Objective: Hydroxyethyl piperazine ethane sulfonic acid (HEPES)-buffered media have long been employed in assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures; however, concerns persist regarding the impact of zwitterionic buffers on intrinsic cellular mechanisms. Limited studies have compared ART outcomes using bicarbonate media versus HEPES-buffered media during intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This study compared the efficacy of two media used in ICSI: bicarbonate medium (one-step) and HEPES-buffered medium (SynVitro Flush). Methods: This retrospective study analyzed data from 200 ICSI cycles performed in 2023. Metaphase II oocytes were allocated to a bicarbonate medium (SAGE 1-STEP; Origio) or a HEPES-buffered medium (SynVitro Flush) during the ICSI procedure. Outcomes including fertilization rate, embryo quality and development, implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate were compared between the two groups. Results: The fertilization rate was significantly higher in the one-step medium (89.04%) than in the SynVitro medium (82.30%; p<0.001). The one-step medium also yielded more cleaved embryos and higher-quality blastocysts (class A/B; p<0.05). Consequently, more embryos were frozen in the one-step group (264 vs. 151), and higher embryo utilization rates were observed. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were significantly higher in the one-step group (p<0.05). No significant differences were found in chemical pregnancy rates or live birth rates among cycles utilizing frozen embryos (p>0.05). Additionally, there were no differences observed in miscarriage rates or multiple pregnancy rates. Conclusion The one-step bicarbonate medium improved cycle efficiency during the ICSI procedure compared to the SynVitro Flush medium. This finding underscores the importance of selecting an appropriate medium.

Background: and Purpose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most-prevalent form of dementia and imposes substantial burdens at the personal and societal levels. The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is a genetic factor known to increase AD risk and exacerbate brain atrophy and its symptoms. We aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the impacts of APOE ε4 on brain atrophy in AD as well as in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) as a transitional stage of AD. Methods: We performed a coordinate-based meta-analysis of voxel-based morphometry studies to compare gray-matter atrophy patterns between carriers and noncarriers of APOE ε4. We obtained coordinate-based structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 1,135 individuals who met our inclusion criteria among 12 studies reported in PubMed and Google Scholar. Results: We found that atrophy of the hippocampus and parahippocampus was significantly greater in APOE ε4 carriers than in noncarriers, especially among those with AD and MCI, while there was no significant atrophy in these regions in healthy controls who were also carriers. Conclusions The present meta-analysis has highlighted the significant link between the APOE ε4 allele and hippocampal atrophy in both AD and MCI, which emphasizes the critical influence of the allele on neurodegeneration, especially in the hippocampus. These findings improve the understanding of AD pathology, potentially facilitating progress in early detection, targeted interventions, and personalized care strategies for individuals at risk of AD who carry the APOE ε4 allele.

AIM:To investigate the comparison of total antioxidant capacity in the serum of patients with pterygium and control subjects.METHODS:This case-control study was conducted on all persons referred to Ophthalmology Clinic of teaching Hospital of Vali-Asr (peace upon to him) with clinical symptoms of pterygium during the year 2016.The control group was selected among patients referred to the Ophthalmology Clinic of Vaii-Asr (peace without pterygium) that the two groups were matched in terms of age,gender and place of residence.Sixty-six persons [31 people (47％) in patient group and 35 people (53％) in the control group] were enrolled by convenience sampling.Venous blood sample was taken from all patients after the sampling using ferric reducing antioxidant power(FRAP);FRAP-as a quick 10min measurement,the antioxidant power measurement of samples according to the conversion of ferric iron (Fe3+) to ferrous iron (Fe2+) was checked.The collected data ware entered to software SPSS 21 and were analyzed by chi-square and MannWhitney tests at the level of α =0.05.RESULTS:The mean of antioxidant capacity in patients was 842.55 ± 161.46 μ mol/L and antioxidant capacity in healthy controls was 856.77±209.41 μ mol/L (P=0.8).In the comparison of mean serum antioxidant capacity in healthy individuals and in the serum of people with pterygium based on gender the results showed that the antioxidant capacity mean in male control subjects has been 894.05 ± 176.82 μmol/L and in females control 780.01±118.33 μmol/L that the observed difference have been reported statistically significant (P=0.008) but the other comparison according the gender between cases and control does not show any significant difference.CONCLUSION:The results of this study showed that the full level of serum antioxidant capacity in patients has been less than the mean of antioxidant capacity in control subjects,however the observed difference has not been significant.The results of this study were consistent with basic results carried out on the damaging effects of oxidative stress in the pterygium pathogenesis.Recommending diet with minerals and vitamins containing antioxidants may be preventing the onset and progression of pterygium.

·AIM: To evaluate correlation of cystatin-C (Cys-C) with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and acute phase reactants, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP). ·METHODS: All diabetic patients who were referred for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening during 1mo were enrolled. Demographic data were recorded. All patients have undergone full ophthalmic exam. At the same day, all patients were tested for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), ESR,hs-CRP,and Cys-C serum levels. · RESULTS: Sixty seven diabetics were enrolled, including 19 (28.3%) without retinopathy, 22 (32.8%) non - proliferative retinopathy, and 26 ( 38. 8%) proliferative retinopathy patients. The mean age, sex distribution, mean duration of diabetes, prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidemia, smoking status and HbA1c levels were not significantly different among the three groups. The mean levels of Cys - C increase significantly as retinopathy progress [1.1 ± 0. 48; 1. 22 ± 0.38;1.71 ± 0.92 (P=0.007), respectively]. In multiple regression analysis, just Cys - C was significantly associated with severity of DR (P=0.025). ·CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that serum levels of Cys-C increase while DR progress independently of acute phase reactants. Therefore, it could be used as an associated marker by primary care physicians to distinguish patients at higher risk of severe DR. Larger randomized studies are warranted to confirm findings. Reviewing physiological role of the Cys-C, we proposed that the Cys-C may be a protective response to catalytic stress rather than being a pathogenic factor in microangiopathies.

Metastatic breast cancer is a disease of early breast cancer that usually occurs several years after the early breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Iranian women. According to the new statistics in Iran 6160 breast cancers are diagnosed in the country each year and 1063 cases lead to death. In this paper, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment have been investigated. In this study, case-control clinical trials and open studies with adequate data were collected. Due to the higher risk of age group 40-49 years and the advent of advanced breast cancer in Iranian women, the early diagnosis and determination of the exact size of the tumor before surgery is important in choosing a therapy plan. The decision on the therapy of invasive breast cancer depends on several factors such as cancer stage, tumor size and type, pathological and cytological status of the tumor, the patient's opinion, the presence or absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in the cytoplasm of tumor cells and so on.