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journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research is a bimonthly, double-blind, peer-reviewed, open-access journal, published by Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. From 1992 to 2018, the journal was publishing under the name of Journal of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services (pISSN: 1606-9366, eISSN: 2322-4231). It is being indexed in SCOPUS since 2010. From 2019 the name of the journal was changed to Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research and its language was also changed from Persian to English.
The J Adv Med Biomed Res accepts original articles, short communications, review articles, case reports, and letters. The Journal seeks to provide its readers with the highest quality scientific information, published through a process of careful peer review and editorial comments.
Frequency: 6 Issues per Year
E-mail: journal@zums.ac.ir
Website: http://zums.ac.ir/journal/
Phone: (+98) 24 33156113 (+98) 24 33156114
Address: Vice-Chancellor for Research & Technology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Azadi Sq, Zanjan, Iran
The J Adv Med Biomed Res accepts original articles, short communications, review articles, case reports, and letters. The Journal seeks to provide its readers with the highest quality scientific information, published through a process of careful peer review and editorial comments.
Frequency: 6 Issues per Year
E-mail: journal@zums.ac.ir
Website: http://zums.ac.ir/journal/
Phone: (+98) 24 33156113 (+98) 24 33156114
Address: Vice-Chancellor for Research & Technology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Azadi Sq, Zanjan, Iran
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Materials & Methods: 50 patients in the range of 20 - 80 years of age underwent elective surgery for the purpose of inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia recruited in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized manner. At the end of the surgery, the patients received an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block through the direct injection of drugs around nerves. Patients in the control group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus normal saline 1 cc (group C), and the dexamethasone group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus 4 mg (1 cc) dexamethasone (group D). The pain intensity was measured using the VAS scale at1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: The mean time of analgesic duration in group C (3.6±3.8 hr) was greater than group D (1.6±1.14 hr). This difference was statistically significant (P =0.043). The pain intensity 2 hours after surgery in group D was higher than in group C (median with IQR: 3±4 vs. 2±2; P=0.007). The difference in the total analgesic consumption in group D (51.1±32.4 mg) versus group C (26.4±33.8 mg) was significant (P=0.018).
Conclusion: The addition of 4 mg dexamethasone to bupivacaine in an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block at the end of surgery in patients undergoing inguinal herniorraphy under spinal anesthesia failed to prolong the time to the first analgesic request. It provides only a minor analgesic effect 12 hours following surgery.
Keywords: Dexamethasone, Inguinal herrniorraphy, Ilioinguinal nerve, Iliohypogastric nerve, Pain
Materials & Methods: 50 patients in the range of 20 - 80 years of age underwent elective surgery for the purpose of inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia recruited in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized manner. At the end of the surgery, the patients received an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block through the direct injection of drugs around nerves. Patients in the control group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus normal saline 1 cc (group C), and the dexamethasone group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus 4 mg (1 cc) dexamethasone (group D). The pain intensity was measured using the VAS scale at1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: The mean time of analgesic duration in group C (3.6±3.8 hr) was greater than group D (1.6±1.14 hr). This difference was statistically significant (P =0.043). The pain intensity 2 hours after surgery in group D was higher than in group C (median with IQR: 3±4 vs. 2±2; P=0.007). The difference in the total analgesic consumption in group D (51.1±32.4 mg) versus group C (26.4±33.8 mg) was significant (P=0.018).
Conclusion: The addition of 4 mg dexamethasone to bupivacaine in an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block at the end of surgery in patients undergoing inguinal herniorraphy under spinal anesthesia failed to prolong the time to the first analgesic request. It provides only a minor analgesic effect 12 hours following surgery.
Keywords: Dexamethasone, Inguinal herrniorraphy, Ilioinguinal nerve, Iliohypogastric nerve, Pain
Material and Methods: This descriptive analytic study was performed in Zanjan province during 2015–2016. Data included 41265 child births, which were extracted from the Iranian Mother and Newborn (IMAN) web system report of the Zanjan province hospitals (country electronic childbirth register system). Data was analyzed using descriptive, uni-variate, and multi-variate logistic regression tests.
Results: The prevalence of birth defects in Zanjan was 0.7%. Gestational age (odds ratio [OR]: 0.917, 95% CI: 0.869–0.967, P =0.002) and birth weight (OR=0.999, 95% CI: 0.999 – 1.000, P< 0.001) reduced the chance of birth defects, while consanguineous marriage of parents (OR: 1.745, CI 95%: 1.298–2.347, P< 0.001), and mother’s doctoral degree increased its prevalence (OR: 3.928, 95% CI: 1.058–14.584, P =0.041).
Conclusion: It seems that premarital counseling, screening tests before and during pregnancy, and education, especially for being pregnant in appropriate age and conditions, could be the suitable approaches for reducing the birth defects
Material and Methods: The sample consisted of 55 parents of 6-12 years old children with ASD who selected with convenience sampling. For assessing the convergent validity of CPAS-P and Vinland Adaptive Behavior Scale (VABS), the spearman's correlation coefficient test was used. The internal consistency and test-retest reliability were determined by using the Cronbach's alpha and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), respectively.
Results: The mean age of children was 7.62 years. Cronbach's alpha was obtained 0.91 to 0.94, which indicates the proper internal consistency and ICC was 0.90 to 0.95, which indicates the acceptable test-retest reliability. Finally, significant correlations were reported between CPAS-P and VABS tests in related subscales.
Conclusion: Increasing independence in doing daily activities of children with ASD is a concern for rehabilitation professions such as occupational therapists. Valid and reliable instruments are necessary for documenting treatment that should culturally adapted among Iranian children. According to the result of this study, CPAS-P has good psychometric properties for clinical practice and research.
Materials and methods: Viable and aseptically cultured protoscoleces were treated for 17 days with 5 µg/ml FLBZ, 1 µg/ml PZQ and a combination of both drugs. The viability of protoscoleces was assessed daily by microscopic observation and eosin test. Experiment was repeated three times and drug efficacies were presented as the mean value of protoscoleces viability rate. Developed microcysts from continues cultivation of protoscoleces were subjected to this treatment as same as protoscoleces, for 21 days. Structural changes of microcysts were visualized by inverted and transmission electron microscopy.
Results: The most protoscolicidal efficacy was significantly detected in the culture treated with the combination of FLBZ and PZQ, so that all protoscoleces were killed in the nine days post-treatment. Meanwhile, 21.7±9.5% and 30.8±5.3% of protoscoleces that incubated with the same concentrations of FLBZ or PZQ alone were still viable, respectively. Degenerative changes occurred in microcysts on four days of co-treatment with the drugs, while these occurred on six and eight days with FLBZ or PZQ alone, respectively.
Conclusion: This study indicates the favorable combined effect of the FLBZ and PZQ against E. granulosus protoscoleces and microcysts in vitro.
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on exacerbated COPD patients who were admitted to the emergency department, Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman, Iran during 2016-2017. For all the patients, CBC was assessed as they arrived then Pulmonary Function Test and echocardiography were conducted. In order to create the final model, we employed multivariate regression analysis.
Results: A total of 1078 patients were enrolled during one year, of which 58.3% were male. In multivariate analysis, White blood cells (WBC), Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), Mean platelet volume (MPV), Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), FEV1 and mPAP were the six variables which are independently associated with hospital mortality and ICU admission. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve for these six variables model were 78.5, 92 and 86% respectively.
Conclusion: Since the inflammatory and thrombotic events are influential in the prognosis of COPD patients, it may be possible to predict patients outcome with CBC related indices (WBC, PMN, MPV and RDW), although other important risk factors such as pulmonary hypertension and FEV1 decrease should be considered as well.
Material and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were used in this study. Epileptiform activity was induced in dult male Wistar rats by PTZ injection (20 mg/kg, i.p.). To inhibit 2-AG degradation WWL70 and JJKK048 (JJKK048: 1 mg/kg, WWL70: 5 mg/kg, i.p.) were used. To inhibit AEA elimination, URB597 and LY2183240 (URB597: 1 mg/kg, LY2183240: 2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) were used. Synthetic 2-AG was also examined (1 mg/kg, i.p.) before the PTZ injection. All drugs were dissolved in DMSO as vehicle and injected (i.p.) 15 minutes before the PTZ injection. Latency to onset and duration of the epileptiform activity were considered for statistical analysis.
Results: Injection of (JJKK048+WWL70) before the PTZ significantly increased latency to onset of the epileptiform activity (p<0.01), while reduced duration of the epileptiform activity in comparison to the vehicle (p<0.05). In addition, 2-AG administration significantly increased latency to onset of the epileptiform activity (p<0.05) and reduced duration of the epileptiform activity in comparison to the vehicle (p<0.01). However, these indexes did not show significant changes when URB597+LY2183240 were injected before the PTZ (p>0.05).
Conclusion: It seems increased level of 2-AG but not AEA,effectively decreases PTZ induced epileptiform activity of the hippocampus.
Material and Methods: Primarily, a list of kindergartens located in Zanjan city were selected with the help of the State Welfare Organization of Iran. The cluster sampling method was used and 345 samples were randomly entered to the study. Parents were asked to respond to the researcher’s questions based on BEARS questionnaire. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS software.
Results: 304 out of 345 children participating in the study (88%) had sleep disorders. Fear of sleeping alone was the most reported sleep disorders (59.4%). Our study showed that the use of mass media reduced sleep-related problems (P=0.027). There was a significant relationship between maternal education and sleep disorders, and the lowest prevalence of sleep disorders was observed amongst children whose mothers held a bachelor's degree (P=0.008).
Conclusion: The high prevalence of sleep disorders in this study suggests that such psychological problems require special attention on the part of pediatricians, pediatric psychiatrists and general health professionals with an orientation towards teamwork.
Material and Methods: 240 T2D and 240 healthy subjects were recruited. Genotyping was carried out by PCR-RFLP method. T test was used for association study.
Results: ENPP1 121Q (CC) genotype was significantly higher in T2D comparing to controls (OR;1.61, 95% CI;1.02-2.55, P=0.02) and a significant association between the frequency of C allele and T2D was observed (OR;1.339, 95%CI;1.04-1.72, P=0.012). TT genotype of TCF7L2 C>T rs7903146 was significantly higher in T2D patients (OR;0.67, 95% CI;0.49-0.98, P=0.02), but the T allele could not significantly affect the risk for T2D in our population.
Conclusion: The high frequency of Q allele of the ENPP1 K121Q and TT genotype of the TCF7L2 might be considered as a predisposing factor for T2D.
Materials & Methods: In this study, 60 male Albino Wistar rats were used (average weight 250-300 gr). The rats were divided into six groups: 1). Health-Non (HN), 2). Health- Cells (HC), 3). Health –Sham (HS), 4). Diabetic-Non (DN) that were became diabetic by injecting STZ 70 mg/kg intraperitoneally), 5). Diabetic-Sham (DS), 6). And Diabetic-Cell (DC). In all groups, the day of surgery was considered as the zero day, on the back area of animal, the flap was created with a size of 8 × 3 cm and the BM-MSCs were performed. The sampling was performed on day 7 after surgery from the region where Transitional Zone (TZ) necrosis was initiated.
Results: BM-MSCs increased the number of blood vessels (P=0.009) and the histology parameters (wound demarcation P=0.0001, granulation tissue P=0.0001) significantly compared to the control group. But this increase was not significant in the area of the survival region.
Conclusion: It was concluded that after treatment with BM-MSCs, the wound healing process in both non-diabetic and diabetic groups was increased in accordance with histological characteristics.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Random skin flap, Bone marrow, Stem cells, Streptozotocin, Survival
Materials and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into five groups of eight animals. The control group was left intact. Parkinsonian group received an injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in the right anterior mid-brain. Extract treated groups received hydro-alcoholic extract of B. carduchrum at doses of 100, 200 and 400mg/kg by gavage seven days after 6-OHDA injection. 14 days after treatment, bar test was performed and lipid peroxide levels of different brain regions were determined. Data were analyzed by ANOVA followed by Tukey's test using SPSS software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: In 6-OHDA-lesioned group, bar time was increased significantly (P<0.05) when compared with the control group (122.50±90.12 versus 0.00±0.00). B. carduchrum at doses of 200 and 400mg/kg significantly reduced 6-OHDA induced catalepsy (P<0.0.5). 6-OHDA treatment leads to significant increases in lipid peroxide levels of cerebellum, cortex, hippocampus and striatum (P<0.05). Administration of B. carduchrum extract at different doses caused significant reduction in the lipid peroxide levels of different brain regions (P<0.05).
Conclusion: B. carduchrum extract ameliorated 6-OHDA -induced catalepsy and lipid peroxide level of brain in rat’s model of Parkinson’s disease.
Keywords: Biarum carduchrum, Catalepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Lipid peroxide
Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 48 female BALB/c pups were divided into 4 groups: control (without treatment), treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB), 100 and 200 (mg/kg bw) FAE that were daily administered for 5 days from birth.
Results: The age at vaginal opening (VO) was significantly earlier in EB and 200 FAE. Body weight at VO was lower than control only in EB. A disrupted estrus cycle, decreased number of cycles and increased index diestrus were observed in EB and 200 FAE treated mice. Ovary weight in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE-treated groups were lower. The number of Graafian follicles in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE and number of corpus luteum in the EB and 200 FAE groups were lower than that of control females. Estradiol concentration increased in the EB and 200 FAE and LH concentration decreased in the EB-, 100- and 200 FAE groups. The lordosis quotient (LQ) was significantly low in the EB- and 200 FAE-treated groups, vis-à-vis the control group.
Conclusion: The present results indicated that neonatal exposure to FAE induces early VO and disrupts ovary function. In addition, fennel acts like xenoestrogens and causes defeminization of the brain in the estrus cycle as well as lordosis in mice.
Keywords: Foeniculumvulgare, Puberty, Reproductive Health, Lordosis
Materials & Methods: This historic (retrospective) cohort study was conducted on 280 one-year-old male and female infants who were divided into two equal groups of low and normal birth weights. Then, the developmental status of the neonates at the corrected age of one year was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19 via t-test and multiple regression analysis.
Results: Of the 280 infants examined, 142 (50.7%) of them were male and 138 (49.3%) were female with the mean weight of 640.9±2696.9 gr, and the mean gestational age of 37.8±2.4 weeks. Moreover, the findings revealed that the gross motor skills and the problem-solving areas had the highest levels of developmental delay in the subjects. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between the developmental delay of the neonates in different areas and the variables of birth weight, birth height, birth rate, duration of hospitalization in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and some causes of neonatal hospitalization (P<0.05).
Conclusion: According to the results, health policymakers were recommended to pay much more attention to the assessment of the developmental status of low-weight neonates for timely diagnosis and treatment as well as the education of health care providers and parents.
Keywords: Developmental status, Low birth weight, Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ)
Materials & Methods: 20 eligible men with prostate cancer with an average age of 62.6±7.71 years, height of 172.15±5.02 cm, average weight of 75.6±11.6 kg, and the body mass index 25.54±3.47 were divided randomly into two groups (10 individuals each): the control and experimental groups. The experimental group experienced eight weeks of combined training (Aerobic resistance) with three sessions per week. During this period the control group did not participate in any exercise. At the beginning and the end of the period, 5 mL blood samples were taken to measure serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3. The obtained data were then analyzed using ANCOVA with P-value≤ 0.05.
Results: The results showed that the eight weeks of combined training significantly reduced the level of IGF-I in the experimental group (P=0.001). Also, the combined training significantly increased the level of IGFBP-3 in the experimental group, which was significantly different from the control group (P=0.036).
Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the combined training can affect some of the factors associated with prostate cancer and may be able to contribute to the improvement of patientschr('39') disease (along with the main treatment protocol).
Keywords: ombined training, Prostate cancer, IGF-I, IGFBP-3
Materials & Methods: This study was conducted at Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital on 72 renal patients. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was assumed as the gold standard method. The NGAL and Cys-C were used as predictors and estimated GFR was used as a response variable. Three logistic regression models were fitted to investigate the impact of single and multiple markers for the prediction of GFR status.
Results: The regression models with NGAL and Cys-C as single predictors, and with both of them as multivariate predictors, were fitted to the data. The markers except for Cys-C were significantly related to the renal damage in all models (P<0.05). The obtained odds ratio for the model with NGAL, Cys-Cand both NGAL and Cys-C were 1.142, 1.004 and 1.125, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the models with NGAL, Cys-C and both of them were 96.00 and 100.00; 64.00 and 97.87; and 96.00 and 100, respectively.
Conclusion: Our findings revealed that the NGAL biomarker as a single predictor could result in high predictor power for classifying the patients with and without kidney damage. Thus, the clinicians can use this marker for the early prediction of this renal problem.
Keywords: Kidney damage, NGAL, Cystatin C, AUC, Iranian population
Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a total of 100 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from UTI cases in Milad Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The sensitivity of the isolates to 12 antibiotics was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. AmpC production was determined using a boronic acid combined-disk test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out to screen all isolates with family-specific PMABL genes. The genetic relatedness of AmpC-producing isolates was determined by an enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR).
Results: Over a period of 11 months, PMABLs were detected in 49 isolates (49%) of K. pneumoniae. Resistance to at least three classes of antimicrobials was detected in 30 (61.2%) PMABL producers. Among AmpC producers, 34 isolates harbored only one AmpC gene group, including MOX (n=11), EBC (n=8), ACC (n=7), CIT (n=4), FOX (n=2), and DHA (n=2). Multiple AmpC gene groups were detected in 15 isolates. The ERIC-PCR showed the polyclonal distribution of AmpC-producing isolates.
Conclusion: In our study, a high frequency of AmpC-producing K. pneumoniae was observed. This is the first report of ACC type AmpC beta-lactamase in Iran. Strategies to minimiz
Materials & Methods: This quasi experimental study was conducted on 40 hemodialysis patients selected by census sampling method. In the first session, intensity of arterial and venous puncture pain, without applying any intervention, was recorded using the visual analogue scale (VAS). In the second and third sessions before catheterization, ice cubes were placed on the Hoku point for 10 minutes and the intensity of pain of arterial and venous fistula was immediately measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS 19 by independent t-test.
Results: The mean score of pain in the first session (arterial: 5.97±2.44, venous: 6.00±2.62) was compared with the mean score of pain in the second (arterial: 2.80±1.92, venous: 2.72±2.09) and third sessions (arterial: 2.42±1.72, venous: 2.50±1.93). The results of repeated measure analysis of variance showed that the mean score of pain significantly reduced in the second and third sessions compared to the first session (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Cryotherapy at the Hoku point reduces the severity of pain of arteriovenous fistula catheterization and, thus, can be suggested as an effective noninvasive method for puncture pain relief in hemodialysis patients.
Keywords: Arteriovenous Fistula, Cryotherapy, Hemodialysis, Pain
Materials and Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up for 2 months. The sample consisted of 20 migraine patients aged 15-55 years. Initial evaluation (entrance examination and exit), implementation of the Ahvaz Migraine Questionnaire (AMQ), and Blanchard Headache Diary (BHD) were performed. Patients were randomly assigned to the neurofeedback treatment group (N=10) and tDCS (N=10). Subjects of each group were evaluated 4 times consisting before intervention. The data were analyzed using SPSS 23 software.
Results: The results of Mann-Whitney U test indicated that there was no significant difference between the two treatments during the stages of evaluation in the severity, duration, and number of pain attacks per month. The results of Friedman test showed that there was a significant difference between the severity of headaches and the number of pain attacks in one month in the treatment groups during the stages of evaluation, but the duration of pain relief in each group in the evaluation steps did not differ significantly.
Conclusion: Neurofeedback and tDCS treatments reduce the symptoms of migraine disease, but there is no significant difference between the two treatments in terms of headache symptoms improvement.
Keywords: Migraine, Neurofeedback, Transcranial direct current stimulation
Materials & Methods: 50 patients in the range of 20 - 80 years of age underwent elective surgery for the purpose of inguinal hernia repair under spinal anesthesia recruited in a prospective, double-blinded, randomized manner. At the end of the surgery, the patients received an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block through the direct injection of drugs around nerves. Patients in the control group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus normal saline 1 cc (group C), and the dexamethasone group received bupivacaine 0.5% (2 cc) plus 4 mg (1 cc) dexamethasone (group D). The pain intensity was measured using the VAS scale at1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 hours after surgery.
Results: The mean time of analgesic duration in group C (3.6±3.8 hr) was greater than group D (1.6±1.14 hr). This difference was statistically significant (P =0.043). The pain intensity 2 hours after surgery in group D was higher than in group C (median with IQR: 3±4 vs. 2±2; P=0.007). The difference in the total analgesic consumption in group D (51.1±32.4 mg) versus group C (26.4±33.8 mg) was significant (P=0.018).
Conclusion: The addition of 4 mg dexamethasone to bupivacaine in an ilioinguinal and iliohypogastric block at the end of surgery in patients undergoing inguinal herniorraphy under spinal anesthesia failed to prolong the time to the first analgesic request. It provides only a minor analgesic effect 12 hours following surgery.
Keywords: Dexamethasone, Inguinal herrniorraphy, Ilioinguinal nerve, Iliohypogastric nerve, Pain
Materials & Methods: This case (M. tuberculosis resistant to EMB) -control (M. tuberculosis sensitive to EMB) study was performed in the West of Iran (2014-2015), in order to determine the sensitivity of M. tuberculosis strains. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-DNA sequencing was used for determining the point-mutations of embB306 gene in both groups (sensitive and resistant to EMB). Data was analyzed by SPSS 16 and Fisherchr('39')s exact test.
Results: Fifty M. tuberculosis strains were isolated from 1019 patients that were suspected to have tuberculosis (TB). 86% of the isolates were sensitive and 14% were resistant to EMB. EmbB306 gene sequencing showed no mutation in control samples; but mutation was observed in 85.71% of resistant samples in case samples. The embB306 mutation showed a significant relationship with EMB resistance (P= 0.00).
Conclusion: Mutations in embB306 were observed in the strains resistant to EMB; however, there was no mutation in the sensitive group. There is a direct relationship between these mutations and this type of resistance, so it is an indicator of creation of resistance to EMB in M. tuberculosis.
Keywords: embB306 Gene, Ethambutol, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Point-Mutations
Materials and Methods: Eighty- nine A. baumannii isolates were collected from wound specimens and were confirmed by different biochemical tests. The biofilm-producing strains were identified using the crystal violet method. The producing strains of KPC, ESBL, and AmpC β-lactamase enzymes were detected through phenotypic tests. Further, the PCR method was employed to identify the ESBL, KPC, and AmpC. The Chi-square test and SPSS 16 were used for data analysis.
Results: Among 89 wound isolates, 21 and 68 were collected from male and female patients, respectively. The strains resistant to ciprofloxacin (69.66%) and gentamicin (66.29%) were the most frequent strains while ceftazidime (7.86%) and colistin (1.12%) resistant strains had the lowest frequency. Furthermore, 40 isolates were considered as ESBL-producing enzymes, 33 isolates as AmpC, and 26 isolates as KPC-producing enzymes. In addition, the isolates were categorized as strong biofilms with 20 isolates, moderate biofilms with 19 isolates, and weak biofilm-producing strains with 10 isolates. The distribution of the β-lactamase genes in A. baumannii isolates was blaVEB (34.83%), blaPER (32.58%), blaFOX (29.21%), blaADC (30.33%), blaIMP (28.08%), and blaKPC (22.47%).
Conclusion: Our results demonstrated that isolates with a higher level of antibiotic resistance tended to form stronger biofilms. Likewise, the results showed that the relationship between biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance might be affected by the type of β-lactamase enzyme in wound infection.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, β-lactamases, Biofilm, Bacterial Infections, Drug Resistance
Materials & Methods: A total of 80 male mice were randomly divided into four groups: stress -no ozone, stress - ozone, no stress-no ozone, no stress- ozone group. Isolation stress was used (daily, 4 hours, for 14 days). The healing process was evaluated based on measuring the wound surface area in days 2, 6, 10, and 14 and histopathological data.
Results: Isolation stress by decreasing the fibroblast maturation and angiogenesis in the wound leads to a reduction in the speed of wound healing. Ozone enhanced the rate of tissue repair in both stress and stressless situations by decreasing inflammation and increasing the fibroblast maturation, amount of collagen tissue, rate of re-epithelialization, new vascularization, and granulation tissue size.
Conclusion: The results of this study implied that treatment with ozone could accelerate the wound healing process and decrease the harmful effects of stress conditions in healing process of animal model.
Keywords: Isolation stress, Ozonated water, Wound healing
Materials & Methods: Six groups of Wistar rats (8 in each group), including control, diabetic control (intraperitoneal injection (IP) of 0.5 mL saline solution for 30 days after induction of diabetes), diabetic treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of green tea aqueous extract (IP injection of 0.5 mL green tea extract for 30 days), and diabetic treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of catechin (IP injection 0.5 mL of catechin for 30 days) were used. The induction of diabetes was conducted through an IP injection of 240 mg/kg alloxan. At the end of the treatment course, the serum levels of LH, FSH, estrogen, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and cytoplasmic HOdG-8 in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA method. ANOVA and Tukey post hoc test (P<0.05) were used to perform the data analysis.
Results: The incorporation of 200 mg/kg green tea extract and 100 and 200 mg/kg concentrations of catechin, in comparison with the diabetic control group, led to a significant dose-dependent increase in the serum level of LH, FSH, estrogen, testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone. A dose-dependent significant decrease was observed in HOdG-8 in the testicular tissue of diabetic rats (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, compared to green tea, catechin considerably enhanced the hormonal parameters and reduced HOdG-8 in testicular tissue of diabetic rats.
Keywords: Catechin, Diabetes mellitus, Green tea, Oxidative Stress, Rats, Testis
Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional study 1500 students were randomly selected by cluster random sampling ; ISSAC questionnaire was filled by face to face interview and patients with asthma were recognized and their anxiety status was also measured using Zung questionnaire.
Results: A total of 225 students (15%) had symptoms of mild to moderate asthma. The frequency of anxiety among students with and without asthma was 38.7% and 26.7% respectively. There was a significant correlation between asthma with anxiety (P=0.0001). The odds ratio for anxiety in asthmatic group was 1.73, CI95% (1.16- 2.58).
Conclusion: These results showed higher prevalence of asthma and anxiety inadolescents and significant correlation between asthma and anxiety.
Keywords: Adolescents, Anxiety, Asthma
Materials & Methods: The methanolic extracts of the aerial parts of A. scoparia and C. microcarpa were prepared by the maceration method. In the culture, mature cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs) were exposed to Aβ alone or in combination with different concentrations of extracts and incubated for 24 hours, and cell viability was measured by the MTT assay. Oxidative stress markers and AChE activity were also measured. Then, the AChE activity of cultured neurons was measured after incubation with different concentrations of extracts. The LD50 values of extracts were estimated using the limit test.
Results: The co-incubation of C. microcarpa and A. scoparia extracts with Aβ protected CGNs against Aβ-induced cell death and ameliorated Aβ-induced oxidative stress. The AChE activity of cultured neurons was inhibited by both extracts in a dose-dependent manner. LD50 was estimated as being above 2000 mg/kg for both extracts.
Conclusion: Both extracts attenuated Aβ-induced cell death by ameliorating oxidative stress. Also, the inhibitory effect of extracts on AChE activity might have been involved. Based on these results, these extracts may have therapeutic effects on Alzheimer’s disease. However, further investigations are recommended.
Keywords: Alzheimer, Oxidative stress, Acetylcholinesterase, Cerasus microcarpa, Amygdalus scoparia
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2010 to October 2016 on patients referred to the hospital for bronchoscopy due to any respiratory problem. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was sampled during bronchoscopy and the smears and cultures of tuberculosis mycobacterium acquired from the samples were examined.
Results: In this study, 2377 patients were studied. The patients aged between 30 and 96 years, and of all patients, 1397 individuals were male. The prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis among patients with and without anthracosis was 9.24% and 3.07%, respectively (P<0.001). The frequency ratio of females with anthracosis in comparison with males with anthracosis showed that the prevalence of this disease among females is higher than in males (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Pulmonary tuberculosis and anthracosis are related to each other and there is a direct relationship between the prevalence of pulmonary anthracosis and age and the female sex.
Keywords: Anthracosis, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Iran, Tuberculosis
Keywords: Genistein, Inflammation, Hyperglycemia, Insulin resistance, Metabolic syndrome, Soy isoflavone
Keywords: COVID-19, Diagnosis, Inflammation, Lymphocyte, Neutrophil, Platelet
Materials and Methods: The study included three groups: two patients and one control, and each group contained 22 individuals. Two groups of patients (A and B) received 100,000 IU and 200,000 IU doses of vitamin A, respectively, in addition to suction curettage. β-HCG levels were then measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).
Results: The β-HCG drop-in group B, which received 200,000 IU of vitamin A, was higher than that of group A. It was significant in the third and fourth weeks after the treatment compared to the control group. There was also a significant relationship between the three groups in terms of Gravid (P<0.001). All the patients were followed up for 6 months.
Conclusion: Considering that in the long run, the dose of 200,000 IU compared to the dose of 100,000 IU of vitamin A did not significantly reduce the B-HCG, therefore, in order to prevent the complications of high doses, the single dose of 100,000 IU was used for GTD patients.
Keywords: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD), β-HCG, Gravid, Parity, Vitamin A
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from 2017 to 2018 on all patients with burn wound infection. Burn wounds suspected of infection were collected aseptically and traditional bacteriological methods were used to identify the causes of infection. Antimicrobial resistance test was done by the disk diffusion method in accordance with CLSI recommendations.
Results: From the total of 1500 wound culture, 957(63.8%) samples were detected as positive. The highest rate of infection was in the ICU ward and the lowest was in the restoration ward. The most common gram-negative bacteria were Acinetobacter baumannii (34.9%) with the highest and the lowest antibiotic resistance to Ceftazidime and Tobramycin, respectively. Among recovered Gram-positive isolates, Staphylococcus aureus (10.2%) were the predominant isolates with the highest and the lowest antibiotic resistance to Penicillin and Vancomycin, respectively.
Conclusion: Due to the variable nature of antibiotic susceptibility patterns and pathogens causing burn wound infection, continuous evaluation, detection of dominant bacterial infections and sensitivity patterns to locally available antibiotics in burn wound patients in order to modify the drug regimen for proper antibiotic treatment is important and seems reasonable.
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance pattern, Bacterial infection, Burn patients
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 135 patients with Parkinson’s disease, referred to Rasoul Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The subjects were selected using the convenience sampling method. FOG was confirmed via clinical examination by two fellows of the movement disorder fellowship program. Variables were evaluated using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis, and measurement of the area under the ROC curve (AUC).
Results: Out of 135 patients with Parkinson’s disease, 36 (26.7%) had FOG. Based on the results, FOG had a significantly higher prevalence in older patients, compared to younger patients. According to the results, FOG had no significant relationship with other baseline variables, including gender, disease duration, and disease manifestations. According to the multivariate logistic regression model, advanced age (OR: 0.915; P=0.031) and longer disease duration (OR: 0.992; P=0.019) predicted the incidence of FOG in the presence of underlying factors.
Conclusion: The prevalence of FOG among patients with Parkinson’s disease was estimated at 26.7%, which is within the global range. The results revealed that age and duration of disease were two factors, which could predict the occurrence of FOG with high sensitivity and specificity.
Keywords: Determinants, Freezing of Gait, Parkinson's disease, Prevalence, Risk Factors
Methods & Materials: This study was carried out in 2018 on all GI cancer patients referred to health centers in the province of Zanjan (i.e., Vali-e Asr teaching hospital and Mehraneh charity clinic for cancer therapy). The Persian version of Sarason’s social support questionnaire was applied.
Results: The questionnaire was completed by 284 patients. The average amount of SSQN was 3.56±1.25. The average score of SSQS was 4.87±0.57. Network dimension and satisfaction status were significantly correlated (P<0.001). Groups were significantly different in terms of their satisfaction (P<0.001), whereas they were the same in terms of network size.
Conclusion: Cancer patients reported high levels of social support in terms of network (SSQN), but were not highly pleased with the support received (SSQS). More secure employment, higher income, a higher level of education, and being an urban resident are predictors of high levels of satisfaction of perceived social support.
Keywords: Cancer, Social determinants, Social support
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 50 patients undergoing septoplasty surgery at Besat Hospital, Hamadan, Iran, (during 2018 and 2019) were selected among the patients and randomly allocated in two groups of septoplasty with nasal pack (group A, 25 patients) and septoplasty without nasal pack (group B, 25). Anxiety score, pain score, bleeding rate, hematoma, respiratory status and local infection were compared in both groups. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.
Results: The incidence of complications of throat irritation, tearing and headache and facial pain during the first 24 hours after septoplasty in group A was 48%, 76% and 64%, respectively, and in group B, it was 12%, 0% and 0%, respectively (P <0.05). Mean score of anxiety and pain in the patients during 24 hours and first week after septoplasty and mean score of nasal obstruction during 24 hours, first week and three months after septoplasty in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (P <0.05).
Conclusion: The use of nasal packs following septoplasty can cause throat irritation, tearing, increased pain, anxiety and respiratory problems in patients and it seems to have no effects on the duration of bleeding during 24 hours after the surgery.
Keywords: Septoplasty, Nasal Packing, Facial Pain, Anxiety
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 26 non-relative PKU patients (1-23 years old, phenylalanine: 4.5-250 mg/dl) were identified from different regions of Golestan Province within a one-year period (2016). Genomic DNA was then extracted from leukocytes using the high pure PCR template preparation kit (Roche) and the fragments containing the PAH VNTR were evaluated using PCR-sequencing method.
Results: PCR products of PAH VNTR alleles produced 334, 454, 484, 514, and 604 bp fragments. They were corresponding to the presence of alleles with 3, 7, 8, 9, and 12 copies of the repeat units, respectively. In addition, the distribution of VNTR alleles was as follows: 28.85%, 28.85%, 17.3%, 19.23%, and 5.77%.
Conclusion: This study is the first report regarding the genetic structure of PKU population using PAH VNTR alleles in Golestan Province. Considering the population diversity in Iran, it is necessary to investigate the frequency and distribution of VNTR alleles in different parts of the country.
Keywords: Phenylketonuria, Phenylalanine hydroxylase, VNTR, Iran
Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in two orthopedic surgery wards in 2019. A total of 22 orthopedic surgeons were observed in this survey. The data were collected using Non-Technical Skills for Surgeons (NOTSS) through observing and recording events during surgeries.
Results: “Leadership” was the best non-technical skill with score of 3.14 out of 4, while “communication and teamwork” had the lowest score (3.02 out of 4). There was a significant relationship between work experience and “projecting and anticipating future state” (P=0.009).
Conclusion: The studied orthopedic surgeons showed acceptable non-technical skills. However, poor behaviors were observed in some domains. Educational programs, policymaking interventions, and supervision can improve the surgeons’ non-technical skills.
Keywords: Human factors, Non-technical skills, Orthopedic surgery, Operating room, Surgeon
Materials and Methods: Neuropathic pain was created by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve. Male Wistar rats were assigned to the sham, CCI, CCI+resveratrol (40μg/5μL), CCI+resveratrol+prazosin (α1-adrenoceptor antagonist,30μg/5μL), and CCI+resveratrol-Yohimbine (α2-adrenoceptor antagonist, 30μg/5μL) groups. The rats received intra-ACC injection of the drug on the day of CCI and for 6 days post-CCI on a daily basis. Cold allodynia (using acetone test) and anxiety (using elevated plus maze, EPM) were examined on days 2, 4, and 6 following CCI.
Results: CCI model significantly increased cold allodynia and anxiety. Resveratrol significantly decreased cold allodynia. Prazosin induced no significant changes in allodynia as compared with the CCI+resveratrol treated group. But the animals in this group had no significant difference from the day before the surgery or compared with the sham group. Prazosin significantly decreased entries into open arms. Additionally, yohimbine significantly increased cold allodynia as compared with the CCI+resveratrol treated group. However, it induced no significant changes in the EPM parameters. Our findings also demonstrated a significant correlation between allodynia and anxiety in CCI rats.
Conclusion: It is suggested that the mechanism of analgesic and anxiolytic activities of resveratrol in the ACC of rats is different, and is mediated through α2- and α1-adrenoceptors, respectively.
Keywords: Allodynia, Anxiety, Anterior cingulate cortex, α-adrenoceptors, Rat, Resveratrol
Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multi-system inflammatory vascular disorder with auto immunity background. It is a genetic disease that may be affected by environmental factors. Behçet’s disease may involve different organs like urogenital, skin, eyes and gastrointestinal system. According to geographic area and genetic predisposition, prevalence of the disease is different. The aim of this study was the evaluation of some clinical features of muco-cutaneous lesions of Behcet,s disease in 2018.
Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was done on 43 patients with Behçet’s disease (24 men, 19 women). Data about age, sex, duration of the disease, taking medicine was collected. The self-reported questionnaire was completed by participations. Skin manifestations, genital and ocular involvement were alsodocumented.
Results:
The male to female ratio was 1.26/1. Oral aphthous commonly localized on the lips. The percent for ocular involvement and skin lesions were 76%,48% respectively. There was a statically significant correlation between ocular lesions and age. Also relationship between skin lesions and frequency of oral aphthous per year was meaningful too. There was a significant relationship between incidence of ocular lesions and incidence of skin lesions.
Conclusion:
Oral aphthous as the most popular manifestation of BD is the hallmark of diagnosis. Thus, patients with oral aphthous require close surveillance for other manifestations of BD for timely diagnosis and refer to Rheumatologist.
Keywords: Stomatitis, Aphthous, Behcet Syndrome, eye manifestations, genitalia, skin manifestations
Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, the 96 participants from MS Patients Support Association in Mashhad completed the demographic form, depression subscale of the DASS-42, and FSS. Then, they were randomly assigned to intervention and sham groups. Participants in the intervention group pressed Shenmen, and Yintang and the sham group pressed 2.5 cm below the Shenmen and three centimeters above the Yin Tang acupoints 15 minutes every day for one month. The depression subscale of the DASS-42 and FSS questionnaires were completed by the participants one hour after the last intervention in each group. In this study, chi-square, independent t-test, and paired t-test tests were used.
Results: The statistical analysis showed that the mean fatigue and depression scores in the two groups did not have significant differences before the intervention (P > 0.05). One hour after the last intervention, statistical analysis showed that the mean of fatigue and depression scores in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the sham group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Self-acupressure is a simple and inexpensive intervention that effectively reduces depression and fatigue among MS patients.
Keywords: Acupressure, Depression, Fatigue, Multiple sclerosis
Keywords: Thrombolytic therapy, Acute Myocardial Infarction, ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Zanjan is reported as the hot spot region of Brucellosis infection in Iran. This longitudinal study aimed to determine the epidemiologic pattern as well as the risk of Brucellosis using geospatial estimation in Zanjan province.
Materials and Methods
The data used in this study were collected from the Health Center of the cities of Zanjan province during 2012-2017 and after the approval of the disease control unit of the province, entered the study. This longitudinal study was used to determine the annual pattern of the disease and to identify high-risk areas using Moran statistics and then analyzed using the temporal spatial cox model.
Results
The results of the research show that the number of affected people in the province was increased after 2012 and the maximum number was observed from 2013 to 2014, however, from 2015 to 2016 it showed a significant decrease. Spatial variations show that the incidenceof the disease was increased in all areas over the six years. the temporal variations shows that during the years 2012 to 2017 the incidence of brucellosis in spring and summer was higher than other seasons; thereafter the incidence peak was witnessed in Khordad, Tir and Mordad.
Conclusion
The results of this study can be used to determine the starting point of future programs and to evaluate their effectiveness.
Keywords: Brucella Infection, Geospatial, longitudinal, Trend, Iran
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in a pandemic (1). Early diagnosis and testing of symptomatic individuals and asymptomatic carriers (2) remain essential since the latter group can transmit the virus (3,4). Current assays for SARS-CoV-2 detection are mostly based on quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR)(5). However, cross-contamination remains a challenge in RT-qPCR assays. Here, we would like to share the most interesting route of sample contamination in SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnosis laboratories and the necessity of personnel testing.
We set up our molecular diagnosis laboratory three months ago using RT-qPCR. We strictly adhered to biosafety guidelines to ensure personnel safety and avoid cross-contamination of samples. We use (i) two extraction negative controls (EXNC), (ii) one no template control for every 10 samples, and (iii) one negative control. Note that to minimize the probability of contamination, the positive control was prepared last, after each patient’s sample was added to the corresponding tube.
After one month and a half, we noticed a slightly positive signal (Cq = 38) in one of the EXNC. Upon repeating the run, both EXNC showed a Cq = 38. We narrowed down the cause to the personnel. Thus, all the personnel were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by the reference laboratory of the Pasteur Institute of Iran.
We were astonished when we found that the person who was in charge of extractions tested positive for SARS-nCoV-2. This same person also handled the extraction kits. Thus, a SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative technician was assigned to perform viral RNA extraction. The results were perfectly satisfactory.
How is it possible when the RNA extraction technologist used all necessary personal protective equipment and level 2 biosafety guidelines?
Since the SARS-CoV-2 PCR-positive person handled the extraction kits, she contaminated all the buffers and solutions probably by inadvertent touching of her mask or face.
What we observed is the trickiest route of cross-contamination in a molecular diagnostic laboratory even when the most experienced user is working. When molecular diagnostic laboratory personnel do not use shields, it is probable that they touch their masks or faces inadvertently. Especially when they work long hours, and the mask becomes wet because of the exhalation, the outer surface of the mask is certainly contaminated.
We strongly recommend that all the personnel working in SARS-CoV-2 molecular diagnostic laboratories have to be tested. In fact, personnel of every molecular diagnosis laboratory should be tested especially for respiratory diseases that can be transmitted through exhalation of infected individuals.
Ethical considerations
Ethical issues (Including plagiarism, informed consent, misconduct, data fabrication and/or falsification, double publication and/or submission, redundancy, etc.) have been completely observed by the authors.
Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 234 nurses working in diverse wards of the two public hospitals affiliated to Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Iran selected by the convenience sampling method. The data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, Occupational Fatigue Exhaustion Recovery scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Finally, the data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance using the SPSS software version 21.
Results: The mean sleep quality index of the nurses working in the nursing station was at the appropriate level (3.83±2.32), whereas the nurses working in other wards had an unsuitable level of sleep quality index. Moreover, the mean score of occupational fatigue was high among the nurses of female Post-cardiac Care Unit (post-CCU) (58.12±12.24) and moderate among the nurses of other hospital wards. The results of t-test indicated significantly lower mean scores of sleep latency, taking sleeping medications, and acute fatigue in nurses with a second job, compared to nurses with a single job (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Sleep problems and occupational fatigue in nurses of the female Post-CCU and nursing stations were higher and lower than the nurses working in the other hospital wards, respectively. Furthermore, the second job variable was found to be important and influential.
Keywords: Hospital, Nurse, Occupational fatigue, Sleep quality
Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 180 suicide attempters, who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study, were recruited in 2017. The data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). The blood cholesterol level was measured via an auto-analyzer.
Results: The mean age was 26.39±10.75 years. The average cholesterol level in the moderate, severe, and serious depression groups was 151.30±35.23, 145.89±36.32, and 145.15±33.33, respectively. The mean age was higher in the group with a higher depression level, though the difference was not significant (P=0.06). The percentage of suicide attempts in single individuals was significantly higher (P=0.02). The mean cholesterol level in the group with the highest level of depression was the lowest, but the difference was insignificant (r=-.01, P=0.85). Only in females, the level of blood cholesterol showed a nearly significant difference between groups with different severities of depression (P=0.05). Cholesterol had a significant correlation with suicide frequency (P=0.008, r=0.28).
Conclusion: Our results revealed no significant association between low serum cholesterol and suicide in attempters with depression; but low total serum cholesterol may be associated with depression and suicide in depressed subjects. Yet, more studies are required for verification of this causality.
Keywords: Serum cholesterol, Depression, Suicide, Attempter
Keywords: Coronavirus Disease 2019, COVID-19, Economic Consequences, MENA
Materials & Methods: The cohort of this prospective study comprised 231 subjects, all of whom were candidates for a CS during 2016. The patients were evaluated based on the type of medication received. After undergoing spinal anesthesia, the first group received 0.5 mg/kg ketamine intravenously and the second group received 0.1 mg/kg dexamethasone intravenously. The patients in these two groups were compared with a control group made up of patients who had not received any medication. Levels of pain severity during and immediately after, as well as 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 18 h, and 24 h after the CS, were recorded based on the visual analogue scale (VAS). The amount of pethidine consumed was also documented.
Results: Compared to the control group, the intravenous administration of ketamine and dexamethasone significantly reduced shoulder pain resulted from CS under spinal anesthesia (P<0.05). In addition, the number of pethidine recipients in the control group was significantly higher (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results showed that prophylactic administration of dexamethasone and ketamine is effective in relieving shoulder pain after a CS.
Materials & Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 86 patients who referred to Noor Psychiatric Clinic and Neurology Clinic of Valiasr Hospital, Zanjan, Iran. Patients were divided into two groups of daily treatment with medication and treatment with medicine and biofeedback. Cases were monitored every two months using interviews and questionnaires.
Results: The study was carried out on 86 migraine patients with the age range of 31-45 years for 3 months. Most of the patients were female, including 90.7% of the individuals in the case group and 81.4% of the control group. The frequency distribution of medication use was not different between the two groups (P=0.744). Most of the participants had a history of more than 1 year of headache. During the treatment, the frequency and severity of attacks reduced obviously until the 8th week. The decrease in the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) score was more significant in the biofeedback group, except in the 10th and 12th weeks. However, the decline in the MIDAS score was not significant. Moreover, the reduction in the frequency of attacks remained significant until the end of the study.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the combination of biofeedback treatment and medication therapy provides a more rapid response than pharmacological treatment alone. Therefore, biofeedback is an effective add-on therapy, which can be taken into consideration for diminishing all aspects of migraine headache attacks.
Keywords: Biofeedback, Effective, Migraine headache, Pharmacological, Treatment
Oxidative stress, inflammation and increased iron stores are concepts related to each other. Oxidative stress has been defined by an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant conditions, which along with boosted inflammatory response have been commonly reported in critical situation in patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (5, 6). Inflammation and oxidative stress can also be considered as one of the most important probable causes of increased iron stores in critical patients (7). Likewise, iron excess promotes the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress via "Fenton reaction", as well as the increase of susceptibility to infection (2). It should be mentioned that the relationship between iron overload and infectious diseases has been relatively proved (7). Imbalance iron metabolism and iron overload status can be deteriorated after emerging infection in these patients.
Keywords: Iron-chelator, Intensive Care Unit, Iron overload
Material and Methods: Overall, 130 AML patients were recruited for our study. WT1 mutations were determined by Sanger sequencing, and expression levels were determined by real-time PCR. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS).
Results: The frequency of WT1 mutations in the study population was 5.4%, and it did not affect overall survival (OS) (p=0.98), disease-free survival (DFS) (p=0.97), or complete remission (CR) rates in AML patients. The major allele of SNP rs16754 in the current study was A. No significant differences were found for OS (p=0.52), DFS (p=0.42), or complete remission rates among all SNP rs16754 genotypes. The overexpression of WT1 was observed in 83% of patients at diagnosis. No significant difference was found for OS (p=0.84), DFS (p=0.82), or complete remission rates between AML patients with high and low WT1 expression levels.
Conclusion: The results of the current study do not support WT1 mutation, SNP rs16754, or WT1 overexpression at diagnosis, as they were found to be poor prognostic markers in AML patients.
Keywords: AML, WT1 mutations, WT1 expression, SNP rs16754, Outcomes
Materials and Methods: First, thyme essential oil was prepared and a questionnaire regarding the patients’ symptoms was designed. Then, 83 patients with COVID-19 were randomly selected and divided into control group and thyme receiving group (TRG). The questionnaire was completed and emphasized to consume 5 mL of the syrup or essential oil three times per day. Finally, one week after the first visit, the questionnaire was completed again to determine the effects of thyme on the mentioned symptoms. Finally, the test results were reviewed and reported.
Results: The results one week after taking thyme showed that, the fever (p<0.027), dizziness (p<0.003), cough, dyspnea, muscular pain, headache, anorexia, weakness and lethargy, fatigue, and chest wall pain were significantly reduced (p<0.001). Also, BUN (p<0.004), neutrophil count (p<0.001), and calcium (p<0.034) decreased but, lymphocyte count was increased significantly (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Thyme plant which has high antioxidant properties, strengthens the immune system, and induces the antiviral effect could reduce the symptoms of coronavirus; therefore, it is recommended for reducing the symptoms of COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, Thyme, Thymus Vulgaris, Persian Medicine, Respiratory
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study for assessing physicians’ performance in delivering bad news. The hematologists and oncologists from Imam Khomeini and Shariati hospitals, Tehran, Iran, were included in the study. A questionnaire for physicians (SPIKES model) which comprised six statements was used to evaluate their performance. The time of breaking the cancer diagnosis news to the patients by the physicians and educational records were evaluated with the average score of the physicians in relation to each statement.
Results: Totally, 12 physicians participated in the study. There was no significant difference between the statements and age or gender (P>0.05); but there was a significant relationship between ending the discussion (conversation), summarizing the content, and using the word "cancer” during the conversation (P<0.05). Additionally, there was significant correlation between the time spent on informing the patient about the cancer diagnosis and concluding the discussion and summarizing the statements (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Guidelines which are introducing the most harmless methods for delivering bad news with minimal negative effects on the patients’ mental health can be helpful for the medical staff, so that they can perform this important task with less stress and minimum complications for the patients.
Keywords: Bad News, Cancer, Physician Performance
The capsular antigen was loaded into the polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles by W/O /W method (5). FT-IR and AFM were used to confirm capsule antigen loading and morphology of the nanoparticles, respectively (6,7). The fever after the vaccination was tested by limolus amoebocyte lysate assay (LAL test)(8). The investigation of the serum of mice by ELISA. Histopathological examination of lung, liver and spleen organs of vaccinated mice in four groups containing five female BALB/C mice (6-7 week-old) was studied after challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Mice vaccinated with nanoparticles containing Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular antigen showed that the proposed vaccine has a high potential for long-term and stable protection against pure Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule antigen, activates (T Helper) lymphocytes T, and stimulates memory by stimulating T cells. Indicating the effectiveness of the vaccine, the results revealed that the vaccine could be recommended for animal studies with more samples or phase one clinical trial studies.
This case study includes three pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosed during pregnancy or delivery between March 28 and May 13, 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive pharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and one case by computed tomography scan (CT Scan) in addition to the (RT-PCR). Clinical and laboratory information was extracted from hospital records during pregnancy and delivery. The adverse effects during pregnancy and after the birth of the newborn, the possibility of vertical transmission from positive pregnant mothers to the neonates were investigated. Of the three women with COVID-19 infection, one patient was diagnosed two weeks before delivery and two were diagnosed during delivery and hospitalization. No adverse effects including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, rupture of the amniotic sac during pregnancy and premature delivery were observed but one of the patients suffered from intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). in this study, adverse pregnancy outcome was not observed in pregnant women with Covid-19 infection based on hospital observations. No vertical transmission was observed following vaginal delivery or cesarean section and during pregnancy. As the effect of the virus on different people in society varies according to their individual characteristics, our conclusion in this study on pregnant women is also affected by these individual differences, which requires further studies in this field with more samples.
Synchronized evidence of bilateral ovarian masses with an asymptomatic incidental appendiceal solitary mass is an unusual event during operation. The main differential diagnosis in this status is metastatic mucinous adenocarcinoma of ovary to appendix versus metastatic mucinous neoplasm of appendix in both side ovaries. Herein, i present a metastatic bilateral ovarian high grade serous carcinoma to the appendix as a diagnosis pitfall. A 43-year-old woman, with menstrual irregularity was referred. Imaging studies showed bilateral ovarian masses. She underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo oophorectomy , omentectomy, pelvic lymph nodes dissection and appendectomy. Final diagnosis, according to histopathological and immunohistochemical findings was metastatic bilateral ovarian high grade serous carcinoma of the appendix. These tumor markers may be useful for final diagnosis because tumoral tissue expression of them is not 100%. Therefore usage of several of them in correlation with histopathology findings, definitely helpful.
Keywords: Metastasis, Ovary, Appendix, Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous.
Materials and Methods: This single-blind, randomized, clinical trial recruited patients with chemotherapy-induced mucositis in the oncology ward of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan, Iran, in 2018 (n = 70). Patients were divided into two groups by randomized block design. The control group was treated with 15 ml of routine mouthwash 4 times daily for 14 days. The intervention group was treated with mixed solution of routine mouthwash and PSO (50:50). The mucositis severity was evaluated on the 1st, 7th and 14th days after the intervention using a checklist for assessing the mucositis severity. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, Fisher's exact, independent t and repeated measures ANOVA tests.
Results: The subjects’ mean ages in the intervention and control groups were 57.48±14.742 and 58.81±14.134 years, respectively. Groups were matched for clinical and demographic characteristics (P>0.05). The mean mucositis severity in the intervention group decreased from 1.97 on the 1st day to 0.52 on the 7th day and to 0.03 on the 14th day (P<0.001). The rates of mucositis severity in the control group were 1.98, 1.47 and 0.63, respectively on these days (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The mouthwash containing PSO improved chemotherapy-induced mucositis further than the routine mouthwash. Therefore, PSO can be used along with routine medicinal solutions to relieve and prevent oral mucositis symptoms.
Keywords: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Oral mucositis, Pomegranate seed, Stomatitis
Keywords: COVID-19, complete bed rest, hypoxemia
Keywords: Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava, Cor Triatriatum, Coronary Sinus, Left Atrial Function
In this article, we have reported the reconstruction of a traumatic scalp defect in a one-year-old baby. There was a large defect in the left temporoparietal area of the scalp. The wound was debrided and irrigated with normal saline frequently. After the wound infection was controlled, instead of covering it with a flap or excising the external table of the skull and skin grafting, we managed this defect by the fenestration of the external table of the skull followed by the formation of the granulation tissue and coverage of the defect with split-thickness skin grafting. The post-op course was uneventful, and the wound was covered completely with the skin graft. We believe that this method of treatment in a child allows us to provide better coverage for the defect when the patient is older and after tissue expansion. We also showed that the punctate fenestration of the skull can provide a granulated tissue bed for skin grafting, as well as the excision of the external table of the skull.
Keywords: Scalp trauma, Skull fenestration, Scalp flaps
Background and Objective: Datura stramonium L. is a medicinal herb from the family of Solanaceae. It has been used in herbal remedies for promoting health and treating several diseases. The current study was set up to compare the effects of Datura stramonium L. extract on the naloxone-precipitated opiate-withdrawal in mice.
Materials and Methods: Male BALB/c mice (30–35 g, n = 40) were arbitrarily separated into 4 groups. The control group received morphine and normal saline and other groups received three doses of D. stramonium extract (10, 20, or 30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, i.p.). Physically dependent was made by the administration of morphine in increasing doses (50-75 mg/kg, i.p.). The withdrawal signs were elicited by intraperitoneal injections of naloxone (5 mg/kg) 2 h after the last injection of morphine.
Results: Administration of D. stramonium extract in doses of 20 and 30 mg/kg markedly diminished the jumping numbers compared to the control group (P<0.05). All three doses of D. stramonium extract could significantly suppress the increase in climbing (P<0.05, P<0.001, and P<0.001, respectively) and diarrhea (P<0.001). D. stramonium in higher doses (20 or 30 mg/kg) significantly decreased rearing and itching (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The study findings suggest that D. stramonium extract is effective in alleviating the signs of morphine withdrawal. Additional research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms underlying D. stramonium for inhibiting morphine withdrawal syndrome.
Keywords: Morphine Withdrawal Signs, Naloxone, Datura stramonium extract, Opioid Addiction
Background and Objective: Rheum turkestanicum (R. turkestanicum) has been known to reduce inflammation and has antioxidant properties such as protective effect in neurons. This study aimed to determine the effects of R. turkestanicum on neuronal toxicity induced by the pro-parkinsonian neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells.
Materials and Methods: MTT and DNA fragmentation by PI staining (sub-G1 peak) assays were used to determine cell viability and induction of apoptosis, respectively. Fluorimetry methods measured lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The amount of glutathione (GSH) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured by DTNB (5, 5′-Dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) and pyrogallol respectively.
Results: Pretreatment with 12.5 to 100 μg/mL of R. turkestanicum extract for 24 hours attenuated 6-OHDA (final concentration 42.5 μg/mL)-induced cytotoxicity. Also, the pretreatment of SH-SY5Y cells with R. turkestanicum inhibited 6-OHDA-stimulated apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, R. turkestanicum extract repressed 6-OHDA-induced oxidative stress as measured by the MDA, ROS, GSH, and SOD levels.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that R. turkestanicum extract has neuroprotective activity on 6-OHDA-induced neuronal toxicity of neuroblastoma cells.
Keywords: Rheum turkestanicum, Oxidative stress, 6-Hydroxydopamine, Neuroblastoma, Apoptosis
Background and Objective: As a significant cause of nosocomial infections, Acinetobacter baumannii has been linked to opportunistic infections. The assessment of clonal relatedness of A. baumannii isolates using typing methods like ERIC-PCR is beneficial for controlling conditions due to these resistant isolates. This research aims to study Acinetobacter baumannii resistant isolates to multidrug using typing methods like ERIC-PCR in clinics of Zanjan city.
Materials and Methods: In all, one hundred immunocompromised patients in ICU were included in the study and isolates of A. baumannii were extracted from their samples, and molecular typing using ERIC-PCR was performed on patients who were positive for aminoglycoside resistance-related genes (aph(2'')-Id, ant(4'')-Ia, ant(3'')-I, aac(6'')-Ib, aac(3)-I, aph(3'')-I, aph(2'')-Ib and aph (2'')-Ic).
Results: 67% of isolates had gentamicin resistance, and 63% had tobramycin resistance. The isolates tested positive for multidrug resistance (MDR) were all labeled as MDR strains. Furthermore, all antibiotics tested were ineffective against 32% of the isolates, while 91% could be deemed extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The aminoglycoside resistance gene aac(6′)-Ib accounted for 79% of the cases, followed by ant(3'')-I and aph(2'')-Id (47%). Sixty-four percent of the isolates carried three or more aminoglycoside resistance genes simultaneously. A total of six types and 20 subtypes of patterns were obtained from ERIC-PCR.
Conclusion: In this study, aminoglycoside-resistant A. baumannii was found in a high percentage of ICU patients, mainly with the enzyme-modified aminoglycosides like aac(6′)-Ib, aph(2'')-Id and ant(3'')-I. ERIC-PCR has also shown an increased level of diversity in A. baumannii isolates. Therefore, genetic diversity or clonal relatedness of A. baumannii isolates in clinical settings can be assessed using ERIC-PCR.
Keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii, Molecular typing, Antibiotic resistance, ERIC PCR
Background and Objective: Breast milk contains nutrients such as carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and a source of communal bacteria with probiotic potential that is very effective in the prevention and treatment of neonatal infections. The aim of this study was the evaluation of probiotic properties of lactobacilli in breast milk and their inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria of the gastrointestinal tracts.
Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, during 10 months from January to October 2018, 100 breast milk samples were collected by referring to health centers after isolation. Lactobacilli strains were evaluated based on morphological characteristics, catalase, and hot staining tests, survival tests in acidic conditions, and bile salt tolerance to evaluate probiotic properties. Antibiotic resistance of probiotic strains and ability to inhibit pathogenic bacteria was evaluated by well method and growth inhibition zone.
Results: 122 lactobacilli belonging to 12 species were identified from 100 samples of breast milk by phototypical methods. The predominant species belonging to casei and other lactobacilli were Fermentum, Plantarum, and Gasseri, respectively.The highest antibiotic resistance was related to vancomycin (63.15%). The 3 isolates L4, L14 and L16 were able to strongly inhibit all the studied gastrointestinal pathogens.
Conclusion: Breast milk is a rich source of beneficial probiotic lactobacilli, which can be useful in breast milk for infants who are not breastfed to prevent neonatal infections.
Keywords: Breast milk, Lactobacillus, Probiotic, Inhibitory effect
Background and Objective: COVID-19 has enforced high burden on health systems universally. To better allocate limited health equipment, we aimed to investigate the prognostic impacts of laboratory parameters.
Materials and Methods: All SARS-CoV-2 patients admitted to Imam-Reza University Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, during three COVID19 peak periods in Iran (March to April 2020, July to August, and October to November 2020) were enrolled the study. Demographic and laboratory data were extracted and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Regression analyses and receiver operating characteristic (ROC curve) were used to identify risk factors and assess the ability of laboratory tests in predicting in-hospital mortality.
Results: A total of 2156 COVID19 patients were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 60.20 (±18.8) years. Most patients were male (57%). Multiple regression analysis identified older age (OR=1.01), male sex (OR=2.34), lymphopenia (OR=2.12), LDH >500U/L (OR=2.17), hypernatremia (OR=9.7), urea >45mg/dL (OR=3.6), and BS >200mg/dl (OR=1.93) as significant risk factors for in-hospital death. Using ROC curve analysis, D-dimer (>1000ng/ml) as well as CK-Mb (>28U/L) both with sensitivities and specificities of more than 80% and PPV of about 90% were able to identify patients with higher possibility of in-hospital death.
Conclusion: Male sex, older age, lymphopenia, hypernatremia, increased Urea, increased LDH, and hyperglycemia may serve as potential risk factors for in-hospital death. D-dimer and CK-MB may be used in identifying patients with high probability of in-hospital death. These tests may be used in clinical decision-making in order to improve outcomes of patients with COVID-19.
Keywords: COVID-19, Laboratory tests, Mortality, Prognosis, Risk factors, SARS-CoV-2
Background and Objective: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is among the epidemic metabolic chronic diseases that attenuates physiological functions, including hematopoiesis and immune responses, developing a higher risk of COVID-19 incidence. This study purposed to study the association of physical activity level (PAL) with the COVID-19 incidence in patients with T2DM.
Materials and Methods: All patients with T2DM from Kermanshah (Iran) were among the statistical population of this study. Using Cochran's formula, 424 patients with T2DM (220 women, 224 men) were chosen. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) assessed the PAL. To compare the variables between men and women the independent t-test was used. Also, to evaluate the relationship between variables the Pearson correlation coefficient test was used (SPSS software version 24) at a significant level of (P≤0.05).
Results: Based on the results, no significant difference was observed in PAL and COVID-19 incidence between women and men (P=0.342). Also, a significant positive relationship was observed between low and high PAL with COVID-19 incidence in men (r=0.638, P=0.039; r=0.231, P=0.048) and women (r=0.728, P=0.011; r=0.331, P=0.018), respectively. However, there was a significant inverse relationship between the moderate PAL and the incidence of COVID-19 among women (r=-0.791, P=0.021) and men (r=-0.731, P=0.029).
Conclusion: Most of the patients with T2DM had an inadequate PAL. Compared with low and high PALs, moderate PAL might have lowered the incidence of COVID-19 more effectively. Finally, a moderate PAL is recommended to patients with T2DM to boost the immune system and prevent COVID-19 infection than high or low PAL.
Keywords: Exercise, T2DM, Infection, COVID-19
Background and Objective: Consanguinity increases the incidence of genetic disorders. The frequency of consanguinity varies in different societies. There was no data regarding the frequency of consanguinity in Zanjan province. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of consanguineous unions in the parents of children with genetic disorders and its related factors in Zanjan, Iran.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included children with genetic diseases referring to the medical genetics clinic in Zanjan's Musavi Hospital during 2014-2018. Data including consanguineous unions in families (up to three previous generations), types of genetic illnesses, child and parents' age, parental educational level, and occupation were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and chi-square test.
Results: Of the 87 children, 41 (47.7%) were male, and 50 (59.5%) resided in urban areas. The mean age of the children was 6.5 years. The educational level of 56.6% of fathers and 50.6% of mothers were highschool diploma or higher. The parents of 44 children (51.8%) had consanguineous unions. The most common type of consanguineous union was between first cousins. The nature of the genetic disorders in 63 (72.4%) of children was molecular. The proportion of consanguinity was significantly higher in parents of children with molecular than chromosomal disorder (P<0.0001). Consanguinity had also a significant relationship with the children's age (P=0.04).
Conclusion: This study's outcomes illustrate that parents of more than half of children with genetic disorders had consanguinity and the frequency of consanguinity was more common in parents of children with molecular disease than chromosomal disorder. Given that, it is necessary to avoid consanguineous marriage as much as possible, and families with a history of molecular genetic disease, should be informed of the possible consequences.
Keywords: Consanguinity, Genetic disorders, Children
Background and Objective: Iron overload in the liver can potentially induce non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In this study, we sought to evaluate the phlebotomy in NAFLD, and compare it with modifiedlife style.
Materials and Methods: This randomized, single-blind, clinical trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of phlebotomy on liver enzymes and steatosis in NAFLD patients. Forty patients diagnosed with NAFLD were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups, including twenty patients in the first group who were under daily consumption of 800 IU vitamin E with modified lifestyle, and the second group who administrated 400 ml phlebotomy at the baseline and fifth month of study alongside the modified lifestyle. Transient elastography (TE) was used to evaluate liver transaminases, hemoglobin, ferritin levels, and liver stiffness prior to and following the intervention. Chi-square and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data, using SPSS v18.
Results: In each group, there were 14 men and 6 women. There was no statistically significant difference in demographic features. After the intervention, the mean liver stiffness of the control group increased from 10.38±2.65 kPa before the treatment to 11.40±6.58 kPa, which was not significantly different (P=0.463). The liver stiffness was 11.29±4.71 kPa in the intervention group before the treatment, which was reduced to 8.10±2.36 kPa after the treatment; however, the difference between pre and post-treatment values was statistically significant (P=0.009). Before and after the treatment, there were no significant differences in the levels of liver enzymes between the two groups.
Conclusion: Phlebotomy is a useful treatment for NAFLD patients, and decreased liver stiffness as cirrhosis complication.
Keywords: Phlebotomy, Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, Transient elastography, Fibroscan
Background and Objective: Due to the severe inflammatory conditions and cytokine storm in COVID-19 disease, corticosteroids are used worldwide as adjunctive therapy for these patients due to their anti-inflammatory effects. However, due to limited and inconsistent information about the effectiveness of this drug, this study aimed to investigate the benefit of combined use of β-interferon and methylprednisolone in patients with COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: 57 patients infected with SARS coronavirus 2 underwent treatment. Laboratory parameters, hospitalization duration, and clinical outcomes in these patients were studied.
Results: Statistical analysis showed no correlation between combination therapy with the hospitalization duration (P=0.22) and mortality (P=0.48). Also, the findings of this study showed that the ESR level in patients receiving combination therapy with methylprednisolone and interferon beta decreased significantly at the end of the intervention (P=0.0001). At the end of the study, the levels of neutrophils (P=0.001) and lymphocytes (P- value=0.0001) in the blood in the interferon group showed a significant change.
Conclusion: This study showed no effect of adding methylprednisolone and interferon beta to the treatment protocol on mortality in the patients.
Keywords: COVID-19, Methylprednisolone, Interferon-beta, SARS-CoV-2
Background and Objective: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) promote metastasis in colorectal cancer; however, the mechanism underlying this process is not fully understood. Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key step in tumor acquisition of metastatic phenotype. We aimed to investigate the effect of MSCs on the expression of EMT markers, as well as cancer stem cell markers in HT-29 colorectal cancer cells.
Materials and Methods: MSCs were isolated from bone marrow tissue, and their multi potency was confirmed. The HT-29 cell line was prepared and co-cultured with MSCs for 3 days using 6-well transwell co-culture plates (membrane pore size: 0.4 µm). Cell morphology was observed by inverted microscopy. The expression levels of EMT-related genes, namely E-cadherin, Vimentin, and β-catenin, were investigated by the RT-qPCR method. Also, the surface expression levels of CD44 and CD133 cancer stem cell markers were analyzed by flow cytometry.
Results: The co-culture of HT-29 cells with bone marrow-derived MSCs resulted in changes in cell morphology from epithelial to mesenchymal forms. The expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers, namely Vimentin and β-catenin, were significantly increased (2.25 and 1.83 folds, respectively), while the expression of the epithelial marker, E-cadherin, was reduced (0.3 folds). The expression of CD133 was also increased (51.5%).
Conclusion: Tumor-resident mesenchymal stem cells can promote colorectal cancer metastasis inducing EMT as well as increasing cancer stem cell frequency in the tumor microenvironment. It seems that direct contact between MSCs and colorectal cancer cells is not required for the interaction. Our findings may help scientists to find effective strategies against cancer metastasis by targeting tumor-resident MSCs.
Keywords: Stem cells, Metastasis, Colorectal cancer, Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition, Biomarker
Background and Objective: Oral cancer is one of the 10 most common cancers in the world and its global outbreak is increasing. Saliva assessment is one of the non-invasive diagnostic methods for this cancer. The aim of the study was to achieve a comprehensive conclusion about changes in salivary antioxidants in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth (OSCC).
Materials and Methods: In the present study, as a systematic review and meta-analysis study, information extracted by searching in external databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, google scholar) and internal databases (IranMedex, Scientific Information Database, Magiran) between the years 1980 to 2020. Comprehensive meta-analysis version 2 software was used to analyze the data (P <0.05).
Results: Of 497 articles, 271 duplicate articles were deleted, and then, after reviewing the titles and abstracts of the articles, another 197 articles were removed. The full text of 26 articles were reviewed and evaluated. Finally, based on the STROB checklist, the data of 10 articles were entered into the meta-analysis. Salivary malondialdehyde (MDA) index levels were much higher in patients with OSCC than in healthy people (P=0.0001). All salivary antioxidant indexes (TAC) (P=0.003) and GSH glutathione (P=0.008) saliva was significantly lower in patients than in the healthy group and regarding the salivary superoxide dismutase (SOD) index was no significant.
Conclusion: In general, antioxidant supplements may be able to help prevent, treat, and improve the prognosis of this disease, which requires further research in this area.
Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma of the mouth, Antioxidant, Saliva
Keywords: COVID-19 -Metabolic syndrome-pandemic
Keywords: Legionella pneumophila, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Legionnaires' disease, Pneumonia, Iran
Keywords: Flail mitral leaflet, Congenital heart defects, Bicuspid aortic valve
Materials and Methods: The study was performed from Feb to Oct 2016 in Shiraz, Iran. First, the Persian version of the questionnaire was validated using a back-translation technique by two translators, supervised by two researchers, and finally approved by two pulmonologists. The test-retest method was used to investigate the questionnaire's reliability. The questionnaire was used to assess the health status of 158 COPD patients with FEV1/FVC ratio≤ 0.7 or FEV1<80%, without exacerbation, cardiac disease, or recent hospitalization.
Results: The reliabilities of the first part (questions 1-7) and second part (questions 8-14) of the questionnaire was 0.64 and 0.90, respectively. The current health was good, fair, poor, and very poor in 7.6%, 22.2%, 44.9%, 22.8%, and 2.5% of the patients, respectively. The mean± standard deviation (SD) scores calculated for symptoms, activity, and impact were 54.216±23.725, 41.477±24.996, and 37.482±26.390, and the total score was 133.176±69.284.
Conclusion: The Persian version of the SGRQ-C was valid and reliable. The patients with COPD at our center had a good health status.
Keywords: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Quality of Life, St. George Respiratory Questionnaire
Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: 1. Normal control (n = 4), 2. Sham-operated (n = 4), 3. Alzheimer's control (n = 10), and 4. The experimental group (n = 10) was treated with memantine. The qPCR and TUNEL tests were used to detect the lncRNAs expression and apoptosis.
Results: Sorl1 gene was reduced in brain tissue of Alzheimer’s control (p = 0.016) and PBMCs of Alzheimer's control and experimental groups (p = 0.002 and p = 0.001 respectively). The expression of NAT-Rad18 and Rad18 genes increased in brain tissue of Alzheimer's control group (p = 0.002 and p = 0.04 respectively) while reduced in PBMCs of Alzheimer's control and experimental groups (p = 0.005 and p = 0.045 for NAT-Rad18, p = 0.01 and p = 0.006 for Rad18).
Conclusion: ROC curve analysis showed 100% sensitivity and 85.7% specificity for the Sorl1 gene with 0.911 under the curve area and 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for NAT-Rad18 and Rad18, separately with one under the curve area. Decreased expression in Sorl1, NAT-Rad18, and Rad18 genes can be used as blood biomarkers for diagnosis independently. However, studies on Alzheimer's patients are needed.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, Rat, Biomarker, lncRNA, Memantine
Materials and Methods: D-galactose, 500 mg/kg, injected subcutaneously (S.C.) to induce aging in rats. Animals in treatment groups received PSO, 0.4 and 0.8 ml/kg intraperitoneally (i.p.). After 42 days, behavioral test was evaluated by passive avoidance (PA). Then animals killed, blood samples collected by cardiac puncture, and brain and liver removed. Levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) measured in serum. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and thiol contents of brain and liver homogenized tissue samples were determined.
Results: D-galactose increased lipid-peroxidation in liver and brain tissues as well as elevation of ALT, AST, but the level of thiol contents decreased in homogenized tissues. Both doses of PSO attenuated d-galactose-induced injury in liver and brain by decreasing ALT, AST, MDA and elevation of thiol content. The PA test showed that PSO increased the latency time to enter the
dark chamber compared to the control group.
Conclusion: PSO decreased D-galactose-induced aging in rats via prevention of oxidative stress. This effect may be related to the presence of various compounds and their anti-oxidant properties, which is found in PSO.
Keywords: Aging, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Punica granatum
Materials and Methods: Forty Sprague Dawley rats weighing within the range of 230±20 gr were randomly divided into eight groups including sham, a single-dose cisplatin intraperitoneally (IP) injected group (7 mg/kg), toxic dose CSSE (200 mg/kg) group, and groups with cisplatin 7mg/kg IP and different doses of CSSE. Histopathological changes in the kidney tissues were quantified by the image-J program and analyzed by statistical methods.
Results: Cisplatin-induced glomerular and tubular injuries in the kidney tissue. A single-dose cisplatin decreased the glomerular area and Bowman's capsule area, increased Bowman's space, and induced tubular loss of brush borders, tubular dilatation, tubular cast formation and tubular necrosis. All of the changes were reversed by CSSE significantly.
Conclusion: Post-CSSE (50 and 100 mg/kg) treatment could protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in vivo. More clinical studies are needed to confirm its protective effects on the prevention of kidney injury in chemotherapy receiving patients.
Keywords: Capparis spinosa, Persian Medicine, Pathology, Acute kidney injury, Cisplatin. Cancer
Materials and Methods: Twenty rats were randomly divided into four groups. To induce colitis, the rats were briefly anesthetized, and 1 ml of acetic acid (4%) was injected into their rectum using a Foley catheter, as explained previously. L. acidophilus was given orally (3×108 CCU/ml) for 10 days. The rats were monitored daily for clinical signs for 10 days. Following euthanasia, the macroscopic and microscopic pathological lesions in the intestinal tissues were examined. Additionally, the total RNA from specimens were extracted, and the expression levels of mRNAs for cytokines, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-γ, and the expression levels of miR-1, miR-155, miR-let7d, and miR-99a were determined using the qPCR method.
Results: The clinical signs and pathological damages induced by acid were ameliorated in the rats receiving L. acidophilus compared with rats that did not receive it, as evidenced by improved clinical signs and results of immunohistochemistry and chemical assays. miRNAs, including miR-1, miR-99, miR-Let7d and miR-155 and changes in the expression of mRNAs, including TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ were significant. Changes in the amount of myeloperoxidase, nitrite oxide, and malondialdehyde were also significant (P ≤ 0.05). In pathological examination, immune cell infiltration and COX2 were different in colitis and treatment groups.
Conclusion: Therapeutic use of probiotics ameliorated UC by significantly changing the levels of miR-1, miR-99, miR-Let7d and miR-155.
Keywords: Lactobacillus acidophilus, MicroRNA, Ulcerative colitis
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional prospective study was performed from March 2019 to March 2020. We studied 26 patients infected with hepatitis B virus through vertical route. Serological markers of HBV were tested for HBs Ag, anti-HBs, HBe Ag, anti-HBe, and anti-HBc through ELISA. HBV-positive DNA-HBV samples were examined by nested PCR. The correlation between categorical variables was estimated using Spearmen correlation coefficient. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22 software.
Results: Our study showed that no S gene mutation occurred in studied children. However, 4 (15.4%) of the children were HBe Ag positive, while the frequency of positive HBe antibody positive in the serum of children was 18 (69.2%).
Conclusion: In general, since different types of Pre-S / S variants are predominantly identified in patients with chronic HBV that can affect the progression of liver disease, it is therefore necessary to evaluate the types of Pre-S / S variants regularly in HBV. Carriers should be identified to help discover people at higher risk for liver disease. Our study, as a single center study in southeastern Iran, indicated no mutation in this gene in hepatitis B patients.
Keywords: Mutation, Hepatitis B, HBV, Children
Materials and Methods: This study included 30 breast cancer patients and 30 age-matched healthy women. Tetra-Arms polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melt (HRM) real-time PCR were performed to determine XRCC5 (variable number tandem repeat [VNTR] polymorphism, rs6147172) and XRCC6 (rs132793) polymorphisms, respectively. Demographical and clinical tumor status was recorded for all women. Allele frequencies and related genotypes were identified.
Results: Our results indicated that 34% of patients receiving chemotherapy had metastases in other organs, mostly in the lung. The frequencies of 0R/0R, 1R/1R, 2R/2R, and 1R/R genotypes in the XRCC5 gene were 6.6%, 63.3%, 6.6%, and 23.3%, respectively. No significant association was found between XRCC5 and metastatic breast cancer (P = 0.426). In addition, the XRCC5 polymorphism was associated with progesterone (P = 0.068), as well as the time interval between chemotherapy and relapse (P = 0.069). The frequency of AA, GG, and AG genotypes in XRCC6 were 0%, 33.3%, and 66.7%, respectively. The XRCC6 polymorphism was associated with cancer metastasis. There was a significant relationship between age (P = 0.048) and family history (P = 0.020) with cancer incidence. A significant association was observed between the XRCC6 polymorphism with human epithelial receptor 2 (HER2; P = 0.070) and radiotherapy sessions (P = 0.007).
Conclusion: We speculate that the genetic variation of the XRCC6 gene (rs132793 SNP) might be considered as a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer, but further studies are necessary to confirm the results.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Metastasis, Polymorphism, XRCC5, XRCC6
Materials and Methods: Data of all the patients with CA (1320 patients) who were admitted to Baqiyatallah Hospital (Tehran, Iran), and underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) from 2018 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. We analyzed the association of comorbidity data with the mortality rate and unsuccessful CPR.
Results: In the present study, 794 (60.2%) patients were female. Most CAs occurred in the hospital (1289). The case fatality rate (CFR) of CA was 69.92%. Additionally, of the 1320 patients, CPR was unsuccessful in 1271 (96.3%) patients. Our data analysis revealed that gender had no significant relationship with the mortality rate and unsuccessful CPR. However, age was significantly associated with mortality, but not with unsuccessful CPR. CA, respiratory distress, and impaired consciousness were significantly associated with mortality. Furthermore, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), renal disease (P=0.032), and poisoning had a significant correlation with mortality. In addition, CABG and congestive heart failure (CHF) were significantly correlated with the unsuccessful CPR.
Conclusion: The present study suggested that CABG and CHF had a significant relationship with unsuccessful resuscitation. Furthermore, cardiomyopathy, CABG, renal disease, and poisoning were significantly associated with mortality.
Keywords: Cardiac arrest, CPR, Comorbidity
Materials and Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 90 patients were selected for primary PCI treatment and 90 patients for thrombolytic treatment. Clinical data and basic demographic characteristics of the patients and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. The success rate of coronary reperfusion by primary PCI and thrombolytic therapy was then determined by angiography and 90-minute ECG with resolution or improvement of chest pain. All patients were examined for any serious complications such as cerebrovascular accidents, shock, and heart failure for 30 days after treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 20.
Results: In the primary PCI group, 75.6% of the patients were males, and 24.4% were females, but in the thrombolytic group, 76.6% and 23.3% of the cases were males and females, respectively. The mean door-to-balloon time for PCI was 63.60 ± 23.92 and was 53.70 ±21.52 min in the thrombolytic group. Thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow grade III and TIMI-II were the most frequent in primary PCI and thrombolytic groups, respectively. The odds ratio (OD) of mechanical MI and major arrhythmia in patients received the primary PCI compared to those received thrombolytic therapy was 0.24 and 0.66, respectively. Also, the OD of mortality in the primary PCI group was 2.12.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in STEMI patients, the chances of short-term complications such as post-MI mechanical complications, major arrhythmia, and bleeding requiring blood transfusion were lower in patients who were treated with primary PCI than those who received thrombolytic treatment. Also, the average hospitalization in CCU and hospital in the primary PCI group was lower than the thrombolytic group.
Keywords: Primary PCI, Thrombolytic, Fibrinolysis, ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 20 children with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy aged 2 to 6 years in Zanjan-Iran rehabilitation centers. The children were examined in separate intervention and control groups. In the control group, common flat foot exercises were performed. In contrast, in the intervention group, the Kinesio Taping method was used in addition to the mentioned exercises, and finally, the data were analyzed. Paired samples T-Test and Independent T-Test were used to determine the effect of Kinesio Taping in reducing flat feet.
Results: After statistical analysis, it was found that, although both groups showed significant results in their plantar arch indexes, the intervention group's results seemed more effective (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Kinesio taping can be a safe, inexpensive, and accessible method to manage flat feet complications in children with diplegic cerebral palsy.
Keywords: Flatfoot, Kinesio Taping, Cerebral palsy
Materials and Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Web of Science were searched, from inception to January 2020 to investigate the effects of S.securidaca on diabetes in animal models. Each article was critically rewired for its methodological quality using the CAMARADE tool.
Results: Thirteen articles were reviewed and some positive effects of S.securidaca were observed in alloxan and Streptozotocin-induced diabetic animals. With a closer look at the mechanisms, S.securidaca is comparable with current antidiabetic drugs. The results of animal trials indicated hypoglycemic effects of S.securidaca in animal models.
Conclusion: Remedies like S.securidaca could count as a treatment option for diabetic patients, alongside current antidiabetic medications, yet with fewer side-effects.
Keywords: Securidaca, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypoglycemic Agents, Herbal Medicine
Keywords: Ellis–Van-Creveld syndrome, mesoectrodermal Dysplasia, Genetic diseases, case report
Keywords: Congenital heart disease, Echocardiography, Shone syndrome, Shone’s complex, Pregnancy
Materials and Methods: Male rabbits in five groups of control, sham, hyperlipidemia, treatment 1 and treatment 2 were fed on high fat diet (1% cholesterol). Treatment groups received Boron, 4 mg / kg, on the first and 20th days of experiment. Animals’ weights were measured on days 1, 21 and 60. Plasma levels of Cholesterol, LDL, HDL and TG were measured by photometric method. After 60 days, Sudan IV staining method was used for macroscopic study. Hematoxylin-eosin and Masson’s trichrome staining method were performed for quantitative analysis.
Results: Animals in the control and sham groups showed no significant change in serum lipid profile with no atherosclerotic plaque in aortic vessels. In the hyperlipidemia group, significant alterations in lipid profile and presence of atheroma plaques were detected. In animals receiving Boron as a protective agent, atheroma plaques were significantly less (p <0.05). This was confirmed by quantitative analysis.
Conclusion: Boron ameliorates the development and progression of atherosclerotic plaques. Boron can be used alone or in combination with other drugs as anti-atherosclerotic treatment.
Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Boron, Hyperlipidemia, Atheroma plaques, Lipid profile
Materials and Methods: A total of 20 mice were divided into four groups (n = 5): control normal (K0); nicotine-induced (K1); and nicotine-induced treated with two different concentrations of temulawak extract, 4 mg/20 g body weight (P1) and 8 mg/20 g body weight (P2). The mice were given nicotine and temulawak for 28 days and then killed by neck dislocation. Both testes and vas deferens were collected for sperm analysis.
Results: Mice treated with nicotine (K1) showed lower sperm counts (p=0.012) and motility (p<0.001) compared to mice in the control normal (K0) but had no difference in morphology. Treatment with temulawak (4 mg/20 g body weight) on nicotine-induced mice (P1) significantly increased sperm motility (p< 0.001). A double dose of temulawak extract (P2) resulted in significantly higher motility and sperm counts than in group K1.
Conclusion: Temulawak treatment (8 mg/20 g body weight) on nicotine-induced mice can significantly improve motility and sperm counts.
Keywords: Nicotine, Temulawak, Spermatozoa, Infertility
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 individuals (25 women and 25 men) who were hospitalized in Shahid Beheshti psychiatric hospital, Zanjan, Iran. The patients were selected by structural clinical interview and then examined by borderline personality inventory (BPI) and Beck scale for suicide ideation (BSSI). The diagnosis of bipolar disorder was made by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists.
The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods and inferential statistics including independent t-test, Pearson correlation coefficient and Multivariate regression analysis with stepwise methods.
Results: The results indicate that there is a significant relationship between BPT and suicidal ideation in patients with BD. Pearson correlation coefficient results revealed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the component of primary defense mechanisms as one of the BPT components and suicidal ideation in patients with BD. The results also showed that the type of mood disorder along with BPT and gender are not determinants of suicidal ideation in patients but, there is a relationship between BPT and suicidal ideation in bipolar patients.
Conclusion: We showed a relationship between BPT and suicidal ideation in BD patients. Our study also showed that a high level of BPT which could lead to the diagnosis of BPD may be a risk factor for suicidal ideation. Thus, it seems that one of the central modifiable risk factors for suicidal ideation severity is BPD features.
Keywords: Borderline personality disorder, Suicidal ideation, Bipolar disorder
Materials and Methods: The H9c2 cells were pre-treated for 2h with different concentrations of extract (12-400µg/ml) or resveratrol (50µM, positive control), and then doxorubicin was added for 24h. Afterward, the cell viability, and parameters of oxidative stress including lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and also apoptosis rate, were measured.
Results: The results revealed that doxorubicin extremely decreased cell viability via increasing malondialdehyde, ROS, and apoptotic cells. The extract could reverse doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity through anti-oxidant activity.
Conclusion: In conclusion, we witnessed that P. oleracea has protective effect against doxorubicin-caused cardiomyocytes damage.
Keywords: Cardioprotective agents, Doxorubicin, Cardiomyocytes, Portulaca oleracea
Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 male rats were allocated into five groups of six in number as follows: control, acetaminophen (A), and acetaminophen + C. cyminum 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg (A+C). After 24 hours of fasting, the control group received distilled water, and groups A and A+C received acetaminophen 1,000 mg/kg orally through gavage. Six hours later, the control group and group A were given distilled water, and groups A+C received C. cyminum 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg by gavage. Twelve hours after the second gavage, hepatic markers of oxidative stress and serum ALT and AST were assessed.
Results: In group A, the activities of serum ALT and AST, the concentration of hepatic malondialdehyde and H2O2 increased, and peroxidase & catalase activities decreased substantially compared to the control group. C. cyminum administration in groups A+Cs resulted in the return of these changes toward group control.
Conclusion: These results suggest that C. cyminum, due to its flavonoid and polyphenol contents, could diminish hepatic injury induced by acetaminophen.
Keywords: Acetaminophen, Hepatotoxicity, Cuminum cyminum, Oxidative stress, Hepatic function
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 220 OA patients, staged I to Ⅲon Kellgren and Lawrence scale. Patients were selected randomly via cluster sampling method from the health centers of Tabriz between October 2017 and October 2018. We estimated the participants' protein intakes using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Western Ontario and McMaster Index (WOMAC) was used to measure the functional status. We used the Visual Analogue Scale to measure pain severity. A bioelectric impedance device measured the patients’ body composition.
Results: Total dietary protein intake was 55.36±24.14 grams per day. Higher dietary total and animal-based protein intakes were associated with lower pain severity. There were reverse correlations between dietary protein intakes (total and animal-based) with the physical disability according to WOMAC total, WOMAC pain, and WOMAC stiffness scores in the subset of patients who didn’t meet the 75 percent of recommended dietary allowance. In these patients, higher total, plant-based, and animal-based protein intakes correlated with WOMAC functional scores. Higher total and animal-based protein intakes were associated with higher soft lean and lean body mass in women.
Conclusion: Dietary protein intake needs to improve in knee OA patients, and dietary protein intake might be an intermediation objective in these patients.
Keywords: Body composition, Dietary protein, Functional status, Knee osteoarthritis, Pain
Materials and Methods: In this prospective observational study, all patients with febrile seizure admitted into Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, from April 2015 to March 2016 were enrolled. EEG was carried out for all patients and the clinical data were recorded in the prepared questionnaire .The statistical analysis was performed by using spss.16 software.
Results: One hundred seventy patients, 92 (54.1%) male and 78 (45.9%) female with the mean age of 28.57 months were evaluated. The EEG reports were normal in140 (82.4%) cases and 30 (17.6%) cases had abnormal reports including 8 cases(26.6%) of spike & sharp electric discharge, 2 cases (6.6%)of slow activity and 20 cases(66.6%) of nonspecific changes. EEG abnormalities were significantly related with male sex (P = 0.020), history of previous febrile convulsion (p< 0.001), positive family history of epilepsy and febrile seizures (p< 0.001) and complex type of febrile convulsion (p< 0.001). Longer duration of seizure (p< 0.001) and older age of patients (p< 0.033) had significant relation with abnormal EEG.
Conclusion: Although EEG is not routinely performed in all patients with febrile seizure, it is recommended for male gender, age over 3 years, complex febrile seizure, previous history of seizure and family history of epilepsy or febrile seizures.
Keywords: Electroencephalography (EEG), Simple febrile convulsion, Complex Febrile seizure, Febrile convulsion (FC)
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 96 SLE patients referred to two rheumatology clinics in Yazd, Iran, from September 2020 to February 2021. SLE patients were diagnosed based on the last revision of American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria in 1997. A questionnaire was created to collect demographic information and oral health status. Data were analyzed using SPSS v20.0 and p-values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: This study included 13 men (13.5%) and 83 women (86.5%), with an average age of 31.9 ±11.35 years. Oral lesions were diagnosed in 64.4% of patients, with white and red lesions being the most frequent (58%), and the most common region involved was buccal mucosa (25.8%). 97.1% of participants had caries and 86.5% had periodontal diseases. There was a significant association between the presence of oral lesions and female gender, longer duration and higher activity level of the disease and simultaneous presence of periodontal disease and missing or filled teeth. (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: Given the frequency of oral lesions in more than 60% of patients, as well as the high incidence of caries and periodontal disorders, regular oral examinations in these patients appear to be particularly important.
Keywords: Oral health, Oral lesions, Lupus Erythematosus
Materials and Methods: This study included 30 breast cancer patients and 30 age-matched healthy women. Tetra-Arms polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high-resolution melt (HRM) real-time PCR were performed to determine XRCC5 (variable number tandem repeat [VNTR] polymorphism, rs6147172) and XRCC6 (rs132793) polymorphisms, respectively. Demographical and clinical tumor status was recorded for all women. Allele frequencies and related genotypes were identified.
Results: Our results indicated that 34% of patients receiving chemotherapy had metastases in other organs, mostly in the lung. The frequencies of 0R/0R, 1R/1R, 2R/2R, and 1R/R genotypes in the XRCC5 gene were 6.6%, 63.3%, 6.6%, and 23.3%, respectively. No significant association was found between XRCC5 and metastatic breast cancer (P = 0.426). In addition, the XRCC5 polymorphism was associated with progesterone (P = 0.068), as well as the time interval between chemotherapy and relapse (P = 0.069). The frequency of AA, GG, and AG genotypes in XRCC6 were 0%, 33.3%, and 66.7%, respectively. The XRCC6 polymorphism was associated with cancer metastasis. There was a significant relationship between age (P = 0.048) and family history (P = 0.020) with cancer incidence. A significant association was observed between the XRCC6 polymorphism with human epithelial receptor 2 (HER2; P = 0.070) and radiotherapy sessions (P = 0.007).
Conclusion: We speculate that the genetic variation of the XRCC6 gene (rs132793 SNP) might be considered a diagnostic biomarker in breast cancer, but further studies are necessary to confirm the results. This study could suggest a more detailed and larger study to prove this hypothesis.
Keywords: Breast cancer, Metastasis, Polymorphism, XRCC5, XRCC6
Materials and Methods: This case-control study enrolled 40 postmenopausal women and 60 premenopausal women as participants. The levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), total plasma peroxides (TPP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), inorganic phosphate (Pi), total calcium (tCa) and UA were estimated by colorimetry, estradiol (E2) by ELISA and oxidative stress index (OSI) by calculation. Data were analyzed using t-test, correlation and regression at P<0.05.
Results: Postmenopausal women had higher UA, OSI and lipid peroxidation (higher MDA, TPP) with lower E2, tCa and antioxidants (reduced GSH, NO, TAC) compared to premenopausal women (P<0.05). Aging correlated negatively with E2 (r=-0.273, P=0.006), TAC (r=-0.484, P=<0.001), GSH (r=-0.306, P=0.002), NO (r=-0.337, P=0.001), tCa (r=-0.571, P=<0.001) and positively with TPP (r=0.445, P=<0.001), OSI (r=0.454, P=<0.001), MDA (r=0.505, P=<0.001) and UA (r=0.441, P=<0.001) in all women studied irrespective of menopause status. There were no associations between UA, tCa, Pi, E2 and indices of oxidative stress (TPP, TAC, OSI, MDA, GSH, NO) with menopause (R2 =0.216, P=0.728).
Conclusion: Elevated UA, lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress and reduced tCa, E2 and antioxidants observed in postmenopausal women may be associated with aging and not the menopausal status suggesting that their assessment may be utilized in predicting women at increased risk of gouty osteoarthritis.
Keywords: Menopause, Lipid peroxidation, Oxidative stress, Bone metabolism
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of AdipoR2 in 116 T2D patients and 102 controls was evaluated using RFLP PCR and FOK 1 enzyme. Fasting blood sugar, cholesterol, triglyceride, insulin, HDL-C, LDL-C and HbA1c were also measured and their correlation with the studied genetic modifications was assessed. The collected data were analyzed using Chi-square test and Hardy-Weinberg equation.
Results: There was a significant association in AT and TT genotypes in rs11061971 (+219 A>T) with T2D. However, no significant difference was observed in the frequency of alleles between the case and control groups. In addition, in LDL-C and total cholesterol in the control group, there was a significant difference between AA and TT genotypes as well as with AA and AT genotypes. However, no correlation was found between the other studied serum parameters and the genotype of individuals in the rs1106197171 polymorphism.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that rs11061971 (+219 A>T) polymorphism is associated with T2D incidence. The findings suggest that AT and TT genotypes in this gene compared to AA genotype increase the risk of diabetes.
Keywords: Polymorphism, Adiponectin receptor, Diabetes, Glucose, Lipid, Insulin
Materials and Methods: This review was performed based on the PRISMA protocol. The ISI, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases were independently searched by two researchers. MeSH keywords were used to recruit related articles published between 2005 and 2018. Meta-analysis was conducted in STATA 11.1software.
Results: A total of 65 articles were found. Out of these, nine studies were ultimately included in meta-analysis. The findings showed that alpha lipoprotein level increased by 4.24 mg/dl (95% CI: -0.03; -8.45) and 8.71 mg/dl (95% CI: -1.95; -15.48) in patients treated with atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, respectively. Also, patients treated with either atorvastatin or rosuvastatin showed 40.55mg/dl (95% CI: 32.16; 45.93) and 44.78 g/dl (95% CI: 34.16; 55.39) decreases in beta-lipoprotein levels, respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, rosuvastatin is more effective than atorvastatin in reducing alpha apolipoprotein and increasing beta apolipoprotein levels within a short period of time.
Keywords: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Alphaapolipoprotein, Beta apolipoprotein, Systematic review, Meta-analysis
Materials and Methods: In present cross-sectional study, all pregnant women with COVID-19 referred to Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan City from February 2020 to August 2021 including 232 patients were examined. We used a researcher-made checklist to extract the required information, including socio-demographic data, potential risk factors, clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, and fetal, and neonatal outcomes of the patients. Comparison of laboratory parameters in women with COVID-19 according to ICU admission was made using independent t-test and Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: 47.4%, of women were 30 to 40 years old, 45.7% were illiterate. Weakness, myalgia, dry cough, and fatigue were the most common clinical symptoms (>90%). Patients had abnormal levels of ALT and AST, whereas the means of other laboratory parameters were in the normal range. Forty- one (17.6%) of patients were admitted to the ICU. The means of C - reactive protein (46.58 vs. 25.87), lactate dehydrogenase (586.31 vs. 480.97), Blood urea nitrogen (9.43 vs. 8.26), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (62.40 vs. 46.11) were statistically higher in patients admitted to ICU than those who were not in the ICU (P <0.05). Mortality rates among women who had a vaginal delivery and C-section were 3% and 6.1%, respectively.
Conclusion: The most common laboratory findings in COVID-19- infected mothers were lymphopenia and elevated CRP, ALT, D-Dimer, and LDH. An increased hospitalization in ICU and higher rates of mother and fetal death were complications of pregnancy and childbirth in COVID-19- infected women.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study focused on all septorhinoplasty candidates aged between 18-60 years. Observations during surgery, such as the location and category of septal abnormalities, and the location and type of lateral nasal wall abnormalities (including lower and middle turbinate hypertrophy, concha bullosa, and paradoxical turbinate) were meticulously documented and analyzed.
Results: Of the 672 participants, 469 patients (69.8%) presented with septum abnormalities, while 143 patients (21.3%) demonstrated disorders of the lateral nasal wall. The most frequent findings were spurred vomer (24.6%) and lower turbinate hypertrophy (46.9%).
Conclusion: Given the broad range and high incidence of disorders in the septum and lateral nasal wall, it is reasonable to routinely incorporate radiological investigations into the preoperative assessment of surgical candidates. This approach can potentially identify pathological findings, minimize postoperative complications, and optimize the surgical outcomes.
Materials and Methods: Hydroalcoholic extract from Aloe vera leaves was tested for anti-fungal activity via an in vitro study. Anti-fungal activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were determined by the disk diffusion method. Aloe vera hydroalcoholic extracts (75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5%) were used as test groups. The data were analyzed by ANOVA using SPSS 23 software. The level of statistical significance was set at p≤ 0.05.
Results: The results revealed that Aloe vera contained substantial anti-fungal activity. There was a significant discrepancy in the mean diameter of the inhibition zone of C. albicans growth among different concentrations of Aloe vera (p-value=0.001). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the average diameter of the inhibition zone of C. albicans growth at a concentration of 12.5% of Aloe vera extract compared to concentrations of 25%, 50%, and 75% Aloe vera, and concentration of 50% with 25% and 75% extracts. Aloe vera extract at 75% concentration effectively inhibited the growth of C. albicans compared with the positive control-nystatin. In this study, Aloe vera concentration of 20% was determined as the MIC for C. albicans.
Conclusion: In adherence to the present results, it seems that Aloe vera extract, which is inexpensive and has no side effects, could be introduced as an alternative to nystatin.
Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional research was conducted at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital in Yazd. A total of 531 patients were randomly referred to the CT scan department for chest imaging (spiral or HRCT).Based on the PCR findings, they were divided into: positive and negative PCR groups. The CT scan findings were then recorded in a data collection form. Finally, the CT scan results of the two groups were compared.
Results: In this study, 531 patients (306 males and 225 females with the mean age of 55.14 ± 19.7) were examined. The findings of reverse hallo (P = 0.000) and strict consolidation (P= 0.001) in CT scan were significantly different for the positive and negative PCR groups. Through the comparative analysis of the results, the sensitivity of CT scan and PCR findings emerged to be 97.42 and 55.75, respectively. However, the specificity of both diagnostic methods was 100%.
Conclusion: The results of this study show that, owing to the higher sensitivity of chest CT for the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, performing CT scan for quick diagnosis is recommended for COVID suspected people with negative RT-PCR test results.
Materials and Methods: This longitudinal descriptive study was conducted on 120 BC patients over six months in a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore, India, in 2020. A data collection form was used to gather relevant data. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS Version 21, using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Among 97 patients evaluated in this study (including 29 patients in the non-exposed group), the adverse effects of BC were observed in all age groups. Most adverse effects were attributed to trastuzumab (37.50%; CI: 31.6-44) and bevacizumab (26.78%; CI: 20.9-31.8). The MoAbs were well tolerated by the patients, causing minimum adverse effects that were manageable by supportive therapy. Anemia was the most prevalent adverse effect. Evaluation of the null hypothesis indicated that the adverse effects of MoAbs depended on their amount and composition. The results of analysis using the Naranjo scale revealed that most of the adverse effects were probable (67%) and possible (32%), respectively. Also, according to the WHO scale, most of the adverse effects were under the categories of probable (61.20%) and possible (38.14%), respectively.
Conclusion: Based on the present results, the adverse effects of MoAbs were manageable by supportive care. Anemia was found to be the most prevalent adverse effect. Meanwhile, no potential adverse cardiovascular event was observed in patients on trastuzumab, except one case of dilated cardiomyopathy.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the obstetric complications of 84 women who had undergone a previous cesarean delivery referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2018 for vaginal delivery after cesarean section (VBAC) delivery compared with 84 women with a previous vaginal delivery, who intended to give birth vaginally for the second delivery. Demographic, anthropometric, obstetric, and perinatal data of them were collected and registered in a researcher-developed form. Two groups were compared using the t-test and chi-square test.
Results: The mean age in VBAC and control group was 30.49±6.83 and 32.08±7.28 years, respectively (P=0.15). There were not any occurrence of urinary rupture, bladder rupture, stool control disorder, uterine rupture, nephrotic infection, and ICU hospitalization of the mothers in the two groups. Regarding puerperal infection (3.57% in the VBAC group and 4.76% in the control group, P=0.69) and hospitalization of neonates in ICU (9.52% in the VBAC group and 5.95% in the control group, p=0.39), there was no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: It seems that the overall incidence of obstetric complications in women attempting vaginal birth after cesarean delivery is low and not higher than those with prior vaginal delivery. Therefore, for the achievement of benefits of natural childbirth for both the mother and the fetus, women with a prior cesarean should be offered VBAC.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 100 newly diagnosed cases of CML (before commencing IM treatment) and 25 IM-resistant CML patients. PCR-RFLP, ASO-PCR, and direct sequencing were performed to detect T315I mutations.
Results: The median age of newly-diagnosed and IM-resistant patients was 48±14 and 50±12.3 years, respectively. Males/Females ratio was 1 and 1.08 for newly diagnosed and IM-resistant patients, respectively. There was no significant difference regarding the age and sex between the two groups. During the study, T315I mutational analysis was performed for all 125 patients. The prevalence of T315I mutation was 0% and 4% for newly-diagnosed and IM-resistant patients, respectively. T315I mutation was not detected before IM administration, although it was detected in 1 (4%) among resistant patients who were at least 6-months on IM treatment.
Conclusion: These observations suggest that T315I mutation may be categorized as secondary resistance and induce clonal expansion due to BCR/ABL instability. Hence, BCR-ABL mutations are less likely to appear before the onset of treatment, as presented in our study.
Materials and Methods: Baesd on the census method, 90 patients with moderate to severe COPD were divided into two identical placebo and CoQ10 groups. High sensitive-C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second, numerical rating breathlessness scale and "the time to get exhausted" were evaluated and recorded at baseline and the end of the study. The CoQ10 group received 120 mg of CoQ10 supplement per day versus the placebo group who also received a placebo (identical in look, size and taste to pharmaceutical sample) and were followed for 6 weeks. Data were analyzed using t-test, and nonparametric statistical tests. Qualitative variables were assessed by chi-square or Fisher exact tests.
Results: The study included 49(53.6%) women and 41(46.4%) men, collectively 90 patients with moderate to severe COPD. The mean age was 66.97±12.59 years in the placebo and 64.21±11.78 years in the CoQ10 group (p=0.30). Breathlessness scale was improved in CoQ10 group (p<0.001). hs-CRP significantly declined after intervention in the CoQ10 compared to the placebo group (p<0.001).No serious side effects were observed as a result of CoQ10 consumption.
Conclusion: Daily administration of CoQ10 in COPD patients increases hs-CRP and improves dyspnea and "the time to get exhausted” without side effect.
Materials and Methods: PDGFRA-activating gene mutations (exons 12, 18) were assessed in a subset of 75 samples, of which 65 were GBM and 10 were pilocytic astrocytoma, using PCR followed by direct sequencing. PDGFA expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in a series of 20 cases including 15 cases of glioblastoma multiforme and 5 cases of pilocytic astrocytoma.
Results: No PDGFRA-activating mutations were found by Sanger sequencing. In addition, this study found polymorphism in PDGFRA exon 12, c.1701A> G, which was a silent mutation. Immunohistochemical analysis showed elevated PDGFA expression in 25% (5 out of 20) of glioma cases. PDGFA expression was not detected in any pilocytic astrocytoma; however, 33.33% (5 out of 15) of GBM samples showed increased PDGFA expression.
Conclusion: Consistent with previous studies, the findings of the present study underline the importance of PDGFA and PDGFRA alterations as a possible potential predictive biomarker and a therapeutic target in GBM. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying genetic mechanisms driving abnormal PDGFRA activity in gliomas.
Keywords: Glioblastoma, Imatinib, Mutations, PDGFRA, PDGFA, Receptor Tyrosine Kinase
Materials and Methods: 80 laparoscopic cholecystectomy cases were allocated for intervention (n = 40) and control groups (n = 40) randomly. Pneumoperitoneum was done by a direct trocar. Patients’ pain feedback was assessed using the visual pain scale after the surgery. SPSS 21 was used to analyze the collected data.
Results: Shoulder pain frequency significantly differed between the two groups at 12 hours (P = 0.048) and 24 hours (P = 0.001) after the surgery. Regarding average shoulder pain severity, the groups showed significant differences after 2, 6, and 24 hours of surgery (P < 0.05). Moreover, pneumoperitoneum duration was different in the groups (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: Based on these findings, low pressure of pneumoperitoneum with active evacuation compared to the standard pressure, efficiently reduced shoulder pain intensity. Thus, using low-pressure pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic cholecystectomy is recommended to relieve postoperative pain.
Keywords: Shoulder Pain, Pneumoperitoneum, Laparoscopy, Cholecystectomy, Evacuation
Materials and Methods: Phenolic compounds were extracted from S. platensis, and the extract was checked for its anticancer activity by MTT. The constituents of phenolic extract were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
Results: The results showed that the half maximal inhibitory concentration value for Phenolic extract was 36.52 µg/mL for 50% of cell death. HPLC analysis revealed that the compounds with possible therapeutic effects are gallic acid, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, syringic acid, and vanillic acid, which have anticancer activity.
Conclusion: The results of this study point out that the S. platensis phenolic extract has anticancer potential, and the phytoconstituents contributed to the anticancer effects.
Materials and Methods: The participants include AHSCT candidates. Pre-apheresis CD34+ cells and CD34+ count per kilogram (CD34+ CPK) in the apheresis products were assessed by flow cytometry. There were other parameters connected to platelet and neutrophil engraftment as well as mobilization by granulocyte-stimulating growth factor (G-CSF). Univariate, multivariate, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used in the statistical study.
Results: The predictive value of CD34+ CPK for platelet engraftment was fair (AUC: 76.9%) with the cut-off of 3.5×106, while it was poor for neutrophil engraftment (AUC: 64.4%) with the cut-off of 3.4×106. The multiple-variate analysis demonstrated that age and CD34+ CPK were positively correlated with platelet engraftment (p-values less than 0.01 and 0.005, respectively), while CD34+ CPK and total dose of infused G-CSF (TDIG) were associated with neutrophil engraftment (p-values: 0.03). In high rates, the TDIG correlated negatively with CD34+ CPK, CD34+ cell counts in pre-apheresis peripheral blood samples, and total engraftment, indicating negative effects of high and long-term doses of G-CSF on mobilization and engraftment.
Conclusion: The management of AHSCT will be more efficient by considering the age, CD34+ CPK, and TDIG. For enhanced engraftment, adjusting the G-CSF injection days for <4 days and total dose of G-CSF on <4000 micrograms are suggested.
Materials and Methods: Peripheral blood samples of 200 Iranian Kurdish men living in western cities of Iran (Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Sardasht, and Ilam) were collected and analyzed for allele and haplotype frequencies using HRM technique during 2017 to 2019.
Results: Most allelic replications in the AC004617 (І), AC004617 (ІІ) and AC022486 loci were related to alleles 13, 29 and 30, and 12, respectively. Also, the AC022486 locus was potentially more beneficial as a population differentiation marker than the other three studied loci.
Conclusion: The HRM technique was an accurate and inexpensive method for investigating the genetic differences between the four studied populations.
Materials and Methods: An experimental study was conducted using Acanthamoeba cysts belonging to the T4 and T5 genotypes. Cysts collected from the culture medium were exposed to gentamicin, polymyxin, and three different concentrations of VPA for varying durations (1, 4, 6, and 24 hours). The treated cysts were stained with trypan blue, and the percentage of growth inhibition was calculated. Additionally, the viability of treated cysts was assessed by culturing them on non-nutrient agar plates for one month.
Results: The Acanthamoeba cysts of T4 and T5 genotypes showed susceptibility to VPA. The minimal cysticidal concentration (MCC) of VPA for maximum growth inhibition in both single and combination drug assays were 100 and 3 mg/ml, for durations of 24 and 4 hours, respectively. The growth inhibition observed in the groups exposed to gentamicin and polymyxin differed significantly from the growth inhibition in the group treated with ≥100 mg/ml VPA (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: VPA enhances the effects of gentamicin and polymyxin on Acanthamoeba. Combining a low concentration of VPA (≥3 mg/ml) with gentamicin and polymyxin increases the potency and speed of action of these antibiotics.
Materials and Methods: The evaluation of artificial vessels was carried out on rat and sheep models. The artificial vascular scaffolds were made of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyurethane (PU), and Polycaprolactone (PCL) polymers. In the first phase, the fabricated scaffolds were implanted in rats and after 45 days, the grafts were removed and evaluated pathologically. In the second phase, the structures were implanted into the carotid arteries of sheep. Doppler ultrasound and angiography imaging were done to assess changes in carotid blood flow. Eleven months later, the artificial grafts and surrounding tissues were removed and evaluated pathologically.
Results: In the rat samples, no hypodermic infections, systemic inflammation, or fibrosis of adjacent tissues were observed. In the sheep samples, no local or systemic complications were reported one week after surgery. No complications were seen after 11 months in the two sheep that received PCL/PU grafts. In contrast, ultrasound evaluation showed thrombosis in the two other sheep that received PET/PU/PCL grafts.
Conclusion: This study shows that the implanted artificial vessel used in sheep carotid arteries has a favorable patency rate and satisfactory clinical results, and in terms of mechanical properties, it may be a good candidate for vascular replacement.
Materials and Methods: This double-blind clinical trial was carried out on 64 RA patients with an erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)-Disease Activity Score (DAS)-28>2.6. The patients were then randomly divided into two groups of intervention and control. In addition to the routine treatment, the intervention group was treated with 80-mg/day capsules of curcumin (nano-micelles). Further, the patients were followed up for three months, and clinical-laboratory examinations were recorded in this study.
Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the trends of the disease activity indicators, including DAS-28, disability index, physician assessment, and the number of tender joints (P>0.05). Further, a significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of pain score changes and the number of swollen joints. Additionally, the curcumin-treated subjects obtained lower mean pain and fewer swollen joints, compared to those in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The present study revealed that curcumin had no significant therapeutic effects on reducing the activity of RA; however, no significant side effects were observed on the patients, and it also showed its analgesic effect well.