Golestan University of Medical Sciences
Golestan University of Medical Sciences RepositoryNot a member yet
3346 research outputs found
Sort by
Adsorption of pb(Ii) from aqueous solutions by montmorillonite/fe3 o4 nanoparticles: Batch and column studies
No full textIn the present study, magnetic montmorillonite (MMT/Fe3 O4 ) was prepared using chemical precipitation for adsorption of Pb(II) and was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The results showed that Fe3 O4 uniformly occurred on MMT. The maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) by MMT/Fe3 O4 was obtained to be 36.76 mg/g, which was higher than the Fe3 O4 and MMT alone. The removal efficiency of Pb(II) was strongly dependent on the operating factors, where the maximum efficiency occurred at pH of 5, adsorbent dose of 0.4 g/L, Pb(II) concentration of 30 mg/L, stirring rate of 300 rpm, and contact time of 120 min. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir isotherm, and the kinetic results showed that the chemisorption process is the dominant mechanism for Pb(II) removal. The results of the FTIR analysis explained that the Al�OH and Fe�O functional groups have high participation in pollutant adsorption. The column study emphasized that MMT/Fe3 O4 nanocomposite has excellent efficiency in the treatment of real wastewater containing Pb(II). In addition, excellent magnetic separation and regeneration performance indicated the applicability of adsorbent for the treatment of synthetic and real solutions. © 2021 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved
Evaluation of accuracy of microplate alamar blue assay and proportion method for prompt detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis and clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant m. Tuberculosis
No full textBackground: Tuberculosis is appraised to cause the deaths of more than a billion people in the last decades. Objectives: The current study compares the performance of microplate Alamar blue assay for clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Microplate Alamar blue assay was performed in a central tuberculosis laboratory at Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: In the first step, the microplate Alamar blue assay was used for the detection of 78 clinical isolates in the Golestan Regional Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory, and the results were compared with those of the proportion assay. In the second step, the microplate Alamar blue assay and the proportion assay were used for the drug susceptibility of 35 isolates. Results: In the microplate Alamar blue assay, the sensitivity was 100 (90.97-100), with a specificity of 74.36 (57.87-86.96), positive predictive value of 79.59 (65.66-89.76), and negative predictive value of 100 (88.06-100). For the microplate Alamar blue assay with rifampin, the sensitivity was 100 (89.11-100), specificity was 100 (29.24-100), positive predictive value was 100 (89.11-100), and negative predictive value was 100 (29.24-100). For the microplate Alamar blue assay with isoniazid, the sensitivity was 84.38 (67.21-94.72), specificity was 66.67 (9.43-99.16), positive predictive value was 96.43 (81.65-99.91), and negative predictive value was 28.57 (3.67-70.96). Conclusions: We found high accuracy between the microplate Alamar blue assay with rifampin and the proportion assay. The rapid and low-cost microplate Alamar blue assay is an inexpensive and appropriate assay for the detection of rifampin-resistant tuberculosis in low-income countries. © 2021, Author(s)
The expansion of CD14+ CD163+ subpopulation of monocytes and myeloid cells-associated cytokine imbalance; candidate diagnostic biomarkers for celiac disease (CD)
No full textCeliac disease (CD) is a chronic autoimmune disorder of small intestine against dietary gluten, among genetically predisposed individuals. Monocytes are versatile innate immune cells involved in the regulation of inflammation, and strongly involved in the intestinal immunity. However, the role of monocytes and their subtypes in CD is not well demonstrated. Methods: Here, we assessed the polarization of CD14+ monocytes by evaluating the M1 (CD16) and M2 (CD163) markers by flowcytometry, their soluble forms (sCD16 and sCD163), and the serum levels of IL-10, IL-12, TGF-β, and TNF-α cytokines using ELISA method, among 30 CD patients and 30 sex- and age-matched healthy subjects (HS). We also analyzed the diagnostic values of all variables with significant differences. Results: CD14+CD163+ monocytes were more frequent in CD patients than HS, while CD14+CD16+ monocytes were higher in HS. IL-10and TNF-α increased, and TGF-β expression was decreased among CD patients. The sCD16 serum levels were elevated in patients, while sCD163 was higher but not significant among CD patients. CD163+/CD16+ and IL-10/IL-12 ratios were higher in CD patients, and TGFβ/TNFα ratio was higher in HS group. IL-10, CD14+CD163+, TNF-α, and IL-10/IL-12 ratios with the AUC over 0.7 were introduced as fair diagnostic markers. Our findings revealed that the M2 (CD14+CD163+) monocytes were more frequent among CD patients, and the cytokine balance was disturbed. Conclusion: According to the significant functional diversities of monocyte subtypes between CD patients and HS group, these immunologic markers could be introduced as specific diagnostic biomarkers for CD. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis published by Wiley Periodicals LL
Temperament and character traits in substance use disorder in Iran: a case control study
No full textBackground: Patients with Substance use disorder have distinct personality traits, they were high score in novelty seeking (NS) and sensation seeking and lower in Self-directedness and higher in Self-transcendence, so we aim to investigate the relationships of temperament and characteristics with related some variables such as substance of choice. Design and setting: A case�control study enrolling 70 Substance use disorder patients and 70 controls was conducted at Mashhad University of medical sciences. Methods: Using a case�control design, a group of 70 Substance use disorder patients and 70 controls was conducted at Mashhad university of medical sciences. All participation completed the 240 questions of Temperament and Character Inventory-Revised (TCI-R). Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was employed to compare the relationship between temperament and character traits and patterns of substance use. Results: The scores of reward dependence, persistence, self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence were significantly lower in the case group compared to healthy individuals (P < 0.05). In contrast, the score of novel seeking was significantly higher in the case group (P < 0.05). On the other hand, harm avoidance was not significantly different between the two studied groups (P = 0.637). Conclusions: Higher NS in patients with substance use disorder is common and different traits, and temperaments would choose different substance combinations. © 2021, The Author(s)
A comparative analysis of clinical characteristics and laboratory findings of covid-19 between intensive care unit and non-intensive care unit pediatric patients: A multicenter, retrospective, observational study from iranian network for research in viral diseases (inrvd)
No full textIntroduction: To date, little is known about the clinical features of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Objective: Herein, we aimed to describe the differences in demographic characteristics, laboratory findings, clinical presentations, and outcomes of Iranian pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU versus those in non-ICU settings. Methods: This multicenter investigation involved 15 general and pediatrics hospitals and included cases with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection based on positive real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) admitted to these centers between March and May 2020, during the initial peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran. Results: Overall, 166 patients were included, 61 (36.7) of whom required ICU admission. The highest number of admitted cases to ICU were in the age group of 1�5 years old. Malignancy and heart diseases were the most frequent underlying conditions. Dyspnea was the major symptom for ICU-admitted patients. There were significant decreases in PH, HCO3 and base excess, as well as increases in creatinine, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and potassium levels between ICU-admitted and non-ICU patients. Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), shock, and acute cardiac injury were the most common features among ICU-admitted patients. The mortality rate in the ICU-admitted patients was substantially higher than non-ICU cases (45.9 vs. 1.9, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusions: Underlying diseases were the major risk factors for the increased ICU admissions and mortality rates in pediatric COVID-19 patients. There were few paraclinical parameters that could differentiate between pediatrics in terms of prognosis and serious outcomes of COVID-19. Healthcare providers should consider children as a high-risk group, especially those with underlying medical conditions. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences
Functional variation (Q63R) in the cannabinoid CB2 receptor may affect the severity of COVID-19: a human study and molecular docking
No full textEvidence supports a role of host genetic diversity in the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Variation in the cannabinoid CB2 receptor gene (CNR2) could affect the regulatory action of endocannabinoids on the immune system, resulting in an increased risk of various inflammatory diseases. The present study investigated the relationship between the CNR2-Q63R variant and COVID-19 severity. A total of 200 Iranian COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study and genotyped using a TaqMan assay. The co-dominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and additive inheritance models were analyzed using SNPStats software. In silico molecular docking was also performed to simulate the effects of the Q63R variation on CB2 binding with a ligand and with the G-protein. A significant difference in the Q63R allele and genotype distribution was found between expired and discharged COVID-19 patients in co-dominant, recessive, and additive inheritance models. The molecular docking results showed that the predicted structure of mutant CB2 (63R type) could not bind to the G-protein in the correct position. The data indicated that the Q63R variation in the CNR2 gene may affect the severity of COVID-19. Identification of genes related to susceptibility and severity of COVID-19 may lead to specific targets for drug repurposing or development. Graphic abstract: Figure not available: see fulltext. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature
The effects of earplugs and eye masks on sleep quality of patients admitted to coronary care units: A randomised clinical trial
No full textSleep is an essential need for patients admitted to coronary care units. The present clinical trial aimed to determine the effect of using eye masks and earplugs on the sleep quality of patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). A total of 68 eligible patients with CHD were randomly allocated into four groups of 17 (control, eye masks, earplugs, and eye masks with earplugs). All three interventions were performed during the night from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the next day. The outcomes were the quality of sleep, measured by the Verran and Snyder-Halpern (VSH) Sleep Scale, and the urinary levels of nocturnal melatonin and cortisol, measured by urine samples taken during the night (from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.). The study outcomes were measured on the third and fourth days. Sleep disturbance was statistically significantly lower in patients with earplugs (visual analogue scale mean difference MD: 74.31 mm, SE: 11.34, p = 0.001). Sleep effectiveness was statistically significantly higher in patients with eye mask (MD: 36.88 mm, SE: 8.75, p = 0.001). The need for sleep supplementation was statistically significantly lower in patients with eye masks (MD: 39.79 mm, SE: 7.23, p = 0.001). There was a significant difference in melatonin levels between eye masks and the control group (p = 0.03). For urinary cortisol levels, there were significant differences between eye masks and the control group (p = 0.007), earplugs and the control group (p = 0.001), and eye masks with earplugs and the control group (p = 0.006). The mean scores for comfort, effectiveness, and ease of use were highest for the group that used eye masks (2.88, 2.94, and 3.18, respectively). As a result, all three interventions improved the sleep quality of patients. However, the interventions had different effects on the three dimensions of the VSH Sleep Scale, as well as the urinary levels of cortisol and melatonin. © 2021 European Sleep Research Societ
Association between blood groups and COVID-19 outcome in Iranian patients
No full textAim: Many factors have been speculated to explain the COVID-19 complex clinical phenotype. Due to the inconsistent data published on blood groups and COVID-19, we conducted a study on Iranian patients to further assess this association. Materials & methods: This retrospective study was conducted on data collected from confirmed COVID-19 hospitalized patients during March and December 2020 in a referral hospital for COVID-19, 5 Azar Hospital, Gorgan, north of Iran. A total of 1554 confirmed COVID-19 cases were enrolled in the study with blood group (ABO and Rh), demographic, and clinical data available. Results: Of 1554 patients, 1267 and 287 cases had recovered and deceased (due to COVID-19) outcomes, respectively. Most of the cases had O+ (29.6), the least number had AB- (0.5), and most of the deceased cases had O+ blood types (31.4). Logistic regression analysis revealed that groups A- and B- had higher and groups B+, AB+, O+ and O- had lower odds of death than the A+ group. Conclusion: This study indicates that blood types may be related to the clinical outcome of COVID-19. Further studies with a large cohort for multiple people are required to validate this association. © 2021 Future Medicine Ltd
Dynamics of the COVID-19 Clinical Findings and the Serologic Response
No full textThe factors affecting the dynamics of lengthening of symptoms and serologic responses are not well known. In order to see how the serologic responses change in relation to the clinical features, we selected a group of 472 adults with a positive IgM/IgG antibody test result from a baseline study of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity, assessed their COVID-19 and past medical histories, and followed them up in about 3 months. Nearly one-fourth of the subjects were asymptomatic at the baseline; 12.8 subjects became symptomatic at the follow-up (FU) when 39.8 of the subjects had some persisting symptoms. At the baseline, 6.1 showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM positive, 59.3 only for IgG, and 34.5 for both. At the FU, these figures declined to 0.6, 54.0, and 4.4, respectively, with the mean IgM and IgG levels declining about 6.3 and 2.5 folds. Blood group A was consistently linked to both sustaining and flipping of the gastrointestinal (GI) and respiratory symptoms. The baseline IgM level was associated with GI symptoms and pre-existing cirrhosis in multivariate models. Both of the baseline and FU IgG levels were strongly associated with age, male, and lung involvement seen in chest computed tomography (CT)-scan. Finally, as compared with antibody decayers, IgM sustainers were found to be more anosmic mean difference (MD): 11.5%; P = 0.047 with lower body mass index (BMI) (MD: 1.30 kg/m2; P = 0.002), while IgG sustainers were more commonly females (MD: 19.2%; P = 0.042) with shorter diarrhea duration in the FU (MD: 2.8 days; P = 0.027). Our findings indicate how the anti-SARS-CoV-2 serologic response and COVID-19 clinical presentations change in relation to each other and basic characteristics. © Copyright © 2021 Niavarani, Poustchi, Shayanrad, Sharafkhah, Mohammadi, Mansour-Ghanaei, Joukar, Roshandel, Hormati, Ghadimi, Sadeghniiat-haghighi, Abdollahi, Mardani, Bahadorimonfared, Ghanbari, Delavari, Vosoogh-Moghaddam, Zamani, Roozafzai, Alvand, Darvishian and Malekzadeh
Persian medicine �sahj� in ulcerative colitis remedy: A before-and-after clinical trial
No full textUlcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease and its etiology has not fully understood in conventional medicine. It also influences the quality of life as a result of its recurrence and progressive clinical course, then, it has been considered an important public health concern. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of prescription therapy based on the Persian Medicine as a complementary treatment for the mitigation of the symptoms of UC as well as improvement in the disease severity. A total of 30 UC patients with an age range of 15-70 years participated in this clinical trial. They were treated with the �Sahj� capsule containing: Curcuma longa L., Punica granatum L., and Terminalia chebula Retz. for 4 weeks. The �Sahj� capsule was prepared based on the Persian Medicine resources. The bowel frequency at day/night, urgency of defecation, general health, and blood in stool were assessed pre/post intervention and the results were compared before and after the clinical trial. The �Sahj� capsule significantly enhanced the clinical findings. There was a significant increase in simple clinical colitis activity index (SCCAI) score in response to the prescription of the �Sahj� capsule (7.73 ± 1.98 before and 4.30 ± 1.12 after the trial) in which general health condition of patients was increased by 50 after the clinical trial. Bowel frequency at day was remarkably decreased by totally 15 patients with the scores of 1, 2 and 3 were enrolled to score 0. Also, bowel frequency at night was not statically significant (p = 0.267) in spite of 7 patients were improved their score (changed their score from 2 to 1). Urgency of defecation (p<0.003) and blood in stool (p<0.0001) were significantly decreased compared with pre-intervention stage. These findings suggest an appropriate complementary treatment to reduce the symptoms of ulcerative colitis. However, further studies with larger sample size are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of the �Sahj� capsule in the treatment of UC. © 2021 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/). Noncommercial uses of the work are permitted, provided the original work is properly cited