Impact of hepatitis B and C virus on chronic spontaneous urticaria; potential pathogenic triggers and aggravating factors

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a common dermatological condition characterized by persistent wheals lasting more than six weeks. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), the most prevalent CU subtype, significantly impairs patients\u27 quality of life. Although its precise pathogenesis remains unclear, current evidence implicates multiple factors including immune dysregulation, stress, certain medications, and viral infections in its development and exacerbation. Among infectious triggers, hepatitis B (HBV) and C (HCV) viruses have emerged as potential CSU inducers. These viruses may trigger urticarial symptoms through various mechanisms, particularly immune system activation and cutaneous inflammatory responses. While the exact pathogenic pathways require further elucidation, clinical evidence suggests antiviral therapy may occasionally improve urticarial symptoms. Standard management of virus-associated CSU involves second-generation antihistamines as first-line treatment. For refractory cases, targeted therapies like omalizumab may be considered. Notably, successful HCV eradication has in some cases led to significant CSU improvement, an effect less frequently observed with HBV treatment. This study investigates the association between hepatitis infections and CSU, focusing particularly on elucidating how HBV and HCV could contribute to CSU pathogenesis

Nanoemulsions as emerging antifungal carriers: Potential beyond conventional boundaries

No Abstract

Chest CT scan findings six months after COVID-19 pneumonia: A prospective cross-sectional study

The severity of pulmonary complications in survivors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia is not well understood, but there are concerns about potential long-term effects. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 43 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection and respiratory symptoms were eligible. They were followed-up in Razi Hospital in Rasht, Iran from February 20, 2020, to September 22, 2021. These patients underwent chest CT scans six months after disease onset. The average age of the patients included in this research was 51.72±14.25. Out of the 43 examined patients, 25 patients (58.1%) had no residual radiological manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia (complete recovery), 11 patients (25.6%) had remainingground glass opacities (GGO), and 7 patients (16.3%) had residual lung disease (Sub-pleural line). The statistical test did not show a significant relationship between age groups, gender, underlying diseases, duration of hospitalization, the extent and type of involvement, number of involved lobes, degree of involvement, average preliminary O2 saturation, and the O2 therapy method with the remaining pulmonary radiologic appearances caused by COVID-19 pneumonia. The study’s findings suggest that half of the patients develop chest CT-scan finding, with the most common being GGO followed by subpleural lines. We believe that if patients are followed up for more than six months, it is possible to gradually decrease the residual pulmonary manifestations in their CT scan findings

Concurrent EGFR and KRAS mutations in non-small cell lung cancer: Challenging the paradigm of linear targeted therapy

No abstract

Evaluation of prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia pipientis isolated from Dirofilaria immitis of canids in northern Iran

Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens, two mosquito-borne filarial nematodes, are the primary causes of subcutaneous and cardiopulmonary dirofilariasis in humans and canines. Wolbachia pipientis infection is widespread among arthropods and nematodes globally. One safe, cost-effective, and efficient way to avoid dirofilariasis infections is to eradicate Wolbachia. So, herein we determined the prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of W. pipientis strains isolated from D. immitis of canids in northern Iran. A descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study from March 2019 to April 2020 in Guilan province, north of Iran, was conducted. Sampling consisted of 32 road-killed carnivores (12 Canis familiaris and 20 Canis aureus) were gathered and necropsied for this study. The 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene was the basis for the molecular analysis. D. immitis infection was discovered in 7/20 (35%) of the jackals and 9/12 (75%) of the dogs. The W. pipientis infection was present in all 16 of the infected dogs and jackals. In this study, 16S rRNA sequences had 100% similarity with previously submitted W. pipientis sequences from the USA, Russia, Myanmar, and Italy. This paper hopes to provide a new vision for further studies on the symbiotic relationship between D. immitis and Wolbachia, providing an advance in the therapeutic and diagnostic approach. There is no report of molecular identification for Wolbachia spp. isolated from D. immitis in northern Iran. So, to fill this study gap, herein we determined the prevalence and phylogenetic analysis of W. pipientis strains isolated from D. immitis of canids in northern Iran

Thymoquinone and chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer: Preclinical promise or therapeutic potential?

No Abstract

Bacterial etiology and prevalence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in hospitalized patients: A five-year study in Rasht, Iran

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are among the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections, posing substantial clinical and economic burdens. The increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens further complicates their management, necessitating region-specific surveillance to inform therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to assess the bacterial etiology and antibiotic resistance patterns of CAUTIs over a five-year period in a tertiary referral hospital in northern Iran. A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 158 hospitalized patients diagnosed with CAUTIs from 2018 to 2024 at Razi Educational and Medical Center. Urine samples were processed using standard microbiological techniques, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed via the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) recommended disk diffusion method. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The majority of cases were male (53.3%), with a mean age of 63 ± 14.95 years. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated pathogen (55.7%), followed by Klebsiella spp. (17.7%) and Citrobacter spp. (12%). High resistance rates were observed among Enterobacteriaceae, particularly against cefixime (80.5%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (79.5%), and ciprofloxacin (73.9%) for E. coli. Nitrofurantoin (18.2%) and amikacin (30.2%) with lowest resistance remained the most effective agents. E. coli remains the dominant CAUTI pathogen and exhibits high resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics, underscoring the urgency of local resistance surveillance. Nitrofurantoin and amikacin shows promise as an effective treatment option. These findings highlight the need for targeted antimicrobial stewardship, infection control practices, and continuous regional monitoring to control resistance trends and optimize patient outcomes

From Genes to Treatments: The Role of Genes SERT, DRD2, CHRNA5, and CYP2A6 in Nicotine Craving and Control

without Abstrac

Surveillance of nosocomial infections in kidney and liver transplant recipients in Rasht, Northern Iran

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are at heightened risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to immunosuppressive therapy and frequent exposure to invasive procedures. HAIs, particularly those caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms, remain a major source of morbidity, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality in this population. Despite the global significance of this issue, regional data on post-transplant HAIs and antimicrobial resistance in Northern Iran remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, microbial etiology, and antibiotic resistance patterns of HAIs among kidney and liver transplant recipients at a tertiary referral hospital in Rasht, Iran. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Razi Hospital from March, 2018, to February, 2023. Clinical, microbiological, and demographic data were collected for transplant recipients diagnosed with HAIs ≥48 hours after hospital admission. Among 141 transplant recipients, 14 (9.9%) developed confirmed HAIs. urinary tract infections were the most prevalent (57.1%), followed by bloodstream infections (21.4%), ventilator-associated pneumonia (14.3%), and surgical site infections (7.1%). The most frequently isolated organism was Escherichia coli (42.9%), followed by Staphylococcus spp., Acinetobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., and Klebsiella spp. (each 14.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed diverse resistance patterns among the isolated organisms; however, the rates of drug resistance among Gram-negative bacteria was high. This study highlights a moderate prevalence of nosocomial infections among transplant recipients in Northern Iran, with Gram-negative MDR pathogens posing significant therapeutic challenges. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced infection control policies, continuous microbiological surveillance, and locally informed antimicrobial stewardship programs to improve outcomes in transplant populations

Comparative effects of pregabalin and nortriptyline on post-burn neuropathic pain

This clinical trial evaluates the effectiveness of nortriptyline and pregabalin in managing chronic pain in burn patients after discharge. Current treatments like acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are insufficient, leading to challenges in rehabilitation. This clinical trial is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of two drugs, nortriptyline and pregabalin, in managing chronic post-burn pain and the frequency of their side effects. This double-blind randomized controlled trial involves burn patients experiencing chronic neuropathic pain after hospital discharge, despite standard treatments like acetaminophen and ibuprofen. These patients report pain types such as burning, electric shock, and stabbing, requiring referral to a specialized pain clinic. Pain intensity is measured using the Persian version of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-P), where a score of 4 or higher indicates the need for palliative interventions. In this study, 60 patients were treated, 30 with nortriptyline and 30 with pregabalin. The average age was 41.5 years, and the average burn severity was 62%. In the nortriptyline group, the mean pain score decreased from 8.07 to 3.93, while in the pregabalin group, it dropped from 8.07 to 4.47 after treatment. Both groups significantly reduced pain after the intervention (P<0.05). This study shows us that both drugs are effective in reducing neuropathic pain in burn patients and that pregabalin is at least as effective as nortriptyline, and this drug can be a special alternative in cases where side effects such as drowsiness or others cause problems