Journal of Studies in Medical Sciences
Volume:36 Issue: 3, Jun 2025

Cell therapy is rapidly emerging as a transformative approach in medicine, offering potential treatments for cure diseases that we cannot currently. Different cell types can be used in a variety of fields, including cancer immunotherapy, regenerative medicine, and treatment of autoimmune diseases. Cell therapy targets the cause of the disease rather than managing symptoms, shows long-term effects in treatment and has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of intractable and relapsing diseases. While cell therapy demonstrates remarkable promise for long-term treatment and potential disease modification, there are still big obstacles. Critical limitations include complex manufacturing processes, substantial production costs, immune compatibility issues, and technical difficulties in cell differentiation and delivery. New technologies are tackling these issues with gene editing, advanced materials, efficient manufacturing, and targeted cell delivery using nanotechnology. Future developments are expected to progressively overcome current barriers, potentially revolutionizing treatment strategies for numerous complex and chronic diseases. Continued interdisciplinary research and technological innovations will be crucial in translating cell therapy's theoretical potential into widespread clinical implementation.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a common condition in older men, characterized by enlargement of the prostate gland. Although benign prostatic hyperplasia is benign and does not progress to cancer, differentiating it from prostate carcinoma, particularly in early stages, is of significant clinical importance. Immunohistochemistry serves as a valuable and complementary tool in the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia, especially for distinguishing it from prostate cancer. While histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosis, immunohistochemistry offers notable advantages that enhance diagnostic accuracy and confidence. This study aims to review the pathophysiology and histopathology of benign prostatic hyperplasia, introduce the most important and commonly used immunohistochemical markers associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia, discuss the benefits of immunohistochemistry in its diagnosis, outline its limitations and challenges, and propose strategies to address these challenges. Relevant literature was systematically searched across major scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, covering the 10 years from 2015 to 2025. The review indicated that various immunohistochemical biomarkers—such as P63, HMWCK, P40, PSA, NKX3.1, CK8, Ki67, PCNA, AR, ERα, ERβ, PR, CD3, CD20, FGFs, IGFs, and HIF-1α—are employed to differentiate benign prostatic hyperplasia from prostate cancer in biopsy and prostatectomy specimens. Among these, the combination of basal cell markers and AMACR significantly improves diagnostic accuracy in challenging cases. Overall, although immunohistochemistry is not routinely used for the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia, it is highly valuable in research for better understanding its pathophysiology, identifying subgroups, and distinguishing it from prostatic malignancies.

Piriformis syndrome can lead to excessive internal rotation or adduction of the hip joint, thereby disrupting normal gait cycles. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the effects of neuromuscular exercises on the frequency spectrum of ground reaction forces during walking in individuals with piriformis syndrome.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Based on calculations using G*Power software, the required sample size for each group was determined to be 15 participants. The study population comprised men aged 35–45 years who were clinically diagnosed with piriformis syndrome. Ground reaction forces were recorded during heel-to-toe walking at a self-selected speed. The time-domain signals were transformed into the frequency domain using MATLAB software. Statistical analysis was performed using a two-way repeated-measures ANOVA in SPSS version 26.

A significant main effect of time on cumulative signal power up to 99.5% was observed in the medial–lateral (p < 0.001; η² = 0.874), anterior–posterior (p < 0.001; η² = 0.675), and free moment (p < 0.001; η² = 0.601) components of the ground reaction force. A significant group effect was found for the median frequency of the vertical component (p = 0.048; η² = 0.199) and the free moment (p = 0.028; η² = 0.240). Furthermore, a significant time × group interaction effect on cumulative signal power up to 99.5% was identified in the anterior–posterior component (p = 0.010; η² = 0.312).

Neuromuscular exercises improved the spectral characteristics of ground reaction forces across the vertical, anterior–posterior, medial–lateral, and free moment dimensions in individuals with piriformis syndrome. Increases in median frequency, 99.5% frequency, and bandwidth reflected enhanced signal organization and more efficient neuromuscular control, thereby reducing reliance on compensatory movement strategies.

Despite its anticancer efficacy, 5-Fluorouracil exhibits toxicity toward normal cells. Similarly, silver chloride nanoparticles (AgCl NPs), although known for their anticancer potential, raise safety concerns. Due to limited data on the combined effects of these two agents on normal renal cells, this study aimed to evaluate the individual and combined cytotoxic effects of 5-Fluorouracil and AgCl NPs on HEK293 cells.

HEK293 cells were treated with various concentrations of 5-Fluorouracil, AgCl NPs, and their combination. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, and IC₅₀ values were calculated. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test.

All treatments reduced cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. IC₅₀ values were calculated as 125 µg/ml for AgCl NPs, 174 µg/ml for 5FU, and 181 µg/ml for the combination. The combined treatment exhibited a higher IC₅₀ than either single agent, suggesting potential protective interactions.

Co-treatment with 5-Fluorouracil and AgCl NPs may reduce cytotoxicity to normal cells while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. These findings highlight the need for further in vivo studies and mechanistic investigations to optimize safe and effective nanoformulation-based therapies.

The medicinal plant Heracleum persicum has attracted attention due to its bioactive compounds and antimicrobial properties. This study aimed to identify the constituents of essential oil from dried H. persicum fruits and evaluate its antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

Essential oil was extracted from dried fruits using a Clevenger-type distillation apparatus. The components were identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli was assessed using the disk diffusion method and by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration. Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH radical scavenging assay.

Thirty-one compounds were identified, with n-hexyl butyrate (49.98%) and octyl acetate (15.39%) being the most abundant. The essential oil contained high levels of phenolics (108.25 ± 0.1 mg/g) and flavonoids (21.29 ± 0.1 mg/g). Its antioxidant activity was lower than BHT (IC50 = 1443.92 µg/mL). Significant antibacterial effects were observed against Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 0.2 mg/mL) and, to a lesser extent, Escherichia coli (MIC = 0.5 mg/mL), whereas activity against other tested bacteria was weaker (MIC > 16 mg/mL).

The essential oil of H. persicum fruits contains bioactive compounds and exhibits notable antibacterial activity, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus. Its antioxidant activity was lower than the synthetic antioxidant BHT, and further studies are required to assess safety and efficacy in in vivo conditions.

Viral infections during pregnancy can create a serious threat to fetal development. Herpesviridae viruses are among the most common infectious agents during this period. Valacyclovir, a preconstruction of acyclovir, is widely used to treat infections caused by these viruses. considering its ability to cross the placenta and its potential effects on the fetus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of valacyclovir on the morphogenesis and histogenesis of fetal kidneys in pregnant rats.

In this experimental study, 24 pregnant rats were randomly assigned to four groups. The control group no treatment received, while the experimental groups received valacyclovir at 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of body weight daily. On gestational day 20, the animals were euthanized. Following blood sampling, fetuses were removed and their kidneys were collected. Tissue samples were examined using hematoxylin-eosin, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS), and Masson’s trichrome staining methods.

The results showed that increasing doses of valacyclovir significantly reduced crown-rump length and fetal weight. Additionally, kidney size and weight were markedly decreased. Serum levels of creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly elevated. Furthermore, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were increased in the third experimental group. Histological assessments revealed structural damage in fetal kidneys, especially in the high-dose treatment groups.

These findings indicate that high doses of valacyclovir can adversely affect fetal growth and kidney development. Therefore, its administration during pregnancy should be approached cautiously.

Kyphosis is a postural condition characterized by an excessive thoracic spinal curve that leads to a rounded-back posture. Previous studies have indicated that spinal postural abnormalities are associated with alterations in lung volumes. The present study aimed to examine the effects of corrective exercises and swing training on pain and pulmonary function in women with kyphosis.

This semi-experimental study was conducted on 43 women with kyphosis. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group, a swing training group, and a combined group (corrective exercises plus swing training). The Cobb angle was measured using a flexible ruler, pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale, and pulmonary parameters (FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC) were evaluated using spirometry at the pre-test and post-test stages. Training groups exercised for 8 weeks, with three sessions per week, each lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The control group continued their routine daily activities. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post-hoc test.

The findings showed that both corrective and swing exercises significantly reduced the Cobb angle and back pain and improved pulmonary indices, including FVC and FEV1/FVC (p < 0.01). Between-group comparisons indicated that swing training produced the most significant reduction in the Cobb angle (p < 0.05). Additionally, the combined group, which performed both types of exercises, demonstrated superior improvements in back pain and in FVC and FEV1/FVC compared with the other groups (p < 0.05).

All three interventions were effective in improving the examined variables, though their effectiveness varied. The combined approach appears to offer greater benefits for individuals with kyphosis, contributing to more comprehensive improvements. Therefore, incorporating both corrective exercises and swing training may be considered an effective therapeutic strategy for enhancing the condition of individuals with kyphosis.

 Cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death worldwide. The use of iPSCs holds great promise for repairing heart and blood vessel tissues. Generation of cardiovascular progenitors requires precise modulation of these cells through signaling pathways. This study highlights the KDR and PDGFRα markers in guiding iPSCs toward mesodermal progenitors, specifically the KDR+/PDGFRα+ populations, which have enormous clinical promise for cardiovascular applications.

 Gene transcript analysis involved obtaining data from the GEO database with accession number GSE90000. The GEO2R tool was used to identify genes with significant changes, defined as p-values < 0.05 and absolute log-fold changes > 2.Functional classification of genes was performed to identify biological processes and signaling pathways using GO analysis with the DAVID tool.Protein-protein networks were analyzed by simulating protein interactions using the STRING database, which helped identify key genes such as EOMES.Signaling pathway analysis used tools including Cytoscape, Reactome, and X2K to analyze pathways involved in iPSC differentiation into cardiomyocytes.

Our studies on KDR+/PDGFRα+ cells derived from iPSC differentiation revealed 1,635 genes that were significantly downregulated during cardiomyocyte formation, with p-values < 0.05 and |log-FC| ≥ 2. These genes include COCH, CYP26A1, and TUNAR. Using protein-protein interaction analysis, we identified EOMES (p-value 0.0026, |log-FC| -6.357) as a central transcription factor. Moreover, pathway enrichment analysis revealed a gradual downregulation of genes involved in cardiac disease, suggesting potential therapeutic applications.

  Integrating bioinformatics tools (GEO2R, STRING, Reactome) with multi-marker strategies (CD13, ROR2, APLNR) enhances the purity of cardiovascular progenitors, ultimately improving therapeutic applications in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated enteropathy characterized by gluten-induced intestinal mucosal damage that induces immune destruction in genetically susceptible individuals. Among its important and relatively common complications are hematologic disorders. This study statistically evaluated the frequency of hematologic abnormalities in children with celiac disease.
In this descriptive cross-sectional study, all children under 16 years of age hospitalized at Shahid Motahari Hospital in Urmia from 2019 to 2021 with biopsy-proven celiac disease according to the Marsh classification were included. The collected data included age, sex, WBC count, hemoglobin level, platelet count, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, and international normalized ratio. All analyses were performed using SPSS version 27.
Among the 67 patients enrolled in the study, 6% had leukocytosis, 11.9% had leukopenia, 10.5% had anemia, 9% had thrombocytosis, and 1.5% had thrombocytopenia. Prothrombin time abnormality was observed in 13.5% of patients, and partial thromboplastin time abnormality in 17.9%. Coagulation disorders were more frequent in girls with celiac disease (p < 0.05).
The most common hematologic abnormality in children with celiac disease was coagulation disorders. A significant association was found between sex and coagulation abnormalities, with girls showing a higher frequency of these disorders.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder is one of the most common psychiatric disorders and is listed among the top ten leading causes of disability worldwide. Due to its chronic and debilitating nature, relatively high prevalence, and its negative impact on various life domains, special clinical attention is needed. Accordingly, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between temperament and character and obsessive–compulsive disorder, with a focus on the mediating role of self-regulation in patients diagnosed with obsessive–compulsive disorder.
This study employed a descriptive–correlational design based on structural equation modeling. The statistical population included all obsessive–compulsive disorder patients referring to public and private psychiatric clinics in Kermanshah. Based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, a confirmed obsessive–compulsive disorder diagnosis was obtained by a psychiatrist and a structured DSM-5 clinical interview. Three hundred eligible participants were selected using convenience sampling. Research instruments included the obsessive–compulsive inventory-revised, the self-regulation questionnaire, and the temperament and character inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling in SPSS 21 and PLS3.
The hypothesized model demonstrated an acceptable fit (Normed Fit Index = 0.90; Standardized Root Mean Square Residual SRMR = 0.079). Temperament and character had a significant direct effect on self-regulation (t = 15.30). Additionally, temperament and character (t = 2.91) and self-regulation (t = 2.64) had significant direct effects on obsessive–compulsive disorder symptoms. Temperament and character also showed a significant indirect impact on obsessive–compulsive disorder through self-regulation (t = 2.54).
The findings highlight the importance of considering temperament, character traits, and self-regulatory capacities when designing psychological interventions for individuals with obsessive–compulsive disorder.