Two deaths from swine flu H1N1 recorded in Delhi; doctors explain symptoms and prevention of the disease

The Royan Institute has demonstrated its commitment to integrating reproductive health into modern oncological practice, achieving significant progress in the field of pediatric oncofertility. This success was noted after three years of treatment for two young girls diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma.

Through the application of an advanced surgical procedure, the Royan Institute successfully preserved ovarian function and future fertility potential in both patients. As reported by Royan.org in a press release dated August 3rd, both girls have undergone normal sexual development and continue to show healthy ovarian function.

According to the report, specialists at the Institute performed laparoscopic ovarian transposition (LOT) before pelvic radiation therapy on the two girls. This operation was undertaken to protect the ovaries from radiation exposure prior to cancer treatment. Three years after the intervention, the results have been very encouraging: both patients maintain normal ovarian function and their future reproductive potential.

Firouze Ghaffari, a gynecologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, and infertility specialist trained at the Royan Institute, explained that when the cancer diagnosis was made, both patients were pre-pubertal and were scheduled to undergo pelvic radiation therapy. Since pelvic irradiation can cause serious and irreversible damage to the ovaries, leading to premature ovarian insufficiency and permanent infertility, the ovaries were laparoscopically moved outside the radiation zone before treatment began.

Ghaffari noted: 'Now, three years after the surgery, both girls have spontaneously entered puberty, have regular menstrual cycles, and clinical assessments confirm the successful preservation of ovarian function.' She added that 'if this procedure had not been performed, the probability of irreversible ovarian failure and loss of their future fertile potential would have been extremely high.'

Emphasizing the importance of quality of life after cancer survival, Ghaffari pointed out that advancements in oncology have significantly improved long-term survival rates. She stated: 'As survival outcomes improve, preserving fertility, especially in children and adolescents, has become an integral part of modern cancer treatment. Today, our responsibility extends beyond treating the disease; we must also protect the future quality of life of patients, including their ability to have biological children.'

Furthermore, she highlighted that this successful experience demonstrates the importance of early multidisciplinary planning and close collaboration between teams of oncologists, surgeons, and reproductive medicine specialists. Such coordinated care allows not only for effective treatment of the malignancy but also for preserving patients' chances of parenthood in the future.

This achievement serves as an example of the Royan Institute's best practices in oncofertility and fertility preservation for cancer patients. It also marks a significant step forward in strengthening comprehensive supportive care for children and adolescents with malignant diseases, confirming the Institute's commitment to integrating reproductive health into modern oncology.

The Royan Institute was founded in 1991 by the late Dr. Said Kazemi Ashtiani and a group of researchers and physicians from the Academic Center for Education, Culture, and Research (ACECR) of the Iranian University of Medical Sciences as an outpatient surgical center to provide medical services to infertile couples, as well as to conduct research and training in reproductive sciences.

Reproductive biomedicine and stem cell biology have established themselves as one of the most successful scientific projects in Iran and West Asia since 2000. In 2002, the research areas at the Royan Institute also expanded to include stem cell studies. Subsequent scientific findings were adapted for use in regenerative medicine and cellular therapy approaches. Over three decades, the Royan Institute has focused its efforts on increasing the success rate of infertility treatment, as well as public health standards through clinical applications of cell therapy and embryo health.

After six years of being unable to move his neck downwards, Dong Hui was able to pick up a pen and write his own name again. This result was made possible by the use of a brain implant called NEO.

This case, published in The Conversation, demonstrates how brain-computer interfaces are beginning to move out of research centers and into medicine to assist people with nervous system damage.

Dong Hui suffered a spinal cord injury at the age of 33, which disrupted the connection between his brain and the rest of his body. Although commands for arm movement continued to be sent, they could not reach the muscles.

After surgery to install NEO and eleven months of rehabilitation, he was able to perform a simple but symbolic task again—writing. First, he wrote his name, and then added the word 'Thank you.'

According to Kemal A. Gotme, a pediatric neurosurgeon and professor of translational neuroscience at the University of La Sabana in Colombia, 'what was unusual was not only that he started writing again, but also how he managed to do it.'

The implant, developed by the Chinese company Neuracle Technology in collaboration with researchers from Tsinghua University in Beijing, records motor cortex activity. Artificial intelligence analyzes these signals and learns to interpret the user's intentions for movement.

Brain-computer interfaces serve as an alternative to bypass communication failures between the brain and the body. The system directly captures brain signals and converts them into commands for external equipment.

In Dong Hui's case, these commands helped control a robotic glove during rehabilitation. However, the researchers' idea goes beyond this: they aim to combine brain signals with sensory stimuli to stimulate the nervous system's ability to reorganize.

Among the main advantages of NEO:

• The main achievement of NEO is that the invasive brain-computer interface has ceased to be just a scientific experiment and has been recognized as a medical commercial device.
• We are witnessing one of the deepest conceptual shifts in modern medicine.

Kemal A. Gotme, pediatric neurosurgeon and professor of translational neuroscience at the University of La Sabana, in The Conversation.

Despite the progress, the technology raises new questions: who will control the brain data? How will this information be protected? And how will access to such treatment be ensured for those in need?

Dong Hui's story shows that the impact of such solutions extends beyond laboratories. For a person who has lost basic movements, regaining the ability to write a word can mean a huge shift in their outlook on the world.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed that products from salads linked to the cyclosporiosis outbreak in other parts of the world are not available in the country's markets.

Cyclosporiosis is a type of food poisoning caused by a parasite found in untreated water and raw products such as berries, herbs, and leafy greens.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment reported that it monitors food safety alerts and investigations into potential contamination sources affecting fresh produce, especially salad originating from central Mexico.

The body also stated that it coordinates its actions with other departments to control and inspect batches entering the country, confirming the safety of food available in the local market. Furthermore, preventive measures are being taken to ensure the highest food safety standards.

The main symptom of this infection is profuse watery diarrhea. Other possible signs include loss of appetite, bloating (including burping and gas), severe fatigue, subfebrile temperature, abdominal spasms, nausea, and vomiting.

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment strongly recommended residents to follow safe food handling practices to protect public health. These recommendations include thoroughly washing fresh fruits and vegetables before consumption, as well as purchasing products exclusively from approved retail outlets.

A cyclosporiosis outbreak is observed in several US states, prompting the Food and Drug Administration to launch an investigation.

On August 5, Taylor Farms de Mexico recalled all iceberg lettuce produced in central Mexico. In its notice, the company warned: 'Do not consume recalled Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce. If you purchased the recalled lettuce, discard it or return it.' The brand reported that numerous batches were affected, and the product was sold in various packaging types.

A batch of salad was recalled that had been distributed and sold to consumers, restaurants, and retailers in at least 27 states, including Taco Bell locations and Marketside branded products in some Walmart stores.