Journal of Studies in Medical Sciences
Volume:35 Issue: 11, 2025

Recently, the use of urinary catheters with antimicrobial coatings to prevent bacterial binding and transfer has led to a significant reduction in the prevalence of catheter-induced urinary tract infections. The present study was conducted to compare the incidence of urinary catheter-induced urinary tract infections between two types of catheters: standard and Bactiguard.

This randomized clinical trial was performed on 100 consecutive patients with ASA class I-II who were admitted to the ICUs at Shariati Hospital in Tehran between January 2015 and January 2017 for various post-surgical reasons. Patients with normal urine analysis were enrolled and randomly divided into two groups: the first group received a standard Foley catheter, and the second group received a Bactiguard catheter. After surgery and transfer to the ICU, urine samples were collected from all patients under sterile conditions and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The overall prevalence of urinary tract infection, confirmed by positive urine culture, was 6% in the Bactiguard catheter group and 20% in the standard catheter group, indicating a significantly lower infection rate in the former group (P = 0.037). The difference in catheter-related infection rates between the two groups was observed in women but not in men, non-obese but not in obese patients, non-smokers but not in smokers, and non-opium users but not in opium users.

Catheter-associated infections were significantly reduced with Bactiguard catheters compared to conventional catheters. This risk reduction was particularly prominent in female patients, non-obese patients, non-smokers, and non-opium users. The observed effect is likely due to the antimicrobial properties of the silver, gold, and palladium coatings in Bactiguard catheters.

Ovarian cysts are one of the most common abdominal masses in female fetuses and infants. Among the ovarian cysts in infants, serous cystadenoma is extremely rare, with only a few reported cases in the literature. Here, we report a case of a neonatal ovarian serous cystadenoma treated with surgical cystectomy and confirmed by histopathological examination. The antenatal ultrasonography (USG) in the third trimester had shown an abdominal cyst on the right side of the abdomen. After birth, the entire cyst was removed during laparotomy. On gross examination, an unilocular cyst measuring 4×3.5×3.5 cm with a wall thickness of 0.3 cm was noted. Microscopic examination revealed epithelial cells with a papillary pattern, regular cell layers, and ischemic changes due to hemorrhagic infarction. This study emphasizes the significance of prenatal evaluation, timely diagnosis, and considering the potential risk of complications.

Scientific evidence has shown that there is a correlation between thyroid diseases and cancers and some hematological parameters. This study aimed to determine the relationship between hematological markers and thyroid cancer in patients with thyroid nodules visiting Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia.

There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender and age
(p > 0.05). The average hemoglobin level in patients with thyroid cancer was significantly lower than in the control group (12.85 ± 1.58 vs. 13.51 ± 1.79, p = 0.003), while other parameters did not show a significant difference (p > 0.05). A hemoglobin drop below 12.85 in patients with thyroid cancer was identified as an effective threshold, with the risk of low hemoglobin being 1.28 times higher in patients with thyroid cancer compared to the control group. Other parameters were not identified as significant.

A low initial hemoglobin level can be proposed as a preliminary diagnostic parameter for patients with thyroid cancer. The odds ratio of thyroid cancer incidence in patients with Hb less than 12.85 g/dL is 1.28 times higher than in others (p: 0.004).

Studies have shown that gasoline vapors can affect psychological behaviors. This study aimed to investigate the effects of gasoline vapor inhalation on anxiety in male rats.

In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group and three exposure groups receiving daily gasoline vapor for 1, 2, or 3 hours over five weeks. Anxiety levels were assessed using the elevated plus maze during the first, third, and fifth weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way repeated-measures ANOVA for within-group comparisons and one-way between-subjects ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test for between-group comparisons.

The findings indicated a significant increase in anxiety levels in the groups exposed to gasoline vapor for 1, 2, and 3 hours over the study period (p < 0.05). Furthermore, in the third and fifth weeks, anxiety levels in all exposure groups were significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the exposure groups and the control group in the first week.

Gasoline vapor inhalation can act as an effective anxiety-inducing factor in rats. This effect is likely due to volatile solvents in gasoline vapors, which may cause oxidative stress, leading to brain dysfunction and anxiety. However, further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of gasoline vapor on anxiety levels.

Hearing impairment in neonates is one of the most significant public health challenges that can lead to substantial consequences, including delayed language and cognitive development and a reduced quality of life. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing impairments in neonates in Iran using a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, SID, and Magiran databases were systematically searched until January 2025. A hand search was also conducted in relevant review articles and key study sources. The language of the studies was limited to Persian and English. Risk of bias in the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale checklist. Data analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 3 software.

A total of 26 studies, including 341,944 neonates, were selected and included in the study. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of hearing impairment and hearing loss in neonates was 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004–0.01, p < 0.05) and 2% (95% CI: 0.007–0.08, p < 0.05), respectively. The prevalence of hearing impairment in male and female neonates was 5% (95% CI: 0.02–0.12, p < 0.05) and 3% (95% CI: 0.01–0.08, p < 0.05), respectively. Publication bias was observed in the study (p < 0.05).

The findings of the present study demonstrate that hearing impairment in neonates is a serious health problem in Iran that requires immediate attention and intervention. Preventive and diagnostic measures should be prioritized to help improve the hearing status of neonates and prevent its negative consequences on their development.

Rhinitis is a common condition in children and adults, divided into two categories: allergic and non-allergic. Sinusitis is one of the common diseases in childhood and adulthood. Sinusitis is divided into three categories: acute, subacute, and chronic. Considering the specific environmental and climatic conditions of Urmia, this study was conducted to investigate allergic rhinitis in children aged 6 to 18 years with chronic rhinosinusitis.

In this descriptive-analytical study, all patients aged 6 to 18 years with chronic rhinosinusitis who had been referred to the allergy clinics of Urmia University of Medical Sciences between 2022 and 2023 were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were collected using a checklist. Finally, the collected information was analyzed using SPSS version 20 after being entered into the software.

In this study, 205 children with chronic rhinosinusitis were included in the study (note: this repetition was retained as it mirrors the original, though it could be streamlined). Of these, 90 (43.9%) had allergic rhinitis. Of the 115 children with chronic rhinosinusitis without allergic rhinitis, 87 lived in the city and 28 lived in the countryside (P = 0.04). Additionally, the frequency distribution of having or not having allergic rhinitis was not the same across seasons (P = 0.02). Furthermore, the frequency distribution of having or not having allergic rhinitis was significant when compared to having or not having a family history (P = 0.0001). Moreover, having or not having allergic rhinitis was statistically related to having or not having contact with cigarette smoke (P = 0.005).

The highest percentage of individuals suffering from allergic rhinitis simultaneously with chronic rhinosinusitis were residents of the city, those who were referred in the cold seasons of the year, and those who were also patients in contact with cigarette smoke and who had a family history of allergic rhinitis.

Back pain has become a widespread issue that significantly affects many aspects of the lives of those afflicted. Hydrotherapy has quickly gained attention in the medical and sports communities and has been recognized as a valuable treatment method. Therefore, the aim of the current research was the effect of hydrotherapy on pain intensity and balance in people with non-specific chronic back pain.

This study was conducted as a systematic review. Persian and English articles were searched for between 2014 and 2024 in Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, SID, ISC, and Magiran databases. Finally, 21 relevant articles were selected based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The effect of hydrotherapy on pain intensity and balance in people with chronic non-specific low back pain was investigated.

The results of 2 studies showed that hydrotherapy and the Williams flexion model significantly reduced pain and increased dynamic balance. Also, 3 studies stated that hydrotherapy exercises have positive effects on reducing pain and improving balance in people with chronic non-specific low back pain. One study indicated that hydrotherapy does not affect the electrical activity of the back muscles and that the improvement of pain depends on other factors. In addition, the results of 4 studies showed that hydrotherapy exercises and massage therapy help reduce pain, where 6 studies showed that specific movements in water and strengthening the core muscles are also beneficial.

Based on the studies reviewed in the present research on hydrotherapy, this method can be considered one of the effective approaches for reducing pain intensity and improving balance in individuals with non-specific chronic back pain.

Solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) have been introduced as an alternative to other traditional colloidal carriers, and they can largely overcome the limitations associated with them. The aim of this research was to design and manufacture a new formulation of lipid nanoparticles loaded with ketotifen fumarate and evaluate its structural properties.

Solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with ketotifen fumarate (KT) were prepared using the hot-probe sonication homogenization method at 80 ℃ in a weight-weight ratio of 1:0.2:0.03:1 Comprital:ketotifen fumarate:Tween 80:Pluronic 407.

Particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation efficiency (EE), and loading capacity (LC) of SLNs loaded with KT in a ratio of 1:0.2:0.03:1 w/w Comprital:ketotifen fumarate:Tween 80:Pluronic 407 were obtained as 61.97±4.8 nm, 0.551±0.06, 62.82±2.97%, and 12.56±0.594%, respectively. The results showed that within 24 hours, the cumulative release of KT for free and loaded drug in SLNs was 94.88% and 73.01%, respectively. The survival of A549 cells treated with SLNs loaded with KT was better than that of the free drug after 24 and 48 hours, and SLNs loaded with KT did not show significant cytotoxicity.

The results of the Zetasizer were consistent with the results of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, which showed the spherical shape of SLNs in nanoscale dimensions. Cytotoxicity studies confirmed the low toxicity of KT-loaded SLNs. Ease of fabricating SLNs, a high level of EE, and favorable biocompatibility were the advantages of SLNs loaded with KT.