Evaluating mechanism and severity of injuries among trauma patients admitted to Sina Hospital, the National Trauma Registry of Iran

Purpose: Injuries are one of the leading causes of death and lead to a high social and financial burden. Injury patterns can vary significantly among different age groups and body regions. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between mechanism of injury, patient comorbidities and severity of injuries. Methods: The study included trauma patients from July 2016 to June 2018, who were admitted to Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. The inclusion criteria were all injured patients who had at least one of the following: hospital length of stay more than 24 h, death in hospital, and transfer from the intensive care unit of another hospital. Data collection was performed using the National Trauma Registry of Iran minimum dataset. Results: The most common injury mechanism was road traffic injuries (49.0%), followed by falls (25.5%). The mean age of those who fell was significantly higher in comparison with other mechanisms (p < 0.001). Severe extremity injuries occurred more often in the fall group than in the vehicle collision group (69.0% vs. 43.5%, p < 0.001). Moreover, cases of severe multiple trauma were higher amongst vehicle collisions than injuries caused by falls (27.8% vs. 12.9%, p = 0.003). Conclusion: Comparing falls with motor vehicle collisions, patients who fell were older and sustained more extremity injuries. Patients injured by motor vehicle collision were more likely to have sustained multiple trauma than those presenting with falls. Recognition of the relationship between mechanisms and consequences of injuries may lead to more effective interventions.     

Safety of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of labor induction in women with a history of 1 cesarean section (CS) who undergo trial of labor. METHODS: A prospective observational study of 702 pregnant women who had 1 previous CS was conducted at Women's Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, between April 2003 and April 2004. Those with no history of vaginal delivery were assigned to one group and those with a history of vaginal delivery were assigned to another group, and the latter group was then divided into 2 subgroups according to the results of trial of labor. RESULTS: Of these 702 women with a history of 1 CS, 62.4% also had a history of vaginal delivery. After trial of labor, vaginal delivery occurred more often among women with no history of vaginal delivery (64.8%). Moreover, trial of labor resulted in a vaginal delivery more often in women who were delivered only once and by CS (87.7%) than in women who also had a history of vaginal delivery (79.2%). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that women who have had a CS should strongly consider natural delivery for subsequent pregnancies.     

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.     

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.

Clock genes alterations and endocrine disorders

Background

Various endocrine signals oscillate over the 24‐hour period and so does the responsiveness of target tissues. These daily oscillations do not occur solely in response to external stimuli but are also under the control of an intrinsic circadian clock.

Design

We searched the PubMed database to identify studies describing the associations of clock genes with endocrine diseases.

Results

Various human single nucleotide polymorphisms of brain and muscle ARNT‐like 1 (BMAL1) and Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput (CLOCK) genes exhibited significant associations with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ARNTL2 gene expression and upregulation of BMAL1 and PER1 were associated with the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus. Thyroid hormones modulated PER2 expression in a tissue‐specific way, whereas BMAL1 regulated the expression of type 2 iodothyronine deiodinase in specific tissues. Adrenal gland and adrenal adenoma expressed PER1, PER2, CRY2, CLOCK and BMAL1 genes. Adrenal sensitivity to adrenocorticotrophin was also affected by circadian oscillations. A significant correlation between the expression of propio‐melanocorticotrophin and PER 2, as well as between prolactin and CLOCK, was found in corticotroph and lactosomatotroph cells, respectively, in the pituitary. Clock genes and especially BMAL1 showed an important role in fertility, whereas oestradiol and androgens exhibited tissue‐specific effects on clock gene expression. Metabolic disorders were also associated with circadian dysregulation according to studies in shift workers.

Conclusions

Clock genes are associated with various endocrine disorders through complex mechanisms. However, data on humans are scarce. Moreover, clock genes exhibit a tissue‐specific expression representing an additional level of regulation. Their specific role in endocrine disorders and their potential implications remain to be further clarified.     

Effects of Ramelteon on the Prevention of Postoperative Delirium in Older Patients Undergoing Orthopedic Surgery: The RECOVER Randomized Controlled Trial

ObjectivesPostoperative delirium, associated with negative consequences including longer hospital stays and worse cognitive and physical outcomes, is frequently accompanied by sleep-wake disturbance. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy and short-term safety of ramelteon, a melatonin receptor agonist, for the prevention of postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.DesignA quadruple-masked randomized placebo-controlled trial (Clinical Trials.gov NCT02324153) conducted from March 2017 to June 2019.SettingTertiary academic medical center.ParticipantsPatients aged 65 years or older, undergoing elective primary or revision hip or knee replacement.InterventionRamelteon (8 mg) or placeboMeasurementsEighty participants were randomized to an oral gel cap of ramelteon or placebo for 3 consecutive nights starting the night before surgery. Trained research staff conducted delirium assessments for 3 consecutive days starting on postoperative day (POD) 0, after recovery from anesthesia, and on to POD2. A delirium diagnosis was based upon DSM-5 criteria determined by expert panel consensus.ResultsOf 80 participants, five withdrew consent (one placebo, four ramelteon) and four were excluded (four ramelteon) after randomization. Delirium incidence during the 2 days following surgery was 7% (5 of 71) with no difference between the ramelteon versus placebo: 9% (3 of 33) and 5% (2 of 38), respectively. The adjusted odds ratio for postoperative delirium as a function of assignment to the ramelteon treatment arm was 1.28 (95% confidence interval: 0.21–7.93; z-value 0.27; p-value = 0.79). Adverse events were similar between the two groups.ConclusionIn older patients undergoing elective primary or revision hip or knee replacement, ramelteon was not efficacious in preventing postoperative delirium.     

EFFECT OF PRE-COOLING ON PAIN ASSOCIATED WITH DENTAL INJECTIONS IN CHILDREN: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

ObjectivesSeveral methods, including cooling of the injection site, have been proposed for pain control during the dental local anesthetic injection. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the scientific evidence on the precooling of the injection site to reduce pediatric dental injection pain.Data SourcesThe search terms were selected according to the Medical Subject Headings and non-Medical Subject Headings. The main keywords included dental injection, cooling, pain, and children. Potentially eligible studies involved the subjective or objective pain evaluation in children receiving any dental injection. Risk of bias assessment was carried out using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. An electronic search was carried out for published studies in the English language up to March 2020 on Scopus, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. Of 761 articles retrieved initially, 14 were eligible to be included in the systematic review, of which 6 articles were excluded. Regarding the type of intervention, 6 articles used cooling agents in the intervention group, and 2 studies used the Buzzy device (a combination of cold and vibratory stimuli). All studies included in the systematic review except one considered that the use of intra- or extra-oral cooling could reduce pain during anesthesia injections in children significantly.ConclusionOverall, the evidence presented in this review was limited and had low quality. It may be concluded that application of cold agents before dental anesthesia can be more helpful than the traditional dental injection in reducing pain in children. Besides, the use of the Buzzy device showed promising results, as shown by 2 studies.