Journal of Advanced Immunopharmacology
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Autumn 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common and the second deadliest cancer, causing about 10% of cancer deaths worldwide. Changes in the PIK3CA gene are important for CRC development and treatment response.

This study aimed to evaluate mutations in the PIK3CA gene, specifically E542K and E545K, linked to CRC in the Iranian population.

This study analyzed 39 CRC tumor samples from Dr. Ganjavian Hospital and Imam Ali Clinic in Dezful. DNA was extracted using the phenol-chloroform method, followed by amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) and sequencing to identify mutations.

Thirty-nine patients were examined in this study, comprising 14 women (35.9%) and 25 men (64.1%). The mean age of the participants was 59.2 years, with a standard deviation of 15.9 years. The findings indicated that 46.1% of the patients presented with tumors exceeding 4.5 cm in size, whereas 53.9% had tumors that were 4.5 cm or smaller. Lymphoid metastasis was observed in 55.81% of all patients, with those having tumors larger than 4.5 cm exhibiting a notably higher incidence of this metastasis. The most frequently encountered tumor grades among the participants were grades 1 and 2. Staging was identified as follows: 18.42% were classified as stage 1, 50% as stage 2, and 31.58% as stage 3. No E542K or E545K mutations were detected in any of the 39 CRC patients (0%).

This research suggests no correlation between mutations in the PIK3CA gene and the occurrence of CRC within the studied population, but a significant correlation was observed between tumor size > 4.5 cm and lymphoid metastasis (P < 0.001). These findings underscore the importance of population-specific genetic profiling in CRC, even in the absence of expected mutations.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized not only by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia but also by chronic low-grade inflammation that profoundly affects the immune system. Moreover, clinical evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency is strongly associated with increased risk and severity of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), while supplementation may alleviate neuropathic pain and improve nerve conduction.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the severity of neuropathic pain in diabetic patients in Dezful City in 2025.

In this semi-experimental interventional study, the participants were selected based on the following inclusion criteria: Diagnosis of T2DM, confirmation of diabetic neuropathy using the Michigan screening tool and muscle nerve conduction assessment, serum vitamin D levels below 30 ng/mL, and willingness to participate. The sample size of 19 participants was determined using effect size estimates, based on a 0.05 type I error and 90% statistical power. To reduce bias and strengthen validity, a single-blind design was employed in this quasi-experimental study, with both participants and outcome assessors unaware of the specific study aim and intervention timing. According to baseline vitamin D levels, patients received one oral tablet of 50,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly for a period of 4 to 8 weeks. Neuropathy symptoms were evaluated before and after the intervention using the Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (MNSI), which included both the questionnaire and the clinical examination. In addition, biochemical parameters such as serum vitamin D and HbA1c were measured at baseline and post-intervention. Quantitative data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD), while qualitative data were reported as frequency (percentage). The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was applied to assess the normality of data distribution. For normally distributed variables, paired t-tests were used, whereas the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied for non-normally distributed data. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The study population (mean age 60.38 ± 10.38 years; 42.1% female, 57.9% male) demonstrated significant improvements following vitamin D supplementation. Serum vitamin D levels increased from 18.58 ± 5.97 to 35.03 ± 6.62 ng/mL (P < 0.001), while HbA1c decreased from 8.63 ± 1.13% to 7.81 ± 1.57% (P = 0.006). Neuropathy symptoms also improved significantly: Michigan Questionnaire scores decreased from 5.31 ± 1.05 to 3.47 ± 1.50, and clinical examination scores decreased from 5.50 ± 2.87 to 4.21 ± 2.19 (both P < 0.001). Patients reported reductions in numbness, burning pain, tingling, and hypersensitivity, alongside improved sensory function in the lower extremities. These improvements collectively suggest an enhanced quality of life.

These findings suggest that vitamin D may serve as an adjunctive intervention in the management of type 2 diabetes by reducing inflammation and neuropathy while enhancing immune function.

The advent of COVID-19 has profoundly impacted the welfare of both humans and animals.

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on animal bite trends in order to inform rabies prevention strategies.

Data on bite incidents were collected from the Canter Control Health Rabies between April 2016 and March 2023 in Razavi Khorasan province. The data from 2016 to 2020 were regarded as the baseline for comparison to assess changes in animal bite cases during the COVID-19 pandemic. A quantitative technique known as univariate time series analysis was used to analyze animal bite victims by their monthly occurrence, and excess cases were calculated.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, 40,324 cases were registered, and 32,087.83 cases were estimated (16,481.87 - 47,693.78). Changes in trend were -5.07% in 2020 - 2021, 30.25% in 2021 - 2022, and 54.72% in 2022 - 2023. During the third year of the Coronavirus pandemic, women experienced a change of over 90%, middle-aged adults had an estimated 70.79%, seniors had an estimated 43.38%, and children aged 11 to 20 had an estimated 26.80%. An estimated 81.09% occurred for self-employed individuals, 69.30% for students, 67.75% for homemakers, and 91.14% and 34.11% for urban and suburban areas.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of our immunological defenses against a fatal zoonosis. Shifts in animal bite patterns directly reflect population exposure risk and the healthcare system's capacity to deliver time-sensitive, life-saving immunological interventions. This underscores the urgent need for resilient strategies, guided by a One Health framework, to ensure uninterrupted access to essential vaccines and immunoglobulins during public health crises.