مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 607 (هفته سوم اسفند 1399)

Oral mucositis, inflammation, and painful wound of oral mucosal membranes is commonly known as a serious side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to prepare and evaluate physicochemical hydrogel containing glycyrrhizin, hyaluronic acid, and polyvinylpyrrolidone for treatment and prevention of oral mucositis.

The hydrogel containing glycyrrhizin 0.2% w/v was prepared by adding 1, 3, and 1 percent hydroxyethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and hyaluronic acid in deionized water. Different percentages of preservatives were also added to the formulation. Physicochemical characteristics such as viscosity, pH, stability, and antimicrobial effectiveness were evaluated in details. Finally, the efficacy of the formulation was evaluated in Wistar rats with chemotherapy-induced mucositis.

Macroscopically, the formulation was found to be without particles, it was touchable and transparent, and also had good consistency and uniformity in terms of physical appearance. The viscosity and pH was obtained 6.5 ± 0.2 and 1500 cp, respectively. Glycyrrhizin was completely released during 3 hours. The viscosity, pH, and physical appearance did not significantly change during stability studies. Oral mucositis was induced in rats after seven days intraperitoneal injection of fluorouracil. In the group received the formulation, the severity of mucositis significantly reduced more compared to control group.

The current formulation successfully reduced the severity of oral mucositis in rats, and its efficacy was comparable with commercial formulation (Gelclair® ). Therefore, the developed formulation has the potential to be used in the treatment of oral mucositis and other oral or subcutaneous wounds.

Psychological effects of infertility can play a significant role in the sexual life of infertile couples, and lead to sexual dysfunction of the couple. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an educational package to improve the skills of infertile couples in managing sexual relations.

This randomized clinical trial study was performed on 36 infertile couples (72 person) referred to Mahdieh Hospital Infertility Center, Tehran, Iran, in two intervention and control groups. The educational package was provided to the intervention group in 8 sessions. Data were collected using Female Sexual Function Questionnaire, Iranian Couples Sexual Adjustment Questionnaire, Larson Sexual Satisfaction and International Index of Erectile Function. The data were analyzed using chi-square, independent t, paired t, and ANOVA tests.

Before the intervention, the mean scores of sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and sexual adjustment in the two groups were not statistically significant (P < 0.050); but after the intervention, the mean scores of female sexual function, sexual satisfaction, and sexual adjustment of infertile women and their husbands in the intervention group showed a significant increase (P < 0.001) which was not in the control group.

The educational package of improving couples' skills in managing sexual relations led to increased sexual function of infertile couples. We recommend health planners to use it.

Hypertension, insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridemia, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and visceral obesity are the main indexes of metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions that occur together and increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. Nowadays, metabolic syndrome has become a global epidemic and approximately 20-25 percent of the world's adult population possess the potential risk factors for developing this disorder. Several studies have shown that patients with various metabolic disorders such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases are more susceptible to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Furthermore, patients with underlying conditions associated with metabolic syndrome are at higher risk for complications and mortality of COVID-19. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying the crosstalk between COVID-19 and metabolic syndrome are necessary for better management of the affected patients. The aim of the current review was to review any correlation between metabolic syndrome and the COVID-19 infection in terms of the severity in clinical complications and mortality