Lack of relationship between endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene 4b/a and T-786C polymorphisms with preeclampsia in southeast of Iran

Purpose  

Preeclampsia is an important disorder of pregnancy that carries a severe morbidity and mortality risk for both mother and fetus. A large number of studies have shown that abnormalities in nitric oxide synthesis may contribute to the development of preeclampsia.     

Effects of Chichorium intybus on bilirubin

Objective  To evaluate the in vitro effects of chichorium intybus on bilirubin levels. Methods  In this study the bilirubin levels in the serum of thirty neonates staying in the NICU and suffering from clinical jaundice was determined three times: first without any alterations, second after adding chichorium intybus extract and third after adding the same amount of distilled water. The results were compared using SPSS statistical software. Results  Of the patients evaluated 76.7% were male and 23.3% were female. The average age was 7.35 days. The mean difference observed in unconjugated bilirubin levels in the specimens containing chichorium intybus extract was 3.84 ± 2.38 mg/dl and in the ones containing distilled water was 2.85 ± 2.00 mg/dl. The mean difference observed in conjugated bilirubin levels was 0.29 ± 0.32 mg/dl in specimens containing distilled water and 0.35 ± 0.26 in the ones containing chichorium intybus. In none of the cases the results were found to be significant. Conclusion  In this study chichorium intybus was found to have no significant in vitro effect on the bilirubin level reported by the laboratory. The in vivo effects of this herbal medicine must be evaluated more closely.     

Estrogen receptor alpha XbaI GG genotype was associated with severe preeclampsia

Purpose: Estrogen receptor-α (ERα) plays an essential role in the adaptation of increased uterine blood flow during gestation. Therefore, ERα gene could be a possible candidate for preeclampsia (PE) susceptibility. In current study we aimed to investigate the association of the ERα gene polymorphisms and PE in an Iranian population. Methods: A total of 192 pregnant women with PE and 186 normotensive women were genotyped for ERα gene (PvuII and XbaI) polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. Results: The frequencies of alleles and genotypes of ERα PvuII and XbaI polymorphisms were not different between PE and normotensive control women. However, higher frequency of GG genotype was observed in women with severe PE compared to mild PE (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3]; p = 0.02) and in severe PE compared to normotensive women [OR = 1.8 (1.1–3), p = 0.02] after adjusting for age, ethnicity, and primiparity. Conclusions: The GG genotype of ERα XbaI polymorphism could be a genetic risk factor for PE predisposition.     

Effects of salpingectomy during abdominal hysterectomy on ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of salpingectomy on ovarian function by measuring AMH.

Methods

This study was a balanced, single-center, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial in Ruin Tan Arash Hospital, Tehran, between May 2013 and November 2014. A total of 30 patients undergoing elective abdominal hysterectomy were randomized into two groups, 15 with salpingectomy and 15 without salpingectomy. The primary objective of this study was to compare mean difference of anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) between two groups. The secondary outcomes measured were follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), operative time, and blood loss.

Results

Serum AMH levels decreased at 3 months after hysterectomy in all patients (pre AMH 1.32 ± (0.91); post AMH 1.05 ± (0.88), P < 0.001), the salpingectomy group (pre AMH 1.44 ± (0.94); post AMH 1.13 ± (0.86), P < 0.001), and no salpingectomy group (pre AMH 1.2 ± (0.9); post AMH 0.97 ± (0.92), P < 0.001). The rate of decline of AMH levels after surgery did not differ between the two groups (25% (17–33%) vs. 26% (15–36%), P = 0.23) among the women with salpingectomy versus without salpingectomy, respectively. There was no difference in the mean operative time (mean difference 0.33, 95% CI ??22.21 to 22.86, P < 0.92), mean blood loss (mean difference ??0.66, 95% CI ??15.8 to 14.46, P < 0.97), and post FSH (mean difference 0.34, 95% CI ??1.2 to 1.88, P < 0.65) between both groups.

Conclusions

Salpingectomy with abdominal hysterectomy is a safe treatment that does not have a deleterious effect on ovarian reserve.

Trial registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT2014123118866N4 (www.IRCT.ir)

     

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble VEGF receptor-1 (sVEGFR-1) and sVEGFR-2 in systemic sclerosis patients: Relation to clinical manifestations and capillaroscopy findings

Introduction

The role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is well known. The imbalance between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their anti-angiogenic soluble receptors (sVEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2) has been proposed as a possible cause of microangiopathy.

Vaccine against Helicobacter pylori : Inevitable approach

Over three decades have passed since the discovery of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori), and yet many questions about its treatment remain unanswered. For example, there is no certainty regarding continued use of current antibiotic therapy against H. pylori. The bad news is that even combined regimens are also unable to eradicate bacterial colonization. The worst problem with H. pylori chemotherapy is that even if we identify the most successful regimen, it cannot eliminate the risk of re-infection. This problem is further complicated by the fact that clinicians have no information as to whether probiotics are useful or not. Moreover, to date, we have no large scale produced vaccine effective against H. pylori. Due to the relatively rapid and abundant dissemination of guidelines globally reported concerning management of gastric cancer prevention and therapeutic regimens, clinicians may choose a vaccine as better effective weapon against H. pylori. Therefore, a radical shift in adopted strategies is needed to guide ultimate decisions regarding H. pylori management. In light of failures in vaccine projects, we should identify better vaccine design targeting conserved/essential genes. The unique character and persistence of H. pylori pose obstacles to making an effective vaccine. Preferably, in developing countries, the best reasonable and logical approach is to recommend prophylactic H. pylori vaccine among children as an obligatory national program to limit primary colonization. Trying to produce a therapeutic vaccine would be postponed until later. In reality, we should not forget to prescribe narrow spectrum antibiotics. In the current review, I draw a route to define the best adopted strategy against this rogue bacterium.     

伴随罕见首发症状的前列腺癌一例报道(英文)

Prostate adenocarcinoma most often metastasis to the bones of spine and pelvis. Metastasis to the supradia-phragmatic lymph nodes as uncommon presentation of this disease has been increasingly reported...     

Adverse effects of intralesional meglumine antimoniate and its influence on clinical laboratory parameters in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Objectives Intralesional injection of pentavalent antimoniate is recommended by the World Health Organization for the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). This study aimed to evaluate the adverse effects of intralesional injection of meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime^®) and its influence on clinical laboratory parameters. Methods A total of 105 patients with suspected lesions and therapeutic features of CL diagnosed by direct smear or skin biopsy were included in this study. Intralesional injection of Glucantime^® was administered to treat CL. Fifty‐five of the 105 patients were checked for hematological features, liver and kidney function, and fasting blood sugar levels before and after treatment. Results The observed side effects included pain (89.5%), burning sensation (81.9%), erythema (45.7%), pruritus (28.6%), secondary infection (17.1%), nausea (11.4%), vomiting (7.6%), urticaria (5.7%), necrosis (2.9%), sporotrichoid lesions (2.9%), dizziness (1.9%), dyspnea (1.9%), and anaphylactic shock (0.9%). No statistically significant differences were found in occurrences of adverse effects according to the part of the body affected, patient sex or age group, except for pruritus, which appeared more frequently in extremities than in other parts of the body (P < 0.001), and secondary infection, which was observed more frequently in people aged >45 years (P < 0.042). All clinical parameters remained normal after treatment. Conclusions The occurrence of severe adverse reactions, particularly of anaphylactic shock, should be considered before treatment with Glucantime^® is initiated. Thus, it is important that intralesional Glucantime^® injections are administered in centers that are well equipped with appropriate resuscitation and support apparatus.