سال:1402 | دوره: | شماره: |تعداد مقالات:7

Considering the importance of early diagnosis of diseases as a challenge in medicine, which can be significantly effective in increasing the health level of society via preventing the progress and spread of infectious diseases, especially in developing and underprivileged countries with insufficient medical facilities. On the other hand, medical diagnosis methods that require advanced equipment and tools with expert staff limit the use of these tests. Along with the continuous development of technology, microfluidic systems have shown great potential to advance biomedical research that was previously unattainable using conventional techniques. For point-of-care applications, these systems can quickly detect diseases at low cost. This study discusses the challenges in the field of medical diagnosis and the importance of microfluidic systems as the best candidate to answer this need. Also, it describes the components of the microfluidic system, their manufacturing methods, and some of their most important applications in the field of health.

Background: Natural skin care products, as health & beauty products, have formulations derived from natural active ingredients. Cosmetic actives have been incorporated into their novel formulations such as sunscreens and anti-aging products, but the challenges associated with their low solubility, low penetration, and physicochemical instability upon dermal application remain unresolved. To overcome these limitations, one method is to use lipid-based carriers, which have been recognized for their crucial role in enhancing their low solubility, increasing skin permeation, and enhancing steadiness. This review study focuses on current advancements in skin care formulations that employ a new nanotechnology-based system consisting of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs). Materials and Methods: In this review, we mentioned some experiments that have investigated the dermal applications of some natural products incorporated in SLNs formulation and discussed moisturizing, wound healing, sun protection, whitening and anti-tyrosinase, anti-aging and anti-acne activities. Conclusion: The nanoparticles such as SLNs are used to effectively deliver cosmeceuticals and enhance the efficiency of skin care products.

Background: Methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) is a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder resulting from a genetic defect in methylmalonyl-CoA mutase (MCM) or a defect in the biosynthesis of its cofactor, adenosyl-cobalamin (AdoCbl). The disease is caused by a mutation in six main genes (MUT, MMAA, MMAB, MMADHC, MMACHC, and MCEE). In this investigation, we estimate MMAdisease gene frequencies globally and report MMA-causative mutations in the Iranian population. Methods: Human gene mutation database (HGMD) has been utilized to estimate MMA-disease gene frequencies. To compile MMA mutations in Iran, we systematically reviewed PubMed, Google Scholar, CIVILICA, Magiran, and SID databases to explore relevant articles in English and Persian. Results: The frequencies of causative genes among MMA patients at the global level were as follows: MUT (64. 14%), MMACHC (17. 74%), MMAA (13. 48%), MMAB (7. 1%), MMADHC (2. 9%), and MCEE (0. 85%). Until February 11, 2024, 24 MMA mutations had been compiled from the Iranian population,of which 11 mutations (45. 8%) had been diagnosed only in Iran and had not been addressed in other populations yet. Conclusion: Collection and recognition of MMA mutations in the Iranian population can be helpful for early diagnosis and treatment before the onset of neurological manifestations in neonates.

Background: Cervical cancer stands out as one of the most prevalent gynecological cancers. Cervical cancer’s link to human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and recurrence is unclear despite previous studies. Investigating this relationship in Iranian patients is a pivotal aspect of this research. Methods: This study encompassed all cervical cancer patients referred to Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran, between 2016 and 2018. Utilizing a census method, the patients’ data, including their demographics and treatment details, were extracted from records. Follow-up samples were collected after vaginal cuff or cervix treatment (surgical or radiotherapy). A total of 124 patients were included in the study and categorized into two groups: Patients with recurrence and those without. INNO-LiPA standard test was employed to detect HPV presence. Comparative analysis of various variables, such as age at diagnosis, smoking history, multiple partners, sexually transmitted diseases history, body mass index, abnormal cervix, vaginal fornix involvement, cervical parameters involvement, tumor size, The International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) staging, MRI staging, pathology, and treatment, was conducted between the recurrence and non-recurrence groups. Results: A total of 124 patients were included in the study, with an average age of 45. 95±7. 45 years. Most patients had an 18-25 kg/m2 body mass index. Based on MRI findings, the most common stage of cervical cancer was stage III, IIB. Squamous cell carcinoma pathology was the most prevalent, observed in 47 patients (37. 9%). The most frequently performed treatment modality was radical trachelectomy and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, accounting for 20 cases (16. 1%). There were no significant differences in terms of age at disease diagnosis, smoking history, body mass index, histological type, and treatment type between patients with recurrent disease and those without recurrence. However, a significant difference was observed in terms of lymph node involvement. In addition, the HPV test was positive in 3 cases (2. 4%) with recurrence and 11(8. 9%) without. These results suggest no relationship between hrHPV (high-risk human papillomavirus) status and disease recurrence (P=0. 196). Conclusion: The result of our study showed no correlation between positive HPV test and cervical cancer recurrence. Consequently, HPV testing is not suitable as a reliable predictor for the recurrence of cervical cancer.

Background: COVID-19 is the latest and most important global health crisis, which challenged even the most advanced healthcare systems in the world. Effective vaccination is the only solution to prevent infection and reduce the disease severity and mortality rate. The present study aimed to determine the clinical and laboratory characteristics of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 after vaccination in Quchan County, Iran. Methods: This is an observational analytical study with a cross-sectional scheme. The study population includes the one-year data of COVID-19 patients admitted to Musa Ibn Jafar Hospital in Quchan, Iran from March 2021 until March 2022. The data were divided into two groups vaccinated (n=123) and un-vaccinated (n=123). Three post-vaccination time windows of “no immunity”, “partial immunity”, and “full immunity” were defined to determine the length of hospitalization and death rate due to COVID-19 based on the type of vaccine. The data were collected from patient’s medical files recorded in the archive system of the hospital, the SIB system, or by calling patients or their families. Results: The mean age of vaccinated patients was higher than that of un-vaccinated patients (P<0. 001). Chest pain, muscle pain, and vomiting were significantly less common in vaccinated patients (P<0. 05, P<0. 01, P<0. 05, corresponigly), while shivering was more common (P<0. 001). The serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in vaccinated patients (P<0. 01), while the white blood cell (WBC) count was lower (P<0. 05). Mortality rate (P<0. 01) and the length of hospitalization (P<0. 001) were significantly higher in un-vaccinated patients. Sinopharm (73. 98%) and AstraZeneca (17. 7%) were the most administered vaccines. All death cases occurred in the full immunity time window (two weeks after receiving the second dose of vaccine). Conclusion: Vaccination can reduce the length of hospitalization and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Therefore, further vaccination coverage is necessary to reduce the severity of disease, length of hospitalization, and mortality rate in these patients.-

Background: The prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii as a causative agent of hospital-acquired infections, particularly in burn units and intensive care units, is a major concern due to its innate and acquired resistance to several antibiotics. The presence of beta-lactamase-encoding genes in this bacterium has made it resistant to carbapenems as the last-resort antibiotics for treating infections caused by A. baumannii. This study aims to determine the prevalence of β-lactamase-encoding genes and antibiotic resistance of A. baumannii isolates from burn patients in northern Iran. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, A. baumannii isolates were obtained from clinical samples of patients in Zare Burn Hospital in Sari City, from 2013 to 2015. The isolates’ antibiotic sensitivity was determined using the disk diffusion method. To investigate the prevalence of β-lactamase genes (blaVIM, blaIMP, and INT), the PCR test was conducted. Results: Of 150 patients, 54. 7% were men and 45. 3% were women. The highest resistance rateswere against ceftazidime, cefepime, meropenem, imipenem, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, gentamicin, and colistin in order. It was observed that 31% of the isolates produced metallo-β-lactamase enzyme. The genes blaVIM, blaIMP, and INT were detected in 35%, 45%, and 60% of the isolates, respectively. Conclusion: A. baumannii isolates have significant resistance to cephalosporins and carbapenems. It is recommended to avoid the irrational prescription of cephalosporins and carbapenems for infections caused by A. baumannii.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly spread and remained poorly understood by clinicians. The present work aimed to study the association between laboratory biomarkers, prognosis, and disease severity. Methods: This is a single-center cohort study. We included young patients admitted at Razi Hospital, Ghaemshar City, Iran, from April 2020 to June 2020, whose diseases were confirmed with reverse transcription real time-PCR (rRT-PCR) test. Laboratory biomarkers were analyzed on the same day of inpatient service and after five days of hospitalization. The patients’ results and the outcomes were compared with those of the control group. Results: In the present study, 70 patients were investigated,53 were discharged, and 17 died. A significant correlation was observed between patients and healthy subjects in some laboratory biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total protein level, albumin level, and absolute lymphocyte count. Furthermore, CRP, LDH, total protein, albumin, absolute lymphocyte count, 25-OH vitamin D, interleukin (IL)-6, ferritin, and D-dimer levels in patients with different outcomes had significant correlations. High CRP, LDH, IL-6, ferritin, and D-dimer were predictive of mortality (area under the curve >0. 70), as were low absolute lymphocyte count and 25-OH vitamin D. After adjusting age, CRP, albumin, WBC, D-dimer, LDH, and 25 OH-vitamin D, the final model of multiple binary logistic regressions with IL-6 and ferritin had high accuracy for the prediction of fatal outcome. Conclusion: This finding would facilitate the early stratification of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and help make clinical decisions.