Archives of Razi Institute最新文献

Cobra bite is a prevalent phenomenon in the northwest province of Iran, which is situated in the Middle East. The envenomation of Naja naja oxiana manifests through neurological symptoms, including ptosis and drooling, among others. The objective of this preliminary study was to examine the hemodynamic abnormalities induced by intravascular injection of this venom in rats. Furthermore, the neutralizing effects of various premedications were examined. A total of twenty male Wistar rats, with a body weight ranging from 200 to 250 grams, were methodically assigned to four distinct groups, with a sample size of five rats per group. Group one was selected as the control group, while the other groups were intravenously inoculated with crude venom (300 µg/kg, 600 µg/kg, and 1,500 µg/kg) dissolved in normal saline (200 µL) over a period of two minutes. Atropine, dexamethasone, heparin, and aminoguanidine were injected intraperitoneally ten minutes before envenomations to counteract its deleterious effects. The animals were euthanized using cervical dislocation, and their abdominal areas were examined for signs of bleeding. Different organs (lung, heart, and kidney) were extracted and prepared for hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to reveal the pathological events. N. oxiana venom (1500 µg/kg) induced significant ionotropic changes following intravenous infusion, and all animals expired eight minutes later due to hypotension. Despite the absence of any arrhythmias, a statistically significant decrease in heart rate was observed in this group (p < 0.001). Pretreatment with aminoguanidine (29±2.1%) and heparin (21±1.2%) was found to be effective in preventing hypotension at 8 minutes; however, all animals ultimately succumbed to the disease at 20 minutes. A disruption of the alveolar walls of the lung was observed, accompanied by the presence of red blood cells and inflammatory components. However, no pathological abnormalities were detected using a light microscope in other organs. It is important to acknowledge that, as indicated by the findings from our ionotropic and chronotropic assessments, the final group was chosen to proceed with further examination.In this preliminary study, it was observed that the administration of elevated doses of the substance in question could produce significant negative ionotropic effects in rats. The results of the study indicate that systemic vasodilation plays a significant role. Pretreatment with heparin and aminoguanidine significantly diminished this effect. Additionally, no pathological abnormalities were observed in other organs except the lungs. It appears that increasing the dosage of heparin and aminoguanidine has the potential to extend the survival of envenomed rats over a brief period. This observation is supported by the fact that all animals succumbed to their injuries within 20 minutes.

The global impact of the novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) on radiology practices has been significant. X-ray followed by Computed Tomography (CT) has become the gold standard of examination. In order to ensure the safety of patients with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus, it is imperative that appropriate screening procedures, disinfection of equipment, and the use of personal protection equipment are implemented. The objective of the present survey was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of radiology staff with regard to the control and prevention of infection by the virus known as SARS-CoV-2, or to its most prevalent manifestation, the disease that has been termed "Coronavirus Disease 2019 (henceforth referred to as "Covid-19")". A cross-sectional, single-centre survey was conducted in the Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital between 1 June 2020 and 1 July 2020. The researchers designed and administered a self-administered, validated questionnaire. Cronbach's Alpha was applied to measure the internal consistency and reliability; 0.8 was achieved for the Knowledge and Practice sections, respectively, while 0.7 was achieved for the Attitude section. The majority of participants (86%) demonstrated sufficient knowledge regarding the novel coronavirus. A significant association was identified between higher knowledge scores and seniority, as well as educational attainment, when compared to junior staff. The study revealed that a significant proportion of the participants, amounting to 75.4%, exhibited a favourable attitude towards the measures employed for the control and prevention of the novel strain of the Coronavirus. The investigation further established a correlation between the participants' educational attainment, their working hours, and their positive attitudes. The majority of female participants, senior members of the department, front-line workers, and individuals who work more than 50 hours per week exhibited a greater adherence to global guidelines compared to other groups. In conclusion, the knowledge, attitude, and practices of the majority of the radiology department's personnel were adequate and representative of safe practices. Junior staff demonstrated lower mean scores, indicating potential for enhancement through awareness sessions and fact-based dialogues.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium is the primqry cause of avian tuberculosis, a chronic disease affecting many bird species. Depending on the infected organs, the clinical manifestations of the disease are usually nonspecific and variable. The growing risk of the disease spreading to the humans has made diagnosing it in birds more important. Therefore, the present study investigated avian tuberculosis infection in several domestic pigeon's lofts in Markazi Province, Iran. Twelve pigeons from different suspected pigeon lofts were collected, fed properly, and kept under suitable conditions. After recording clinical manifestations, athe pigeons underwent radiographic imaging in lateral and ventrodorsal positions. Then, the pigeons were euthanized and subjected to necropsy examinations. During necropsy examinations, samples taken from any visible lesions. If no lesions were present, samples were taken from the liver and delivered to the tuberculosis reference laboratory for culturing in LJG, LJP, H, and HM culture media. Finally, the grown colonies were tested using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with the primers targeting 16S rRNA, IS1245, and IS901. The most prominent clinical manifestations in the infected pigeons were cachexia and articular swelling of the wings and legs, while the most common radiographic findings were periarticular inflammation and Renomegaly. Moreover, nodules and lesions in the liver, the gastrointestinal tract, and the abdominal cavity were the most prevalent in the necropsy findings. Culture, Ziehl-Neelsen staining results, and PCR test results confirmed that all 12 pigeons were infected with Mycobacterium. avium subsp. avium. Also, the radiographic and necropsy findings demonstrated the destructive effects of avian tuberculosis on the infected pigeons.

This study explores the potential of quantum computing as an alternative information processing approach, utilizing quantum bits (qubits), superposition, and entanglement to significantly expand computational capabilities in the healthcare domain. It is evident that quantum mechanics has become a foundational component in the construction of our contemporary physical reality. This scientific field is distinguished by its rapid advancement and the potential to transform various aspects of our daily lives. In this era, quantum biology is of significant importance and has the potential to act as a transformative force, particularly in the field of medicine, specifically in addressing the challenges posed by cancer. Cancer is defined as a complex and abnormal alteration of cells, orchestrated through intricate signaling pathways. This transformation is characterized by the accumulation of deleterious mutations. The concept of phenocopy, representing genetic mutations influenced by the environment, challenges the linear process line of molecular biology involving DNA, RNA, and proteins. Notwithstanding the augmented focus on quantum biology in recent decades, a plethora of unresolved issues persist within the domain of cancer biology, thereby giving rise to unexplored avenues. Quantum theory has demonstrated its ability to explain models related to biological and biochemical processes, encompassing the effects of carcinogens on genes, the mechanism of interactions between chemotherapy drugs and DNA, and the understanding of DNA mutations and defective protein synthesis. Recent skepticism among quantum physicists regarding the fundamental role of quantum effects in biology has emerged, particularly with regard to open quantum systems and the impact of decoherence on the destruction of coherence necessary for significant quantum effects. The document under scrutiny herein undertakes an investigation of recent studies that are rooted in the principles of quantum physics, with a particular focus on the manner in which these principles apply to the domains of cancer biology and metabolism.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to exhibit immunomodulatory properties, thereby modulating the immune response and facilitating tissue regeneration. These properties include the ability to suppress T cell proliferation, modulate macrophage polarization, and promote regulatory T cell differentiation. It has been demonstrated that natural chemoattraction pathways can attract MSCs. These cells are created from around the injured tissues, creating a repair/regenerative microenvironment for this study. The rate of tissue regeneration is contingent upon factors such as the patient's age, the extent of tissue damage, and the specific anatomical region affected. It has been demonstrated that the manipulation of mesenchymal stem cells can exert a substantial influence on the rate of tissue damage, tissue regeneration, and cell death. The immunosuppressive and trophic mechanisms under investigation are distinct from the mechanisms that are being led by tissue engineering to replace special mesenchymal tissues. Indeed, the capacity of tissue engineering processes to facilitate trophic interactions is evident, thereby promoting remarkable tissue regeneration and ensuring the seamless incorporation of newly generated tissue into the body. The field of MSCs has been a subject of study for over two decades, and recent advancements have begun to unlock their full potential for clinical applications. It is evident that the utilization of MSCs in tissue engineering necessitates distinct rationale when compared to their application in nutritional and immunomodulatory functions. These latter efforts now appear to apply to the clinic before tissue engineering methods become feasible. The findings of this study demonstrate that MSCs possess the capacity to differentiate into various cell types, which renders them a suitable candidate for treating a wide range of human diseases.

B-cell lymphomas (BCLs) encompass approximately 40 subtypes arising from the malignant transformation of mature B-cells. The management of BCLs varies according to the specific type and stage of lymphoma. A plethora of therapeutic options are available, encompassing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplantation. Among these approaches, targeted therapy has demonstrated considerable promise in terms of its potential to enhance safety and efficacy in treatment regimens. The field of targeted therapies encompasses a range of treatments that are designed to target specific molecules and pathways involved in various diseases. These therapies include monoclonal antibodies, nanobodies, CAR-T cell therapies, and bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) molecules. These therapeutic agents operate through various mechanisms, targeting a variety of molecules and receptors associated with different diseases, such as CD79b, CD20, CD30, CD52, and CD19. CD19 is an immunoglobulin superfamily transmembrane glycoprotein of type I, which is necessary for setting intrinsic B-cell signaling thresholds by tempering both receptor-dependent and receptor-independent signaling. Conventional therapeutic interventions and other targets have demonstrated limitations, suggesting that CD19 is a viable target for lymphoma treatment. There are several FDA-approved anti-CD19 CAR-T cells, including Axicabtagene Ciloleucel, Tisagenlecleucel, and Lisocabtagene Maraleucel, as well as anti-CD19 monoclonal antibodies (mABs), such as loncastuximab tesirine and tafasitamab. These agents have demonstrated efficacy in numerous clinical trials. Blinatumomab, the inaugural FDA-approved antibody to be produced using BiTE technology, has demonstrated notable benefits in clinical trials investigating its use in the treatment of B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Single-domain antibodies (sdAb) or nanobodies represent the nanoscale VHH fragments of heavy chain-only antibodies (HcAbs). These have been utilized in conjunction with CAR T-cells, yielding promising outcomes. In this review, we sought to explore the potential of CD19 as a promising therapeutic target for lymphoma. Furthermore, we engaged in a discourse on the various treatment options concerning CD19 targeting, accompanied by an exposition of the pertinent clinical studies. In this regard, the efficacy, safety, and limitations of each option were thoroughly delineated.

Lead toxicity has been identified in soft tissues, whereas retinoid facilitates embryonic development during the intrauterine phase and supports tissue regeneration. The present study investigated the histological changes associated with the testes of animals exposed to lead II oxide during intrauterine period and the protective role of retinol. Twenty gestational animals were utilized in the study. These animals were exposed to lead (II) oxide for a period of three weeks, which corresponds to their gestational period. The subjects received daily administration of 60 mg/kg/body weight of lead (II) oxide alongside 25,000 IU/kg body weight of retinol, respectively. Subsequent to parturition, offspring from each designated group were procured and subsequently allocated into distinct cages for duration of three weeks, comprising a neonatal period of 21 days. The progeny were euthanized via cervical dislocation twelve hours after the completion of the neonatal period of 21 days. This was followed by the excision of the testes, which were then fixed in Bouin's fluid for histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis using Ki-67 protein expression. The study demonstrated the teratogenic effects of lead (II) oxide, which resulted in degenerative alterations in the seminiferous tubules, vascular congestion, and alterations in spermatogonia lineage across the seminiferous tubules. The intra-uterine lead (II) oxide exposed group exhibited widening of interstitial spaces and degeneration of leydig cells. Retinol treatment has been demonstrated to result in enhancements in testicular histological features and Ki-67 migration molecule expression in neonatal testes. The embryogenic influence of retinol was established through the examination of testicular histological features in animals subjected to intrauterine exposure and the corresponding testicular expression of Ki-67. Consequently, retinol demonstrated protective and fertility-enhancing properties against the detrimental effects induced by exposure to lead (II) oxide.

Ilam province has been identified as a major center for zoonotic cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) in western Iran. The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the infectivity of Phlebotomus spp. with Leishmania major in Mehran city of Ilam province, Iran. The present study was conducted during the two seasons of the peak mosquito activity, i.e. summer and autumn of 2019. The sticky papers method was utilised for the collection of sandflies. The installation of 400 sticky paper traps resulted in the collection of 2,860 sandflies (950 females and 1,910 males) over the course of two seasons. The female Phlebotomus genus and species were identified using the Iranian standard identification key. Subsequently, Leishmania DNA was extracted from the female Phlebotomus specimen using the phenol-chloroform method, and the ITS1 gene was amplified by PCR. Subsequently, a comparison was made between the genome sequence and the sequence of other samples in the GenBank database, utilizing bioinformatics software. In conclusion, the species of the samples under investigation were determined according to the results of the phylogenetic tree. Furthermore, the parasite species was determined by utilizing the HaeIII restriction enzyme. Of the 617 Phlebotomus female samples collected, 34 were found to be infected with the Leishmania parasite. Of these, 32 (5.18%) of Ph. papatasi and 2 (0.32%) of Ph. sergenti were found to be infected. The results of the RFLP method and sequencing indicated that these mosquitoes were infected with only L. major. It is evident, based on the findings of this study, that ZCL type of Leishmaniasis is prevalent in Mehran city. It is imperative that the findings of this study be given greater consideration by the health officials of the province.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in many studied genes have been related to the severity of COVID-19. This study was carried out to investigate whether the polymorphisms of two SNPs (rs763780 and rs2275913) of the gene polymorphisms for Interleukin 17 (IL-17) are connected to the COVID-19 severity. The effect of these polymorphisms on the levels of IL-17 and the relationship between the level of IL-17 and the severity of COVID-19 were also investigated. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to detect SARS-COV-2. Blood samples were obtained for the analyses of IL-17 levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Genomic DNA was extracted for genotyping. It should be noted that genotyping was performed using RT-PCR. The results indicated that the IL-17 level significantly increased in the case group, compared to the control group (healthy people), and there was a relationship between the severity of COVID-19 and IL-17 levels (P<0.01) in the severity groups. Mean±SE values of IL-17 were 67.99±2.05, 147.60±3.34, 218.15±6.27, and 283.97±5.59 ng/L for the control, mild, moderate, severe, and the critical group, respectively. Furthermore, the type of severity had a non-significant relationship with SNP80 and IL-17 levels (ng/L). Moreover, the type of severity also had a non-significant relationship with SNP13 and IL-17 levels (ng/L) (P≤0.05). In addition, the severity of COVID-19 and the prevalence of the AA genotype were shown to be significantly correlated. Besides, rs2275913 A-allele carriers were shown to be at risk (P=0.021) in the case group, compared to the control group. Furthermore, rs2275913 A-allele carriers were at a higher risk in the severe group (P=0.005, P >0.05) and critical group (P=0.023, P>0.05), compared to the mild group. There was no relationship (P<0.05) between the prevalence of the GA genotype and the severity of COVID-19. Among C-allele carriers of rs 763780 at IL-17, a strong association was discovered between the frequency of the TC/CC genotype and the severity of COVID-19 risk (P=0.0001, P>0.05). Both of them increased the risk in all groups, including the mild or moderate group (P=0.0001, P>0.05), the severe group (P=0.0001, P>0.05 for TC genotype and P=0.04, P>0.05 for CC genotype), and critical group (P=0.0001, P>0.05). According to the results, COVID-19 prognosis and severity were substantially correlated with IL-17 level and two IL-17 SNPs, rs2275913 and rs763780. It demonstrated that the two SNPs might be potential markers for the prediction of COVID-19 risk and development. The different levels of severity also had a non-significant relationship with SNP13 and SNP80 as well as IL-17 levels (ng/L).

Fowlpox is an infectious disease with a relatively slow spread in all ages of poultry. It is characterized by skin lesions in dry form or diphtheria-like lesions in the mouth in wet form. The disease has been observed to result in diminished growth rates and a reduction in egg production. This disease is among the most ancient diseases known to affect poultry. The virulence of the bacterium was initially demonstrated in 1902 by Marks & Sticher. The disease is widespread on a global scale, affecting birds of all ages, races, and genders. The virus is highly infectious and causes significant mortality in birds. The present study was conducted to investigate the presence of Th1 and Th2 cells, as well as the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-4, in the culture medium of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) stimulated with the mitogen concanavalin A (ConA) in vaccinated and control chickens. The present study comprised three groups of 40 21-day-old specific pathogen-free chicks. One group was inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and served as a negative control, while the other two groups were vaccinated with the Razi Institute fowlpox vaccine and a commercial fowlpox vaccine, respectively. The injection of the vaccine was administered in the wing. The chicks were maintained for a period of five weeks following the inoculation procedure. Blood samples were collected from each group on a weekly basis, continuing until the fifth week following the vaccination. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from each blood sample using a centrifuge Ficoll-Hypaque protocol. The concentration of inflammatory cytokines (IFN-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. A statistical analysis and a quantitative evaluation (P<0.05) were employed to ascertain the significant differences between the groups. The results of this study demonstrated that 7 days after vaccination, 90 to 100% of the vaccinated birds exhibited swelling at the injection site. The ratio of the concentration of IFN-γ to IL-4 in the culture medium of vaccinated chicks was higher than that of the control group. The study posits that the induction of enhanced immune responses subsequent to vaccination against fowlpox is predominantly attributable to the Th1 lymphocytes response.