Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of hydrocortisone enema in preventing radiation proctitis in patients with rectal cancer undergoing short-course radiotherapy (SCRT). Methods: This phase II randomized controlled trial enrolled patients with newly diagnosed locally advanced rectal cancer (clinically staged T3–4 and/or N1–2M0). Participants received a median of 4 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) followed by 3-dimensional conformal SCRT (25 Gy in 5 fractions). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a hydrocortisone enema (n=50) or a placebo (n=51) once daily for 5 consecutive days during SCRT. The primary endpoint was the incidence and severity of acute proctitis. Results: Of the 111 eligible patients, 101 were included in the study. Baseline characteristics, including sex, age, performance status, and tumor location, were comparable across the treatment arms. None of the patients experienced grade 4 acute gastrointestinal toxicity or had to discontinue treatment due to treatment-related adverse effects. Patients in the hydrocortisone arm experienced significantly less severe proctitis (P<0.001), diarrhea (P=0.023), and rectal pain (P<0.001) than those in the placebo arm. Additionally, the duration of acute gastrointestinal toxicity following SCRT was significantly shorter in patients receiving hydrocortisone (P<0.001). Conclusion Hydrocortisone enema was associated with a significant reduction in the severity of proctitis, diarrhea, and rectal pain compared to placebo. Additionally, patients treated with hydrocortisone experienced shorter durations of gastrointestinal toxicity following SCRT. This study highlights the potential benefits of hydrocortisone enema in managing radiation-induced toxicity in rectal cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy.

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing evidence regarding the possible effects of epothilones on spinal cord injury (SCI). This study aimed to investigate the possible effects of epothilone administration on locomotion recovery in animal models of SCI. Despite increasing rates of SCI and its burden on populations, no consensus has been reached about the possible treatment modality for SCI. Meanwhile, low-dose epothilones have been reported to have positive effects on SCI outcomes. Electronic databases of Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Medline were searched using keywords related to epothilones and SCI until the end of 2020. Two researchers screened the articles, and extracted data were analyzed using STATA ver. 14.0. Final results are reported as a standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% confidence interval (CI). After the screening, five studies were included in the analysis. Rats were used in all the studies. Two types of epothilones were used via intraperitoneal injection and were shown to have positive effects on the motor outcomes of samples with SCI (SMD, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.51 to 1.23; p =0.71). Although a slightly better effect was observed when using epothilone B, the difference was not significant (coefficient, −0.50; 95% CI, −1.52 to 0.52; p =0.246). The results of this study suggest that epothilones have positive effects on the improvement of motor function in rats, when administered intraperitoneally until a maximum of 1 day after SCI. However, current evidence regarding the matter is still scarce.

Gastric Cancer (GC) is one of the most dangerous malignancies in the world. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with H. pylori infections with GC compared to H. pylori-infected patients and healthy subjects. Forty patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses and 40 patients with H. pylori positive and GC negative diagnoses, and 40 healthy persons were selected.The expression of miR-146a and miR-155 genes in the whole blood was examined using qRT-PCR. Moreover, ROC curves were drawn to represent the sensitivity and specificity of miR-146a and miR-155 expression as biomarkers. The results showed the expression of miR-146a and miR-155 in the whole blood of patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses are significantly higher than in healthy individuals and are non-significantly enhanced compared to H. pylori positive and GC negative. Also, the results stated miR-146a and miR-155 expression in the whole blood of patients who are H. pylori positive and GC negative are significantly increased compared to healthy individuals. Furthermore, the ROC curve analysis of miR-146a and miR-155 RNA level demonstrated the two miRNAs have an appropriate sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic goals. In conclusion, H. pylori infection may increase the expression of miR-146a and miR-155 in patients with H. pylori and GC positive diagnoses, which can be effective in the curbing the progression of GC. For this reason, up-regulation of miR-146a and miR-155 along with H. pylori infection might contribute to the pathogenesis of GC, and also can be suggested as biomarkers for GC diagnosis and treatment.

Background: This study aimed to develop and assess the psychometric features of the Physical Activity at Workplace Questionnaire (PAWPQ) based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to evaluate employees' physical activity (PA) behaviors at the workplace. Methods: This psychometric cross-sectional study was conducted on 455 employees working in one of the gas refineries in Iran. The participants were selected using the proportional stratified sampling method in 2019. The data collection tools were a demographic information questionnaire, the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a questionnaire developed based on the SCT, whose psychometric features were confirmed in terms of validity and reliability. Data were analyzed using SPSS22 and AMOS20 software. Results: The first version of PAWPQ-SCT had 74 items. After evaluating content and face validity, nine items were removed. The results of the content validity index (0.98), content validity ratio (0.86), and impact score (3.62) were acceptable for the whole instrument. In exploratory factor analysis, after removing seven items—58-item final version of the scale—six factors could explain 73.54% of the total variance. The results of structural equation modeling showed the acceptable fit of the model into the data (RMSEA = 0.052, CFI = 0.917, NFI = 0.878, TLI = 0.905, IFI = 0.917, CMIN/DF = 2.818). Cronbach's alpha coefficient and Intraclass Correlation were 0.90 and 0.86, respectively. Conclusion This study confirmed that the psychometric features of the 58-item final version of PAWPQ-SCT constructs were acceptable in a sample of Iranian employees. This questionnaire can be used as a valid and reliable tool to evaluate Iranian employees' PA behaviors and develop effective educational interventions for workers and managers.

In September 2017, an outbreak with high mortality, which showed the typical signs of ND, occurred among a flock of more than 2000 Eurasian collared doves in Konarak, southeast of Iran. A confirmed pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 strain was isolated from the brain tissues of the dead doves. The isolate, which was called Pigeon/Iran/Konarak/Barin/2017, was classified as a highly velogenic NDV. Complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the isolate belonged to subgenotype XXI.2, which has never been reported from Iran before. The isolate had the highest homology (96.15%) with early 2010s Italian isolates.Further studies will be required to understand the diversity better.

Objective: This research investigated the effects of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)-producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) on the implantation rate and embryo attachment in mice. Methods: In this experimental study, a DNA fragment of the HCG gene was cloned into an expression vector, which was transfected into PBMCs. The concentration of the produced HCG was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Embryo attachment was investigated on the co-cultured endometrial cells and PBMCs in vitro. As an in vivo experiment, intrauterine administration of PBMCs was done in plaque-positive female mice. Studied mice were distributed into five groups: control, embryo implantation dysfunction (EID), EID with produced HCG, EID with PBMCs, and EID with HCG-producing PBMCs. Uterine horns were excised to characterize the number of implantation sites and pregnancy rate on day 7.5 post-coitum. During an implantation window, the mRNA expression of genes was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: DNA fragments were cloned between the BamHI and EcoRI sites in the vector. About 465 pg/mL of HCG was produced in the transfected PBMCs. The attachment rate, pregnancy rate, and the number of implantation sites were substantially higher in the HCG-producing PBMCs group than in the other groups. Significantly elevated expression of the target genes was observed in the EID with HCG-producing PBMCs group. Conclusion Alterations in gene expression following the intrauterine injection of HCG-producing PBMCs, could be considered a possible cause of increased embryo attachment rate, pregnancy rate, and the number of implantation sites.

Objective: The present study assessed the biological characteristics of human spermatozoa at different time intervals (0, 1, 1.5, and 2 hours) after incubation at 37°C. Methods: Twenty-five normozoospermic semen samples were incubated at 37°C. Incubation was performed at four time intervals of 0 (after liquefaction), 1, 1.5, and 2 hours. The samples were evaluated for sperm parameters at each time interval. Results: The rate of sperm progressive motility decreased at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours as well as 2 hours compared to 1 hour and 0 hours. The rate of non-motile spermatozoa also decreased after 2 hours compared to after 0 hours. No significant changes were observed in sperm viability (p=0.98) and non- progressive motility (p=0.48) at any time intervals. Abnormal sperm morphology increased at 1.5 hours of incubation time (p<0.001). No significant changes were observed in DNA fragmentation at 1 hour compared to 0 hours (median [interquartile range]: 19.5 [4] vs. 19 [4]), as well as at 1.5 hours compared to 1 hour (20 [5]). However, a significant increase in DNA fragmentation was observed at 1.5 hours compared to 0 hours. The mitochondrial membrane potential decreased remarkably after 1 hour of incubation time. No significant differences were observed in the acrosome reaction or malonaldehyde levels at any time point (p=0.34 and p=0.98, respectively). Conclusion The incubation of normozoospermic samples before use in assisted reproductive technology should be less than 1.5 hours to minimize the destructive effects of prolonged incubation time on general and specific sperm parameters.

Background: Wide use of biocidal agents such as benzalkonium chloride (BCC) and chlorhexidine digluconate (CHX) in hospitals and non-hospital environments, has raised concerns over the emergence of non-susceptible strains. Efflux pumps are of known main mechanisms in biocide tolerance which have been rarely addressed in enterococci - members of gut microbiota which can cause serious problems particularly in hospitalized patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of enterococci from different sources (clinical and fecal isolates) toward BCC and CHX, and its correlation with efflux associated genes. Also, possible link between biocide tolerance and antibiotic resistance was examined. Materials and Methods: One hundred and four enterococcus isolates including clinical (n = 54) and fecal isolates (n = 50) were studied for susceptibility toward BCC, CHX, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin and vancomycin. Twelve efflux associated genes were investigated by polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: In clinical isolates, reduced susceptibility to CHX and resistance to gentamicin and ciprofloxacin were significantly higher than fecal isolates. Vancomycin resistance was associated with increasing minimum inhibitory concentration of CHX. Among all investigated genes, only three ones, efrA, efrB and emeA were detected which were significantly associated with reduced susceptibility to CHX and were more frequent among clinical isolates. Also, high level resistance to gentamicin was significantly associated with the presence of efrA/B as well as with reduced susceptibility to CHX. Conclusion As expected, reduced susceptibility to CHX, was significantly higher in clinical isolates. However, the presence of a vancomycin-resistant enterococci among fecal isolates of healthy people which showed resistance/tolerance to studied antimicrobial agents, was unexpected and highlights the need to investigate other non-hospital environments to avoid dissemination of antimicrobial resistance. Correlation between reduced susceptibility to CHX and high level resistance to gentamicin, substantiates monitoring of biocide tolerance particularly in the healthcare settings to control the establishment of antimicrobial resistant strains.

Objective: To estimate the infection of ticks to Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Theileria, and Brucellaceae using molecular methods in borderline of Iran, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. Methods: Totally, 2 022 ticks were collected from different livestock. Then, species were diagnosed under stereomicroscope according to valid morphological keys. Tick DNA was extracted followed by PCR to detect Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Theileria, Babesia and Brucellaceae infection in ticks. Results: A total of 498 males [24.62% (95% CI 22.76%-26.57%)], 741 females [36.64% (95% CI 34.54%-38.79%)], 782 nymphs [38.67% (95% CI 36.55%-40.84%)] and 1 larva [0.04% (95% CI 0.00%-0.28%)] were identified. Among identified samples, we found four genera including Hyalomma, Rhipicephalus, Haemaphysalis, and Dermacentor. Molecular assay revealed that the prevalence of ticks to Anaplasma or Ehrlichia, and Brucellaceae was 22.02% (95% CI 16.01%-29.06%) and 15.03% (95% CI 9.43%-22.26%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the identified Anaplasma sp. had the most similarity with Anaplasma centrale, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma camelii, and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, submitted in GenBank. Furthermore, the detected Ehrlichia sp. and Brucellaceae bacterium had the most similarity with Ehrlichia ruminantium and Mycoplana peli, respectively. However, no sign of the presence of Theileria and Babesia spp. was seen in the studied samples. Conclusions: Anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis and brucellosis should be considered as important health threats in northwestern Iran and consistent monitoring on infection of ticks and livestock should be performed regularly.

Introduction: The aim of the current study is to evaluate the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidative effects of hydro-alcoholic extract of marjoram (HAEM) in rats fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: In the experimental study, the rats were randomly divided into four groups of five rats in each and fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks as follows: One group (normal diet group) was fed with a standard diet, one group was fed with HFD, and two groups were fed with HFD and orally fed with 150 and 450 mg/kg/day HAEM. The serum samples and liver tissues were used for measuring the biochemical and oxidative parameters and histopathological studies. HFD induced hepatosteatosis in rats as evidenced by the altered liver enzymes activity, serum lipid profile and oxidative status. Results: Serum lipid profile (triglyceride, cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein) in rats fed with HFD + HAEM (150 and 450 mg/kg/day) was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the evaluation of oxidative stress showed a reduction of the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and an increase in ferric-reducing anti-oxidant power. Meanwhile, liver enzyme activities declined in response to HAEM. Conclusion: Using the HAEM could be a future therapeutic agent in treating hepatosteatosis and reducing oxidative damages of HFD in the liver.