bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Şizofreni hastalarında CYB mtDNA mutasyonları ve PI3K/AKT/mTOR sinyal yolağındaki genlerin ekspresyon durumu
Authors: DİRİCAN Ebubekir , KARABULUT UZUNÇAKMAK Sevgi , ÖZCAN Halil
Published: January 2023

Amaç: Bu çalışma, şizofreni hastalarında sitokrom b (CYB) mitokondriyal DNA (mtDNA) mutasyonlarını taramayı ve PI3K/AKT/mTOR sinyal yolağındaki genlerin mRNA ifadelerini analiz etmeyi amaçlamıştır.

Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu çalışmada 44 şizofreni hastasından ve 41 sağlıklı bireyden DNA (hasta) ve RNA (hasta ve kontrol) izolasyonu için tam kan alındı. CYB mtDNA mutasyonları için örnekler PCR ile amplifiye edildi ve Sanger DNA dizi analiziyle tanımlandı. PIK3CA, AKT1 ve mTOR genlerinin mRNA ekspresyonu için RT-PCR ve 2-∆∆Ct metodu kullanıldı.

Bulgular: Şizofreni hastalarında m.15326 A>G (43/44), m.15452 C>A (5/44), m.15078 A>G (3/44), m.14872 C>T (3/44) ve m.14798 T>C (3/44) en sık rastalanan CYB mtDNA mutasyonlarıydı. İn silico analizler, mutasyonların bir kısmının zararlı, hastalık yapıcı veya benign karakterle ilişkili olduğunu gösterdi. Şizofreni hastalarında PIK3CA, AKT1 ve mTOR genlerinin mRNA ekspresyonu sağlıklı bireylere göre anlamlı derecede yüksekti. PIK3CA ve AKT1 genleri arasında anlamlı orta şiddette pozitif bir korelasyon tespit edildi. Ayrıca ROC analizi ile PIK3CA, AKT1 ve mTOR genlerinin hasta grubunda iyi tanısal güce sahip olduğu belirlendi. ROC analizleri, özellikle PIK3CA'nın şizofreni hastaları için % 80 duyarlılık ve % 63,4 seçicilik ile önemli bir tanı değerine sahip olduğunu gösterdi.

Sonuç: Şizofreni hastalarında hem CYB mtDNA mutasyon sıklığı hem de PIK3CA, AKT1 ve mTOR mRNA ekspresyon düzeyi sağlıklı bireylere göre daha yüksekti. Bu mekanizmaları daha geniş şizofreni popülasyonunda çalışmanın hastalığın tanı, tedavi veya prognozunda değerli olabileceğine inanıyoruz.
A Complex Mix of Confidence, Uncertainty, and Struggle: Korean Secondary Social Studies Teachers’ Perspectives and Practice on Multiculturalism
Authors: Kim Eunjung
Published: January 2023

This study examines perspectives and practices regarding multiculturalism among 20 secondary social studies teachers in South Korea. Utilizing semi-structured interviews and critical discourse analysis, the study seeks to capture how teachers’ understandings of multiculturalism (Damunhwa in Korean) and its practice are influenced by curriculum changes, interactions with Damunhwa students, school duties, and personal experiences. The study finds that teachers know curriculum changes clearly, have little understanding of Damunhwa students, and experience discrepancies between high intellectual recognition of multiculturalism and their own ingrained biases.
Funds of Knowledge at San Basilio de Palenque : A path for preserving its identity
Authors: Horton Michelle
Published: January 2023

This case study examines how teachers preserve and foster the funds of knowledge students bring to school in the Palenque community. Data were collected using the funds of knowledge Matrix instrument, open-ended questions, interviews, and participant observation. An analysis of data was done using a domain analysis process, a category of cultural meanings. The findings included the creation of three new categories: ethnobotany, Kuagros, and Kulum. The study identified teachers' educational practices that fit the culturally relevant/responsive profile. These involve rethinking curriculum, instruction, what funds of knowledge are and a more ethnographic approach to education.
Ethical Considerations in Interventional Studies: A Systematic Review Ethics and Interventional Study
Authors: Hosseini Amin , Jackson Alun C , Bahramnezhad Fatemeh
Published: January 2023

Interventional studies are necessary to gain new knowledge in medical sciences; they can also be associated with several risks and impose high costs on patients and healthy people, and ethical considerations must be considered, as well. Understanding the ethical challenges and issues of interventional studies is essential. Using placebo, ethical consent, and clinical trials in specific groups are some of these challenges. This systematic review study was conducted to determine ethical considerations in interventional studies with an emphasis on the four ethical principles, including autonomy, non-maleficence principle, beneficence, and justice. Researchers in interventional studies should pay attention to ethics and take the necessary steps in line with these four biological principles.
Live Pregnancy With a Coexistent Partial Hydatidiform Mole
Authors: Byonanuwe Simon , Kusiima Immaculate
Published: January 2023

The Article Abstract is not available.
Assessment of Esophageal Motility Disorders in Patients With Refractory Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Authors: Bagherzadeh Asghar , Abdi Saeed , Zali Mohammad Reza , Mohammadi Shooka
Published: January 2023

There is insufficient data about esophageal body dysmotility in patients with refractory gastroesophageal reflux disease (RGERD) and inadequate response to proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) treatment. This study aimed to assess esophageal motility disorder and reflux parameters among these patients by high-resolution manometry (HRM) and intraluminal impedance and pH (MII‐pH) monitoring after stopping PPI therapy. A retrospective study was conducted among 100 RGERD patients admitted to Taleghani Hospital (Tehran, Iran) for one year. More than half of them were males (55%). Their mean age was 47.10±6.92, and 50% of patients had ineffective esophageal motility (IEM). Middle, distal, and proximal esophageal pressure (MEP, DEP, and PEP), lower esophageal sphincter (LES) basal pressure (LESP), integrated relaxation pressure (IRP), distal contractile integral (DCI), large breaks, upper esophageal sphincter basal pressure (UESP), and LES length (LESL) in IEM patients were significantly lower than the patients with normal esophageal motility (P<0.001). Furthermore, there were more patients in the IEM group with long-term and abnormal weakly acid reflux compared with the non-IEM group (P<0.05). It seems that the evaluation of reflux parameters and esophageal motility could lead to additional insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of RGERD. Nevertheless, further studies are suggested to evaluate the effects of esophageal motility disorders among RGERD patients.
Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Supraclavicular Block Using Bupivacaine-Dexmedetomidine or Bupivacaine Alone in Hemodynamics of Patients Undergoing Upper Limb Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Espahbodi Ebrahim , Marashi Seyed Mojtaba , Khajenasiri Ali Reza , Sanatkar Mehdi , Yousefi Siamak , Yekta Reza Atef
Published: January 2023

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine in comparison with bupivacaine during supraclavicular block with ultrasound guide on the hemodynamics of patients undergoing upper limb orthopedic surgery. Eighty patients (40 patients in each group) who were candidates for upper limb orthopedic surgery randomly received 30 ml of bupivacaine alone (group 1) or 30 ml of bupivacaine with 20 μg of dexmedetomidine (group 2). The supraclavicular nerve block was performed using an ultrasound guide. Patients' hemodynamic data (including mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate per minute, respiration rate per minute, and peripheral blood oxygen saturation), the onset of action, and duration of sensory-motor block were compared between the two groups. The mean arterial blood pressure during surgery in group 2 was lower than in group 1, but the differences were not statistically significant. The onset of sensory and motor block in group 2 was significantly shorter than in group 1 (P=0.0001). The duration of sensory and motor block in group 2 was significantly longer than in group 1 (P=0.0001). During this study, none of the patients had hemodynamic disturbance or surgical complications. The addition of dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine during the supraclavicular block, in addition to hemodynamic stability of the patient during surgery, increases the duration of sensory and motor block.
Correlation of Autoimmune Thyroid Diseases With Helicobacter pylori Infection
Authors: Heidari Zahra , Shahriari Nima
Published: January 2023

Autoimmune thyroid diseases are multifactorial conditions caused by genetic and environmental factors. Among environmental factors, infectious agents include viruses, bacteria, and parasites acting as triggers. The current study intended to investigate the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and autoimmune thyroid diseases in a group of Iranian cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and Graves' disease (GD). This study included adult cases newly diagnosed with GD and HT and euthyroid controls. A number of clinical and biochemical factors were evaluated, including tests of thyroid function and serum Helicobacter Ab (IgG), and then inter-group comparisons were performed. Data from 404 patients with HT and 248 cases with GD were analyzed. Also, data from 480 healthy controls were analyzed. For those with HT, GD, and controls, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was 93.3%, 92.7%, and 88.8%, respectively. The prevalence of H. pylori infection in cases with HT and GD was significantly higher compared to controls. While concerning the prevalence of H. pylori infection, the two groups (HT and GD) were not significantly different. H. pylori antibody level was significantly correlated with FT4, FT3, Anti-TPO, and Anti-Tg in cases with HT. In the group of patients with GD, the H. pylori antibody had a significant positive correlation with Anti-TPO and Anti-Tg. According to the present results, H. pylori is associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases (both Hashimoto's and Graves' diseases).
Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy of Childhood (ANEC): A Case Report
Authors: Abouzaripour Morteza , Fathi Fardin , Khosravi Bakhtyar , Motavasel Ehsan , Sharifi Ramiar , Bakhtiar Hesam Shariati Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is an infrequent disease in childhood with Specific clinical complications. To date, the highest incidence of this disease has been reported in East Asian children. The clinical features of the disease include convulsions, frequent vomiting, and coma. Most of these patients die within days or cause severe neurological complications. The disease is characterized by symmetric and necrotic multifunctional lesions in the thalami and brainstem. We reported a 5-year-old girl infant from Besat Hospital, Sanandaj, Kurdistan, located in west of Iran.
Phlebosclerosis of Great Saphenous Vein-Series of Cases During Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG)
Authors: Sathanantham Dinesh Kumar , Thanathu Krishnan Nair Jayakumar , Kathayanat Joseph Thomas , Raj Silpa S
Published: January 2023

Phlebosclerosis is defined as the fibrous degeneration of the venous wall, though in history, it has been defined from endophlebitis to hyalinzation of the intima of the venous wall, the actual pathology is obscure. We present a case series of three different cases from three different decades of life, 5th, 6th, 7th respectively with varied co-morbidities, in which we encountered phlebosclerosis, while harvesting GSV for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). To authors’ knowledge, this is the first ever indigenous study on phlebosclerosis of GSV, the study would give an excerpt into the continuum on the natural history of the disease. The literature is reviewed and the case is presented.
Aging, Anxiety and Inequality: The Relation between Anxiety about Aging and Gender Inequality among Women in Shiraz City (Iran)
Authors: Abbasi Shavazi Mohammad Taghi , Hosseini Maryam , Ariaei Gohar Ghazal , Ranjbaran Asma
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Taking into account the growth of increase in the elderly population in Iran and the world, and the emergence of the phenomenon of feminization of aging, the present study has been conducted, with aim of examining the relationship between anxiety about aging and the perceived  and experienced gender inequality among the women of Shiraz city (Iran).
 
Methods: This cross-sectional study has been carried on 30 to 70 years old women in the city of Shiraz. The requied sample size is estimated to be 405 individuals, and the participants selected through a stratified random sampling. Data collection has taken place by a questionnaire which some of the questions of that were made by the authors and some are borrowed from anxiety about aging scale.The collected data were analyzed with SPSS 21 using pearson corellation tests.
 
Results: Experienced inequality has a significant positive correlation with anxiety about aging (total) (r = 0.226; p < 0.01). The relation between perceived inequality has also been positive and significant with anxiety about aging (total) (r = 132; p < 0.05). Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between gender inequality (perceived and experienced) and anxiety about aging in different aspects, including social and economic fears, psychological fears, fear of losing the feminine position, fear of losing health, and fear of physical changes and changes in appearance.
 
Conclusion: The anxiety about aging increases among women who experience and percive gender inequality. According to the accelerating process of population aging and the importance of paying attention to the social, psychological, and physical health of elderly women, it is necessary to take more considerations into account. In this regard, planning for decreasing the gender gap and inequality can be effective to some extent. Seemingly, the intersection of “the phenomenon of feminization of poverty,” due to gender inequality, with the phenomenon of “feminization of aging” in the future brings to the fore the necessity of paying attention to “anxiety about aging.”
Identifying the Factors Affecting the Survival Rate of Kidney Transplant Patients in Isfahan Using Classification Techniques
Authors: Atapour Abdolamir , Sattari Mohammad , Mortazavi Mojgan
Published: January 2023

Purpose: 10% of the world's population suffers from chronic kidney disease and millions of deaths occur annually due to lack of access to appropriate treatment in the world. Kidney transplantation is associated with several problems. These problems, including kidney rejection, the consequences of surgery, drug poisoning, and infectious diseases can reduce the chances of survival of these patients. The science of classification has been proposed in recent years to reduce medical errors due to inexperience, reduce the workload of physicians and provide a suitable model for making better decisions.
Materials and Methods: The data set includes information about patients for whom kidney transplantation was performed in Isfahan. The data set includes 2554 patients and 38 attributes. The techniques used in this study will include random forest, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and Support Vector Machine (SVM).
Results: Among the studied techniques, PCA technique in three classes out of four classes had better performance than other techniques. The syndrome has the highest recurrence among traits. Five attributes include syndrome, blood type, dialysis time, weight, and age.
Conclusion: The results showed that the PCA method in the case of non-numerical data has a good performance in identifying attributes. Also, five attributes that affect the survival rate of kidney transplant patients were identified.
Gamma Knife Icon™ Single Sector Characterization Based on Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Ameri Ali , Geraily Ghazale
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Gamma Knife Radiosurgery refers to surgery using radiation to destroy intracranial tissues or lesions elusive or unsuitable for open surgery. This study aimed to simulate the Gamma Knife Icon™ (GKI™) single sector to assess various attributes of the output beam and evaluate the EGSnrc C++ Monte Carlo code capabilities to perform a complete simulation of GKI™ for more investigations.
Materials and Methods: The single source is simulated, and the geometries of the 4 and 16 mm collimators are defined based on the manufacturer data. The phase space files (PSFs) are recorded at the end of each collimator, and dose distributions are saved for the final analysis process in the last step.
Results: The beam spectrum has two energy peaks g1 =1.17 MeV and g2 = 1.33 MeV, and low energy photons from scattering are also evident. The Gamma Index (GI) values are less than 1 in comparing the dose profiles generated in simulation with reference data. The Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) is 4.55, 10.9, 5.13 (mm) and 16.7, 35.1, 17.65 (mm) for 4mm and 16 mm collimators along x, y, and z axes, respectively. The penumbra width (80%-20%) is also 1.48, 5.5, 1.54 (mm) and 3.76, 10.1, 2.78 (mm) for 4mm and 16 mm collimators along x, y, and z axes, respectively.
Conclusion: Results are in good agreement with what is expected, and it is possible to perform a complete simulation of the GKI™ system using egs++ for more investigations in phantoms and patients.
Capture γ-Ray Dose Equivalent at Double-Bend Maze Entrance; Monte Carlo Simulation and Analytical Methods and Measurements
Authors: Eghdam-Zamiri Reza , Ghiasi Hosein
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The production of the secondary neutron in the high-energy megavoltage medical accelerator machines has been extensively studied. In this study, MCNP5 MC code and two analytical methods, the proposed method and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 47 proposed method were used to capture γ-ray dose equivalent calculation.
Materials and Methods: MCNP5 code of the MC simulation method was used for code calculation in this study. The main components of a Varian 2100Clinac were simulated as well as a 30×30×30 cm3 water phantom, in a Source to Surface Distance (SSD) of 100cm. Apparent neutron source strength (QN) was obtained using F1, *F8 tallies, and a small scoring cell at the isocenter with a mass equal to 0.625g.
Results: QN was obtained as 1.25 n/Gy X for the simulated Linear Accelerators )linac( head and was used in the other calculations. In the simulated double-bend maze treatment room with first and second lengths of the maze as 7m and 3m, the proposed method calculated capture γ-ray dose with 6.2% and 60% differences compared with MC simulation and IAEA 47 methods, respectively.
Conclusion: We concluded that Ghiasi and Mesbahi's proposed method performed better in capturing γ-ray dose equivalent calculation compared to IAEA 47 report. The proposed method reduced the difference from 60% to 6.2%.
Quantitative Nail Fold Capillary Blood Flow Using Capillaroscopy System and ImageJ Software in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Pakbin Masoumeh , Marjaneh Hejazi Sedigheh , Najafizadeh Seyed Reza
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Measuring the blood flow velocity in capillaries is a useful method for diagnosing many diseases. Despite increasing interest in nailfold capillaroscopy, objective measures of capillary structure and blood flow have been rarely studied. This study aimed to measure the blood flow velocity along the capillary central line using capillaroscopy system, and also ImageJ software used Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) tracking algorithms and Kalman filter for image processing.
Materials and Methods: The Red Blood Cells (RBCs) velocity in capillaries of finger nailfold was measured in 12 normal cases using a novel capillaroscopy system. The measurements of the velocity were performed at 12 points in nailfold regions by two observers separately. The image processing and automated measurement take 1-2 min per nailfold. FFmpeg software was used to convert the images format, and then the images were imported to ImageJ software and segmented. SIFT tracking algorithms and Kalman filter were used to filter noise and irregularities in the images. For reproducibility, the velocity distribution values obtained by the two performers, and Paired T-Test was used. The reliability of a measuring instrument or calculation method depends on the tools obtained using Cronbach's alpha. To assess the repeatability of the algorithm, the capillary velocity values were executed at different times with 24-hour intervals using a coefficient of variance method.
Results: The calculated RBCs velocity was in the range of 0.05-0.16 mm/s. The results based on Cronbach's alpha analysis for reliability factor was 0.97, with a good correlation among the measurements, 0.85. The average velocity (along with standard deviation) for repeatability at three different times was obtained 0.1195 ± 0.0246, 0.0974 ± 0.0221, and 0.0962 ± 0.0202 mm/s, demonstrating that there was no statistically variation between these measurements (P-value > 0.05). The velocity results for the two observers were 0.811 ± 0.392 and 0.819 ± 0.325 mm/s, indicating a good reproducibility between them (P-value = 0.959).
Conclusion: For the measurements of nailfold capillaries velocity, there was good/reasonable reliability, repeatability, and reproducibility. The results indicated a good accuracy of capillaroscopy system and ImageJ software with SIFT algorithm and Kalman filter, which can be used as an appropriate tool for determining the rate of nailfold blood flow velocity.
Comparison of Average Absorbed Dose Distributions of Organs in SPECT-CT Imaging Using Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Bagheri Shamim , Rajabi Hossein , Bitarafan-Rajabi Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Purpose: The use of ionizing radiation in medical research, treatment, and diagnosis is inevitable and expanding day by day. Meanwhile, in two modes of Computed Tomography (CT) and Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging, the dose received by the organs is featured with limitations and problems, which are often referred to as the CT Dose Index volume (CTDIvol.) and the Dose Length Product (DLP). This study aimed to estimate the average dose of organs and compare them in each of these two modalities.
Materials and Methods: Using the GATE code to simulate the SPECT-CT system and the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) voxelized phantom as the patient was investigated. The mean dose distribution in three groups of children, adults, and obese people with different body thicknesses was estimated. The dose received by each of the two systems was evaluated separately and results were discussed and analyzed comparatively.
Results: In the kidney, bladder, intestine, colon, liver, and gallbladder, the dose received in CT is at least 10% more than nuclear medicine. For example, the ratio of the dose received in CT to the dose received in nuclear medicine in the lung was about 1.08 and in the esophagus was about 1.24. Subsequently, the ratio increased to 0.25 in the bladder and 0.19 in the colon and intestine. Moreover, the major organs that received the maximum dose, result in CT at least 10% more than nuclear medicine.
Conclusion: The dose received in organs such as the esophagus, breast, and lung during CT imaging protocol and also maximum dose were at least ten percent more than nuclear medicine.
Mechanical Performance Separation of Cardiac by Nonlinear Processing of Ultrasound B-Mode Images
Authors: Fazilatnezhad Hamidreza , Rangraz Parisa , Noshirvan Rahatabad Fereidon
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Accurate measurement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) is critical for diagnosis of and predicting Left Ventricular (LV) arrhythmias. This study aims to estimate LVEF using nonlinear and statistical analysis in echocardiography images.
Materials and Methods: The Cardiac Acquisition for Multi-Structure Ultrasound Segmentation (CAMUS) dataset is used to estimate LVEF. This dataset includes ultrasound images of 60 patients in two different groups (LVEF > 55%, LVEF < 45%). Region growing technique and Anatomical markers were used for segmentation of LV in images to measure region changes. LV region changes were investigated using nonlinear and statistical analysis. To facilitate estimating LVEF, feature extraction and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) have been used.
Results: The results show that the changes in the LV region in LVEF < 45% have a mean value of 3.254 while LVEF > 55% has a lower mean value of 3.071, but the mean of variance is 3.818 while for LVEF < 45% is 3.471 which can be concluded that the data scatter in LVEF > 55% was higher than the mean and indicates more significant changes in the LV region.
Conclusion: LVEF estimated using nonlinear and statistical analysis shows a Mean Square Error (MSE) of 5.15.
A New Approach for Lie Detection Using Non-Linear and Dynamic Analysis of Video-Based Eye Movement
Authors: Younessi Heravi Mohamad Amin , Pishghadam Morteza , Khoshdel Emad , Zibaei Sajad
Published: January 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate a lie-detection system by non-linear analysis of video-based eye movement.
Materials and Methods: The physiological signals, as well as video-based eye movement in horizontal and vertical channels, were recorded based on a Control Question Test (CQT). The dynamics of eye movement signals were then analyzed by Recurrence Quantification Analysis (RQA). Statistical analysis was performed by ANOVA and Linear Discriminate Analysis (LDA).
Results: In this study, 40 subjects participated. The statistical analysis results of vertical eye movement indicated that ENT measures increased significantly for relevant questions in comparison to other questions. Moreover, a significant increase was observed in all RQA parameters except Lmax and DET for horizontal eye movement. The results of LDA using psychophysiology features. The accuracy percentage of 78.4% and 81.86% were obtained for lie detection using physiological signals and optimal RQA parameters of video-based eye movements, respectively.
Conclusion: The accuracy of lie detection by significant RQA parameters was more than the accuracy of physiological signals. So, the results of this study illustrate that the dynamic technique is well suited to analyze eye movement signals under stress and it could be recommended as a useful method in lie detection.
Comparison of Hematological Parameters between Diagnostic Radiation Workers and Non-Radiation Workers
Authors: Keshtkar Mohammad , Khaghani Nastaran , Ziaee Maliheh , Pandesh Sajad
Published: January 2023

Purpose: Radiation workers are exposed to chronic effects due to long-term exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation. One of the biological indicators to evaluate these chronic radiation effects is the study of the hematopoietic system. The purpose of this study is to compare the changes in blood parameters of radiology staff and staff of other wards of the hospital.
Materials and Methods: In this study, 47 radiology staff working in the radiology department of the hospital as the study group and 94 personnel in other departments as the control group were included. Demographic data including age, gender, and work experience were obtained. Hematological parameters were extracted from the complete blood count tests of participants.
Results: The results of this study showed that the Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) parameters significantly decreased in the male study group, whereas no significant differences were observed in the blood parameters of the female study group in comparison to those of the control group. There was a significant positive correlation between the parameters of Hemoglobin and age. There was a significant negative correlation between work experience and white blood cells, while there was a significant positive correlation between work experience and Hemoglobin.
Conclusion: Correlation between collective absorbed dose and changes in blood parameters is suggested for future studies. Based on the results of this study and other studies, it can be concluded that long-term exposure to low levels of radiation may change blood parameters. Therefore, regular and periodic complete blood count tests along with absorbed dose monitoring of radiation workers are recommended.
Expression of PD-1 in Tumor Cells is Associated with Shorter Survival in Non-metastatic Intestinal-type Gastric Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Namvar Niloofar , Montazer Mehdi , Ahmadvand Simin , Sadeghian Bahare , Ghaderi Abbas
Published: January 2023

There is an urgent need to discover novel prognostic biomarkers and treatment strategies for gastric cancer (GC) patients. Several immune-related markers have been proposed as prognostic tools and immunotherapeutic targets to manage diseases. In this regard, we evaluated the expression pattern and prognostic significance of programmed death-1 (PD-1), programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), CD45RO+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins (MLH1, MSH2, PMS2, and MSH6) in non-metastatic intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma.
Samples and data from 70 GC patients were collected. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to detect the markers. We then evaluated the prognosis significance of each marker and their intercorrelation.
Cytoplasmic PD-1 expressed by tumor cells was significantly associated with poorer survival. However, multivariate analysis indicated stronger prognostic values for TNM stage, tumor location, and extracellular mucin. A significant positive association was found between CD45ROhigh TILs and PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating cells (TICs). All GC patients with deficient MMR (d‑MMR) had a high number of CD45RO+ TILs and PD-1+ TICs.
Despite the association of PD‑1 overexpression in TCs with shorter overall survival, histopathological factors, including tumor location, TNM stage, and extracellular mucin, remain the most decisive prognostic factors in non-metastatic intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. Additionally, our data support a prognostic role for d-MMR and CD45RO, but not PD-1 and PD-L1 expression on TICs.
Detection of Novel Autoantibodies to Nucleolin's RNA-binding Domains as a Serum Tumor Biomarker Through ELISA
Authors: Ezzatifar Fatemeh , Rafiei Alireza , Valadan Reza , Asgarian-Omran Hossein , Jeddi-Tehrani Mahmood
Published: January 2023

Expression and location of nucleolin are often abnormal in malignancies, which may result in the production of autoantibodies. Despite this, the identification of such autoantibodies may be essential for the early diagnosis and prognosis of cancers.
In this investigation, the recombinant nucleolin protein was generated using an Escherichia coli expression system and was used an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to detect anti-nucleolin autoantibodies in cancer patients' sera.
Lung cancer patients' autoantibodies displayed the highest seroreactivity with the recombinant protein, with area under the curve of 0.948 and sensitivity and specificity of 85% and 96.67%, respectively (accuracy=92%). Anti-nucleolin autoantibodies were linked with lung tumor size (r=0.793), tumor, node, metastasis staging (r=0.643), and proliferation (r=0.744).
These autoantibodies distinguished patients with early-stage lung cancer from healthy controls. Since anti-nucleolin autoantibodies are strongly linked to tumor size, clinical staging, and growth, they can be used to measure how well a treatment is working.
Soluble and Immobilized Anti-CD3/28 Distinctively Expand and Differentiate Primary Human T Cells: An Implication for Adoptive T Cell Therapy
Authors: Soltantoye Tahereh , Akbari Behnia , Mirzaei Hamid Reza , Hadjati Jamshid
Published: January 2023

Cell-based cancer therapies have led to a paradigm shift in the treatment of patients with various cancers. To date, a vast majority of cancer immunotherapies have used genetically engineered T cells to target tumors. Stimulation and ex vivo expansion of T cells, as one of the crucial starting materials for T cell manufacturing, have always been a critical part of adoptive T-cell therapy (ACT). Typically, anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) along with interleukin-2 (IL-2), through transducing signals one, two, and three, respectively, are essential for in vitro T cell activation. Terminal differentiation and replicative senescence are the main barriers of the ACTs during the manufacturing of engineered T cells ex vivo.
In this study, we aimed to compare the T cell activation protocol that we  developed in our lab (soluble anti-CD3/28 mAbs) with a common T cell activation protocol (immobilized anti-CD3/soluble anti-CD28) in terms of T cell expansion, activation, immunophenotype, and cellular fate.
We observed that T cells were equally expanded in both protocols. Notably, our modified protocol promoted the outgrowth of CD8+ T cells postactivation. Concerning the low concentrations of both soluble anti-CD3 and anti-CD28, the modified protocol could significantly enrich memory T cell subsets.
In conclusion, our data demonstrated that the soluble CD3/28 mAbs protocol is cost-effective and more efficient for generating more potent T cells, thereby expecting a better therapeutic outcome.
MicroRNAs Targeting Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 (PD-1) Promote Natural Killer Cell Exhaustion in Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Hemmatzadeh Maryam , Ahangar Parvin Elham , Ghanavatinejad Alireza , Rostami Narges , Hajaliloo Mehrzad , Shomali Navid , Mohammadi Hamed , Jadidi-Niaragh Farhad
Published: January 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells play a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Upregulated levels of programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is a sign of exhausted NK cells that could be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). In this investigation, we determined PD‑1 expression on NK cells (as a representation of NK cell exhaustion) in RA patients and evaluated if miRNAs are involved in the modulation of PD-1 expression in NK cells.
Peripheral blood specimens were obtained from 40 RA patients and 20 healthy subjects. NK cells were isolated by negative selection from a pool of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The frequency of PD-1–expressing NK cells and the expression of PD-1 on NK cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. Real-time PCR was used to measure the expression levels of PD-1 mRNA and miRNAs in the NK cells.
The percentage of the PD-1–expressing NK cells and Mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PD-1 expression on the NK cells were significantly higher in the RA cases compared to the controls. The mRNA expression of PD-1 was significantly upregulated in NK cells from RA patients compared to healthy subjects. The expression levels of miR-28, miR-138, and miR-4717 were significantly downregulated in the NK cells from RA patients compared to the healthy group.
In RA, miRNAs probably regulate the NK cell exhaustion process through driving PD-1 expression.
Placental Extract and Exosomes Derived from Pregnant Mice Attenuate the Development of Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
Authors: Motallebnezhad Morteza , Taghizadeh Shirin , Aghaie Tayebe , Azimi Maryam , Salari Ali-Akbar , Bozorgmehr Mahmoud , Safari Elahe , Falak Reza , Jazayeri Mir Hadi
Published: January 2023

Placental extract (PE) and exosomes from pregnant mice appear to have immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects. In this study, we assessed the potential therapeutic effects of PE and exosomes obtained from pregnant mice in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models.
C57BL/6 mice, 8 to 12 weeks of age, were prepared and administered PE, exosomes, and glatiramer acetate (GA), as an FDA-approved treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS), after EAE induction. Thereafter, the therapeutic effects of treatment were evaluated by measuring the clinical courses of the mice as well as determining the number of regulatory T (Treg) cells using flow cytometry, cytokine levels, and microRNA-326 expression via real-time PCR.
GA, PE, and exosomes reduced clinical severity, the extent of spinal cord demyelination, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the spinal cord. The frequency of CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg cells increased after treatment of EAE mice with GA, PE, and exosomes. The mRNA expression of the inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-17  and interferon-gamma), as well as miR-326 expression, decreased significantly in the EAE mice after treatment with GA and exosomes.
PE and exosomes from pregnant mice are involved in the modulation of Treg/Th17 balance and provide a therapeutic approach for MS. Further clinical studies will hopefully confirm the safety and efficacy of such treatments in MS patients.
β-D-mannuronic Acid (M2000) and Inflammatory Cytokines in COVID-19; An in vitro Study
Authors: Robat-Jazi Behrouz , Ghorban Khodayar , Gholami Mohammad , Samizadeh Esmaeil , Aghazadeh Zahra , Shahrbaf Mohammad Amin , Dadmanesh Maryam , Hosseini Rouzbahani Negin , Mirshafiey Abbas
Published: January 2023

coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) can be complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and may be associated with cytokine storm and multiorgan failure. Anti-inflammatory agents, such as systemic corticosteroids, monoclonal antibodies, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used for this purpose. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of mannuronic acid (M2000), which is a novel NSAID, on COVID-19-related cytokine storms.
This study was conducted in vitro on blood samples of 30 COVID-19 patients who presented with ARDS to a referral center. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from blood samples and incubated with phorbol myristate acetate for 24 hours. M2000 was administered with the dosages of 25 µg/well and 50 µg/well after 4 hours of incubation at 37°C. The quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was conducted to assess mRNA gene expression. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to evaluate the supernatant PBMC levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interferon (IFN)-γ.
Both mRNA expression and the supernatant PBMC levels of IL-17, TNF-α, IL‑6, and IFN‑γ were decreased in PBMCs of COVID-19 patients treated with M2000 compared with the control  group.
For the first time, it was observed that M2000 could be effective in alleviating the inflammatory cascade of COVID-19 patients based on an in vitro model. After further studies in vitro and in animal models, M2000 could be considered a novel NSAID drug in COVID-19 patients.
Specific Clinical and Immunological Changes Following Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in COVID-19–induced Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Patients: A Phase-I Clinical Trial
Authors: Kaffash Farkhad Najmeh , Sedaghat Alireza , Reihani Hamidreza , Moghadam Amir Adhami , Bagheri Moghadam Ahmad , Khadem Ghaebi Nayereh , Khodadoust Mohamad Ali , Nikpoor Amin Reza , Tavakol-Afshari Jalil
Published: January 2023

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a systemic inflammation resulting from immune system overactivity. ARDS is also a fatal complication of COVID-19. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have immune modulatory properties. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of three times transplantation of umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UC-MSCs) in terms of specific immunological and clinical changes in mild-to-moderate COVID-19-induced ARDS patients.
In this single-center, open-label, phase 1 clinical trial, 20 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and mild-to-moderate ARDS were included and were divided into two groups: a control group receiving standard care and an intervention group receiving UC-MSC in addition to standard care. Three consecutive intravenous transplants of UC-MSC (1×  cells/kg body weight per each transplant) were performed in the intervention group on days 1, 3, and 5. The biological assay was investigated four times (days 0, 5, 10, and 17).
UC-MSCs improved the patients' clinical and paraclinical parameters, including leukocytosis, lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and liver enzyme abnormalities compared to the control group. They also decreased pro-inflammatory lymphocytes (TH1 and TH17) and increased anti-inflammatory T lymphocytes. Cell therapy also reduced the mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) in overactivated CD8+ T cells.
These findings show that three UC-MSC injections could regulate a hyperactivated immune system in COVID-19-induced ARDS patients by decreasing the inflammatory T lymphocyte subset and can improve the patient's hematological condition and liver function. However, more studies are needed in this area.
Effect of Temperature and Humidity on the Allegro-inflammatory Factors and Allergic Rhinitis-related Behavior
Authors: Yonghua Shen , Mehrabi Nasab Entezar , Liuo Yen
Published: January 2023

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an allergic disease induced by the T helper 2 (TH2) lymphocyte immune response, where its mediators are the primary cause of clinical symptoms. Environmental factors are the primary determinants of the allergic response in genetically susceptible individuals. This study investigates the effects of climate conditions (warm, cold, humid, and dry) on allergic rhinitis.
AR models were created in mice under 4 different conditions. We investigated AR-related behavior (sneezing and nose rubbing), as well as total immunoglobulin E (IgE), histamine, interleukin-4 (IL-4), leukotriene (LT) B4 and LTC4 levels, and gene expression of CysLT1R, HRH1, and MUC5a.
Nose rubbing, histamine levels, and the expression of MUC5a and HRH1 were increased in AR models in cold conditions, and sneezing was increased in AR models kept in dry conditions. LTB4 and LTC4 levels and the expression of CysLT1R in AR models kept in a wet environment also significantly increased compared with the control group. The levels of total IgE and IL-4 showed no significant changes.
Air temperature and humidity affect AR pathophysiology, and weather conditions can be essential in controlling AR.
Success Rate of Strategic Planning: A Case Study of a Medical Science University in Southeast Iran
Authors: Isfahani Parvaneh , Afshari Mahnaz , Miri Adnan , Shanavazi Ehsan , Arefy Marzieh , Shahreki Javad
Published: January 2023

Background: Successful implementation of strategic planning can can play an important role in improving the performance of organizations. This study aims to determine the success rate of strategic planning at a Medical Science University in Southeast Iran.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study conducted at the Zabol University of Medical Science in southeast Iran in 2018. 168 top-level, middle-level, operational managers and employees were involved in the strategic planning process. They were randomly selected by stratified sampling method. Data were collected using a standard questionnaire and analyzed by proper statistical tests in SPSS19 software.
Results: Strategic planning implementation was moderately successful at Zabol University of medical science ( score 2/99 out of 5). The highest success was observed for leadership and management, planning dimensions, and the least belonged to the domains of employees' management and organizational learning. Leadership and management, planning, and organizational culture constructs had the greatest effect on the success of strategic plans.
Conclusion: The success rate of strategic planning at this university was average. Therefore, health managers and policymakers must take action for its successful implementation in universities.
The Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic and the Development of Technology and Robots on Jobs
Authors: Masoud Ali , Dehnavieh Reza , Feyzabadi Vahid Yazdi , Poursheikhali Sara , Noori Hekmat Somayeh , Ghasemi Moghadam Mina , Kazemi Mohammad
Published: January 2023

Background: The prevalence of COVID-19 has had a devastating economic impact on countries, leading to reduction of many jobs. Earlier, the advent of technology and robotics had been the source of much concern and analysis about the future of jobs. The present study aims to investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the emergence and development of technology and robots on jobs and compare them with each other.
Methods: The present study was conducted qualitatively. Data collection was done by holding two expert panels. The experts were purposefully selected from different universities in Iran. Findings from the expert panel were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Erlingsson's approach was used for content analysis.
Results: The effects of the advent of technology and robots and the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on jobs were examined from seven aspects, including economic, social, political, the impact on developed and developing countries, health, education, and workforce skills. The effects of the advent of technology and robots on jobs can vary depending on the two scenarios of interaction or substitution. The effects of the COVID-19 outbreak on jobs can also be in line with different scenarios with the emergence of technology and robots in some respects.
Conclusion: The possible conformity of economic and social systems in gradual changes faces fewer challenges, while conditions like pandemics have few opportunities to adapt to new situations. Increasing flexibility with a preemptive approach and not just based on the existing scenarios are necessary to deal with these situations.
Strategies for Reducing Induced Demand in Hospitals Affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Seyedin Hesam , Afshari Mahnaz , Isfahani Parvaneh , Hasanzadeh Ebrahim , Radinmanesh Maryam , Corani Bahador Rasoul
Published: January 2023

Background: Induced demand is a major challenge for health systems worldwide. It increases costs, especially for patients. The purpose of this study is to identify strategies for reducing induced demand for health care in hospitals affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS).
Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2018. The authors conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 20 participants, including IUMS faculty members, physicians, public hospital managers, patients, and researchers with academic and practical experience. Inductive content analysis was used to analyze data. Data analysis was performed in MAXQDA10.
Results: Overall,  the authors extracted 24 subthemes from the interviews and classified them into the health system, insurer, healthcare provider, and healthcare recipient. They are key factors regarding the induced demand for healthcare in the public hospitals under study.
Conclusion: Reducing induced demand for healthcare requires concerted actions by health policymakers and managers at the level of the health system, insurers, healthcare providers, and healthcare recipients. Therefore, policymakers and managers of the health system should take appropriate measures such as the development of guidelines and protocols by different departments, especially the emergency department, classification (primary, secondary, and tertiary care), and referral system. They expand the monitoring role of insurance companies (transforming the payment system into the global diagnosis-related group)  to reduce the induced demand for health.