iraj mirzaii dizgah

Diabetes is associated with conditions such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and fatty liver disease. Utilizing medications that can simultaneously treat diabetes and its related conditions could be highly beneficial for patients.

This clinical trial aimed to investigate the effect of empagliflozin in combination with pioglitazone on the improvement of fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Patients were divided into two groups: One received only pioglitazone (n = 42), and the other received both pioglitazone and empagliflozin (n = 43) for 24 weeks. Liver indices were examined at the beginning of the study and again 24 weeks after the intervention began, using serology and ultrasound methods.

Both treatments improved the indicators of fatty liver disease, including fasting blood sugar (FBS), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) activity score, with the exception of aspartate-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) and the fibrosis-4 (Fib-4) index. However, no significant difference was observed in the changes of these indices between the two types of treatment, except for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and NAFLD.

It appears that both pioglitazone alone and pioglitazone combined with empagliflozin improve fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the effects of these two treatment regimens were not found to be superior to each other.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, recurrent, and autoimmune disease of the digestive system with intra- and extra-intestinal manifestations. IBD is divided into Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The prevalence exceeds 3 million people per year and is reported more frequently in industrialized countries than in developing ones. IBD is a lifelong disease that affects the quality of life of sufferers and also increases the risk of colon cancer due to chronic inflammation. Today, the diagnosis and follow-up of this disease is based on history, imaging of the gastrointestinal tract, and pathology findings, which is expensive and has the risk of damage to the gastrointestinal tract, for this reason, the use of new methods has attracted the attention of researchers. Saliva is easy to use, cheap, has no risk of infection, and is always available. The changes of some parameters in the serum and saliva of IBD patients have been investigated, but no study has been done on aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Studies have shown that AST and ALT can be used as a marker for cell damage and inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the salivary and serum changes of these two markers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 1402 in the gastroenterology clinic of Imam Reza Hospital in Tehran. 30 people with IBD with a definitive diagnosis by pathology as the patient group and 30 healthy people who visited the hospital for an annual checkup participated in the study as the control group. First, the patients were asked to wash their mouths and swallow the remaining liquid, and without actively moving the mouth and tongue, pour the secreted saliva into the sterile falcon tube. Then, by a skilled person, 5 ml of venous blood was taken from the cubital area of the patient and put into the clot tube. Immediately after collection, the samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes. Blood serum and non-stimulating saliva supernatant were transferred into a microtube and stored in a freezer at -70 degrees Celsius. Enzyme activity was measured using the photometric method according to the manufacturer's instructions (Pars Azmon-Shiraz) and the data was analyzed by t-test with SPSS version 22 software.

30 patients with IBD (17 men and 13 women) with an average age of 37.7±2.3 years and 30 healthy subjects (16 men and 14 women) with an average age of 32.5±2.2 years were included in the study. (P<0.05). Data analysis showed that in the patient group, the serum level of AST and ALT in the patient and healthy groups was not significantly different. However, salivary AST level, unlike ALT level, increases significantly in patients.

According to the results of this study, the salivary activity of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) appears to be increased in patients with IBD.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract that affects millions of people worldwide. Since acetylcholine is one of the effective factors in reducing inflammation and considering the benefits of using saliva, in this study, the amount of cholinesterase activity in saliva and serum in patients with IBD and healthy people was investigated.

Thirty patients with IBD who were referred to Imam Reza Hospital, as well as 30 healthy individuals, participated in this study. Saliva and serum samples were collected in the morning. Cholinesterase activity was evaluated using the photometric method, and data were analyzed using an unpaired Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney test.

The mean activity of cholinesterase and saliva flow rate in saliva and serum were not significantly different between the two groups. Xerostomia inventory score was significantly higher in the IBD group (P<0.05).

It seems that cholinesterase activity does not change in patients with IBD, but patients feel more dry mouth than healthy people.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract with a relatively high occurrence and its cause has not yet been precisely identified. Since calcium and magnesium play a role in inflammatory processes, this study investigates the changes in the saliva and serum of people with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This cross-sectional study included 30 subjects with IBD and 30 healthy individuals. Unstimulated saliva and serum were taken during a fasting state, and the amount of calcium and magnesium was measured by the photometric method. The data was analyzed using an unpaired Student’s t-test using SPSS version 22. P<0.05 is considered significant. The results showed that the amount of calcium and magnesium in the serum and saliva of patients with IBD was significantly lower than that of healthy individuals. Calcium and magnesium levels appear to be significantly impaired and reduced in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This deficiency can contribute to various complications associated with IBD and highlights the importance of monitoring and controlling mineral levels in these patients.

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern due to the irrational use of antibiotics. Patients hospitalized in intensive care units are exposed to antibiotic resistance due to their high vulnerability. Therefore, this study was performed to investigate the pattern of carbapenem consumption in the intensive care units of Besat Hospital in a period of six months. This study was conducted by studying the records of patients from March 2018 to September 2018 and extracting hospital statistics from the medical records keeping unit and extracting drug consumption data from the pharmacological statistics unit. Occupied bed-day were obtained from the information classification system of the medical records unit and carbapenem consumption statistics from the pharmacological information system. According to evaluation methods of the medicines, the carbapenem use was expressed as DDD/100 bed-day. In total, 203 patients were admitted to intensive care units. The most common cause of carbapenem use was pneumonia (47.8%). In total, 4928.5 grams of meropenem (equivalent to 25.319 in terms of DDD/100 bed-day) and 79.5 grams of imipenem (equivalent to 0.612 in terms of DDD/100 bed-day) were used. From a total of 709 microbial cultures, sensitivity to carbapenems was investigated in only 145 cases (20.45%). 26 cases (17.93%) had sensitivity and 119 cases (82.07%) had resistance to at least one carbapenem (meropenem and imipenem). Acinetobacter baumannii was highly prevalent. Moreover, the consumption of meropenem and imipenem was high. Therefore, there is a need to adhere to the antibiotic monitoring policy for the appropriate use of antibiotics.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a systemic and chronic disease of the digestive system that affects millions of people every year. Considering the possibility of renal involvement as an extra-intestinal manifestation of the disease, we decided to compare creatinine levels in serum and saliva of the affected and healthy groups.

In a cross-sectional study, 30 subjects with IBD and 30 healthy subjects were included. Non-stimulated serum and saliva were collected in the morning and creatinine was measured photometrically. Data were analyzed by t-test using SPSS version 22 software. P<0.05 was considered significant.

30 patients with IBD with a mean age of 37.7 ± 2.3 years and 30 healthy individuals with a mean age of 32.5 ± 2.2 years participated in this study. The body mass index of the IBD group was 25.5 ± 0.68 and that of the healthy group was 26.2 ± 1.34, and there was no significant difference in these parameters (p>0.05). The results also showed that the mean serum and salivary creatinine levels were not significantly different in the two groups.

It seems that creatinine levels do not change in patients with IBD and healthy people, and there is no renal involvement and no decline in renal function in the early years of the disease.

Spaceflight poses unique physiological stressors, including circadian rhythm disruption, which can impact astronaut health and brain function.

This study investigated the effects of rapid day/night changes on cholinesterase activity in the rats’ cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.

Rats were divided into 2 groups (n = 8 per group): Control and circadian disruption with a 45-minute light/45-minute dark cycle. After 14 days of intervention, the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex were harvested from each rat. The samples were washed in ice-cold normal saline solution, weighed, homogenized in phosphate buffer using 1 ml of buffer per 100 mg of tissue, and centrifuged. Moreover, the supernatants were used for the measurement of cholinesterase activity by the photometric method.

Mean cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in rats exposed to circadian disruption than in the control group (P < 0.05).

It seems that cholinesterase activity in rats’ cerebellum and prefrontal cortex reduces following exposure to rapid light/dark rhythm.

 The complement system plays a role in chronic immune activation during viral infections.

 This study aimed to evaluate the levels of saliva and serum complements C3 and C4 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and healthy individuals.

 This cross-sectional study included 36 severe and 22 critical COVID-19 hospitalized patients and 22 healthy individuals. Serum and unstimulated salivary C3 and C4 levels were assessed using the immunoturbidimetric method and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Student-Newman-Keuls test as a post hoc analysis.

 Salivary C3 and C4 levels were significantly lower in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 than in healthy individuals. There was no significant difference between the groups infected with severe and critical COVID-19. Serum C3 and C4 levels were lower in critical COVID-19 patients than in healthy individuals; nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between severe COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals. Additionally, serum C4 levels were lower in critical COVID-19 patients than in severe COVID-19 patients.

 It appears that serum and salivary C3 and C4 levels decrease in patients with COVID-19 infection.

Context: 

Several reports have been presented regarding the occurrence of acute myocardial infarction following vaccination against COVID-19.

The current systemic review tried to review and summarize the published evidence and documents regarding the occurrence of myocardial infarction following various types of anti-COVID-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca and Pfizer) and, finally, take steps to clarify the causes of such incidents.

The relevant databases, including Medline, Web of Knowledge, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Cochrane, were comprehensively searched by the two blinded researchers for all eligible studies based on the considered keywords. Of 76 articles initially collected by database searching, 20 articles were included in the last analysis.

The occurrence of acute myocardial infarction was mostly related to SARS-CoV-2-based messenger RNA and viral vector vaccines. This cardiac attack occurred after the first vaccination in 74% of patients affected. The time of occurrence of myocardial infarction was also very different between different types of vaccines and varied between 15 minutes and 21 days after vaccination. Most of the myocardial infarctions that occurred after vaccination were of the ST-segment elevation type (STEMI) (23 of 28 patients). More than two-thirds of myocardial infarction cases occurred in patients who had significant cardiovascular risk profiles (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and ischemic heart disease). Overall, 22.2% of cases suffering post-vaccination myocardial infarction died within hospitalization.

The occurrence of myocardial infarction following the vaccination against COVID-19 is rare, and due to the fatality of this event, it is necessary to modify the biotechnological production of existing vaccines and to accurately evaluate the pathophysiology of this event.

Wound healing depends on angiogenesis and collagen production by fibroblasts. Seaweeds are among the organisms that are of interest today for healing wounds. This study examines the effect of seaweed called Gracilaria corticata to increase angiogenesis and fibrosis of infectious skin wounds.

Eighty male rats that participated in this experiment were maintained according to the Laboratory Guidelines for Animal Care. The animals were divided into four groups (20 rats in each group), and a square wound on the back skin was performed on all rats. The time points were 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the surgical procedure. After creating a wound, an aliquot of 50 μL of suspension containing 2x108 CFU/mL of Staphylococcus bacteria was inoculated onto each wound. The groups were divided into control (no treatment), zinc oxide (control), 3%, and 7% ointment (algae treatment). The samples were placed in 10% buffered formalin and then in the tissue processing and staining with trichrome. Trichrome staining is used to show collagen fibers and the degree of fibrosis. On the other hand, VEGF and TGF-Β antibodies were used for immunohistochemical evaluation.

The use of algae increased the occurrence of VEGF and TGF-Β more than the administration of zinc oxide.

The use of algae has a strengthening effect, especially in the form of ointment, on the healing of infected wounds. It can be related to more blood supply and, as a result, more immunity in the wound, along with antimicrobial effects.

The incidence of osteoarthritis (OA) is high in patients suffering from 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D) deficiency. The goal of this study is to examine the association between saliva and serum 25(OH)D and knee OA.

Serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels of 30 patients with knee OA and 30 matched healthy people in a control group were measured by ELISA. Knee pain was assessed by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Data were analyzed through student’s t-test, Pearson correlation test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC).

The mean serum and saliva 25(OH)D levels were lower in knee OA group than the healthy group. WOMAC negatively correlated with serum (r = -0.37; P = 0.02) and with unstimulated (r = -0.30; P = 0.04) saliva 25(OH)D. The unstimulated saliva 25(OH)D cutoff value was 27.8 pg/m1 regarding the diagnosis of knee OA.

Serum 25(OH)D levels were positively associated with saliva 25(OH)D, and 25(OH)D level in saliva, as in serum, was low in knee OA.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) include a series of signs and symptoms in the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) and muscles of mastication, which are associated with or caused by parafunctional habits. Many of these patients also suffer from lumbar pains. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of treating parafunctional habits in alleviating symptoms of TMD and lower back pain.

This phase II clinical trial was conducted on 136 patients suffering from TMDs and lumbar pain, who consented to participate in this study. They were provided with instructions on how to discontinue their parafunctional habits including clenching and bruxism. The Helkimo and Rolland Morris questionnaires were used to assess TMD and lower back pain, respectively. Data were statistically analyzed using paired Student's t-test, Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman correlation tests, with the significance level set at P<0.05.

The mean severity score of TMD significantly decreased after the intervention. Following treatment of TMD, the mean severity score of lumbar pain decreased from 8 to 2 (P=0.0001).

Based on our findings, it appears that the elimination of parafunctional habits improves TMD and lumbar pain.

A vast variety of local and systemic treatments have been utilized in the management of oral lichen planus (OLP). The efficiency of IMOD (an Iranian new immunomodulatory drug, containing selenium, carotene, and flavonoids) in the treatment of OLP was assessed.

Methods:

 In a randomized double-blind placebo/controlled trial study, 40 individuals (who referred to the oral and maxillofacial department of the School of Dentistry) with lichen planus were registered. The study enclosed a three-month period of therapy by IMOD (480 mg/day) (n=20) or placebo (n=20), and a three-month follow-up period after drug interruption. Consequence measures contain pain or burning severity, clinical score, clinical global impression of change (CGIC) and patient global impression of change (PGIC). Unstimulated saliva levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), uric acid and TNF-α were tested at the baseline and after treatment and calculated their changes. Statistical analysis of MannWhitney and unpaired student’s t-test were used.

There were no noteworthy changes between placebo and IMOD treaded groups in pain or burning severity, clinical score, CGIC and PGIC following 2,4,8,12, and 24 weeks following treatment and also in saliva TAC, MDA, TNF-α and uric acid changes.

IMOD lacks proper efficacy in the management of severe or very severe OLP lesions.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common gastrointestinal diseases. One of the factors that are known to play a role in reducing inflammation is acetylcholine (Ach), which decreases cholinesterase to increase Ach. The present study investigated cholinesterase activity in the serum of patients with GERD.

In this cross-sectional study, 30 patients with GERD were referred to Imam Reza Hospital, and 30 healthy individuals were included in the study. Serum was collected in the morning and the fasting state. Cholinesterase activity was measured photometrically and analyzed by unpaired student t-test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

The mean serum cholinesterase activity was significantly lower in the GERD group (5,445 ± 411 IU/L) than in healthy individuals (6,728 ± 305 IU/L). The cut-off for the detection of patients suffering from GERD by the serum activity of cholinesterase was 5,637 IU/L.

It seems that the cholinesterase activity reduces in the serum of patients with GERD.

The central mechanism related to the cardiovascular response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hypotension is not entirely known, but it is suggested that numerous brain areas such as dorsal periaqueductal gray (dPAG) are involved in this process. In the current work, the cardiovascular effect of the dPAG during LPS-induced hypotension is investigated.

The study animals (rats) were divided into four groups: control (saline microinjected into dPAG), lidocaine 2%, LPS (intravenously injected), and lidocaine + LPS. Catheterization of the femoral artery and vein was performed to record blood pressure and LPS injection, respectively. Saline and lidocaine were microinjected into the dPAG nucleus then the LPS injection was performed. The changes (∆) in systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and heart rate (HR) were measured and compared with those of the control and LPS groups.

LPS significantly declined ∆MAP and ∆SBP (P<0.05) but did not change the ∆HR compared to the control. Lidocaine did not significantly affect basic ∆SBP, ∆MAP, and ∆HR compared to the control. Injection of lidocaine before LPS significantly attenuated the reduction of ∆SBP and ∆MAP evoked by LPS (P<0.05).

Our data showed that blockade of the dPAG by lidocaine significantly ameliorates the hypotension induced by LPS. this finding confirms the involvement of the dPAG in cardiovascular regulation during LPS-induced hypotension.

The level of fasting blood sugar (FBS) must be regularly monitored in diabetic patients. As unlike blood, saliva sampling is a noninvasive technique, saliva glucose was evaluated in controlled and uncontrolled type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) children in this study.

In this cross-sectional study, 40 uncontrolled T1DM and 40 controlled T1DM children were enrolled. The FBS and stimulated and unstimulated saliva glucose were assayed by the GOD-POP method and analyzed by unpaired Student’s t-test.

Serum and stimulated saliva glucose levels were higher in the uncontrolled T1DM than that in the controlled T1DM. However, there was no significant difference in unstimulated saliva between the two groups. Serum glucose had a positive correlation with unstimulated (r=0.403; p<0.001) and stimulated (r=0.232; p=0.005) salivary glucose levels. The stimulated and unstimulated salivary flow rate was significantly lower in uncontrolled T1DM.

Stimulated salivary glucose level similar to serum was higher in uncontrolled T1DM than controlled T1DM children. Therefore, it may be helpful to monitor T1DM patients.

Periodontitis is the bacterial-induced inflammation of tooth-supporting structures. Local antibacterial agents are used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of periodontitis. This study aimed to compare the effect of subgingivally delivered propolis extract (a resin produced by honey bees) with chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on clinical parameters and salivary levels of matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8-) in periodontitis patients.

Twenty-eight periodontitis patients in stage II or III and grade B, who had deep periodontal pockets (≥4 mm) around at least three non-adjacent teeth, were divided into two groups. In the control group, patients were prescribed %0.2 CHX mouthwash twice a day for two weeks. In the%20 propolis hydroalcoholic group, subgingival irrigation was performed twice a week for two weeks. Clinical parameters were measured at baseline and after two months. Salivary samples were collected from the propolis and control groups at baseline and two months later to assess MMP 8- levels using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, salivary samples from 12 periodontally healthy subjects were used to determine the normal levels of MMP 8-. The data were analyzed using SPSS. P<0.05 was considered the level of significance.

In the healthy group, the mean salivary levels of MMP8- were significantly lower than that in the control and propolis groups at baseline (P<0.001). The results indicated a significant improvement in clinical parameters (P<0.001) in the propolis group compared to the control group, while MMP 8- levels decreased significantly in both groups (P<0.001).

Propolis is recommended as adjunctive therapy for periodontitis patients. Clinical trials registration code: IRCT2016122030475N3.

 The mandibular bone is affected by age, metabolic activity, and hormonal changes.

 This study aimed to determine the sex determination using the mandibular angle in the adult population of Iran.

 This cross-sectional study enrolled 149 patients (73 men and 76 women) referred to the 600 Army Dental Center in 2016. Graphics were obtained from cephalogram and panorex using a Soredex digital device and Pack software to measure mandibular angles.

 The mean mandibular angle was 122.19 ± 3.89 in men and 124.72 ± 3.24 in women, with a significant difference based on the independent t test (P < 0.05).

 It seems that the mandibular angle is higher in women than in men.

Fluoroquinolones are among the most common types of antibiotics used in hospitalized patients. Accordingly, in this study, we examined the pattern of use of fluoroquinolones in hospitalized patients.

In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 patients underwent fluoroquinolones who were hospitalized in Tehranchr('39')s Imam Reza Hospital from April to October 2016, and the consumption pattern was based on available files. Fluoroquinolones were determined in them.

In this study, the possible types of infections including pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and other infections were 27, 34, 21 and 18%, respectively. Percentages of ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, both at 67, 31, and 2%, were prescribed. Fluoroquinolones at 26% 750 mg daily, 6% 500 mg daily, 38% 500 mg twice daily, 3% 250 mg twice daily, 11% 400 mg twice daily, 13% 200 mg twice daily The day and 3% were prescribed four times a day.

In general, based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that the pattern of consumption of fluoroquinolones in the study community has few problems that can be solved by providing the necessary training to physicians in the form of training sessions or pamphlets and etc.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is presented with motor and sensory function loss. It is caused by demyelination and following axonal lesion. As Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) is one of the key elements of the myelin cover, we examined the level of MBP in serum, stimulated, and unstimulated saliva as a suitable biomarker for detecting MS.

A case-control study was performed in 29 healthy women and 32 definitive relapsing-remitting MS patients hospitalized in Imam Reza hospital, Tehran, Iran. MBP level was assayed in serum and stimulated and unstimulated whole saliva.

MBP was expressed at a lower level in serum and stimulated saliva of MS patients compared to the control group. The serum MBP level had a considerable correlation with its stimulated saliva level. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed significant diagnostic ability for MBP to discriminate MS patients with serum and stimulated saliva from controls.

Serum and saliva level of MBP is lower in MS, so it may be considered a potential biomarker in MS.

The objective of this study was to compare the level of complements C3 and C4 in serum, and stimulated saliva between oral lichen planus (OLP) and healthy individuals.

A case-control study was performed on 31 healthy and 31 who suffer the erosive type of OLP. Serum and saliva level of C3 and C4 were measured by immunoturbidimetry method.

C3 and C4 were expressed at a lower level in serum and saliva of OLP patients compared to control groups. Serum C3 and C4 levels did not correlate with their saliva levels. The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed significantly diagnostic abilities for serum and saliva C3 and C4 to discrimination of OLP patients from controls (cutoff [mg/dl] for C3 were 83 in serum and 3.45 in saliva and for C4 were 9.5 in serum and 0.9 in saliva).

Serum and salivary levels of total C3 and C4 were lower in patients with OLP than in healthy controls. Therefore, they may able to discriminate OLP from healthy.

spacecrafts rotate around the Earth every 90 minutes, so the 24-hour cycle turns to 90 minutes. Retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, plays a role in regulating the circadian rhythm and its deficiency can impair the biological clock function and consequently impair the circadian rhythm of locomotor activity. The goal of the study was to assay the effects of simulated spaceship conditions on serum and hippocampal retinoic acid levels in rats.

The tail-hanging, hindleg-weightlessness rat model was applied to mimic the microgravity conditions from June to September 2017 in the zoo of the Aja University of Medical Sciences. Thirty-two male Wistar rats weighing 200-250 gr/in an experimental study were randomly assigned into 4 groups (n=8): 1) control animals with 12/12 h day-night rotation, 2) animals with 12/12 h day-night rotation under 14 days unloading, 3) control animals with 45/45 min day-night cycle, and 4) animals with 45/45 min day-night cycle under 14 days unloading. At the termination of the simulation step, rats were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected and the entire brain was removed and each brain was segmented into Hippocampus. ELISA assays were used to detect retinoic acid in the serum and homogenized hippocampus. Data were statistically assayed using two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni as a post hoc test. P<0.05 was considered significant.

The circadian cycle of 45/45 min compared to the 12/12 h dark cycle increased the levels of retinoic acid in serum (F=4.901, P=0.037) and hippocampus (F=5.793, P=0.029) in rats. But simulated weightlessness had no effect on retinoic acid content in serum (F=0.149, P=0.703) and hippocampus (F=0.004, P=0.952).

It seems that retinoic acid content in serum and hippocampus is affected by circadian cycle change, and weightlessness has not affect.

 Resistin reduces tissue sensitivity to insulin and causes hyperglycemia. Diabetic nephropathy is also a metabolic disorder caused by chronic hyperglycemia that causes kidney dysfunction.

 This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum resistin and diabetic nephropathy in diabetic patients who referred to Imam Reza Hospital in 2018 - 2019.

 This case-control study recruited 30 diabetic patients with nephropathy, 29 non-nephropathy diabetic patients, and 30 healthy controls via convenience sampling. Serum and 24-hour urine samples were taken from each person. After the determination of the glomerular filtration rate, samples were tested in a laboratory. Also, data were analyzed by SPSS software version 23, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

 Mean serum resistin was significantly different between the groups (F = 3.600, P = 0.032). Tukey’s follow-up test showed that resistin was critically higher in the diabetic nephropathy group than in the control group and healthy controls. There was a weak inverse relationship between glomerular filtration rate and serum resistin level (r = -0.233, P = 0.031).

 Levels of resistin may rise in people with diabetes associated with nephropathy. It seems that Serum resistin can be used as a biomarker to assess the severity of diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes and thyroid disorders cause extensive changes in insulin resistance. An increase in serum resistin level is associated with insulin resistance.

The current study aimed to investigate the cumulative effect of diabetes and hypothyroidism on the serum resistin levels of type 2 diabetic patients.

Participants were divided into four groups using the convenience sampling method. Each group contained 30 diabetic patients, 32 hypothyroid patients, 30 diabetics + hypothyroid patients, and 29 healthy individuals. Serum samples were taken from participants and their serum resistin levels were measured. Data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Pearson correlation test, ANOVA statistical analysis, and Tukey post hoc test were used to analyze the data. A P-value of < 0.05 was used as statistically significant.

Among patients with hypothyroidism, resistin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone were moderately correlated (P = 0.001, r = 0.580). ANOVA revealed a statistically significant difference between the resistin levels in the studied groups (P = 0.000, F = 6.813).

Serum resistin levels are significantly lower in people with diabetes + hypothyroidism than in people with only one of these two conditions. Therefore, the cumulative effect of diabetes and hypothyroidism on resistin levels cannot be deduced from the findings of the present study.

Parafunctional habits, as one of the etiological factors of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), are an individual’s response to increased stress. During stress and depression, biomarkers such as cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase (SAA) are secreted in the saliva. The present study aimed to investigate whether there is a correlation between salivary stress biomarkers and parafunctional habits.

Thirty-two cases, from May to September 2015, were selected based on two standard stress questionnaires, namely the depression anxiety stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) and the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). Saliva samples were collected to examine the level of unstimulated salivary cortisol and SAA. The significance of the results was assessed via student’s t-test and Mann-Whitney test (α=0.05).

The mean concentrations of cortisol and SAA in unstimulated saliva were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (P=0.01 and 0.44, respectively). The mean scores of anxiety, stress, and depression were significantly higher in the case group than in the control group (P<0.05).

It seems that the levels of salivary cortisol and SAA, as well as stress, anxiety, and depression scores, are higher in patients with parafunctional habits.