Arch Iran Med
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Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often experience hyper-inflammatory reactions, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), blood clotting, and organ damage. The most prominent immunopathology of advanced COVID-19 is cytokine release syndrome, or "cytokine storm" which is attributed to a defect of immune-regulating mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as one of the main cells that maintain immune homeostasis. ⋯ Regulatory T cells can be one of the determinants of disease severity and prognosis in patients with COVID-19 by inhibiting rampant inflammation and preventing cytokine storms.
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In the last two decades, the simple low-cost abdominal ultrasound (US) examination for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis was displaced by very expensive and not readily available modern imaging systems like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan and transient elastography. The aim of this study is to evaluate and emphasize the potential of US for diagnosis of advanced liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. ⋯ The simple US examination, alone or combined with lab data, is able to diagnose advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis with excellent accuracy, making the use of other modern imaging modalities unnecessary.
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Although investigating the probable side effects of post intraoperative radiotherapy wound fluid secretion (PIWFS) is crucial, especially in clinical cases, no report has been published on the effect of PIWFS on the remaining tumor cells (in the vital state) in cavity side margins or surrounding regions. These tumor cells might be directly/indirectly exposed to intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT). Here, for the first time, we investigated the effect of PIWFS on tumor cells of the same patient extracted from the excised tumor in the spheroid form. ⋯ Although the radiation-induced bystander effect may have a role in this observation, further experiments must be done to better clarify the probable desired or non-desired effects of post-IORT secretion for both the remaining tumor cells and the surrounding immune cells.
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The financing function within a health system is considered inherently complex, so it is of utmost importance to design a suitable future for this system given uncertainties and complexities of the environment. With regard to the current and future complicated conditions, health system financing is also likely to succeed if it can anticipate the impacts of effective factors in the future and further plan appropriate interventions ahead of time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to develop scenarios for the health system financing in Iran. ⋯ The best scenario identified in this study based on the degree of adaptation included the use of massive technology and oil sales, mediocre economic conditions with high probability of occurrence, strong leadership and advocacy, high regional security, as well as bureaucracy and low corruption with medium probability of occurrence.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of death due to cancer. Liver transplantation, surgical liver resection, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are the main options for the treatment of HCC. However, these methods are unable to limit the growth, survival, and metastasis of HCC cells. ⋯ The anti-cancer effects of molecular agents can be evaluated directly in animal models or indirectly through the injection of HCC cell lines treated with anti-cancer agents. Targeting cancer-specific signaling pathways with miRNAs can be novel therapeutic strategies against HCC. This study provides the latest findings on using miRNAs in the control of HCC in both in vitro and in vivo models.