The possible pathophysiology mechanism of cytokine storm in elderly adults with COVID-19 infection: the contribution of “inflame-aging”

Inflammation Research - Novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is emerged in Wuhan, and recently become worldwide pandemic. Strangely,...     

“Life behind the mask”: Sexual life of Iranian women with multiple sclerosis

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating and life-long disease that affects the sexual life of people. However, in Iran little attention has been paid to the sexual life of women with MS.

Determination of toxic element levels (lead and cadmium) in commonly used cosmetic products in Iran

Toxic elements are commonly used in cosmetic products for many reasons like coloring pigments or blocking ultraviolet light; however, the level of some metals exceed specific concentration which can cause serious safety issues. This study aims to evaluate the content of lead and cadmium in samples of sunscreen and foundation creams, most frequently used brands of cosmetic products, in Iran. Concentration of lead in the sunscreens and foundation creams was lower than that of USFDA standards. The content of cadmium was higher than Europe Union standard. Effort must be made to inform the users about the harmful consequences of cosmetics.     

Arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction by using hamstring tendon autograft and transosseous screw fixation: minimal 3 years follow-up

Background

The aim of this trial is to prospectively evaluate the outcomes of PCL reconstruction by means of quadruple hamstring tendon autograft with a double-fixation method at minimal 3-year follow-up.

Materials and methods

Only patients who underwent PCL reconstruction without any other concomitant injury were included in this study. A hamstring tendon graft is composed of a quadruple-stranded gracilis tendon and semitendinosus tendon about 10 cm in length. An arthroscopic technique via a two incision and a double-fixation method was applied. Clinical evaluations were performed for 52 patients. Clinical assessment of patients included the Lysholm knee scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores, thigh muscle evaluation, and radiographic investigation.

Results

On the Lysholm knee score, 90 % of the patients displayed good or excellent rating in the final assessment. In the IKDC rating analyses, 60 % of the patients demonstrated 3–5-mm ligament laxity. For the IKDC final rating, 81 % were normal or nearly normal. Seventy-nine percent of the cases revealed less than a 10-mm difference in thigh girth between their reconstructed and contra lateral limbs.

Conclusion

Arthroscopic PCL reconstruction using quadruple hamstring tendon autograft provides acceptable outcomes at a minimum 3-year follow-up. The four-stranded hamstring tendon graft is suitable in graft size and results in minimal harvesting morbidity. We recommend that quadruple hamstring tendon graft be chosen for PCL reconstruction to achieve good ligament reconstruction. A double-fixation method which has been applied in this trial can be used to provide rigid fixation.     

Hospital-acquired infections in a tertiary hospital in Iran before and during the COVID-19 pandemic

Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift - Infection prevention protocols are the accepted standard to control nosocomial infections. These protective measures intensified after the coronavirus 2019...