Rituximab (RTX), as a B cell-depleting agent, is indicated in treating several malignancies and autoimmune diseases. The management of patients currently receiving RTX and patients starting the medication raised concerns in the pandemic era. Theoretically, suppressing the immune response at the beginning of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) enhances viral replication, but it prevents acute respiratory distress syndrome as the disease progresses. This Review aims to investigate the results of RTX adMinistration in patients during the pandemic era. There is insufficient evidence to definitively conclude on the safety of RTX during the pandemic. For this purpose, high-quality controlled cohort studies, as well as registry-based studies, would be helpful.

According to the studies the rate of emergency departments use among cancer patients exceed those of general population; however, there are differences based on cancer type, initial treatments, socioeconomic status, disease stages, health insurance status and so on. Patients’ symptoms and the severity of complications are varied as well. The emergency departments are actively involved in different stages of cancer management such as primary diagnosis, ongoing treatments and end-of-life period. Cancer patients usually have more serious complications and need more specialized cares at the end of life period, during chemotherapy and surgical treatments. Understanding the reasons for such visits could be useful in the development of dedicated interventions for preventing unnecessary emergency department visits, which is discussed in this Mini-Review. . .

Thyroid function tests (TFTs) happen to be the most commonly performed tests in endocrinology, leaving aside plasma glucose. Apparently though, it seems quite easy to interpret, but there are subtle nuances to it. If the test results are not analyzed thoroughly through clinico-biochemical tests, there are high chances of erroneous diagnosis and treatment. Two-site immunometric assays which are also known popularly as “, sandwich”,assays are used generally to measure thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). In this study, we used two sets of antibodies: one bound to a solid phase known as “, capture antibody”,and the other labeled as “, detection antibody”, . The analyte forms a complex with these two antibodies, and as a result, a signal is generated which helps us measure the concentration of the analyte, namely, TSH. Sometimes certain human anti-animal antibodies (HAAAs) could be present in the serum of the individual. It is more commonly seen among those who received some sort of immunological therapy at any point in their life. They can cause both positive and negative interferences depending on their reactivity. If the HAAA is reactive both to capturing and detecting antibodies but not to the analyte, it will form a complex binding to both and generate a false high signal as if the analyte is present in high concentration in the sample. On the other hand, if the HAAA is only reactive to capture antibody and prevents binding of the analyte to it and forms a complex, it will not form any complex and will generate a falsely low signal as if the analyte is present in low concentration in the sample. Generally, human anti-mouse antibodies are found to cause such interactions. To alleviate this problem, some commercial assay systems use panels of antigens or pre-immune sera from source animals to mop up the HAAAs, but in practice, these polyspecific antibodies are quite difficult to remove from the sample (1-3). . .

Integrons are a segment of dsDNA that play a major role in bacterial adaptation and evolution. These genetic determinants are known by the presence of three necessary apparatuses: an integrase (intI gene), Pc (a promoter) and attI (a recombination site). These elements are able to acquire gene cassettes, which can carry antibiotic resistance factors, via site-specific recombination mechanism. The most common types of resistance integrons are class I (Tn402 derivatives), followed by class II and III. In recent years, the role of integrons as an important factor in the transmission and spread of resistance factors has been considered. Therefore, the ongoing threats posed by integrons require an understanding of their origins and evolutionary history. This Review examines the functions and activities of integrons. It shows how antibiotics use selected particular integrons from the environmental pool, so that integrons carrying resistance genes are now present in the majority of Gram-negative pathogens.

Objectives: Herbal medicine is known as a valid alternative treatment. Salvia Reuterana, which has been used in the Iranian traditional medicine, is mostly distributed in the central highlands of Iran. Salvia Reuterana is a medicinal herb with various therapeutic usages. The aim of the present Review is to take account of pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana.Materials and Methods: The present Review summarizes the literature with respect to various pharmacological properties of Salvia Reuterana.Results: Salvia Reuterana possesses neurological, antimicrobial, antioxidant, chemotherapeutic, and antidiabetic properties.Conclusions: Salvia Reuterana can be used as an alternative for treatment of several disorders.

Contrast medium is used daily for accurate and effective diagnostic procedures. They are often necessary to provide an exact diagnosis and are almost safe and effective when used correctly. However contrast media can sometimes be life-threatening especially in elderly, since the elderly suffer from several problems. Aging is frequently accompanied by chronic diseases like chronic renal failure, comorbidity, frailty and disability. Therefore, it is important to know how reactions to contrast agents manifest and how to manage them immediately. Decreased kidney functions are sometimes seen after intravenous contrast media injection therefore radiologists should monitor all stages of the contrast injection. Accordingly, the medical team should have information on the complications, prevention and care of the patients under contrast media.