly dependent on their voices, such as teachers, vocal screening is important already at the beginning of such individuals' professional studies. A reliable, specified screening tool is needed. The Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) has been found to differentiate normal voices from abnormal voices and to serve as a treatment outcome measure.

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Background: Normative nasalance scores are essential for treatment and assessment purposes for clinicians. The purpose of the current study is to determine the normative data on nasalance scores for Farsi speaking children. Comparing to the obtained normative data, hypernasal or hyponasal speech (i.

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Purpose: Catastrophization refers to the cognitive distortion that is experienced by patients with several diseases who suffer from pain. There is some evidence that catastrophization may be found in patients with voice disorders. The Voice Catastrophization Index (VCI) was developed in English to measure catastrophization in patients with dysphonia.

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Introduction: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia is an extremely disabling voice disorder that negatively impacts a patient's quality of life (QOL). We performed a systematic review to determine if Botulinum Toxin (BT) injections improved voice related QOL in patients with this disorder.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Scopus from 2000, to and including November 1st, 2018, were searched.

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The impact of the laboratory induced Schistosoma mansoni with decreased PZQ sensitivity on the biological performance of its different developmental stages and the concomitant structural changes of adult worms' total proteins were investigated. PZQ exposed snails showed stoppage of cercarial shedding for eight weeks followed by progressive significant reduction of cercarial production along four successive weeks. In the vertebrate host, in comparison to Schistosoma mansoni susceptible isolate, inoculated cercariae with decreased PZQ sensitivity led to an evident decrease in male to female ratio associated with significant reduction in tissue egg counts and significant increase in dead egg percentage.

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Context: X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH) is caused by inactivating mutations in the PHEX gene and is the most common form of hereditary rickets. The splice-site mutations account for 17% of all reported PHEX mutations. The functional consequence of these splice-site mutations has not been systemically investigated.

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The introduction of novel agents has led to major improvements in clinical outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. To shorten evaluation times for new treatments, health agencies are currently examining minimal residual disease (MRD) as a surrogate end point in clinical trials. We assessed the prognostic value of MRD, measured during maintenance therapy by next-generation sequencing (NGS).

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Objectives: Coping is one of the important concepts in psychology, which is pertinent to how persons with illness manage the stress of that condition. Voice Disability Coping Questionnaire (VDCQ) is an assessment tool for quantifying coping strategies in those with voice disability. The purpose of the present study was to investigate reliability and validity of the Persian version of VDCQ (P-VDCQ).

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Introduction: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) is one of the most disabling voice disorders with no permanent cure. Patients with ADSD suffer from poor voice quality and repeated interruption of phonation that leads to limitations in daily communication. Botox (BT) injection, considered the gold standard treatment for ADSD, reduces the amount of voice breaks and improves voice quality for a limited period.

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Context: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is the most common neonatal endocrine disorder, affecting one in 3000 to 4000 newborns. Since the introduction of a newborn screening program in 1988, more than 300 cases have been identified. The underlying genetic defects have not been systematically studied.

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Previous studies have shown that schistosome infection can protect against allergic symptoms, but the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Here we have shown that rabbit IgG antibodies raised against Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens (SmSEA) are cross-reactive with a wide array of molecules in Timothy grass pollen (TGP) and birch tree pollen (BTP). Five of the cross-reactive pollen molecules (two from TGP and three from BTP) were selected randomly and identified by tandem mass spectrometric (TMS) analysis to be, respectively, the TGP allergens Phl p 1 and Phl p 5b, and BTP glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the BTP allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 6.

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Background: Hereditary hypophosphatemia is a group of rare renal phosphate wasting disorders. The diagnosis is based on clinical, radiological, and biochemical features, and may require genetic testing to be confirmed.

Methodology: Clinical features and mutation spectrum were investigated in patients with hereditary hypophosphatemia.

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Objectives: Individuals with voice disorders may experience limits in activity and restricted participation in daily activities. The aim of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Voice Activity Participation Profile-Persian Version (VAPPP), a questionnaire which specifically investigates activity limitation and participation restriction in Persian-speaking individuals with voice disorders.

Method: We completed a translation procedure according to World Health Organization guidelines, prior to administering the questionnaire to 208 participants (156 patients with dysphonia and 52 controls), each of whom completed the questionnaire.

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