Changes in sexual desire and activity during pregnancy among women in Shahroud,Iran

ObjectiveTo evaluate women's perception of sexual activity during pregnancy in Shahroud, Iran.MethodsData were gathered during 4 semi-structured group interviews with 33 pregnant women attending 2 obstetric outpatient clinics of a teaching hospital in Shahroud. The interviewers taped the interviews, coded and categorized their content, and performed a qualitative content analysis.ResultsMost women reported a decrease in sexual desire and frequency of intercourse during pregnancy (69.7% and 81.8%, respectively). Sexual desire, however, increased for 18.2% of the women. Some felt that accepting intercourse prevented spousal infidelity, but 65.2% worried that it might cause injury to the fetus. Only 24.2% received information on the advisability of sexual activity during pregnancy from their physicians or midwives, and the other 75.8% sensed that they should discuss the topic with a professional but were not comfortable starting the conversation.ConclusionAlong with excessive anxiety, insufficient information is the major reason why sexual intercourse is often considered dangerous, and sometimes avoided, during pregnancy in Iran. Healthcare professionals, especially midwives, should educate and counsel women, and reassure them that intercourse is safe in women with healthy pregnancies.     

Reconstruction of distal fibula with osteoarticular allograft after tumor resection

BackgroundInvolvement of distal fibula by benign aggressive and malignant tumors usually necessitates resection of the involved segment of fibula. Numerous techniques have been proposed to reconstruct the ankle joint after this procedure, which can result in complications. We introduce reconstruction of ankle joint by fibular osteoarticular allograft.MethodsReconstruction of the distal fibula after wide resection of tumor was carried out in four patients. There were two cases of Ewing sarcoma, one case of osteosarcoma and one giant cell tumor. After wide resection of tumor, we reconstructed the lateral side of the ankle joint by osteoarticular fibular allograft, which was applied and internally fixed with semitubular plate and screws. In the follow up period, we did assessment of complications, pain and ankle joint instability.ResultsThe mean age of our patients was 24.2 years (12–31). The mean follow-up was 3.2 years (1.5–6.7). In follow up visits there were no signs of infection or wound healing problems. Union was achieved in all patients.ConclusionIn cases of benign aggressive and malignant tumors involving the distal fibula, we can recommend resection of the distal fibula and reconstruction of the ankle with osteoarticular allograft of the distal fibula.Level of evidenceCase series level IV.     

Mobile Based mhGAP-IG Depression Screening in Kenya

We aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of depression using mobile based mental health Global Action Programme Intervention guide (mhGAP-IG) in remote health care settings where most priority mental health problems are managed by non-mental health specialists and evaluate the feasibility of the application. Adult patients were recruited from four rural public health facilities in Kenya using systematic random sampling and screened for depression. There were no missing items since the application prevented saving of data unless all the items were answered. The prevalence of depression was 25% with suicidal behavior being the most significant comorbid problem. Older age, personal and a family history of a mental disorder were significantly correlated with depression. Exploring the use of health-related mobile applications in identification of priority mental health problems is useful notably in low-resource settings; and also forms a basis for prevention of mental disorders and intervention at acute stages.     

Development of rapid PCR method for simultaneous identification of species, specific capsular type, and toxigenicity of Pasteurella sp. isolates

Toxigenicity, species, and type species of Pasteurella multocida isolates cannot be differentiated by morphology or standard biochemical reactions. A more rapid method is needed for P. multocida detection from clinical cases. These findings provide rapid insights into the characteristics of P. multocida isolates and suggest that this method can identify toxigenic and specific capsular type P. multocida. A PCR assay has been developed for rapid detection of P. multocida and differentiation of capsular types A and D. In this rapid method, kmt1, capA and capD, and toxA genes were amplified and a reliable multiplex PCR method for the detection of P. multocida in sheep and goats in the south of Iran was designed. Twenty isolates were obtained, which evinced characteristic morphological and cultural properties. Ten samples were identified simultaneously through the presence of the kmt1 gene as P. multocida species, the hydD–hydC gene as type A capsule, and the toxA gene as dermonecrotic toxin by mPCR, but none of them belonged to type D.     

The effects of ginger supplementation on markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

The present systematic review and meta‐analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on markers of inflammatory and oxidative stress. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched to identify relevant clinical trials evaluating the effects of ginger on serum CRP (C‐reactive protein), TNF‐α (tumor necrosis factor‐alpha), IL‐6 (interleukin‐6), PGE2 (prostaglandin E2), TAC (total antioxidant capacity), and MDA (malondialdehyde) from inception up to September 2019. Mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were pooled using a random‐effects model. Potential publication bias was assessed using visual inspection of funnel plot and Egger's weighted regression tests. After excluding irrelevant records, 20 full‐text articles that included 25 separate studies were included to the meta‐analysis. Pooled results of this study indicated a statistically significant effect of ginger on serum CRP, TNF‐α, IL‐6, TAC, and MDA levels following ginger supplementation in compared to the controls. Also, the effects of ginger on serum PGE2 was marginally significant. Moreover, the high heterogeneity was disappeared in subgroup analysis performed by age, duration, dosage, and quality. This current analysis indicates that ginger supplementation has a significant effects on serum inflammatory and oxidative stress markers.