Epidemiology of epiretinal membranes using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography in an Iranian elderly population.

Significance: Epidemiological information about the epiretinal membrane is important for better clinical management and understanding of the nature and burden of this disease. There are some gaps in our understanding of the epidemiology of epiretinal membranes, particularly in Africa and the Middle East.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of epiretinal membrane using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in an Iranian elderly population.

Deconstructing Temporal Stages of Prosocial and Antisocial Risky Decision-making in Adolescence.

Risk-taking is a prominent aspect of adolescent behavior. A recent neurodevelopmental model suggests that this trait could influence prosocial and antisocial decision-making, proposing a new category known as prosocial and antisocial risk-taking. The primary objective of this study was to examine the electrophysiological underpinnings of prosocial and antisocial risk-taking in adolescence, a developmental period characterized by elevated risky, prosocial, and antisocial decisions.

Multiomics dissection of human RAG deficiency reveals distinctive patterns of immune dysregulation but a common inflammatory signature.

Human recombination-activating gene (RAG) deficiency can manifest with distinct clinical and immunological phenotypes. By applying a multiomics approach to a large group of -mutated patients, we aimed at characterizing the immunopathology associated with each phenotype. Although defective T and B cell development is common to all phenotypes, patients with hypomorphic variants can generate T and B cells with signatures of immune dysregulation and produce autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens, including type I interferons.

Global Prevalence of Neospora caninum in Domestic Pigs (Sus domesticus) and Wild Boars (Sus scrofa): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Neospora caninum (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) is a protozoan parasite regarded as a major cause of reproductive failure in cattle. Swine are susceptible to N. caninum infection; however, the role of these animals in the circulation, maintenance, and transmission of N.

Ligand-Induced Intramolecular Cuprophilic and Argentophilic Interactions in Bimetallic Cu(I) and Ag(I) Phosphine Complexes and the Assessment of Their Antityrosinase and Antibacterial Effects.

Binuclear silver(I) and copper(I) complexes, and , with bridging diphenylphosphine ligands were prepared. In , the silver(I) center is located inside a trigonal plane composed of three phosphorus donors from three separate and bridging dppm ligands. The fourth coordination site is filled with neighboring silver(I) ions.

Infectious keratitis following photorefractive keratectomy: a 13-year study at a tertiary center.

Introduction: Infectious keratitis is a rare but devastating complication following photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) that may lead to visual impairment. This study assessed the clinical features, treatment strategies, and outcomes of post-PRK infectious keratitis.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on patients with post-PRK infectious keratitis presenting to Khalili Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, from June 2011 to March 2024.

The safety and efficacy of robotic radiosurgery and radiotherapy in the management of skull base tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and radiotherapy (SRT) have gained prominence as both adjuvant and primary treatment options for patients with skull base tumors that are either inoperable or present as residual or recurrent lesions post-surgery. The object of the current study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted SRS and SRT across various skull base pathologies. The study was conducted under PRISMA guidelines and involved a comprehensive evaluation of databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web-of-Science, and the Cochrane Library.

Flexible and lead-free polymer composites for X-ray shielding: comparison of polyvinyl chloride matrix filled with nanoparticles of tungsten oxides.

Polymer nanocomposites have been investigated as lightweight and suitable alternatives to lead-based clothing. The present study aims to fabricate flexible, lead-free, X-ray-shielding composites using a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) matrix and different nanostructures. Four different nanostructures containing impure tungsten oxide, tungsten oxide (WO), barium tungstate (BaWO), and bismuth tungstate (BiWO) were synthesized through various methods.

The Impact of Exercise Training on Psychological Outcomes, Body Composition, and Quality of Life in Overweight or Obese Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Overweight and obesity are associated with adverse psychological outcomes, compromised body composition, and reduced quality of life (QoL). While exercise training has been proposed as an effective intervention, its impact on these outcomes remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of exercise training on psychological outcomes, body composition, and QoL in overweight or obese adults.

Fluoride-Induced Autophagy and Apoptosis in the Mouse Ovary: Genomic Insights into IL-17 Signaling and Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis.

Chronic fluoride (F) exposure is linked to gonadotoxicity in females, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated fluoride-induced reprotoxicity using advanced genomic profiling. RNA-seq analysis identified significant activation of autophagy, apoptosis, and IL-17 signaling pathways in fluoride-exposed female mice.

Epidemiology of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in Iran: Four-Year National Cancer Registry Data Report (2014-2017).

Introduction: An uncommon and diverse class of cancers originating from mesenchymal tissues is designated as soft tissue sarcoma (STS). To develop effective preventive and treatment strategies for STS, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of the epidemiological trends associated with the disease. This research will analyze the 4-year age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and geographical distribution of STS in Iran in great detail.

Platelet Volume Parameters as Predictors of Valvular Thrombosis Risk in Patients with Aortic and Mitral Valve Replacement.

Percutaneous valve implantation or surgical replacement with mechanical or biological valves are standard therapies for severe valvular heart diseases. Prosthetic valve thrombosis, though rare, is a serious complication, particularly with mechanical prostheses. This study aimed to investigate the predictive value of platelet volume parameters, including mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet-large cell ratio (P-LCR), for valvular thrombosis risk in patients undergoing valve replacement therapy.

Morphometric and Morphological Study of Thoracic and Lumbar Intervertebral Discs in Guinea Pigs (Cavia porcellus).

This study investigates the gross morphological and morphometric characteristics of thoracic and lumbar intervertebral discs (IVDs) in guinea pigs, utilising micro-CT imaging and anatomical dissection. The findings reveal 13 thoracic and six lumbar IVDs were identified, with thoracic discs transitioning from rounded forms at T1-T3 to triangular and heart-shaped structures at T4-T13, while lumbar IVDs exhibited a consistently flattened heart shape. Morphometric analysis revealed statistically significant differences, with lumbar IVDs being larger in lateral and dorsoventral width, disc area, annulus fibrosus (AF) area and nucleus pulposus (NP) area, and ventral height compared to thoracic discs.

Novel insights into sheep domestication in Southwest Asia based on genome-wide sequencing.

The origin of domestic sheep (Ovis aries) can be traced back to the Asian mouflon (Ovis gmelini), in the Near East around 10 000 years ago. Genetic divergence within mouflon populations can occur due to factors such as geographical isolation, social structures, and environmental pressures, leading to different affinities with domestic sheep. However, few studies have reported the extent to which mouflon sheep contribute to domestic sheep in different regions.

The status of sodium intake and excretion and the primary dietary sources of sodium in Iranian adults, a comprehensive pilot study.

Background: Coronary artery disease and hypertension are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide, primarily due to high sodium intake. Therefore, accurate assessment of the status of sodium intake and excretion is crucial. The present study aimed to assess the dietary sodium intake and excretion in Iranian population.

Association of Pain-Related Anxiety and Abdominal Muscle Thickness during Standing Postural Tasks in Patients with Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of pain-related anxiety on abdominal muscles thickness during standing postural tasks among individuals with chronic low back pain (CLBP).

Methods: We obtained responses to a pain-related anxiety symptoms questionnaire from 50 participants with CLBP. We then separated participants into high (11 men, 14 women) and low pain-related anxiety (13 men, 12 women) groups and compared assessments of their lateral abdominal muscles thickness during standing tasks on a computerized balance assessment device, using one static level and 2 movable levels (levels 6 and 3 are represented easy and difficult tasks respectively).

Trigger Point Dry Needling to Reduce Pain and Improve Function and Postural Control in People With Ankle Sprain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of dry needling (DN) to improve function, proprioception, and balance and to reduce pain in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI).

Methods: We followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for this review. We searched PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and ProQuest databases from inception until July 2022 using the PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) method.

High-performance modified LDH for green one-pot synthesis of pyrido[2,3-]pyrimidines.

This study introduces a new nano catalyst tailored for the eco-friendly synthesis of pyrido[2,3-]pyrimidine via a three-component one-pot reaction involving benzaldehydes, malononitrile, and uracil. To achieve this objective, we anchored copper acetate onto the surface of layered double hydroxides modified with 1,3‑benzenedisulfonyl amide (BDSA) (LDH@PTRMS@BDSA@Cu(NO)), which exhibited remarkable activity and selectivity. The main benefits of this method include high product yield, swift reaction times, straightforward purification, catalyst reusability, and the employment of a mild reaction process.

Fabrication of Cu@Ag core-shell/nafion/polyalizarin: Applications to simultaneous electrocatalytic oxidation and reduction of nitrite in water samples.

In this study, a Cu@Ag core-shell was synthesized using a co-precipitation method. To create a new electrochemical sensor, a Cu@Ag core-shell with conductive polymers such as polyalizarin yellow R (PA) and Nafion (Nf) was immobilized on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (Cu@Ag-Nf/PA/GCE). X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques were employed to characterize the Cu@Ag-Nf/PA/GCE.

Applying the Social Cognitive Theory to Design a Health Education Program on Weight-Loss Behaviors Among Police Officers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Being overweight/having obesity is a prevalent condition not only among the general population but also among individuals with special occupations such as police officers, where fitness is often a necessity. The present study's aim was to assess how much a psychoeducational intervention based on social cognitive theory (SCT) would be helpful for encouraging weight loss behaviors among police officers.

Methods: In a randomized control trial, 102 police officers who were overweight or had obesity voluntarily registered for a weight loss program and were assigned to either an intervention or control group.

Shiga Toxin: Emerging Producer Strains, Prophylactic Approaches, and Application in Cancer Therapy.

Shiga toxin-producing is the most prevalent bacterial strain responsible for Shiga toxin-related infections. While Shiga toxin is inherently toxic, it has potential therapeutic applications as a component of anticancer drugs. Despite its association with infections and harmful effects on human health, Shiga toxin is being explored as a viable element in drug delivery systems targeting cancer cells.

Evaluating the Effectiveness, Safety, and Satisfaction Rates of Phenol 90%, Trichloroacetic Acid 100%, and Radiofrequency in Lateral Matricectomy for the Treatment of Ingrown Toenails: A Triple-Arm Clinical Trial.

Background And Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and satisfaction rates of three different lateral matricectomy methods for treating ingrown toenails: 90% phenol, 100% trichloroacetic acid (TCA), and radiofrequency (RF) ablation. Our objective was to identify which method offers superior outcomes regarding postoperative pain, healing time, aesthetic results, and complication rates.

Methods: Conducted between August 2022 and June 2023, the study included 12 eligible patients divided into three groups: Group 1 underwent lateral matricectomy with 90% phenol, Group 2 with 100% TCA, and Group 3 with RF treatment.

Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) as a Potential Biomarker in Brain Glioma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates peripheral and CNS BDNF levels in glioma patients.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched databases for studies measuring BDNF in glioma patients and controls. After screening and data extraction, we conducted quality assessment, meta-analysis, and meta-regression.

Pollen Diversity in the Tribe Cardueae (Asteraceae) and Its Taxonomic Significance.

The Cardueae with about 74 genera and 2500 species is one of the largest tribes of the family Asteraceae. The taxonomy of the Cardueae is complicated and unresolved, as it contains the largest and most diverse genera. The main distribution centers of the Cardueae are in the eastern and western Mediterranean, the western Irano-Turanian region, central Asia, and North Africa.

Comparative Proteomics of Resistant and Susceptible Strains of Frankliniella occidentalis to Abamectin.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is an invasive agricultural pest with developed resistance to abamectin in some strains due to frequent treatment with the pesticide. In this study, we examined differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between abamectin-resistant (Aba; under abamectin selective pressure) and susceptible strains (Aba; without abamectin selective pressure) of F. occidentalis.