伊朗医科大学

Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly types of cancer in women, and its treatment is associated with several challenges, including drug resistance, drug side effects, and inadequate targeting of cancer cells. In recent years, the use of exosomes as natural drug carriers has attracted much attention due to their properties such as high biocompatibility, ability to cross biological barriers, and ability to target specific cells. Targeted exosomes, by surface modification and loading of chemotherapeutic drugs, regulatory RNAs, and other therapeutic molecules, enable more effective drug delivery and reduce systemic toxicity. This review article will examine the role of targeted exosomes in improving drug delivery in breast cancer in a narrative manner. First, the structure and biological properties of exosomes and different drug loading methods are described. Then, the preclinical and clinical applications of exosomes in the delivery of various drugs and their effects on cancer cells and cancer stem cells are reviewed. The main challenges in the use of exosomes are also discussed, including standardization of isolation and detection methods, precise control of drug loading, unfavorable stability and biodistribution, and issues related to mass production and safety. Finally, the future prospects of this field are discussed, focusing on novel exosome engineering technologies, combination with immunotherapies, and development of more precise targeting methods. This review shows that targeted exosomes have great potential to improve the efficacy of breast cancer therapies, but further research and resolution of technical and clinical challenges are required for widespread clinical entry.

Abstract Background Consistent force output is a critical indicator of the neuromuscular system’s effectiveness. Although force signals inherently fluctuate, the ability of skeletal muscles to generate accurate and steady force offers insights into the system’s adaptability and its ability to adjust motor control strategies to meet task demands. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize evidence on quadriceps force control in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and/or surgical reconstruction (ACLR). Additionally, it sought to explore the relationship between force control measures and physical function outcomes. Methods A literature search was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus. Risk of bias was assessed using the adapted Newcastle-Ottawa tool. The study included individuals with unilateral ACL injury and/or ACLR, with comparisons to uninjured controls or unaffected contralateral limbs. Primary outcomes included torque quality, force accuracy, and force/torque steadiness, while secondary outcomes included function-related clinical questionnaires and performance tests. Eligible studies consisted of observational studies and baseline data from interventional studies published in English. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using a random effects meta-analysis. Results A total of 33 studies were included, comprising 20 individuals with ACLR, 12 with ACL injuries, and one with both. The meta-analysis showed significant effects of ACL injury (SMD = 0.84) and ACLR (SMD = 1.57) on quadriceps torque frequency content. Individuals with ACLR had a greater root mean squared error (RMSE) or absolute error (AE) in force output compared to healthy controls (SMD = 0.35) and exhibited a significant difference in the coefficient of variation (CoV) of the force signal (SMD = 0.22), indicating impaired force control in those with ACLR. Conclusions ACL injury impairs quadriceps force control in the injured limb, as shown by torque frequency content analysis. While ACL reconstruction is the gold standard for joint stability, it may not fully restore neuromuscular function, potentially compromising physical functioning. However, the limited number of high-quality studies may weaken these conclusions. Registration The review protocol was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; registration number: CRD42024571495).

Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), characterized by ovarian dysfunction before age 40, remains idiopathic in over 50

In recent years, temporary skin grafts (TSG) based on natural biopolymers modified with carbon nanostructures have received considerable attention for wound healing. Developments are required to improve physico-mechanical properties of these materials to match to natural skins. Additionally, in-deep pre-clinical examinations are necessary to ensure biological performance and toxicity effect in vivo. In the present work, we show superior acute-wound healing effect of graphene oxide nanosheets embedded in ultrafine biopolymer fibers (60 nm) on adult male rats. Nano-fibrous chitosan-based skin grafts crosslinked by Genepin with physico-mechanical properties close to natural skins were prepared by electrospinning of highly concentrated chitosan- polyvinylpyrrolidone solutions containing graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. No surfactants and organic solvents were utilized to ensure high biocompatibility of the fibrous structure. In vitro evaluations by human skin fibroblast cells including live and dead assay and MTT results show that GO promote cell viability of porous nanofibrous membrane while providing enhanced bactericidal capacity. In vivo studies on rat’s skin determine accelerated healing effect, i.e. a large open wound (1.5 × 1.5 cm2) is fully regenerated after 14-day of post operation while healing is observed for sterile gauze sponge (as the control). Pathological studies support thick dermis formation and complete epithelialization in the presence of 1.5 wt% GO nanosheets. Over 99% wound healing occurs after 21 days for the injury covered with TSG containing 1.5 wt% GO while this would takes weeks for the control. Therefore, the developed materials have a high potential to be used as TSG as pre-clinical testing has shown.

Infertility is a crucial challenge for global health that encompasses economic, psychological, and medical aspects. Besides anatomical contributors to infertility, specific dietary components may influence reproductive outcomes in both men and women through diverse molecular and epigenetic mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the role of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals in male and female infertility using a system biology approach. To address the complex interplay between infertility and nutritional factors, we focused on published studies that explore molecular and systems biology pathways, including those involving nutrigenetics, epigenetics, metabolomics, and gene expression profiling. These studies span both human and animal models and were selected based on their relevance to reproductive outcomes and mechanistic insights. Several nutrients appear to influence infertility through distinct molecular mechanisms. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may exert beneficial effects by modulating the expression of fertility-related genes, while saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are associated with impaired oocyte quality and reproductive dysfunction via altered gene expression and DNA damage. Among micronutrients, increased intake of folate and vitamin D has been linked to improved gamete quality and folliculogenesis in women with infertility. Dietary glutamine and selenium may enhance fertility through their antioxidant properties. Iron demonstrates dual effects, potentially supporting or impairing fertility depending on its role in epigenetic regulation. Dietary intake may influence the risk of infertility through pathways related to nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, and nutri-epigenomics. While current evidence suggests promising nutrient–gene interactions, most findings are derived from small-scale or preclinical studies, highlighting the need for robust human trials.