Hormozgan Medical Journal
Year:2021 | Volume:25 | Issue:1|Papers Count:10

Dear Editor, The COVID-19 virus, which leads to severe and acute respiratory distress syndrome and may cause death in some patients, has currently become pandemic and is spreading around the world (1). The lack of any definitive treatment or prevention and the predictions of some epidemiologists about at least 60% of the population suffering from this disease have caused a lot of stress and anxiety in societies (2). Fear and anxiety caused by the possible infection of the disease due to its high rate of spread is destructive and can lead to mental health problems (3). Convincing evidence has shown that stressful, distressing, and emotionally disturbing conditions, in the long run, lead to a weakening of the immune system and a reduction in the body’, s resistance to disease. Long-term quarantine, hearing, or reading disturbing news about the disease pandemic in the media has all been a source of increased stress and stress (4, 5).

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), the most common metabolic disorder of pregnancy, is associated with alterations in circulating lipids. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare lipid profiles in women with and without GDM. Methods: This study was performed on 84 pregnant women at 26-30 weeks of gestation (42 pregnant women with GDM as cases and 42 healthy pregnant women as controls). After obtaining informed consent and gathering demographic data, subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and lipid profile was also measured in all subjects. Results: We found that high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly higher in the GDM group (53. 10 ±,1. 72 vs 46. 64 ±,1. 70 mg/dL, P = 0. 008). Total cholesterol (228. 96 ±,52. 03 vs 211. 59 ±,41. 83 mg/dL) and triglyceride (TG) levels (225. 58 ±,89. 84 vs 208. 38 ±,80. 66 mg/dL) were also higher in the GDM group,however, the differences were not statistically significant (P = 0. 770 and P = 0. 327, respectively). On the contrary, low-density lipoprotein was found to be non-significantly higher in the healthy group (144. 54 ±,26. 01 vs 122. 41 ±,4. 82 mg/dL, P = 0. 709). Besides, there was a significant association between HDL levels and GDM (OR: 1. 049,95% CI: 1. 009-1. 090, P = 0. 015). This association remained significant when adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), and gestational age (OR: 1. 010,95% CI: 1. 002-1. 017, P = 0. 009). No significant association was found between GDM and TG, cholesterol, and LDL levels. Conclusion: HDL levels are significantly higher in pregnant women with GDM compared to pregnant women without GDM. HDL level is significantly associated with GDM even after adjustment for age, BMI, and gestational age.

Background: Lipids are usually crucial to develop tumors, and dyslipidemia is correlated with the high chance of colon and colorectal cancer (CRC). Steroid hormones such as estrogen and progesterone can decrease the risk of CRC development. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the serum levels of lipid profile and steroid hormones in patients with CRC and healthy controls. Methods: The present study included 40 consecutive adult patients with CRC in the Mazandaran Cancer Center, Sari, Iran, between 2017 and 2020. The diagnosis of CRC was evaluated based on colonoscopy with biopsy and CT scan. Also, the diagnosis of CRC was based on NCCN clinical practice guidelines in oncology. Blood samples were taken before treatment during routine testing. A 5 mL of peripheral blood was collected from each patient. All patients signed the written consent for the study. Also, a total of 40 healthy subjects were selected as healthy controls from the same area during a routine physical examination, which was also confirmed by screening colonoscopy and pathology. Serum total cholesterol (TCH) and triglyceride (TG) levels were quantitatively determined by the colorimetric method. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined by the turbidimetric immunoassay. Steroid hormones were quantitatively determined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the reagent manufacturer’, s instruction. To analyze data, the SPSS software package (version 21) was applied. Results: Among all the indicators studied, the mean ±,SD of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels was higher (1. 85 ±,1. 63 ng/mL, 15. 35±, 0. 13 mIU/L, 12. 42±, 0. 12. 16 mIU/mL) in patients with CRC than healthy controls (0. 40±, . 0. 21 ng/mL, 6. 27±, 0. 50 mIU/mL, 2. 89±, 0. 20 mIU/mL, P < 0. 05 respectively). The results in subgroups showed that the mean testosterone (0. 91±, 1. 2 ng/L), FSH (19. 11±, 16 mIU/mL), LH (14. 49±, 14 mIU/mL) levels in the female patients with CRC was higher than healthy female controls and had more statistical significance(P = 0. 02, 0. 00, 0. 00), respectively. The area under the AUC cure of the testosterone, FSH, and LH indicates positive test (0. 670, 0. 726 and 0. 775). Conclusion: Changes in the levels of steroid hormones and lipids could correlate with the elevated chance of CRC. Therefore, assessment of multiple markers might overcome and provide better judgment in patients with CRC.

Background: Neonatal sepsis is one of the most important causes of infant’, s death, and the identification of its factors has been the subject of many studies. Some new evidence suggested the role of vitamin D in the occurrence of sepsis in infants. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare serum levels of vitamin D in neonates with sepsis in the first week of birth and healthy neonates. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 72 term neonates (36 neonates with sepsis as case and 36 healthy neonates as control group) who refereed to Bandar Abbas children’, s hospitals, Bandar Abbas, Iran, during 2016-2017. Results: Serum vitamin D levels were measured in all infants and their mothers in both sepsis and control groups. In addition, data collected, including sex, birth weight, C-reactive protein (CRP), and duration of hospitalization in neonates with sepsis. Mean serum level of vitamin D was 18. 52 ±, 11. 49 ng/mL in sepsis and 20. 52 ±, 13. 75 ng/mL in control group neonates (P ≥,0. 05). The mean maternal serum level of vitamin D in sepsis group was 22. 44 ±, 11. 26 ng/mL and in control group was 24. 36 ±, 12. 82 ng/mL (P ≥,0. 05). There was a positive correlation between maternal and neonatal vitamin D levels in the sepsis group (r=0. 803) and the control group (r=0. 756). However, there was no significant difference between vitamin D level and CRP (P = 0. 148) and length of stay (P = 0. 396) in the sepsis group. Conclusion: Although the results of the present study showed a correlation between serums vitamin D levels in mothers and neonates with neonatal sepsis, there was no significant vitamin D level between neonates with and without sepsis.

Background: Secondary metabolites of plants such as phenol and flavonoids have an extreme potential for neutralizing free radicals. The antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of plants are related to phenolic or flavonoids compounds. The occurrence of drug resistance to antimicrobial drugs has led to use of medicinal herbs in treatment of infections. Antibiotic resistant of Staphylococcus aureus has become a major problem in the treatment of diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was determination of total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoids content (TFC) of Polygonatum orientale Desf and Tilia dasystyla and evaluation of their anti-bacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Investigation of TPC of P. orientale Desf and T. dasystyla has not been reported before. Methods: Total phenolic and flavonoid content of P. orientale Desf and T. dasystyla extracts were determined using colorimetric methods of Folin-Ciocalteu and aluminum chloride. Antimicrobial activities of the extracts were evaluated by microdilution broth and disc diffusion methods to determine minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values. Results: The results showed that TFC of P. orientale Desf with the value of 7. 9 ±,0. 040 mg/g DW extracted with diluted water solvent and boiling method and TPCs of T. dasystyla with the value of 62. 13 ±,0. 073 mg/g DW extracted with methanol solvent and boiling method were the highest amount. Methanol extract of P. orientale Desf had more antibacterial activities with the MBC and MIC values of 0. 140 mg/mL and 8±, 0. 4 mm zone of inhibition. Conclusion: Tilia dasystyla and P. orientale Desf contain bioactive compounds such as phenolic and flavonoids that can be used as promising option in pharmacognostical studies for treatment of S. aureus infections.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCIs) cause numerous adverse effects on spinal cord and neural tissues. These injuries may have negative effects on physical and psychological health during lifetime. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of TSCI in patients with trauma admitted to Beasat hospital of Hamadan between 2007 and 2017. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 3219 patients with traumatic spinal injuries admitted to Beasat Hospital of Hamadan between 2007 and 2017. Data were collected from hospital information system. Data analysis was performed using SPSS. Quantitative data were expressed as mean, standard deviation, and frequency,and qualitative data were analyzed using chi-square and Fisher’, s exact tests. The significance level was considered to be less than 0. 05. Results: Mortality was significantly associated with gender (P = 0. 001), age (P = 0. 051), external causes (P = 0. 001), and type of injury (P = 0. 001). Length of hospital stay was significantly associated with type of injury (P = 0. 001) and external causes (P = 0. 001), whereas there was no significant relationship between length of hospital stay and gender, age, and surgery (P > 0. 0. 05). Conclusion: Mortality rates were highest at the age of 55 years and over compared with other age groups. Thus, effective intervention and programs should be implemented for this age group.

Background: More than one million children throughout the world are born by using fertility techniques. In this process, human intervention and laboratory conditions may have an impact on the growth and development of the fetus. Objectives: This study aimed at considering the effect of assisted reproductive techniques on the results of embryonic health screening tests. Methods: In this case-control study, through the simple random sampling, 200 pregnant women who have used assisted reproductive techniques as a case group, and 200 natural pregnant women as a control group, were selected among clients referring to the Infertility Center of the Ome Leila hospital in Bandar Abbas province. By using an interview with pregnant women and investigating the embryonic screening tests, checklists were filled out and data analyzed by the SPSS version 21 and chi-square test. Results: The majority of participating women in the study were housewives and had preliminary infertility. The body mass index (BMI) of most of them was normal. There was no significant difference between the final results of the embryonic screening test in the two groups at the first trimester (P > 0. 05). However, In the second trimester, there was a significant difference between them. The positive results were higher in the case group in comparison with the control group (P = 0. 001). The mean of all types of screening tests in the first trimester in both groups was not different, significantly (P < 0. 05) although in the second trimester, the mean of all the tests including beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β,-hCG) (P = 0. 006) and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) (P = 0. 018) in both case and control groups, was significantly different. The mean of β,-hCG and AFP was higher in the case group, while the mean of Estradiol and Inhibin, NB, and NT did not have any difference between them (P < 0. 05). Conclusion: Our study showed that embryonic screening tests, especially the β,-hCG and AFP tests, would be affected by applying assisted reproductive techniques. For couples who had a history of infertility and used assisted reproductive methods, screening tests are essential in the first and second trimester.

Background: Study of suicide and identify mental health problems, social, cultural and environmental communities are effective for preventive measures and reducing risk factors. Objectives: This study aimed to study epidemiology of suicide and its associated factors over 2011-2015 in Zarand. Methods: In this epidemiological study, all people who committed suicide in 2011-2015 were investigated. A standardized questionnaire was used to record the demogeraphic characteristics of the cases. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: During 2011-2015, 2401 persons (372 at 100 000) committed suicide of which 33 cases (5. 1 at 100 000) died. The results showed that suicide attempt rate in people with middle school education was 15. 7 times greater than educated ones. Similar results showed the rate of suicide of the people in age group 15-29 was 6. 3 times higher than other age groups. Suicide attempt in retired and unemployed was 3. 1 times more than employed and urban had suicide attempt rate of 1. 6 times higher than rural. Conclusion: In Zarand, the incidence of suicide is much higher than the global, country, and province average (more than three to four times) and leading to death was much less than expected. However, there are significant differences in the cause and manner and demographic characteristics with other studies which require Creation SRCs (suicide registry centers) and qualitative studies with form layer analysis of causes in Zarand.

Background: Latrodectus tredecimguttatus, generally known as black widow spider (BWS), bite can cause a variety of symptoms including muscular spasm, back pain, abdominal pain, severe sweating, and shivering. The bite brings weakness too,however, quadriplegia has not been mentioned in the literature. Case Presentation: Here, we present a 42-year-old male case with BWS bite who developed muscle weakness and paralysis in the four limbs. The patient needed mechanical ventilation. Nerve conduction velocity reported myopathy in the patient. The patient could eventually walk after 45 days of supportive treatment. Conclusion: It can be hypothesized that quadriplegia may happen due to the vast acetylcholine depletion.

Background: There has been no recent estimate of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in south of Iran. Our data are based on the results of the population-based Bandare Kong Cohort Study, as part of the Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in IrAN (PERSIAN). Methods: In this cohort, 4063 people aged 35-70 years were recruited from Hormozgan province, South of Iran. Results: We found that the age-standardized prevalence (ASP) of metabolic syndrome (MetS), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), impaired fasting glucose (IFG), obesity, and central obesity in this population were 34. 5%, 17. 4%, 20. 6%, 24. 6%, and 44. 4%, respectively. Conclusion: These results give a new insight into the prevalence of the NCDs in a sample population from south of Iran and provide the authorities with the necessary information to design guidelines for the control and prevention of these diseases.