Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences (بقيةالله lit. What is Left ˹as a Lawful Gain˺ by Allah) (BMSU) is a public and special medical university in Tehran, Iran.The BMSU was founded in 1994 as the primary medical institution for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The BMSU as well as the Institute of Research for Military Medicine (Persian: پژوهشكده طب رزمي) is operated by the IRGC and currently trains students up to Ph.D.The BMSU operates three hospitals, among them the large Baqiyatallah Hospital near Vanak, Tehran, as well as a dental hospital.The Baghiyyatollah hospital and University are established by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (Sepah Pasdaran military organisation)..
Occult hepatitis B virus Infection (OBI) is a form of hepatitis B virus (HBV) persistence that is not accompanied by the presence of circulating HBsAg. It is generally defined as the presence of replication-competent viral DNA, mostly covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), in hepatocytes. Although viral load is low and serum markers are typically undetectable, OBI has clinical significance due to its association with transmission, reactivation under immunosuppression, HCV replicative levels, and the progression of liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The presence of cccDNA, a stable episomal minichromosome sustained through epigenetic regulation and immune evasion mechanisms, forms the basis for viral evasion of immune clearance and diagnostic detection. The molecular drivers of OBI involve complex interactions among three key factors: viral genetic mutations (particularly in the S region), epigenetic modifications (including cytosine methylation and histone modifications), and host immune responses that are often weakened or exhausted. This review integrates current knowledge regarding these molecular pathways and their contributions to OBI's persistence, reactivation, and associated diseases. A comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms is essential for improving diagnostic approaches, developing targeted therapies, and ultimately achieving the eradication of HBV in this resistant form of infection.
In this study we report a structured, evidence-based treatment protocol for ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) by integrating findings from a systematic literature review with expert clinical insights. We performed a two-step methodology. First, a comprehensive systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies on OSSN treatment. Articles were screened based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Next, a focused group discussion was conducted with expert ophthalmologists to develop a consensus-driven treatment protocol. Discussions were transcribed and thematically analyzed to identify key recommendations for treatment selection and follow-up strategies. Based on the literature review and expert panel consensus, a structured treatment protocol was developed. Surgical treatment is recommended in cases with uncertainty regarding the diagnosis, resource limitations, exclusive corneal involvement, and poor patient compliance with medical treatment or follow-up. Medical treatment with interferon α-2b or 5-fluorouracil is preferred in other scenarios, with agent selection based on side-effect profile and medication availability. Adjuvant therapy is advised when surgical margins are involved. Furthermore, a standardized follow-up schedule is proposed, ensuring long-term monitoring for recurrence. In conclusion, this protocol provides a structured, adaptable framework for OSSN treatment, offering clear guidelines for selecting the appropriate treatment strategy. By balancing evidence-based recommendations with clinical considerations, this protocol aims to optimize patient outcomes.
Exercise and probiotic supplementation are often investigated together as lifestyle-type strategies that may influence metabolic liver injury, but their combined effects on hepatic gene expression require further clarification. This paper investigates the impact of 6 weeks of aerobic exercise (AE) and probiotic administration on changes in the liver genes Asprosin, betaterophin, Leap-2, and ORM2 in a high-fat diet (HFD) rat model. This experimental research used 32 male Wistar rats (8 weeks), assigned to HFD, HFD + AE, HFD + probiotic, and HFD + AE + probiotic groups. Rats in the HFD group received a 2-month high-fat diet, while animals in the aerobic exercise groups had to run on a rodent treadmill for 6 weeks, 5 days per week. The probiotic groups received Bifidobacterium bifidum BB-12 by gavage at 109 CFU/ml after each aerobic exercise session. The real-time PCR method was utilized for gene expression measurement of asprosin, betaterophin, Leap-2, and ORM2 in the liver. The results showed that asprosin, betaterophin, and Leap-2 significantly decreased in all treatment groups (HFD + AE, HFD + probiotic, and HFD + AE + probiotic) compared to the HFD group (p < 0.05). However, the combined intervention yielded greater reductions than individual treatments, particularly for ORM2 (p < 0.05 vs. singles). In fact, liver ORM2 significantly declined in the HFD + AE + Pro animals compared to the HFD (p = 0.0025), the HFD + AE (p = 0.0266), and the HFD + Pro (p = 0.0176). Lifestyle modifications, such as exercise and dietary probiotics, may be effective strategies to mitigate liver-related metabolic disorders.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Middle East and North Africa represents a significant issue with both clinical and societal implications. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) linked to IPV against women in these regions, using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021. The prevalence, incidence, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and Years of Life Lost (YLLs) associated with MDD were analyzed across all ages for the period from 1990 to 2021. DALYs due to MDD specifically attributed to intimate partner violence (IPV) against women were assessed and further broken down by country and age group. Results were presented in absolute counts as well as estimates per 100,000 population, accompanied by a 95
PURPOSE:In the last few decades, increasing microbial resistance to common antibiotics has attracted researchers' attention to the development of new classes of antibiotics such as antimicrobial peptides. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was to evaluate antimicrobial effects of the CM11 peptide alone and combined with common antibiotics against drug-resistant isolates of Brucella melitensis. METHODOLOGY:A total of 50 pathogenic samples of B. melitensis were isolated from patients and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern was evaluated by E-test. Then, the synergistic reaction of the peptide with selected antibiotics was evaluated using a chequerboard procedure. RESULTS:Based on the susceptibility pattern of isolates, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, streptomycin and co-trimoxazole were used for synergistic study. According to the results, synergic effect was observed for streptomycin and co-trimoxazole in combination with the peptide while ciprofloxacin and rifampin showed partial synergy and additive effect, respectively. Consistent with these results, in the time-killing assay, a decrease in colony counts for streptomycin-peptide and co-trimoxazole-peptide was >2 Log10 while for ciprofloxacin-peptide and rifampin-peptide it was about 1.5 Log10 and <2 Log10, which represents synergy, partial synergy and additive interaction, respectively. CONCLUSION:These results showed that by antibiotic-CM11 combination, their effective dose can be reduced particularly for drug-resistant isolates. In conclusion, considering the importance of brucellosis caused by B. melitensis in the Middle East beside reports on antibiotic resistance strains, especially against rifampin, which may literally lead to an increase in resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in endemic areas, our findings can be used to develop a suitable alternative treatment for brucellosis, and with less risk.
