Repository of Research and Investigative Information
Not a member yet
797 research outputs found
Sort by
Vitamin D Levels and Risk of Retinopathy in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Full text linkBackground and Objective: Epidemiological data show a strong correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the incidence of diabetes mellitus. Many studies have reported hypovitaminosis D in patients with diabetic retinopathy, and it is possible that the deficiency of this vitamin plays a role in the pathogenesis of this diabetic complication. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the serum levels of vitamin D in patients with diabetic retinopathy and its relationship with the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy.
Methods: In this review article, we searched Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases using the keywords vitamin D deficiency, serum vitamin D levels, vitamin D supplement, diabetes, and diabetic retinopathy. No time limit was considered for the search. Articles written in English were included in this study. Original and complete articles in English about vitamin D deficiency, diabetes and retinopathy were reviewed. Review articles and animal studies were excluded from this study. The data obtained from these findings were extracted and evaluated by two reviewers.
Findings: In this study, out of 52 studies found, 15 articles were reviewed according to the inclusion criteria. The results showed that vitamin D deficiency is very common in people with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy and there is a strong inverse relationship between vitamin D deficiency and diabetic retinopathy. In addition, the use of its supplements is also necessary to prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the reduction of vitamin D serum levels is very common in patients with diabetic retinopathy and can be one of the risk factors for developing retinopathy. Its plasma level can have a high diagnostic value in order to prevent and control the onset of this complication
Children and COVID- 19 infection: A case series of Iran
Full text linkBackground: World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID -19 infection a global pandemic. Children have milder disease than adults but different aspects of disease in children are not fully understood. Case presentation: We describe 5 pediatric patients with COVID-19 that referred to Amirkola Children’s Hospital, Babol, Iran. The youngest patient was 4 years old and the oldest was 12 years old. Three patients were males. None of the patients had a history of contacts with symptomatic patients with COVID -19. The most common symptoms included fever, cough, anorexia, weakness and diarrhea. One patient had gastrointestinal symptoms without respiratory symptoms. All patients had elevated ESR and CRP. Three of them had lymphopenia. RT-PCR was positive in all patients. Management included supportive care, antibiotics, antiviral treatment and hydroxychloroquine. All patients were discharged with good condition. Conclusion: Children may have a variety of symptoms including respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms. Mortality is rare in children and prognosis is better than the adults
Patient-related post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) risk factors between two groups of patients: Prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin
Full text linkBackground: Pancreatitis is one of the most crucial complications following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The purpose of the current study was to investigate patient-related post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP) risk factors in two groups of patients: prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin. Methods: Two different prophylactic modalities were planned and complications were assessed based on the defined inclusion criteria. In this study, the patients were evaluated for the procedure and patient-related risk factors in post-ERCP pancreatitis in the recipient groups of the prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin. Results: Pancreatitis was confirmed in 27 of all 170 selected patients after ERCP. By univariate analysis, two variables were significant with the development of PEP. Regarding the patient-related risk factors, unique subjects with common bile duct (CBD) dilated 10mm were more exposed to an increased chance of PEP (P=0. 015); meanwhile, other factors did not correlate with the increased possibility of PEP in both groups. The only procedure-related risk factor for PEP was the deep cannulation of the pancreatic duct in both groups during the procedure with an incremental significant incidence of pancreatitis (P=0.005). Comparison of prophylactic pancreatic stent and rectal indomethacin showed no effects in term of post ERCP pancreatitis reduction. Additionally, there was no significant difference between these two strategies in the rate of PEP. Conclusion: Prophylactic pancreatic duct stents and administration of rectal indomethacin cannot have particular approaches for reducing the possible occurrence of PEP. The increase in time of deep cannulation and the presence of CBD dilation <10mm could be considered as important risk factors.  
Complications of patients with thalassemia major and intermedia in a selected Iranian population
Full text linkBackground: Due to anemia in thalassemia major (TM) and thalassemia intermedia (TI) patients, bone changes occur, especially in the broad bones like jaw and skull, which are the main sites of hematopoiesis. Therefore, the dentist should be aware of the disease to prevent complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiographic findings of the jaw and teeth in TM and TI patients and to compare the two groups. Methods: 50 TM patients and 50 TI patients in Amirkola Thalassemia Center, whose thalassemia were definitively diagnosed by a hematologist, were selected as the study group and the control group consisted of 50 healthy individuals. In patients` panoramic radiographs, dental anomalies (microdontia, root shortening etc.) and bone disorders (bone marrow hyperplasia, maxillary sinus invisibility etc.) were assessed. A p<0.05 was considered. Results: Dental anomalies were (42.84) in TI patients and (23.46) in the control group, the difference was significant. Dental anomalies in TM patients were (38.76) and in the control group (23.46) and a significant difference was observed (p<0.001). Bone disorders were (47.94) in TI patients and in the control group (32.64). Bone disorders in TM patients were (44.88) and in the control group was (32.64) that showed a significant difference. Conclusion: This study showed that in thalassemia patients, bone and dental disorders frequency were higher than healthy individuals. Bone disorders were also more common than dental anomalies. Dental and bone disorders were more common in TI
Drug interactions in elderly (Amirkola Health and Ageing Project)
Full text linkBackground: Due to physiological changes and co-existing chronic diseases, the elderly has to take various drugs with different mechanisms that may increase the risk of drug interactions and side effects of medications. This study was performed to evaluate the profile of drug interactions of Amirkola elderly patients. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study is part of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP) which was done during 2012-2013 (Amirkola, Babol, Iran). Initial data collection was done on 1616 persons of ages 60 and older by observing their prescribed drugs and those prepared by self-medications. Results: Drug interactions were detected in 31.7 (95 CI; 29.41, 33.95) of the drug prescriptions. This included 28 of mild, 63.3 of moderate and 8.7 of severe drug interactions. Cardiovascular drugs (64.4) were the most frequent drugs that induced drug-interactions. According on Beer criteria 2015, 39.97 of the elderly medications were identified as “inappropriate medication”. NSAIDs had the highest prevalence of inappropriate drugs. There was a significant relationship between female gender, having underlying disease, living alone, having insurance, and polypharmacy with obtained drug interaction results (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate considerable drug interactions among the elderly in Amirkola, which highlights the need for careful prescribing and using of drugs in the elderly.  
Chest computed tomography findings in more than 4,000 non-hospitalized suspected COVID-19 patients
Full text linkBackground: When the first wave of COVID-19 outbreak occurred, the infrastructure for definitive detection of the disease through real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was not yet available in many regions, and a large proportion of suspected patients were inevitably referred to radiology centers to provide a chest CT scan. This research was conducted to describe chest CT characteristics in patients who underwent chest CT during the first weeks of COVID-19 outbreak in Babol, Iran. Methods: All non-hospitalized suspected COVID-19 patients referred to the state radiologic clinic to perform chest CT from March 8, 2020 to March 28, 2020 have been enrolled in this observational study. All CT scans were reviewed by a faculty member radiologist with approximately 20 years of experience. Results: Totally, 2,207 (52.3) men and 2016 (47.7) women have been examined. Imaging characteristics in 2292 (54.3) individuals illustrated a highly suggestive sign of COVID-19 infection while 1869 (44.3) had a normal chest CT scan. 1813 cases (77.00) had bilateral involvement and 541 cases (23.00) were infected unilaterally; Also, 1727 (73.36) patients had left-sided involvement. Lung field involvement in 2036 (86.49) patients was less than 20. Ground glass opacity had a sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, LR+ and LR- of 99, 96, 96, 98, 22 and 0.01, respectively, for categorization of a patient as a COVID-19 case. These values were 99, 73, 70, 99, 3.72 and 0.01, respectively for consolidations. Conclusion: Although, RT-PCR is still introduced as the gold standard method for definite diagnosis, diagnostic accuracy of chest CT in COVID-19 detection is considerable
Ophthalmological Aspects of Mustard Gas Poisoning (focus on management)
Full text linkBackground: Amongst the chemical warfare agents, blistering (vesicant) agents can be significant materials. The most important agent in this group is sulfur mustard (mustard gas) which is known as “King of chemical warfare (CW) agents “. Exposure to this agent, seriously causes damages in several organs, such as the eyes. This article reviews the ophthalmological aspects of sulfur mustard with reference of its management. Methods: A wide-ranging search in PubMed databases, Thomson Reuters and Scopus was done and different aspects of chemical properties of sulfur mustard, its mechanism of action and effects on eyes, clinical finding, diagnostic evaluation, initiate actions, pharmaceutical and surgical interventions was reported. Results: Sulfur mustard can alkylate DNA and RNA strands and break down structures of protein and lipid of cell membrane. This may impair cell energy production, and leads to cell death. Exposure to sulfur mustard, therefore, causes such problems for organs, including irreversible damage to the eyes. Conclusion: Understanding the mechanism of the sulfur mustard effect and the early training in prevention injuries will cause fewer complications and damage to organs, including the eyes. Washing the eyes with tap water or eyewash solutions, using mydriatic drops, anti- inflammatory drugs, matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors and antibiotics may help to the management of poisoning. Surgical interventions including tarsorrhaphy, amniotic membrane transplantation, stem cell transplantation and corneal transplantation could reduce the harm to the victims
The Effect of Different Methods of Fluoride Administration at Different Concentrations on the Load-Deflection Properties of Rhodium-Coated Niti Archwires
Full text linkBackground and Objective: Fluoride compounds are widely used for the control of dental plaque. Considering the effect of different fluoride compounds on the mechanical properties of orthodontic wires, this study was conducted to analyze the effect of different methods of fluoride administration at different concentrations on the load-deflection properties of rhodium-coated NiTi orthodontic archwires.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 30 patients aged between 15 and 25 years referring to Babol University of Medical Sciences due to dental crowding and didn't have vertical skeletal defects. 0.016-inch Rhodium-Coated A-NiTi wire was placed on patients' maxillary brackets. Patients were randomly divided into three groups of ten: The control group used only fluoride toothpaste, the second group used fluoride toothpaste with sodium fluoride mouthwash (0.05%) and the third group used fluoride toothpaste with Acidulated Phosphate Fluoride gel (1.23% APF). After six weeks, the values of unloading force (N), yield strength (N/m2) and stiffness (N/m) of the wires were obtained using a three-point bending test.
Findings: The mean unloading force and stiffness of the second group wires were higher than that of the other groups and in the first group, they were higher than the control group in all values, but no significant differences were found between the groups. There was a significant difference between the yield strengths of different groups (p=0.038). The mean yield strength in the second group was higher than the other groups (0.94±0.16 N/m2) and was significantly different from the control group (0.75±0.19 N/m2) (p=0.030).
Conclusion: According to this study, method of fluoride administration does not affect the unloading force and stiffness but the yield strength of rhodium-coated NiTi archwires increases with an increase in the fluoride concentration
The Mortality Rate in Children Aged 1-59 Months in Affiliated Healthcare Centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences Based on ICD10
Full text linkBackground and Objective: The mortality in children aged 1-59 months is one of the important indicators in assessing the general health status of a community. The death control system for children aged 1-59 months is used to record and review this indicator in Iran. This study was performed to investigate the mortality rate in children aged 1-59 months in affiliated healthcare centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences based on ICD10.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all cases of death in children aged 1-59 months registered in affiliated healthcare centers of Babol University of Medical Sciences in 2009-2020 were collected by referring to the reports recorded in the death control system for children aged 1-59 months. Then, information about the cause of death and the trends of mortality during the years 2009-2020 were reviewed.
Findings: Out of a total of 303 cases of death in children aged 1-59 months, 179 cases (59.07%) were boys, the mean age of children was 13.08±15.12 months and with 175 cases (57.75%), the highest mortality rate was related to urban areas. The general trend of mortality was declining; from 41 cases in 2009 to 14 cases in 2020 (p≤0.001). Congenital and chromosomal abnormalities in 100 cases (34%), endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases in 56 cases (18.48%), nervous system diseases in 23 cases (7.59%) and cancers in 22 cases (7.26%) were respectively the most common causes of death.
Conclusion: The results show a declining trend in the mortality of children aged 1-59 months
Clinical efficacy of local injection therapies for lateral epicondylitis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis
Full text linkBackground: We aimed to compare the efficacy of local injection therapies for lateral epicondylitis in a Bayesian framework. Methods: We searched the Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest, for randomized controlled trials published from inception to February 2021 in any languages. The injection therapies included corticosteroids (CSs), autologous blood (AB), botulinum toxin (BT), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Placebo was the reference group for comparison. The study outcomes were pain, function, and strength, at 1, 3 and 6 months after injection. Results: Thirty-one trials were finally included in this network meta-analysis, comprising 1,948 patients. In the first month of treatment, CS and BT were more efficacious than placebo in terms of pain reduction, and CS was superior to BT. In the same follow-up time, CS was also superior to placebo in terms of functional improvement. In the third month of treatment, BT was the only intervention that was more efficient than placebo in pain relief. With regard to functional improvement, none of the treatments significantly had a higher effectiveness than placebo in the same period. Moreover, no therapies were found to be more efficient than placebo in the sixth month of treatment in terms of any study outcomes. In addition, we did not identify an intervention superior to placebo regarding strength improvement outcome in any times of follow-up. Conclusions: CSs and BT are efficient in improving clinical outcomes of lateral epicondylitis in the short term. Also, the efficacy of CSs seems to be greater than BT. On the other hand, AB and PRP were not significantly more efficient than placebo in any times of follow-up