The association between second-trimester maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein in 14-22 weeks and adverse pregnancy outcome

Aim of this study is to determine the risk of adverse pregnancy outcome by maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (MSAFP) level. We followed 295 pregnant women from MSAFP screening in the 14th to 22th week of gestation until the end of pregnancy and information on pregnancy outcome have been recorded in questionnaires. Of 295 pregnant women, 270 had term labor and 25 had preterm labor. The frequencies of pregnancy outcomes were as following: 3 (1.01%) stillbirths, 25 (8.47%) preterm labor, and 10 (3.4%) preterm rupture of membranous (PROM), 15 (5.1%) pre-eclampsia, 23 (7.8%) oligohydramnious, and 1 (0.33%) miscarriage. The mean of preterm labor was significantly associated with the higher level of MSAFP (P = 0.021). The mean was 55.1 ng/cc in preterm labor and 41.1 ng/cc in term labor. Also, second trimester MSAFP levels were higher in women with pre-eclampsia (P < 0.001). The significant association was found between higher level of MSAFP with oligohydramnious (P < 0.001) and low birth weight (P < 0.001). Pregnancies with an elevated MSAFP level are associated with adverse obstetric outcomes and need more prenatal care.     

Quercetin protects liver injury induced by bile duct ligation via attenuation of Rac1 and NADPH oxidase1 expression in rats

BACKGROUND:Bile duct ligation (BDL) and subsequent cholestasis are correlated with oxidative stress,hepatocellular injury and fibrosis.Quercetin is a flavonoid with antifibrotic,and hepatoprotective properties.However,the molecular mechanism underlying quercetin-mediated hepatoprotection is not fully understood.The current study was to evaluate mechanisms of hepatoprotective effect of quercetin in BDL rat model.METHODS:We divided male Wistar rats into 4 groups (n=8 for each):sham,sham+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day),BDL,and BDL+quercetin (30 mg/kg per day).Four weeks later,the rats were sacrificed,the blood was collected for liver enzyme measurements and liver for the measurement of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 mRNA and protein levels by quantitative PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS:Quercetin significantly alleviated liver injury in BDL rats as evidenced by histology and reduced liver enzymes.Furthermore,the mRNA and protein expression of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 were significantly increased in BDL rats compared with those in the sham group (P＜0.05);quercetin treatment reversed these variables back toward normal (P＜0.05).Another interesting finding was that the antioxidant markers e.g.superoxide dismutase and catalase were elevated in quercetin-treated BDL rats compared to BDL rats (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Quercetin demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against BDL-induced liver injury through increasing antioxidant capacity of the liver tissue,while preventing the production of Racl,Racl-GTP and NOX1 proteins.     

Sunflower oil versus no oil moderate pressure massage leads to greater increases in weight in preterm neonates who are low birth weight

Background

Growth velocity is one of the most important problems in low birth weight (LBW) neonates.

Aims

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of body massage with and without sunflower oil on the growth of LBW preterm neonates in Iran.

Study design

A single-blinded randomized clinical trial

Subjects

This study examined neonates admitted to NICU with gestational age of 33–37 weeks and birth weight of 1500–1999 g, without birth asphyxia and medically stable

Outcome measures

Neonates were randomly assigned to two groups to receive moderate pressure massage alone or the same massage with sunflower oil by their mothers, three times a day for 14 consecutive days. The primary variables were increases in mean of growth parameters (weight, height and head circumference) that were evaluated 14 days after intervention, at ages 1 and 2 months. Secondary variables were clinical side effects.

Results

Fifty-four neonates including 25 girls and 29 boys with mean gestational age of 35.3 ± 1.26 weeks were evaluated. Means of gestational age, birth weight and length of NICU stay were not different in both groups. In the oil massage group, mean weight at ages 1 month (mean ± SD: 2339 ± 135 vs. 2201 ± 93 g, P = 0.04) and 2 months (mean ± SD: 3301 ± 237 vs. 3005 ± 305 g, P = 0.005) was significantly greater than that of the body massage group. No adverse events were seen in the two groups.

Conclusion

Sunflower oil massage might be used as an effective and safe intervention for weight gain in LBW preterm neonates.     

How Do Women at Risk of HIV/AIDS in Iran Perceive Gender Norms and Gendered Power Relations in the Context of Safe Sex Negotiations?

Sexual transmission of HIV/AIDS among women is growing in the Middle East region. Despite the fact that there are numerous gender-related sociocultural factors influencing HIV/AIDS protective behaviors, little gender-specificity is carried out in HIV prevention in Iran. In order to close this gap, we aimed to provide preliminary work that explored the perceptions that women at risk of HIV had about gender norms and gendered power and their ability to protect themselves against HIV/AIDS. Twenty-five semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with women at risk of HIV/AIDS, aged 21–49 years, at Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centers or Drop in Centers in Tehran, Iran. Results showed that perceived gender norms were essential barriers of protective behavior through sexual socialization, male control over condom use and sexual decision-making, male pleasure predominating in sexual encounters and sexual double standards, and economic dependencies. In the conclusions, we consider how HIV/AIDS preventive programs can be structured to be gender-sensitive and empowering in Iran.     

Comparing GnRH agonist long protocol and gnrh antagonist protocol in outcome the first cycle of ART

Purpose  

This prospective study evaluated the efficacy of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol in comparison with the GnRH agonist protocol in the first cycle of assisted reproductive technique (ART).     

Expression of p53 in aggressive and non-aggressive histologic variants of basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) generally has an indolent course but a subgroup of BCCs tends to grow aggressively into deep tissues and even metastasize. Although studies have shown a positive correlation between mutations in the tumor suppressor gene p53 and aggressive behavior in epithelial tumors, the results for BCC are conflicting. We aimed to determine whether there is any relationship between p53 expression in BCC and histopathologic subtype of the tumor.Thirty-three formalin-fixed BCC tissue samples were examined at Hazrat-e Rasool University Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from March 2003 to April 2004. Tumors were categorized as aggressive (infiltrative or morpheic) and non-aggressive (nodular or superficial) based on histopathological examination of hematoxylin and eosin sections. p53 expression was demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining using the monoclonal anti-p53 antibody (PAb240) and results were reported using a semiquantitative score. Expression of p53 was compared between aggressive and non-aggressive tumors. All of the 11 aggressive tumors exhibited nuclear staining in more than 50% of the tumor cells. In the 22 non-aggressive tumors, less than 50% of cells showed positive staining. p53 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in aggressive BCCs than non-aggressive ones (x(2) test; p < 0.01). No correlation was found between p53 expression and the age of the patient or site of the tumor. History of childhood radiotherapy correlated positively with higher levels of p53 expression. We conclude that expression of p53 might be used as a marker to predict the aggressiveness of BCCs.     

Scabies presenting with bullous pemphigoid-like lesions

A wide range of clinical manifestations may be seen in scabies, from classic pruritic papules and burrows to secondary features such as impetigo. Bullus lesions are a less frequent. Twenty cases of scabies presenting with bullae have been reported so far in the medical literature. Differentiating this subtype of scabies from the immunobullous disease bullus pemphigoid is a diagnostic challenge. A 42-year-old man was referred to our dermatology outpatient clinic with 3-month history of severe pruritus and tense blisters affecting mainly the lower trunk, arms and legs. An initial biopsy was suggestive for bullous pemphigoid. Close physical examination revealed small excoriated papules and a few burrows on borders of the hands and wrists. Skin scraping of the lesions on wrists was positive for Sarcoptes scabiei. Another biopsy specimen from a recent blister revealed subepidermal bullae with fibrin and inflammatory cells, particularly eosinophils. Direct immunofluorescence exam was negative. The patient was treated with lindane lotion followed by crotamiton cream with near complete resolution of the lesions. Scabies must be considered in patients presenting with recent onset of unexplained pruritic bullous lesions. Biopsy and immunofluorescence studies together with skin scrapings for Sarcoptes scabiei could help to differentiate these cases from bullous pemphigoid. Antiscabietic treatment results in resolution of bullous lesions in the affected patients.     

Modeling the survival in patients with HIV by the presence of competing risks for death: sub-distribution and cause-specific hazard approach

Journal of Public Health - In the presence of competing risks, patients with human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV) experience death by various causes, including co-infection with acquired immune...     

The effect of ovarian cyst aspiration on IVF treatment with GnRH

Objective  

The formation of cysts during IVF treatment may negatively influence the outcome. The aim of this study is to compare conservative management versus aspiration for functional ovarian cysts before ovarian stimulation for ART.