International Journal of Medical Laboratory

An Overview on Role of Fungi In the Bioremediation of Some Pollutants

2026-05-20T11:21:11+00:00

Increasing environmental pollution is one of today’s problems, posing a major threat to ecological balance. Increasing human activities such as urbanization, industrialization, technological development, and agricultural methods have significantly contributed to this imbalance. Hence, the development of suitable sustainable treatment methods is one of the global concerns for the eradication of pollutants from polluted environments. One of the proposed methods for this purpose is the use of fungi. So, this review will discuss the role of fungi in the bioremediation of some pollutants. Keywords such as “bioremediation”, fungi”, “plastic degradation”, "mineral degradation", "pesticides", "pharmaceutical active compounds", "heavy metal", and "wastewater" were searched. Articles published in databases, such as Google Scholar, PubMed/ MEDLINE, and other scientific databases, were used. The results of this study showed that fungi can play a role in the bioremediation of plastic, mineral, pesticides, pharmaceutical active compounds, heavy metals, and wastewater

Adverse Effects of COVID-19 Vaccination Among Recipients in Yazd Province, 2021

2026-05-20T11:21:10+00:00

Introduction: Following the rapid global spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), vaccines were developed and authorized for emergency use starting in early 2021. This study aimed to assess the potential adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines in Yazd Province.

Materials and Methods: To address this objective, a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 among vaccinated individuals aged ≥18 years who reported post-vaccination symptoms. Adverse effects were recorded within 48 hours via phone or in-person follow-up and analyzed using SPSS v26.

Results: Of the 325 participants (51.7% female), the most common side effects were injection-site pain (58.5%), fever (36.3%), and allergic reactions (15.4%). Notably, the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine was the most commonly used (67.1%), followed by the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine (18.5%). In addition, most participants (86.5%) received one dose. Importantly, no significant associations were found between adverse effects and age, gender, or vaccine type, except for rare cases of thrombocytopenia and seizures in younger individuals.

Conclusions: Taken together, these findings indicate that reported adverse effects were mostly mild and transient, supporting the overall safety of COVID-19 vaccines and encouraging public vaccination

Smad3 and Smad7 Genes Expression in TGF-β Signaling Pathway in Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

2026-05-20T11:21:09+00:00

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal expansion of immature lymphoid blasts in the bone marrow, affecting both children and adults. The transforming growth factor-β/ Smad signaling pathway, a critical tumor-suppressor pathway, is frequently dysregulated in various cancers. This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of Smad3 and Smad7 in ALL patients to assess potential dysregulation.

Materials and Methods: We analyzed bone marrow and peripheral blood samples from 52 newly diagnosed ALL patients (including 20 pediatrics and 32 adults) and 15 healthy controls. Samples were assessed for morphology, immunocytochemistry, immunophenotyping, and molecular markers. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate Smad3 and Smad7 expression levels.

Results: Compared to the control group, ALL leukemia patients exhibited a statistically significant downregulation of Smad3 and upregulation of Smad7. The oncogenic role of Smad7 was more prominent in specific subtypes, with its expression being significantly higher in pediatric ALL compared to adult ALL, and in B-ALL compared to T-ALL.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest that decreased Smad3 (a key receptor-regulated Smad) and elevated Smad7 (an inhibitory Smad) may contribute to Transforming growth factor-β pathway resistance, potentially playing a role in ALL pathogenesis. This study highlights the involvement of Smad dysregulation in patients with ALL, offering insights into molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore clinical applications.

The Relationship Between miRNA-126 And Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

2026-05-20T11:21:08+00:00

Introduction: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) represents a critical cardiovascular disease. The primary cause of ACS is typically a thrombus (blood clot) forming within a coronary artery at the site of a vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Both miRNA-126 (miR-126) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) are involved in plaque instability and probably related to ACS.

Materials and Methods: Based on the results of angiography and electrocardiography, 46 individuals diagnosed with ACS and 46 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were enrolled in this study. Gene expression of serum miR-126 was measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Serum total MMP-2 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. MMP-2 enzymatic activity was measured through gelatin zymography. The correlation between miR-126 expression and MMP-2 levels was analyzed using the Pearson's bivariate correlation analysis.

Results: The miR-126 level in ACS patients was significantly lower compared to that in the stable CAD group, (p<0.05). In contrast, the serum concentration of MMP-2 was significantly higher in the ACS group (617.3 ng/ml) relative to the stable CAD group (477.1 ng/ml) (p<0.05). Similarrly, MMP-2 activity in serum was significantly higher in ACS patients (3700.1 ± 97 units) than in patients with stable CAD (1912.2 ± 31 unit) (p<0.05). A significant inverse correlation was observed between the expression of miR-126 and serum levels of MMP-2, (r= -0.21, p<0.05).

Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that miR-126 and MMP-2 may contribute to ACS pathogenesis mechanisms related to coronary plaque instability.

Evaluation of GSTP1 Gene Polymorphisms in Infertile Men with Azoospermia in Southern Iran

2026-05-20T11:21:07+00:00

Introduction: Approximately 30% of infertile men experience unexplained infertility, a condition categorized as idiopathic. Several studies have reported a correlation between specific genetic polymorphisms and impaired spermatogenesis in infertile men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia. Genetic factors contribute to 60% of cases categorized as idiopathic. Assessing semen quality serves as a crucial criterion in evaluating male fertility.

Materials and Methods: Sampling was conducted at the infertility centre, involving 60 azoospermic patients and 60 healthy individuals. The objective was to investigate and compare the polymorphism status of both groups using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) Technique.

Results: In the control group, the highest frequency of GSTP1 gene polymorphisms was observed in individuals with the AA genotype (healthy homozygous) at a rate of 50%. Conversely, the lowest frequency of GSTP1 gene polymorphism in the control group was associated with the G/G genotype (patient homozygous) at a rate of 15 %. Regarding the patient group, the frequency of GSTP1 gene polymorphisms was found to be related to the A/A genotype (healthy homozygous) at 50%. The lowest frequency of GSTP1 gene polymorphism in the patient group was observed in individuals with the G/G genotype (patient homozygous) at 16.6%. Additionally, within this group, the frequency of patient heterozygotes (A/G) was determined to be 33.4%.

Conclusion: The polymorphism study showed no significant disparity in the frequency of two dominant alleles and mutant alleles between the patient and control groups within the population of infertile Iranian men.

Proposed Serum-Lead Reference Intervals and Clinical Decision Thresholds for an Iranian Population Based on a Seven-Year Retrospective Study

2026-05-20T11:21:06+00:00

Introduction: Chronic Lead (Pb) exposure is associated with metabolic, behavioral, and pathological disorders in both pediatric and adult populations. Serum lead levels and toxicity were assessed in patients referred to a clinical laboratory in western Tehran, Iran, over a seven-year period. In addition, lead reference intervals were determined.

Materials & Methods: 1,651 serum Pb (SPb) levels were determined by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), from March 21, 2017, to January 15, 2024. Analysis of variance was used to compare SPb levels across sex and age groups. Reference intervals were calculated according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

Results: Mean ± standard deviation SPb levels were significantly higher in males (9.7 ± 7.6 μg/dL) than in females (6.86 ± 4.07 μg/dL) and children (4.92 ± 4.22 μg/dL; p < 0.001). Using a SPb level of >3.5 μg/dL as a screening cutoff based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, 51.1% of children aged ≤5 years screened positive. Older patients had significantly higher SPb levels, with the following age group means (μg/dL): 0-10 years = 5.07 ± 4.58, 11-20 years = 4.89 ± 2.49, 21-30 years = 6.95 ± 4.45, 31-40 years = 7.77 ± 5.84, 41-50 years = 7.75 ± 4.8, and age > 50 = 8.99 ± 6.65.

Conclusion: SPb toxicity should be precisely evaluated in the Iranian population, especially in children. Current reference intervals likely leading to underdiagnosis and an increased risk of chronic sequelae. Population-specific reference intervals are required to improve early identification of Pb toxicity and mitigate its long-term health consequences.

Clinicopathological Spectrum of Esophageal Lesions: A Retrospective Analysis of Biopsy Specimens from Shahid Sadoughi Hospital, Yazd, Iran

2026-05-20T11:21:05+00:00

Introduction: Esophageal cancer is a highly lethal malignancy with marked geographic variation in incidence and histopathology, with squamous cell carcinoma predominating in high-risk regions such as Iran. Robust local epidemiological and pathological data are essential for early detection, effective management, and targeted prevention.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study analyzed all esophageal biopsy specimens submitted from 2016 to 2021. Demographic, clinical, anatomical, and histopathological data were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v23, with chi-square tests for categorical variables and one-way ANOVA for continuous variables; p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: A total of 420 biopsies were analyzed (51% male; mean age 45.5 ± 25 years, range 1–90), with the highest frequency in patients aged 61–80 years (31%). Dysphagia was the most common symptom (51.9%), and the distal esophagus was the predominant site (75.2%). Malignant lesions accounted for 45.7% of cases, primarily squamous cell carcinoma (33.3%) and adenocarcinoma (9.5%) ,while benign lesions comprised 14.8%, most commonly squamous papilloma (5.7%) and esophagitis was present in 27.1% (mainly non-infectious) .Malignancies were more frequent in older patients, whereas benign and inflammatory findings predominated in younger individuals. Lesion type was unrelated to sex but significantly associated with location (p = 0.001). Dysphagia correlated significantly with malignant, inflammatory, and normal histology.

Conclusion: Malignant esophageal lesions, predominantly squamous cell carcinoma, mainly affect older adults and the distal esophagus in Yazd, Iran, whereas benign lesions are more common in younger patients. Despite dysphagia being the strongest predictor of malignancy, biopsy confirmation is still required.

Pulmonoprotective Action of Zataria Multiflora in an Experimental Model of Lung Inflammation Induced by Ochratoxin-A in Mice

2026-05-20T11:21:03+00:00

Introduction: Ochratoxin-A (OTA) represents one of the primary secondary metabolites produced by Penicillium and Aspergillus species. Acratoxin was recognized in 1965 as the most significant carcinogenic mycotoxin found in agricultural products. Given that the vital function of the lungs in maintaining other bodily organ system, it was examined the role of the Zataria multiflora extract in an experimental model of lung inflammation induced by Ochratoxin-A in mice.

Materials and Methods: This study was designed around a 14-day gavage administration of OTA in mice. Markers of oxidative stress and apoptotic factors (Bax/Bcl2, Caspase 3 Caspase 9) were also evaluated.

Results: OTA-induced toxicity provokes lung inflammation and apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. The administration of Zataria multiflora (at dosages of 25 and 50 mg/kg) resulted in a significant alleviated of lung inflammation, oxidative damage, inflammatory cytokines, and levels of apoptosis protein when compared to the group treated with OTA alone.

Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that Zataria multiflora exerts robust antioxidant effects that counteract the inflammation and apoptosis associated with OTA-induced toxicity in lung tissue.