Relationship between female sexual difficulties and mental health in patients referred to two public and private settings in Tehran, Iran

IntroductionSexual difficulty has various effects on patients suffering from this condition that can impact on interpersonal and marital relationships. Sexual function may be adversely affected by stress of any kind and emotional disorders. There have been limited studies focusing on the mental health of those suffering from this problem.AimTo determine the relationship between sexual difficulties and mental health in female patients seeking help in psychiatric clinics.MethodsThe study was based on the case–control design methodology in which the case group consisted of 165 outpatients of two psychiatric clinics, who were diagnosed with different mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, phobia, aggression, and somatic complaints (33 subjects for each type of disorder). The 33 subjects in the control group were chosen among the patients’ relatives and visitors who had no history of either seeking psychiatric help or taking psychiatric drugs. The subjects of both case and control groups were selected based on a convenience sampling method. Moreover, the data were collected based on two techniques of “interview” and “questionnaire;” the latter was of three different subcategories, each dealt with demographic characteristics, sexual difficulties, and a Symptom Check-List-90-Revised.Main Outcome MeasureAssessing female sexual difficulties associated with mental health and differences between women with and without psychiatric problems.ResultsThe obtained results indicated that there was a significant difference between the prevalence of sexual difficulties (e.g., sexual desire and orgasm disorders) in the case group and that of the control group. It was also revealed that there was a significant difference between the depressed, aggressive, as well as those with somatic complaints, and their control group counterparts.ConclusionsIn Iran, sexual difficulties seem to be more frequent in those seeking psychiatric help in clinics than in those within the normal population. Azar M, Noohi S, and Shafiee Kandjani AR. Relationship between female sexual difficulties and mental health in patients referred to two public and private settings in Tehran, Iran.     

Down syndrome due to partial trisomy 21q

A patient is reported with a typical Down syndrome phenotype, caused by patrial trisomy of chromosome 21. Based on the present case and data from the literature, it is suggested that the Down phenotype is due to the trisomy of the distal portion of the band (q22) of chromosome 21.     

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) gel modified by a carbodiimide crosslinker for tissue regeneration

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a rich source of effective growth factors has been used as a scaffold in tissue regeneration. It is known that PRF exhibits rapid degradability against enzymes, which should be decreased using crosslinking agents to reduce the release rate of growth factors and increase the effectiveness of tissue regeneration. In this study, a carbodiimide crosslinker with different concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 1%, and 2%) was used to modify and improve the properties of PRF gel. The crosslinked gels were evaluated with analyses such as SEM, swelling, degradability, mechanical strength, release test, cytotoxicity, and cell adhesion. The results showed that with increasing crosslinker concentration, the morphology of the fiber structure changes drastically, the swelling rate decreases from 300% (control) to 160% for the crosslinked gel, the degradation time for the control sample increases from 8 days to more than two weeks for the crosslinked gel, and the Young''s modulus increases from 0.15 MPa (control) to 0.61 MPa for the crosslinked samples. Growth factors also showed lower release with increasing crosslinking ratio. Cytotoxicity assays demonstrated that by increasing the crosslinker concentration to 1% w/v, no cytotoxicity was observed. Cellular studies with DAPI staining showed that the cells penetrated well into the gels and were well distributed, especially in gels with lower crosslinker concentrations. In addition, the modified PRF gel can be used as a scaffold for tissue regeneration.

1-Ethyl-3-(3-dimethyl aminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) as a crosslinker can improve the physical and mechanical properties of PRF gel by forming covalent bonds.     

Prospective analysis of a surgical algorithm to achieve ventilator weaning in cervical tetraplegia

Objectives: Chronic ventilator dependency in cervical tetraplegia is associated with substantial morbidity. When non-invasive weaning methods have failed the primary surgical treatment is diaphragm pacing. Phrenic nerve integrity and diaphragm motor units are requirements for effective pacing but may need to be restored for successful weaning. A surgical algorithm that includes: 1. Diaphragm pacing, 2. Phrenic nerve reconstruction, and 3. Diaphragm muscle replacement, may provide the capability of reducing or reversing ventilator dependency in virtually all cervical tetraplegics.Design: Prospective case series.Setting: A university-based hospital from 2015 to 2019.Participants: Ten patients with ventilator-dependent cervical tetraplegia.Interventions: I. Pacemaker alone, II. Pacemaker + phrenic nerve reconstruction, or III. Pacemaker + diaphragm muscle replacement.Outcome measures: Time from surgery to observed reduction in ventilator requirements (↓VR), ventilatory needs as of most recent follow-up [no change (NC), partial weaning (PW, 1–12 h/day), or complete weaning (CW, >12 h/day)], and complications.Results: Both patients in Group I achieved CW at 6-month follow-up. Two patients in Group II achieved CW, and in another two patients PW was achieved, at 1.5–2-year follow-up. The remaining two patients are NC at 6 and 8-month follow-up, respectively. In group III, both patients achieved PW at 2-year follow-up. Complications included mucous plugging (n = 1) and pacemaker malfunction requiring revision (n = 3).Conclusion: Although more investigation is necessary, phrenic nerve reconstruction or diaphragm muscle replacement performed (when indicated) with pacemaker implantation may allow virtually all ventilator-dependent cervical tetraplegics to partially or completely wean.     

Constrictive pericarditis in systemic lupus erythematosus. demonstration of immunoglobulins in the pericardium

A 17-year-old male with systemic lupus erythematosus presented with clinical signs of severe constrictive pericarditis that was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. At surgery, a fibrous pericardium was removed, followed by complete relief of symptoms. Immunopathology of the pericardial tissue revealed deposition of IgG, IgM, and C3. A review of the literature produced only three similar cases. Although rare, constrictive pericarditis, a potentially life threatening complication, may occur in systemic lupus erythematosus presumably with an immunological basis.     

一种可能的结直肠癌早期病变

目的:研究结直肠癌的癌前病变.方法:应用免疫组织化学方法,检测101例结直肠癌及相应的癌旁黏膜和远端切缘黏膜,16例溃疡性结肠炎、16例克隆氏病和3例健康成年人结直肠各部位黏膜的KiA10的表达.结果:在结直肠癌中KiA10阳性率为14.85%(15/101),癌旁黏膜和远端切缘黏膜均有18例KiA10阳性腺窝分布,但并非一一对应.结论:KiA10阳性腺窝可能是一种新的结直肠癌癌前病变.     

Comparison between Negative T waves characteristics in acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism

Background

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first available modality used in patients with chest pain and dyspnea in emergency rooms.We aimed to study differences between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in patients presented primarily with abnormal negative T waves on their admission Electrocardiogram.