Shiraz Emedical Journal
Volume:22 Issue: 7, Jul 2021

Context:

 Subcellular organelles communicate with each other via their metabolites and maintain different cellular functions. They contain nucleus, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, peroxisomes, and lysosomes.

 This study aimed to identify interorganelle communication (crosstalk) in physiopathological states of cells in health and disease.

Data Sources:

 The databases including PubMed Central, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to extract data. For statistical analyses, percentage, relative risk, and odds ratio were used. Moreover, the risk of bias was assessed by Cochrane collaboration’s tool.

 Out of 20 studies included in this research, 12 (60%) studies included mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum communication, 4 (20%) studies mitochondria-lysosome communication, 2 (10%) studies mitochondria-peroxisome, and 2 (10%) studies mitochondria-nucleus. Interorganelle crosstalk between mitochondria and peroxisome or lysosome had risk and odds of 1.5 (effect) on aging and age-related disorders. There were no effects of mitochondrial communication with other organelles on certain pathologies. The relative risk of mitochondria to nucleus crosstalk on apoptosis was assessed 1.13, and relative risk of mitochondria to lysosome crosstalk was assessed 2. In addition, the odds ratio of mitochondria to lysosome crosstalk on apoptosis was assessed 5, indicating a large effect on this crosstalk.

 Recent expansion of pharmacological, molecular, and genetic tools indicated these organelles have active intracellular and extracellular communications, which is important for cells and organ homeostasis. Disruption of such communication has been associated with aging and age-related disorders in this research.

Context:

 Recently, a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) as the cause of COVID-19 has made a global health crisis and a great challenge. Pregnant women and fetuses are among the high-risk groups for COVID-19. In this review, we summarize studies regarding SARS-CoV-2 virus-placenta interactions at the maternal-fetal interface by demonstrating the pathogenicity of the virus and defense methods of the placenta.

Evidence Acquisition:

 In the present study, a search was done in domestic and international databases including Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus using specific keywords (“Coronavirus” OR “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2”) AND (“Fetus” OR “Placenta”) AND (“Pregnancy”), limited until August 2020. Finally, we reviewed 250 articles.

 Generally, the pathogenicity and the life cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and virus entry and replication methods allow the virus to pass through the placenta, although there are hormonal and immune barriers in the placenta against SARS-CoV-2, such as placental type interferons.

 The SARS-CoV-2 can pass through the placenta, but there are defense methods against it.

 Studies conducted in recent years have proposed a protective effect of vitamin D3 (VitD3) against various types of cancers. Thus, in this research, we investigated the serum levels of VitD3and its relation with prognostic clinical factors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

 In this cross-sectional study, 86 CLL patients were investigated for a one-year period and evaluated for the relationship between Vit D3serum levels, Rai stages, age, gender, and pathological factors. A control group was added to the study in order to compare the VitD3 levels of CLL patients with that of the normal population.

 The mean serum VitD3level in CLL patients was 29.76 ± 18.75 ng/ml, and most of the patients were in stage I and II. There was no significant association between age, sex, and Rai stages of CLL with VitD3 level. Except for splenomegaly (P < 0.001), the leukemia-related phenotypes, complications, and prognostic factors had no meaningful association with VitD3 (P > 0.05) level. VitD3 serum level was meaningfully different between case and control groups (P < 0.001).

 In the current research, there was no significant relationship between VitD3serum levels and investigated variables, except splenomegaly; these findings are in concordance with other studies.

 General practitioners (GP) are the keystones in the process of referring patients in Iran. To refer patients to rehabilitation experts effectively and accurately, GPs need to be equipped with knowledge and understanding of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR) and its roles and have a positive attitude toward collaborating with rehabilitation teams.

 The current study aimed at evaluating the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of GPs in Shiraz, Iran, toward the rehabilitation field and teamwork.

 The current cross sectional study assessed the KAP of GPs working in public and private health sectors in Shiraz, Iran, in 2018 via a researcher-made questionnaire. Participants were recruited using the stratified random sampling method.

 A total of 200 GPs completed the study. The mean score of knowledge was 13.54 ± 2.68 (ranging from 0 to 24), and the mean score of attitude 10.84 ± 2.47 (ranging from 0 to 20). Regarding practice, none of the participants (0%) had a monthly average of more than five referrals to a physiatrist. Thirty-eight (19%) respondents were interested in choosing PMR as a specialty.

 According to the current study findings, GPs in Shiraz, Iran, are not equipped with adequate knowledge of rehabilitation and have a moderate attitude toward collaborating with a rehabilitation team. GPs rarely use PMR consultations for their patients’ complications. Policymakers should advocate for a higher level of collaboration between GPs and rehabilitation teams and find ways to better familiarize healthcare providers with PMR.

 Malaria is one of the most serious parasitic diseases and the major health issue in tropical and subtropical countries.

 This study aimed to investigate the type of infection of female Anopheles mosquitoes to sporozoites of Plasmodium species (Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum), using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in southeastern Iran.

 To determine the infections and Plasmodium species using the nested PCR in Sistan and Baluchestan Province (southeastern Iran), 360 female Anopheles mosquitoes were collected from the control villages of Chabahar and Konarak counties and examined by entomology check stations affiliated with Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in the second half of 2018. The mosquitos were caught manually from indoor places (humans and animals) as well as natural and artificial sites, i.e., pit-shelters. After DNA extraction, the molecular analysis was performed by nested PCR.

 Of 200 species collected from Daregas, Owraki, and Bahu Kalat in Chabahar, four Anopheles stephensi (2%) were infected with P. vivax, and of 160 samples collected from the rural districts of Konarak, including Zarabad, Heyan, Islamabad, and Joholu, two An. stephensi (1.25%) were infected with P. falciparum. In this study, no mixed infection of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum were observed.

 The present study showed that the only species infected with Plasmodium in the aforementioned regions was An. stephensi, which was the most frequent species of Anopheles among other species as well. The nested PCR could be the most suitable method for detecting Plasmodium parasites in malaria vectors, among other diagnostic methods.

 Bipolar disorder is a chronic and debilitating psychiatric condition. Mobile-based psychoeducation is a very important tool for the treatment of this disorder.

 The study aimed to provide scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of these tools for patients with bipolar disorder.

 In a randomized control trial (RCT) with a sample size of 41, the participants were randomly assigned to one of the intervention or the control arms based on the random number table. The study was performed in a psychiatric teaching hospital in Mashhad, Iran. The primary targets of the study was to measure the depression, manic, and anxiety symptoms that were measured at baseline and 3 months follow‐up for the intervention and the control group. A mobile application was developed and provided to the intervention group after discharge from the case hospital. The control group did not receive the application and received routine health care services during the study. A baseline comparison was performed between the groups, comparisons of the primary outcomes between the groups and within each group were carried out.

 The results showed that the score of anxiety, depression, and mania at baseline and after the follow-up did not have a significant decrease within the groups. In addition, a slight reduction in the depression and anxiety scores within the groups was found. The mean of anxiety (P-value: 0.035), depression (P-value: 0.024), and mania (P-value: 0.007) after 3 month follow-up had a significant decrease between the groups. A baseline comparison was performed between the groups, and comparisons of the primary outcomes between the groups and within each group were carried out.

 Given the low effectiveness of using mobile-based psychoeducation on anxiety, depression, and mania in bipolar patients. It is recommended to use mobile applications as a complementary treatment along with other types of treatment for bipolar patients in future studies to obtain more evidence about the effectiveness of mobile-based psychoeducation.

 Cardiac troponin I (CTnI) is recognized as a proper marker for early detection of cardiac damage. Generalized tonic-clonic (GTC) seizures may lead to cardiac ischemia or myocardial injury associated with elevated CTnI. The present study aimed at evaluating the level of CTnI in children with status GTC seizures.

 50 patients with GTC seizures and a normal cardiac function referred to Amirkabir Hospital, Arak, Iran were evaluated. The medical history of all patients was taken, and clinical examinations were performed. For all patients were performed Serum CTnI measurements, electroencephalography (EEG), electrocardiography (ECG), and echocardiography.

 The patients’ mean age was 7.80 ± 4.01 years and 26 (52%) children were female (female: male ratio, 1.08). the mean duration of seizure was 31.54 ± 1.56 minutes. Abnormal EEG patterns were documented in 83 (86%) patients, while abnormal CT scan was not found in any of the patients. The mean level of CTnI was at the high end of the range in patients (57.02 ± 10.80 ng/mL). There was a positive correlation between serum CTnI and age (P = 0.001, R = 0.492). Also, the serum level of CTnI was significantly correlated with the onset of GTC seizure (R = 0.004, P = 0.001).

 The serum CTnI level exceeded the normal level in children with seizures. Therefore, cardiac monitoring of patients with status GTC seizures may be helpful in the ictal and postictal phases for evaluating cardiac injury, especially in children with risk factors for coronary diseases, such as Kawasaki disease, cardiomyopathy, or coronary anomalies.
 

 The health system reform plan (HSRP) was launched in Iran on 15 May 2014, with three approaches to protect people from the financial system, create equity in access to health services, and improve the quality of services.

 The present study aimed at investigating the changes in the rate of some rare neonatal outcomes after the implementation of HSRP in Iran.

 The present cross-sectional study was conducted in Izadi Hospital in Qom Province, in which 52,817 vaginal delivery and cesarean sections were evaluated for the incidence of complications from 15 June 2011 to 15 April 2017. The complications included hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, low Apgar score, cephalohematoma, clavicle fracture, the Erb palsy, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Complications were compared per 10,000 births before and after the implementation of the plan. Data were analyzed with SPSS software using t- and chi-squared tests.

 There was a significant increase after the implementation of HSRP compared to before that in the rate of complications per 10,000 vaginal deliveries for stage 2 hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (P = 0.001), birth with a low Apgar score (P < 0.001), cephalohematoma (P < 0.001), and clavicle fracture (P = 0.002). In the case of cesarean section, there was a significant increase in the 2 (P = 0.001) and 3 (P = 0.034) stages of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and birth with a low Apgar score (P < 0.001).

 It can be concluded that HSRP could somewhat achieve its goals on the promotion of vaginal delivery. However, the implementation of the plan was associated with an increase in some minor neonatal complications.

 In the initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program, prioritizing population groups is inevitable due to limited supply. Currently, most of the allocation strategies are focused on individuals’ characteristics.

 The present study aimed to assess the opinions of Iranian population in specifying high-priority individuals and groups for COVID-19 vaccination.

 An online survey was conducted using some popular social media in Iran. The data was collected from Iranian population (878 individuals) aged 18 years and older during the COVID-19 pandemic (2 - 20 May 2020) to investigate their opinions towards vaccine allocation strategies at the family and society levels. In vaccine prioritizing within family three option and in vaccine prioritizing within society, seven population groups were introduced by the respondents in a random order, respectively. To analyze the data, mean rank and univariate analysis was used.

 Healthcare workers, high-risk patients, and the elderly were the first priority groups for a vaccination with a mean rank of 2.8, 2.8, and 3.8, respectively. The least priority group was policymakers and executive managers (mean rank = 5.75). At the family level, 64% of the respondents introduced one of the family members as the first priority for vaccination, followed by their children (29%) and themselves (7%). No significant relationship was observed between respondents’ characteristics and their prioritization in vaccine prioritizing within society.

 Although involving public preference in decision-making is a key factor for the success of policies, careful design and implementation of vaccination programs through considering risk-benefit assessment is strongly recommended.