Effects of The Mitochondrial Genome on Germ Cell Fertility: A Review of The Literature.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters cells through angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), which expression of its gene increases during pregnancy that is resulted in an enhanced level of the ACE2 enzyme. It might enhance the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications in the pregnant women. Although, pregnancy hypertensive disorders and severe infection with SARS-CoV-2 are correlated with high comorbidity, these two entities should be discriminated from each other. Also, there is a concern about the risk of preeclampsia and consequently severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) development in the pregnant women. So, to answer these questions, in the present review the literature was surveyed. It seems there is higher severity of COVID-19 among pregnant women than non-pregnant women and more adverse pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. In addition, an association between COVID-19 with preeclampsia and the role of preeclampsia and gestational hypertension as risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications is suggested. However, infection of the placenta and the SARS-CoV-2 vertical transmission is rare. Various mechanisms could explain the role of COVID-19 in the risk of preeclampsia and association between preeclampsia and COVID-19. Suggested mechanisms are included decreased ACE2 activity and imbalance between Ang II and Ang-(1-7) in preeclampsia, association of both of severe forms of COVID-19 and pregnancy hypertensive disorders with comorbidity, and interaction between immune system, inflammatory cytokines and the renin angiotensin aldosterone system and its contribution to the hypertension pathogenesis. It is concluded that preeclampsia and gestational hypertension might be risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection and its complications.Infertility is one of the major problems faced in medicine. There are numerous factors that play a role in infertility. For example, numerous studies mention the impact of the quantity and quality of mitochondria in sexual gametes. This is a narrative review of the effects of the mitochondrial genome on fertility. We searched the PubMed, Science Direct, SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases for articles related to "Fertility, Infertility, Miscarriage, Mitochondria, Sperm, mtDNA, Oocytes" and other synonymous keywords from 2000 to 2020. The mitochondrial genome affects infertility in both male and female gametes; in sperm, it mainly releases free radicals. In the oocyte, a mutation in this genome can affect the amount of energy required after fertilisation, leading to gestation failure. In both cases, infertile cells have substantially less mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copies. The effects of mtDNA on gamete fertility occur via changes in oxidative phosphorylation and cellular energy production. Also, a reduction in the number of mtDNA copies is directly associated with sex cell infertility. Therefore, evaluation of the mitochondrial genome can be an excellent diagnostic option for couples who have children with neonatal disorders, infertile couples who seek assisted reproductive treatment, and those in whom assisted reproductive techniques have failed.

Platelet Count and IgE Level in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria: A Case-control Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Chronic Urticaria is an allergic disorder that affects about 0.5 to 5% of the population in different communities. The disease's chronic course and long-term onset impose high economic and psychological costs on communities, adversely affecting individual and social life. Platelets play a role in various pathophysiological processes, including inflammation and immunology. Growing evidence suggests that platelets are actively involved in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory disorders, including inflammatory skin diseases. This study investigated the relationship between platelet and immunoglobulin-E markers and chronic idiopathic urticaria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present case-control study, for the study population, patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria were referred to the Asthma and Allergy Clinic, and their caregivers were selected as the case and control groups, respectively. In this study, the mean platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and Total IgE values were simultaneously measured in the case and control groups. After taking 5CCs of venous blood, a blood sample was sent to the laboratory for platelet and IgE marker measurements. RESULTS: 100 patients and 100 healthy persons were evaluated in this study. The mean age in the case group was 34.95, and in the control group was 35.78 years. The results showed that the mean values of PLT, MPV, PDW, and Total IgE in the case group were 12.86, 9.83, 252190, and 147.05, respectively. The mean values of PLT, MPV, PDW, and Total IgE in the control group were 16.93, 7.53, 231410, and 15.29, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). Moreover, total IgE in the Autologous Serum Skin Test (ASST) positive group was higher than ASST negative group and was statistically significant (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study results indicate the possible role of platelets in urticaria and inflammation. MPV in patients with chronic urticaria was higher than in the control group. The present study showed no significant relationship between the severity of urticaria and platelet markers, but there was a significant relationship between the severity of urticaria and ASST. Moreover, the severity of urticaria was higher in the positive skin test group.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Clinical Outcomes of Asthmatic Children with Vitamin D Insufficiency.

BACKGROUND: The extensive impacts of vitamin D on the immune system has gathered the attention of scholars in last years. In this regard, studies about vitamin D and incidence of asthma have showed various results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplements on clinical outcomes in asthmatic children with vitamin D insufficiency. MATERIALS & METHODS: This before-after interventional study was conducted on all asthmatic children who attended the Be'sat Hospital, Iran. Serum levels of 25(OH)D, asthma severity and pulmonary function tests before and after therapeutic prescription of vitamin D were evaluated. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean age of the samples was 10.69±9.78 years and 39 subjects (57.4%) were male. The primary mean level of serum 25(OH)D (18.21±8.22, ng/mL) has significantly (p<0.05) increased after treatment (35.45±9.35, ng/mL). Also, asthma severity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC indicators were significantly (p<0.05) increased after treatment. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that therapeutic prescription of vitamin D is very effective in improving the clinical status of asthmatic children.