Case reports
Mahnaz Mozdourian; Zahra Javidarabshahi
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Introduction: Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic connective tissue disease with a wide range of systemic manifestations. Progressive proximal skeletal muscle weakness and symmetric and inflammatory infiltrates are the main clinical and histological features of DM.
Case presentation: In this ...
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Introduction: Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic connective tissue disease with a wide range of systemic manifestations. Progressive proximal skeletal muscle weakness and symmetric and inflammatory infiltrates are the main clinical and histological features of DM.
Case presentation: In this study, we report the case of a 43-year-old male with DM and early pulmonary manifestations. A 50 mg/g daily dose of prednisolone was administered for the case. The symptoms of muscle weakness improved after 2 weeks. Commonly, pulmonary diseases occur after the occurrence of other connective tissue diseases. However, in the present case, pulmonary manifestations were observed many years before the incidence of DM symptoms.
Conclusions: The DM with pulmonary involvement is associated with worse outcomes; accordingly, a higher rate of mortality is reported among these patients. Based on the literature, the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio are reliable markers for the diagnosis of DM, along with lung problems.
Short articles
Sareh Keshvardoost; Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy; Farhad Fatehi
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic illustrated the significance of using telemedicine for medical services to minimize the risk of infection more than ever. The implementation of telemedicine in the realm of eye expertise (teleophthalmology) has made it possible for both ophthalmic patients ...
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The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic illustrated the significance of using telemedicine for medical services to minimize the risk of infection more than ever. The implementation of telemedicine in the realm of eye expertise (teleophthalmology) has made it possible for both ophthalmic patients and COVID-19 positive cases to be taken care of in different ways of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. This study aimed to discuss the ophthalmology challenges during the COVID-19 outbreak based on existing evidence, followed by proposing some solutions for utilizing telemedicine.
Research articles
Mehrdad Farivar; Zahra Hooshmandi; Mahbubeh Setorki; Sabrieh Amini
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death in industrialized countries and a leading cause of permanent disability in adults worldwide. Elettaria cardamomum is a widely used nutraceuticalis, which is reported to have diverse functions, including positive effects on anxiety-like behavior properties.
Objective: ...
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Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of death in industrialized countries and a leading cause of permanent disability in adults worldwide. Elettaria cardamomum is a widely used nutraceuticalis, which is reported to have diverse functions, including positive effects on anxiety-like behavior properties.
Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effect of Elettaria cardamomum essential oil and its major constituent (i.e., 1,8-cineole) on the brain injury induced by cerebral hypoperfusion in rats.
Materials and Methods: Cerebral hypoperfusion was induced in Wistar rats by the occlusion of the bilateral carotid artery for 30 min. Subsequently, Elettaria cardamomum essential oil (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg i.p.) and its major constituent (1,8-cineole) (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg i.p.) was injected to rats for 14 consecutive days. After the final treatment, blood samples were taken, and the brain tissues were separated and used for biochemical analysis by RT-PCR to detect the levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
Results: Administration of Elettaria cardamomum essential oil and 1,8-cineole significantly decreased the malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels in the blood and brain cortex of the rat. Additionally, Elettaria cardamomum essential oil and 1,8-cineole significantly suppressed the expression level of Caspase 3, IL-1?, TNF-?, and iNOS in the cerebral cortex.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that Elettaria cardamomum essential oil has specific neuroprotective effects that may be useful for the treatment of cerebral hypoperfusion. The pharmacological mechanism of Elettaria cardamomum partly involves the modulation of inflammatory mediators and oxidative stress.
Research articles
Mehdi Najafi; Hamidreza Khankeh; Ahmad Soltani; Golrokh Atighechian
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Introduction: The preparedness of families for the disasters can set auspicious grounds for the preparedness of the whole society. In Iran health system, Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI) that is composed of 15 items is applied for assessing the household preparedness in disasters. This study ...
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Introduction: The preparedness of families for the disasters can set auspicious grounds for the preparedness of the whole society. In Iran health system, Household Disaster Preparedness Index (HDPI) that is composed of 15 items is applied for assessing the household preparedness in disasters. This study was conducted to investigate the reliability and validity of this index.
Methods: In order to investigate the HDPI reliability, we two methods, namely internal consistency and stability determination, are. In order to investigate HDPI validity, we examined the face validity, content validity and construct validity. To do so, besides interviewing with the experts and family heads, 200 families were selected based on multistage cluster sampling method from amongst a study population that included the families in all the counties in Isfahan Province. Use has been made in content validity investigation of both qualitative and quantitative methods; and, in investigating the construct validity, exploratory factor analysis was the method of choice.
Results: The amount of HDPI internal consistency was calculated 0.786 which is in an acceptable range. HDPI stability, as well, was computed 0.98 using the test-retest method which is also in an optimal level. Therefore, it can be stated that HDPI enjoys the required reliability. Investigation of HDPI face validity indicated that the families have problems in perceiving some of the items of this index. The experts presented suggestions for improving the HDPI content validity following the qualitative investigation of the content validity. In the investigation of the content validity ratio (CVR), all the items, except the ones numbered 1, 3 and 4 were in an acceptable range; however, the investigation of the content validity index (CVI) indicated that only the validity of the items numbered 12 and 13 was acceptable in terms of all the three scales of relevancy, clarity and simplicity. To determine the construct validity, we used exploratory factor analysis to extract five factors (subscales), namely reduction of vulnerability, planning for disasters, family empowerment, procurement of resources for disasters and specialized programs. The internal consistency of these subscales indicated that only the internal consistencies of the first and the second factors were in an acceptable range.
Conclusion: The present study revealed that although HDPI was a reliable measure, it did not enjoy the required validity for assessing the household preparedness in disasters.
Research articles
Wan-Qiu Na; Wei Su; Ju-Shui Sun; Hai-Zhi Chen; Li-Na Wu; Jian-Hua Li; Li-Feng Mei
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the correlation of the level of homocysteine (Hcy) in the serum with attention and executive functions in patients suffering from type I stable bipolar affective disorder (BPAD I).
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 participants ...
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Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the correlation of the level of homocysteine (Hcy) in the serum with attention and executive functions in patients suffering from type I stable bipolar affective disorder (BPAD I).
Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 participants in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, China, within July 2016 to December 2017. The subjects were divided into patients with schizophrenia (n=100) as the study group and healthy volunteers (n=70) as the control group. The Hcy and folic acid levels of fasting ulnar vein serum were determined using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Patient attention was evaluated by the Trail Making Test A (TMTA), and executive functions were assessed using the Trail Making Test B (TMTB) and Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT).
Results: The mean value of serum Hcy was significantly higher in the study group than that reported for the control group (19.01±5.83 and 11.40±4.62; P<0.001). The results of several tests of attention (59.39±19.27 and 53.26±14.82; P=0.027) and executive functions (123.75±40.60 and 107.52±29.31; P=0.013) were poorer in the study group. The serum Hcy value positively correlated with the disturbance variables of the TMTA, TMTB, and Trail Making Test. However, the duration of the Stroop-C test (SCT) and SCWT negatively correlated with the correct number of the SCT and SCWT.
Conclusions: The increase in the level of serum Hcy closely correlated with the impairment of attention and executive functions in patients suffering from stable BPAD I.
Research articles
Poupak Rahimzadeh; Salome Sehat Kashani; Karim Hemmati; Farnad Imani; Akram Salimi; Seyed Hamid Reza Faiz
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Background: There are various protocols for pain management after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.
Objective: This study aimed to compare two blocking protocols, including femoral nerve block (FNB) and infrapatellar nerve block (IPNB) in terms of pain severity, patient ...
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Background: There are various protocols for pain management after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery.
Objective: This study aimed to compare two blocking protocols, including femoral nerve block (FNB) and infrapatellar nerve block (IPNB) in terms of pain severity, patient satisfaction, and muscle force preservation.
Materials and Methods: This single-blind clinical trial study investigated the patients who underwent elective knee arthroscopic ACL surgery randomly either by ultrasound-guided FNB or IPNB. Subsequently, the patients were evaluated 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 h following NB for pain severity, patient satisfaction level, and muscle force.
Results: The pain score (both at rest and in flexion) was significantly lower in the first three h after the intervention in the FNB group. Moreover, the mean score of the patients satisfaction in the first hours was significantly higher in the FNB group after the procedure. Additionally, the IPNB group obtained a significantly faster mean time required for the first dose of opioid request. The mean dose of used opioids over 24 h was significantly lower in the FNB group. There was a significant difference between the groups in terms of the muscle strength score within 24 h; moreover, the FNB group obtained a significantly greater delay in muscle recovery.
Conclusion: The FNB is associated with greater pain relief and satisfaction in patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery, compared to the IFNB technique. However, a further delay in the recovery of quadriceps muscle force is evident in the FNB group.
Research articles
Fardin Faraji; Pegah Mohaghegh; Hosein Rafiee Ravand; Javad Javaheri
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of disability and mortality in Iran. Therefore, it is of critical importance to know the factors affecting the effective management of acute stroke for better prevention and treatment of stroke.
Objectives: The present study aims at investigating the risk ...
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Background: Stroke is one of the major causes of disability and mortality in Iran. Therefore, it is of critical importance to know the factors affecting the effective management of acute stroke for better prevention and treatment of stroke.
Objectives: The present study aims at investigating the risk factors associated with prognosis in patients with acute stroke who were registered in the "724" stroke management registry system at Amir Al-Momenin Hospital, Arak, Iran.
Methods: This retrospective observational study included all acute stroke patients who were registered in the "724" stroke management registry system at Amir Al-Momenin Hospital, Arak, Iran, from April 2017 to April 2019. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 23) through the Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, Mann Whitney U test, and logistic regression.
Results: This study investigated 139 patients with acute stroke registered in the "724" stroke management registry system at Amir Al-Momenin Hospital, Arak, Iran, from April 2017 to April 2019. The mean age of the patients was 62.91±13.31 years, and the majority of the cases were male (n=77; 55.4 %). Totally, 104 (75.4%) and 31 (22.3%) patients had hypertension and diabetes, respectively. In-hospital mortality showed a statistically significant relationship with a history of stroke, brain computed tomography scan results and high National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) at baseline (P<0.05).
Conclusions: High rate of hypertension among stroke patients highlights its significance as an important modifiable risk factor for stroke. Attention to these risk factors is essential for the primary prevention of stroke. History of stroke and NIHSS score at baseline?8 associated with poor outcome at discharge.
Research articles
Rasoul Heshmati; Mahasti Alizadeh; Solmaz Javadpour; Nilufar Alizada
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Background: Patients with heart failure need to be engaged in adequate cardiac self-care behaviors helping to prevent the development of the disease and ameliorate their health status. However, the conceptual model of the present study has not been tested in previous studies among patients with heart ...
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Background: Patients with heart failure need to be engaged in adequate cardiac self-care behaviors helping to prevent the development of the disease and ameliorate their health status. However, the conceptual model of the present study has not been tested in previous studies among patients with heart failure.
Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the psychosocial determinants based on Penders health promotion model (HPM) affecting self-care behavior among outpatients suffering from heart failure.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 200 patients suffering from heart failure were selected from the outpatient clinics of Tabriz, Iran, using convenience sampling and assessed for self-self-care behaviors and major concepts of HPM via self-administered questionnaires. Path analysis was used in order to analyze the conceptual model
Results: The present hypothetical model showed a good fit. Perceived benefits and activity-related effects directly affected self-care behaviors. Bootstrapping mediation analyses indicated that perceived self-efficacy, perceived barriers, perceived benefits, and activity-related effects indirectly affected self-care behaviors through commitment to action.
Conclusions: The commitment to action can help to promote self-care behaviors among the subjects suffering from heart failure. The interventions should take the role of predictive variables of this study and commitment to action into account in these patients.
Research articles
Li Wang; Peng Jiang; Chenhui Qu; Xuefeng Li; Lei Wang; Chunhong Wei
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential function of miR-214 in the apoptosis induction by targeting p53 in human colorectal cancer cells (CRC) in combination with doxorubicin (DOX).
Methods: miR-214 mimics were transfected to HT-29 CRC cells. Following that, the transfected cells ...
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Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the potential function of miR-214 in the apoptosis induction by targeting p53 in human colorectal cancer cells (CRC) in combination with doxorubicin (DOX).
Methods: miR-214 mimics were transfected to HT-29 CRC cells. Following that, the transfected cells were treated with DOX. Cell viability, apoptosis, and migration were evaluated by MTT, flow cytometry, and scratch-wound motility assays, respectively. Furthermore, the expression level of miR-214 and p53 was evaluated by qRT-PCR.
Results: miR-214 transfection significantly inhibited the cell proliferation rate (P<0.05), induced apoptosis (P<0.05), and harnessed migration (P<0.05) in the HT-29 cells after 48 h. Furthermore, more effectiveness was observed in combination with DOX. Additionally, miR-214 transfection led to a reduction in p53 expression offering that it might be a potential target for miR-214.
Conclusion: In conclusion, miR-214 sensitizes HT-29 cells to doxorubicin by targeting p53 indicating the significant role of this miRNA in colorectal cancer chemotherapy.
Research articles
Fatih Goksel; Fatih Demircioglu
Volume 22, Issue 12 , 2020
Abstract
Introduction and Objectives: The latest technology and current treatments are used in the treatment of cancer in Turkey; however, oncological hyperthermia devices are currently not available. This study aimed to demonstrate the necessity of oncological hyperthermia devices in Turkey where cancer treatment ...
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Introduction and Objectives: The latest technology and current treatments are used in the treatment of cancer in Turkey; however, oncological hyperthermia devices are currently not available. This study aimed to demonstrate the necessity of oncological hyperthermia devices in Turkey where cancer treatment is performed effectively. In this direction, some important oncological hyperthermia centers have been examined to what kind of planning can be developed in this country.
Materials and Methods: The data were collected regarding the number of patients who had undergone hyperthermia during the treatment of cancer and the distribution of oncological diagnoses, devices per population, and rate of hyperthermia use. Subsequently, a model was prepared for Turkey, and an evaluation was performed on the number of cancer patients that can be applied to this treatment and the need for the number of oncological hyperthermia devices.
Results: According to the data obtained, an average of 375 patients are treated annually per hyperthermia device in relevant centers. When a similar projection is applied for Turkey, hyperthermia treatment can be applied to an average of 400 patients annually with 0.18 hyperthermia devices per one million population. According to this result, considering the population and the annual cancer diagnosis rates, it is predicted that 13 deep regional hyperthermia devices are required across the country.
Conclusion: The presence of deep regional hyperthermia devices in comprehensive oncology centers plays an effective role in oncological treatment with modern radiotherapy devices. This condition along with the sufficient number of radiation oncologists will significantly benefit the capacity to provide oncological treatment options holistically.
