Advanced biomedical research最新文献

This case report presents a 47-year-old male with severe thoracic scoliosis measuring 80 degrees and significant kyphosis. The patient reported chronic back pain, restricted mobility, compromised cardiopulmonary function, low self-esteem, and limited activities. Radiographs confirmed the deformity without congenital anomalies. Adult spinal deformities pose challenges due to skeletal maturity. Non-operative management has limited effectiveness for severe cases. Surgery risks must be weighed against benefits. Novel understandings of spinal biomechanics may enable less invasive corrections. The profound impacts of deformity on quality of life were demonstrated. A comprehensive, individualized approach is needed. Ongoing research may improve outcomes and redefine care standards.

Background: Recently, biosynthesis, also recognized as green synthesis, has emerged as an alternative for producing nano-metal oxides. In this study the anti-cancer activity of green-synthesized zinc-copper-doped NPs using Urtica dioica against the human BC-MDA-MB-231 cell line was investigated.

Materials and methods: The synthesized bimetallic NPs using U. dioica through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), coupled with energy-dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDX) and UV-Visible spectroscopy was characterized. MTT assay assessed the toxicity in BC cells induced by NP exposure, determining the lethal toxic dose. Additionally, apoptosis in cells resulting from NP exposure was evaluated using the real-time PCR technique. The potential mechanism of toxicity induced by doped NPs was further assessed by lactate dehydrogenase, caspase-3, and ROS generation in BC cells.

Results: The particles exhibited an irregular structure with non-uniform surfaces, and a variable size of NPs ranging between 22 and 46 nm was observed. Zn-doped-Cu NPs decreased the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in both treatment groups in a dose-dependent manner. The IC₅₀ concentration of Zn-doped-Cu NPs significantly increased Bax expression and decreased Bcl2, MMP2, and MMP9 genes thus playing a crucial role in apoptosis and metastasis prevention. Furthermore, a notable increase in LDH activity, caspase-3 activity, and ROS generation was observed in cancerous cells following exposure to biosynthesized NPs compared to MDA-MB-231 cells receiving extract and the control group.

Conclusions: These findings underscore the remarkable apoptotic, antimetastatic, and antioxidant activity of biosynthesized Zn-doped-Cu NPs.

Background: Mode of delivery is associated with pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between delivery type and PFD six-month after delivery.

Materials and methods: This case-control study included primigravida females who had a normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy (VDE) or uncomplicated cesarean section. All participants underwent an evaluation to check the strength and endurance of the pelvic floor muscles (PFM), intravaginal pressure measurement, electromyographic activity recording of the PFM, and Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory-20 (PFDI-20) questionnaire.

Results: In total, 260 patients were enrolled in our study and divided equally into two groups: uncomplicated cesarean delivery and VDE. Our findings showed significant differences in PFM dysfunction, electrical activity, strength, endurance, and vaginal pressure between the two groups. Patients who underwent an uncomplicated cesarean delivery had better outcomes.

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that the severity of PFD in women who underwent uncomplicated cesarean section was lower than that in women who underwent VDE. VDE may cause PFM injury.

Background: Autoimmune demyelinating disorders, such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), are caused by persistent inflammation and damage to the central nervous system. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a growing challenge in these diseases, underscoring the need for a thorough exploration of its prevalence and risk across various subtypes. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and odds of CI using the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) in various MS subtypes and NMOSD.

Materials and methods: A case-control study involving 616 participants, including healthy controls (HC) and individuals with different MS subtypes (Relapsing Remitting MS (RRMS), Secondary Progressive MS (SPMS), Primary Progressive MS (PPMS)), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), and NMOSD, was conducted. CI was defined as SDMT z-scores 1.5 standard deviations below the HC average. The chi-square test was used to assess the risk of CI.

Results: The prevalence of CI varied across different groups: HC (10.7%), RRMS (33.8%), SPMS (71.3%), PPMS (62.8%), CIS (19.2%), and NMOSD (32.8%). Odds ratios (OR) for CI were significantly increased in RRMS (OR: 4.23, confidence interval (CI): 2.18-8.22, P < 0.001), SPMS (OR: 20.58, CI: 10.36-40.88, P < 0.001), PPMS (OR: 14.02, CI: 5.80-33.86, P < 0.001), and NMOSD (OR: 4.04, CI: 2.07-7.87, P < 0.001) compared to HC.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes a significantly increased risk of CI in MS subtypes and NMOSD compared to HC. Although no significant difference in CI risk was found between individuals with RRMS and NMOSD, those with progressive forms of MS exhibited notably higher risks of CI.

Background: To compare the outcomes of fresh embryo transfer (ET) versus frozen ET (FET) in women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF).

Materials and methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed at Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. A total of 498 cycles, including 418 FET cycles and 80 fresh cycles, from women with RIF were reviewed between February 2020 and February 2023. The chemical and clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rate were compared.

Results: FET cycles demonstrated significantly higher rates of both chemical (29.7% vs 13.8%, P = 0.002) and clinical pregnancy (20.6% vs 10.0%, P = 0.027) compared to fresh ET cycles. The live birth rate in the frozen transfer group was higher compared to the fresh transfer group, but the difference was not statistically significant (8.7% vs 4.9%, P value = 0.127).

Conclusions: Our findings showed that FET cycles may be associated with improved pregnancy rates in women with RIF.

This review systematically evaluated the literature on detecting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using plasma exosomal DNA by analyzing data from eight studies selected from a comprehensive literature search (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science; 2010-2024). The findings revealed a wide range of EGFR mutation prevalence (10%-26.8%) across studies, with most mutations located in exons 19 and 21. Comparative analysis highlighted the potential of plasma exosomal DNA (exDNA) as a non-invasive alternative to tissue biopsy, although significant heterogeneity in sensitivity and specificity was observed across liquid biopsy methods (including circulating tumor cells and exDNA analyses). This heterogeneity underscores the need for standardization and further validation to optimize the clinical utility of plasma exDNA in detecting EGFR mutations, monitoring treatment response, and identifying resistance mechanisms in NSCLC.

Background: The purpose of this work was to assess insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and metabolic syndrome prevalency among patients with and without thyroid nodules.

Materials and methods: This case-control study was done on 86 patients with normal TSH level (0.5-4.5 mIU/L) and thyroid nodules, who referred to Imam Khomeini Hospital (Ahvaz, Iran). Besides, 43 non-nodule patients with normal TSH level and normal thyroid ultrasonic images were enrolled randomly from the general population as the control group. The parameters of metabolic syndrome including height, weight, hip circumference, waist circumference (WC), body mass index (BMI), and persistence of high blood pressure were assessed in two groups. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and insulin levels were measured. The diagnosis of insulin resistance was made when the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index was ≥2.5.

Results: The mean value of insulin resistance was considerably higher in nodule patients than the control group (3.02 ± 1.92 vs. 1.10 ± 1.55; P < 0.001). HOMA-IR was seen in 49 (57.0%) and 4 (9.3%) in thyroid nodule and the control group patients, respectively (P < 0.0001). WC, BMI, FBS, TG, TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, and insulin levels were significantly higher in the nodular group than the control group.

Conclusions: Our study illustrates that there is an association between HOMA-IR and thyroid nodules. The thyroid nodules patients have higher HOMA-IR value compared to other groups. Also, the most of metabolic syndrome parameters were considerably higher in the thyroid nodule group.

Background: The present study aimed at comparing simplified and modified histologic criteria alone and along with other indicators in the diagnosis of chronic autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).

Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 48 cases were selected from slides and paraffin blocks of patients suspected of chronic AIH according to clinical and laboratory data, including serology and autoantibody findings and viral hepatitis test results. Then, scores equal to 1 (compatible hepatitis), 2 (typical hepatitis), ≤6 (probable hepatitis), and ≥7 (definite hepatitis) were calculated based on the simplified histologic criteria, modified histologic criteria, and these two criteria, along with other indicators including antinuclear antibodies (Ab), smooth muscle Ab or liver-kidney microsomal Ab or soluble liver antigen (Ag) and serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) and absence of viral hepatitis.

Results: The results of this study revealed that based on the simplified histologic criteria, 43.8% and 56.3% of these cases were assigned a score of 1 and 2 points, respectively. However, calculating the total score using the simplified criteria along with other indicators showed that 60.4% and 39.6% of cases were assigned a score ≤6 and ≥7 points, respectively. Moreover, the modified histologic criteria indicated that 25% and 75% of cases were assigned a score of 1 and 2 points, respectively.

Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the modified histologic criteria compared to the simplified histologic criteria identified a higher percentage of patients assigned a score of 2 points. Moreover, modified histologic criteria, along with other indicators, were more accurate in detecting definite AIH (score ≥7 points).

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a life-threatening progressive motor neuron disease whose diagnosis is challenging because of lacking specific diagnostic means. The current study aims to assess the value of upper extremity peripheral nerves ultrasonography in ALS detection.

Materials and methods: In this case-control study, 30 ALS subjects were assessed regarding the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the proximal (at distal part of arm or the proximal of elbow) and distal (at wrist level) median and ulnar nerves, assessed via ultrasonography. Similarly, 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were evaluated. The receiver operating curve (ROC) was depicted to determine a cut-point for ALS-associated peripheral nerve involvement.

Results: Proximal CSA and the proximal-to-distal ratio of the median nerve was remarkably lower in both upper extremities of the ALS subjects compared to the controls (P value < 0.05), while the distal median nerve CSAs did not differ between the groups (P value > 0.05). Distal ulnar nerve CSA in the right hand (P value = 0.007) and the proximal ulnar nerve CSA in the left hand (P value = 0.001) were remarkably lower in the cases than the controls, but the other measurements did not differ (P value > 0.05). There was no significant cut-points to differentiate ALS-affected peripheral nerves from the healthy controls (P value > 0.05).

Conclusion: Based on this study, CSA of the proximal median nerve in the cubital fossa seems a rational and valuable means to diagnose ALS; but the distal parts of the median nerve and the ulnar nerve in its all length remained a matter of debate.

Background: Diabetes is a complicated, long-term condition that necessitates difficult patient self-management. This self-management includes regular medication adherence, daily insulin injections for certain patients, and daily decisions about food, exercise, and blood glucose monitoring. The objective of the study was to evaluate diabetic distress in individuals with type II diabetes.

Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2024 to May 2024 in a purposive sample of 89 patients attending the outpatient clinic of the Al-Wafia Specialized Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, a teaching hospital in Mosul. With the help of the literature, a patients' information form containing questions was used to gather data for a questionnaire designed to assess patients' awareness of diabetic distress. The frequencies of the study variables were shown using descriptive statistics. A Chi-square test was used to perform a bivariate analysis. Significant P values were those that were less than 0.05. SPSS, version 25, was used to perform the statistical analyses.

Results: The study outcomes showed that, with a mean of 3.636, 39% of the study sample had moderate or high levels of diabetic distress. There was no correlation found between any demographic factor and diabetic distress, except for the participant age (0.190**).

Conclusion: This study concluded that among the enrolled 89 diabetic patients most of them had diabetic distress. The statistical association between overall knowledge and sociodemographic variables indicated that there is no statistically significant difference between patients' knowledge and their sociodemographic information, except with the age group.