In September 2008, Iran's Minister of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education, Dr. Lankarani, called TUMS a pioneer in research throughout the country with a noticeable lead over its peer universities.Located in Tehran adjacent to the main University of Tehran campus, it was founded as part of Dar ol-Fonoon in 1851, and later absorbed into the University of Tehran in 1934. It finally separated from University of Tehran by parliamentary legislation in 1986, coming under the new Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education.TUMS is ranked as one of Iran's top research universities, with an annual research budget of over 300 billion Rials from the government. The school trains over 13,000 students (40% of whom are women) in approximately 290 undergraduate, graduate and non-degree (short-course) programs. The university has 11 schools, operates 16 teaching hospitals, is equipped with over 44 libraries, and publishes 58 journals, some in collaboration with academic societies.The university operates The National Museum of Medical Sciences History as well.
Cobalt is an essential trace element in biochemistry that plays a crucial role in the structure and function of several important biomolecules. In this review, vitamin B12 is discussed as one of the best-known examples in this area. Various forms of this vitamin, including methylcobalamin and adenosylcobalamin, play a crucial role in metabolic reactions in mammals and prokaryotes. It also discusses cobalt-containing enzymes that are essential for various biological processes. These enzymes are B12-dependent enzymes, which are well studied, and cobalt-containing enzymes, which are less well known, such as methionine aminopeptidase, nitrile hydratase, glucose isomerase, and prolidase. In addition to the significant role of cobalt complexes in biochemistry, these complexes are considered potent anticancer agents that can exert their antiproliferative effects through the production of ROS, cell cycle arrest, MMP breakdown, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells. Cobalt complexes are also being explained here for their antimicrobial properties against a variety of pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Furthermore, examples of these complexes are presented as promising agents for the suppression of AD, which could be effective by binding to Aβ-peptides and preventing their aggregation, which is a central feature of the pathogenesis of AD, or by combating the oxidative damage associated with the disease, or even by interfering with the enzyme activities associated with this disease. Finally, the challenges related to the toxicity of cobalt and its compounds in medicine are discussed, and chelation therapy is considered an effective treatment for cobalt poisoning.
Abstract Retinoblastoma (RB) is a primary cancer of the eye that predominantly affects children, although rare adult cases have been reported. This malignancy arises from immature retinal cells and is a major cause of vision loss in the pediatric population. In advanced stages, RB can spread to the brain and other organs. The primary driver of this disease is mutations in the RB1 tumor suppressor gene; however, the full development and advancement of RB necessitate further genetic and epigenetic changes beyond RB1 inactivation. Epigenetic alterations in RB involve various mechanisms, with non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) playing a crucial role in tumor progression. Dysregulation of various ncRNA classes, including microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), has been extensively documented, highlighting their contribution to the complexity and progression of the disease. The present study aims to collect a series of previously published studies exploring the contribution of ncRNAs in RB and their potential application as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as considering them as valuable targets in the treatment of RB. It will also address the challenges encountered during this pathway.
Differentiating Alzheimer's disease (AD) from frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remains a major clinical challenge, particularly in early disease stages when phenotypic overlap is common and in later stages when cortical degeneration becomes widespread. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides a widely available, non-invasive framework for assessing region-specific brain atrophy patterns associated with these disorders. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on MRI-based approaches for distinguishing FTD from AD across disease stages. FTD, particularly the behavioral variant, is characterized by early and prominent degeneration of frontal and anterior temporal networks, frequently with hemispheric asymmetry and early behavioral change, including apathy as a core feature. In contrast, AD typically demonstrates a posterior-predominant pattern, with medial temporal and temporoparietal atrophy reflecting a posterior-to-anterior trajectory, while frontal involvement emerges later except in atypical variants. Quantitative MRI techniques, including voxel-based morphometry, cortical thickness analysis, and asymmetry indices, together with validated visual rating scales, enhance the detection of these spatial patterns. Fluid-attenuated inversion recovery imaging supports interpretation by identifying vascular burden, and complementary biomarkers, including FDG-PET, cerebrospinal fluid, and blood-based markers, provide molecular and functional context in diagnostically ambiguous cases. The diagnostic specificity of frontal atrophy is greatest in early stages and decreases as AD and FTD converge anatomically in moderate to advanced disease. Accurate differential diagnosis, therefore, requires a stage-aware, integrative framework that combines structural MRI with longitudinal clinical assessment, neuropsychological profiling, and biomarker information. Structural MRI remains the cornerstone of differentiation, with regional atrophy patterns interpreted within a broader clinical and biological context rather than in isolation.
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.
The use of Exosomes (EXOs) to induce the regeneration of hair follicles has received much attention today. The present study was conducted to survey the effects of Citrus limon-derived EXOs (EXO-CLs) on promoting hair growth. EXOs were isolated from citrus limon by the filtration technique. According to NanoSight DynamicLight Scattering and Scanning Electron Microscopy, the extracted EXOs had a size of 147 nm and a spherical morphology. The flow cytometry analysis showed the expression of surface markers CD9 (64.6
