Design and validation of a self-assessment questionnaire of basic thinking skills.

Background: Since assessment of basic thinking skills is crucial in identifying an individual's cognitive capacities and comprehending their strengths and weaknesses, developing a suitable evaluating instrument holds significant importance in scheduling the training of basic thinking skills. This study aims to develop and subsequently validate a self-assessment questionnaire of basic thinking skills for medical sciences students.

Materials And Methods: The present study of designing and psychometrically testing the self-assessment questionnaire of basic thinking skills among medical sciences students was conducted between 2022 and 2023 at Isfahan University.

Innovative applications of MXenes in dialysis: enhancing filtration efficiency.

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional properties such as high electrical conductivity, large surface area, and chemical versatility, making them ideal candidates for various dialysis applications. One prominent application of MXenes lies in the efficient removal of toxic metals and harmful dyes from wastewater. Their unique structure allows for rapid adsorption and selective separation, significantly improving purification processes.

Sero-molecular prevalence of toxoplasmosis in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis patients in Markazi Province, Iran.

Background: Infectious diseases, particularly parasitic infections such as toxoplasmosis, contribute significantly to the morbidity and mortality of hemodialysis patients. Toxoplasma gondii infection poses serious risks, especially to immunocompromised individuals. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of latent toxoplasmosis in dialysis patients in Markazi Province, Iran.

Association between Mediterranean diet and metabolic health status among adults was not mediated through serum adropin levels.

Background: Prevalence of metabolic disorders has been increased in recent years around the world. The relationship between Mediterranean diet (MD) with metabolic health status and serum adropin levels has been less examined in Iranian adults. We investigated the association between MD compliance with metabolic health status and adropin hormone in Iranian adults.

Cost-utility analysis of combination medical therapies in chronic coronary syndrome: a comparative study using real-world and patient-level data from Iran.

Objectives: The main objective was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various medical therapy combinations in managing chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) in Iran, based on real-world and patient-level data.

Design: A cost-utility analysis employing a Markov model was conducted using data from a retrospective cohort study.

Setting: The study was conducted in the healthcare setting of Iran, focusing on primary and secondary care.

Investigating combined hypoxia and stemness indices for prognostic transcripts in gastric cancer: Machine learning and network analysis approaches.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is among the deadliest malignancies globally, characterized by hypoxia-driven pathways that promote cancer progression, including stemness mechanisms facilitating invasion and metastasis. This study aimed to develop a prognostic decision tree using genes implicated in hypoxia and stemness pathways to predict outcomes in GC patients.

Materials And Methods: GC RNA-seq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) were analyzed to compute hypoxia and stemness scores using Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) and the mRNA expression-based stemness index (mRNAsi).

Compare the Efficacy of Bolus Low Dose Ketamine Versus Bolus plus Infusion Low Dose Ketamine on Pain Management in Emergency Department: A randomized clinical trial.

Background: Ketamine is a promising drug for analgesia in emergency medicine, but a high rate of side effects is a barrier to whispered usage. We hypothesized that ketamine bolus followed by ketamine infusion would provide a more even and longer duration of analgesia and lower rates of side effects in comparison to bolus-only administration.

Methods: This was a double-blinded, clinical trial.

Patient-Reported Outcomes Following Systemic Antibiotic Adjunct to Nonsurgical Treatment of Periodontitis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Objectives: Considering the importance of patient-centered care, we aimed to evaluate the impact of systemic antibiotics on oral health-related quality of life during nonsurgical periodontal treatment. This controlled trial addresses a gap in understanding how systemic antibiotics influence patient-reported outcomes, focusing on Stage III periodontitis.

Materials And Methods: Sixty-one adults participated in a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, with participants divided into two groups: the test group, which received antibiotics, and the control group.

A Comparative Study of the Use of a 980 nm Diode Laser and 10600nm CO2 in the Treatment of Gingival Melanin Pigmentation.

Gingival depigmentation with the help of lasers is known as an effective technique. The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of 980nm diode and CO2 lasers in the treatment of gingival hyperpigmentation. In this clinical trial study, 14 individuals (8 females and 6 males) with the age range of 19 to 47 years were selected.

Evaluation of antifungal effect of amphotericin B in comparison with nystatin on Candida species derived from patients undergoing head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Background: There is ample evidence showing the development of nystatin-resistant strains in patients undergoing malignancy treatment. Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal drug that combines with ergosterol to cause cell death and is more effective on fungal species than routine antifungals such as nystatin. This study aimed to compare the effect of nystatin and amphotericin B on fungal species isolated from patients before and during head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Comparison of periapical parallel radiography with cbct with different field of views (FOV) for the detection of periapical lesions.

Background: Chronic apical periodontitis (AP) may influence the outcome of root canal treatment. Thus, it is important to diagnose AP using the best method available. This research was done to compare the diagnostic accuracy of parallel periapical radiography (PR) and different field of views (FOVs) of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Antifungal effect of atorvastatin in comparison with fluconazole on species isolated from patients undergoing head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Background: Head-and-neck radiotherapy can change oral species and lead to the development of refractory oral candidiasis resistant to the commonly prescribed antifungal medications such as fluconazole. Atorvastatin exerts an antifungal effect by inhibiting the synthesis of fungal wall ergosterol and impairing mitochondrial function. This study aimed to compare the antifungal effects of fluconazole and atorvastatin on species isolated from patients undergoing head-and-neck radiotherapy.

Immunomodulatory effects of novel nano micelle based curcumin in rheumatoid arthritis patients: A double blind randomized clinical trial.

Background And Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a well-known systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease. This investigation aimed to assess the effects of Sina-curcumin, a novel nano micelle-based curcumin, on immune system responses of RA patients.

Methods: This pilot study is a randomized double blinded, controlled trial.

Effect of prebiotic supplementation on health status in adults with prediabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Prediabetes with a considerable progression rate is a primary risk factor for type 2 diabetes, if left untreated. Dietary interventions examining the health effects of prebiotic consumption on health status have been studied in subjects with prediabetes but the results are controversial. This study aimed to investigate whether prebiotic consumption can favorably alter metabolic status as well as anthropometric features in subjects with prediabetes.

Enhancing the biological characteristics of aminolysis surface-modified 3D printed nanocomposite polycaprolactone/nanohydroxyapatite scaffold via gelatin biomacromolecule immobilization: An in vitro and in vivo study.

The surface characteristics of scaffolds utilized in bone tissue engineering profoundly influence subsequent cellular response. This study investigated the efficacy of applying a gelatin coat to the surface of aminolysis surface-modified scaffolds fabricated through 3D printing with a polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite, employing the hot-melt extrusion FDM technique. Initially, aminolysis surface modification using hexamethylenediamine enhanced surface hydrophilicity by introducing amine functional groups.

Association between diffusion tensor imaging measurements and cognitive performances in people with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Alterations in structural connectivity of brain networks have been linked to complex cognitive functions in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). However, a definitive consensus on the optimal diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) markers as indicators of cognitive performance remains incomplete and inconclusive. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore the evidence on the correlation between DTI metrics and cognitive functions in PwMS.

CircWaveDL: Modeling of optical coherence tomography images based on a new supervised tensor-based dictionary learning for classification of macular abnormalities.

Modeling Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) images is crucial for numerous image processing applications and aids ophthalmologists in the early detection of macular abnormalities. Sparse representation-based models, particularly dictionary learning (DL), play a pivotal role in image modeling. Traditional DL methods often transform higher-order tensors into vectors and then aggregate them into a matrix, which overlooks the inherent multi-dimensional structure of the data.

Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Complicated by Eosinophilic Myocarditis: Embolic Stroke or Eosinophilic Stroke? A Case Report.

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is traditionally described as chronic peripheral eosinophilia with involvement of various organs and systems, including the heart and nervous system. In this report, we describe cardiac involvement and border zone stroke in a patient with idiopathic HES. A 37-year-old woman presented with sudden right-sided weakness and slurred speech, which began four days before admission, accompanied by palpitations, retrosternal exertional chest discomfort, dry cough, and progressive shortness of breath over approximately two months.

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.

Elevated risk of possible sarcopenia and weak muscle strength with higher dietary inflammatory index in Iranian breast cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Increased levels of inflammation in cancer patients and survivors can make them more prone to muscle wasting and sarcopenia. Diet can be an appropriate treatment for alleviating patient complications. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the association between sarcopenia and its components with the dietary inflammatory index (DII) among breast cancer survivors.

Decreased expression of hsa-miR-142-3p and hsa-miR-155-5p in common variable immunodeficiency and involvement of their target genes and biological pathways.

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most common symptomatic and heterogeneous type of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). However, the pathogenesis process of this disease is often unknown. Epigenetic modifications may be involved in unresolved patients.

Sexual function and related predictors in male with multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder: a case-control study.

Background: Sexual dysfunction (SF) is a prevalent and distressing comorbidity in males with multiple sclerosis (MwMS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (MwNMOSD).

Aims: This study aimed to assess the SF in MwMS and MwNMOSD in comparison to male healthy controls (HCs) and identify its associated predictors.

Methods: This case-control study was conducted from February 2023 to January 2024 at the MS clinic of Kashani Hospital, Isfahan, Iran.

Egg consumption, sleep, and mental health status among women with type II diabetes.

To evaluate if egg consumption is associated with sleep quality and psychological health (depression, anxiety, and stress) in women with type 2 diabetes. A cross-sectional study was conducted on women with type 2 diabetes (n = 230). Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and blood pressure were measured.