Ali Ghanbari

Background: Medical students frequently encounter significant stress due to their substantial workload, clinical obligations, and the competitive nature of their environment, all of which can adversely affect their mental health and academic performance. This study aims to examine the mental health status of medical students at Kermanshah University of Medical ...

Background and purpose: Cisplatin, a widely used anticancer agent, has adverse effects on normal tissues during cancer treatment. This study aimed to investigate the use of harmine, a plant β-carboline alkaloid, against pathways associated with ROS-induced apoptosis in the livers of mice administered with cisplatin. Experimental approach: Twenty-four male Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups (n = 6): (1) control group received daily intraperitoneal injections of saline for four days, (2) harmine group (15 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, daily for 4 days), (3) cisplatin group (5.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, one injection), and (4) cisplatin + harmine co-administration group. After sacrificing the animals under deep anesthesia, blood and liver tissue samples were collected for biochemical and molecular experiments. Findings/Results: Cisplatin significantly elevated histopathological criteria (both qualitative and quantitative), levels of enzyme activity, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, ROS, and apoptosis, and decreased glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and total antioxidant capacity. However, these factors were improved in the co-administration group compared to the cisplatin group. Furthermore, cisplatin treatment significantly upregulated caspase-8, BAX, p53, caspase-3, TNF-α , and NF-κB gene expression, while downregulating BCL-2 . Co-administration with harmine led to significant changes in gene expression relative to the cisplatin group. Cisplatin notably increased protein levels of caspase-8, BAX, and TNF-α, but these levels were significantly reduced in the co-treatment group. Conclusion and implications: Harmine effectively ameliorates cisplatin-induced hepatitis by suppressing ROS production, thereby reducing intrinsic, extrinsic, and inflammation-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Harmine play a key role in its hepatoprotective actions.

Adaptive responses which occur under changing environment enable a species existence during long periods of time. This study aimed at investigating the relationship between body mass index (BMI and characteristic of brain in newborns. This study was undertaken on 1800 healthy live born singletons (822 males and 978 females) routinely delivered at the Gynecology Hospital of Arak Medical Sciences University between 2002 and 2003. Anthropometric data were analyzed by linear regression and regression analysis using SPSS software for Windows (version 15). The results showed that BMI (body mass index) was significantly associated with cerebral index upon adjusting for sex. The strict correlation between BMI and cerebral index suggests that newborn fat deposition may have increased to allow for high myelination in the human brain. The extraordinary fat storage in newborns would be a consequence of the selection for larger brain size in hominid evolution.

Growth is a remarkable index of health and can be influenced by genetic and environment conditions. The pattern of growth is unique for every nation and worldwide studies have demonstrated separate national standards. In the case of Iran, there is not enough information in this field. This study was undertaken on 7-12 years old children from Arak. The data for each individual such as age, height, weight and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Differences in the data between two sexes were tested by means of the paired sample t- test and the mean BMI was compared with sex- and age-specific reference values from the National Center for Health Statistics of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 growth chart using independent sample t-tests. Levels of P < 0.05, P < 0.01 and P < 0.001 were recorded as significant. In this study, males were significantly taller and heavier than females at the same age (P < or = 0.01) except for length at age 10 and weight at age 12. The BMI curves were between 50th and 25th percentiles of CDC. The present study shows the effect of socioeconomic background that had been also considered in other studies in Iran. There is a need for ethnic specific growth charts and BMI cut-off points for underweight, overweight and obesity in children of each ethnic subgroup of Iranian population.

Background: Triticum monococcum subsp. aegilopoides (wild einkorn wheat) is a problematic weed in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern winter cereal crops. Objective: A process-based niche model for this species was developed using CLIMEX to evaluate its potential global distribution. Methods: Records from Iran were utilized in the model, and the prediction was applied under the current climate and two climate change scenarios (A1B, A2). Both scenarios represent contrasting temporal patterns of economic development and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Results: [...] Background: Triticum monococcum subsp. aegilopoides (wild einkorn wheat) is a problematic weed in the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern winter cereal crops. Objective: A process-based niche model for this species was developed using CLIMEX to evaluate its potential global distribution. Methods: Records from Iran were utilized in the model, and the prediction was applied under the current climate and two climate change scenarios (A1B, A2). Both scenarios represent contrasting temporal patterns of economic development and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Results:

Background: Quercetin (QT) is an effective plant compound in treating various diseases, including certain types of cancer. Therefore, this systematic review study was conducted to investigate the positive effects of quercetin (QT) on different breast cancer cell lines under in vitro conditions. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the beneficial effects of quercetin (QT) on various breast cancer cell lines in an in vitro setting. Methods: Using various databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar, we searched for publications from 2018 to May 2024 based on relevant terms and keywords for this systematic review. Inclusion criteria focused on English, open access, and original studies that exclusively examined the effects of QT on breast cancer cell types in vitro. Results: From the initial search, 1308 publications were identified. However, only 46 met the inclusion criteria and were included in this systematic review. Conclusion: In summary, quercetin (QT) shows anti-tumor effects on different breast cancer cell lines by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, IGF1/IGF1R, MAPK, Transforming Growth Factor-β (TGFβ), and JAK/STAT1 pathways. Nonetheless, further extensive animal and clinical studies are essential to draw definitive conclusions.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with Limited treatment options and poor outcomes in advanced stages. Curcumin, a bioactive compound derived from Curcuma longa, has drawn significant attention for its anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. This systematic review evaluated 26 studies published between 2020 and 2025—including in vitro, in vivo, and one clinical investigation—to examine the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of curcumin and its nanoformulations in HCC. Curcumin was found to modulate multiple signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, JAK2/STAT3, MAPK, and Wnt/β-catenin, leading to enhanced apoptosis, reduced cell proliferation, suppression of angiogenesis, and immune system modulation. Additional findings highlighted its role in reversing drug resistance and promoting ferroptosis through ACSL4 upregulation. Nanoformulated curcumin—delivered via liposomes, micelles, bilosomes, and other carriers—demonstrated improved bioavailability, stability, and tumor-targeting capacity, enhancing therapeutic efficacy in preclinical models. However, the translation of these promising preclinical effects into clinical practice remains limited, with only a single human study available. While curcumin shows potential as a supportive or adjunctive agent in HCC therapy, further well-designed clinical trials are essential to validate its efficacy and optimize formulation strategies for patient use.

Background & Objective: Metastasis represents the primary contributor to mortality associated with cancer. Traditionally, Pistacia khinjuk has been utilized for addressing various ailments. Considering the reported anticancer effects of Pistacia Khinjuk, this research seeks to explore the anti-metastatic properties of the hydroalcoholic extract derived from this indigenous Iranian herb on ...