Drug resistance is a great challenge in cancer therapy using chemotherapeutic agents.Administration of these drugs with siRNA is an efficacious strategy in this battle.Here,the present study tried to incor-porate siRNA and paclitaxel(PTX)simultaneously into a novel nanocarrier.The selectivity of carrier to target cancer tissues was optimized through conjugation of folic acid(FA)and glucose(Glu)onto its surface.The structure of nanocarrier was formed from ternary magnetic copolymers based on FeCo-polyethyleneimine(FeCo-PEI)nanoparticles and polylactic acid-polyethylene glycol(PLA-PEG)gene delivery system.Biocompatibility of FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA(NPsA),FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-Glu(NPsB)and FeCo-PEI-PLA-PEG-FA/Glu(NPsAB)nanoparticles and also influence of PTX-loaded nanoparticles on in vitro cytotoxicity were examined using MTT assay.Besides,siRNA-FAM internalization was investi-gated by fluorescence microscopy.The results showed the blank nanoparticles were significantly less cytotoxic at various concentrations.Meanwhile,siRNA-FAM/PTX encapsulated nanoparticles exhibited significant anticancer activity against MCF-7 and BT-474cell lines.NPsAB/siRNA/PTX nanoparticles showed greater effects on MCF-7 and BT-474 cells viability than NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX.Also,they induced significantly higher anticancer effects on cancer cells compared with NPsA/siRNA/PTX and NPsB/siRNA/PTX due to their multi-targeted properties using FA and Glu.We concluded that NPsAB nanoparticles have a great potential for co-delivery of both drugs and genes for use in gene therapy and chemotherapy.

Objective: During the COVID-19, Telehealth attention and use have been increased in all medical fields. We decided to share our experience on the Sabatavan platform in a Psychiatric Hospital. Methods: One patient diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder and depression participated 4 sessions in the Sabatavan platform and mental status examination, diagnosis, medication dose adjustment, and psychoeducation about conditions and medication performed through the psychiatrist's Sabatavan platform. Results: According to our experience, Telepsychiatry was some benefits, such as the possibility of more communication between the therapists and patient, easy use of both patient and clinicians, more Accessibility of the patients and their families to psycho educational data. Lack of Tele pharmacy to change or renew the drug prescription and the impossibility of comprehensive examination and documentation of the patient's progress and changes, and lack of standard and official guidelines is challenging for Tele psychiatry. Conclusion: Telepsychiatry is an excellent mechanism for providing high-level care to physicians and psychiatrists in Iran.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has infected many people around the world. Children are considered an important target group for SARS-CoV-2, as well as other viral infections such as respiratory syncytial virus infection. Both SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus can affect the respiratory tract. Coinfection of SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus can pose significant challenges in terms of diagnosis and treatment in children. This review compares the symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus infection in children.

BACKGROUND: Since the presence of a co-driver can be considered as a companion, partner, or friend for a driver through eliminating driver's loneliness, it plays a significant role in health and safety of drivers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of co-drivers on depression and occupational stress on male truck drivers. METHODS: This study was an interventional case-control study. Seventy truck drivers were selected and divided into two groups: case (33 truck drivers with co-drivers) and control (37 truck drivers without co-drivers). Two Goldberg depression inventories (for evaluating driver's depression) and the Karasek job content questionnaire (for evaluating driver's job stress) were used to collect data which were completed by interview. RESULTS: The results showed that job content values for the case group were higher in all dimensions except job nature. The comparison of the percentages showed significant difference between two groups. Depression rate in drivers with co-driver is truly less than depression rate in drivers without co-driver. There was significant positive relationship between dimensions of job content and depression rate. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, it can be claimed that a co-driver decreases stress and loneliness of drivers, as well as increases work performance and job satisfaction, and, in turn, leads to a decrease in job-related depression.
Case-Control Studies ; Depression ; Equipment and Supplies ; Friends ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Loneliness ; Male ; Motor Vehicles ; Work Performance

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus has increased significantly in recent years. With the development of artificial intelligence applications in healthcare, they are used for diagnosis, therapeutic decision making, and outcome prediction, especially in type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to identify the artificial intelligence (AI) applications for type 2 diabetes mellitus care. METHODS: This is a review conducted in 2018. We searched the PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase scientific databases, based on a combination of related mesh terms. The article selection process was based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Finally, 31 articles were selected after inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Data gathering was done by using a data extraction form. Data were summarized and reported based on the study objectives. RESULTS: The main applications of AI for type 2 diabetes mellitus care were screening and diagnosis in different stages. Among all of the reviewed AI methods, machine learning methods with 71% (n = 22) were the most commonly applied techniques. Many applications were in multi method forms (23%). Among the machine learning algorithms applications, support vector machine (21%) and naive Bayesian (19%) were the most commonly used methods. The most important variables that were used in the selected studies were body mass index, fasting blood sugar, blood pressure, HbA1c, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, and demographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended to select optimal algorithms by testing various techniques. Support vector machine and naive Bayesian might achieve better performance than other applications due to the type of variables and targets in diabetes-related outcomes classification.
Artificial Intelligence ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Classification ; Decision Making ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Diagnosis ; Fasting ; Incidence ; Lipoproteins ; Machine Learning ; Mass Screening ; Methods ; Support Vector Machine ; Triglycerides

Background & Objective: This study aimed to find a biomarker to predict the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Serum levels of vitamin D3, C-reactive protein (CRP) and melatonin and their ratio were evaluated to find the valuable cut-off point. Methods: Serum levels of vitamin D3, CRP and melatonin were evaluated using commercial ELISA kit in newly diagnosed MS patients and compared with healthy controls. Results: Serum CRP level significantly increased and serum melatonin level significantly decreased in MS patients in comparison to controls. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy for the cut-off point of CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 were 80%. Conclusion: CRP/melatonin ratio ≥ 78.29087 may be used for prediction of MS in an at risk population

Objective: To determine whether permutation scan statistics was more efficient in finding prospective spatial-temporal outbreaks for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) or for malaria in Fars province, Iran in 2016. Methods: Using time-series data including 29 177 CL cases recorded during 2010-2015 and 357 malaria cases recorded during 2010-2015, CL and malaria cases were predicted in 2016. Predicted cases were used to verify if they followed uniform distribution over time and space using space-time analysis. To testify the uniformity of distributions, permutation scan statistics was applied prospectively to detect statistically significant and non-significant outbreaks. Finally, the findings were compared to determine whether permutation scan statistics worked better for CL or for malaria in the area. Prospective permutation scan modeling was performed using SatScan software. Results: A total of 5 359 CL and 23 malaria cases were predicted in 2016 using time-series models. Applied time-series models were well-fitted regarding auto correlation function, partial auto correlation function sample/model, and residual analysis criteria (P

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of the topical application of tamoxifen on wound healing of burned skin in Wistar rats by evaluating 3 healing characteristics: fibrotic tissue thickness (FTT), scar surface area (SSA), and angiogenesis in the healed scar tissue. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats were used in this study. A third-degree burn wound was made on the shaved animals’ back, measuring 2×2×2 cm. In the first group, a 2% tamoxifen ointment was applied to the wound twice daily for 8 weeks. The second group received a placebo ointment during the same period. The third group did not receive any treatment and served as the control group. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range=[Q1, Q3]) FTT was 1.35 (1.15, 1.62) mm, 1.00 (0.95, 1.02) mm, and 1.25 (0.8, 1.5) mm in the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.069). However, the FTT in the tamoxifen group was less than in the placebo and control groups. The median angiogenesis was 3.5 (3.00, 6.25), 8.00 (6.75, 9.25), and 7.00 (5.50, 8.25) vessels per high-power field for the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.067). However, the median angiogenesis was higher in the tamoxifen group than in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the mean SSA between the tamoxifen group and the control group (P=0.990). CONCLUSIONS: Local application of tamoxifen increased angiogenesis and decreased the FTT, with no change in the SSA in burned skin areas. These effects are expected to expedite the wound healing process, reducing contracture and preventing hypertrophic scar and keloid formation.
Animals ; Burns* ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Contracture ; Humans ; Keloid ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin* ; Tamoxifen* ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of the topical application of tamoxifen on wound healing of burned skin in Wistar rats by evaluating 3 healing characteristics: fibrotic tissue thickness (FTT), scar surface area (SSA), and angiogenesis in the healed scar tissue. METHODS: Eighteen male Wistar rats were used in this study. A third-degree burn wound was made on the shaved animals’ back, measuring 2×2×2 cm. In the first group, a 2% tamoxifen ointment was applied to the wound twice daily for 8 weeks. The second group received a placebo ointment during the same period. The third group did not receive any treatment and served as the control group. RESULTS: The median (interquartile range=[Q1, Q3]) FTT was 1.35 (1.15, 1.62) mm, 1.00 (0.95, 1.02) mm, and 1.25 (0.8, 1.5) mm in the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.069). However, the FTT in the tamoxifen group was less than in the placebo and control groups. The median angiogenesis was 3.5 (3.00, 6.25), 8.00 (6.75, 9.25), and 7.00 (5.50, 8.25) vessels per high-power field for the control, tamoxifen, and placebo groups, respectively (P=0.067). However, the median angiogenesis was higher in the tamoxifen group than in the control group. No significant difference was observed in the mean SSA between the tamoxifen group and the control group (P=0.990). CONCLUSIONS: Local application of tamoxifen increased angiogenesis and decreased the FTT, with no change in the SSA in burned skin areas. These effects are expected to expedite the wound healing process, reducing contracture and preventing hypertrophic scar and keloid formation.
Animals ; Burns* ; Cicatrix ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; Contracture ; Humans ; Keloid ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin* ; Tamoxifen* ; Wound Healing* ; Wounds and Injuries*

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical pilot study. PURPOSE: To objectively evaluate the compliance rate of lumbar-support use in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain, as well as to assess low back pain intensity, disability, and fear-avoidance beliefs. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Wearing time is an important factor in the assessment of the efficacy of lumbar-support use in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain. Previous studies have measured lumbar-support wearing time based on subjective assessment, and these evaluations are not easily verifiable and are usually overestimated by subjects. METHODS: Twelve subjects with chronic nonspecific low back pain who had been wearing semirigid lumbar supports for 6 weeks were evaluated. Compliance was objectively monitored using temperature sensors integrated into the semirigid lumbar supports. Subjects wore their lumbar supports for 8 hour/day on workdays and 3 hour/day on holidays during the first 3 weeks. During the next 3 weeks, subjects were gradually weaned off the lumbar supports. Pain intensity was measured using a numerical rating scale. The Oswestry disability index was used to assess the subjects' disability. Fear-avoidance behavior was evaluated using a fear-avoidance beliefs questionnaire. RESULTS: The mean compliance rate of the subjects was 78.16%±13.9%. Pain intensity was significantly lower in patients with a higher compliance rate (p=0.001). Disability index and fear-avoidance beliefs (functional outcomes) significantly improved during the second 3-weeks period of the treatment (p<0.001, p=0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The compliance rate of patients wearing lumbar supports is a determining factor in chronic low back pain management. Wearing semirigid lumbar supports, as advised, was associated with decreased pain intensity, improved disability index scores, and improved fear-avoidance beliefs in patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain.
Compliance* ; Holidays ; Humans ; Low Back Pain* ; Pilot Projects