Publications by authors named "Vakili K"

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most prevalent type of dementia and is characterized by the presence of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. There are various theories concerning the causes of AD, but the connection between viral and bacterial infections and their potential role in the pathogenesis of AD has become a fascinating area of research for the field. Various viruses such as (HSV-1), (EBV), Cytomegalovirus (CMV), influenza viruses, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), as well as bacteria such as (CP), (HP), (), Spirochetes and eukaryotic unicellular parasites (e.

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Psychotropic stimulants like methamphetamine (METH) have an impact on the physiology, behavior, and psychology of human beings and can damage the reproductive and neuroendocrine systems in them. These deleterious impacts include a temporary drop in the relative weight of the testis along with adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Sambucus nigra, also known as elderberry (EB) or sweet elder, is a source of bioactive compounds that has drawn growing attention for its potential beneficial impact in preventing and treating several diseases.

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  • Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant global health concern, characterized by late diagnosis and high recurrence rates, necessitating early detection through specific biomarkers.
  • Glypican-3 (GPC-3) is identified as a promising biomarker for HCC, being overexpressed in various tumors, which opens up opportunities for targeted therapies to enhance treatment outcomes.
  • Recent advancements in GPC-3-targeted therapies, such as bi-specific antibodies and CAR T cell therapies, underscore its potential as both a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the fight against HCC.
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Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare malignancy disproportionately affecting adolescents and young adults with no standard of care. FLC is characterized by thick stroma, which has long suggested an important role of the tumor microenvironment. Over the past decade, several studies have revealed aberrant markers and pathways in FLC.

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Accurate image interpretation is essential in the field of radiology to the healthcare team in order to provide optimal patient care. This article discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) confidence levels to enhance the accuracy and dependability of its radiological diagnoses. The current advances in AI technologies have changed how radiologists and clinicians make the diagnoses of pathological conditions such as aneurysms, hemorrhages, pneumothorax, pneumoperitoneum, and particularly fractures.

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Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant global health challenge whose prevalence is projected to increase alarmingly. Recently, due to better safety and fewer adverse effects, herbal medicines have been used to manage T2DM. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of boswellia in improving glycemic markers and lipid profiles in T2DM patients.

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  • Primary Hemifacial Spasm (pHFS) is linked to facial nerve compression from blood vessels, with studies showing women are affected about twice as often as men, though there's conflicting evidence regarding which side of the face is more commonly impacted.* -
  • The review examined existing literature to identify anatomical factors that could influence the development of HFS and its gender/side preference, finding that both sides are generally affected equally, but specific vascular anatomical variations may lead to side preferences.* -
  • Key anatomical variations, particularly in posterior circulation, may heighten the risk for HFS, with some indications of a tendency toward the left side, yet there's limited research on the differences between men and women, indicating a need for more
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  • Laryngeal cancer is a significant form of advanced head and neck cancer, often treated with invasive methods like total laryngectomy, which can lead to complications such as hypocalcemia, a condition of low calcium levels in the blood.
  • This study analyzed 50 laryngectomy patients over eight years, focusing on demographic and medical data, to examine the prevalence and risk factors for post-operative hypocalcemia.
  • Results indicated that factors like neck dissection, low pre-operative calcium levels, previous radiotherapy, and total thyroidectomy are significant predictors of hypocalcemia after surgery, highlighting the necessity for careful monitoring of calcium levels in affected patients.
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A zoonotic disease called brucellosis can cause flu-like symptoms and heart inflammation. The bacteria responsible for this disease can also enter the brain, causing a condition called neurobrucellosis that can result in long-term neurological problems. In this study, researchers aimed to determine the changes in the hippocampal cells of rats infected with Brucella.

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Melanoma brain metastases present a major challenge in cancer treatment and reduce overall survival despite advances in managing primary melanoma. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) that target PD-1/PD-L1 pathways have shown promise in treating advanced melanoma, but their efficacy for melanoma brain metastases is debated. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize evidence on anti-PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors for melanoma brain metastases.

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Bromelain is a plant-based molecule with antioxidant, antithrombotic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. Bromelain has been shown to reduce the release of inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to determine whether bromelain can prevent ataxia in rats caused by 3-acetylpyridine (3-AP).

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  • Huntington's disease is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive degeneration of brain nerve cells, leading to motor and cognitive issues, with no definitive cure available yet.
  • A study tested the drug Apelin-13 on male Wistar rats with a Huntington’s disease model to see if it could help improve symptoms and reduce inflammation.
  • Results showed that Apelin-13 treatment enhanced motor function, increased neuronal density, reduced inflammation, and improved overall brain health in the rats.
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Background: Paediatric hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) traditionally arise in the context of a normal structural and functional liver and carry a dismal prognosis. While chemotherapy is the frontline standard, there is emerging interest in the study of immunotherapies for paediatric patients with relapsed/refractory disease. There is limited data to support whether immunotherapies will be of utility in this patient population.

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Purpose: Postoperative changes in gut microbiota may occur in patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. In this study, we evaluate the impact of administering probiotic tablets on the gastrointestinal function and metabolic status of these patients.

Materials And Methods: This double-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted from 2021 to 2022 on 135 Roux-en-Y surgery candidates.

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Background And Objective: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic progressive autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS) that can cause inflammation, demyelination, and axon degeneration. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is a single-chain polypeptide mainly synthesized in the liver and brain. IGF-1 causes neuronal and non-neuronal cell proliferation, survival, and differentiation.

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Background: Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) has a multifactorial etiology. Vitamin E and vitamin D play an important role in lung development and can potentially be beneficial in the prevention of BPD.

Objective: The study aimed to compare the risk of BPD occurrence in preterm neonates supplemented with vitamin D or E versus those who did not get supplementation.

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Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary condition characterized by the gradual deterioration of nerve cells in the striatum. Recent scientific investigations have revealed the promising potential of Extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a therapy to mitigate inflammation and enhance motor function. This study aimed to examine the impact of administering EVs derived from human umbilical cord blood (HUCB) on the motor abilities and inflammation levels in a rat model of HD.

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Fibrolamellar carcinoma (FLC) is a rare liver cancer that disproportionately affects adolescents and young adults. Currently, no standard of care is available and there remains a dire need for new therapeutics. Most patients harbor the fusion oncogene DNAJB1-PRKACA (DP fusion), but clinical inhibitors are not yet developed and it is critical to identify downstream mediators of FLC pathogenesis.

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  • * LDX-treated rats showed impaired memory performance in various tests and exhibited changes in brain activity, with an increase in field excitatory postsynaptic potential and elevated caspase-3 levels, indicating potential cell death.
  • * The study found significant increases in immune cells (microglia and astrocytes) in the hippocampus, along with changes in cell structure, pointing to harmful effects of LDX on this vital area of the brain related to memory; more research is required to fully understand
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Introduction: Concerns regarding the adverse consequences of radiation have increased due to the expanded application of computed tomography (CT) in medical practice. Certain studies have indicated that the radiation dosage depends on the anatomical region, the imaging technique employed and patient-specific variables. The aim of this study is to present fitting models for the estimation of age-specific dose estimates (ASDE), in the same direction of size-specific dose estimates, and effective doses based on patient age, gender and the type of CT examination used in paediatric head, chest and abdomen-pelvis imaging.

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Pediatric lower extremity arterial catheterization-related injuries can result in significant long-term morbidity. Revascularization is challenging due to concerns for long-term patency and growth accommodation with synthetic grafts. We describe a novel technique for iliofemoral revascularization using common iliac artery transposition and bridging polytetrafluoroethylene grafts.

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Introduction/aims: Genetics is an important risk factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons. Recent findings demonstrate that in addition to specific genetic mutations, structural variants caused by genetic instability can also play a causative role in ALS. Genomic instability can lead to deletions, duplications, insertions, inversions, and translocations in the genome, and these changes can sometimes lead to fusion of distinct genes into a single transcript.

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Key Clinical Message: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is considered a less-invasive approach than open-heart surgery, favored in high-risk patients elected for valve replacement. Although seemingly suitable, this procedure is highly operator-dependent.

Abstract: Transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) is an alternative in high-risk patients.

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  • Concerns about lisdexamfetamine (LDX), a drug for ADHD, include potential irreversible brain damage and impacts on the neuroendocrine system during development.
  • A study on adult male rats found that LDX treatment resulted in decreased sperm motility, increased DNA fragmentation, and significantly lower testosterone levels.
  • The study suggests prolonged LDX use may lead to poor sperm quality and harmful changes in testicular tissue, but further research is needed, especially in humans using LDX long-term.
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  • The study investigated how 10 mg/kg of Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) affects brain cells in the cerebellum of male Wistar rats using various histological techniques.
  • THC treatment resulted in a significant decrease in Purkinje neuron numbers and granular layer thickness, along with signs of inflammation and changes in microglial and astrocyte morphology.
  • The findings suggest that THC may have both neuroprotective and neurodegenerative effects, indicating the need for further research in this area.
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