Journal of Clinical and Basic Research
Volume:4 Issue: 4, Autumn 2020

Curcumin is a bright yellow chemical produced by Curcuma longa, a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). This compound is mainly extracted from fat-soluble, polyphenolic pigments known as curcuminoids. Curcumin has been used as an herbal supplement, cosmetic ingredient and spice. Curcumin may be useful in the prevention and treatment of inflammation-associated adverse pregnancy outcomes mainly due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which are exerted through reduction of pro-inflammatory factors, macrophage infiltration and NF-jB activation. This review provides a brief overview of the efficacy of curcumin for treatment of preeclampsia.

Mental disorders during pregnancy and postpartum period can affect the quality of life of mother, baby and the whole family. Psychoeducation can be offered to those at risk to prevent or reduce the incidence of these disorders, but the most appropriate time for such intervention is not determined yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychoeducation intervention 48 hours before delivery on postpartum general health and to identify the potential role of family in reducing the incidence and severity of these disorders.

This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 80 pregnant mothers admitted to maternity ward of Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan, Iran. Subjects were randomly divided into an intervention (n=40) and a control (n=40) group. Subjects in the intervention group and their spouses received education on postpartum mental health 48 hours before the estimated delivery date. The control group received no education. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire and the general health questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) at baseline and at 2nd and 4th week postpartum. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 18) at significance level of 0.05.

The mean age was 26.3±5.6 years in the intervention group and 27.9 ± 5.1 years in the control group. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, pregnancy order, number of abortions, type of delivery and history of addiction at baseline. The total GHQ-28 score significantly decreased from baseline to the fourth week postpartum in both groups (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of total GHQ-28 score reduction (P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of change in GHQ-28 subscale scores over time.

The findings of this study indicate that short-term educational intervention, 24-48 hours before delivery, is not effective in improving mental health in the postpartum period. Therefore, educational interventions should be conducted either weeks before or after delivery.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most widespread type of esophageal cancer. LncRNA TUG1 was first identified in a genomic screening study for the treatment of taurine in retinal cells. This study aimed at analyzing TUG1 expression in ESCC tissues collected from an Iranian population of patients. Bioinformatics study was also conducted for better understanding the function of this lnc-RNA.

We examined the expression of TUG1 in 31 pairs of ESCC tissues and adjacent non-cancerous tissues by qRT-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis was conducted using various databases. Student’s t-test was performed using SPSS software (version 16.0) to evaluate the difference in TUG1 expression between ESCC and adjacent non-cancerous tissues.

TUG1 expression level in ESCC tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent non-cancerous tissues (P=0.04).

TUG1 is upregulated in ESCC, which may be related to history of smoking

Diabetes is a major risk factor for acute renal failure, which is commonly seen during pregnancy. Patients with kidney failure are at significant risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and pregnancy may accelerate the progression of kidney disease in these patients. We herein report a pregnant woman with early manifestations of kidney failure during pregnancy.

Case description: 

The patient was a 39-year-old G2P1L1 woman with a gestational age of 14 weeks and 4 days who presented with edema and hypoglycemia. The patient had overt pre-orbital edema and less severe generalized edema. Finally, due to the patientchr('39')s conditions based on diabetes mellitus under insulin therapy, edema, proteinuria and high creatinine level (1.5 mg/dl) in the past two weeks, pregnancy was terminated as recommended by the medical commission and after obtaining informed consent from the patient.

Diabetes is an important risk factor for acute renal failure. Women with kidney failure are more likely to experience adverse pregnancy outcomes. Diabetic women who consider becoming pregnant should be first evaluated by a gynecologist and nephrologist and receive specialized advice. Given the complexity of care in affected women, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to achieve the best pregnancy outcome.

The results of studies on the outcomes and course of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in pregnant women are inconsistent. Proper characterization of the disease process can help healthcare providers in the accurate management and control of the disease in vulnerable individuals, particularly pregnant women. We herein report a case of a multiparous pregnant woman with COVID-19.

Case description: 

A 30-year-old pregnant woman (gravida 3 para 2) with gestational age of 39 weeks and six days and a history of occasional fever and chills in the past week was admitted to the midwifery triage with complaints of myalgia as well as severe pubic symphysis and back pain. The patient had the following vital signs at admission: fetal heart rate: 140 beats/min, oxygen saturation: 96%, temperature: 37 oC, respiratory rate: 17 breaths/min, pulse rate: 126 beats/min and blood pressure: 100/70 mmHg. The mother was positive for COVID-19 in both PCR and chest CT-scan findings, which demonstrated presence of multiple opacities in both lungs in favor of viral pneumonia.
Vaginal delivery was performed and an apparently healthy, term and cephalic baby girl was born with an Apgar score of 9 at one minute and 10 at five minutes after birth. The baby was negative for COVID-19 based on the molecular testing.

With proper management and timely separation of the mother from the baby and preparing breast milk by a non-infected person, no maternal or neonatal complications were observed in our case. More studies are required to gain a better understating about the possible morbidities and mortalities associated with COVID-19 during pregnancy

Diabetes is one of the most important diseases in the world. Substance abuse is one of the most important social problems in Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of substance abuse and related factors in type 2 diabetic patients living in a rural area in northeastern Iran.

This was a cross-sectional study that was performed in 2018 on all diabetic patients (n=757) living in rural areas of Bandar-e-Gaz, northeastern Iran. Data were collected from patientschr('39') records and using a checklist comprising of 20 questions on demographic characteristics, history of type 2 diabetes and history of substance/drug abuse. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software using Pearsonchr('39')s correlation coefficient and the chi-square test.

The mean age of diabetic patients was 59.9 ± 8.14 years (range: 12-92 years). The frequency of smoking was 6.7% among the patients. The frequency of substance abuse in diabetic patients was 9.3% (n=70). Among the substance abusers, 76.3% were male and 42.5% were aged 50-59 years. Opium was the most commonly abused substance among diabetics (90%). According to the subjects, diabetes and its complications were the most important reason for substance abuse (74.3%). There was a statistically significant relationship between substance abuse in diabetic patients and some factors including gender, age, marital status, income level, treatment method and presence of diabetic complications (P<0.001).

Opium is the most commonly abused substance abuse among type 2 diabetic patients living in rural areas of Bandar-e-Gaz. In addition, substance abuse is more common among middle-aged men, farmers, married individuals as well as those with primary education and diabetes for 2-5 years.

BK virus (BKV) reactivation is a major challenge for renal transplant recipients. The purpose of this study was to summarize current knowledge on the status of BKV in Iranian renal transplant recipients.

Specific terms, including “BKV” and “Renal Transplantation” were used to search the online databases. I2 and Cochran’s Q-value were tested for heterogeneity. The incidence rate was determined at 95% confidence interval. Publication bias was also investigated using funnel plot, the Egger’s and Begg’s statics.

Twelve studies were included in the study. The random model's overall evidence rate was 0.347 (CI 95%, 0.225-0.493, p-value=0.04).

In Iran, the estimated prevalence of BKV among renal transplant recipients is 34.7% (~10-60%), which is higher than the rate reported from other parts of the world. Therefore, it is recommended to screen organ donors for BKV in Iran.