fatemeh masjedi

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) has undergone extensive modification to reduce complications. One of the recent advances in minimally invasive procedures is the advent of ultra-mini PCNL (UM-PCNL), which provides miniaturized access to the kidney. However, the specific instruments applied in UM-PCNL may not be found in centers with limited resources. This study evaluated the safety, feasibility, results, and short-term compli-cation rates of performing UM-PCNL using a semi-rigid ureteroscope in preschool children.

Between September 2013 and September 2021, a total of 68 patients, including 42 boys and 26 girls with a mean age of 3.2 ± 2.4 years, underwent UM-PCNL with a 4.5French tip ureteroscope instead of an ultra-mini nephroscope in children aged less than 7 years old. The procedure was done under general anesthesia in the prone position. The nephrostomy tract was dilated to 12F. Stones were fragmented using a pneumatic litho-tripter. Irrigation was done with normal saline.

The early stone-free rate (SFR) was 91%, and the short-term total SFR was 97%. No statistically signifi-cant difference was found in pre-operative and post-operative Hb, BUN, Cr, Na+, and K+. Fever (11 patients) and ileus (5 patients) constituted the majority of complications, and only one patient required a blood transfusion. None of the cases undergoing UM-PCNL with this method required a re-do PCNL.

Our experience shows that with sufficient experience in handling semi-rigid ureteroscopes, urologists practicing in centers with limited resources could perform UM-PCNL with relatively favorable outcomes.

The seroconversion rate is lower in response to COVID-19 vaccination in immunocompromised patients.

This study aimed to investigate the humoral immune response and short-term clinical outcomes in kidney transplant recipients vaccinated with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine (BBIBP-CorV; Sinopharm).

This prospective cohort was conducted from May to December 2021 in Abu Ali Sina Hospital, Iran. All kidney transplant recipients older than 18 received two doses of the Sinopharm vaccine four weeks apart. Immunogenicity was assessed by evaluating antibodies against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 after the first and second vaccine doses. Patients were followed up for six months after vaccination.

Out of 665 kidney transplant patients, 76 patients (11.43%) and 182 patients (27.37%) had acceptable anti-S-RBD immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels after the first and second doses. Forty-six patients (6.91%) were infected with COVID-19, which led to the hospitalization of 34 (5.11%) of them. No deaths were recorded during the follow-up period. An increase in serum creatinine was detected in 86 (12.93%) studied patients. The predominant adverse reactions reported in patients were fatigue, headache, and injection site pain.

Our findings showed that the humoral response rate of kidney transplant recipients to the Sinopharm vaccine is relatively low, and receiving the third dose of the vaccine seems reasonable to a large extent. Also, the care of the COVID-19 disease in people who are in the first year after receiving a kidney transplant should be more accurate and intensive.

Ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) are essential for follicular development. Ovarian advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulation is related to GCs dysfunction. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) illustrates therapeutic capabilities for infertility-related disorders. Therefore, this study assessed the effects of ALA on AGEs-induced GCs hormonal dysfunction.

The study was conducted from October 2021 to September 2022 at the Department of Medical Genetics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Isolated GCs (n=50) were divided into control, human glycated albumin (HGA), HGA+ALA, and ALA treatments. Steroidogenic enzymes and AGE receptor (RAGE) genes were assessed by qRT-PCR. Steroid hormones and RAGE protein were evaluated using ELISA and Western blotting. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism software (ver. 9), and P<0.05 was considered significant.

Our findings showed that HGA treatment significantly (P=0.0001) increased RAGE (by 140.66%), STAR (by 117.65%), 3β-HSD (by 165.68%), and 17β-HSD (by 122.15%) expression, while it decreased CYP19A1 (by 68.37%) expression. RAGE protein level (by 267.10%) was also increased in HGA-treated GCs. A significant decrease in estradiol (by 59.66%) and a slight and sharp elevation in progesterone (by 30.40%) and total testosterone (by 158.24%) levels was also observed. ALA treatment ameliorated the HGA-induced changes in steroidogenic enzyme mRNA levels (P=0.001) and steroid hormone secretion (P=0.010).

This work shows that ALA therapy likely corrects hormonal dysfunctions caused by AGEs in luteinized GCs. This effect is probably achieved by decreased RAGE expression. Clinical research is needed to understand how AGEs and ALA interact in the ovary, which might lead to a more targeted ovarian dysfunction therapy.

Liver transplantation is the gold standard treatment for end-stage liver failure, but the scarcity of organ donors is the main limiting factor for performing liver transplant surgery.

The objective was to evaluate hepatocytes’ phenotype and functionalities after co-culturing with endothelial (HUVEC) and stellate cells (LX2) in the decellularized liver.

The livers were decellularized with 1% sodium lauryl ester sulfate (SLES). Cell removal and preservation of extracellular matrix (ECM) ultrastructure were studied by staining, scanning electron, and Raman confocal microscopy. The cell viability was evaluated by MTT, and the functions of cells were assessed on a decellularized scaffold with/without co-culturing with HUVEC and LX2 cell lines. The results were then compared to cells with the same condition on collagen scaffolds.

The data confirmed that SLES prevented the destruction of the liver ECM ultrastructure along with nuclear material removal. Raman spectra confirmed DNA and cell debris removal. The decellularized liver was suitable for cell survival, but the proliferation rate was lower than those cultured in collagen. The tests showed that the function of individual cells on the decellularized scaffold was better than that in collagen scaffolds. Co-culturing with HUVEC and LX2 cell lines did not improve hepatocyte functions.

As a biocompatible scaffold, co-culturing hepatocytes with endothelial and stellate cells within the decellularized liver improved liver-specific functions.

Remote ischemic conditioning upregulates endogenous protective pathways in response to ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study tested the hypothesis that limb remote ischemic per- conditioning (RIPerC) exerts cardioprotective effects via the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)/ inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)/ apelin pathway.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/R) was induced by bilateral occlusion of the renal pedicles for 60 minutes, followed by 24 hours of reperfusion; sham-operated rats served as controls. RIPerC was induced by four cycles (5 minutes) of limb ischemia-reperfusion along with bilateral renal ischemia. The functional disturbance was evaluated by renal (BUN and creatinine) and cardiac (troponin I and lactate dehydrogenase) injury biomarkers.

Renal I/R injury increased renal and cardiac injury biomarkers that were reduced in the RIPerC group. Histopathological findings of the kidney and heart were also suggestive of amelioration injury-induced changes in the RIPerC group. Assessment of cardiac electrophysiology revealed that RIPerC ameliorated the decline in P wave duration without significantly affecting other cardiac electrophysiological changes. Further, renal I/R injury increased the plasma (322.40±34.01 IU/L), renal (8.27±1.10 mIU/mg of Protein), and cardiac (68.28±10.28 mIU/mg of protein) angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activities in association with elevations in the plasma and urine nitrite (25.47±2.01 & 16.62±3.05 μmol/L) and nitrate (15.47±1.33 & 5.01±0.96 μmol/L) levels; these changes were reversed by RIPerC. Further, renal ischemia-reperfusion injury significantly (P=0.047) decreased the renal (but not cardiac) apelin mRNA expression, while renal and cardiac ACE2 (P<0.05) and iNOS (P=0.043) mRNA expressions were significantly increased compared to the sham group; these effects were largely reversed by RIPerC.

Our results indicated that RIPerC protects the heart against renal ischemia- reperfusion injury, likely via interaction of the apelin with the RAS/iNOS pathway.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive dysfunction in premenopausal women. PCOS is associated with oxidative stress (OS), which is the main risk factor for renal diseases. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms responsible for renal injury in a hyperandrogenemic female rat model.  This study was conducted from December 2019 to September 2021 at Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran). Thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10), namely control, sham, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Plasma total testosterone, plasma creatinine (Cr), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were measured. In addition, total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oxidative stress index (OSI), and histopathological changes in the ovaries and kidneys were determined. Data were analyzed using the GraphPad Prism software, and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Plasma total testosterone levels increased by nine-fold in DHEA-treated rats compared to controls (P=0.0001). Administration of DHEA increased Cr and BUN levels and caused severe renal tubular cell injury. In addition, plasma and tissue (kidney and ovary) TAC levels decreased significantly, but TOS levels and OSI values were significantly increased (P=0.019). Significant damage to both glomerular and tubular parts of the kidney and ovarian follicular structure was observed in the DHEA group. Hyperandrogenemia caused systemic abnormalities through OS-related mechanisms and damaged renal and ovarian tissues. DHEA treatment in rat models is recommended to study the mechanisms that mediate PCOS-associated renal injury.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused a highly contagious disease, which led to a pandemic health emergency. However, age distribution and sex, regarding factors affecting the severity of COVID-19, are controversial. Therefore, this study is designed to investigate the effect of gender difference on the severity of COVID-19 infection in the studied age groups. Patients with COVID-19 of Valiasr Hospital (Khorrambid, Fars, Iran) from February 20, 2020, to February 20, 2021, are included in this retrospective study. The inclusion criteria were the age of above 15 years old and being residents of Khorrambid. COVID‐19 severity was classified as mild and moderate/severe according to the WHO standards. The obtained demographical and clinical data from the patient registry forms were analyzed using SPSS-24; P value <0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Chi-square and independent t-test were used to assess the variables. Herein, 218 patients were recruited with a mean age of 45.6±17.2 and a relatively equal distribution of men and women population. Out of this population, 23.8% had comorbid diseases, 48.2% had mild, and 51.8% had moderate/severe infections. Our results indicated that male gender and the age range of 25-64 years in men are the most important risk factors associated with the disease severity (P<0.0001). The current study revealed that the leading risk factor of the disease severity was higher age (≥65 years) in the studied women. Meanwhile, in the men group, this factor was the age range of 25-64 years. These results suggest that further research is required to identify the possible impacts of gender and age on various aspects of the ongoing epidemic.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common reproductive disorder in premenopausal women. This syndrome is also associated with many metabolic and cardiovascular complications. These complications are major risk factors for renal injury and kidney disease. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the types of functional and structural kidney injuries in a hyperandrogenic female rat model.

Female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=10 each): control, sham, and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Plasma total testosterone and kidney functional indices were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and colorimetric techniques. Ovarian and renal histological changes were also evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively by Hematoxylin-Eosin (H&E) staining.

Plasma total testosterone in the DHEA group increased about 9-fold compared to the control and sham groups. There was also a significant increase in Cr, BUN, and absolute excretion of sodium ion. Insignificant increases in glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine flow rate (V0), and absolute excretion of potassium ion were observed in DHEA group compared to other groups. However, significant damages were observed in the glomerular and tubular parts of the kidneys and the follicular parts of the ovaries in DHEA-receiving rats.

Hyperandrogenemia is likely to cause systemic abnormalities through a variety of mechanisms, followed by obvious destruction of kidney and ovarian tissues. Accordingly, DHEA administration provides a useful animal model for studying the mechanism of PCOS-mediated renal injury. Practical Implications. The present study Findings can be helpful in identifying the mechanism of PCOS-induced renal injury, especially in younger women.

Elevated levels of interleukin 17A (IL-17A) have been found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Forkhead box protein P3 (FOXP3) activates T-regulation lymphocytes and is a master regulator of cell function. The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) gene plays a similar role. We investigated the role of the expression of these genes in SLE patients with and without nephritis.

The present study was a case-controlled trial including 49 patients with SLE and 26 healthy controls. Gene expressions of IL-17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 were measured by quantitative Real- Time PCR. The relation between lupus nephritis disease activity and IL-17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 gene expression was evaluated.

IL-17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 expression in T-cells were significantly higher in SLE patients than controls (P< .0001). When comparing the nephritis group and non- nephritis group with the control group, the expression of the mentioned genes was also higher (P < .05). There was no significant difference regarding IL- 17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 genes expression in the nephritis group and non- nephritis group (P > .05). Nonetheless, there was a low expression of FOXP3 and IL-17A in patients with the higher stages of nephritis (P < .05).

Our findings showed that elevated IL-17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 expression significantly correlate with SLE pathophysiology. This study provides new insight into the function of IL-17A, FOXP3, and CTLA4 in a disease setting. Heterogeneity of SLE patients is reflected in the multiple abnormalities found in the immune system. Finding such variations can provide targets for better manipulation of the immune system.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) was identified in December 2019 and is still expanding in most parts of the world. The wide variety of affected organs is likely based upon the shared expression of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) important entry-receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). For this reason, the broad distribution of ACE2 receptors in different tissues plays a crucial role in the multi-organ dysfunction and fatality due to COVID-19. Because of the high prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19, we review the molecular understanding into viral infection mechanisms and implications for AKI. Furthermore, mechanisms of the AKI to chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression, such as the relative contribution of immune cell reaction, fibroblasts activation, endothelial dysfunction, and subsequent hypoxia may contribute to the association of AKI with worse outcomes during this virus pandemic. We highlight the state of the knowledge on SARS-CoV-2-dependent mechanisms for AKI and list the potential management choices for the prevention of AKI aggravation and the impending possibility of CKD. Finally, we intend to provide a much better understanding of why Coronavirus induces AKI and its subsequent progression to CKD in the coming years and further discuss the acute and long-term renal consequences.

Numerous interpretations of the Holy Qur'an have been written since long time ago, which have been divided into different methods. discovering the existing plurality and differences of opinion, the audience's mind leads to the reason of this plurality in relation to a single text. The main question is that despite the acceptance of different interests and expertise of the commentators, which leads to their interpretive differences, how can this range of disagreements and divisions and multiple method be analyzed? This article compares two chapters of Qadr and Kowsar in a significant number of commentary books based on interpretive methods; An intellectual, mystical, and scientific work has been written on this subject. The result of this study indicates that a maximum of about twenty percent of the differences in the interpretation of these verses is significant, which will be reduced by taking into account the sum of differences. Moreover, the interpretive issues in these verses have not necessarily been resolved using the interpretive method of the interpreter. The method of this article is qualitative and its documentary analysis technique is based on quantitative data and abstract topics have been avoided.

Human follicular fluid (FF) is rich in hormones and antioxidants. Many components of FF differ in follicles of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Regarding vitamin D effects on gene expression, 25(OH)D level of FF and its association with oxidative status and sex steroids dysregulation in PCOS group was evaluated and compared to controls of Non-obese healthy women. FF of 50 non-obese healthy women and 50 women with PCOS (18-36 years old) who were candidates for IVF/ICSI was aspirated on the oocyte retrieval day. Sex steroids and 25(OH)D levels were measured by ELISA. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) were assessed by chemiluminescence and spectrophotometric methods. Data were analyzed by unpaired t-test or Mann-Whitney test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. The p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Estradiol, progesterone, 25(OH)D, TAC, and activities of SOD, GPx, and CAT in FF of women with PCOS were significantly lower, whilst their free and total testosterone and ROS levels were significantly higher than controls. There were significant positive correlations between FF levels of 25(OH)D with TAC, estradiol and progesterone concentrations, SOD, GPx, and CAT activities. Negative correlations were found between 25(OH)D with free and total testosterone, and ROS levels. Despite different hormonal and antioxidant levels in FF of normal and cystic follicles, the correlation between 25(OH)D levels with sex steroids and oxidative stress markers showed a possible role of 25(OH)D in regulating sex hormones secretion and enhancement of antioxidant defense.

The recruitment of medicinal herbs for the treatment of psychological disorders such as anxiety and stress has a long history. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the compensatory effects of hydroalcoholic extract of green tea on anxiety behaviors that are induced by noise stress in male Wistar rats.

In this study, male Wistar rats weighing 200±20 g were randomly divided into six groups (n = 10): 1) control group, 2) sham- noise stress (two times per day and each time for 15 minutes, for 21 days, without noise stress), 3) chronic noise stress (two times per day and each time for 15 minutes, for 21 days, at 87.3 dB(A) and the frequency of 80 kHz), 4) Green tea (50, 100, 150 mg/kg i.p. for three weeks), 5) sham- green tea with saline injection for 21 days, 6) noise stress + green tea extract (50, 100, 150 mg/kg i.p. for three weeks). Their serum cortisol levels was measured by ELISA test before and after the tests. Behavioral tests were performed including elevated plus-maze, territory discrimination, and passive avoidance test. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software.

Serum corticosterone levels significantly decreased in noise stress groups treated with green tea compared to the control group (P<0.05). Based on the passive avoidance test, the time spent in the dark box showed a significant decrease in the noise stress group treated with green tea (150 mg/kg) compared to the noise stress group. Based on the territory discrimination test, the delay for entering the foreign segment in the green tea treated-groups showed a significant decrease (P<0.05) as compared to the noise stress group. The results of the elevated plus-maze test showed a significant increase in the time spent on the open arms in green tea extract-treated groups in comparison with noise stress group.

Findings show the unique properties of green tea extracts in reducing serum corticosterone levels and improvement of anxiety behaviors caused by noise stress in animals. In addition, the useful effects of herbal medicine on anxiety disorders were confirmed in our study.

This study was conducted to explore the thoughts of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding Islamic philosophy and the required concomitants for its expansion and development based on his speeches. The researchers’ main purpose here was to develop and present a desirable model for the development of Islamic philosophy based on the grounded theory. In doing so, they studied the speeches, sermons, messages, decrees, orders and interviews of Imam Khamenei between 1981-2008 and, through employing three open, axial, and selective types of coding in the grounded theory methodology, they found 111 codes/concepts, 24 categories, and four dimensions. In the conclusion section, while presenting a paradigmatic model dominating the categories, they provide some responses to the research questions based on the research findings.

Universality of Mohammad’s prophecy has been challenged by some of the intellectuals whereas most of Islamic studies scholars acknowledge the scope of Mohammad’s invitation to Islam as universal. Because of the significance of the topic, it seems fruitful to provide an analysis of the evidence and reasons argued by scholars in this context. Based on some Verses from the Quran and historical evidence, Syrian writer Georges Tarabichi (1939-2016) considers the scope of Mohammad's prophecy limited to the Arab Peninsula and its native Arab speaking inhabitants. He argues that following the Islamic Conquests, Muslims altered Mohammad's prophecy from a local alternative of indigenous polytheistic beliefs to a universal message. Tarabichi's main argument lies in his interpretation of those Quranic verses that address the Prophet's preach to be delivered to the Mecca region and amongst its Arabic speaking natives. He attempts to strengthen his theory by putting an emphasis on the obscure perception of the word "Ommi" and other relevant historical evidence. This article aims to critically analyze the aforementioned Tarabichi's theory. In this context, I argue that firstly, Tarabichi's Qur’anic ratiocination lacks a holistic approach and his interpretation of cited verses is not precise and is in contrast with the renowned recitations. Secondly, his Hadith-based argument relies only on a single Hadith without addressing the existing opposite instances. Thirdly, his historical reasoning is not only based on an inaccurate and disputed narrative but also ignores other evidence and narratives in the same context.

‘World’ is among the concepts that have been interpreted differently، and there are extremist and pacifist viewpoints regarding it. The present paper aims to study the relationship between religiousness and attainment of worldly blessings from the viewpoint of Imam Ali (PBUH) in Nahj al-Balaghah. While he describes the sordid characteristics of the world and warns about the consequences of worldliness، he emphasizes on using the world rightly as he sees a religious man’s worldly life as a prologue to his hereafter. That is what he calls ‘religious worldliness’، the prerequisite of which is asceticism، i. e. preference of religion over the world.

Antidiabetic action of garlic is established in animal studies. Since all of the pervious studies have focused on the therapeutic role of garlic, this study investigated the preventive effect of garlic juice on biochemical factors and histological features in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Forty male rats were divided into five groups (n = 8): 1-Normal group (N), 2-Normal+Garlic group (N+G) received garlic juice (1 mL/100g BW) for 6 weeks, 3-Diabetic group (D) was injected with STZ (60 mg/kg, IP), 4-Diabetic+Garlicbefore group (D+Gb) received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for another 3 weeks, 5-Diabetic+Garlic-after group (D+Ga), three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 3 weeks. Serum biochemical factors were measured by the enzymatic methods and H&E stained sections of pancreas and liver were prepared for light microscopy. In diabetic rats, elevated levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides, the increment of the activities of ALT and AST, increased food and water consumption were observed. The abnormal increases were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in D+Gb groups compared to D group. In D group, scattered degeneration of the hepatocytes with lymphocytic infiltration in the portal areas, decrease of pancreatic islets numbers and diameter, atrophy of pancreatic islets were observed. These abnormal histological signs were dramatically ameliorated in D+Gb group compared to D group. In D+Ga group compared to D+Gb group slighter effects of garlic juice on histopathological and biochemical changes were seen. These results indicate that garlic juice may help in the prevention of the complications of diabetes.

The preventive antidiabetic effects of garlic juice on blood glucose levels and pancreas tissue was evaluated in STZ-induced diabetic rats. 40 male rats were divided into five groups of 8 rats each. 1) Normal group (N), 2) Normal+Garlic group (N+G) received 1 ml garlic juice/100g BW/day for 6 weeks, 3) Diabetic group (D) injected with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg BW,i.p.), 4) Diabetic + Garlic_before group (D+Gb) received garlic juice for 6 weeks, but at the end of third week, they were injected with STZ, 5) Diabetic+Garlic_after group (D+Ga) received garlic juice for 3 weeks, after they were injected with STZ. At the end of the experiment, serial sections of pancreas were prepared and stained with H&E for light microscope investigations. Serum glucose levels were significantly increased (p<0.05) in D group in comparison with other groups. There was no significant difference between D+Gb group and N and N+G groups. Body, pancreas, and relative weights was significantly decreased (p<0.05) in D group in comparison with other groups. In D+Gb and D+Ga groups pancreas weight showed no significant difference with the normal group. In D group decrease of pancreatic islet numbers and their mean diameter, atrophy and vacuolation in parenchyma of pancreatic islets were detected. These abnormal histological signs were dramatically decreased in D+Gb group compared to D group. In D+Ga group, dramatical but slighter effects of garlic juice on the histopathological changes of the pancreas were observed. Based on these results, it is thought that garlic juice has favorable effects in preventing changes in blood glucose levels, body and pancreas weights, and the histopathological changes in pancreas in STZ-induced diabetes.