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Interactions of PINK1/Parkin pathway with AD-related proteins. Background: Parkin-mediated mitophagy is the dominant mitophagy pathway of neural cells. Its restoration will result in prevention of cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The role of this mitophagy pathway in neurodegenerative diseases has drawn attention in recent years. The two main pathological proteins in AD, amyloid β (Aβ) and human Tau (hTau), interfere with mitochondrial dynamics through several pathways. However, taking into consideration the specific interactions between Aβ/hTau and Parkin, special focus is required on this mitophagy pathway and AD. In this review, these interactions are fully discussed, and an overview of the neuroprotective drugs that enhance Parkin-mediated mitophagy is presented. Methods: This systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines, and a comprehensive literature search was done in the electronic databases up to September 2020, using search terms in the titles and abstracts to identify relevant studies. One hundred eighty-six articles were found, and 113 articles were screened by title and abstract. Finally, 25 articles were included in this systematic review according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Accumulation of Aβ and hTau affects mitophagy, including Parkin-mediated. Tau seems to prevent Parkin translocation directly. A Parkin level in the cell appears to be of importance in determining the damage caused by Aβ and hTau and in the future therapeutic approaches. Parkin controls the PINK1 level via the presenillins, suggesting that mutations in presenillins affect Parkin mitophagy. Significance: Parkin mitophagy is a process affected by several AD pathological events multidimensionally.

Objectives: Ameloblastoma is a locally aggressive odontogenic tumor of the jaws characterized by a high recurrence rate. This work aims to present our clinical experience in managing patient oral rehabilitation following an extensive mandibular ameloblastoma, with a specific focus on mandibular reconstruction using a fibula free flap, followed by dental implant placement and prosthetic rehabilitation in a female patient. Additionally, we provide a comprehensive review of the current evidence on surgical management, reconstruction techniques, and long-term outcomes in ameloblastoma treatment. Methods: A 44-year-old female patient presented with a painless swelling in the left mandible. Orthopantomography (OPG) and computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a well-defined radiolucent lesion extending from the canine to the second premolar. An incisional biopsy was performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of mandibular ameloblastoma. The patient underwent segmental resection of the left mandibular body, followed by immediate reconstruction using a vascularized fibular free flap. Eighteen months postoperatively, four dental implants were placed. One implant failed during the osseointegration phase and was removed. Due to residual hard and soft tissue deficiency, prosthetic rehabilitation was achieved with a metal-reinforced resin overdenture, restoring both function and aesthetics. Results: At the three-year follow-up, clinical and radiographic examinations revealed no evidence of tumor recurrence. The patient remained asymptomatic, reporting neither pain nor functional discomfort. Prosthetic rehabilitation with the metal-reinforced resin overdenture was successfully completed, achieving satisfactory masticatory function and aesthetics. Conclusions: The use of the fibula free flap for mandibular reconstruction after ameloblastoma resection provides excellent flexibility, enabling effective bone integration of dental implants.

Objective. Sleep problems are nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease that should be carefully evaluated for better management and treatment. Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS-2) is one of the most reliable tools for measuring sleep difficulties in people with Parkinson’s disease. This study investigated the psychometric properties of the Persian version of PDSS-2. Methods. Four hundred and fifty-six people with Parkinson’s disease with a mean age ±standard deviation of 60.7 ± 11.3 years were engaged in this study. Acceptability was assessed by floor and ceiling effects. Dimensionality was measured by exploratory factor analysis. The convergent validity of PDSS-2 with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was assessed. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability were assessed with Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively. Results. No noticeable ceiling and floor effect was detected. The dimensionality analysis showed three factors. A high correlation was obtained between PDSS-2 and HADS (anxiety subscale). Excellent internal consistency with α = 0.94, and good test-retest reliability with ICC = 0.89 were obtained. Conclusion. This study showed that the Persian version of Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale has acceptable validity and reliability for measuring sleep disturbances in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Introduction: Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an acute visual dysfunction subsequent to head and neck trauma. Despite immense efforts, there is no effective treatment to minimize the damage caused by TON. Due to its anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, we aimed to measure the effect of sumatriptan on optic nerve injury in rats. Methods: Bulldog forceps were used to induce optic nerve crush. Immediately after trauma, a single dose of sumatriptan was intravitreally injected and rats were just observed for 1 week. Visual evoked potential (VEP) was recorded to assess optic nerve function on days 2, 5, and 7 after optic nerve injury. Retinas were extracted seven days after trauma to assess molecular and microscopic changes. Results: Crushing force reduced cell survival, decreased the amplitude of the waves, and prolonged their latency in VEP. In contrast, sumatriptan significantly increased cell survival and shortened the latency of P2 and N2 waves. Likewise, sumatriptan significantly decreased the tissue levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), malondialdehyde (MDA), indole-amine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interferon γ (INF-γ), and kynurenine in the retinas of rats. Conclusion: These findings suggest that sumatriptan can enhance retinal cell viability, improve optic nerve function, and decrease inflammation, possibly through attenuation of TLR4, ERK, and kynurenine signaling pathways. Thus, future clinical trials should assess the efficacy of low-dose intravitreal sumatriptan for patients with TON.

ObjectiveNeuropathic pain is a type of pain reported in people with Parkinson’s disease. There are various scales to evaluate the characteristics of this kind of pain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychometric properties of the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI), a specific scale that measures neuropathic pain in Iranian people with Parkinson’s disease.MethodFour hundred forty-seven individuals with Parkinson’s disease were recruited in the study. Acceptability, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC) of NPSI were calculated. Dimensionality was examined through exploratory factor analysis. For convergent validity, correlations of NPSI with Douleur Neuropathic 4, Brief Pain Inventory, King’s Pain Parkinson disease Scale, and Visual Analog Scale-Pain were used. Discriminative validity and sensitivity to change between On- and Off- medication states were analyzed.ResultsA marked floor effect was observed for this scale (64.2%). Cronbach’s alpha and ICC were 0.90 and 0.87, respectively. Items of NPSI were placed in 4 factors. A moderate to the strong association (rs = 0.55 to 0.85) between NPSI and other scales was obtained. The results of discriminative validity and sensitivity to change indicate the ability of NPSI to show differences between medication states.ConclusionThe results of this study suggest that NPSI has acceptable reliability, validity, and sensitivity to change, indicating that this scale is suitable for measuring neuropathic pain in Iranian people with Parkinson’s disease.

Adequate peri-implant hard and soft tissue volume is critical for ensuring implant stability, long-term functionality, and optimal esthetic results. While autogenous connective tissue grafts (CTGs) remain the gold standard for soft tissue augmentation, volume-stable collagen matrices (VCMXs) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering key advantages such as eliminating donor-site morbidity, reducing postoperative pain, and improving patient acceptance. This review summarizes the evidence on VCMXs from studies published between 1995 and 2024, with a focus on mucosal thickness gain, soft tissue stability, and patient-reported outcomes. To date, the evidence on VCMXs is still conflicting. Randomized controlled trials indicate that VCMXs can effectively increase peri-implant mucosal thickness (ranging from 0.3 to 1.0 mm), although the included clinical studies are very heterogeneous in terms of follow-up time. According to the literature, CTGs demonstrate superior long-term volumetric stability, particularly in highly esthetic zones. On the other hand, VCMXs demonstrated comparable mid-term outcomes while offering reduced postoperative discomfort, as confirmed by multicenter noninferiority trials. While VCMXs may yield slightly inferior clinical outcomes compared to CTGs, their patient-centered benefits make them a viable and often preferable option for soft tissue augmentation in implant dentistry. In conclusion, current evidence supports the use of VCMXs as valuable tools in contemporary implant therapy, particularly for specific indications where their benefits outweigh limitations.

Background Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly among the aging population. This study aims to evaluate the economic burden of CVDs among Iranians aged 60 years and older. Methods A cost-of-illness study was conducted using a prevalence-based approach from a societal perspective. Cost analysis employed the bottom-up micro-costing method to assess direct medical and non-medical costs, while indirect costs were calculated using the human capital approach. Data were sourced from medical records of individuals aged 60 and older with CVDs registered in the hospital information systems of public and private hospitals in southeastern Iran. Additionally, structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 160 caregivers or relatives serving as companions of elderly patients, using a structured questionnaire to gather data on healthcare utilization. Sensitivity analyses were performed, along with projections of the future economic burden of CVDs. Results The annual total cost of CVDs among people aged 60 years and above in Iran was estimated at US$ 1,885,091,171.7 (about 1.88 billion), equivalent to 1.27% of the Iran’s GDP in 2021. Direct medical costs accounted for 90.62% of the total, with 54.72% attributed to ambulatory care. The average cost of CVDs per patient was US$ 446.2. The results of two-way sensitivity analysis provided an estimated cost range between US$ 1.2 billion and US$ 2.7 billion. By 2030, the total cost of CVDs is projected to reach US$ 21 billion. Conclusions The elderly population with CVDs imposes a growing economic burden on Iran’s healthcare system and society. This underscores the urgent need for effective and cost-effective interventions to prevent and manage CVDs in Iran.

Background Climate change presents serious risks to children’s health worldwide, highlighting the need for effective interventions. This study aimed to map and categorize strategies that reduce the health impacts of climate change on children. Methods A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley framework. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus identified peer-reviewed studies published in English between 2015 and 2025. Studies focusing on children and adolescents (0–18 years) and reporting climate-related health interventions, strategies, or policy responses were eligible for inclusion. Results A total of 33 studies met the inclusion criteria. Identified interventions were categorized into seven groups: preventive, adaptive, integrated preventive–adaptive, community-based, educational and awareness-based, mental health resilience, and disaster preparedness interventions. Most studies focused on preventive strategies, particularly those addressing exposure to air pollution, heat, and vector-borne diseases. Community-level interventions were predominant, while individual-level, structural, and mental health–focused strategies were less frequently reported. Methodological rigor varied across studies, with economic modeling approaches generally providing stronger evidence than many behavioral or community-based programs. Significant evidence gaps were identified, particularly concerning infants, marginalized populations, and urban poor children. Conclusions Current evidence highlights a predominance of preventive and community-based approaches to reducing children’s vulnerability to climate change, alongside notable gaps in equity-focused and mental health interventions. More integrated, multi-level strategies supported by standardized evaluation frameworks are needed to strengthen the effectiveness and equity of climate-related health interventions for children.

In the present study, a magnetohyperthermia (MH)-based therapy is introduced as an effective treatment for deep-seated tumors especially glioma, which combines the magnetothermal effect and the reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced with magnetic graphene oxide (GOMNPs) nanoheaters to overcome the issue of limited therapeutic efficacy in the current magnetothermal therapeutic strategy. Magnetic graphene oxide nanoheaters with a size of 34 nm and a surface charge of − 35 mV showed very little toxicity under in vitro and ex vivo circumstances based on MTT and hemolysis assay, respectively. The application of GOMNPs under an alternating magnetic coil (AMC) showed that they had high specific absorption rate (SAR, P  < 0.01), with enhanced level of ROS production within the tumor microenvironment. The results confirmed a significant increase in the SAR in blood compared to culture media ( P  < 0.01), which indicates the improvement of magnetohyperthermia performance in in vivo conditions compared to in vitro. A significant therapeutic efficacy was achieved with a dosage of 30 mg/kg of GOMNPs following 3 therapeutic courses under alternating magnetic field (AMF) compared to AMF alone ( P  < 0.05). GOMNPs exhibited a strong anti-glioma effect by inhibiting tumor growth, and increasing the survival ratio by inducing apoptotic cell death ( P  < 0.05). The Bax/Bcl2 protein and gene ratio confirmed a higher rate of apoptotic death in the MH-treated group ( P  < 0.05). Combination of magnetohyperthermia with conventional modalities may offer tremendous clinical advantages compared to the currently available methods. Graphical Abstract