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Investigating the reproducibility of radiomics features extracted from ultrasound images as diagnostic biomarkers in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Yunus Soleymani, Amir Reza Jahanshahi, Hamed Rezaeejam, Davood Khezerloo,
Volume 80, Issue 12 (3-2023)
Abstract
Background: Radiomics is a noninvasive method that reveals information from medical images that are not recognizable by the naked eye. Radiomics has shown a high potential in the accurate diagnosis and prognosis of liver lesions in ultrasound images. Despite this high potential, changes in imaging parameters affect the reproducibility of ultrasound radiomics results. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the reproducibility of the radiomics features extracted from the images of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma under changes in ultrasound scan parameters.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from July 2020 to July 2021 in the radiology department of Tabriz Paramedical Faculty. The images of 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were obtained from the Cancer Imaging Archive database. These images were taken under different imaging conditions and parameters. The areas related to the lesion were manually extracted from the images with software tools. Then, in order to radiomics analysis, different radiomics features, including 24 gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) and 16 gray level run length matrix (GLRLM), were extracted from the images. Then, using the coefficient of variation (CV%) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) statistical tests, the reproducibility of radiomics features under changes in scan parameters was investigated. The values of ICC≥0.90 and CV<20% were considered reproducible in this study.
Results: Among the 40 features extracted from ultrasound images, eight showed high reproducibility in both CV% and ICC tests. These features were joint entropy, Idmn, Imc2, correlation, MCC, sum entropy, gray level non-uniformity normalized, and run entropy in which the two features, Idmn and gray level non-uniformity normalized, showed the highest (CV%=0.24) and the lowest (CV%=14.90) stability against the changes of ultrasound scan parameters, respectively. The average ICC value of these features was obtained at 0.977.
Conclusion: Despite the high potential of radiomics in diagnosing liver lesions, changes in imaging parameters directly affect the reproducibility of results. However, some radiomics features still show high stability and reproducibility under changes in imaging parameters.

A survey of awareness, knowledge and attitudes regarding stem cell donation among different people in the community: a systematic review study
Behjat Kalantari Khandani , Fatemeh Irannejad Parizi , Sedigheh Sadat Mousavi, Pouria Salajegheh,
Volume 81, Issue 1 (4-2023)
Abstract
Background: Stem cells play an important role in tissue regeneration and treatment of diseases. This study aimed to investigate the awareness, knowledge and attitudes regarding stem cell donation among different people in the community.
Methods: In this systematic review study, Persian keywords and English keywords such as awareness, knowledge, stem cells, embryonic stem cells, adult stem cells, cord blood stem cells and donation were selected according to MeSH database and then these selected keywords have been searched in the academic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, OVID, Science Direct, Iran Medex and SID. In addition, these selected keywords have been searched in the search engines such as Google Scholar, between January 2010 to December 2021.
Results: The results of this study found a total of twenty-five articles related to the awareness, knowledge and attitudes regarding stem cell donation among different people in the community. They were selected. In this study there were 10 cross-sectional studies, 2 descriptive-cross-sectional studies, 5 descriptive studies, 1 mixed method study, 1 semi-experimental study, 1 intervention study, 1 survey study, 1 review study, and the study type was not mentioned in three studies. Most of the studies were conducted in countries such as India, Saudi Arabia, and then United States (USA) and Turkey. Only one article was found in Iran. The results of studies have shown that the level of awareness and attitude of the majority of different people in the community towards the donation and use of stem cells is medium and low. However, most people have a good and positive attitude towards the donation and use of stem cells and mention the use of stem cells as an effective way to treat diseases.
Conclusion: Considering the importance and application of stem cells, it is suggested that managers and planners provide the necessary conditions to implement educational programs to raise the level of awareness and attitude of different people in the community towards stem cell donation.

Antioxidant effects of adipose derived stem cells conditioned media against high glucose-induced injuries in cultured of C28I2 chondrocytes
Sedigheh Safari, Akram Eidi, Mehrnaz Mehrabani, Mohammad Javad Fatemi , Ali Mohammad Sharifi ,
Volume 81, Issue 1 (4-2023)
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, causing pain and loss of articular function. High glucose is a crucial inflammatory factor playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of OA that induces ROS production. Since most of the current therapies for OA are short-term benefits, hence, there is high demand for finding novel therapeutic agents for OA treatment. Recent studies have demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells secrete important therapeutic factors that protect chondrocytes. In the current study, we investigated the protective potential of Adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium (CM-ADSC) as an alternative to cell therapy in high glucose-mediated oxidative stress in C28I2 human chondrocytes.
Methods: This experimental study was performed in the Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran from May 2018 to August 2020. Adipose-derived stem cells were cultured until they reached 90% confluence then washed with PBS and cultured in a FBS-free medium for 48 hours. The conditioned medium was collected and centrifuged. The protective effect of the concentration of conditioned medium on high glucose (75mM)-induced oxidative stress in C28I2 cell viability was evaluated by WST-1 assay. Total RNA was isolated from the treated and untreated cells with TRIzol reagent. The mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes including, glutathione S-transferase-P1 (GSTP1), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in treatment and non-treatment groups.
Results: Adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium pretreatment remarkably protected C28I2 cells against high glucose. The expression of mRNA of CAT, GSTP1, and SOD1 significantly increased following treatment with the conditioned medium (50%) for 24 hours in high glucose-exposed cells as compared to the control.
Conclusion: Present study indicates that the Adipose-derived stem cell conditioned medium can reduce oxidative stress. It seems that the conditioned medium may protect cartilage in the progression of osteoarthritis.

Gene therapy in beta thalassemia: a review article
Hadis Soleimanzadeh, Nahid Nasiri ,
Volume 81, Issue 2 (5-2023)
Abstract
Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease that occurs due to a decrease in the synthesis of Please recheck. In beta thalassemia, defects in β-globin synthesis lead to an imbalance of β- and α-globin chains and the accumulation of α4 chains in the erythroid precursor which leads to ineffective erythropoiesis, shortened red blood cell survival, and finally clinical symptoms such as delayed sexual and physical maturation, endocrine dysfunction, cardiomyopathy, liver disease, bone deformities and hepatosplenomegaly. Current treatments such as transfusion, iron chelating agents and allogeneic stem cell hematopoietic transplantation have limitations in their use, including iron overload, lack of a human leukocyte antigen (HLA) matched compatible donor, and graft versus host disease (GVHD). Gene therapy is a new therapeutic option for beta thalassemia patients that induces the continuous expression of beta globin chains in the patient’s hematopoietic stem cells. The idea of gene therapy was first proposed in the early 1970s, and the ultimate goal of this treatment method is to express the defective gene in the target cell in a way that can reduce the symptoms of the disease or eliminate them (symptoms) altogether. There are two general methods for gene therapy: the integrating vector, in which the desired gene is inserted into the genome of the target cell and its lifelong expression follows, is the non-integrating method, in which the vector doesn’t integrate into the genome of the target cell and the cytoplasmic form enables gene expression. The first beta thalassemia gene therapy was performed in France in 2006, and in this clinical trial, the first patient with the E/β0 thalassemia was treated at the age of 18. Gene therapy for beta-thalassemia has been approved by the food and drug administration in 2022 for patients aged 12 years and older who have a non β0/β0 phenotype. It seems that this therapeutic option is the definitive treatment method for blood transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients.     However, this treatment method still has limitations: high cost, sensitivity of lentiviral vector production, and the possibility of integration of the vector near the proto-oncogene and its activation are some of them.

Comparison of diagnostic value of ELISA tests with Brucella serological tests in patients with brucellosis
Hamidreza Ghasemi Basir , Mohammad Mahdi Majzoobi , Abbas Moradi, , Ali Saadatmand,
Volume 81, Issue 5 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background: Brucellosis is one of the most common infectious diseases transmitted from animal to human. Different methods of blood culture, serology, PCR and ELISA are used to diagnose brucellosis. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of ELISA tests with Brucella serological tests in patients with brucellosis.
Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study that was conducted from the beginning of April 2018 to the end of March 2019, 231 patients referred to the Infectious Diseases Clinic of Sina Hospital in Hamadan with clinical symptoms and possible diagnosis of brucellosis were included in the study. 5 cc of blood was taken from the patients to prepare serum, at the same time as Wright, Combs Wright and 2ME serology tests, IgG and IgM ELISA tests were also performed using the ELISA kit of Pishtaz Teb Company (Made in Iran), which is designed with the cut-off method. Then the test results were analyzed with SPSS software, version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).
Results: 231 patients suspected of brucellosis including 147(63.64%) men and 84(36.36%) women with an average age of 44.60±16.16 years and a minimum of 10 years and a maximum of 80 years were examined. IgG and IgM results were positive with brucellosis in 80.1% and 30.30%, respectively. The results of IgG and IgM were positive in 1/80 and 30.30%, respectively, and they were diagnosed with brucellosis. In comparison with 2ME, Wright and Coombs-Wright serology tests, the sensitivity of IgG was between 83.80% and 94.28% and its specificity was between 20 and 33.34%, the sensitivity of IgM was also between 34.78 and 40.0% and its specificity was between 78.67% and 89.47% at different cut points.
Conclusion: Compared to diagnostic serological tests for brucellosis, IgG is more sensitive and IgM is more specific. If serological tests are not available, ELISA can be used to diagnose brucellosis. But because of their lower diagnostic value, they cannot be replaced.

Effect of cell therapy compared to renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blocking agent in chronic kidney disease in cat-animal model
Nahid Askari, Ali Ali Shafieipour , Soudeh Khanamani Falahati-Pour,
Volume 81, Issue 5 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a promising therapy for kidney repair. This study compared the regenerative effects of feline MSCs (fMSCs) and telmisartan, a renin-angiotensin blocker (RAB), in a feline model of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Methods: The fMSCs were obtained from 35 Persian cats with CKD and characterized by CD44, CD90, and CD105 markers by using real-time RT-qPCR. The cats were randomly allocated to four groups, fMSCs injection (first group), telmisartan administration (second group), no treatment (third group), and healthy controls (fourth group). The study was conducted in Kerman province from December 2018 to December 2019. The factors that may affect the risk of CKD, such as age, weight, and history of kidney diseases, were considered as independent variables. The presence or absence of CKD was the dependent variable. The cats were followed up for 120 days and evaluated by physical examination, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), serum urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), urine specific gravity (SG), and kidney histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20) with two-way ANOVA and Tukey test. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The fMSCs group showed significant improvement in GFR, BUN, SCr, serum urea, SG, and kidney histology compared to the other groups. The fMSCs group also showed increased expression of CD44, CD90, and CD105 genes in the kidney tissue, indicating enhanced stem cell activity. The telmisartan group showed modest improvement in blood pressure and proteinuria, but no significant effect on other parameters. fMSCs transplantation can restore the kidney function and structure in cats with CKD by modulating the apoptosis and proliferation of renal cells. The telmisartan  patients benefited from the anti-hypertensive and anti-proteinuric effects of the drug, but not from its anti-fibrotic or anti-inflammatory effects.
Conclusion: fMSCs transplantation was more effective than telmisartan in improving kidney function and reducing kidney damage in cats with CKD. fMSCs may be a potential therapeutic option for CKD patients.

A survey on the effect of recording rates and causes of surgery cancellation on the incidence of rates in candidates for surgery: a brief report
Arash Heroabadi, Mahsa Zargaran , Alireza Khajehnasiri, Reza Atef Yekta ,
Volume 81, Issue 5 (8-2023)
Abstract
Background: Preventing the cancellation of surgeries is an important and devastating challenge in operating room management. Cancellation of pre-scheduled surgeries at the last moment in the operation room leads to increased length of stay, patient dissatisfaction, human resource consumption and financial burden for patients and the health care system. In this study, we have investigated the effect of recording the causes of surgery cancellations in the operation room on the incidence of surgery cancellations in patients who have been candidates for non-emergent surgeries.
Methods: A total of 545 surgeries which had been canceled in different types of surgery between March 2014 and March 2015 were recorded according to the reasons for cancellation in predetermined forms and the information was analyzed. The most common reasons for cancellation included changing the plan of treatment from surgery, a high-risk comorbidity with a high probability of mortality, patient’s refusal from surgery, an unanticipated duration of previous surgery longer than anticipated, the unavailability of an ICU bed in the hospital, requested laboratory data not being ready, failing to prepare requested packed RBCs and other hospital or patient-related problems.
Results: The percentage of surgery cancellations in most groups including orthopedics, urology, cardiac surgery, general surgery, gynecology and maxillofacial surgery, decreased during the course of this study. According to our findings the most relevant cause of non-emergent surgery cancellation was the unpredictable increased duration of previous surgery. The maxillofacial surgery group reached the highest surgery cancellation reduction rate and the cardiovascular surgery group experienced the lowest cancellation reduction rate. Also, the percentage of surgery cancellations in the field of neurosurgery increased during the study period.
Conclusion: Recording the reasons mentioned by the surgical team as the reason for canceling surgeries and reducing the rate of their occurrence during the study and providing appropriate feedback and dialogue in this case had a positive effect on reducing the rate of cancellation of the surgeries and reducing the mentioned reasons.

An overview of future developments of exosomes in cell-free therapies: a review article
Seyed Khalil Pestehei, Mahdieh Ghiasi, Seyed-Hassan Emami-Razavi ,
Volume 81, Issue 7 (10-2023)
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stromal cells are multipotent cells capable of differentiating into the mesenchymal lineage that can be isolated from bone marrow and adipose tissue or from umbilical cord blood and fetal tissues. Among the widely characterized in vitro properties, MSCs show strong anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects on immune responses Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells derived from different tissues are promising cell-free treatments for tissue damage repair. Exosomes serve as a potential portal for cell-free drug delivery systems, as these drugs possess the properties of the parent cell from which they are derived. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play key roles in cell biology and may provide new clinical diagnostics and therapies. Exosomes, called extracellular vesicles (EcVs), are present in almost all cells, tissues, and body fluids. They contribute to intercellular signaling and maintain tissue homeostasis. The biogenesis of exosomes starts in the endosomal system. Researchers have identified 9769 proteins, 2838 miRNAs, 3408 and 1116 lipids present in exosome of mRNA cargo. Isolation of exosomes from cells, tissues and body fluids follows a different pattern. Exosomes interact with receptor cells through their surface receptor molecules and ligands and are internalized into receptor cells through micropinocytosis and phagocytosis. This varies depending on the origin of the EV, its physiological and pathological state, and even the exact site of cellular release. The composition of the protein inside can also indicate the presence of disease pathologies such as cancer or inflammatory diseases; However, exosomes also contain a number of common proteins as well as proteins involved in vesicle formation. Advanced technologies in regenerative medicine have caused researchers to use exosomes isolated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with high regeneration ability in diseases. Exosome cargo plays a key role in diagnosis and treatment by controlling the disease process. Various studies in laboratory conditions have shown the effectiveness and therapeutic potential of exosomes in cancer, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and orthopedic diseases. This article describes the therapeutic role and potential of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells, as well as the necessary precautions for their processing.

Creation of the suitable natural human kidney scaffold: comparison of 2 decellularization methods
Samira Shahraki , Mahmoud Tavakkoli, Abolfazl Khajavirad, Maryam Moghadam Matin , Mohammad Aslzare ,
Volume 82, Issue 1 (4-2024)
Abstract
Background: A range of diseases can result in end-stage renal disease (ESRD), characterized by a gradual decline in kidney function and associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently, renal transplantation as the most effective treatment for managing ESRD. Tissue engineering presents a considerable opportunity to expand the available supply of donor organs for kidney transplants. The aim of this research was to develop a suitable technique for preparing decellularized kidney scaffolds from human tissues.
Methods: The present study was carried out from April 2019 to August 2019 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In this study, two decellularization protocols were compared using sections of human kidney tissue. Therefore, two human kidneys which collected from Ghaem and Imam Reza hospitals were used. In the first protocol, detergents such as 1% Triton X-100 (1A) and 1% SDS (Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate) (1B) were employed, followed by the application of DNase I. The second protocol utilized 0.5% SDS (2A) and 1% SDS (2B). The effectiveness of these techniques was evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), DNA quantification, and immunohistochemistry (IHC).
Results:  Based on H&E staining results, comparison of the decellularized and native human kidney tissues showed a successful elimination of cell nuclei and the ameliorate extracellular matrix preservation in triton-treated scaffolds (1A) in comparison with the SDS-treated scaffolds (1B) at all times protocols. Furthermore, DNA quantification illustrated triton X-100 in removing DNA was more effective in eliminating DNA from kidney tissues compared to other protocols in renal tissues. In addition, IHC staining demonstrated that the expression of collagen IV and laminin was preserved throughout the decellularization process with Triton X-100 on day fifth. Also, IHC staining indicated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) was completely eliminated in the cortex-medulla of human scaffolds treated with Triton X-100 within day fifth.
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that triton X-100 outperformed SDS as a detergent for decellularizing human kidneys. Meanwhile these results indicate suitable method for decellularization of human kidneys to produce functional kidneys.

 
Investigating the effect of aerobic training and Ursolic acid consumption on the expression of some genes of the sarcopenia and osteoporosis signaling pathways in type 2 diabetic model aged rats
Mohammad Hossein Rabbani , Parvin Farzanegi, Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani ,
Volume 82, Issue 6 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background: Aerobic exercise and the consumption of certain supplements, such as ursolic acid, may reduce sarcopenia and osteoporosis by activating or inhibiting specific genes and signaling pathways. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aerobic exercise and ursolic acid supplementation on the expression of genes related to inflammatory and autophagy pathways in type 2 diabetes.
Methods: This experimental study was conducted from May 2023 to October 2023 at Islamic Azad University, Sari Branch. A total of 30 male Wistar rats (12 months old, mean weight 390 g) were randomly assigned to five groups: 1) healthy (normal), 2) diabetic, 3) diabetic+exercise, 4) diabetic+supplement, 5) diabetic+exercise+ supplement. Diabetes was induced via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight). The aerobic exercise protocol was performed five days a week for eight weeks. The supplement groups received a daily intraperitoneal injection of ursolic acid (250 mg/kg body weight).
Results: Data analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the expression levels of LC3, Becline-1, TNFα, IL-1β Akt, and FOXO3 genes (P=0.000). The results of the post hoc test also showed that the expression level of LC3, Becline-1, TNFα, IL-1β genes in the model group increased significantly compared to the normal group (P=0.000). A significant difference was observed between intervention groups (P<0.05). The results of the follow-up test also showed that the level of expression of Akt genes in the model group was significantly decreased compared to the normal group (P=0.000). No significant difference was observed between intervention groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that regular aerobic training and Ursolic acid consumption can affect inflammatory and autophagy pathways. These effects reduce cell atrophy through changes in some biological signals and help improve muscle function in type 2 diabetes. Therefore, aerobic training and Ursolic acid consumption can serve as an effective strategy for improving metabolic status and preventing cellular damage in this patient population.

Identification of diagnostic biomarkers in kidney cancer using RNAseq data analysis and their confirmation by qRT-PCR
Fateme Sadat Zendehdel, Seyyed Abdolhamid Angaji , Behnaz Beikzadeh, Behzad Narouie , Mahdi Mohammadi,
Volume 82, Issue 6 (9-2024)
Abstract
Background: Clear renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common malignant kidney tumor and has a high mortality rate. The pathogenesis of this cancer is complex and efficient biomarkers for its diagnosis and prediction are limited. This study aimed to identify predictive genes in ccRCC through analysis and laboratory validation ccRCC is the most common malignant kidney tumor and has a high mortality rate.
Methods: The present study was a case-control study in which samples were taken from patients and healthy individuals from Labafi Nejad Hospital in Tehran between October 2012 and April 2014, and laboratory tests were performed on the samples.
First, genes with differential expression in ccRCC patients were identified by bioinformatics using gene expression profile data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database with accession number GSE213324. Data analysis was performed using Galaxy web server, protein-protein interactions were checked using Cytoscape and STRING app software, and finally two genes were selected for real-time PCR testing.
Results: Analysis identified 4,065 genes with differential expression in RCC tissues compared to healthy tissues. These genes are involved in immune responses and renal disease pathways, suggesting their potential role in disease development. After constructing the protein-protein interaction network and identifying differentially expressed genes in kidney tissue and blood, two genes, MTTP and CALCA, were selected for further investigation. In the Mann-Whitney U test, the expression of the CALCA gene decreased significantly in the patient group (P<0.05). On the other hand, the MTTP gene showed a decrease in expression, but not significantly. The AUC calculated to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy for the CALCA gene was 0.64 and significant (P<0.05), demonstrating its potential as a useful biomarker for ccRCC diagnosis. However, the AUC for the MTTP gene was not significant.
Conclusion: The reduction in CALCA expression could serve as a useful biomarker for diagnosing ccRCC.

Evaluation of the epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes of hospitalized patients with positive blood cultures for Brucella
Maedeh Afshar, Mahboubeh Haddad , Aliakbar Heydari, Majid Khadem Rezaiyan ,
Volume 82, Issue 8 (11-2024)
Abstract

Background: Brucellosis is the most frequently encountered zoonosis and one of the most important health challenges, especially in developing countries. This disease can be accompanied by bacteremia and may result in severe complications. A definitive diagnosis may be made by culture of the organism from blood, body fluids or tissues, although serum agglutination test is often recognized as the reference test. While bacteremic brucellosis is not uncommon, research on this topic remains limited. The present study was conducted to determine the epidemiological, clinical, and para-clinical characteristics of patients hospitalized with bacteremic brucellosis.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated the epidemiological, clinical, and para-clinical characteristics, and clinical outcomes of patients hospitalized with bacteremic brucellosis from March 2011 to February 2021 at Imam Reza and Ghaem hospitals in Mashhad, Iran. A list of adult patients with confirmed brucellosis was assembled from microbiology laboratory records. The inclusion criterion was a positive blood culture for Brucella, regardless of the Brucella serology results. According to the laboratory report, the BACTEC culture medium was used to identify the organism, and the reported results did not specify the Brucella species. Demographic data, clinical presentations, paraclinical findings (including Wright, 2ME Wright, and Coombs Wright), and clinical outcomes were extracted from archived medical records.

Results: The mean age was 38.8±18 years, and 17 patients (53.1%) were male. Cardiac diseases were the most common underlying disease, and 15.7% of patients were immunocompromised. Fever and mono-arthritis were the most common symptoms and signs, respectively. Serologic investigations were negative in 12 patients (37.5%). 84.4% of patients had anemia. There was no mortality among patients.
Conclusion: A significant property of patients with positive blood culture for Brucella may not be identified with serologic assays, so if there is strong clinical suspicion of brucellosis, blood culture should also be considered. According to this study, bacteremic brucellosis is not accompanied by mortality, and the patients respond well to common antibiotic regimens.

Investigating the effect of insect body extracts (their products) and some arthropods in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells or tumours (breast cancer cell line/MCF7)
Bahar Rostamizadeh, Alireza Jalali-Zand , Kamran Qhaedi, Rozita Nasiri,
Volume 82, Issue 8 (11-2024)
Abstract
Background: Insects and arthropods, along with their products, have been used as medicinal sources since ancient times, that is called entomotherapy. Cancer is one of the major problems in medical science, for which a drug has not yet been discovered to control it quickly and accurately. Arthropods have been medicinal sources since ancient times and they especially Insects have a high potential for insect therapy because of the biodiversity. This research investigates the effect of insect body extracts and arthropods in inhibiting the growth of cancer cells or tumours, specifically on the breast cancer cell line, MCF7002E
Methods: The basic and applied study was conducted in Isfahan from 2018 to 2023. In this research, six species of insects, namely Gryllotalpa sp., Polyrhachis sp., Dolichovespula sp., Apis mellifera, Periplaneta americana, Drosophila melanogaster, and one species of Chilopoda, Scolopendra sp., were used. The samples were washed with distilled water and 70% alcohol, then frozen and powdered and prepared in 1% DMSO at eight concentrations of 62.5, 125, 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000 μg/ml and were evaluated for the control of two lines of breast cancer cells MCF-7 by the MTT test was performed to check the effect of doses. The affected doses of insects and centipedes were performed in 6 replicates and three times to MCF-7 cells. IC50 and LD50 were calculated by Prism version six software to check the effect of concentrations determine the effective dose and choose the best extract to control the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Results: Scolopendra sp., Drosophila melanogaster, Periplaneta americana, Polyrhachis sp., Apis mellifera, and Gryllotalpa sp. are the most effective species, respectively, in inducing apoptosis and cell death in MCF-7 cancer cell line. Dolichovespula sp. had the least effect. Scolopendra sp. at a concentration of 500 μg/litre induced cell death in more than 50% of MCF-7 cancer cells.
Conclusion: The results of the application of seven different genera of arthropods and insects showed that these genera have excellent therapeutic potential, particularly in the treatment of MCF-7 cancer cells.
 

Surgical management of non-melanoma skin cancers with flap and graft reconstruction
Behzad Iranmanesh, Ali Morsali, Nazanin Zeinali Nezhad ,
Volume 83, Issue 2 (5-2025)
Abstract
Background: Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are among the most prevalent malignancies globally. Investigating their characteristics and treatment-related outcomes can significantly contribute to optimizing management strategies including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This study aimed to examine the characteristics of NMSCs and the complications following surgical treatment (such as necrosis and bleeding).
Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study which was conducted to investigate the features of patients initially diagnosed with NMSC (confirmed by histopathological examination of the lesion) at dermatology ward of Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, between 2018 and 2021. Inclusion criteria were definitive diagnosis (based on the result of pathology) of an NMSC and undergoing surgical management. Exclusion criteria included incomplete patient records. Relevant data were extracted and recorded using a data collection form. Finally, all collected information was statistically analyzed according to the study objectives, and the overall frequency of NMSC surgeries, as well as their frequency based on study variables, was reported descriptively.
Results: A total of 37 NMSC surgeries were performed. The majority were basal cell carcinomas located on the face. Over half of the patients were male, and most had underlying medical conditions despite lacking common risk factors such as smoking and sun exposure. The most common flap techniques used were rotational flap, island pedicle flap, and H-plasty flap. Two complications were observed: one case of bleeding at the surgical site and one case of wound edge necrosis, both occurring one week post-operation.
Conclusion: In the southeastern region of Iran, NMSCs requiring surgical treatment showed a lower prevalence than anticipated. However, their pathological and demographic characteristics were consistent with global observations. The incidence of post-surgical complications was also low. Nevertheless, future studies with larger sample sizes in this region and across the country are recommended to enhance the reliability of these findings.

The transient role of miR-182 and miR-183 expression in inducing photoreceptor-like characteristics in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Samaneh Arab, Mohammad-Reza Mahmoudian-Sani , Najmeh Fattahi , Zakiye Ekhlasi, Samira Asgharzade,
Volume 83, Issue 5 (8-2025)
Abstract
Background: Retinal photoreceptor degeneration is a major cause of blindness. Stem cell therapies offer promise, and the miR-183/96/182 cluster, particularly miR-182 and miR-183, plays a crucial role in photoreceptor development and survival. Targeting these miRNAs may enhance human bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells) hBMSCs (differentiation into photoreceptor-like cells, improving their therapeutic potential.
Methods: This in vitro study was conducted from April 2019 to March 2021 at the Clinical Biochemistry Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. hBMSCs were cultured in DMEM with fetal bovine serum and transfected with miR-182 and miR-183 mimics using Lipofectamine, with a scramble miRNA control. Transfection efficiency and miRNA overexpression were evaluated at 24 and 48 hours using real-time PCR. miRNA expression was normalised to Snord, while mRNA levels were normalised to GAPDH using the 2−ΔΔCt method. Photoreceptor-like differentiation was assessed by measuring the expression of retina-specific transcription factors and markers (OTX2, CRX, NRL, SLC1A1, PKCα, Recoverin, and RHO). Statistical analyses included the Shapiro–Wilk test for normality and the Mann-Whitney U test for group comparisons. Data were reported as Mean ± SEM, with 95% confidence intervals, and significance set at α = 0.05.
Results: Transfection of miR-182 and miR-183 significantly increased miRNA levels at 24–48 hours (P < 0.001) compared to the scramble control. This led to a marked upregulation of retinal-related genes, including CRX, OTX2, PKCα, Recoverin, NRL, and RHO, indicating activation of the photoreceptor gene network. Time-resolved analysis revealed stronger effects at 24–48 hours, supporting a transient window for pro-differentiation. RHO and CRX exhibited the most significant increases, while OTX2 and PKCα showed parallel rises, suggesting coordinated activation of early and intermediate photoreceptor programs. Scramble controls did not show comparable changes.
Conclusion: Transient overexpression of miR-182 and miR-183 in hBMSCs activates a photoreceptor-like gene expression program, promoting differentiation toward photoreceptor-like cells. This finding supports the potential use of miR-182/183 in stem cell-based therapies for retinal degeneration. Further studies should confirm protein expression, functional outcomes, and in vivo efficacy.
 
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