Introduction of The School of Medicine Students’ Journal

It is our honor to present the first issue of School of medicine students’ journal.This is the first issue of the Journal of medical and biological sciences related to young researchers and students that have started their journey in the faculty of medicine in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences with the assistance of a group of elite and interested students. Transparently, with enthusiasm along with scientific methods, it is hoped that over time, this journal would be able to bring scientific research output to the attention of all researchers and scholars around the world.Particularly, the process of selecting articles and reviewing them is as valid as to other distinct journals, and it does not differ in any aspect; however, the most indispensable point is the participation of medical students along with other students at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in the conduct of the administration of the journal indeed. As a matter of fact, this is the nobility of this journal in which students directly assist in all aspects. In the course of the initiation of this journal, the students at the Student Research Committee were able to have regular meetings and review the most accredited scientific journals in order to be competitive with other journals. Apparently, we hope that the content of our journal would be interested by the scholars and researchers; furthermore, we desire ro become one of most trusted and accredited journals among the most recognized ones. I would like to appreciate Dr. Karimi, the professor of Immunology in the immunology department and the Director of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences magazines. Dr. Karimi has assisted the journal from all aspects and she worked non stop for the improvement of the quality of this journal. I would also like to thank Mr. Amir Hossein Aghdaee who worked truly hard as the Co-Editor-in-Chief and organized most of the works for the first issue of this journal. We wish to have a prosperous journal with the most trusted and accurate articles in which scientist would be able to benefit from them

Potential pharmacologic treatments for COVID-19 patients: A review study

A cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown origin was detected on December 31th which led to the discovery of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Lungs are the primary site of involvement. SARS-COV-2, which is the causative agent, enters the alveolar cells using ACE2 as a receptor. Due to exposure of first cases to Wuhan’s animal market, a zoonotic transmission was suspected. Further studies suggested human to human transmission through contact and droplets. Symptoms vary from asymptomatic to acute respiratory distress syndrome and death. Cases are diagnosed based on clinical and laboratory findings. Currently, there is no definitive treatment or vaccine and different antiviral and other treatments are being tested as possible therapeutic agents with different mechanisms, for example, Chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, azithromycin, favipiravir, umifenovir, ribavirin, Ivermectin, etc

knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Rational usage of antibiotics for Preoperative Prophylaxis Among Surgeons in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences hospitals in 2014

Background: Optimal and appropriate antibiotic prescription for preoperative prophylaxis is an essential issue in hospitals. The nobility of the present study was to determine the rate of optimal antibiotic usage for preoperative prophylaxis in Shahid­ Beheshti University hospitals in 2014.Materials and Methods: In this observational cross­-sectional study, 200 physicians employed in Shahid­ Beheshti University hospitals who performed surgical procedures were enrolled in the study and the rate of optimal antibiotic utilization for preoperative prophylaxis was evaluated.Results: It was obtained that 64% of physicians had appropriate attitude and 41% had sufficient practice. The concordance rate according to the guidelines was medium in 52%, high in 29%, and low in 19%Conclusion: It was ultimately attained that optimal antibiotic for preoperative prophylaxis is used by nearly half of physicians and also two­ third have appropriate perspective regarding the antibiotic usage

Protective Effects of Water Extract of Morus Nigra L. on 6-Hydroxydopamine Induced Parkinson’s Disease in Male Rats

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Although the etiology of PD is unknown, but major biochemical processes such as oxidative stress is largely described. Angiotensin II activates NADPH depending oxidases and produce superoxides formation. Morus nigra L. extract is an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and tested for anti-Parkinsonism effects by biochemical and behavioral evaluations.Materials and Methods: In total 48 Male Wistar rats weighting 200-250 g were divided into 4 groups: (1) Sham (normal saline was injected in the left SNC), (2) Neurotoxin (injection of 6-hydroxydopamine into left SNC), (3) Morus nigra L. aqueous extract and (4) captopril. Morus nigra (10 mg/kg) and captopril (5 mg/kg) were daily-injected i.p. from 6 days before neurotoxin injection, until one day after 6-hydroxydopamine injection. Muscle stiffness and apomorphine test were assessed in 6 rats of any groups after two weeks. Protein oxidation, lipid peroxidation and ACE activity were assessed in brains of 6 rats of each group after 24 hours.Results: Rotation test with apomorphine, Rigidity with Murprogo’s test, and lipid peroxidation in sham, captopril and Morus nigra groups were significantly lower than neurotoxin group. Protein oxidation in Morus nigra group was significantly lower than neurotoxin group. Brain ACE activity in neurotoxin, captopril and Morus nigra groups were inhibited.Conclusion: Morus nigra L. extract had protective effects on neuronal oxidation and death and improved signs of PD possibly by ACE inhibition

Docetaxel Enhances the Expression of STING Protein in PC3 Cells, and cGAMP Attenuates this Effect

Background: The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist (cGAMP) kills the cancer cells through the activation of the innate immune system. PC3 cells are high in BTK and low in STING. In this study, the effect of adding STING agonist, cGAMP, to docetaxel investigated. Materials and Methods: PC3 cells were treated with docetaxel, cGAMP, and a combination of the docetaxel and cGAMP. Cell toxicity was evaluated by MTT assay, and changes of STING, IRF3, BTK, and DDX41 genes’ expression were quantified by the real-time PCR. STING protein was also detected by Western blotting. Results: The IC50 of docetaxel was 31.1 nM, and cGAMP did not change it significantly but decreased docetaxel toxicity about 30%. Docetaxel increased IRF3, BTK, and DDX41 gene expression significantly, and STING protein about 5 folds. By adding cGAMP to docetaxel STING, IRF3, and BTK, expression decreased several folds. Conclusion: In this in vitro study, cGAMP potentiated docetaxel’s effects and alleviated it

Evaluation of demographic features of acute drug poisoning with Benzodiazepines; a cross – sectional study

Background: Poisoning is one of the important social problems in developing countries, and acute poisoning due to suicide by drug overdose or toxins is one of the most common cases of poisoning that requires emergency care. This study was aimed to determine the demographics of benzodiazepines poisoned patients in one of the referral centers for poisoning in Iran.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who referred to the poisoning emergency ward of Loghman Hakim Hospital from April 2015 to March 2016. Among 10624 patients who referred to the hospital at the study period, 2543 of them were poisoned by benzodiazepines. A total of 263 patients were selected randomly and were assessed for age, gender and the type of the benzodiazepine. The data were analyzed by version 15 of SPSS software.Results: Among 263 patients, 127 were males (48.2%) and 136 were females (51.7%). The mean age of patients was 31 years old with a range of 13 – 80 years old. In addition, most patients were in the age of between 18 to 35 years (n = 152). In this study, 91 patients (34.6%) were single-drug poisoned with benzodiazepines and 172 cases (65.4%) were poisoned by multi-drug regimens including benzodiazepines. Between different types of benzodiazepines, the most common type was Alprazolam and the least common benzodiazepine was Oxazepam. Almost 96% of patients (n = 252) were treated successfully and 8 patients (3%) got discharged with self-consent. Furthermore, the mortality rate was approximately 1% (n = 3).Conclusion: Benzodiazepines poisoning is common in younger patients; thus, close attentions are needed for the prescription of these drugs in young patients. Considering easy access to benzodiazepines in the community, periodic visits to psychiatrists may be useful for the reduction of benzodiazepine poisoning

Inhibition of EGF and CoCl2-Induced HIF-1α and VEGF Production in Triple Negative MDA-MB-468 Cells by Umbelliprenin: Unveiling the Role of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK Pathways

Background and objectives: Triple-negative breast cancer is a significant global health challenge, and there's growing interest in targeting multiple pathways for treatment. Umbelliprenin, derived from herbal sources, has shown anti-tumor potential. This study aimed to assess umbelliprenin's impact on key genes related to proliferation, metastasis, and angiogenesis. Methods: Umbelliprenin, which was synthesized by the Pharmaceutical Research Center (PRC) at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in Iran, was utilized in this study. The study aimed to investigate the impact of umbelliprenin on EGF and CoCl2-induced signaling in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and MAPK pathways. Quantitative PCR was employed to assess the expression of EGFR, PI3K, AKT, mTOR, S6K, ERK1, ERK2, 4EBP1, HIF-1α, HIF-1β, VEGF, and VEGFR genes. Additionally, immunoblot assays were conducted to evaluate the levels of VEGF and HIF-1α in MDA-MB-468 cells. Results: The study found that umbelliprenin had cytotoxic effects, with an IC50 value of 152.5 µM. At concentrations of 10 µM and 20 µM, it upregulated genes like EGFR, VEGFR, HIF-1α, VEGF, PI3K, ERK2, and mTOR while downregulating 4EBP1. Umbelliprenin also increased VEGF protein levels. When used on EGF-stimulated cells, it enhanced VEGF and PI3K expression while inhibiting AKT, ERK2, mTOR, and antiproliferative 4EBP1 genes. Notably, VEGF and HIF-1α protein levels remained unchanged. Conversely, umbelliprenin downregulated EGFR, AKT, ERK1/2, HIF-1α, and VEGF in CoCl2-stimulated cells, while elevating 4EBP1 and reducing VEGF and HIF-1α protein levels. Conclusion: Umbelliprenin inhibited MDA-MB-468 cell growth and impacted gene expression related to metastasis and angiogenesis, particularly under conditions of EGFR activation and hypoxia

Acute Phase Reactants as a Prognostic Factor in Acute Stroke

Introduction: Elevated levels of CRP are present among patients at risk for further first-ever myocardial infarction and stroke. It has been shown that after ischemic stroke, increased levels of CRP are associated with unfavorable outcomes. Methods: From 120 patients admitted to the emergency unit of our hospital with the diagnosis of stroke; CRP, D-dimer and ferritin level was measured and the patients were followed until discharge or death. Results: CRP level was significantly different between the patients with TIA and stroke. D-Dimer level was also significantly different between the TIA & the admitted groups. Ferritin was not different between the prognosis groups. There was a correlation between CRP and D-Dimer (r = 0.381, p = 0.001), and also between CRP and ferritin (r = 0.478, p= 0.000). Discussion: CRP is a useful adjuvant marker to determine the prognosis of patients with cerebro-vascular events admitted to the hospital, in both patients with stroke positive history and first-ever stroke

Acute Phase Reactants as a Prognostic Factor in Acute Stroke

Introduction: Elevated levels of CRP are present among patients at risk for further first-ever myocardial infarction and stroke. It has been shown that after ischemic stroke, increased levels of CRP are associated with unfavorable outcomes. Methods: From 120 patients admitted to the emergency unit of our hospital with the diagnosis of stroke CRP, D-dimer and ferritin level was measured and the patients were followed until discharge or death. Results: CRP level was significantly different between the patients with TIA and stroke. D-Dimer level was also significantly different between the TIA & the admitted groups. Ferritin was not different between the prognosis groups. There was a correlation between CRP and D-Dimer (r = 0.381, p = 0.001), and also between CRP and ferritin (r = 0.478, p= 0.000). Discussion: CRP is a useful adjuvant marker to determine the prognosis of patients with cerebro-vascular events admitted to the hospital, in both patients with stroke positive history and first-ever stroke