Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered as the most common viral sexually transmitted infection worldwide. This poses an increasingly interdisciplinary medical challenge. Since there is vast scattered information in databases about HPV and the correlated diseases, we decided to collect useful data so that the experts can get a more ...

Background: Determination of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distributed in a particular area has an important role on public health throughout the world. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of HCV genotypes in Azerbaijani patients. Patients and Methods: From March 2010 until March 2012, 235 Azerbaijani patients with established chronic hepatitis C, referred to Hospitals related to Iran University of Medical Sciences and Tehran Hepatitis Center, Clinical department of Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroeneterology and Liver Disease, were enrolled in this cross sectional study. About 5 mL of peripheral blood was collected from patients and after separation of plasma, viral RNA extracted. HCV-RNA were amplified by RT-nested PCR using primers from the 5´-UTR and genotyped by RFLP assay, and then HCV genotypes were confirmed using sequencing of cloned PCR products into pJET1.2/blunt cloning vector. Results: HCV genotyping of positive plasma samples demonstrated that predominant HCV subtype was noted for 1b (71.1%) followed by subtype 3a (17.0%), genotype 2 (6.8%), 1a (1.7%), and mixed infection (3.4%). The mean ± SD age of patients was 37.3 ± 11.8 (range: 2-63) years. Out of 235 patients, 139 (59.1%) were male. The frequency of HCV subtype 3a was higher in patients under 40 years old (3a: 18.1% vs. 15.0%), and subtype 3a was higher in male patients (3a: 18.7% vs. 14.6%). Conclusions: The current study shows that the predominant HCV genotype among Azerbaijani patients with established chronic hepatitis C is subtype 1b (71.1%) followed by subtype 3a (17.0%). Keywords: Hepatitis C; Infection; Genotype

CRISPR‐Cas9 technology has rapidly advanced as a transformative genome‐editing platform, facilitating precise genetic modifications and expanding therapeutic opportunities across various diseases. This review explores recent developments and clinical translations of CRISPR applications in oncology, genetic and neurological disorders, infectious diseases, immunotherapy, diagnostics, and epigenome editing. CRISPR has notably progressed in oncology, where it enables the identification of novel cancer drivers, elucidation of resistance mechanisms, and improvement of immunotherapies through engineered T cells, including PD‐1 knockout CAR‐T cells. Clinical trials employing CRISPR‐edited cells are demonstrating promising results in hematologic malignancies and solid tumours. In genetic disorders, such as hemoglobinopathies and muscular dystrophies, CRISPR‐Cas9 alongside advanced editors like base and prime editors show significant potential for correcting pathogenic mutations. This potential was affirmed with the FDA's first approval of a CRISPR‐based therapy, Casgevy, for sickle cell disease in 2023. Neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's, ALS, and Huntington's disease, are increasingly targeted by CRISPR approaches for disease modelling and potential therapeutic intervention. In infectious diseases, CRISPR‐based diagnostics such as SHERLOCK and DETECTR provide rapid, sensitive nucleic acid detection, particularly valuable in pathogen outbreaks like SARS‐CoV‐2. Therapeutically, CRISPR systems target viral and bacterial genomes, offering novel treatment modalities. Additionally, CRISPR‐mediated epigenome editing enables precise regulation of gene expression, expanding therapeutic possibilities. Despite these advances, significant challenges remain, including off‐target effects, delivery methodologies, immune responses, and long‐term genomic safety concerns. Future improvements in editor precision, innovative delivery platforms, and enhanced safety assessments will be essential to fully integrate CRISPR‐based interventions into standard clinical practice, significantly advancing personalised medicine.

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases that affects men like women and infected cutaneous and mucosal squamous epithelium. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in the semen of oligospermic, azoospermic and normal patients.