Short-term and long-term oncological outcomes of chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer patients with or without oxaliplatin: a propensity score-matched retrospective analysis.

Background/aim: Current approaches for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) typically recommend neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) with 5-fluorouracil (5FU) or its oral analogs followed by surgery as the standard of care. However, the question of whether intensifying concurrent chemotherapy by adding oxaliplatin to the 5FU-based backbone can yield better outcomes remains unresolved. This study aimed to investigate the benefits of incorporating oxaliplatin into fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy (CRT) to increase locoregional control and survival.

The association between mortality due to COVID-19 and coagulative parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis study.

Aims And Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis study evaluated the association between mortality due to COVID-19 and coagulative factors.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted on electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, and the Web of Science from the beginning of the pandemic until October 2024 to identify relevant studies on COVID-19 patients and their laboratory findings related to coagulation markers and mortality outcome. Eligibility criteria were defined based on the PICO framework, and data extraction was performed by two authors independently using a standardized sheet.

Clinicopathological Features of Hereditary Nephritis in the Iranian Population: Analysis of a 14-Year Survey in Kidney Biopsies From a Large Referral Center.

Background: Hereditary nephritis (HN), including Alport syndrome (AS) and thin basement membrane nephropathy (TBMN), is a rare genetic cause of hematuria. A definitive diagnosis requires electron microscopy (EM). Therefore, the clinical characteristics of these conditions are less known.

Spectrum and Distribution of Biopsy-proven Kidney Diseases: A 12-year Survey of a Single Center in Iran.

Data about the prevalence of biopsy-proven kidney diseases in Iran are rare, and none of the previous studies used electron microscopy for diagnosis. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of biopsy-proven kidney diseases in Iran's primary referral center. To the best of our knowledge, this is the most extensive study carried out in Iran.

Frequency and Underlying Causes of Alloimmunization Against Red Blood Cell Antigens in Patients Referred to the Blood Bank of the Tertiary Referral Hospital of Tehran from 2018 to 2020.

Background: Alloimmunization against blood group antigens is an important non-infectious complication of blood transfusion, and early detection of these alloantibodies by antibody screening before transfusion is crucial. Identifying which underlying factors will affect the occurrence of alloimmunization will be necessary to manage this event as accurately as possible. We aimed to assess the prevalence rate and main determinants of RBC alloimmunization among patients referred to a large referral blood bank in Iran.

Analysis of Prevalence and Trends in the Biopsy-Proven Native Kidney Diseases in Iranian Population: A 12-year Survey from a Referral Center.

Background & Objective: The prevalence of glomerular diseases, as the leading cause of chronic kidney disease, is increasing. Renal biopsy is still the gold standard for diagnosis of the most kidney disorders. Data on prevalence of the biopsy-proven kidney diseases in Iran is limited and none of the previously reported studies used electron microscopic (EM) evaluation for the diagnosis.

Crescentic Glomerulonephritis, A Rare Presentation of Alport Syndrome.

Crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) is a feature of severe glomerular injury. Anti-GBM disease, immune-complex mediated glomerulonephritis, and ANCA-associated vasculitis are the main causes of crescentic GN. Alport syndrome is a progressive form of hereditary nephritis presenting with hematuria and progression to proteinuria and renal failure.

The role of saliva PCR assay in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Introduction: The introduction of a self-collection sampling method with less discomfort would be of great benefit in reducing the risk of medical provider's contamination and patient's acceptance. The aim of the present study was to investigate saliva samples' diagnostic performance for the COVID-19 RT-PCR test compared to pharyngeal swabs.

Methodology: From individuals referred to a medical center with presentations compatible with COVID-19 who were eligible for molecular diagnostic tests, 80 cases were selected.

Is There A Correlation Between COVID-19 and Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E Serum Antibody Level?

Background & Objective: The prevalence of COVID-19 and its severity have been observed to be on a lower level in underdeveloped countries with poorer standards of hygiene. This disparity may be attributed to the higher seroprevalence of other viral diseases, which can result in the presence of antibodies protective against COVID-19. Two of the widespread diseases in such countries are infection to hepatitis A and E viruses (HAV and HEV).

The Performance of SARS-CoV-2 Serology Testing in the Diagnosis of COVID-19.

Background & Objective: COVID-19 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been a reference test for diagnosing a disease since the very beginning of the pandemic. COVID-19 serology tests have also been developed and used to estimate the prevalence of individuals who have already been infected. We aimed to evaluate the performance of serology tests for the diagnosis of patients who had been referred to medical centers with acute symptoms.

Low-dose whole-lung irradiation in severe COVID-19 pneumonia: a controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant morbidity and mortality thus far. Considering the historical uses of high-voltage X-ray beams for unresolvable pneumonia, we aimed to assess whether low-dose whole-lung irradiation (WLI) could provide any benefits for patients with refractory COVID-19 pneumonia.

Methods: Eleven patients with refractory COVID-19 pneumonia were treated with WLI to a total dose of 1 Gy and compared to 11 patients in a matched control group from June to November 2020.

Mesonephric Adenocarcinoma of Uterine Cervix: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Mesonephric adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix is an extremely rare tumor of the female genital tract which derives from the remnants of embryonic mesonephric ducts and its prognosis, diagnosis and treatment is rather challenging. We report a case of a 46-year-old woman with history of abnormal uterine bleeding and an enlarged uterine cervix on physical examination without obvious mass lesion. She was clinically underdiagnosed with cervical myoma and mesonephric hyperplasia.

Measles and rubella serosusceptibity among population vaccinated with different schedules: the potential impact on measles-rubella elimination in Iran.

Background: Iranian children were vaccinated with the scheduled two doses of monovalent measles vaccine (mMV) from 1984. In December 2003, a nationwide campaign of measles-rubella (MR) immunization was established to vaccinate 5-25 year- old individuals. In 2004, the mMV was replaced with measles- mumps- rubella (MMR) vaccine.

Short-course versus long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in patients with rectal cancer: preliminary results of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer is becoming an increasing concern in the middle-aged population of Iran. This study aimed to compare the preliminary results of short-course and long-course neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy treatment for rectal cancer patients.

Materials And Methods: Patients in group I received three-dimensional conformational radiotherapy with a dose of 25 Gy/5 fractions in 1 week plus concurrent XELOX regimen (capecitabine 625 mg/m2 from day 1-5 twice daily and oxaliplatin 50 mg/m2 on day 1 once daily).

Outcomes of Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation in Patients with Gastro-esophageal Junction Adenocarcinoma: a Retrospective Cohort Study in Iran.

Purpose: The optimal treatment for locally advanced GEJ and cardia adenocarcinoma is controversial. Several studies have shown that treating these patients with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery leads to survival benefits, and there are also studies that have declared conflicting results. It seems that there is still room for discussion.

Lipomatous Angiomyofibroblastoma of the Vulva: Report of a Rare Variant.

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a rare and benign tumor that usually involves vulvovaginal area in women of reproductive age and early menopause. We report a lipomatous angiomyofibroblastoma in a 55-year-old multigravid woman. This tumor measured 9 cm in size and contained prominent mature adipose tissue that comprised approximately 50% of the tumor.