Design and synthesis of vancomycin-functionalized ZnFe O nanoparticles as an effective antibacterial agent against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is a principal threat to global health. Functionalization of nanomaterial with antibiotics is known as a useful method for increasing the effectiveness of existing antibiotics. In this study, vancomycin-functionalized ZnFe O nanocomposite (ZnFe O @Cell@APTES@Van) was synthesized, and its functional groups and particle size were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic light scattering, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscopy.

Grief experience among ICU staff with loss of family members during COVID-19 outbreak in IRAN: A qualitative study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 crisis created a lot of problems in people's lives. Different lifestyles, mental health, communication, rituals and traditions, particularly those involved in mourning, have changed drastically. Medical staff faced numerous critically ill patients every day.

Human cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus infections in breast cancer: A molecular study on Iranian women.

Background And Objectives: The role of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in breast cancer pathology is not well understood. Our study aimed to investigate the association of HCMV and EBV infections with breast cancer and distinguish the types of positive EBV and LMP-1 samples in Iranian patients.

Methods: Seventy-two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast cancer tissues were analyzed between December 2014 and April 2016.

Superior hypogastric plexus block as an effective treatment method for endometriosis-related chronic pelvic pain: an open-label pilot clinical trial.

We aimed to investigate the effect of superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) block on pain relief and quality of life of patients with refractory endometriosis. Sixteen patients with refractory endometriosis underwent SHP block. The outcome measures included visual analogue scale (VAS) for chronic pelvic pain, VAS for dysmenorrhoea, and VAS for dyspareunia.

Would Colloidal Gold Nanocarriers Present An Effective Diagnosis Or Treatment For Ischemic Stroke?

Introduction: This study was conducted to evaluate OX26-PEG-coated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) (OX26@GNPs) as a novel targeted nanoparticulate system on cell survival after ischemic stroke.

Materials And Methods: Dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta sizer, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to characterize the OX26@GNPs. The effect of OX26@GNPs on infarct volume, neuronal loss, and necroptosis was evaluated 24 h after reperfusion using 2, 3,5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, Nissl staining and Western blot assay, respectively.

Application of data mining techniques for predicting residents' performance on pre-board examinations: A case study.

Context: Predicting residents' academic performance is critical for medical educational institutions to plan strategies for improving their achievement.

Aims: This study aimed to predict the performance of residents on preboard examinations based on the results of in-training examinations (ITE) using various educational data mining (DM) techniques.

Settings And Design: This research was a descriptive cross-sectional pilot study conducted at Iran University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Anesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure (ATEEM).

The quality improvement of medical education programs and the ongoing reform of the curriculum should be done in the light of clinical training fields and identifying the strengths and improving the weaknesses. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the validity and reliability of ATEEM (Anesthetic Trainee Theatre Educational Environment Measure) questionnaire for assessing learning environment of anesthesiology residents in educational centers affiliated to 3 main medical schools in Tehran, Iran. This study was conducted on first to fourth year anesthesiology residents using a questionnaire.

Determination of Biological Activity of Recombinant Reteplase Using Clot Lysis Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) Lysis Methods: A Comparative Study.

Recombinant plasminogen activator (reteplase) is a third generation thrombolytic agent which has been used on coronary artery thrombosis and acute myocardial infarction. Clot lysis assay is usually considered as a unique method to evaluate biological activity of reteplase. In this study biological activity of reteplase was determined by APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time) lysis method.

Molecular prevalence of human papillomavirus infection among Iranian women with breast cancer.

Background: The etiology and molecular mechanisms involved in the development of breast cancer still remain poorly understood. Some epidemiological studies have shown an association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and breast cancer. However, the findings are controversial.

Which Ultrasound-Guided Sciatic Nerve Block Strategy Works Faster? Prebifurcation or Separate Tibial-Peroneal Nerve Block? A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Peripheral nerve block is an accepted method in lower limb surgeries regarding its convenience and good tolerance by the patients. Quick performance and fast sensory and motor block are highly demanded in this method. The aim of the present study was to compare 2 different methods of sciatic and tibial-peroneal nerve block in lower limb surgeries in terms of block onset.

The effects of injecting intra-articular platelet-rich plasma or prolotherapy on pain score and function in knee osteoarthritis.

Introduction: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease that usually occurs in older people and leads to pain and disabilities. OA treatment ranges from drug therapy to surgery. Drug and rehabilitation therapy are preferred over surgery, and, especially, there is a tendency toward compounds causing regenerative changes in the knee joint.

Comparison of ultrasound-guided posterior transversus abdominis plane block and lateral transversus abdominis plane block for postoperative pain management in patients undergoing cesarean section: a randomized double-blind clinical trial study.

Background: Due to the importance of pain control after abdominal surgery, several methods such as transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block are used to reduce the pain after surgery. TAP blocks can be performed using various ultrasound-guided approaches. Two important approaches to do this are ultrasound-guided lateral and posterior approaches.

Attenuated Lead Induced Apoptosis in Rat Hepatocytes in the Presence of Lycopersicon Esculentum.

Lead (Pb), has, for decades, being known for its adverse effects on various body organs and systems. In the present study, the damage of Pb on the Liver tissue apoptosis was investigated, and Lycopersicon esculentum as an antioxidants source was administered orally to prevent the adverse effects of Pb. Eighteen Wistar rats, randomized into three groups (n=6), were used for this study.

Rapid formulation assessment of filgrastim therapeutics by a thermal stress test.

The biosimilar versions of recombinant methionyl human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rh-Met-G-CSF, filgrastim) are now widely available. Because changes to the formulation often lead to subtle differences, there is a critical need to define techniques to test and insure the quality of these products. The present study was designed to compare formulation and thermal stress stability of filgrastim products.

Preparation of Immunotoxin Herceptin-Botulinum and Killing Effects on Two Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Background: Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women and a leading cause of cancer deaths. The age of onset in Iran has become reduced by a decade for unknown reasons. Herceptin, a humanized monoclonal antibody, is a target therapy for breast cancer cells with over expression of HER2- neu receptors, but it is an expensive drug with only 20% beneficial rate of survival.

Halal authenticity of gelatin using species-specific PCR.

Consumption of food products derived from porcine sources is strictly prohibited in Islam. Gelatin, mostly derived from bovine and porcine sources, has many applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries. To ensure that food products comply with halal regulations, development of valid and reliable analytical methods is very much required.

Rapid determination of lamivudine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography.

A simple and rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic method with spectrophotometric detection was developed for the determination of lamivudine in human plasma. Sample preparation was accomplished through protein precipitation with acetonitrile followed by aqueous phase separation using dichloromethane. Lamivudine and the internal standard acyclovir were well separated from endogenous plasma peaks on a Chromolith RP-18e column under isocratic elution with 50 mM sodium dihydrogen phosphate-triethylamine (996:4, v/v), pH 3.

Analgesic effects of adding lidocaine to morphine pumps after orthopedic surgeries.

Background: Opiate is used in patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pumps (PCIA) for controlling pain in post-surgical patients. Other drugs are remarkably added to opioid pumps to enhance quality, lengthen analgesia, and reduce side effects. Lidocaine, a local anesthetic which inhibits sodium channels, has anesthetic and analgesic effects when injected locally or intravenously.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on Analgesic Effects of Intravenous Acetaminophen versus Dexamethasone after Pediatric Tonsillectomy.

Background: A few studies are available actually comparing the clinical efficacy of intravenous acetaminophen with other medications such as dexamethasone to inhibit postoperative adverse events in children.

Objectives: This randomized blinded controlled trial was designed to compare controlling status of postoperative events in children after tonsillectomy randomized to receive either intravenous acetaminophen or dexamethasone.

Patients And Methods: Eighty four children aged between 4 to 13 undergoing tonsillectomy were randomized using a computer-generated schedule to double-blind treatment with intravenous acetaminophen (15 mg/kg) or intravenous dexamethasone (0.

Detection of genetically modified maize in processed foods sold commercially in iran by qualitative PCR.

Detection of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food is an important issue for all the subjects involved in food control and customer's right. Due to the increasing number of GMOs imported to Iran during the past few years, it has become necessary to screen the products in order to determine the identity of the consumed daily foodstuffs. In this study, following the extraction of genomic DNA from processed foods sold commercially in Iran, qualitative PCR was performed to detect genetically modified maize.

Combined TGE-SGE expression of novel PAI-1-resistant t-PA in CHO DG44 cells using orbitally shaking disposable bioreactors.

An important modification of thrombolytic agents is resistance to plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). In previous studies, a new truncated PAI-1-resistant variant was developed based on deletion of the first three domains in t-PA and the substitution of KHRR 128-131 amino acids with AAAA in the truncated t-PA. The novel variant expressed in a static culture system of Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) DG44 cells exhibited a higher resistance to PAI-1 when compared with the full-length commercial drug; Actylase.

Effects of premedication with metoprolol on bleeding and induced hypotension in nasal surgery.

Background: One of the major problems in surgery is intraoperative bleeding which reduces visibility in the operative field. An important task for an anesthetist during head and neck surgery is to improve intraoperative visibility.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the amount of bleeding using different doses of oral metoprolol during three common types of nasal operation; rhinoplasty, septoplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery, as this is one of the complications during head and neck surgery.

The maternal and neonatal effects of adding tramadol to 2% lidocaine in epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.

Background: Opioid analgesics are commonly added to epidural local anesthetics to improve analgesia during surgery.

Objectives: The goal of this study was to evaluate the maternal and neonatal effects of adding different doses of tramadol to 2% lidocaine in the epidural anesthesia for cesarean section.

Patients And Methods: Ninety pregnant patients who were candidates for cesarean section under epidural anesthesia were randomly categorized into three groups.

Evaluation of the efficacy of intrathecal injection of amitriptyline and doxepin in spinal anesthesia in comparison with bupivacaine in rats.

Background: Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly used orally for treating chronic pain states, such as neuropathic pain. TCAs produce analgesia by various mechanisms, including sodium channels, N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, biogenic amines, opioids, inflammatory mediators, and substance P. Studies have shown that intrathecal tricyclic administration effectively attenuates pain and thermal hyperalgesia in inflammatory and neuropathic pain in rats.

Expression of human organic anion transporters in the choroid plexus and their interactions with neurotransmitter metabolites.

The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the expression of human organic anion transporter 1 (hOAT1) and hOAT3 in the choroid plexus of the human brain and their interactions with neurotransmitter metabolites using stable cell lines. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hOAT1 and hOAT3 are expressed in the cytoplasmic membrane and cytoplasm of human choroid plexus. Neurotransmitter metabolites, namely, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-MI-3-AA), homovanillic acid (HVA), vanilmandelic acid (VMA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-HI-3-AA), N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (NA-5-HTT), melatonin, 5-methoxytryptamine (5-MTT), 3,4-dihidroxymandelic acid (DHMA), 5-hydroxytryptophol, and 5-methoxytryptophol (5-MTP), but not methanephrine (MN), normethanephrine (NMN), and 3-methyltyramine (3-MT), at 2 mM, inhibited para-aminohippuric acid uptake mediated by hOAT1.