The impact of COVID-19 on liver injury in various age

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease was first detected in December 2019 in Wuhan, China. This disease is currently one of the most important global health problems. The novel coronavirus COVID-19 is a respiratory illness, that has caused a deadly pandemic that is spreading rapidly around the world. It is not only a respiratory system virus that causes severe lung disease, but also a systemic disease agent that can affect all systems. People with COVID-19 disease usually have respiratory signs, however, the liver disorder is not an uncommon presentation. In addition, many studies around the world have revealed that the liver is injured to various degrees in patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 disease. This review mainly focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on Liver Injury at various ages.     

Women’s Self-Care in the Reproductive Age: An Essential Agenda

Archives of Sexual Behavior -     

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.     

Evaluation of the effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on tocophobia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Non-medical approaches including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have been proposed for the management of tocophobia. A new method of performing CBT is through internet. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of internet-based and traditional CBT on tocophobia. A literature search was conducted on qualitative and quantitative articles from 2000 to 2019 in Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane databases using search terms referring to tocophobia and CBT. Identified articles were screened in two steps; 1) title and abstract and 2) full text screening. The quality of the quantitative and qualitative studies was assessed using the quality criteria proposed by the Cochrane Collaboration and Jonna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist respectively. Out of the 382 relevant studies, 9 studies were eligible for the review. A high level of heterogeneity was observed in the studies (I² = 94%, P < 0.001). The meta-analysis showed that both internet-based, and traditional CBT were effective in reducing tocophobia. CBT was more effective in interventions in the Middle Eastern compared to European countries. More than five CBT sessions could significantly reduce tocophobia. Healthcare providers and midwives should have basic knowledge on physiological interventions to reduce tocophobia.     

Development of an immune function assay by measuring intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) levels in mitogen-stimulated CD4+ T lymphocytes

We developed an immune function assay for monitoring CD4+ T cells activity based on changes in intracellular adenosine triphosphate (iATP) levels after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation. Blood samples were obtained from 40 healthy subjects and 30 RTRs and incubated with 5 µg/mL of PHA for 15–18 hr at 37°C and 5% CO₂. Afterward, the CD4+ T cells were separated by antibody-coated magnetic beads and lysed. Then, iATP content in unstimulated and stimulated conditions was measured by luciferin-luciferase reaction using a log-log standard curve. The iATP levels showed significant increase in CD4+ T cells in both healthy persons (mean: 550 ± 142 ng/mL vs. 109 ± 54 ng/mL) and RTRs (mean: 394 ± 160 ng/mL vs. 52 ± 37 ng/mL) after PHA stimulation (P < 0.001). However, the iATP production in RTRs was significantly lower than that in healthy individuals; both prior to and after stimulation with PHA (P < 0.001). No gender-specific difference in iATP production was observed between women and men subjects. This rapid and low-cost assay reflects the degree of immune cell function through assessment of CD4+ T cells activation. Thus, it can be used for evaluation of immune system status in immunodeficient individuals as well as in immunosuppressed transplant recipients who needs drug adjustment.