Empirical Dietary Inflammatory Pattern is positively associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case control study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), as the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, is influenced by various factors. Because there is evidence linking inflammation with chronic diseases, we hypothesized that there is a relationship between an empirical dietary inflammatory pattern score (EDIP) with odds of PCOS among the adult population. This case control study was conducted on Tehranian women in Iran. A total of 494 participants (203 women with PCOS in the case group and 291 healthy people in the control group), aged 18 to 45 years, were recruited for the study. Demographic information, anthropometric indices, physical activity level, and dietary intake were collected by a trained nutritionist. EDIP score was calculated to estimate overall dietary inflammatory potential based on 18 food groups. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 19. Based on the results, the mean age of participants in the case and control groups were 28.98 ± 5.43 and 30.15 ± 6.21 years, respectively. Individuals with PCOS had a significantly higher difference in EDIP score compared with healthy participants (2.03 ± 1.13 vs 1.70 ± 0.93, P < .001). Also, the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval for the risk of PCOS across quartiles of EDIP showed a significant direct relationship (P = .003). In conclusion, our study showed that there was a direct association between PCOS risk and EDIP score. Findings suggest that inflammatory index might be a potential mechanism linking diet and PCOS development.

Geographic distribution and time trends of water-pipe use among Iranian youth and teenage students: A meta-analysis and systematic review.

Water-pipe tobacco smoking is harmful to health, yet its rate of prevalence remains uncertain. Recent evidence has shown that the prevalence of water-pipe smoking among students is higher than in the general population. In this study, a systematic review of related literature on water-pipe use was conducted, and for this purpose, 76 articles were examined in the study. In this vein, geographic distribution and time trends of water-pipe consumption in Iran were considered. The results of this study showed that lifetime, last-year, and last-month prevalence of water-pipe smoking use among Iranian students were 28.78 (25.07-32.49), 20.84 (16.01-25.66), and 16.36 (11.86-20.85), respectively. The results also showed a wide variation by the region and sex in Iran. This study has shown the importance of addressing public prevention and alerting programs in schools and universities.

Preparation of colloidal nanoparticles PVA-PHEMA from hydrolysis of copolymers of PVAc-PHEMA as anticancer drug carriers.

The novel pH-responsive polymer nanoparticles have been widely used for drug delivery and cancer therapy. The pH-sensitive nanoparticles include chemical structures that can accept or donate protons in response to an environmental pH change. Polybases which mostly contain alkaline groups such as amines and hydroxy, accept protons at low pH and are neutral at higher pH values. This study aimed to prepare pH-sensitive colloidal amphiphilic poly(vinyl alcohol-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PVA-PHEMA) copolymers in cancer therapy applications. For this purpose, poly(vinyl acetate-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PVAc-PHEMA) copolymer nanoparticles were synthesized in different polymerization medium fractions from water and methanol and different monomer feed concentration. Then acetate groups were hydrolyzed, and the PHEMA-PVA nanoparticles were synthesized. The nanoparticles were further characterized using dynamic light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis to identify the structural and morphological changes. The Methotrexate (MTX) was loaded into the nanoparticles, and drug release kinetics were evaluated. The results confirmed that PHEMA-PVA copolymeric nanoparticles could be favorably used in cancer therapy.

The dietary inflammatory index is directly associated with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: The association between diet and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) might be mediated by the inflammatory properties of the diet. The study aimed to investigate the relationships between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) with odds of PCOS among the adult population. METHODS: In the hospital-based case-control study, 203 patients with PCOS and 291 non-PCOS controls were enroled. DII was calculated via a validated 147-item quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Thirty-six macro- and micronutrients were extracted from FFQ and used to calculate DII. Employing a case-control design, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained, with a dose-response effect confirmed by the test for trend (p for trend). RESULTS: The mean ± SD age and body mass index (BMI) of the study participants were 29.67 ± 5.92 years and 24.51 ± 4.71 kg/m2 , respectively. Compared with controls subjects, PCOS patients had significantly higher weight, BMI, and waist circumferences, but had lower physical activity. PCOS subjects had higher intakes of carbohydrate, cholesterol, and refined grains, but lower intakes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, fibre, vitamin B12 , vitamin D, and dairy as compared to controls. Compared with participants in the lowest quartile of DII, those in the highest quartile had a significantly higher OR for PCOS after further adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 0.95-3.22). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that high DII was associated with an increased odds of PCOS diagnosis. Prospective dietary intervention studies and observational prospective cohorts are required to confirm these findings.

A photo-electrochemical aptasensor for the determination of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 receptor-binding domain by using graphitic carbon nitride-cadmium sulfide quantum dots nanocomposite.

Herein, a photoelectrochemical aptasensor for the quantitive measurement of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 receptor-binding domain (Sars-Cov-2 RBD) has been reported for the first time. For this purpose, first, graphitic carbon nitride and (gC3N4) and cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots were fabricated and characterized. After that, gC3N4 and CdS were mixed well. The fabricated nanomaterials were characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy. Then, the CdS QDs-gC3N4 nanocomposite was added to the solution containing chitosan as an amine-rich polymer to generate a Chitosan/CdS-gC3N4 nanocomposite. Subsequently, the surface of the ITO electrode was modified with Chitosan/CdS-gC3N4. After that, the amine-terminal aptamer probes were immobilized on the surface of the Chitosan/CdS QDs-gC3N4/ITO electrode by using glutaraldehyde as an amine-amine crosslinker. The electrochemical performances of the electrodes were studied using cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and photo-electrochemistry (PEC). The surface coverage of the immobilized aptamer probe was founded to be 26.2 pmol.cm-2. The obtained results demonstrated that the proposed photo-electrochemical aptasensor can be used for the measurement of Sars-Cov-2 RBD within 0.5-32.0 nM. The limit of detection (LOD) was obtained to be 0.12 nM (at 3σ/slope). The affinity of the Aptamer/Chitosan/CdS QDs-gC3N4/ITO was also founded to be 3.4 nM by using Langmuir-typical adsorption systems. The proposed photo-electrochemical aptasensor was applied for the measurement of the spiked Sars-Cov-2 RBD in human saliva samples at two concentrations. The effect of the interfering biomaterials such as human immunoglobulin G human immunoglobulin A, human immunoglobulin M, and human serum albumin was also studied.

Comparison of Subcutaneous and Vaginal Progesterone Used for Luteal Phase Support in Patients Undergoing Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Cycles.

OBJECTIVE: Luteal phase defect in patients undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) is a sign of uterine failure due to insufficient progesterone effects on the endometrium. This study aims to compare the success rate and side effects of subcutaneous progesterone and vaginal progesterone to support the luteal phase in ART cycles. METHODS: In this prospective randomized study, we used the traditional intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and we transferred one or two 4-8 cell fetuses based on the patient's age on the third day of inoculation. We started with luteal phase support from the day of oocyte recovery and the patients randomly received either a daily dose of 25mg subcutaneous progesterone (Prolutex, IBSA Switzerland) or a 400mg dose of vaginal progesterone (Cyclogest, Actoverco, United Kingdom) every 12 hours. If blood BHCG pregnancy test was positive, support for the luteal phase continued until week 10 of gestation. The measured outcomes were the clinical, chemical and ongoing pregnancy rates as well as the rate of early abortion, patients' acceptance, tolerance and satisfaction. RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that there was no statistically significant difference between clinical, chemical and ongoing pregnancy rates - as well as the rate of early abortion, and patients' satisfaction when comparing the two treatment Groups. CONCLUSIONS: it seems that the subcutaneous form of progesterone can be used in patients who are not willing to use vaginal progesterone, with similar treatment results and patient satisfaction, when compared to vaginal progesterone.

Efficacy of daily GnRH agonist for luteal phase support following GnRH agonist triggered ICSI cycles versus conventional strategy: A Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: The use of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) as an alternative for human chronic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger has potential benefits, but the optimal luteal phase support (LPS) following GnRHa trigger remains to be elucidated. We aimed to investigate a new strategy (daily GnRH agonist for LPS following GnRH agonist trigger) as an alternative for the conventional approach to the patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial study, 44 ICSI patients were randomly assigned into two groups: group 1, patients received standard strategy (hCG trigger [10000 IU] and progesterone bid [400 mg/BD] for LPS); group 2, patients received a dose of GnRHa (0.2 mg) for ovulation trigger and subcutaneous injection of GnRHa bid (0.2 mg) for LPS. RESULTS: The pregnancy, miscarriage, and live birth rates for the patients undergoing LPS following the GnRHa trigger were similar to those of patients undergoing the standard strategy. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that a daily subcutaneous injection of GnRHa for LPS following the GnRHa trigger can be successfully performed as an alternative to the standard strategy, with comparable pregnancy and live birth rates in ICSI patients.

Effect of antioxidant supplementation containing L-carnitine on semen parameters: a prospective interventional study.

OBJECTIVE: One of the remarkable causes of infertility in men is oxidative stress having a reducing effect on their reproductive function. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of supplementation with antioxidants and L-Carnitine (contained in Androferti) on semen parameters. METHODS: We included 180 infertile male patients diagnosed with idiopathic oligoastenoteratozoospermia (OAT) in this study, and we analyzed the semen sample from 59 patients before and after oral antioxidant treatment, with the commercial name of Androferti (containing 1500 mg of L-Carnitine, 60 mg of vitamin C, 20 mg of coenzyme Q10, 10 mg of vitamin E, 10 mg of zinc, 200 µg of vitamin B9, 50 µg of selenium, 1 µg of vitamin B12). All of the patients received Androferti twice a day for 3 months. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in the sperm concentration (p=0.004) after the antioxidant supplementation. There was also a meaningfully improvement in sperm morphology (p=0.01) after treatment. However, sperm motility was not significantly altered after antioxidant treatment (p=0.2). CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidants supplementation containing 1500 mg L-carnitine can improve the semen quality in infertile men diagnosed with idiopathic OAT. However, further studies are required to determine the antioxidant effects on reproduction function.

Effects of L-carnitine on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder in women of reproductive age. This study investigated the effects of L-carnitine on the clinical and laboratory findings of women with PCOS. METHODS: Eighty women diagnosed with PCOS between 2017 and 2018 by the Rotterdam Criteria were enrolled in the study; six were lost during the study. The participants were given L-carnitine 3 g daily (Pursinapharma, Iran) for three months. Blood samples were taken after overnight fasting at baseline and three months into the study to assess the levels of fasting glucose, insulin, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR). The patients were weighed before and after treatment and had their body mass index (BMI) calculated. Menstrual cycles and manifestations of hirsutism were also assessed. RESULTS: The data showed a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity and decreases in serum LDL levels and the BMI after three months of treatment. There was a significant increase in serum HDL levels. More regular menstrual cycles and decreased hirsutism were also observed. CONCLUSION: It appears that treatment with L-carnitine might decrease the risk of cardiovascular events by normalizing metabolic profiles and the BMI.

The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Insulin Resistance among Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of vitamin D supplementation on insulin resistance in a group of Iranian patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and vitamin D deficiency. METHODS: This was a clinical trial conducted in a tertiary medical center in Tehran, the capital city of Iran, from May 2015 to September 2015. The participants included 41 women between 20 and 40 years of age with polycystic ovary syndrome based on the Rotterdam criteria and vitamin D deficiency. The fasting blood glucose and insulin levels, as well as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels were measured at baseline and two months post treatment with a single dose of 300,000IU intramuscular vitamin D3. The main outcome measures were plasma levels of vitamin D, fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as insulin resistance. RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 26.6±4.1. The serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D increased (5.7±1.77 to 16.34±8.99 ng/mL, p<0.001). The mean fasting blood glucose reading significantly decreased from 109.56±14.59mg/dL in pre-treatment to 103.71±13.72mg/dL post treatment (p=0.003). There was a significant decrease in the mean fasting serum insulin level from 8.52±5.48 mcU/mL before treatment with vitamin D to 7.07±5.03 (p=0.019) µU/mL after the treatment. The mean HOMA-IR, as a sign of insulin resistance, significantly decreased from 2.37±1.76 to 1.87±1.49, indicating less insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: A single injection of vitamin D significantly decreased serum insulin levels and insulin resistance among patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Effects of orlistat on serum androgen levels among iranian obese women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathies in young women, and it affects 6% to 8% of women in reproductive age. Hyperandrogenism is the hallmark of polycystic ovary syndrome. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of orlistat on weight loss and serum androgen levels among Iranian women with polycystic ovary syndrome. METHODS: The present study was carried out in the clinic of Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Thirty-two patients with polycystic ovary syndrome were randomly enrolled. We measured serum androgens (Testosterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin) before and after 12 weeks of treatment with orlistat. We used the Rotterdam Criteria for all patients and transvaginal sonography was performed. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 27.75±6.22 and the mean body mass index was 32.69±0.94 kg/m2. Comparing with baseline, treatment with orlistat resulted in a significant reduction in weight, BMI, and waist circumference (p=0.001). We also found a remarkable reduction in total testosterone levels (p>0.001). Treatment improved the sex hormone-binding globulin plasma levels, but the improvement was not statistically significant. There was no reduction in other androgen levels. CONCLUSION: This study showed a significant reduction of weight and total testosterone level - the most important androgen in polycystic ovary syndrome - after 12 weeks of treatment with orlistat. Therefore, it seems that a short course of orlistat can be useful in the management of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Evaluation of PAWP and PLC? Expression in Infertile Men with Previous ICSI Fertilization Failure.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate postacrosomal sheet WW domain binding protein (PAWP) and phospholipase C ? (PLC?) protein expression in patients with fertilization failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples were collected from 15 fertile men (control group) and 15 patients with previous fertilization failure following ICSI (FF group) and were analyzed according to World Health Organization (WHO) criteria. The mean percentages of PAWP and PLC? positive sperm and the total level of PAWP and PLC? proteins were assessed using immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: A significantly lower level and lower percentage of PAWP positive sperm in patients with fertilization failure was found compared to the control group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.03, respectively). The mean percentage ofPLC? positive sperm and level of PLC? protein were significantly lower in FF group compared to the control group (P = 0.0003 and P = 0.04, respectively). Significant positive correlations was observed between PAWP and PLC? positive sperms (r = 0.4, P = 0.008) and also total level of expression of PLC? and PAWP proteins (r = 0.4, P = 0.02) in all participants in the study. CONCLUSION: This is the first study that evaluates two main candidates for sperm-borne oocyte activating factors (SOAFs) simultaneously in patients with fertilization failure. Considering lower expression of PAWP and PLC? proteins in such patients, it seems like both factors might have the potential to be considered as SOAFs and diagnostic markers for the oocyte activation ability.

Conservative Management of Ovarian Fibroma in A Case of Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome Comorbid with Endometriosis.

Ovarian fibromas are the most common benign solid ovarian tumors, which are often difficult to diagnose preoperatively. Ovarian fibromas, especially in bilateral cases, may be cases of Gorlin-Goltz syndrome (GGS), a rare autosomal dominant disorder with predisposition to basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and other various benign and malignant tumors. This case report describes a 25 year-old female with GGS, bilateral ovarian fibroma, endometriosis and septated uterus, which was referred to the Gynecology Clinic of Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital in October 2016. This patient had facial asymmetry due to recurrent odontogenic keratocysts. In young cases of ovarian fibromas as reported here, conservative surgical management can preserve ovarian function and fertility. These patients must be followed up by a multidisciplinary team and submitted to periodic tests.

Treatment of thin endometrium with autologous platelet-rich plasma: a pilot study.

Endometrium is one of the main factors in pregnancy. During assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, some cycles are cancelled due to inadequate endometrial growth. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the treatment of thin endometrium. Ten patients with history of inadequate endometrial growth in frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles were recruited into the study. Intrauterine infusion of PRP was performed. Endometrial thickness was assessed. Chemical and clinical pregnancies were reported. In all patients, endometrial thickness increased after PRP and embryo transfer was done in all of them. Five patients were pregnant. According to this study, it seems that PRP was effective for endometrial growth in patient with thin endometrium.

Effects of autologous platelet-rich plasma on implantation and pregnancy in repeated implantation failure: A pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Repeated implantation failure (RIF) is a major challenge in reproductive medicine and despite several methods that have been described for management, there is little consensus on the most effective one. OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma in improvement of pregnancy rate in RIF patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty women with a history of RIF who were candidates for frozen-thawed embryo transfer were recruited in this study. Intrauterine infusion of 0.5 ml of platelet-rich plasma that contained platelet 4-5 times more than peripheral blood sample was performed 48 hrs before blastocyst transfer. RESULTS: Eighteen participants were pregnant with one early miscarriage and one molar pregnancy. Sixteen clinical pregnancies were recorded and their pregnancies are ongoing. CONCLUSION: According to this study, it seems that platelet-rich plasma is effective in improvement of pregnancy outcome in RIF patients.

Effects of gabapentin on postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting after abdominal hysterectomy: a double blind randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: Gabapentin has demonstrated analgesic effects in some studies. This double blind randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted to evaluate whether the pre-emptive use of gabapentin 600 mg could reduce postoperative pain, nausea and vomiting, and meperidine consumption in patients after hysterectomy. METHODS: Between 2009 and 2010, a total of 170 patients who were candidates for abdominal hysterectomy were assessed for eligibility to enter the study. Thirty patients were excluded for different reasons; and 140 included patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups according to the method of treatment, gabapentin or placebo, in a double-blind manner before hysterectomy. Postoperatively, the pain was assessed on a visual analogue scale (VAS) at 1, 4, 8, 12 and 24 h at rest. Meperidine intramuscularly was used to treat postoperative pain on VAS score and patients demand. Total meperidine and anti emetic drug consumption in the first 24 h after surgery was also recorded. The trial is registered at irct.ir, number IRCT201106186829N1. RESULTS: Patients in the gabapentin group had significantly lower VAS scores at all time intervals, than those in the placebo group. The total meperidine consumed in the gabapentin group was significantly less than in the placebo group. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and anti emetic drug consumption were significantly decreased in gabapentin group. CONCLUSION: Pre-emptive use of gabapentin 600 mg orally, significantly decreases postoperative pain and PONV, and also rescues analgesic and anti emetic drug requirements in patients who undergo abdominal hysterectomy.