مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 618 (هفته دوم خرداد 1400)

Depression has been associated with cardiovascular disease in previous research. They also have stated that probiotics have a protective effect against cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of probiotics in this association.

In this study, fifty patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) who were candidates for fluoxetine were randomly selected and divided into two groups. One group received fluoxetine (20 mg) with a probiotic supplement which contained Lactobacillus holoticus and Bifidobacterium langum (2 × 109 CFU/g for each) and another group received fluoxetine with a placebo during 8-week period. 10 ml of fasting blood was taken from patients for biochemical measurements.

After 8 weeks of intervention, patients in the probiotic group had significant decrease in serum highsensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels compared with the placebo group (2.599± 0.990 vs. 2.704 ± 1.361 ng/ml, P = 0.017). At the end of the study, although, there was significant increase in catalase (30.06 ± 3.443 vs. 26.24 ± 6.908 U, P = 0.037) and decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) (15.13 ± 3.574vs. 17.40 ± 3.170 mg/dl, P = 0.029) levels in the probiotic group, but after 8 weeks, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Other variables did not change significantly.

Although probiotics can improve cardiovascular status by reducing general inflammation in the body, they are not specifically associated with lower risk of cardiovascular diseases

The emergence of resistant fungal species, as well as relatively high side effects of antifungal drugs, have prompted researchers to develop new methods forcing action against fungi. The aim of present study was to evaluate the antifungal effects of hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica on Candida species isolated from clinical specimens in comparison with amphotericin B.

In the current study, antifungal effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica, which were prepared by soaking and soxhlet methods, against 11 Candida isolates (Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis), were measured using broth microdilution method. Candida isolates were exposed to different concentrations of the extracts, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each extract was determined.

Both hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica showed antifungal effects against candida isolates. The MIC90 values of soaked and sox let hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa for Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were 25 and 12.5 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, MIC90 values of soaked and sox let hydroalcoholic extracts of Urtica dioica for the candida species in both methods were 12.5 mg/ml. In addition, MIC90 values of amphotericin B against Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis were obtained 1.0 and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively.

Although amphotericin B as an effective drug has a better antifungal effect against candida species, hydroalcoholic extracts of Nigella sativa and Urtica dioica also have acceptable antifungal effects on Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis. Among them, Urtica dioica extract has a better effect than Nigella sativa extract.

The aim of this study was to describe different computed tomography (CT) scan findings in patient with COVID-19 pneumonia.

This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted between February to July 2020 in two tertiary hospitals in Isfahan City, Iran. Adult patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 disease, who had abnormal chest CT scan, enrolled in this study. Two expert radiologists evaluated CT features and distribution of the lesions, and also scored the extent of lung involvement. Finally, various imaging features were reported in frequency distribution tables.

A total of 300 patients, 178 men and 122 women with mean age of 57.5± 15.44 years (range: 20-91 years), with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated. The most common pattern of parenchymal involvement was the mixed ground-glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation (52.6%), with subpleural (49.4%) distribution without cranio-cuadal predominance (52%). Other findings were vessel-related nodule (20%), ground-glass halo (19.3%), bronchial wall thickening (5.3%), vascular enlargement (4.7%), centrilobular nodule (3.7%), bronchiectasis (1.7%), air bronchogram (5%), air bubble sign (2%), cavity (0.3%), pleural effusion (6%), pericardial effusion (0.3%), and lymphadenopathy (0.3%), respectively.

CT examination of patients with COVID-19 pneumonia showed diverse pattern of involvement; so, in addition to focusing on typical and common findings, familiarity with uncommon and rare findings is essential for rapid and accurate decision making.