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Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder causing abdominal pain, altered bowel habits and bloating without structural issues. Gallbladder dysfunction may be linked to IBS due to disrupted cholecystokinin release. This study aims to assess gallbladder function and related hemodynamic parameters using Doppler ultrasound in IBS before and after meals. In this case-control study, we investigated gallbladder function differences between constipation-predominant IBS (C-IBS) patients and healthy volunteers. Participants underwent ultrasonography to measure gallbladder parameters before and after consuming a predefined meal. Gallbladder volume, wall thickness and resistance index (RI) of cystic and superior mesenteric arteries (SMA) were assessed. Student t-test and paired t-test were used to compare case and control groups and pre- and post-meal data, respectively. A total of 34 people (18 C-IBS and 16 healthy control) were included. The mean (Standard deviation) of gallbladder fasting volume was measured 24.74 (8.85) and 29.73 (9.65) cubic millimeter for case and controls, respectively. Postprandial volume was 11.34 (5.66) and 16.9 (6.16) cubic millimeter for case and controls respectively. We observed a statistically significant difference in emptying fractions (EF) between groups (p value = 0.009). IBS patients had a smaller fasting SMA RI (p value = 0.016) but the fraction of change after meal was not significant (p value = 0.10). The cystic artery RI did not reach statistical significance between the fasting and post-meal values (p value = 0.067). IBS patients have a higher emptying fraction and lower change in SMA RI compared to healthy controls. Further studies with larger sample size, inclusion of patients with different coexisting conditions and subtypes of IBS and combining colon transit study with gallbladder ejection fraction evaluation can be used to further provide more meaning to this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) refers to a condition in which there is an abnormal penetration of the placenta, within the walls of the uterus. This study was designed to assess the overall diagnostic accuracy of sonography in detecting myometrium invasion of the placenta, in pregnant women with placenta previa (PP). Materials and Methods: In this study, 70 participants were placed into groups with either an anterior placenta (APL) or a posterior placenta (PPL). An experienced radiologist examined the participants. At least two well-known diagnostic sonographic signs were considered, as the diagnostic criteria of PAS. Results: Sonography diagnosed 30 cases of PAS out of 43 confirmed cases, with a sensitivity of 70%, specificity of 77%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 83% and negative predictive value (NPV) of 61%, accuracy of 72.8%, precision of 69.1%, diagnostic odd ratio (DOR) of 21.06, and an F measure of 0.71. Detection rates were higher in cases of the APL (sensitivity: 78%, specificity: 91%, PPV: 94%, NPV: 68%, accuracy: 82.8%, precision: 78.2%, DOR: 39.12, and an F measure: 0.78). The review of sonograms allowed for the detection of seven cases (10%) of PAS appropriately. Conclusion: The sonographic results seem to be more accurate among individuals with APL than PPL. A replication of this study, with multicenter participation is recommended, especially in cases of PPL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, the role of micro-RNAs in the cancer pathophysiology has attracted a great deal of scientific attention. MiRNAs regulate a variety of cellular functions, such as apoptosis, differentiation and migration by targeting oncogenic or tumor suppressor genes. We conducted the current study to assess the expression of miR-107, Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) and death-associated protein kinase (DAPK1) genes in malignant and normal colon tissues and also colorectal cancer (CRC) model cells exposed to oxaliplatin and 5-FU chemotherapy agents. Method: In this case-control study, the tissue samples from CRC patients were collected during colonoscopy process in 2013-2016 at Imam Reza hospital. Subsequently, the expression levels of miR-107, KLF4, and DAPK1 were detected with quantitative Real-Time PCR. Furthermore, in the in vitro phase of this study, we investigated the changes in the expression level of miR-107, KLF4 and DAPK1 transcripts after oxaliplatin and 5-FU treatment. Results: Unlike miR-107, the expression levels of KLF4 and DAPK1 genes decreased in the tumor samples compared to those in the marginal specimens. In addition, both oxaliplatin and 5-FU significantly increased the expression level of miR-107. There were significant correlations between the expression levels of miR-107, KLF4, and DAPK1genes and clinicopathological features, for instance lymph node metastasis and cell differentiation. Conclusion: The current study suggested a tumor suppressor role for KLF4 and DAPK1 in CRC. The altered expression of miR-107, KLF-4, and DAPK1 genes in CRC tumors and healthy tissues could be utilized for CRC diagnosis and prognosis. Furthermore, the studied genes could be considered as potential therapeutic targets in CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most lethal and hard‐to‐treat cancers in the world, which in its advanced stages, surgery and chemotherapy are the main common treatment approaches. The microRNAs (miRNAs), as novel markers for CRC detection, promote their regulatory effects via the 3′‐untranslated binding region (3′‐UTR) of target messenger RNA in posttranscriptional regulation of genes and also play a pivotal role in modulating resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. These small noncoding RNAs have also a critical role in CRC stem cells (CRCSCs) regulation, comprising self‐renewal, differentiation, and tumorigenesis. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are distinctive cell types inside a tumor tissue that are believed to derive from normal somatic stem cells. The CSCs have self‐renewal abilities, angiogenesis, as well as specific surface markers expression characteristics. Furthermore, they are frequently criticized for tumor maintenance, treatment resistance, tumor development, and distant metastasis. In this review, we discuss the current understandings of CRCSCs and their environment with a focus on the role of miRNAs on the regulation of CSCs and their targeting application in CRC treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: For successful embryo implantation in women with high pulsatility, uterine vascular resistance and pulsatility must be reduced. We examined the effects of amlodipine on uterine pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and embryo transfer (ET) outcomes in women with prior implantation failure and at least one elevated uterine PI measurement (especially higher than 3)., Methods: Between February and November 2023, our reproductive facility conducted a single-center randomized clinical trial, enrolling 100 patients with previous implantation failure and at least one uterine PI measurement exceeding 3. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either amlodipine (5 mg) or placebo (n=50 per group). Hormone replacement therapy was the predominant method for endometrial preparation. Transvaginal ultrasonography was used to measure uterine artery resistance and pulsatility on day 1 or 2 of menstruation. Women in the amlodipine group received 5 mg nightly. Following repeat transvaginal ultrasound to assess PI and RI, ET was performed. If a positive pregnancy test was obtained, treatment continued for a total of 7 weeks., Results: Amlodipine reduced blood flow indices in the uterine artery. Among placebo recipients, 18% tested positive for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin, compared to 26% of medication recipients. However, this difference was statistically insignificant (p=0.472). Gestational sacs were observed in 12% of the placebo group and 22% of the medication group, but this difference was also insignificant (p=0.28)., Conclusion: Amlodipine appears to reduce uterine pulsatility and resistance during ET. Despite the absence of significant differences in pregnancy outcomes, this promising drug merits further study in women with implantation failure.

Background: Linoleic acid (LA) has modulatory effects on gastric cancer cell lines. This study aimed to investigate the effects of linoleic acid on the expression of metastatic and angiogenic molecular markers in gastric cancer cell line MKN-45., Methods: In this study performed in Tabriz, Iran in 2021, MKN-45 cells were treated with LA in the presence or absence of docetaxel. Total RNA was extracted, and cDNA synthesized from the cells before and after treatment. The expression levels of Talin-2 and MMP-2 genes and mir-20, mir-30, mir-126, and mir-194, were determined by quantitative real-time PCR., Results: LA treatment reduced the expression levels of mir-126, mir-194, mir-30, and MMP-2, while increased the expression levels of Talin-2 mRNA. Docetaxel treatment could decrease the expression levels of mir-20, Talin-2, and MMP-2 mRNA levels while increasing the expression levels of mir-126, mir-194, and mir-30. Additionally, the combined treatment of MKN-45 cells with LA and docetaxel could reduce the expression levels of mir-20 and mir-126 and increased the expression levels of mir-194, mir-30, Talin-2, and MMP-2 mRNAs., Conclusion: Modulation of the expression levels of gastric cancer involved microRNAs, Talin-2, and MMP-2 may be a mechanism through which LA may exert its biological effects on GC cell line MKN-45. LA may have an antimetastatic effect by reducing the MMP-2 expression and pro-angiogenic effect through increasing Talin-2 expression levels., (Copyright© 2024 Elieh-Ali-Komi et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: As dyslipidemia is a preventable risk factor for Coronary heart disease (CHD), precise estimation of its prevalence and determinants is crucial for proper development of health actions. This population-based study aimed at investigating the socioeconomic, dietary and psychological determinants of dyslipidemia in Iran., Methods: The data (n=700) for this study were collected in 2015 as a part of the major Lifestyle Promotion Project (LPP) conducted in East Azerbaijan (urban and regional parts). The data for socio-demographic status, dietary information, and physical activity and anxiety levels were collected through validated questionnaires. Then, physical examinations including blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and conicity index were performed. The levels of serum lipids were measured by enzymatic colorimetric methods., Results: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, high LDL-C, hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL-C and dyslipidemia was 29.4%, 10.3%, 62.3%, 41.4%, 83.3% respectively. The mean TC (184.3±41.2 vs. 174.5±38.1 mg/dl), LDL-C (94.6±30.3 vs. 88.1±28.7 mg/dl) and HDL-C (46.7±10.4 vs. 39.5±8.0 mg/dl) in women were significantly higher than men ( P <0.05). However, the mean of TG (182.3±119.3 vs. 145.1±87.8 mg/dl) was significantly higher in men compared to women ( P <0.05). Obesity, family history of dyslipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, smoking habits, salt intake, and anxiety were risk factors for different components of dyslipidemia in men and women., Conclusion: Dyslipidemia is a major health problem in northwest of Iran. Focusing on screening, regular drug intake, proper nutrition, physical activity, and changing lifestyles of patients with dyslipidemia are essential., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interests The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests.

Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a leading cause of congenital infection in neonates. Most infants with congenital CMV infection are asymptomatic at birth and not diagnosed on routine clinical examination. To identify these at-risk infants early in life, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are done to screen large populations of newborn infants., Objective: We carried out a pilot study to estimate the prevalence of CMV in saliva from newborns by DNA PCR assay., Methods: This study was performed from January 2012 to March 2012 at a maternity hospital in the south of Tehran. All newborns aged between 1 to 14 days born at this hospital were enrolled. Saliva specimens from newborns were collected by swabbing the inside of the baby's mouth and stored at -70 degrees C until PCR processing for virus detection., Results: Six-hundred and twenty infants between 1 to 14 days of age were enrolled during the study period of two months. The PCR assay was positive for CMV in 2 newborns [0.3%]. Both of these infants were asymptomatic for congenital CMV at birth and also when followed up at three months and six months of age., Conclusions: Our findings reveal that because of a low yield of positive results, screening for congenital CMV infection would not be cost-effective in Iranian neonates.

The surface activity and the rheological properties of aqueous solutions of the amphiphilic block copolymer poly(n-butyl acrylate)-block-poly(acrylic acid) (PnBA-b-PAA) were studied as a function of the degree of neutralization, alpha, of the poly(acrylic acid) block. Although the block copolymer spontaneously forms spherical micelles having a stretched PAA corona and a collapsed PnBA core in water for alpha > 0.1, the solutions do not exhibit any surface activity at this degree of neutralization. Cryo-TEM micrographs show that the radii of the hydrophobic core of the largest micelles are as long as the length of the hydrophobic chain. The micelles, however, have a broad size distribution, and on average, as shown by SANS, the micelles are only about half as long. At concentrations as low as 1 wt %, the solutions exhibit highly viscoelastic behavior and have a yield stress value depending on alpha. The globular micelles are highly ordered in the bulk phase, and the viscoelastic properties are a result of the dense packing of the micelles. The addition of salt or cationic surfactants dramatically decreases the viscosity of the solution. The observed properties seem to be due to electrostatic interactions between the PAA chains of the micelles.