Evaluation of Saffron (Crocus Sativus L) Effects on Anxiety in Hospitalized Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Background: Anxiety is a common psychiatric condition in cardio-vascular diseases. Saffron appears to have a wide range of therapeutic effects on psychiatric conditions and cardio-vascular disorders. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of saffron on anxiety in hospitalized patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and Methods: In this clinical investigation, we selected 80 patients with ACS from Tohid Medical Center, Sanandaj. Patients were divided randomly into two groups, intervention group (n = 41), and control group (n = 39), based on how they received saffron and placebo every 12 hours for 4 days, respectively. The Spielberger Anxiety Inventory was completed before and after the intervention in both groups. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the mean scores of the trait and state anxiety before and after the intervention (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The present study did not corroborate the therapeutic effects of saffron on reducing anxiety in patients with ACS.

Evaluation of bio-aerosols type, density, and modeling of dispersion in inside and outside of different wards of educational hospital.

Exposure to bioaerosols in the air of hospitals is associated with a wide range of adverse health effects due to the presence of airborne microorganisms. Intensity and type of health effects depend on many factors such as the type, density, and diversity of bioaerosols in hospital environments. Therefore, identifying and determining their distribution in hospital environment contribute to reduce their adverse effects and maintain the physical health of patients and staff, as well as find the source of infections and possible allergies due to the presence of bioaerosols. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the type and concentration of the bacterial and fungal bioaerosols, and their distribution in the indoor and outdoor air of a teaching hospital to establish a reference for future studies or measures. The air samples were collected with a one-stage Anderson sampler and particle mass counter for a period of four months in the fall and winter of 2019. In total, 262 bacterial and fungal samples were collected from the air of the wards of Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran. Antibiotic resistance test, bacterial identification by PCR method, and modeling the dispersion of concentrations of bio-aerosols were also conducted. In order to identify bacteria and fungi, some biochemical and molecular tests and microscopic and macroscopic characteristic methods were applied, respectively. The results showed that the highest and lowest densities of the bioaerosols were observed in lung and operating wards (336.67 and 15.25 CFU/m3). Moreover, the highest and least concentrations of particles were seen in the emergency and operating wards, respectively. The most common fungi isolated from the hospital air were Penicillium (24.7%), Cladosporium (23. 4%), Aspergillus niger (13.3%), and Aspergillus Flavus (11.4%). Furthermore, the highest concentration of the isolated bacterium was Staphylococcus hemolyticus (31.84%). Most bacteria showed the highest resistance to gentamicin. The overall average hospital air pollution to bioaerosols was slightly higher than the standards proposed by international organizations. Due to the high concentration of bioaerosols and particles in the studied hospital, providing suitable conditions such as temperature, humidity, proper ventilation, and intelligent air conditioning system using efficient ventilation systems, and restricting the entrance of wards can reduce airborne particles in hospital environment.

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.

Safety of Inactivated Influenza Vaccine in Patients with Egg Allergy in Kurdistan Province, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Most influenza vaccines are grown in embryonated eggs and residual egg proteins can cause allergic reactions in patients with egg allergy. The aim of the present study was to determine the safety of inactivated influenza vaccine in patients with egg allergy in Kurdistan Province, Iran. METHODS: This case-control study was done on 876 patients referred to Kurdistan Asthma and Allergy Clinic, Sanandaj, Iran; 635 patients with egg allergy (cases) and 241 patients without egg allergy (controls) from 2012 to 2016. All of the patients were injected seasonal influenza vaccine. Side effects including anaphylactic shock, local reaction, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, wheezing, low blood pressure, redness and itching in the eyes, abdominal pain, dyspnea, oral/facial angioedema, swollen and itching of throat were checked by an allergist within 30 min after vaccination, and followed up to 24 h. Demographic and vaccination data were entered into the SPSS software and analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 876 patients, 460 (52.5%) were male. Patients' ages ranged from 6 months to 80 yr (mean 13.38 ± 15.22 SD). Overall, 63 patients with egg allergy had local reactions to vaccine. Difference of local reactions between case and control groups was statistically significant (P=0.001). No anaphylactic reactions were seen after vaccination. CONCLUSION: Although the risk of anaphylactic reactions to influenza vaccine in patients with egg allergy was rare, the vaccine should be administered by an allergist with precaution. The results of present study can be a confirmation of the existing evidences to prevent acute complications to influenza vaccine.

Serum level of stem cell factor and its soluble receptor in aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Aim: Stem cell factor (SCF) may be associated with inflammatory processes leading to aspirin-induced asthma. This study evaluated the relationship between serum level of SCF and its soluble receptor with aspirin-induced asthma. Methods & materials: Twenty-five patients and 25 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. The concentration of SCF and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor (C-kit) was determined in serum samples. Spirometry and rhinometry were performed to determine the severity of the disease. p < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The serum levels of SCF and C-kit receptor were significantly higher in the case group. The serum SCF and C-kit level had a significant positive correlation with the severity of asthma, disease duration and nasal obstruction. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that SCF and C-kit receptors have a direct effect on the severity of aspirin-induced asthma.

Seroprevalence of Cytomegalovirus among Women of Reproductive Age in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) able to cause infection for an entire lifetime. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine seroprevalence of CMV among women of reproductive age in Iran. METHODS: English and Persian databases such as Web of Science (WOS), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, SID, Iran doc, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Medlib were searched (from 2008 to 2017) accurately using the keywords: Cytomegalovirus, Pregnant women or Pregnancy, Epidemiology, Prevalence and Iran. RESULTS: Results of 15 studies with total samples of 5253 persons from 2008 to 2017 were combined and meta-analyzed. The pooled prevalence rate of IgG among women was estimated 90% (95% CI: 87-93%). The highest prevalence rate of IgG was in Tehran, Rasht, Mashhad and Yasoj, all 100% (95% CI: 100-100%), and the lowest prevalence was in Jahrom 0.62% (95% CI: 53-71%). The overall prevalence rate of IgM among women was estimated at 0.06% (95% CI: 0.03-0.13%). The highest prevalence rate of IgM was in Kerman 0.34% (95% CI: 0.29-0.39%) and Mashhad 0.25% (95% CI: 0.2-0.31%), and the lowest prevalence was in Yasoj 0% (95% CI: 0.00%-0.00%). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of immunity in Iran, is satisfactory. Nevertheless, to maintain and increase the level of immunity across the country, it is necessary to routinely screen the women of reproductive ages across the country.