javad hosseininejad

This study was conducted to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) and intermittent Theta Burst Stimulation (iTBS), in Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) patients using resting-state Electroencephalography (EEG). iTBS is a novel form of magnetic stimulation with the potential to produce similar anti-depressant effects but in a much shorter time.

In two stimulation protocols, 78 patients with TRD received 20 sessions. Depression symptoms were assessed based on the changes in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) scores at baseline, after the last session, and at 4 weeks after treatment. Resting-state EEG was measured at baseline and after the last session. EEG power spectrum was extracted and power changes were evaluated statistically.

There was no significant difference in response and remission rates between the two groups. Following 10 Hz rTMS and iTBS, the clinical indexes improved by 48.5 ± 19.8 % (p-value < 0.05) and 50.4 ± 21.7 % (p-value < 0.05), respectively. There was a significant reduction in the mean depression scores for both treatment groups (p < 0.05). Following treatment, TRD patients showed considerable enhancement in gamma power at the left DLPFC site (F3, F5, and F7 electrode) in the iTBS group and significant increases in delta power at the F3 and F7 electrode sites in the 10 Hz rTMS group.

iTBS provides clinical advantages, which showed that the results did not contrast altogether with results from a standard course of rTMS treatment. It might be invaluable from a clinical, benefit, and understanding perspective. Biomarkers of clinical outcomes such as resting-state brain activity measured with EEG may save individuals worthless treatment and moderately limited clinical assets.

Some neutrophils are shown to be able to release structures consisting of DNA strands associated with histones, decorated with about 20 proteins. These structures are called Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). NETosis is the process by which the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps eventually leads to cell death. Indeed, NETosis is a cell death process that is unique from other common types of cell death. Two kinds of NETosis have been identified, vital NETosis and suicidal NETosis. Vital NETosis, unlike suicidal NETosis, occurs a few minutes after neutrophil stimulation. Suicidal NETosis can be dependent on or independent of NADPH oxidase. NADPH-independent NETosis can be induced by calcium ionophores. As long as NETs are set up properly, they play an important role in fighting infections. However, if not properly adjusted, tissue damage and inflammation increase. Furthermore, NETs are involved in some autoimmune diseases.

 Adalimumab is a highly human monoclonal antibody that binds to tumor necrosis factor, a key proinflammatory cytokine pathogenic in psoriasis. It is considered as an influential factor in controlling moderate to severe psoriasis. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Adalimumab on COVID-19 incidence in patients with psoriasis.

 This cross-sectional study was performed at Baqiyatallah Hospital in 2021. Eighty patients with psoriasis who referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups, one group was treated with Adalimumab, and the other group received the control treatment. The incidence of the disease was assessed by the history of COVID-19 signs and symptoms, positive RT‐ PCR testing and graphing, and physician diagnosis.

The mean age of patients was 39.5 (±7.9 S.D.). 36(45%) patients were infected with COVID-19, and 44 (55%) patients were not infected, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in the infection with COVID-19 (P value = 0.36). There was a significant relationship between infection with COVID-19 and the severity of psoriasis (P value=0.01).  Although, in the severe psoriasis group, which was significantly more affected by COVID-19, there was no statistically significant relationship between Adalimumab consumption and COVID-19 affection (P value = 0.19).

 PPsoriasis patients treated with Adalimumab are not more prone to COVID-19 infection. However, patients with severe psoriasis are more likely to develop COVID-19; this matter is not related to the use of Adalimumab, and it is not necessary to discontinue or change Adalimumab.

Pitavastatin is in the statins class and is mainly used for the treatment of dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. According to the anti-inflammatory, angiogenic, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and antiplatelet effects of pitavastatin, in the present study, the protective effects were investigated against the reperfusion injuries and edema in the animal model of local and transient cerebral ischemia.

21 rats were assigned into three groups; sham, control ischemic, and treated ischemic groups. Brain ischemia/reperfusion was induced by 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by 24-hour reperfusion. Rats received pitavastatin intraperitoneally at a dose of 4 mg/kg immediately after termination of MCAO. Neurological deficit score (NDS), infarct volume, and brain swelling, as an index of edema, were assessed 24 hours after termination of MCAO.

MCAO induced neurological dysfunction (3.28±0.28) and brain infarction in the control ischemic group (299±21 mm3) accompanied by brain swelling (11.83±2.61 %). Administration of pitavastatin in the treated ischemic rats significantly reduced neurological dysfunction (1.57±0.20), brain infarction (117±28 mm3), and brain swelling (4.75±0.80 %). Also, pitavastatin considerably decreased the mortality of rats in the treated ischemic group.

The findings of the present study indicated that pitavastatin, as a potent neuroprotective agent, effectively reduces reperfusion-induced brain injuries and brain edema independently of cholesterol-lowering effects in the experimental model of ischemic stroke.

Regarding this, the present study was conducted to identify the effective factors on sleep satisfaction and chronobiology among rural adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 385 adults how living in 31 rural areas of Fariman city, Iran, selected through stratified sampling technique. The sample size was calculated using a conservative approach with the assumption of sleep disorder prevalence of 50% and confidence interval of 95%. The sampling in each rural area was performed through systematic sampling using the household records. Data collection was accomplished by means of a researcher-made questionnaire. Validity of this questionnaire were confirmed by two Neurologist and one Social medicine specialist. Reliability were calculated by Cronbach 0.65. Data were assumed and analyzed by SPSS 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). We used Chi-Square and Exect Fisher test for analysis and P-value≤0.05 was significant. According to the results, 264 (68.8%) subjects were female. The mean age of the female and male participants were 36.63±15.20 and 43.63±17.49 years, respectively. Furthermore, 75.1% of the subjects expressed that they easily fell asleep at night. However, for 73.4% of the participants, it took 30 min to fall asleep. People who had a midday nap felt more satisfied with their sleep (P-value<0.001). Sleep disorder is a predisposing factor for social problems and a threat to physical and mental health. Consequently, it is essential to adopt some plans facilitating the individuals to regularly evaluate their sleep status as a health component and try to improve the quality of their sleep.