مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 594 (هفته دوم آذر 1399)

Physical activity and exercise can affect the bones, and participate in glucose and fat metabolism by releasing osteokines such as under-carboxylated osteocalcin. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 4 weeks of high-intensity plyometric training on serum levels of under-carboxylated osteocalcin, insulin resistance index, and lipid profile components in inactive girls.

This was a semi-experimental research with pretest-posttest design. 24 inactive girl students with mean age of 24.16 ± 1.53 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 22.22 ± 1.01 kg/m2</sup> were randomly divided into two equal groups of Plyometric training and control. The exercise protocol was performed for 4 weeks (three session per week), while the control group did not have any regular physical activity. Blood samples were obtained before and after the intervention period for under-carboxylated osteocalcin, lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and insulin resistance measures. The data were analyzed using independent and dependent t-test (P < 0.050).

There was a significant decrease in blood glucose level (P = 0.035), insulin resistance index (P = 0.040), and some lipid profile parameters such as cholesterol (P = 0.040) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P = 0.025) in the training group. Moreover, a significant decrease was seen in blood glucose serum level (P = 0.025) and insulin resistance index (P = 0.030), with no significant change in under-carboxylated osteocalcin and lipid profile components in the exercise group compared to the control.

A significant reduction was observed in blood glucose serum levels, insulin resistance index, and improvement of some lipid profile components in inactive girls, which appeared to be independent of changes in bone endocrine function index (under-carboxylated osteocalcin).

One of the problems of addiction treatment is the relapsing of withdrawal syndrome signs in the addicted person. Rewarding brain regions such as medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) are involved in addiction and onset of withdrawal syndrome. This study was performed to investigate the relationship between these areas in demonstration or relief of withdrawal signs, electrical stimulation and lesion of mPFC, as well as blocking the relative receptors in the VTA.

In an experimental study, 42 male rats weighing 250-300 g were divided in 6 equal groups of control, morphine, and stimulation and lesion electrical receiver groups in mPFC region, and groups receiving the glutamate receptors antagonists by microinjection into the VTA. All of the groups, except the control group, received intraperitoneal morphine during 9 days as the protocol. Finally, on the 10th</sup> day, the symptoms of addiction in rats were evaluated.

The electrical stimulation of mPFC significantly increased cycling and scratching (P < 0.01) and bodylifting (P < 0.05) in comparison to the morphine group. Whereas the lesion of this area, and also microinjection of glutamate antagonists into the VTA caused significant decrease of all the withdrawal symptoms in rats.

Electrical stimulation of mPFC area increased the withdrawal symptoms in addicted rats, which was most likely due to increase of glutamatergic transmissions into the VTA and reinforcement of reward system; while destruction of this area and blocking of glutamate receptors, probably via decreasing of glutamatergic transmissions, caused decrease of morphine addiction.

Infected pregnant women with new coronavirus (COVID-19) has raised concerns about the increased risk of complications due to pregnancy, the presence of predisposing factors, multiple possible diagnoses, and treatment limitations.

Case Report:

In this study, the status of two pregnant patients infected with COVID-19, who were referred to Amin hospital in Isfahan, Iran, in 2020, and were evaluated for prognostic factors. In both pregnant women, the definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) nucleic acid testing. One in her second trimester of pregnancy with no obvious comorbidity, and the other in third trimester with poor medical and obstetric history. Despite pregnancy termination, they had experienced different and unpredictable complication and prognosis.</div>

It seems that the initial and course of laboratory findings, probably the gestational age, and prescription of anticoagulants agent, even in prophylactic dose, have a major role in prognosis of pregnant women with COVID-19.