Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences最新文献

{"title":"Regulatory Roles of MicroRNAs in Female and Male Human Reproduction: A Narrative Review.","authors":"Mohadeseh Khoshandam, Leila Naserpour, Mohammad Taghi Hedayati Goudarzi, Hossein Soltaninejad, Hadi Zare-Zardini, Ashraf Alsadat Hoseiny, Neda Golpar Raboki, Elahe Sadat Mousavi, Mohammad Ali Salami","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104375.3797","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104375.3797","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in human reproduction represents an area of research, as these regulatory molecules appear to play essential roles in reproductive function. However, the current understanding of miRNAs' regulatory mechanisms in male and female reproduction remains incomplete, with considerable contradictory evidence in the literature. This targeted review aimed to analyze high-quality studies published to date on miRNA expression patterns in female and male reproduction to elucidate their biological roles and associations with infertility, thereby updating knowledge in this field. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted using different electronic databases and search engines, including PubMed Central, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar from the earliest available records up to 2023. This search identified 18,100 articles related to miRNA expression in infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and biomarkers, of which 72 met our criteria for further analysis. The findings of the present study revealed that specific, stable miRNA populations exist in different tissues and cells, potentially influencing spermatogenesis and oogenesis. The extensive review of studies suggested a consistent relationship between aberrant miRNA expression patterns and infertility. Consequently, the miRNAs identified in this review might serve as valuable biomarkers for both male and female infertility and could lead to the development of novel and specialized treatments. This manuscript has been released as a preprint at Authorea: (https://doi.org/10.22541/au.169609839.97787658/v1).</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"588-596"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449584/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cytomegalovirus Detection by PCR on Fresh and Formalin-Fixed Colon Tissue Biopsies of Children with Colitis: A Prospective Cohort Study.","authors":"Sajjadeh Movahedinia, Farzaneh Hosseini Gharalari, Zohreh Nozarian, Hosein Alimadadi, Farzaneh Motamed, Mohsen Pourebrahimi, Parisa Rahmani, Moeinadin Safavi, Mohammad Vasei","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.103842.3741","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.103842.3741","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in biopsies relies on detecting classic viral cytopathic effects (CPE) in tissue. These effects are not always apparent, and confirmatory tests are necessary. This study aimed to compare the results of the different diagnostic tests for CMV detection in colitis, including PCR on fresh and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue, immunohistochemistry (IHC), histology, and plasma PCR, in association with the clinical course.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this prospective study, CMV-PCR was performed on fresh tissue (FT) and FFPE tissue, and IHC was conducted on colon biopsies from 153 children with colitis referred to Children Medical Center Hospital (Tehran, Iran) from 2015 to 2019. The results of different diagnostic methods were evaluated in association with the clinical and histopathological findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty out of 153 (32%) cases had positive FT-CMV PCR. Forty of these fifty positive samples and 21 of 103 negative ones had concomitant FFPE biopsy tissue. FFPE-PCR and IHC were positive in 17 (42.5 %) and 2 (5%) out of 40 FT-PCR-positive cases, respectively. The two IHC-positive cases had positive FFPE-PCR and high CMV-DNA plasma levels and showed histologically active colitis and CPE. Remarkably, 14 (35%) cases were identified with positive FT-PCR without any evidence of colitis in histopathology. During follow-up, FT-PCR-positive inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cases treated with antiviral drugs showed a poorer outcome than the non-treated cases (P=0.03).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A high positive rate was observed for both FT- and FFPE-CMV PCR, with a poor association with histology. IHC positivity was associated with high plasma CMV DNA levels and the presence of CPE. The efficacy of anti-CMV treatment in colitis cases should be verified through randomized controlled clinical trials. A preprint version of this article is available online at doi: 10.22541/au.168052684.43457923/v1.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"618-629"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449586/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113113","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Functional Polymorphisms of Apoptotic <i>BAX</i> (-248G>A) and Anti-Apoptotic <i>BCL2</i> (-938C>A) Genes in the Development of Vitiligo: A Cross-sectional Study.","authors":"Afrooz Daneshparvar, Iman Jamhiri, Farhad Handjani, Nasrin Hamidizadeh","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104043.3750","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104043.3750","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Vitiligo is an autoimmune skin disorder in which apoptosis plays an exceptionally vital role in its occurrence. Research has shown a strong association between the presence of polymorphisms and the occurrence of diseases. This study aimed to determine the association of <i>BAX</i>-248G>A and <i>BCL2</i>-938C>A polymorphisms with vitiligo.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study utilized the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (ARMS PCR) in a cohort of vitiligo patients referred to the esteemed dermatology department of Shahid Faqihi Hospital in Shiraz between 2022 and 2023. The Chi square test and <i>t</i> test were used to analyze data, and logistic regression was employed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for vitiligo risk associated with <i>BAX</i>-248G>A, <i>BCL2</i>-938 C>A polymorphisms. P values<0.05 indicated statistical significance.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>From 112 healthy individuals and 107 vitiligo patients, our research uncovered a significant association between the C allele (<i>BCL2</i>-938C>A) and the chance of vitiligo, with the CC genotype increasing the risk of developing this disease (OR=2.59, 95% CI=1.66-4.05, P<0.001). We also found that in individuals with the GG genotype (<i>BAX</i>-248G>A), the risk of vitiligo is higher (OR=4.576, 95% CI=1.19-17.60, P=0.027). Parental kinship was strongly correlated with vitiligo (OR=1.83, 95% CI=1.00-3.33, P=0.048). Moreover, no significant association was observed between smoking and vitiligo.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results showed that <i>BCL2</i>-938C>A and <i>BAX</i>-248G>A polymorphisms may play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and can be used as prognosis markers. However, further studies in larger groups and different populations are needed.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"630-637"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449581/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113061","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Supratrochlear Foramen in Iron Age Humerus Remains from Iran: A Paleoepidemiological Case Report.","authors":"Jafar Rezaian, Mohammad Reza Namavar","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.105084.3872","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.105084.3872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The supratrochlear foramen of the humerus (septal aperture) refers to the absence of the septum between the coronoid and olecranon fossae at the distal end of the humerus. Knowledge of this anatomical variation is important for anatomists, anthropologists, orthopedic surgeons, and radiologists in clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate non-metric anatomical traits in skeletons discovered in an Iron Age cemetery in Tabriz. To date, multiple tombs have been uncovered beneath one meter of sterile soil, covered by a substantial layer of medieval building debris. Among the 40 adult skeletons found in this cemetery, no prior scientific data on burials in this area had been collected. This study documented the presence of a supratrochlear foramen in both humeri of a female skeleton from this Iron Age site in Tabriz (Iran). The bilateral incidence of this trait was 2.5%, which was lower than reported in previous anthropological studies. Notably, this is the first documented case in Iran comparable to European and white American populations. The closure of this foramen serves as a criterion of age estimation in sub-adult humans. Given existing reports on its clinical implications, greater attention should be paid to this diversity, particularly in Iran. The findings might prove valuable not only for anatomists and anthropologists but also for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"649-653"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449582/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comprehensive Genomic Characterization of a Drug-Resistant <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Clinical Isolate in Iraq Using Whole Genome Sequencing.","authors":"Sarah M S Alsallameh, Hamzah Abdulrahman Salman, Khattab Al-Khafaji, Ozgur Kuzukiran","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104391.3799","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104391.3799","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> is a Gram-negative encapsulated opportunistic pathogen, which presents a major threat to public health due to its ability for multi-antibiotic drug resistance. It is responsible for 30% of Gram-negative bacterial infections, including nosocomial infections, pneumonia, septicemia, and urinary tract infections. The study aimed to analyze the key phenotypic and genetic features of clinical <i>K. pneumoniae</i> isolates.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between 2022 and 2023, a total of 91 strains of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> were collected from Al-Imamian Al-Kadhimiyain Medical City (IKMC) and characterized using the VITEK-2 technique. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was employed to characterize the extreme drug-resistant strain. The whole genome was extracted and sequenced using the Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technique. The genome of our bacterial isolate was analyzed using different bioinformatics tools such as Galaxy workflow, SPAdes, PROKKA, and Staramr.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis identified <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> serotype K36:O2a and sequencing type ST-437, containing 15 different plasmids carrying 54 resistance genes and more than 100 virulence genes with one region of CRISPR and no <i>Cas</i>. The sample obtained four intact bacteriophages and two questionable ones. Seven insertion sequences were revealed in the analysis as part of Other Mobile Genetic Elements (OMG). Additionally, the 16SrRNA phylogenetic tree identified a higher relationship of the bacteria to the strains from the USA and India than from Iraq.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is the first study in Iraq to utilize WGS to comprehensively characterize an opportunistic pathogen. The study emphasizes the need for WGS to track the development of resistance and virulence patterns in clinical strains of <i>K. pneumoniae</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"638-648"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rosuvastatin for Improving Fetal Growth Restriction in Pregnant Women: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Maryam Kasraeian, Fatemeh Askari, Homeira Vafaei, Nasrin Asadi, Azam Faraji, Khadijeh Bazrafshan, Marjan Zare","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.103806.3721","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.103806.3721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Fetal growth restriction (FGR) results from uteroplacental insufficiency and currently lacks an absolute cure. Statins may offer therapeutic potential by addressing this insufficiency. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of rosuvastatin in improving the perinatal outcomes in FGR pregnancies.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 78 FGR pregnancies referred to tertiary centers affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Shiraz, Iran) from January 21, 2023, to March 21, 2023. The participants were randomly divided into two groups using the block randomization method to receive either 5 mg rosuvastatin or placebo daily from FGR diagnosis until delivery. Evaluated outcomes included birth weight, umbilical artery pulsatile index reduction, fetal weight gain, vaginal delivery rate, preterm birth (PTB) incidence, 5-min Apgar score <7, neonatal death, neonatal intensive care unit admission, intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, necrotizing enterocolitis, and preeclampsia. The data were analyzed using regression models, reporting mean difference (95% CI), frequency (relative frequency), and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (OR [95% CI]). Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 34 subjects in the rosuvastatin group and 44 subjects in the placebo group, with no significant differences in baseline characteristics. However, the rosuvastatin group showed significantly better outcomes in birth weight (276.27 g, 95% CI=32.61-519.93, OR=1.002, 95% CI=1-1.003), umbilical artery pulsatililty index reduction (0.21 g, 95% CI=0.00-0.43, OR=6.600, 95% CI=1.680-25.930), fetal weight gain (312.51 g, 95% CI=90.50-534.52, OR=1.001, 95% CI=1-1.002), and vaginal delivery rate (6/34 [17.6%] vs. 1/44 [2.3%]; OR=9.210, 95% CI=1.050-80.680). Additionally, the rosuvastatin group had significantly lower PTB rates (15/34 [44.10%] vs. 30/44 [68.20%]; OR=0.370, 95% CI=0.150-0.930). Neonatal health status showed no significant differences between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Rosuvastatin demonstrated improved perinatal outcomes in FGR pregnancies without adverse neonatal effects.<b>Trial Registration Number:</b> IRCT20140317017035N8.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"607-617"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113081","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of Therapy Reminder Application on Treatment Adherence in Adults with Beta-Thalassemia Major: A Randomized Clinical Trial.","authors":"Fatemeh Mehrabadi, Mahdieh Arian, Zahra Badiee","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104207.3783","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.104207.3783","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Non-adherence to treatment in patients with beta-thalassemia major (BTM) presents a significant challenge in effective disease management. This study aimed to assess the effect of a therapy reminder application (app) on treatment adherence in adult patients with BTM in Mashhad in 2024.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized clinical trial was conducted in 2024 at a thalassemia clinic affiliated with Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Mashhad, Iran). Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, using permuted block randomization, with concealed allocation. The intervention group used the ThalaMe therapy reminder app for 8 weeks (February-July 2024), while the control group received standard care. Medication adherence was measured using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) and the Chronic Disease Treatment Adherence Questionnaire (CDTAQ) before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software, using paired <i>t</i> tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for within-group comparisons and independent <i>t</i> tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for between-group comparisons. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study included 76 adult patients with BTM, equally distributed between the intervention and control groups (n=38 each). Baseline measurements showed no significant differences between groups in either MMAS-8 scores (P=0.75) or CDTAQ scores (P=0.11). The MMAS-8 was inversely scored, with lower scores indicating higher adherence. Following the 8-week intervention period, the group using the ThalaMe app demonstrated significantly better adherence outcomes (1.05±0.78) than the controls (2.92±1.4, P<0.001). The intervention group had significantly higher CDTAQ scores (185.5±8.07) than the control group (151.79±27.08, P<0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The therapy reminder app significantly enhanced medication adherence and treatment management in patients with BTM, while simultaneously enhancing patient and family engagement through counseling.<b>Trial Registration Number:</b> IRCT20240222061079N1.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"597-606"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449585/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Challenges in Diagnosing Post-COVID Pneumonia in Kazakhstan - The Role of Point-of-Care Testing: A Letter to the Editor.","authors":"Nurgul Ablakimova, Svetlana Rachina, Gaziza Smagulova, Aigul Mussina, Svetlana Sakhanova, Daniya Smagulova, Sarkyt Kozhantayeva, Heshan Radeesha de Silva","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.105571.3939","DOIUrl":"10.30476/ijms.2025.105571.3939","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 9","pages":"654-657"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12449587/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145113085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of Sociodemographic, Clinical, and Genetic Factors and <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> on Premature Birth Outcomes in Women from Kazakhstan: A Case-Control Study.","authors":"Gulmira Zhurabekova, Aru Balmagambetova, Zhibek Oralkhan, Maygul Sarsenova, Guliya Toichiyeva, Nazym Altynbay, Azhar Malik, Kuanysh Tastambek, Akzhenis Berdalinova","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.102996.3613","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.30476/ijms.2025.102996.3613","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Premature birth (delivery before 37 weeks of gestation) is a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Specific genetic polymorphisms were associated with immune and inflammatory pathways that might contribute to its pathogenesis. This study investigated the associations between preterm birth and sociodemographic indicators, clinical outcomes, genetic polymorphisms, and microbial factors in Kazakh women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This case-control study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023. It enrolled women with preterm and full-term births in Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan. Data included sociodemographic, clinical variables, genotyping (<i>TLR2 rs4986790</i> and <i>MBL2 rs11003125</i>), and microbial data. The quantification of <i>Fusobacterium nucleatum</i> (<i>F. nucleatum</i>) in saliva samples was performed using TaqMan real-time PCR. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS software (version 26), employing independent sample <i>t</i> tests, Chi square tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and logistic regression. The level of significance was set at P<0.05.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sociodemographic analysis showed no significant differences between the studied groups, except for a higher prevalence of previous preterm birth in the case group. Clinical comparisons revealed significantly lower gestational age at delivery, reduced newborn weight and height, decreased placental weight and dimensions, lower hemoglobin levels, and erythrocyte counts in preterm cases. Genetic analysis demonstrated that all women with preterm labor carried the homozygous AA genotype of <i>TLR299</i> rs4986790, while the GG genotype and the G allele of the <i>MBL2</i> rs11003125 gene were predominant in this group. Furthermore, the quantitative analysis identified significantly higher <i>F. nucleatum</i> levels associated with premature birth, highlighting a potential microbial role in its pathogenesis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These findings suggested that a history of preterm birth, specific genetic polymorphisms, and microbial factors collectively were associated with an increased risk of preterm birth.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 8","pages":"556-569"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12374060/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144954548","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-Fibrotic Effect of Tacrolimus on Preventing Adhesion after Achilles Tendon Surgery in a Murine Model.","authors":"Seyedeh Elnaz Nazari, Elnaz Ghorbani, Abdulridha Mohammed Al-Asady, Sayyed-Hadi Sayyed-Hosseinian, Farzad Rahmani, Ehsan Vahedi, Amir Avan, Mohammad-Mostafa Askarnia-Faal, Hamideh Naimi, Majid Khazaei, Seyed Mahdi Hassanian","doi":"10.30476/ijms.2025.102711.3587","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.30476/ijms.2025.102711.3587","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Peritendinous adhesion as a common post-surgical complication usually occurs as a result of a large portion of sports and hard job-related injuries. This study aims to evaluate the repurposed potential of the immunosuppressive approved drug, tacrolimus, in decreasing adhesion band formation post-Achilles tendon surgeries in an animal model.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Rats were randomly assigned to four groups control, sham with surgical intervention but no adhesion, positive control group with surgical transection and adhesion received no treatment, tacrolimus group was the same as the positive control group except that rats were treated with 2 mg/Kg/day tacrolimus orally for 21 days. The anti-inflammatory and fibrinolytic properties of oral tacrolimus treatment in attenuating the formation of adhesion bands were analyzed by One-way ANOVA or the Kruskal-Wallis test.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Tacrolimus decreased the length (P=0.001), density (P=0.001), grading (P=0.023), severity (P=0.001), and thickness (P=0.008) of post-surgical adhesion bands compared to the untreated group. Histopathological changes and recruitment of inflammatory cells to the tendon tissue sections were attenuated in the tacrolimus-treated group (P=0.001) in comparison with the positive control group. Compared to the untreated group, tacrolimus treatment decreased the expression of IL-1β (P=0.059) in the tendon tissue, but the difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, tacrolimus elicited anti-fibrotic responses by reducing the expression of tissue growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the tendon and inhibiting collagen deposition, fibrosis quantity (P=0.001), fibrosis grading (P=0.001), and total fibrosis scores (P=0.001), as visualized by Masson's trichrome staining.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>These results support the protective properties of tacrolimus in decreasing post-operative adhesion band formation in the animal model.</p>","PeriodicalId":14510,"journal":{"name":"Iranian Journal of Medical Sciences","volume":"50 8","pages":"570-580"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2025-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12374057/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144954523","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}