18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging of Cutaneous and Intramuscular Multiple Myeloma.

Cutaneous manifestations of multiple myeloma are rare but, as with other extramedullary manifestations, carry a worse prognosis. We present the case of a 65-year-old man with immunoglobulin G κ multiple myeloma and prior autologous stem cell transplant. On subsequent therapy, he presented with multiple new cutaneous and subcutaneous left hip masses.

18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging of Cutaneous and Intramuscular Multiple Myeloma.

Cutaneous manifestations of multiple myeloma are rare but, as with other extramedullary manifestations, carry a worse prognosis. We present the case of a 65-year-old man with immunoglobulin G κ multiple myeloma and prior autologous stem cell transplant. On subsequent therapy, he presented with multiple new cutaneous and subcutaneous left hip masses.

Investigation of integron classes 1, 2, and 3 among multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates in Iran: a multi-center study.

Background: Rising methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) poses a global health threat, contributing to serious infections with high mortality rates. Integrons are recognized as significant genetic elements in disseminating multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. This study focuses on assessing the prevalence of integron classes 1, 2, and 3 in S.

68 Ga-DOTATATE and 18 F-FDG PET/CT in a Rapidly Progressing Lymphoma.

68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT targeting somatostatin receptors is commonly utilized in the imaging of neuroendocrine tumors. However, other malignancies such as lymphomas (both Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) also have expression of somatostatin receptors, albeit to a lesser degree compared with the neuroendocrine tumors, and thus can be positive on a 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT. We describe an atypical presentation of an aggressive large B-cell lymphoma mimicking a metastatic neuroendocrine tumor at initial presentation with high somatostatin receptor expression demonstrated on the 68 Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT and a rapidly progressing course on the subsequent 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

The effects of Iranian traditional music on cervical dilation and labor progress in the active stage of term pregnancy: A nonrandomized controlled trial.

Background And Aims: Childbirth is a multifaceted and distressing event that can profoundly affect mothers' psychological and physical well-being. Noninvasive interventions like music therapy have been explored to improve labor outcomes by decreasing pain and anxiety levels, promoting relaxation, and enhancing maternal-fetal health. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Iranian traditional music on cervical dilation and labor progress in the active stage of term pregnancy.

Brozopine ameliorates cognitive impairment via upregulating Nrf2, antioxidation and anti-inflammation activities.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are crucial factors contributing to the occurrence and development of vascular dementia (VD). In a previous study, we demonstrated that brozopine (BZP) is an anti-ischemic drug. In this study, a model of VD in rats with modified permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO) was established , a model of cellular excitotoxicity/oxidative stress was established via L-glutamate-induced PC12 cell injury, a model of neuroinflammation was established in LPS-induced BV2 cells , and the ameliorative effect of BZP on cognitive impairment was assessed.

Association between OX40L polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus in Iranians.

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is a multifactorial disease that genetic and environmental factors contribute to its development. The aim of the study was to investigate the association of OX40L promoter gene polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Iranians.

Surface-Based Multimeric Aptamer Generation and Bio-Functionalization for Electrochemical Biosensing Applications.

Multimeric aptamers have gained more attention than their monomeric counterparts due to providing more binding sites for target analytes, leading to increased affinity. This work attempted to engineer the surface-based generation of multimeric aptamers by employing the room temperature rolling circle amplification (RCA) technique and chemically modified primers for developing a highly sensitive and selective electrochemical aptasensor. The multimeric aptamers, generated through surface RCA, are hybridized to modified spacer primers, facilitating the positioning of the aptamers in the proximity of sensing surfaces.

Prognostic value of mitral annular calcification in coronary atherosclerotic disease assessed by coronary computed tomographic angiography.

Background: There is a lack of evidence on the link between mitral annular calcification (MAC) and coronary atherosclerotic diseases. The present investigation was undertaken to detect the clinical and prognostic value of MAC in coronary atherosclerotic diseases in patients who underwent coronary computed tomographic (CT) angiography.

Materials And Methods: Two hundred and five individuals with MAC and without it ( = 85 and 120, respectively) were included in the present cross-sectional study.

Association of gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Iranians.

Introduction: The exact etiology of multiple sclerosis is unknown but recent studies indicated a link between and the disease. Polymorphisms located in the regulatory region of the gene may affect its phenotype. Hence, we aimed to investigate the association of promoter polymorphisms of the gene with multiple sclerosis and also to estimate the frequency of haplotypes in the patients and healthy subjects.

Exosomal microRNAs in regulation of tumor cells resistance to apoptosis.

Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicle that contains bioactive molecules that can be secreted by most cells. Nevertheless, the content of these cells differs depending on the cell from which they originate. The exosome plays a crucial role in modulating intercellular communication by conveying molecular messages to neighboring or distant cells.

Global knowledge and attitudes towards mpox (monkeypox) among healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The recent increase in human mpox (monkeypox) cases emphasizes the importance of early detection, prompt response and preventive management to control the spread of the disease. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play a crucial role in this process. This study aimed to determine the global knowledge and attitudes towards mpox among HCWs.

Association of Toll-like receptor 4 gene polymorphism with multiple sclerosis in Iranian patients.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic debilitating disease with unknown pathogenesis. Recent studies indicated that pathogen recognition receptors such as Toll-like receptor 4 may have a role in pathogenesis of MS. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association of rs1927911 polymorphism in TLR4 gene with MS.

A comparison of misoprostol with and without methylergometrine and oxytocin in outpatient medical abortion: a phase III randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The complications associated with miscarriages have surfaced as a major concern in maintaining women's physical and mental health. The present study evaluated the efficacy of three medication regimes for the complete expulsion of retained intrauterine tissues in patients who underwent a miscarriage.

Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 90 patients participated with their gestational age below 12 weeks, each having undergone a recent miscarriage.

Inverse design of omnidirectional coherent absorbers for optical power beaming applications.

An efficient photovoltaic power converter is a critical element in laser power beaming systems for maximizing the end-to-end power transfer efficiency while minimizing beam reflections from the receiver for safety considerations. We designed a multilayer absorber that can efficiently trap monochromatic light from broad incident angles. The proposed design is built on the concept of a one-way coherent absorber with inverse-designed aperiodic multilayer front- and back-reflectors that enable maximal optical absorption in a thin-film photovoltaic material for broad angles.

Global knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 among pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Pregnant women form a specially vulnerable group due to unique changes in pregnancy, leading to a higher risk of getting a severe infection. As severe COVID-19 increases the risk of preeclampsia, preterm delivery, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight in pregnancy, there is a need to enhance pregnant women's knowledge, attitudes, and practices to prevent these complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine their levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) regarding COVID-19 at the global level.

Materials discovery of ion-selective membranes using artificial intelligence.

Significant attempts have been made to improve the production of ion-selective membranes (ISMs) with higher efficiency and lower prices, while the traditional methods have drawbacks of limitations, high cost of experiments, and time-consuming computations. One of the best approaches to remove the experimental limitations is artificial intelligence (AI). This review discusses the role of AI in materials discovery and ISMs engineering.

A multicentre single arm phase 2 trial of neoadjuvant pyrotinib and letrozole plus dalpiciclib for triple-positive breast cancer.

Current therapies for HER2-positive breast cancer have limited efficacy in patients with triple-positive breast cancer (TPBC). We conduct a multi-center single-arm phase 2 trial to test the efficacy and safety of an oral neoadjuvant therapy with pyrotinib, letrozole and dalpiciclib (a CDK4/6 inhibitor) in patients with treatment-naïve, stage II-III TPBC with a Karnofsky score of ≥70 (NCT04486911). The primary endpoint is the proportion of patients with pathological complete response (pCR) in the breast and axilla.

EVALUATION OF SEXUAL FUNCTION IN TRANSGENDER AND GENDER DIVERSE INDIVIDUALS; A CALL FOR ACTION.

Sexual function is a key factor impacting all individuals' wellbeing, including the transgender and gender diverse (TGGD) population. Lack of validated sexual function evaluation tools for this community contributes to gaps in medical knowledge, barriers to proper assessment, interventions, and an understanding of sexual function expectations pre and post gender-affirming surgery (GAS). Current studies indicate beneficial individualized treatments for management of sexual dysfunction in TGGD individuals, while demonstrating the importance of applicable and validated sexual function assessments.

Estimating willingness to pay for diabetes complications.

Background: Maximum willingness to pay (WTP) for a health benefit is connected to perceived value. This two-center study aims to analyse diabetic patients' WTP for obtaining a specific preventive treatment package to reduce severe diabetic complications and determine the factors that impact this value.

Methods: This cross-sectional research included 557 diabetics from two cities in Iran.

The occurrence of cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, south of Iran.

Cystic echincoccosis (CE) is a major medical and veterinary concern in the world, especially in Iran. Domestic intermediate hosts are an important reservoir for the disease spread. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CE in slaughtered livestock in Jahrom, south of Iran.

Experimental comparison of direct and indirect aptamer-based biochemical functionalization of electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistors for biosensing applications.

Aptamer-based electrolyte-gated graphene field-effect transistor (EGFET) biosensors have gained considerable attention because of their rapidity and accuracy in terms of quantification of a wide range of biomarkers. Functionalization of the graphene channel of EGFETs with aptamer biorecognition elements (BREs) is a crucial step in fabrication of EGFET aptasensors. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of commonly used biochemical functionalization approaches applied for preparation of sensing films in EGFET aptasensors, namely indirect and direct immobilization of BREs.

Head removal enhances planarian electrotaxis.

Certain animal species utilize electric fields for communication, hunting and spatial orientation. Freshwater planarians move toward the cathode in a static electric field (cathodic electrotaxis). This planarian behavior was first described by Raymond Pearl more than a century ago.