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Document details - Alterations of Lipid Profile in COVID-19: A Narrative Review
No full textThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to over 100 million infections and over 3 million deaths worldwide. Understanding its pathogenesis is crucial to guide prognostic and therapeutic implications. Viral infections are known to alter the lipid profile and metabolism of their host cells, similar to the case with MERS and SARS-CoV-2002. Since lipids play various metabolic roles, studying lipid profile alterations in COVID-19 is an inevitable step as an attempt to achieve better therapeutic strategies, as well as a potential prognostic factor in the course of this disease. Several studies have reported changes in lipid profile associated with COVID-19. The most frequently reported changes are a decline in serum cholesterol and ApoA1 levels and elevated triglycerides. The hyper-inflammatory state mediated by the Cytokine storm disturbs several fundamental lipid biosynthesis pathways. Virus replication is a process that drastically changes the host cell's lipid metabolism program and overuses cell lipid resources. Lower HDL-C and ApoA1 levels are associated with higher severity and mortality rates and with higher levels of inflammatory markers. Studies suggest that arachidonic acid omega-3 derivatives might help modulate hyper-inflammation and cytokine storm resulting from pulmonary involvement. Also, statins have been shown to be beneficial when administered after COVID-19 diagnosis via unclear mechanisms probably associated with anti-inflammatory effects and HDL-C rising effects. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
Multimodal assessment of regional gray matter integrity in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients with normal cognition: A voxel-based structural and perfusion approach
No full textObjective: There is increasing evidence that gray matter (GM) impairment is strongly associated with clinical performance decline. We aim to perform a voxelwise analysis between regional GM (rGM) perfusion and structural abnormalities in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients with normal cognition (RRMS-IC) and explore clinical correlate of early rGM abnormalities. Methods and materials: We studied 14 early RRMS-IC patients and 14 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Brain perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), structural MRI, and a comprehensive neuropsychological examination were acquired from all participants. Neuropsychological tests include expanded disability status scale, minimal mental status examination, short physical performance battery, Wechsler memory scale, and quick smell test. Voxelbased morphometry was used for analyzing SPECT and T1-MR images to identify rGM hypoperfusion and atrophy, respectively (RRMS-IC vs controls (group analysis), and also, each patient vs controls (individual analysis)) (p [removed] 0.05). rGM abnormalities correlated with several relevant minimal clinical deficits. Conclusion: Lack of spatial correlation between rGM atrophy and hypoperfusion might suggest that independent mechanisms might underlie atrophy and hypoperfusion. Perfusion SPECT may provide supplementary information along with MRI. Advances in knowledge: Association between rGM atrophy and rGM hypoperfusion and their clinical significance in early RRMS-IC is not well described yet. Our study showed that there is spatial dissociation between rGM atrophy and rGM hypoperfusion, suggesting that different mechanisms might underlie these pathologies
Normal assessment of three routine axial planes in basic fetal neurosonogram cannot exclude encephalocele: Introducing two cases
No full textCurrently, ultrasound is a well-known clinical modality for pregnancy management and has a prominent role in clinical decision-making. Accordingly, developing guidelines to outline the minimum performance standards of using ultrasound is necessary for different areas of obstetric ultrasound. The fetal brain is one of the most important assessments in anomaly scan. For a basic brain assessment, 3 axial planes are routinely defined. According to most guidelines, the fetal skull’s integrity, shape, and bone density should be assessed while measuring the head size. In this paper, we present 2 cases of skull bony defect with normal routine 3 axial planes. For better detection of CNS anomalies, it is necessary to add other views such as sagittal view to three routine planes. It leads to early detection of anomalies especially in first and early second trimester. Consequently, it helps in deciding for termination, planning interventions and further management
Photocatalyst production from wasted sediment and quality improvement with titanium dioxide to remove cephalexin in the presence of hydrogen peroxide and ultrasonic
No full textIn this study, wasted sediment (sludge waste from shipping docks) was coupled with titanium isopropoxide by the thermal and sol-gel method as a new photocatalyst. The sediment-titanate catalyst alongside ultrasonic and UV was activated hydrogen peroxide to produce OH radicals and decompose cephalexin (CEP). The photocatalyst was crystalline with 52.29 m2/g BET area. The best destruction rate of 87.01% based on COD test was achieved at optimal conditions (pH: 8, cephalexin concentration: 100 mg/L, H2O2: 1.63 mg/L, UV: 15 W/m2, ultrasonication time: 100 min at 40 kHz, photocatalyst quantity: 1.5 g/L). The trend of anions effect was NO3− ≤ SO42− ≤ Cl−. Decomposition of cephalexin in water solution followed the first-order kinetics (k > 0.01 min−1, R2 > 0.9). The percentage of cephalexin removal from urban water (76%) and hospital wastewater (63%) has decreased compared to the distilled water solution (87%), which is probably due to the presence of radical inhibitors. The consumed electrical energy of the studied system was calculated by 0.031 kW/h. The developed system is a promising and economical method to remove cephalexi
In Vitro Effect of Acidic Solutions and Sodium Fluoride on Surface Roughness of Two Types of CAD-CAM Dental Ceramics
No full textObjectives. This study assessed the effect of immersion in acidic solutions and sodium fluoride on surface roughness of dental ceramics. Materials and Methods. 40 blocks of Vitablocs Mark II and IPS e.max CAD (5 × 5 × 3) were prepared. The samples were divided into five groups (n = 8) for immersion in artificial saliva (control), artificially prepared gastric acid, acetic acid, 0.02% sodium fluoride + gastric acid, and 0.02% sodium fluoride + acetic acid. The samples were immersed for 168 hours in the respective solutions except for sodium fluoride, in which the samples were immersed for 69 hours. The surface roughness of samples was measured before and after immersion using a profilometer. The surface roughness changes of three specimens of each group were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Data were analyzed using one-way and two-way ANOVA, Tukey's test, and independent t-test. Results. Significant changes were noted in Ra (P=0.002) and Rq (P<0.0001) in both types of ceramics. The lowest changes in Ra and Rq parameters were seen in artificial saliva and gastric acid and highest changes occurred following immersion in 0.02% sodium fluoride + acetic acid and 0.02% sodium fluoride + gastric acid, respectively. Changes in Rz were also significant following immersion in Vitablocs Mark II (P<0.05). Immersion in 0.02% sodium fluoride + gastric acid and 0.02% sodium fluoride + acetic acid produced a rougher surface on both types of ceramics (SEM). Conclusion. Exposure of Vitablocs Mark II CAD and IPS e.max CAD to 0.02% sodium fluoride + gastric acid and 0.02% sodium fluoride + acetic acid significantly increased their surface roughness, while for Vitablocs Mark II, lager defects were seen on its surface
Prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among diabetic patients in Eastern Mediterranean country members of the World Health Organization (WHO): A review
No full textIntroduction: Diabetic patients increasingly use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to control and improve their disease. Objectives: This study aims to recognize the prevalence and forms of complementary and alternative therapies used by diabetic patients in Eastern Mediterranean country members of the World Health Organization. Methods: A systematic electronic search was carried out on the Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed databases. The search was carried out for relevant literature published up until July 14, 2019. The key search terms used were integrative medicine, alternative medicine, complementary medicine, diabetes patients, and the names of Eastern Mediterranean countries. A meta-analysis was carried out by using comprehensive meta-analysis software version 2. The herbal medicine usage rates were calculated based on the random effect model. Results: A total of 24 articles were found across 14 countries. The frequency of using CAM was estimated to range between 9 and 88.4 %. The consumption rate of herbal medicine in the target countries was 37 % (CI = 95 %, R = 26–49). The most prevalent CAM methods used included herbal remedies, wet cupping, spiritual healing, and acupuncture. Factors affecting the consumption of CAM were age, female gender, and duration of affliction with the disease. About 40 % of patients had not informed their physician that they had used these therapies. Conclusion: Evidence showed that a high proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus use CAM. It is suggested that physicians and healthcare providers raise their awareness of this field of medicine and consider the indications and adverse effects of these kinds of medicines
Application of the social cognitive theory to predict self-care behavior among type 2 diabetes patients with limited health literacy
Get PDFBackground and Objective: Although compliance with self-care behaviors is necessary for the successful management of diabetes, patients with diabetes often refuse favorable self-care. This study was conducted to determine the factors influencing self-care behaviors among type-2 diabetic patients who had limited health literacy based on social cognitive theory (SCT). Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 293 diabetic patients with limited health literacy that was identified by S-TOFHLA. The data were collected using the summary of diabetes self-care activities, diabetes management self-efficacy scale, outcome expectancies questionnaire, and a researcher-made questionnaire for collecting data related to self-regulation and social support constructs. Data were analyzed by SPSS ver.22 using multiple linear regression to determine the predictors of self-care behaviors. Results: In the case of patient’s adherence to self-care tasks, they had the best adherence to medication regime and the worst adherence to physical activity. Employment status (P<0.032, β=3.57), supplementary insurance (P<0.018, β=1.74), and history of participating in diabetes education classes (P<0.044, β=1.63) were predictors of self-care behaviors in the studied patients. Among the SCT constructs, perceived self-efficacy (P<0.001, β=0.21) predicted self-care ability. The mean score of self-care increased around 0.21 by increasing one single unit of self-efficacy. Overall, these factors predicted 67% (R2 = 0.67) of self-care changes. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that self-efficacy and demographic variables are significant predictors to improve self-care ability among diabetic patients with limited health literacy. © 2021, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Association between opium use and bladder cancer: A case-control study in a high risk area of Iran
Get PDFBackground
Bladder cancer is one of the common cancers. Currently some studies found an association between opium use and incidence of bladder cancer, however, underreporting and detection bias was high in the previous studies and also some of them did not adjust their results for confounding variables and had small sample size, various and unclear definition of opium use, and lack of data on starting age, duration, dose, and route of opium consumption. In this study we investigated the association between opium use and incidence of bladder cancer, overcoming previous studies limitations and doing sensitivity analyses for underreporting bias.
Methods
We performed a population-based case–control study, including 300 cases diagnosed with bladder cancer and 600 controls (matched for age, sex, and place of residence) between 2013–2015. We used conditional logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results
Overall, 200 cases (64.9%) and 172 controls (27.9%) reported regular use of opium, resulting in an adjusted OR (95% CI) of 4.4 (2.9–6.5). Dose response relationship was seen and the adjusted OR for low and high dose consumption groups were 4.2 (95% CI 2.6-6.8) and 4.5 (95% CI 2.9-7.2) respectively. The association between opium use and bladder cancer was statistically significant even after controlling for underreporting bias.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that opium use was associated with the bladder cancer incidence. We suggest primary prevention and early detection for bladder cancer, especially in the high risk group
Association Between Perceived Social Support and Mental Health Status Among Older Adults
No full textIntroduction: The elderly need social support to reduce their physical and mental disabilities. Perceived social support is one of the effective factors in the lifestyle of older adults. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between perceived social support and mental health status among older adults. Materials and Methods: This research is a cross-sectional analytical study. The study data were collected using a Perceived Social Support (PSS) scale and general health questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12). A total of 302 eligible older adults were selected through a random sampling method from primary health centers in the north, south, east, west, and center of Tehran. The inclusion criteria were those community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years and with normal cognitive abilities. The collected data were analyzed using t test, ANOVA, the Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regressions. Results: The Mean±SD age of older adults was 70.01±6.29 years. Their Mean±SD scores of the PSS and GHQ-12 were 130.95±16.05 and 7.29±5.55, respectively. The results showed no significant relationship between demographic variables and PSS. There was a significant inverse correlation between the PSS score and the GHQ-12 score (P= 0.01, r= -0.878). The PSS explained 0.66 of the total variances of “positively phrased items” of GHQ-12 (adjusted R2= 0.66) and 0.76 of the total variances of “negatively phrased items” of GHQ-12 (adjusted R2= 0.76). Conclusion: Our findings showed that the PSS and mental health are at a desirable level in this study, and the PSS is not affected by demographic variables. The PSS is a promoting factor for mental health status among older adults. © 2021, Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery. All Rights Reserved
Cadmium removal from aqueous solution using cellulose nanofibers obtained from waste sugarcane bagasse (Scb): Isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies
No full textThe aim of this study was to investigate the adsorption of cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solutions using the cellulose nanofibers (CNF) obtained from sugarcane bagasse (SCB). The impact of operational parameters including pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, and initial cadmium concentration were investigated according to the one-factor-at-a-time method. The results showed that the Cd removal (%) increased in the pH range of 3–5 and remained steady up to pH 6. The maximum adsorption efficiency (99.9%) was obtained at an adsorbent dosage of 4 g/L, pH = 5, Cd concentration of 5 mg/L, and equilibrium time of 70 min. In addition, Cd removal followed the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.991 at 303°K) and pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.997). All ∆G° values were negative and the positive values of enthalpy change (∆H° = 66.76 kJ/mol), and entropy change (∆S° = 0.238 kJ/mol) showed that the adsorption process of Cd(II) was endothermic and spontaneous. With regards to the reliability and efficiency of CNF, this adsorbent is recommended for the removal of heavy metals such as Cd from an aqueous environment. © 2021 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved