Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:30 Issue: 141, Jul-Aug 2022

 In recent years,there has been a growing trend  towards the use of herbal medicine in the treatment and prevention of diseases. Blood lipid-lowering drugs have many side effects. On the other hand, various studies have reported the effect of dill (Anethum graveolens) on the reduction of blood lipids in different ways. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dill on reducing the blood lipid levels.

 In this systematic review, 12 papers that evaluated the effect of dill on blood lipid levels up to the end of 2018 were studied using valid key words such as Lipid Profile, Dill (Anethum graveolens), and Hyperlipidemia in Pubmed, Medlib, Scopus, Sciencedirect, Embase, Google Scholar, Magiran, IranMedex, and SID. The results of the studies were combined using the random effects method of meta-analysis. The heterogeneity of studies was investigated using Q statistics and I2 Index.

 In 12 studies, the weighted mean differences (WMDs) of cholesterol reduction (TC) before and after intervention were estimated to be WMD = -19.22 mg / dl (95% CI: -30.68, -7.77), triglyceride, WMD = -25.47 mg / dl (95% CI: -49.28, -1.66) and low density lipoprotein (LDL), WMD = -14.01 mg / dl (95% CI: -22.14, -5.89) which were statistically significant (p = 0.001). Meta-analysis after intervention in the case and placebo groups were (SMD=-2.71, 95% CI:-3.28,-1.06), for TC (SMD=-1.77, 95%CI:-2.71,-0.82) for TG and (SMD=-2.64, 95%CI:-3.88,-1.41)for LDL which indicated statistically significant reduction.

 Dill reduces cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein, but does not have a significant effect on high-density lipoprotein levels.

 In- vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the approved treatment options for infertility. Despite many progresses in this field, its success rate is about 20 -25%. Utilization of drugs which suppress or decrease uterine smooth muscle contraction before embryo transfer, theoretically can improve fertility by increasing implantation rate. This study was designed to evaluate nifedipine administration on embryo transfer success.

 In this double blinded randomized clinical trial, ninety-eight infertile women from primary and secondary causes were included in two groups; one group received placebo and the other group a  single dose of 20 mg nifedipine, both thirty minutes before embryo transfer. Primary outcome was defined as clinical pregnancy, and secondary outcomes as live birth, ectopic pregnancy, multiple gestation and abortion.

 Clinical pregnancy occurred in eighteen patients in the placebo group and in seventeen patients in nifedipine group (OR = 0.91, 0.40-2.09 (95% CI)). Sixteen patients in placebo group and fourteen patients in nifedipine group had successful live births (OR = 0.82, 0.34-1.95 (95% CI)). Multiple gestation (OR = 1.71, 0.24- 11.78 (95% CI)) and abortion (OR = 0.46, 0.07-2.95 (95% CI)) were not different between the two groups. No side effect of drug occurred in any group.

 A single dose of 20 mg nifedipine tablet administered thirty minutes before IVF had no effect on improving clinical pregnancy and live birth rate. Using higher doses, or different regimens in specific patients’ subgroups may have more effect on embryo transfer success.

 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants are utilized for treatment of post stroke depression, reduced quality of life and poor compliance.  This study compared the effects of sertraline and nortriptyline on the quality of life and depression in post-stroke patients.

 This randomized double-blind trial was conducted on 56 stroke patients admitted to Valiasr Hospital in Zanjan, Iran, 2016. Patients were randomly allocated in two groups by simple randomization and received sertraline in one group, nortriptyline in the other and nobody received placebo. Patients were screened for depression using BDI (II) questionnaire and those without depression were entered into study. During follow-up, patients completed a quality of life questionnaire named Nottingham Health Profile (NHP). Data were analysed using repeated measure and Bonferroni tests in SPSS 22. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

 The mean age of patients in sertraline and nortriptyline groups were 61.7 and 63.6, respectively (P=0.194). No significant differences were observed for sex, marital status and education between two groups. The mean score of total quality of life and its dimensions decreased significantly during 6 months for both groups (P=0.001). The effect of sertraline in these reductions was not different from nortriptyline (P=0.60). The proportions of moderate or severe depression were 17.9% and 37.0% in sertraline and nortriptyline groups, respectively (P=0.24).

 Both sertraline and nortriptyline improved all aspects of quality of life and their effect on prevention of depression was similar. Therefore, the administration of sertraline or nortriptyline could be beneficial in post-stroke patients.

 Obesity is one of the problems associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients' heart function improves after sleeve gastrectomy. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is one of the methods used to monitor heart function before and after sleeve gastrectomy.  In this study, we evaluated the echocardiographic parameters pre and post sleeve gastrectomy.

 Obesity is one of the problems associated with cardiovascular complications. Patients' heart function improves after sleeve gastrectomy. Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS) is one of the methods used to monitor heart function before and after sleeve gastrectomy.  In this study, we evaluated the echocardiographic parameters pre and post sleeve gastrectomy.

 Data analysis showed that GLS increased after surgery compared to preoperative period (15.4 ± 3.8 vs. 18.4 ± 3.04). Also, PAP, LVEDV, LVESV, LVDD, LVDS and AO were higher in the mentioned period; these findings were statistically significant (p-value <0.05). However, the RVSM mean, TAPSE, RVFAC and LVH parameters were higher post-surgery in comparison to the pre- surgery; a significant relationship was observed between the parameters before and after surgery.

 It can be concluded that GLS method, which evaluates echocardiographic parameters in obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy can be highly significant in monitoring patients.

 The lack of breast cancer screening in young women leads to late disease diagnosis and worse outcomes in this age group. This study was designed to evaluate clinicopathological features and long-term outcomes of young breast cancer women in south of Iran.

 This is a retrospective study of breast cancer patients who were pathologically diagnosed during 2005 to 2017. Data from 284 breast cancer patients aged 40 years or younger were included in this study. Demographic, clinicopathological properties as well as treatment modalities including type of surgery, adjuvant radiotherapy, and adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy were recorded and analyzed.

 Median age of the patients was 36 (range 23-40) years. After a median follow-up of 68 months, 21 patients had died due to the disease, 59 patients were alive with the disease, and 204 patients were alive without the disease. The univariate COX regression demonstrated that the disease -free survival (DFS) was significantly low in patients who had undergone breast conservation surgery (BCS) and also patients with higher stages, estrogen/progesterone-negative and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive (ER-/PR-/HER2+) status. Low overall survival (OS) was also significantly associated with stage. According to multivariate COX regression, BCS, stages II, III and also young age were independent predictive factors for low DFS.

 Given the aggressive features and worse outcome of young breast cancer patients, treatment remains tough and screening seems to be required at young age. Further studies are required to find best management and therapeutic protocols for these patients.

 Bronchiolitis is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in children. High-flow nasal cannulas (HFNCs) are an alternative for managing moderate to severe cases. Our aim was to describe the outcomes in critically ill children with bronchiolitis who receive HFNC support.

 This was a retrospective cohort study of critically ill children who had bronchiolitis and received HFNC support while hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) between January 2013 and January 2020. The primary outcome was deterioration in the Wood-Downes scale. Secondary outcomes included length of hospitalization, duration of oxygen therapy, SpO2/FiO2, and the ROX index (respiratory rate – oxygenation).

 During this period, 2,390 children were admitted, 87 of whom had bronchiolitis and met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 4.4 months (IQR: 2.4 – 8.6). In 87.3% of cases there was no worsening in the scale with the use of HFNCs. In the group that worsened, 79.3% had moderate and 20.7% severe bronchiolitis on admission, and they had a higher rate of congenital heart disease (p=0.03), chronic respiratory diseases (p=0.03) and neurological (p=0.05) diseases. At 12 hours, this group had a lower SpO2/FiO2 (< 180) and ROX index (< 4.0). None of the patients required mechanical ventilation.

 The use of HFNCs in children with moderate to severe bronchiolitis was associated with a modified clinical course, avoiding mechanical ventilation even in risk groups. SpO2/FiO2 and ROX index 12-hour cut-off points suggestive of patients with a delayed response to HFNC support were identified.

 Despite the critical importance of catheter as an indwelling medical device, its prolonged utilization in hospitalized patients may lead to infection. This study aimed to identify distribution of uropathogenic bacteria isolated from catheterized uro-oncology patients, their biofilm production, and antimicrobial resistance patterns to generally -used antibiotics.

 The urine samples of catheterized urology cancer patients were collected for urinalysis and urine culture. Then capability of biofilm production was detected by Congo red agar method, tube method, and microtiter plate assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was also performed using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method on Muller–Hinton agar. Subsequently, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were used to detect the biofilm encoding genes.

 Of the 100 urinary catheter samples, 76 isolates were recovered from urinary catheters of 52 patients. Escherichia coli was established to be the most frequent pathogen isolated from the urine of patients followed by Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. All of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were found to be biofilm producers. All studied isolates were found resistant to ampicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalexin. All biofilm- producer MRSA and Pseudomonas isolates were found to harbor the virulence genes studied. Both imipenem and fosfomycin were the most effective antibiotics against isolated bacteria.

 In our study virulent pathogens with highly- resistant profile and potential to form biofilm were isolated from uro-oncology patients. Therefore, the current study highlights the significance of antibiotic resistance which can lead to treatment failure.

 The gastric residual volume has a direct effect on the volume and timing of the subsequent feeding and causes gastric emptying and pulmonary aspiration. The present study compares the effect of Cydonia oblonga and Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) fruit on gastric residual volume and pulmonary aspiration in mechanically- ventilated patients.

 This is a single-blind randomized clinical trial, including 48 patients (divided into three groups) under mechanical ventilation admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan. Amla product and cydonia juice were gavaged in intervention groups A and, B, respectively. In all groups, the same gavage solution was prepared every three hours. Eventually, pulmonary secretion aspiration was measured (on the first, third and fifth days).

 The difference of the mean gastric residual volume was not statistically significant in the intervention groups (on thefirst three days). The mean residual volume of the fourth and fifth days was statistically different and the rate of pulmonary aspiration in the intervention groups (on the fifth day) was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.001). The mean gastric residual volume of the two groups had no significant difference (P<0.471).

 The present study shows the effectiveness of cydonia juice and Amla on the gastric residual volume in patients admitted to ICU. The incidence of pulmonary aspiration in intervention groups has a decreasing trend (on the fifth day). Therefore, cydonia juice and Amla can be appropriate alternatives to chemical drugs.

 Given the growing rate of psychiatric disorders, especially in young populations, detailed data on frequency of these disorders for further national public health strategiesis of great importance.We aimed to survey the frequency of different psychiatric disorders among children and adolescents in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

 1001 cases were selected using the random cluster sampling method and all cases were interviewed by expert psychologists using a Persian version of semi- structured K-SADS-PL questionnaire. Data were then statistically analyzed by SPSS software.

 20.5% (205 out of 1001) of studied cases showed at least one psychiatric disorder and 79.5 % showed no sign of any disorders. Anxiety disorders were the most frequent disorders  (15.5%) followed by the behavioral disorders (7%), smoking and drug abuse (6%), behavioral disorders (2.4%) and neurodevelopmental disorders (2%), but no case was observed with psychosis.

 in comparison with other studies from Iran or other countries the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer-Ahmad is relatively high and special policies and efforts are suggested for enhancement of mental health values in this region.

Hydatid cysts can be caused by Echinococcus species in various tissues. Skeletal cystic lesions are very rare and may be neglected. Here, we report a case of pathologic fracture following primary hydatid cystic lesions in the proximal and femoral shaft bone. A 62-year-old man suffered a sudden fracture followed by swelling of the thigh. Intramedullary femoral fixation was made and during the surgery, numerous cystic lesions of the hydatid cysts were observed. After  the surgery ultrasound and CT-Scans of the abdomen, lung, spine, and brain did not confirm any sign of mass or cyst elsewhere. The patient was followed up for one year. During this period, the union was not yet completely established and the patient was stillreceiving treatment. Orthopedic surgeons need to be aware of this parasitic complication in bones and joints and provide the best outcome for the patients with proper treatment. Surgery along with albendazole and/or mebendazole  therapy remains the treatment of choice. For this purpose, it is recommended that attention be paid to long-term follow-up in continuous professional development courses.

This case study includes three pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosed during pregnancy or delivery between March 28 and May 13, 2020. All cases were confirmed by a positive pharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and one case by computed tomography scan (CT Scan) in addition to the (RT-PCR). Clinical and laboratory information was extracted from hospital records during pregnancy and delivery. The adverse effects during pregnancy and after the birth of the newborn, the possibility of vertical transmission from positive pregnant mothers to the neonates were investigated. Of the three women with COVID-19 infection, one patient was diagnosed two weeks before delivery and two were diagnosed during delivery and hospitalization. No adverse effects including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, rupture of the amniotic sac during pregnancy and premature delivery were observed but one of the patients suffered from intrauterine fetal death (IUFD). in this study,  adverse pregnancy outcome was not observed in  pregnant women with Covid-19  infection  based on hospital observations. No vertical transmission was observed following vaginal delivery or cesarean section and during pregnancy. As the effect of the virus on different people in society varies according to their individual characteristics, our conclusion in this study on pregnant women is also affected by these individual differences, which requires further studies in this field with more samples.