The cardiometabolic benefits of okra-based treatment in prediabetes and diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis examine the effects of okra consumption on cardiometabolic risk factors in individuals with prediabetes and diabetes. Okra is a widely consumed vegetable with potential health benefits, and understanding its impact on metabolic parameters in these populations is important.

Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted up to May 2024 in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science to find relevant randomized clinical trials (RCTs) by using following keyword: ("okra" OR "okras" OR "") AND ("intervention" OR "controlled trial" OR "randomized" OR "randomized" OR "randomly" OR "clinical trial" OR "trial" OR "randomized controlled trial" OR "randomized clinical trial" OR "RCT" OR "blinded" OR "placebo" OR "Cross-Over" OR "parallel").

A Half-century Experience of Running Journal Clubs and applying Interactive Teaching-learning Methods at Orthopedic Department of Tehran University of Medical Sciences.

Journal club is crucial in medical professions education, especially residency training. Critical evaluation allows learners to read, understand, and apply the evidence to bridge the gap between research and practice. Academic members of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) Orthopedic Department have held about 2,300 weekly sessions for around 50 years, even in times of crises, to review the latest publications in orthopedics and sometimes linked their journal clubs to hospitalized cases.

Surface mold brachytherapy for head and neck non-melanoma skin cancer - local control rates and survival: A retrospective analysis.

Purpose: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most prevalent cancer worldwide, particularly affecting head and neck region. Surgical excision, especially Moh's microsurgery, is the gold standard for treatment. However, certain patients' factors, such as age, comorbidities, and tumor location, require alternative therapies.

Lingual Actinomycosis Mimicking Lingual Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC).

Actinomycosis is an infection caused by and mainly affects cervicofacial areas. In women, other regions, such as the chest, abdomen, and pelvic cavity can involve actinomycosis. Actinomycosis lesions in the oral cavity can cause pain, swelling, induration, pus discharge, and discomfort similar to other benign or malignant pathologies.

Post-procedural necrotizing fasciitis following femoral coronary angiography in patient with chronic endocarditis: A case report.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening soft tissue infection characterized by rapid tissue necrosis, often leading to sepsis and multisystem organ failure. Necrotizing fasciitis can rarely occur as a post-procedural complication, particularly following cardiac catheterization or angiography. This case report presents the clinical presentation and management of a 64-year-old female with a history of chronic endocarditis and valvular involvement who developed necrotizing fasciitis after femoral coronary angiography.

Effect of pyridostigmine on growth hormone and IGF-1 levels and outcomes of controlled ovarian stimulation cycle in women with poor ovarian response.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Pyridostigmine on IGF-1 and GH levels and the outcomes of COS cycles in women with POR.

Methods: A total of 110 eligible women were randomly allocated to Pyridostigmine (n: 55) and control (n: 55) groups. COS outcomes, including gonadotrophin doses, COS duration, cycle cancellation rate, number of retrieved oocytes, number of MII oocytes, and fertilization rate, were compared between the groups.

Teaching conflict management to medical students: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Conflict is an inevitable aspect of healthcare team collaboration. Effective conflict management training can improve the performance of healthcare teams. This study aimed to investigate the effect of conflict management education based on the Fogg model on the attitude of medical students toward conflict management.

Optimal Representative Strain selector-a comprehensive pipeline for selecting next-generation reference strains of bacterial species.

Although it is common practice to use historically established 'reference strains' or 'type strains' for laboratory experiments, this approach often overlooks how effectively these strains represent the full ecological, genetic and functional diversity of the species within a specific ecological niche. In this context, this study proposes the Optimal Representative Strain (ORS) selector tool (https://zenodo.org/doi/10.

Low-versus high-dose aspirin for venous thromboembolic prophylaxis after total joint arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The adverse effects of aspirin are dose-dependent, and there is controversy surrounding the use of low-dose (LD) aspirin to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) following total joint arthroplasty (TJA). This meta-analysis sought to compare the efficacy and complication rate of low-dose (162 mg per day) versus high-dose (HD, 650 mg per day) aspirin after TJA surgery.

Methods: In four main databases, we searched from inception until September 2024 for articles comparing the rate of VTE following TJA(TKA/THA) using only aspirin chemoprophylaxis with different dosages.

Investigation of the prevalence of latent tuberculosis in cancer patients compared to non-cancer patients: a case-control study.

Background: Latent tuberculosis (TB) can reactivate in immunocompromised individuals, such as cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, leading to severe complications. Understanding the prevalence of latent TB in this high-risk group is crucial, especially in regions with moderate to high TB burdens.

Aim: This study aims to determine the prevalence of latent tuberculosis in cancer patients before chemotherapy and immunotherapy to guide preventive interventions and reduce the risk of TB reactivation.

Road Traffic Injuries in Iran: Epidemiology and Equitable Distribution of Emergency Services.

Objective: This study emphasized the importance of providing equal access to rescue and emergency services for all individuals involved in road accidents, regardless of their geographical location or socioeconomic status.

Methods: This study involved gathering data on the number of Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) stations in 31 provinces of Iran. It entailed calculating the Gini coefficient and creating the Lorenz curve to assess the station distribution.

Technological applications to enhance independence in daily activities for older adults: a systematic review.

Introduction: Monitoring daily activities in older adults using sensor technologies has grown significantly over the past two decades, evolving from simple tools to advanced systems that integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) for predictive monitoring. Despite these advances, there is still a need for a comprehensive review that addresses both technological progress and its impact on autonomous aging.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review of sensor technologies used to monitor the daily activities of independent older adults, focusing on sensor types, applications, usage contexts, and their evolution over time.

A randomized trial for combination nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation among people with HIV in a low-resourced setting.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combination nicotine replacement therapy (c-NRT) for smoking cessation among people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa.

Design: We conducted an open label, individually randomized clinical trial.

Methods: Using a two-armed approach, PWH who smoke were randomized to receive either 1) intensive anti-smoking behavioral counseling (BC) or 2) intensive anti-smoking BC plus c-NRT (nicotine patches augmented by nicotine gum).

Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis in Patients with Post-neurosurgical Procedures: Meningitis vs. Non-meningitis.

Background & Objective: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is helpful in the diagnosis of infections of the central nervous system (CNS), especially after neurosurgical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of CSF markers for diagnosis of post-neurosurgical meningitis (PNM).

Methods: Patients with neurosurgical procedures whose CSF was obtained for any reason (meningitis and non-meningitis) during 2020 and 2022, at Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran, Iran, were included.

Comparison of Clinical and Pathological Characteristics of Thyroid Cancer Surgery in the Pandemic Era.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic brought significant challenges for oncology centers and cancer patients, necessitating the implementation of various preventive and restrictive protocols and postponing elective surgeries. We aimed to assess and compare tumor characteristics, including the size, metastasis, and duration of hospitalizations between the periods before and during COVID-19 in patients with thyroid cancer.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was performed at The Institute of Cancer, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, with 143 patients observed 2 years before the pandemic and 92 during March 2020 and March 2022.

Characterization of thrombosis risk in ambulatory patients with cancer: results of the observational, prospective, multicenter CARTAGO study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the leading causes of death in patients with cancer. Currently, there is a need to develop an easily applicable risk model that can identify patients who will benefit from receiving primary thromboprophylaxis to reduce the incidence of VTE.

Patients And Methods: This was a non-interventional, multicenter, observational, prospective study carried out in 62 Oncology and Hematology services in Spain and Portugal between January 2018 and December 2019.

Ethical Decision-Making Regarding Life Sustaining Treatment in End-Of-Life Care: A Scoping Review of the Similarities and Differences Between Two Viewpoints.

Decisions on life-sustaining treatment depend on evaluating fundamental ethical principles regarding taking human life. This study aimed to compare the Islamic standpoint with secular views on ethical decision-making in end-of-life care. We conducted a scoping review to analyze and compare articles published in 2000-2022, regarding ethical criteria for withdrawing life-prolonging treatments in dying patients, and the final decision-maker in such cases.

The Management of Traumatic Optic Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a serious condition resulting from optic nerve injury, often due to head trauma. This study systematically reviews the existing literature to evaluate the effectiveness of various treatments in improving visual outcomes in TON patients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases including Medline (via PubMed), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from January 1992 to October 2024.

Evaluating the impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on survival outcomes in stage II rectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study.

Background Rectal cancer, accounting for a significant proportion of colorectal malignancies, presents unique challenges in treatment. Surgery remains the primary curative approach, but recurrence rates post-surgery poses challenges. While neoadjuvant chemoradiation has improved outcomes, the role of adjuvant chemotherapy is still debated.

Treatment Challenges in Hemifacial Spasm: The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is an important condition for plastic surgeons to understand, as it significantly affects patients' quality of life and can complicate aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become vital in diagnosing HFS, assessing neurovascular relationships, and planning treatment. Transverse MRI scans often show an upward displacement of the inferior pons at the facial nerve attachment point, signaling neurovascular compression (NVC) in HFS.

Spontaneous Tumor Lysis Syndrome in an Undifferentiated Uterine Sarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS), as an oncologic emergency, may rarely occur in patients with solid organ neoplasms and without previous cancer therapy. Physicians should be highly aware of the possibility of TLS, with special attention in patients having bulky tumors, irrespective of recent treatment with cytotoxic agents for its prompt prevention and treatment.

Circulating miRNAs Associated With 3-Month Outcome in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Objectives: Post-ischemic stroke (IS) outcomes vary widely among individuals, independently of clinical factors. This variability could be related to epigenetic mechanisms that regulate biological processes involved in recovery after ischemia. While several microRNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes are implicated in the pathophysiology of IS, their role in functional outcomes remains unclear.