Synergistic effect between citalopram and muscimol upon induction of anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in male mice: An isobologram analysis.

Background: There is evidence that both the GABAergic system and serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as citalopram are involved in the modulation of anxiety and depression processes. In this research, we examined the effects of GABAA receptor agents and citalopram on anxiety- and depression-related behaviors and their interaction in male mice. Methods: For intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion, a guide cannula was implanted in the left lateral ventricle. Anxiety and depression behaviors were evaluated using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) and forced swimming test (FST). Results: The results revealed that i.c.v. microinjection of muscimol (1 µg/mouse) enhanced % OAT (open arm time) and % OAE (open arm entries) in the EPM test and decreased immobility time in the FST without affecting locomotor activity, presenting anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors in the EPM and FST, respectively. On the other hand, i.c.v. microinjection of bicuculline (1 µg/mouse) reduced % OAT and % OAE without affecting locomotor activity and immobility time, presenting an anxiogenic-like effect. Moreover, i.p. administration of citalopram (8 mg/kg) increased %OAT and %OAE and reduced immobility time with no effect on locomotor activity, showing anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses in male mice. Furthermore, i.c.v. infusion of an ineffective dosage of muscimol potentiated the anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like responses induced by i.p. injection of citalopram in male mice. When citalopram and bicuculline were co-injected, a non-significant dose of bicuculline reversed the anxiolytic-like effect of citalopram in male mice. Also, the data revealed synergistic anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like behaviors between citalopram and muscimol in male mice. Conclusions: The results suggested an interaction between citalopram and GABAergic agents on the modulation of anxiety and depression behaviors in male mice.

The Prevalence of Depression and Anxiety in Women with Ovarian Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies.

BACKGROUND: The results of this study included the prevalence of anxiety and depression in women with ovarian cancer. METHODS: A thorough search of numerous databases, including PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and PsycoInfo, was conducted to identify relevant cross-sectional studies published between July 2013 and October 2021. STATA 16 was used to analyses the data, and a random effects model was used to determine the pooled prevalence and a 95% confidence interval (95%CI). RESULTS: Of the 18 cross-sectional studies reviewed, 17 reported the prevalence of anxiety and 16 reported the prevalence of depression in patients with ovarian cancer. There was a moderate degree of heterogeneity between studies, as the pooled prevalence of depression was 27% (95%CI: 14%-41%; I2=69.44%). Similarly, there was a greater degree of heterogeneity in the pooled prevalence of anxiety, which was found to be 33% (95%CI: 21%-44%; I2=78.55%). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study show that, compared to the overall female population, ovarian cancer patients have much greater rates of sadness and anxiety. These results highlight the necessity for healthcare policymakers to prioritize the provision of resources and support for carrying out additional research, such as longitudinal studies or cohorts, to ascertain the efficacy of various treatments or interventions intended to lessen mental health disorders in women diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Healthcare practitioners can enhance the general wellbeing and quality of life for women with this disease by addressing the psychological components of care.

Association between helicobacter pylori infection and primary open-angle glaucoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This systematic review and meta-analysis summarize the evidence for the association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. METHODS: Eligible studies reporting an association between H. pylori infection and Glaucoma were identified through an extensive search of the Excerpta Medica (EMBASE), Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases and an assessment of the reference list of the top articles until October 2022. Analysis was performed with random effects model using Stata 16. RESULT: Twenty-four studies were included in the systematic review. This study involved 1602 glaucoma patients and 2800 control individuals. The combined RRs of cohort studies and overall combined ORs of case-control studies showed a significant correlation between H. pylori infection and Glaucoma. Subgroup analysis showed that glaucoma patients had a higher risk of having H. pylori infection if they were residents of Europe countries (Cohort: RR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.3-2.19) and (Case-Control: RR: 3.71; 95% CI: 2.07-6.64), if they had POAG type (Cohort: RR: 1.76; 95% CI: 1.37-2.27) and (Case-Control: RR: 3.71; 95% CI: 2.934.70), if their diagnostic method of HP was histology (Cohort: RR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.26-3.01) and (Case-Control: RR: 4.06; 95% CI: 2.28-7.22), and if they were over 60 years old (Cohort: RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.33-2.00) and (Case-Control: RR: 2.95; 95% CI: 2.27-3.83). DISCUSSION: The results of this meta-analysis suggest a statistically significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Local Corticosteroid Injection and Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Patients With Pes Anserine Bursitis: An Open-Label Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: The success rate of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in treating epicondylitis, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, and Jumper knee has been reported to be 60% to 80%. Most published studies have compared focused ESWT at different intensities with local corticosteroid injection (LCI). We only identified a few studies that specifically compared ESWT with LCI in patients with pes anserine bursitis (PAB). This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of ESWT and LCI in patients with PAB. Methods: The present study was a randomized clinical trial. Patients diagnosed with PAB who were referred to the physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic underwent a complete physical examination. They (n = 60 patients) were randomly assigned to the ESWT and LCI groups if they met the study criteria. In the ESWT group, 1 ESWT session was performed weekly for 3 consecutive weeks. In the LCI group, 1 injection was performed under an ultrasonography guide. Pes anserine thickness, pain intensity, and treatment satisfaction were measured with visual analog scale (VAS) and quality of life (Short Form-12). A paired-samples t test was used to compare the results obtained in the pre-and posttests. Analysis of variance for repeated measures was used to detect differences over time. The null hypothesis would not be confirmed if the P value was less than the 0.05 level of significance. Results: Pes anserine thickness and pain intensity decreased significantly during the study in both groups (P < 0.001). However, the mean difference of pes anserine thickness was more in the LCI group the ESWT group [(-0.6; 95% CI, -1.0 to -0.3) than (-0.1; 95% CI, -0.5, -0.2); P = 0.008]. Also, the mean difference of pain intensity was lower in the ESWT group] than the LCI group [(-2.9; 95% CI, -3.7 to -2.1) (1.0; 95% CI, 0.1to 1.8); P < 0.001]. Patients' quality of life in both groups increased significantly during the study period (P < 0.001), but the increase in quality of life in patients in the ESWT group (mean difference, 15.3 [95% CI, 10.6-19.9]) was considerably more than in the LCI group (mean difference, -5.3 (95% CI, -10.0 to -0.6). Conclusion: Overall, the results of this study showed that both local corticosteroid injections and extracorporeal shock wave therapy are safe and effective in PAB patients.

Intentional abortion and its associated factors among female sex workers in Iran: Results from national bio-behavioral surveillance-2020.

PURPOSE: In addition to estimating the prevalence of intentional abortion in Iranian female sex workers (FSWs), this study identified related factors using the data of a national study. METHODS: This cross-sectional study utilizes the third round of integrated bio-behavioral surveillance-III data in Iranian FSWs in December 2019 and August 2020, and 1515 Participants were selected in 8 geographically diverse cities in Iran. Logistic regression was performed using unweighted analysis to identify factors associated with intentional abortion. Stata software (version 14), respondent-driven sampling analyses, and R (version 4.1.2) was used for data analysis. RESULTS: From 1390 participants with valid responses to the abortion question, 598 (37.3%; 95% CI: 32.43, 42.11%) reported intentional abortion during their life. According to the age groups, the highest prevalence of abortion was in the age group of 31 to 40 years (42.60%). In the multivariate logistic regression model, the marital status (divorced women (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.29, 3.27), concubines (AOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.02, 3.11)), work experience in brothels (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.84), the type of sex (AOR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.35, 5.58), the history of sexual violence (AOR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.01), and alcohol consumption (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.18, 2.01) were significantly associated with a history of intentional abortion. CONCLUSION: Intentional abortion's prevalence among Iranian FSWs has been much higher than that of the general female population in Iran, which is an alarming issue in the public health of this group and needs more effective interventions. In addition, alcohol consumption, working in a brothel, and being divorced are essential factors in increasing abortions among sex workers.

The study of feasibility and acceptability of using HIV self-tests in high-risk Iranian populations (FSWs, MSM, and TGs): a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using the HIV self-test in high-risk Iranian groups (MSM, FSWs, and TGs). METHODS: This study was a mixed study designed as a quantitative-qualitative study conducted between October 1, 2020, and June 22, 2021, in Tehran and Karaj, Iran. The sample size needed for this study generally was 1000 people, including FSWs, MSM, and transgender individuals. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used to collect the samples. RESULTS: A total of 930 eligible respondents were enrolled in the study, of whom 456 (49%) were female and 49 (5.3%) were transgender (98% of TGs were male to female), and their mean age was 33.63 years (10.54 SD). The feasibility of using HIV self-tests in Iranian high-risk groups was significantly high. The majority of participants (97%) did not have any confidentiality problems while preparing or performing the test. In general, feasibility was assessed based on five questions. The overall feasibility score was 6.33 (0.824 SD). Taking tests, reading HIV test results, finding a safe place to do the test, and accessing HIV self-tests showed a high average. CONCLUSION: HIV self-testing was highly acceptable and feasible among high-risk populations, so routine HIV testing was efficiently possible.

The prevalence of hepatitis C and hepatitis B in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections in transgender and LGBT people and determine their pooled estimates worldwide. METHODS: Databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Ovid, Cochrane, PsycInfo) were searched from April 2000 to July 2021. The analyses were executed using the random-effects model in Stata 16. RESULTS: Ten studies, including eight studies on four transgender people and two studies on 2150 LGBTs, were included. The pooled prevalence of HCV and HBV in all transgender populations globally were 9% (95% CI 3-15%) and 11% (95% CI 2-20%), respectively. The corresponding prevalence in male-to-female transgender people were estimated as 5% (95% CI 1-9%) and 6% (95% CI 3-10%), respectively. These estimates in American transgenders were 10% (95% CI 5-25%) and 16% (95% CI 8-23%), respectively. CONCLUSION: This study was identified the overall prevalence of HBV and HCV infections in transgender people, which were higher than those in the general population.