Enterococci may develop resistance to linezolid through chromosomal mutations that involve specific linezolid resistance genes, such as cfr, optrA, and poxtA. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility of enterococcal isolates and identify cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes in MDR isolates.

Enterococcal isolates were collected from various clinical specimens at Al‑Zahra, Amin, and Khorshid Hospitals in Isfahan. The Enterococcus isolates were identified as belonging to the E. faecalis and E. faecium species by using specific gene (D alanine D alanine ligase ddl) sets in PCR. To detect cfr, optrA, and poxtA genes among the species, a multiplex‑PCR assay was performed.

Out of 175 isolates, E. faecalis predominated 129/175 (73.7%). Furthermore, the prevalence of vancomycin‑resistant Enterococci (VRE) and linezolid‑resistant Enterococci (LRE) was 29.7% and 4%, respectively. The overall prevalence of MDR was 91.1%, 68.9%, and 66.6% of E. faecium, E. faecalis, and other Enterococcus spp., respectively. Interestingly, the frequency of optrA (71.4%) in E. faecium and poxtA and crf (42.8%) in E. faecalis were detected among LRE species. A statistically significant relationship (P < 0.05) was found between the presence of the three genes and the occurrence of LRE.

This is the first study to report the detection of linezolid resistance genes (cfr, optrA, and poxtA) in clinical Enterococcus spp. isolates from Iran, conducted at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences hospitals. The emergence of enterococcal strains that resist linezolid is concerning as it can lead to the spread of resistant strains among patients, resulting in treatment failure.

To reduce the complications of orthopedic surgery, the desire for less invasive procedures, such as, knee arthroscopy to repair the anterior cruciate ligament, has increased. There are, currently, two common positions for limbs that are used during surgery depending on the surgeon’s experience. Therefore, our aim was to investigate the effect of limb position on complications after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery.

From April 2016 to July 2020 at our orthopedic‑sports trauma center, 688 patients between the ages of 18 and 50 with anterior cruciate ligament rupture underwent reconstruction surgery with a hamstring graft. Patients were divided into two groups in terms of limb position at the time of surgery. For three months, patients were evaluated for surgical complications, basic demographic information, and information during surgery.

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographic information, side of injury, preparation time, tourniquet time, operation time, and duration of hospitalization. At quarterly follow‑up, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of postoperative complications (P = 0.976).

There is no difference between compartment syndrome and deep vein thrombosis in different situations, therefore, the surgeon should operate in any position he is skilled in. Also, surgeons should always pay special attention to these complications and provide necessary training to patients in order to prevent them.

Only 5 to 10% of cancers are hereditary, but they are particularly important since they can be passed down from generation to generation, and family members are at elevated risk. Although screening methods are one of the essential strategies for dealing with hereditary cancers, they do not have high specificity and sensitivity. The emergence of whole‑exome sequencing (WES) causes a significant increase in the diagnostic rate of cancer‑causing variants in at‑risk families.

We performed WES on the proband’s DNA sample from an Iranian family with multiple cancer‑affected members to identify potential causative variants. Multiple in silico tools were used to evaluate the candidate variants’ pathogenicity and their effects on the protein’s structure, function, and stability. Moreover, the candidate variants were co‑segregated in the family with Sanger sequencing.

The WES data analysis identified two pathogenic variants (CHEK2: NM_007194.4: c.538C>T, p.Arg180Cys and MLH1: NM_000249.4, c.844G>A, p.Ala282Thr). Sanger sequencing data showed each of the variants was incompletely segregated with phenotype, but both of them explained the patient’s phenotype together. Also, the structural analysis demonstrated that due to the variant (c.538C>T), a salt bridge between arginine 180 and glutamic acid 149 was lost. Indeed, several protein stability tools described both variants as destabilizing.

Herein, we interestingly identify two distinct deleterious causative variants (CHEK2: NM_007194.4: c.538C>T, p.Arg180Cys and MLH1: NM_000249.4, c.844G>A, p.Ala282Thr) in a family with several cancer‑affected members. Furthermore, this study’s findings established the utility of WES in the genetic diagnostics of cancer.

Tonsillectomy, one of the most common otolaryngology surgeries, often results in postoperative complications such as pain and bleeding. Currently, there is no consensus on postoperative pain management. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of oral prednisolone on postoperative pain after tonsillectomy with sutures.

This pilot, double‑blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted at two tertiary care centers affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Patients who underwent tonsillectomy with sutures were included. Participants were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. In the experimental group, patients received oral prednisolone in addition to acetaminophen; in the control group, patients received acetaminophen and a placebo. Post‑operative pain was evaluated by a visual analog scale daily for ten days.

Initially, 60 patients were enrolled in the study; however, four were excluded due to non‑attendance at follow‑up visits. The groups were similar in terms of age and sex (both P values >0.05). In the study, postoperative pain from 1st day to the 10th day was lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P value <0.05).

Numerous studies have been conducted on the effect of intravenous corticosteroids on this pain. However, there is no consensus on the analgesic role of oral corticosteroids for post‑tonsillectomy pain. The present study showed that oral prednisolone is effective on post‑operative pain compared to a placebo.

Toxocariasis is an acute or chronic disease caused by parasites of the Ascaridae family, especially Toxocara of dogs and cats. Eggs are excreted out by feces of these animals on soil. Infective eggs develop on soil which can be infective to human. In this study, infection rate of Toxocara spp. in dogs and cats of urban and rural areas of Isfahan province of Iran has been investigated.

Three hundred and seventy‑five stray dog feces and 230 stray cat feces were collected from the public environment (slaughterhouses, parks, children’s playgrounds, student dormitories, university environment, streets and squares) in Isfahan province of Iran. At first, dogs’ and cats’ feces were examined for the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs using formalin ether method. In the second stage, by using molecular methods, Toxocara eggs spp. (Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati) were identified.

From 375 dog fecal samples, 39 (10.40%) and from 230 cat fecal samples, 38 (16.52%) were positive for presence of the Toxocara eggs.

Dogs and cats in Isfahan province of Iran were infected with Toxocara parasite. These infections can be potential risk for human toxocariasis.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is among the top death‑causing cancers. Medicinal herbs can also have beneficial effects on RCC treatment. In this project, we aimed to study the antitumor effect of dichloromethane and N‑butanol fractions of hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) on the morphology, viability, and apoptosis of ACHN (human renal adenocarcinoma) and GP‑293 (normal renal epithelial) cell lines.

In this experimental study, N‑butanol and dichloromethane fractions of N. sativa were obtained, and ACHN and GP293 cell lines were treated with various concentrations of dichloromethane (0–100 μg/mL) and N‑butanol (0–12.5 μg/mL) fractions for 24, 48, and 72 hours. Then, morphological changes, viability, and apoptosis were investigated.

Our results indicated that dichloromethane and N‑butanol fractions cause morphological changes and significant decreases in the percentage of live cells in the ACHN cell line, in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner. In the GP‑293 cell line, however, a lower toxicity was observed in comparison with that found for ACHN. The results of flow cytometry showed an apoptotic effect of dichloromethane and N‑butanol fractions on the ACHN cell line but a higher rate of apoptosis induction for the total extract compared to the two fractions in the renal cancer cell line compared to the normal cell line.

Our findings demonstrated that these two fractions of N. sativa induce inhibitory effects on the ACHN cell line morphology and viability. These effects were lower than those induced by the total extract. In addition, the two fractions caused more marked effects in the renal cancer cell line compared with the GP‑293 cell line.

The goal of the current research was to further elucidate the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)‑sensitive potassium (KATP) channels in the motility and contractility force of gastric smooth muscle of diabetic rats.

Male Wistar rats (190–230 g) were grouped into control and streptozotocin (STZ)‑induced diabetes (55 mg/kg) rats. Thirty days later, gastric muscle contractility was measured using a myograph and a force transducer of antral segments immersed in a tissue bath. Gastric emptying response was measured through feeding of standard pellet. Furthermore, the expression of KATP channel subunits in antral smooth muscle was determined by western blot technique.

The amplitude of KCl‑evoked twitch contractions of diabetic antral strips was about 25% more than control (P < 0.05). Application of minoxidil, a KATP channel opener, dose dependently decreased the force of twitch contractions in both normal and diabetic antral strips. Application of 10 μM glibenclamide, a KATP channel blocker, did not antagonize the minoxidil‑induced relaxation of antral strips. Diabetic gastric emptying was faster than normal, although not significant. Despite the relaxant effect of minoxidil on gastric emptying rate in normal rats (P < 0.05), this effect was not observed in diabetic rats. Also, glibenclamide increased gastric emptying and antagonized minoxidil‑induced relaxation in normal rats (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the expression of KATP Kir6.1 and SUR2B subunits was substantially reduced in antral smooth muscle in diabetic condition (P < 0.01).

These results propose that KATP channels may contribute to the development of gastric motility disorders in diabetes.

To prove the position of aripiprazole as a preventive and safe agent in delirium in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), it is necessary to conduct randomized controlled clinical trials with appropriate design.

In this study, 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups of 40. Group A received placebo mart for one week, and group B received 15 mg aripiprazole daily (dissolved in 10 cc) daily. As a criterion for assessing delirium, the Confusion Assessment methods for the ICU (CAM‑ICUs) were evaluated daily for patients. At the end of the study, the trends of CAM‑ICU and CAM‑ICU changes on day 7 were compared between the two groups. All statistical tests were performed in two domains with a significance level of 5% using the t‑test. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 21 software was used to analyze the data.

The use of aripiprazole in the studied indices was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The results related to the length of stay in the ICU, showed that although the use of aripiprazole has reduced the length of hospitalization of patients in the ICU, this rate of reduction, was not significant (P > 0.05).

The use of aripiprazole with the approach of reducing the risk or controlling the occurrence of delirium on patients admitted to the intensive care unit, despite creating some beneficial effects such as reducing the length of hospital stay in the ICU, cannot be clearly and significantly effective.

Hypertension (HTN) is a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases and its control is poor. There is heterogeneity in levels of blood pressure control among various population subgroups. The present study was conducted within the framework of the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) in India. It aims to estimate the proportion of optimal blood pressure control and identify factors associated with uncontrolled HTN consequent to initial screening.

We assembled a cohort of individuals with HTN confirmed in a baseline screening in sixteen urban slum clusters of Bhopal (2017–2018). Sixteen accredited social health activists were trained from within these slums. Individuals with HTN were linked to primary care providers and followed up for the next two years. Obtaining optimal blood pressure control (defined as SBP <140 and DBP <90 mm of Hg) was a key outcome.

Of a total of 6174 individuals, 1571 (25.4%) had HTN, of which 813 were previously known and 758 were newly detected during the baseline survey. Two‑year follow‑up was completed for 1177 (74.9%). Blood pressure was optimally controlled in 301 (26%) at baseline and in 442 (38%) individuals at two years (an absolute increase of 12%; 95% CI 10.2–13.9). Older age, physical inactivity, higher body mass index, and newly diagnosed HTN were significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure.

We found about six of every ten individuals with HTN were on treatment, and about four were optimally controlled. These findings provide a benchmark for NPCDCS, in terms of achievable goals within short periods of follow‑up.

Enterococci, although remarked as harmless commensals of the intestinal tract of humans and animals, have become a significant source of infection in hospitalized patients worldwide.The present study aimed to isolate and identify enterococci from clinical samples and to determine the genotypic characteristics of vancomycin‑resistant enterococcus isolates.

A total of 774 isolates of enterococci from clinical samples were identified to the species level, and their anti‑microbial susceptibility pattern was determined by Kirby Bauer Disk Diffusion method and Vitek 2 automated system. Screening for vancomycin resistance was performed by using brain heart infusion agar containing 6 micrograms/ml of vancomycin. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin was determined by the agar dilution method and Epsilometer test (E test). Genotyping was carried out for resistant isolates by multiplex polymerase chain reaction.

Thirty (3.88%) isolates were resistant to vancomycin by agar screen method. Five isolates showed intermediate resistance with anMIC of 8–16 micrograms/ml for vancomycin by agar dilution. By the E test, two isolates displayed an MIC of ≥32 micrograms/ml for vancomycin and one isolate showed an MICof ≥32 micrograms/ml for teicoplanin.Van A was the common genotype isolated. The present study reports isolates of Enterococcus faecalis with a susceptible MIC for glycopeptide and the presence of the Van A gene.

Heterogeneous resistance among clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis was observed in our study. The predominant phenotype and genotype detected among clinical isolates were Van A.

Marine organisms contain several natural products and bioactive compounds, including hydrolyzed proteins, antioxidant peptides, gelatin, collagen, ω‑3 unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, chitosan, lectin, and various toxins. They can inhibit diverse diseases, be used in pharmaceutical compounds, or as antibiotics and pigments. In this regard, these microorganisms are of crucial medicinal and economical importance. Thanks to new technologies and advanced laboratory methods, bioactive compounds can be extracted from aquatic organisms. In this review study, the cytotoxicity (IC50) and antibacterial effect of various extracts from marine organisms of the Persian Gulf are explored, compiled, and compared. Due to their easy accessibility, most of the studies are green, red, and brown algae.

Functional abdominal pain is a health concern with chronic abdominal discomfort without clear etiology. Several etiologic factors are raised in this regard, one related to environmental factors. This study aimed to compare blood lead levels between children and adolescents with and without functional abdominal pain.

This case–control study was performed in 2019–2020 in Isfahan, Iran. The sample size was calculated as 70 cases and an equal number of controls. Cases were children and adolescents with functional gastrointestinal disorder (FGID), and controls were grouped age‑ and sex‑matched. Controls were randomly selected from those referred for routine health screening. Both groups obtained blood lead, iron, and calcium levels. All participants completed the FFQ Food Consumption and Environmental Pollutants Questionnaire.

Participants were 139 children (68 cases and 71 controls). The mean (SD) age was 9.40 (3.91) years in the FGID group and 8.79 (3.46) years in the controls (P = 0.330). The mean (SD) blood lead level was not significantly different between the FGID group and the controls (3.98 ± 2.56 vs 3.81 ± 1.96 μg/dl, respectively, P = 0.670). We found that 55.3% of children with high lead levels had FGID, while 44.4% of children with lower lead levels had FGID, but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.33).

We found that the lead level was higher in patients with FGID than in the controls; however, this difference was not significantly different. This might be because of elevated lead levels in both groups. Future ecological studies with a large sample size are necessary in this regard.

Considering the high prevalence of tonsillectomy in children and concerns of postoperative management, this study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effects of oxymetazoline on bleeding, cough, and sore throat in children undergoing tonsillectomy.

The current double‑blind clinical trial study was conducted on 88 tonsillectomy candidate patients. These patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, oxymetazoline 0.05% nasal spray (OXY group) and in the second group, distilled water spray (Control group) was prescribed as one puff in each nostril immediately after anesthesia induction., the nasal spray was prescribed again in both nostrils at 12 h after tonsillectomy. Then the hemodynamic parameters, post‑tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) and sore throat were evaluated.

The mean of the sore throat of children was not significantly different between the two groups in any of the follow‑up times (P value >0.05). PTH in recovery and in the ward in the OXY group with the mean of 57.60 ± 71.82 ml and 22.11 ± 22.50 ml, respectively, was significantly lower than the control group (83.50 ± 113.64 ml and 27.52 ± 35.11 ml) (P value < 0.05). Also, the frequency of cough in the ward in the OXY group with 27.3% was significantly lower than the control group with 56.8% (P value = 0.005).

Regarding the results of the present study, sore throat and hemodynamic parameters did not change significantly with the administration of oxymetazoline. But this drug has played a significant role in reducing PTH and cough in children.

The effect of bariatric surgery on weight loss (WL) of patients with severe obesity is an established finding. However, some studies have shown that other factors such as demographic characteristics can also be involved in the extent of success and relapse of obesity. Thus, this study was performed to determine the association of demographic characteristics with the rate of weight loss and changes in nutritional factors one year after one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB).

In this cross‑sectional study, 121 patients undergoing OAGB were investigated. Patients’ body mass index (BMI), nutritional factors (including levels of albumin, vitamin D3, and serum ferritin), and demographic characteristics were measured one year after the surgery.

The BMI one year after surgery was significantly lower than before surgery (47.12 ± 5.08 kg/m2 vs. 29.42 ± 3.86 kg/m2; P value <0.001). WL was 37.37 ± 6.70%. In addition, the serum level of vitamin D3 one year after surgery with the mean of 44.54 ± 17.25 was significantly higher than its level before surgery with the mean of 38.13 ± 14.42 (P value <0.001). WL in less than 50 years old and married patients was significantly higher than WL in over 50 years old and single patients (P value <0.05). Moreover, the decrease in serum ferritin level with the mean of 1.90 ± 0.56 ng/ml in women was significantly higher than its decrease with the mean of 3.02 ± 0.94 ng/ml in men (P value = 0.003).

Some demographic characteristics such as age, gender, and marital status seem to affect the rate of weight loss or ferritin level one year after OAGB.

A case with an inflamed or damaged nerve root in the cervical spine is defined as cervical radiculopathy.The purpose of the current study is to recognize the most effective surgical procedures in cervical radiculopathy subjects. All related studies were taken using PubMed searching international databases, Scopus, ISI Web of Science (WoS), and Science direct with no limit of until November 20th, 2021. Finally, based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, after reviewing all randomized controlled trial studies which had the related data the researchers were looking for, they conducted meta‑analysis with the seven remaining studies including eight different treatments. Heterogeneity was evaluated by Cochran’s Q and Higgins I 2 using R software for the network. In the results presented in this study, the neck disability index (NDI) changes as a result of taking cervical anterior discectomy without (ACD) and with fusion (ACDF) and ACD arthroplasty were ‑0.003, ‑1.659, and ‑1.656, respectively. According to the final diagram of the network, 11 comparisons were made in pairs. When each treatment group is compared with ACDF, it is shown that there was a significant mean effect among the patients who receive Mobi‑C, Kineflx|C, and ADR, with mean differences of − 8.60 [CI 95% (− 12.75, − 4.45)], − 1.10 [CI 95% (− 5.22, 3.02)], and − 1.00 [CI 95% (− 7.18, 5.18)], respectively. The most effective surgical treatments for cervical radiculopathy were Mobi‑c, Kineflx|C, and artificial disc replacement compared to ACDF treatment, respectively.

Sexual desire and sexual activity are natural needs of human beings, which can be problematic and lead to various sexual disorders, if not used in the right way, including hypersexuality. The present study aimed to compare the effect of dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and aripiprazole drug on marital instability in patients with hypersexuality.

This experimental case‑‑control Pretest‑‑Posttest Control Group Design with follow up was done on 27 male and female patients with hypersexuality having at least a higher education degree selected from four hospitals and psychiatric centers including Khorshid Hospital, Asgariyeh Specialized Hospital, Farhangian Clinic and Imam Reza Medical Center in Isfahan and were randomly assigned to two groups of treatment (nine patients in every group) and one group of control (nine patients) after adjusting the age and gender. Pretest phase was done for both three groups using Marital Instability Index (MII). The first treatment group underwent DBT intervention for eight sessions of 2 hours (once a week), and the second experimental group was prescribed aripiprazole for 2 months. Afterwards, the posttest and follow‑up were performed for all the three groups. The data were analyzed using SPSS 24 and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

The findings showed that DBT and aripiprazole had little effect on the problem of marital instability in patients with hypersexuality (p > 0.05); also, there was no significant difference between the effect of DBT and aripiprazole (p > 0.05).

DBT and the drug aripiprazole cannot have a significant effect on the marital instability in patients.

Poor sleep quality is a common issue among patients with end‑stage renal disease (ESRD) who undergo dialysis. Nutritional habits are associated with sleep hygiene in patients undergoing dialysis. The objective of this study was to examine the potential correlation between nutritional status and sleep quality in individuals receiving hemodialysis treatment.

This cross‑sectional study included 160 hemodialysis patients. A food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to measure food intake in participants. The Persian‑validated version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Patients were classified as poor or good sleepers with a PSQI score of <5 and >5, respectively.

Eighty‑four percent of hemodialysis patients had bad sleep hygiene. There was a significant association between sleep quality and educational status and age (P < 0.001). Poor sleepers were older (61.65 years versus 51.12) and less educated (31.1% versus 4%). However, there was no significant difference in the intake of micro‑ and macronutrients between poor and good sleepers (P > 0.05).

The results of this study suggest that sleep quality has no significant relationship with nutrient intake in hemodialysis patients. Demographic factors, such as age and educational status, have played a more effective role than nutritional factors in patients’ sleep quality.

Ultrasound is the selected technique for the detection of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). This method can detect PAS in 80%‑50% of cases. This study aimed to assess and compare the sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of PAS after the first trimester.

In this prospective study that was performed in 2020‑2021 on 79 patients at high risk of PAS, all cases underwent ultrasonography in both 18‑22 weeks of gestational age (GA) and 32‑34 weeks of GA for evaluation of accreta. As per the risk factors, the delivery plan for all mothers was cesarean section. During the cesarean section, the placenta was examined for accreta, and if it was attached to the uterus, a diagnosis of placenta accreta was ascertained and a total abdominal hysterectomy was performed if the patient’s bleeding was not controlled during the operation. The final diagnosis of PAS was made based on the pathology report.

Ultrasound evaluation for PAS in 18‑22 weeks of GA had 79.17% specificity, 51.61% sensitivity, 61.54% positive predictive value, and 71.70% negative predictive value. Ultrasound imaging for PAS in 32‑34 weeks of GA had 60.8% specificity, 90% sensitivity, 62.52% positive predictive value, and 90.33% negative predictive value.

It should be concluded that PAS is a critical condition and if the patient is diagnosed in the second or third trimester, special strategies should be applied.

Given the increasing incidence of yeast infections and the presence of drug‑resistant isolates, accurate identification of the pathogenic yeasts is essential for the management of yeast infections. In this review, we tried to introduce the routine and novel techniques applied for yeast identification. Laboratory identification methods of pathogenic yeast are classified into three categories; I. conventional methods, including microscopical and culture‑base methods II. biochemical/physiological‑processes methods III. molecular methods. While conventional and biochemical methods require more precautions and are not specific in some cases, molecular diagnostic methods are the optimum tools for diagnosing pathogenic yeasts in a short time with high accuracy and specificity, and having various methods that cover different purposes, and affordable costs for researchers. Nucleotide sequencing is a reference or gold standard for identifying pathogenic yeasts. Since it is an expensive method, it is not widely used in developing countries. However, novel identification techniques are constantly updated, and we recommend further studies in this field. The results of this study will guide researchers in finding more accurate diagnostic method(s) for their studies in a short period of time.

Long non‑coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in various biological processes, including cancer development and progression. This study aimed to investigate the expression differences of the BRAF‑activated non‑coding RNA (BANCR) gene in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. The potential diagnostic significance of BANCR in GC was explored, with the aim of improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for this global health burden.

Tissue samples from 100 gastric cancer (GC) patients were collected, and BANCR expression was analyzed using quantitative real‑time PCR. Correlations between BANCR expression and clinicopathological features were assessed, and its biomarker potential was evaluated.

In individuals diagnosed with GC, the expression of BANCR was notably elevated in tumor tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.0001). However, the analysis of gene expression data did not demonstrate any statistically significant correlation between elevated BANCR expression and clinicopathological features. According to the ROC analysis, BANCR demonstrated an AUC of 0.6733 (P < 0.0001), with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 45%. However, further evaluation is required to determine its potential as a biomarker (CI 95% = 0.5992 to 0.7473).

The observed upregulation of BANCR in GC tissues implies its potential involvement as an oncogenic lncRNA in GC patients. Furthermore, BANCR may serve as a promising biomarker for identification and treatment of GC.

Preoperative anxiety plays a critical role in post‑operative pain response and other outcomes. Melatonin is a naturally secreted hormone which has anxiolytic, sedative, and analgesic properties. Pregabalin, analogue of gabapentin which has property of anxiolytic and analgesic effects.

Total 96 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty, divided into 3 groups of 32 each and were given placebo (group I), melatonin 6 mg (group II), and pregabalin 150 mg (group III). Anxiety level, postoperative pain score, sedation level and duration as well as characteristics of spinal anaesthesia were assessed with other vital parameters.

Group I showed an increment in the anxiety score from baseline whereas in group II and group III, there was a decline in pre‑operative anxiety score from baseline at all the periods of observation and more significantly in group III. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score and total dose of rescue analgesia were highest in group I, but group II and group III were comparable to each other. However, the durations of spinal anaesthesia and motor blockade showed a statistically significant difference with maximum duration in group III followed by II and then I. The level of sedation among the three groups were comparable at all the periods of observation.

Pregabalin was found better for perioperative anxiolysis, post‑operative analgesia and for prolongation of duration of spinal anaesthesia when compared to melatonin.

There is an emergency need in discovering an efficient profile of molecular biomarkers for early diagnosis of Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Transcription factors as important groups of regulators that are able to adjust the cell cycles have attracted the attention of most researchers recently. NFATc2 and PPARG are two important factors that have been selected for this project to assess their potential for being a biomarker for NSCLC.

Here in this study, 50 NSCLC patients were included. During bronchoscopy, which was their routine diagnostic approach, we collected tumoral and marginal normal tissues. After the extraction of the total RNA from the tissues, cDNA was synthesized, and the transcriptional level of NFATc2 and PPARG was examined by quantitative real‑time PCR. Subsequently, the data were analyzed by proper statistical analyses.

The mRNA expression of NFATc2 and PPARG were down‑regulated in biopsy tissues of NSCLC patients compared with their pair marginal tissues (Pvalues were 0.0011 and <0.0001 respectively). Moreover, both of them had significant AUC (area under the curve) in the ROC curve analysis (0.65 for NFATc2 and 0.81 for PPARG, Pvalue <0.05).

It appears that mRNA expression of NFATc2 and PPARG possesses the potential to be regarded as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker for NSCLC.

The current study is an attempt to register the alterations in the immunological and histological parameters in mice arising from the administration of Dietza maris (D. maris) in order to confirm its protective properties.

Mice underwent 7 days of treatment with three doses of D. maris. Then, animals were scrutinized in terms of body weight, relative weight of organs, delayed type of hypersensitivity (DTH) response, and hemagglutination titer (HT). The determination of villus height, villus width, crypt depth, villus/crypt ratio (V/C), Goblet cells, and intestinal epithelial lymphocyte (IEL) density in villi was carried out.

A boosted DTH response was observed as a result of bacteria at medium dose. A variation was noted between the hemagglutinin titer of the control group and that of the high‑dose group. Crypt depth, villus width, and villus height manifested alterations. High‑dose‑treated mice demonstrated proliferation of Goblet cells in the villi, whereas both in medium‑ and high‑dose‑treated mice, a distribution of IELs in the villus epithelium was noted. Overall, D. maris showed a stimulatory effect on immune functions in mice. Thus, thanks to improved cellular and humoral immunity and the increased quality of intestine function, we believe that D. maris promises novel therapeutic applications in the future.

The attained findings lend credence to immuno‑stimulatory effects arising from the capacity of D. maris to function as immunological adjuvants and to enhance humoral and cellular immunity as well as the intestinal structure and function.

Hearing deterioration in hypothyroid subject was documented by Kemp. Cristiane et al. reported delayed waves latency in subclinical hypothyroid subjects. Recording of auditory brain stem evoked response in subclinical hypothyroid subjects at 80 dB and varying frequencies has been done.

Case control study. Group 1, N = 30 control subjects, free T3, free T4, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) within normal range. Group 2, N = 30 subclinical hypothyroid subjects, TSH was between 4.6‑8 microIU/L. Student Unpaired t test was done. Those on epileptic, neuroleptics, depression, psychosis drugs, inflammatory, proliferative, traumatic ear disorder, smokers, on tobacco, COVID‑19 positive subjects, altered sensorium, drug abuse, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy, hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia, family history of hearing disorder, and furosemide drug were excluded. Auditory brainstem evoked response (ABER) done.

Mean ± SD of Brainstem evoked response auditory (BERA) waves III, V, interpeak latencies at 80 dB, 2, 4,6 KHz reported delay and significant in subclinical hypothyroid group as compared to control.

BERA study at 6 KHz and 80 dB detects central neuropathy earlier in subclinical hypothyroid patients.

The long‑term use of pesticides can cause harmful consequences to both human health and the environment. In the present research, we aimed to compare biochemical, hematological, and plasmatic measurements of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) between farmers and non‑farmers.

The study is cross‑sectional and included 270 participants, with 135 farmers using pesticides and a control population of 135 non‑farmers. The recruitment of the participants was conducted from August 2017 to the end of December 2019. Blood samples from participants were collected for the evaluation of biochemical markers of the function of the liver and determination of BChE activity. A whole blood sample with ethylenediamine tetraacetic anticoagulant (EDTA) was also taken for a complete blood count.

The results showed a statistically significant (P = 0.03) decrease in mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) in the cases (28.45 ± 2.94 pg) as compared with controls (29.17 ± 2.54 pg). The statistical analysis of the renal parameters between the two groups determined that the uremia value was significantly higher in cases (34 ± 12 mg/dL) when compared to the control group (29 ± 8 mg/dL) P ˂ 0.001. The cases recorded a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (26.22 ± 11.59 U/L) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (25.63 ± 13.47 U/L) enzyme activities among cases versus controls. The results obtained showed a significantly decreased BChE activity in the group of cases exposed to pesticides (7554.52 ± 2107 U/l) compared to the unexposed control group (10135.58 ± 1909 U/l) (t‑test, P ˂ 0.001).

The education of the farmers on correct practices concerning phytosanitary use has the potential of reducing their exposure to these products.

Scientists have believed that a number of risk factors, especially viral infectious agents, can be related to respiratory diseases. Due to the pandemics in 2019, Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Coronavirus have attracted the attention of different kinds of research. In this study, we attempted to evaluate the prevalence of these viruses.

After extracting the RNA and DNA of these viruses, molecular tests were employed to report the rate of them in patients suffering from respiratory symptoms.

Our results demonstrated that 31 samples were COVID‑19 positive. Furthermore, two cases had Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroup A infections. However, no cases showed a coinfection of both viruses.

It seems that during the pandemic of COVID‑19, RSV should not be ignored as it can be responsible for the respiratory syndrome.

Hydatid cyst is a common disease between humans and animals. Foods that are contaminated with eggs of echinococcal species are the cause of hydatid disease. Although this parasite affects different organs, the liver and lungs are very susceptible but the cardiac hydatid disease is very rare. We report the case of a 33‑year‑old man admitted because of chest pain. Echocardiography had shown suspected round cyst in the myocardium. More diagnostic managements had demonstrated cystic lesion in the liver, spleen and lungs. There were also multiple cystic lesions in both lungs. He refused surgery and was taken to medical therapy. Myocardial involvement by hydatid cysts occurs very rarely. The main treatment approach for cardiac hydatid disease in patients should be surgery. The alternative treatment was done to those who refused surgical removal, adjuvant therapy such as albendazole for at least 1–6 months. Because myocardial involvement by hydatid cysts is uncommon, we decided to report this rare case.

The facial artery is the main artery supplying the face occasionally. It gives three branches on the face, the inferior labial, the superior labial, and the lateral nasal, and terminates as the angular artery. Due to congenital vascular variations in the facial artery, it has been considered in the dissection of the head and neck region. During the dissection of a 65‑year‑old woman to expose this region, we discovered that the left facial artery is terminated by the superior labial artery after giving off the submental and inferior labial branches. At the level of the left oral commissure, the facial artery was attached to the buccinator muscle as connective tissue, with a noticeable decrease in diameter. The purpose of this study is to report a new variation of the facial artery that is particularly important for cadaver dissection, and head and neck surgeries, as well as for facial artery angiography.

Benign pneumoperitoneum can happen after colonoscopy, which shows itself as free air in the abdomen without symptoms or pneumoperitoneum without peritonitis. In this case, we reported a rare case of an elderly man who had acute abdominal stiffness after colonoscopy and observation of free air under the diaphragm that no perforation was observed in the intestine during laparoscopy and only one tiny intestinal tumor was randomly reported. There is no consensus on the treatment of pneumoperitoneum after colonoscopy. Patients with peritonitis benefit from laparoscopy but patients with micro perforation and asymptomatic patients benefit from intravenous antibiotic treatment and bowel rest.

Opportunistic fungi are a constantly evolving group of pathogens that become active when the immune system is compromised, begin to multiply, and soon overwhelm the weakened immune system. This study was performed to evaluate the number of opportunistic fungi in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples of patients with pulmonary diseases.

After receiving patients’ consent and demographic forms, a total of 120 BAL samples were taken by a pulmonary physician. The etiologic agents were identified by standard morphological and molecular methods. Yeast cells were counted on culture media, and direct smears were precisely examined for the presence of yeasts elements, Pneumocystis, and filamentous fungi.

In this study, 29 (24.1%) patients showed positive direct smears for yeast elements in their BAL samples. The mean colony count of yeasts was 42,000 (CFU/mL) on culture media. Six (5%) species of filamentous fungi, including three (2.5%) isolates of Penicillium species (P. variabile, P. glabrum, and P. thomii), two (1.67%) Aspergillus species (A. flavus and A. fumigatus), 1 case (0.83%) Pseudallescheria boydii were detected. Seven cases (5.83%) of Pneumocystis cysts were observed in the direct smears stained with Giemsa. Identification of all fungi confirmed by molecular or sequencing methods.

Due to the presence of a large number of fungi in the BAL samples and possible physical interference with the selected drugs for treatment, we draw the attention of pulmonologists to this important issue. Rapid diagnosis of fungal infections is essential to optimize treatments and outcomes.