mehrangiz ghafari

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a type of obstructive pulmonary disease that is identified by chronic narrowing of the airways. This disease worsens over time, and the main symptoms of this disease include shortness of breath, cough, and phlegm. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between COPD disease severity and inflammatory markers erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in hospitalized patients.

After the admission of patients diagnosed with COPD into this descriptive-analytical study, a complete medical history was taken during their hospitalization. Necessary variables were collected, including current or previous cigarette or opium use and duration of exposure to fossil fuels. Especially in those who cook at home, ESR and CRP samples were taken from them in addition to routine tests, and the length of hospital stay was recorded in addition to common treatments. After collecting the data, they were recorded in SPSS V22 software and analyzed using descriptive statistics (prevalence, mean, and standard deviation) and using the Chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t, and Mann-Whitney tests. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the accuracy of the prediction of inflammatory markers in the outcome and severity of the disease. The significance level was considered less than 0.05.

In this study, it was observed that the average scores of ESR and CRP of people with COPD were 54.68 and 1.50, respectively. The average ESR was 26.46 in people with mild COPD, 54.60 in people with moderate COPD, and 110.62 in people with severe COPD, and this difference was statistically significant (P=0.0001). The average CRP was 0.61 in people with mild COPD, 1.75 in people with moderate COPD, and 2.86 in people with severe COPD, which was statistically significant (P=0.0001).

The results of this study showed that there was a significant relationship between ESR and CRP with the outcome of COPD, and a significant relationship was observed between ESR and CRP and the severity of COPD disease.

Gastric cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the world and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Gastric cancer was responsible for approximately 768,000 deaths. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as short non-coding RNAs, undoubtedly play a central and decisive role in various types of cancer due to their interaction with target genes. Since the discovery of the identity and clinical functions of miRNAs in the past few decades, their potential as therapeutic targets in cancer research has been the focus of extensive study. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of microRNAs in gastric cancer, focusing on their expression, biogenesis, and potential as therapeutic biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are essential regulators of cell proliferation, signaling pathways, and the cell cycle. They can also serve as markers of metastasis in the stomach, liver, and lymph nodes, as well as indicators of response to chemotherapy in cancer patients. Several studies have shown that miRNAs in gastric cancer have been effective as biomarkers for cancer prognosis. Currently, various oncogenic clinical trials are underway, exploring the use of miRNAs in screening, diagnosis, and drug testing. However, many systematic molecular mechanisms, including a detailed investigation of miRNAs and their expression in gastric cancer, remain unknown. Therefore, in addition to presenting the updated results of recent preclinical studies, researchers have investigated the biogenesis of miRNAs and their expression in cancer cells. It is hoped that the analysis of molecular interaction effects and the identification of miRNA target molecules and signaling pathways will contribute to the prevention and treatment of this disease.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infectious and pathogenic agent, with certain genotypes capable of causing malignant changes in the surface of mucosal cells.  Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the types of human papillomavirus (HPV) present in patients with ASC-US Pap smears.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 157 women who were referred to gynecologists for HPV screening from November 2023 to June 2024 in Zabol citiy. Data on demographic information, obstetric history, oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use, history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and high-risk behaviors, cervical treatments, HPV type, Pap smear results, colposcopy findings, and cervical biopsy results were recorded and analyzed.

This study analyzed various HPV genotypes using PCR and hybridization methods, identifying both high-risk and low-risk types, with low-risk genotype 6 being the most prevalent (28%). Low-risk HPV types accounted for 13.4% of cases, while high-risk types represented 11%. The significant association between age and HPV infection rate (P<0.05). Most women had an education level below a diploma, and the primary motivation for undergoing a Pap smear was a doctor's recommendation. Among 71 positive samples, 31 cases (19.7%) were ASC-US, and the findings were statistically significant (P<0.01).

Based on the results of this study, ASC-US Pap smears require more detailed investigation, such as colposcopy and cervical biopsy, under the supervision of experts, due to their association with high-risk HPV in many cases.

Today, the production and use of materials with nanometer diversity is increasing day by day due to the unique and fascinating features of these materials. Until now, various physical and chemical methods have been used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), but the use of plants for the synthesis of AgNPs is very fast, simple, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. In this research, the aqueous extract (AE) of Capparis plants was used for the biosynthesis of AgNPs. The color of the silver nitrate solution changed to reddish color after adding the extract. The Antimicrobial activity of AgNPs against Streptococcus pyogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. saprophyticus, Hafnia alvei,  Acinetobacter. baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Proteus mirabilis, Serratia marcescens, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria were investigated by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) using microdilution method. The amount of total phenol and flavonoids in the methanolic extract (ME) of capparis leaves was equal to 229.9- 28.09 mg per gram of dry matter. The antioxidant properties of the ME of capparis were 85.18%. The greatest effect of the ME of the medicinal plant capparis was 0.2315 on the inactivity of E. coli and the greatest effect of green AgNPs synthesized from the AE of the medicinal plant Capparis with ELISA of 0.3740 was on the inactivity of S. mutanis. The maximum diameter of the inhibitor zone (MDIZ) was 5.5 mm due to the inactivity of H. alvi bacteria. The results of this research showed that the leaf extract of the Capparis spinosa f. inermis Knocheplant is capable of synthesizing AgNPs and the synthetic nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity against pathogenic strains in vitro.

In general, the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics has become one of the major concerns of human society and the health care system. The aim of this study was to evaluate total phenol, flavonoids content, alkaloids, antioxidant capacity and antibacterial activity of 7 medicinal plants extracts in Sistan climatic conditions against pathogens. Plant samples were collected from the collection of the Agricultural Research Institute of medicinal plants, University of Zabol and dried in normal shade and room temperature. A Methanolic extract of the leaves of snake grass, eucalyptus, tatura, Musquit bean, Watercress, rosemary and olive was prepared by cold maceration method. Total phenol content by using folin-ciocalteu reagent method, total flavonoid content by aluminum chloride colorimetric method, antioxidant capacity by DPPH free radical scavenging assay and antibacterial activity of extracts by agar diffusion method and measurement of growth inhibition zone or Disk diffusion was measured. The analysis of variance showed that there was a statistically significant difference between different medicinal plants at a probability level of 5%. In the present experiment, the highest phenolic content (110.78 mg/q D.W.) in the Rosemary methanolic extract, the highest total flavonoid content (4.55 mg GA/g D.W.) in Eucalyptus extract and the highest antioxidant activity (93.1%) in the Olive extract were observed. Also, the largest diameter of Disk diffusion (25 mm) was observed in the medium containing Rosemary extract and against Streptococcus pyogenes.

Urinary tract infection is one of the most common asymptomatic infectious diseases during pregnancy, which is mostly caused by Escherichia coli infection, which, if not diagnosed and treated, causes harm to the mother and the fetus.

In a cross-sectional study of 50 pregnant women who referred to the outpatient clinic of Zabol hospital center after completing the questionnaire and examining the patients by obstetrician and gynecologist and ensuring that they were healthy, a sterile mid-stream urine sample was prepared and examined and diagnosed in terms of a complete urine test and placed were and Escherichia coli samples were separated from other colonies by diagnostic tests. The characterization of ZnO-NPs was performed by, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopes, and X-ray diffraction.  The antimicrobial activity of ZnO-NPs synthesis in Eucalyptus was studied both in vitro against E. coli clinical isolates from woman.

The results of the analyzes showed that the zinc oxide nanoparticles were synthesized in a polyhedral to round shape and the size of the nanoparticles was 21 nm. The results of the antibiotic resistance pattern investigation showed that the most sensitive to the antibiotic amikacin was and also the minimum inhibitory concentration of synthetic zinc nanoparticles was equal to 1500 μg/ml.

In this study, it was found that aqueous extract of Eucalyptus leaves has the ability to produce zinc nanoparticles oxide nanoparticles have been synthesized from zinc sulfate, and the synthetic nanoparticles have shown good antimicrobial properties against antibiotic-resistant Escherichia coli bacteria.

Continuous and indiscriminate use of chemical drugs causes an important phenomenon of resistance to microorganisms. Accordingly, the effect of medications is minimized or offset, increasing drug use and the need to study mixtures with more latest and powerful formulations. On the other hand, it has been reported that many plants essential oils have a significant inhibitory effect on pathogenic microorganisms.

This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of some curative herbs against some clinical bacteria of humans and sheep.

The leaves of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), Hypericum perforatum L., Lavandula angustifolia, Thymus vulgaris L., and Taxus baccata L. were collected and determined in the botanical laboratory of the University of Zabol. Forty grams of dried leaves was used in 400mL of ethanol (96%) to prepare the ethanolic extract. DPPH was used to determine the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) trapping. The antimicrobial effects were studied by the disk diffusion (6 mm) method in Müller-Hinton agar medium according to the method by Bauer et al.

The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of chicory, thyme, H. perforatum, French lavender, and yarrow extracts in human clinical Staphylococcus aureus were 6.25, 12.5, 3.1, 25, and 6.25 ppm, respectively, but, in sheep, clinical S. aureus, were 12.5, 6.25, 3.1, 12.5, and 25 ppm, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) of chicory, thyme, H. perforatum, French lavender, and yarrow extracts in human clinical S. aureus were 12.5, 25, 6.25, 50, and 12.5 ppm, respectively, but, in sheep clinical S. aureus, were 25, 12.5, 6.25, 25, and 50 ppm, respectively. The most effective extract in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus was the H. perforatum L. extract with an 8.9-mm diameter growth inhibition zone.

Regarding the side effects of artificial medications and antimicrobials, as well as the significant influence of healing herb extracts used in this study, it was found that H. perforatum was the most effective plant against S. aureus. It should be noted that plant extracts were more effective in human clinical S. aureus than in sheep clinical S. aureus.

The use of plant extracts prepared from medicinal plants is common in the developing countries. Meanwhile, due to the resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics, researchers are looking to discover new antimicrobials. Medicinal plants play an essential role in this regard.

This study was aimed at investigating the antimicrobial properties of various extracts of Rhazya stricta plant against Salmonella typhimurium.

Methanolic, aqueous, ethanolic, hydroalcoholic, and ethyl acetate extracts of R. stricta were prepared. S. typhimurium strains were isolated from poultry feces. The microdilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of this plant. The diameter of the growth inhibition zone using was determined using Whatman paper.

The lowest MIC against S. typhimurium was obtained from the hydroalcoholic solvent with 3.1 ppm. The most effective extraction solvent to inhibit the growth of S. typhimurium was the hydroalcoholic type with an average growth inhibition zone diameter of 12.25 mm, followed by the ethanolic extract with a growth inhibition zone diameter of 12.12 mm.

According to the results of research and increasing resistance to synthetic antibacterial substances, it seems that R. stricta plant with the help of hydroalcoholic solvent, can be considered an effective plant in eliminating some bacteria, including S. typhimurium.

 Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacilli) inflicts large economic losses on the poultry industry and is one of the most important causes of poultry diseases. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has contributed to today’s increasing prevalence of drug-resistant strains, which their emergence appears to exceed the discovery of new drugs. Therefore, several attempts have been dedicated to find new compounds as effective alternatives to antibiotics. Medicinal plants constitute a rich source for various antimicrobial compounds.

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic resistance trend of the E. coli strains isolated from Quail feces samples and to investigate the antimicrobial effects of Eshvarak extract against these strains.

 Eshvarak plant was collected from Saravan (Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran) and identified in the botany laboratory of Zabol University. E. coli samples were isolated from poultry feces. Various solvents (methanol (100%), ethanol (100%), water (100%), hydro-alcohol (70%), and ethyl-acetate (100%)) were used to prepare Eshvarak extract. Inhibitory zone diameter was determined in an agar-based medium using a standard procedure. The MIC and MBC of prepared extracts were determined by the micro-dilution method.

 The lowest MIC values were obtained for the methanolic (12.5 ppm), ethanolic (12.5 ppm), aqueous (12.5 ppm), hydroalcoholic (25 ppm), and ethyl-acetate (12.5 ppm) Eshvarak extracts. The highest inhibitory zone diameters against E. coli were recorded at the 100-ppm concentration of the methanolic (8 mm), ethanolic (7 mm), aqueous (8 mm), hydroalcoholic (10 mm), and ethyl-acetate (5 mm) Eshvarak extracts.

 Eshvarak extract, particularly in the hydroalcoholic solvent, inhibited the growth of E. coli. However, the antimicrobial properties of plant extracts seem to be independent of the extraction method or the type of solvent.

Today, opportunistic fungi, especially Candida albicans, are among the most common risk factors in patients with weakened immune systems. Fungal infections caused by Candida species and increasing number of azole-resistant strains are of great importance in immunocompromised patients. The toxicity of the drugs used, the development of resistance to these fungi, and the problems caused by drug interactions necessitate the use of more effective drugs with less toxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of medicinal plant extracts on C. albicans. In this review study, Scopus, PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SID, and Magiran databases were searched between 2000 and 2019 to identify related articles. The search keywords were “Candida albicans”, “Complementary”, “Herbal medicine” and their Persian equivalents. All in vivo and in vitro trials were included in the study. The reviewed studies showed the effectiveness of some compounds in inhibiting the growth of C. albicans. The results of the present research were in in-vitro conditions, but they need to be conducted in-vivo for human use.

Application of plants and their compounds has long been significant in treating diseases mainly due to their natural potential and lower side effects than chemical drugs and presence of alkaloids, and polyphenols in their extract. Despite research carried out on the properties of such plants and popularity of blood diseases, few studies have been done on its effects on blood cells, thus, it was attempted for the first time to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of the Pseudium guava leaf on blood cells in rats.

After extracting the leaves of guava plant, 40 adult male rats were divided into four groups. Which included control (cases with no treatment during the study) and experimental groups (cases receivied of hydroalcoholic extract of Psidium guava leaf, in different doses daily for 3 months). At the end of the test period, blood samples were counted.

The results of this study showed that the hydroalcoholic extract increased White Blood Cells and Red Blood Cells, but no significant change was observed. This increase in hematocrit was significant in the group receiving hydroalcoholic extract at a dose of 5000 mg/kg compared to the control group.

The results of the study had a positive effect on blood cells. Also, the lack of cytotoxicity with high doses of the extract of this plant means its safe use in traditional medicine.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare cancer originated from smooth muscle lining the walls of the uterus. LMS is known as an aggressive tumor with high mortality and morbidity rates compared to other uterine cancers, despite the disease stage at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, LMS has been misdiagnosed as benign uterine leiomyoma following hysterectomy or myomectomy.
We present a 53-year-old G7 L7 woman who was referred to our clinic for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) for 6 months. On physical examination, we found an abdominal mass that had grown rapidly in the last 4 months. The computed tomography (CT) scan results showed a heterogeneous mass extending from the epigastric region to the pelvic area. Following an exploratory laparotomy, histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of LMS. Her uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries were removed during a surgery, and she was referred to a gynecologic oncologist for possible chemotherapy.
We found that the surgery was the only treatment for LMS. Although there is a faint possibility to diagnose LMS before surgery, in the patient with uncertain diagnosis and suspicious of LMS, analysis of LDH and LDH3 levels along with dynamic gadolinium- diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is recommended.

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is a rare cancer originated from smooth muscle lining the walls of the uterus. LMS is known as an aggressive tumor with high mortality and morbidity rates as compared to other uterine cancers, despite the disease stage at the time of diagnosis. In most cases, LMS has been misdiagnosed as a benign uterine leiomyoma following hysterectomy or myomectomy.
We presented a 53-year-old G7 L7 woman who had referred to GYN clinic in Amir-al-Momenin hospital for abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) for 6 months. On physical examination, we found an abdominal mass that had grown rapidly in the last 4 months. The computed tomography (CT) scan results showed a heterogeneous mass extending from the epigastric region to the pelvic area. Following an exploratory laparotomy, histopathology report confirmed the diagnosis of LMS. Her uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries were removed during a surgery, and she was referred to a gynecologic oncologist for possible chemotherapy.
We found that the surgery is the only treatment for LMS; however, there is a little possibility to diagnose LMS before surgery in the patient with uncertain diagnosis and suspicious of LMS. Analysis of LDH and LDH3 levels along with dynamic diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA) enhanced, and MRI are recommended.