The Association Between Lower Limb Joint Position Sense and Different Aspects of Gait Pattern in Individuals With Bilateral Knee Osteoarthritis.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) can have more pronounced effects on joint position sense (JPS) accuracy and gait characteristics. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between lower limb JPS and different aspects of gait pattern including gait asymmetry and variability and spatiotemporal coordination in individuals with bilateral KOA. In this cross-sectional study, lower limb JPS of 43 individuals with bilateral KOA (mild and moderate) were measured.

Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells on cholesterol homeostasis-associated genes in AD-like rats.

Cholesterol is vital for nerve processes. Changes in cholesterol homeostasis lead to neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD). In recent years, extensive research has confirmed the influential role of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in managing AD.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Empathy is a complex behavior enabling individuals to recognize and sense the emotional situation of others. Empathy requires cognitive, emotional, and learning abilities to understand and react to the suffering of others. The current study evaluates the effect of Amyloid-Beta (Aβ), an aggregated peptide involved in Alzheimer's disease on empathy-like behavior.

Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine for Leishmania major based on the Leishmania-activated C kinase antigen using calcium phosphate and chitosan adjuvants.

Background: Leishmaniasis represents a significant parasitic disease with global health implications, and the development of an affordable and effective vaccine could provide a valuable solution. This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine targeting Leishmania major specifically based on the Leishmania-activated C kinase (LACK) antigen, utilizing calcium phosphate nanoparticles (CaPNs) and chitosan nanoparticles (ChitNs) as adjuvants.

Methods: Seventy female BALB/c mice, aged 4-6 wk and weighing 20-22 g, were selected and divided into five groups, each consisting of 14 mice.

Development and Evaluation of SYBR Green Real-Time PCR for Rapid and Specific Identification of Trichophyton indotineae.

Background: Since 2017, dermatophytosis caused by the newly introduced species Trichophyton indotineae has gained new interest worldwide due to the rise in terbinafine resistance and difficulty in the treatment of recalcitrant infections. Distinguishing T. indotineae from other Trichophyton species based on morphological features is impossible and DNA sequencing is necessary for accurate identification.

Microbial safety and chemical characteristics of sausage coated by chitosan and postbiotics obtained from Lactobacillus bulgaricus during cold storage.

This study investigated the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, as well as the volatile compounds, of Lactobacillus bulgaricus (L. bulgaricus) postbiotics (at concentration of 150 and 300 mg/L) and their combination with chitosan coatings (0.5% and 1%) on sausage quality (with 100 ppm nitrite) during 40 days of cold storage.

Investigation of pregnancy tendency, reproductive characteristics, and disability in women with multiple sclerosis: A secondary data analysis of the national registry in Iran.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) predominantly affects women of childbearing age, significantly impacting their quality of life (QOL). The diagnosis of MS can influence pregnancy intention, and the level of disability associated with MS may change before and after pregnancy. This study aims to analyze the reproductive characteristics of Iranian female patients with MS (PwMS) and their association with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and pregnancy tendency, providing valuable insights into disease progression and the development of tailored treatments.

Designing a Framework for Evaluating the Scientific Productions.

Background: Evaluation of scientific productions to attract, maintain, and promote faculty members is one of the necessary processes of academic societies and is of interest to policy makers in the field of higher education. This study aimed to provide a uniform and native framework for evaluating the scientific productions of researchers in the fields of science and health in Iran.

Methods: The current research used the single-stage fuzzy Delphi technique and AHP.

Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Serum 25-Hydroxy Cholecalciferol in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Earlier studies about the influence of vitamin D (Vit D) supplementation on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) reported inconsistent results. Current comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effect of Vit D supplementation on clinical and subclinical factors in patients with IBD.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of Vit D supplementation in IBD patients, published up to March 2023.

Association Between Different Dietary Carbohydrate and Risk of Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Among Female Adolescents.

Purpose: Mental disorders account for a large part of the burden of disease in young population. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between carbohydrate intakes and the risk of depression, anxiety, and stress among female adolescents.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 263 female adolescents aged 15-18 years participated.

Assessing Glioblastoma Treatment Response Using Machine Learning Approach Based on Magnetic Resonance Images Radiomics: An Exploratory Study.

Background And Objectives: Assessing treatment response in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors necessitates developing more objective and quantitative approaches. A machine learning-based approach is presented in this exploratory study for GBM patients' treatment response assessment based on radiomics extracted from magnetic resonance (MR) images.

Methods: MR images from 77 GBM patients were acquired at two post-surgery stages and preprocessed.

The association Malnutrition-Inflammation Score with chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus and quality of life in hemodialysis patients: a multicenter cross-sectional study.

Malnutrition is prevalent among hemodialysis patients, negatively impacting their quality of life (QoL) and chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP). This study investigates the association between the Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS) and CKD-aP, as well as QoL, in hemodialysis patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 479 HD patients (279 males and 200 females) referred to eight dialysis centers.

Prevalence of cataracts in Iran based on the Persian eye cohort study.

The PERSIAN eye cohort study is a population-based study that evaluates the overall prevalence of cataracts and their subtypes (nuclear sclerosis, cortical, and PSC) in Iran. In this study, from January 2015 to September 2021, 16,016 participants over 35 years of age from four provinces who were selected by random cluster sampling were examined. Demographic information, education, socioeconomic status, and place of residence were collected through interviews.

Study of the litter in the urban environment as primary and secondary microplastics sources.

Microplastic is one of the most important environmental challenges of recent decades. Although the abundance of microplastics in water sources and water bodies such as the marine were investigated in many studies, knowing the sources of microplastics requires more studies. In this study, litter was investigated as one of the challenges of urban management and the sources of primary microplastic and secondary microplastic in the urban environment.

Survival outcomes and contributing factors in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran.

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most frequent oral cancer worldwide. Despite advances in OSCC treatment, the mortality rate has not decreased in recent years. Therefore, the aim of this investigation was to assess the survival rate as a factor reflecting the quality aspects of care and background parameters that influence survival in patients with OSCC.

Exploring oral candidiasis among cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in eastern Iran.

Background And Objectives: Understanding the epidemiology of species among cancer patients is crucial for preventing invasive infections. This study aimed to identify species and assess risk factors among cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Birjand, eastern Iran.

Materials And Methods: The samples were obtained from the oral cavity of 140 patients and the initial identification of species was carried out through fungal cultures.

Adipose MSCs response to breast cancer cell-derived factors in conditioned media and extracts.

Interactions between MSCs and cancer cells are complex and multifaceted and have been shown to exhibit both pro-tumor and antitumor effects. This study investigated the effects of conditioned medium (CM) and cell extract (CE) from two different ERα statuses, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines, on adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). Findings showed that CM and CE increased cellular metabolic activity and viability of ASCs, upregulated angiogenic factors VEGF and HIF-1α, and cytokine TGF-β expression levels.

Profession and role-based analysis of occupational exposure for COVID-19 among frontline healthcare workers in the pandemic: a risk assessment study.

Healthcare workers are exposed to a high risk of COVID-19 infection due to close contact with infected patients in healthcare centers. This study aimed to investigate the level of exposure and risk of COVID-19 virus infection among healthcare workers working in primary healthcare centers in Khuzestan province, Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 599 healthcare workers working in primary healthcare centers in the northern region of Khuzestan province, Iran, in 2022.

Antifungal susceptibility profile of Candida species and uncommon yeasts from drug abusers with oral candidiasis.

In Iran, there is limited information regarding the species distribution and antifungal susceptibility profiles of yeast isolates from drug addicts suffering from oral candidiasis (OC). In this study, 104 yeast isolates, including 98 Candida species and 6 uncommon yeasts, were collected from 71 drug abusers with OC. The susceptibility profiles of Candida spp.

Prenatal Methamphetamine Exposure Impairs Helping Behaviour in Male Offspring: The Possible Role of miR-223 and NLRP3 Inflammasomes in the Amygdala.

The increasing prevalence of methamphetamine abuse among women, particularly pregnant females, is a global concern. Methamphetamine can readily cross anatomical barriers like the blood-placenta barrier and cause detrimental impacts on the growing fetus. The current research evaluated the effects of prenatal methamphetamine exposure on helping behaviour and neuroinflammatory cascade in the amygdala of male offspring.

Anti-diabetic therapies on dental implant success in diabetes mellitus: a comprehensive review.

Background And Objective: Dental implant therapy faces challenges in patients with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM and T2DM) due to adverse effects on bone metabolism and immune response. Despite advancements, diabetic patients face higher risks of peri-implantitis and compromised osseointegration. This review assesses the impact of anti-diabetic medications on implant outcomes, offering insights to bridge the gap between animal studies and clinical practice.

The investigation of the relationship between vitamin D level and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis in new cases of type 1 diabetes in children referred to Hazrat-E- Ali-Asghar Hospital in 2021.

Background And Purpose: According to the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) in glucose homeostasis and immune modulation, vitamin D deficiency may be associated with type 1 diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigation of the relationship between the vitamin D level and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis in new cases of type 1 diabetes in children referred to Hazrat-E-Ali-Asghar Hospital in 2021.

Methods: The present study is based on a cross-sectional study.

A retrospective study of extrapulmonary tuberculosis in the Khuzestan province of southwest Iran between 2002 and 2023.

Background: Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is among the most common causes of death. To our knowledge, there has been no study showing the prevalence of EPTB in Khuzestan province. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate the prevalence of EPTB in patients with or without pulmonary TB in different cities of Khuzestan province from 2002 to 2023.

Lost and found: dynamics of relationship and employment status over time in people with affective and psychotic spectrum disorders.

Background: Employment and relationship are crucial for social integration. However, individuals with major psychiatric disorders often face challenges in these domains.

Aims: We investigated employment and relationship status changes among patients across the affective and psychotic spectrum - in comparison with healthy controls, examining whether diagnostic groups or functional levels influence these transitions.

Contrasting genetic burden for bipolar disorder: Early onset versus late onset in an older adult bipolar disorder sample.

Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder (OABD) represent a heterogeneous group, including those with early and late onset of the disorder. Recent evidence shows both groups have distinct clinical, cognitive, and medical features, tied to different neurobiological profiles. This study explored the link between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for bipolar disorder (PRS-BD), schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ), and major depressive disorder (PRS-MDD) with age of onset in OABD.