Studies in Medical Sciences
Year:2024 | Volume:34 | Issue:10|Papers Count:8

Background & Aims: Endometriosis is a chronic and promising yet benign disease in women of reproductive age. Some genetic markers in endometrial have a key effect in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. MicroRNAs are small molecules involved in several biological processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the differential expression of microRNAs, including miRNA451, during the secretory phase in patients with endometriosis. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted as a case-control study. Twenty infertile women with endometriosis who were referred to the Center for Research on Reproductive Health and Infertility of Babol University of Medical Sciences and Fatima Al-Zahra Infertility Specialized Treatment Center in Babol and were diagnosed by sonography or laparoscopy or laparotomy and tissue histology and after exclusion of individuals with other causes of female infertility were included in this study. Also 20 healthy women who had no female factor infertility were selected as the control group. The relative expression levels of mir451 in the endometrium of women in both groups were identified using Real-time PCR. Results: The mean level of mir451 expression in the endometrium of the endometriosis group was 0. 46306 ± 0. 71740 and in the control group it was 2. 11621 ± 3. 32579, which was significantly lower in the endometriosis group (P < 0. 001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed a significant reduction in the expression of mir451 in the endometriosis group compared to the control group. This could be investigated as a potential causative factor or indicator of endometriosis. Therefore, with further studies, it may be possible to use these microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for patients with endometriosis.

Background & Aims: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most explored nanomaterials and are widely employed in medical, pharmaceutical, and bioengineering application. The aim of this study was to investigate the antibacterial and cell toxicity effects of fabricated AgNPs by green method at room temperature. Materials & Methods: In this work, AgNPs were fabricated by green method, which uses the seed extract of Triticum aestivum damaged by sunn pest (Eurygaster integriceps Puton) (SPDSPDWAgNPs) at room temperature. Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) were used for characterization of synthesized nanoparticles. Disk diffusion method and MTT analysis were used for antibacterial and cell toxicity effects, respectively. Results: The synthesis of SPDSPDWAgNPs was relevant by color change of solution, turning from light-yellow to dark-brown, respectively. α-glycosidase, protease and α-amylase are some identified enzymes of salivary glands of sunn pest which can affect the synthesis of nanoparticles. The results showed that SPDSPDWAgNPs have spherical shapes and had a different range from 1 to 25 nm. Moreover, the biosynthesized SPDSPDWAgNPs have high antibacterial properties toward the most common inflectional bacteria. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity results show the fabricated SPDSPDWAgNPs prevent the growth of cancer cells. Conclusion: We concluded that this production manner of nanoparticles could be employed for large-scale synthesis of AgNPs, pharmaceutical, and antiseptic uses.

Background & Aim: COVID-19 is an infectious disease that emerged as a pandemic in a short period. Pandemics are accompanied by high transmission rates and significant mortality. From a medical perspective, during all pandemics, the examination of individuals at risk due to chronic drug use or the presence of any underlying disease is crucial. The aim of this analytical-descriptive study was to investigate the relationship between demographic characteristics and underlying diseases with the discharge status of the patients with COVID-19 in the Intensive Care Unit. Materials & Methods: In this study, the records of 430 patients with confirmed positive PCR tests, who were hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit of Imam Khomeini Hospital from March 2020 to March 2021were included using a census method. Incomplete or inaccessible records were excluded. Demographic data (gender, age, marital status, etc. ) and the history of underlying diseases (blood pressure, diabetes, heart conditions, etc. ) were extracted from the records. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing (t-test, chi-square) in SPSS software version 22. Results: Out of 430 affected patients, 257 individuals (59. 8%) were male, and 173 individuals (40. 2%) were female. Among the deceased, 173 individuals (63. 8%) were male, and 98 individuals (36. 2%) were female, and this relationship was statistically significant (P=0. 016). Furthermore, the association between hypertension and diabetes with mortality was found to be statistically significant based on the test results (P<0. 001). Discussion: The present study demonstrated that being male, as well as having hypertension and diabetes, are among the risk factors for both contracting and experiencing mortality due to COVID-19 infection.

Background & Aims: Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases that is associated with insulin resistance and increased blood sugar levels, and affects the morbidity, mortality, and quality of life of the patients. This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the safety and effectiveness of sitagliptin and metformin combined treatment compared to metformin treatment alone in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials & Methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases until November 2020. The Cochrane tool was used to assess the quality of the studies. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan software version 5. 3. Results: Nine studies were included with a total number of 5675 patients. The results showed that in except of the comparision of the dose of 1000 mg with 100/1000 mg, there was significant differences between the two treatment groups in respect of HbA1c level. FPG was significant only at a dose of 1000 mg versus 50/1000 mg (P = 0. 0001). Significant differences in the outcome of HOMA-B were observed in the studied doses. However, no significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups in the outcomes of HOMA-IR and Fasting proinsulin. Proinsulin/insulin ratio was significant only at a dose of 1000 mg versus 50/1000 mg (P <0000. 1). The outcome of one or more side effects was higher at doses of 500 mg versus 50. 500 (P = 0. 20) and 1000 mg versus 1000/100 in the combination group (P= 0. 02). Conclusion: Sitagliptin and metformin combination therapy showed better efficacy than metformin treatment alone in patients with type 2 diabetes. No significant adverse events were observed for combination therapy.

Background & Aims: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication that mainly occurs in individuals with autoimmune diabetes Mellitus (Type 1A). The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of subcutaneous insulin compared to intravenous insulin in the treatment of patients with diabetic ketoacidosis. Materials & Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases to find relevant articles up to September 2023. There was no restriction on the language of the studies. Evaluation of the quality of studies was done with the Cochrane tool. Data analysis was performed with using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3. software. Results: Nine Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies including 346 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that there was no significant difference between the two groups of subcutaneous insulin and intravenous insulin in terms of time until resolution diabetic ketoacidosis (mean difference [MD] = 0. 062, 95% confidence interval [CI] (-0. 18 to 0. 31) (P = 0. 62), the amount of insulin until resolution of DKA (MD =-0. 041, 95% CI (0. 45 to 0. 37), and hypoglycemia (risk ratio = 1. 02, 95% CI (0. 49 to 2. 12), while a statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in the average length of hospitalization (MD:-0. 57, 95% CI (-1. 07 to-0. 07). Conclusion: Our findings showed that there is no difference between subcutaneous and intravenous insulin in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis, although the average hospitalization was lower in subcutaneous insulin.

Background & Aims: Resistin is an adipokine that is secreted from adipose tissue, causing insulin resistance and fatty liver disease. This study aimed to determine the association of resistin gene rs3745368 single nucleotide polymorphisms (G>A+299) with serum resistin level, insulin resistance index, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Materials & Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 160 people (80 healthy participants and 80 patients with NAFLD) who referred to Bo Ali and Amirul Mominin Hospitals in Tehran in 2022. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used to determine genotype of resistin gene polymorphism rs1862513. Serum resistin and insulin levels were measured using ELISA (Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) method, and other parameters were measured by standard methods. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software (version20) using independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA Spearman’s Correlation Test, and logistic regression test. Results: In the present study, significant differences were observed among two groups according to the meanlevels of HDL, triglycerides, insulin, resistin, liver enzymes and variables of age, body mass index, systolic blood pressure and HOMA (Homeostatic model assessment) (P<0. 05). Significant correlations were observed between resistin levels with body mass index in healthy group and with triglyceride in patients with NAFLD (P<0. 05). In the present study, RENT (Resistin) gene polymorphism rs3745368 had no significant relationship with biochemical and anthropometric variables, resistin level, insulin resistance, and non-alcoholic fatty liver (Ps>0. 05). Conclusion: It appears resistin levels are statistically associated with NAFLD, but RENT rs3745368 polymorphism is not statistically associated with resistin level, NAFLD, and insulin resistance.

Introduction: Food allergies or additive reactions occur as an adverse immune response to food allergens. Food allergies vary with age, local food, and many other factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the causes, types, demographic, clinical, and laboratory characteristics and outcomes of infants and children hospitalized in Motahari Hospital with a diagnosis of food allergy in 2009-2019. Materials and methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study, infants and children admitted to Motahari Hospital in Urmia between 2019 and 2019 were examined due to food allergies. Information such as age, gender, location, clinical symptoms, etc. were extracted from the files of these patients and then analyzed. Findings: The average age of the patients in this study was 9. 43 months. Boys constituted 57. 1% of the studied population. Family history of food allergy was positive in only 2. 6% of patients. The prevalence in different seasons was winter (31. 2%), summer (28. 6%), autumn (26%) and spring (14. 3%). The prevalence of allergenic foods was cow's milk (85. 7%) and eggs (2. 6%). Non-IgE sensitivity was 79. 2% and IgE sensitivity was 20. 8%. Clinical symptoms in children and infants with food allergy included enterocolitis (77. 9%), urticaria and angioedema (11. 7%), urticaria (5. 2%) and angioedema (5. 2%). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that boys and people living in the city constitute a higher percentage of the studied society. Winter was also the most common season. The most common allergen was cow's milk, and most patients had non-IgE-related allergies. The most common clinical symptoms in patients were enterocolitis, urticaria, and skin rash. Mortality was not observed among patients.

Background & Aim: The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance is a major health problem. The present study was designed and implemented to evaluate antibiotic resistance patterns in the patients admitted to Intensive Care Units of Imam Khomeini hospital in Urmia from September 2020 to September 2021. Material & Methods: In this descriptive-cross-sectional study that was conducted from September 2020 to September 2021, all cell cultures of blood, urine, sputum and respiratory secretions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), synovial fluid, and peritoneal fluid of the patients admitted to the ICU of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia were analyzed by a complete counting method. the descriptive cross-sectional study over September 2020 till September 2021, through systemic sampling, all bacterial cultures of blood, urine, sputum and respiratory secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, peritoneal fluid of the patients admitted in the ICU of imam Khomeini hospital were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted by SPSS 22. The significance level in this study was considered less than 0. 05. Results: In this study, a total of 1862 culture mediums were examined, of which 1162 mediums (62. 4%) had negative cultures. Also, in 348 mediums (18. 60%), there were mixed fungi or bacteria. Also, 22 samples were excluded from the study due to incomplete antibiogram reporting. Finally, 330 mediums were examined with the specific result of the type of bacteria grown to check microbial resistance. The most common microorganisms isolated from urine, blood, and sputum cultures were Escherichia coli, Klebsiella, and Acinetobacter, respectively. Out of 34 mediums belonging to Staphylococcus aureus, one case was resistant to methicillin and three cases were resistant to cephalexin. Out of 252 mediums belonging to Gram-negative bacteria, ESBL, MDR, PDR and XDR were present in 61. 5%, 88. 1%, 34. 5% and 11. 5%, respectively. Antibiogram was used in 314 cases (98. 5%) and did not match in 16 cases (1. 5%). Conclusion: The present study shows the risk of increasing microbial resistance, exposure to treatment-resistant strains, and the risk of non-response to antibiotic treatment in the patients. Therefore, necessary managements should be taken to prevent the unreasonable prescription of antibiotics and the intensification of the resistance process.