Serum cystatin C and inflammatory factors related to COVID-19 consequences.

BACKGROUND: Besides impaired respiratory function and immune system, COVID-19 can affect renal function from elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) or serum creatinine (sCr) levels to acute kidney injury (AKI) and renal failure. This study aims to investigate the relationship between Cystatin C and other inflammatory factors with the consequences of COVID-19. METHODS: A total of 125 patients with confirmed Covid-19 pneumonia were recruited in this cross-sectional study from March 2021 to May 2022 at Firoozgar educational hospital in Tehran, Iran. Lymphopenia was an absolute lymphocyte count of less than 1.5 × 109/L. AKI was identified as elevated serum Cr concentration or reduced urine output. Pulmonary consequences were evaluated. Mortality was recorded in the hospital one and three months after discharge. The effect of baseline biochemical and inflammatory factors on odds of death was examined. SPSS, version 26, was used for all analyses. P-vale less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The highest amount of co-morbidities was attributed to COPD (31%; n = 39), dyslipidemia and hypertension (27%; n = 34 for each) and diabetes (25%; n = 31). The mean baseline cystatin C level was 1.42 ± 0.93 mg/L, baseline creatinine was 1.38 ± 0.86 mg/L, and baseline NLR was 6.17 ± 4.50. Baseline cystatin C level had a direct and highly significant linear relationship with baseline creatinine level of patients (P < 0.001; r: 0.926). ). The average score of the severity of lung involvement was 31.42 ± 10.80. There is a direct and highly significant linear relationship between baseline cystatin C level and lung involvement severity score (r = 0.890, P < 0.001). Cystatin C has a higher diagnostic power in predicting the severity of lung involvement (B = 3.88 ± 1.74, p = 0.026). The mean baseline cystatin C level in patients with AKI was 2.41 ± 1.43 mg/L and significantly higher than patients without AKI (P > 0.001). 34.4% (n = 43) of patients expired in the hospital, and the mean baseline cystatin C level of this group of patients was 1.58 ± 0.90 mg/L which was significantly higher than other patients (1.35 ± 0.94 mg/L, P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: cystatin C and other inflammatory factors such as ferritin, LDH and CRP can help the physician predict the consequences of COVID-19. Timely diagnosis of these factors can help reduce the complications of COVID-19 and better treat this disease. More studies on the consequences of COVID-19 and knowing the related factors will help treat the disease as well as possible.

Eco-Friendly AMPS-Doped Polyaniline/Urethane-Methacrylate Coating as a Corrosion Protection Coating: Electrochemical, Surface, Theoretical, and Thermodynamic Studies.

In this study, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid (AMPS)-doped polyaniline (PANI) fibers were used as polymerizable smart anticorrosive agents to prepare eco-friendly UV-curable anticorrosive coatings. For this purpose, AMPS-doped PANI fibers were synthesized through chemical oxidative interfacial polymerization. The size and chemical structure of the prepared conducting fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, 1H NMR, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses. As a binder for the prepared conducting fibers, an eco-friendly fluorinated urethane-methacrylate dispersion was synthesized and fully characterized using FTIR analysis. Subsequently, various amounts of the synthesized fibers were mixed with the fluorinated binder to prepare UV-curable anticorrosive coatings. The physicochemical interactions between the PANI fibers and UV-curable binder were studied thoroughly using differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analyses and measurement of the gel contents and adhesion strength of the prepared composite coatings. The corrosion resistance performance of the prepared coatings was evaluated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, and the obtained results revealed that the presence of 2 wt % of the AMPS-doped PANI fibers significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of the obtained coating. In addition, the corrosion layers of the coatings were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which indicated that the AMPS-doped PANI fibers changed the composition of the corrosion product layer. To expand these attempts, this study also explores the interaction of AMPS-doped PANI fibers with the Fe(100) surface using density functional theory as well as atom in molecule calculations. All of the obtained results proved that the outstanding corrosion protection performance of the prepared composite coatings originated from exceptional chemical interactions between the unsaturated doping agents of the prepared PANI fibers and the UV-cured polymer.

Polymorphism rs9939609 of Fat Mass and Obesity-associated Gene Correlation with Leptin Level of Obese Women Suffered from Type 2 Diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies reported that Fat Mass and Obesity-associated gene (FTO) single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs), especially rs9939609, have association with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. On the other hand, many researches confirmed that leptin, an adipocytokine, is related to the obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI) in patients who suffered from Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). OBJECTIVE: In this study, the correlation of FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and leptin level was investigated in the obese women who suffered from T2DM. METHODS: In case-control study, metabolic and anthropometric parameters, and leptin level of 38 obese diabetic and 38 non-diabetic women were investigated. Genotyping of rs9939609 FTO gene was completed by sequencing of PCR amplicons for all cases. RESULTS: According to the results, FBS, age, HbA1c, insulin level, HOMA index and leptin level showed statistically significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic women (P < 0.05). Based on the adjusting of FTO rs9939609 SNP with anthropometric and metabolic parameters, no significant difference was found between the three genotypes (AA, TA and TT) in non-diabetic women (P > 0.05). But, in the diabetic group, only TC had significant difference and mean of TC was higher in mutant genotypes (AA and TA) than wild genotype (TT). Also, BMI, insulin, LDL and HDL showed negative correlation with leptin level in both groups but these correlations were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The results of our study (with little sample size) showed that the mean of leptin level in diabetic women was lower than non-diabetic women (significant difference). However, the level of leptin was not statistically significant between three genotypes, and odds ratio of rs9939609 was higher in diabetic women in comparison with non-diabetic women.

Association between FTO gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes mellitus, serum levels of apelin and androgen hormones among Iranian obese women.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies show that FTO single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). On the other hand, many animal models and clinical studies have demonstrated that apelin, an adipocytokine, is related to the obesity and T2DM. Additionally, obese women are at risk of Hyperandrogenemia. So, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between FTO variants (rs763967273, rs759031579, rs141115189, rs9926289, rs76804286 and rs9939609) with T2DM, serum apelin and androgenic hormones in Iranian obese women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 197 obese women (123 women with T2DM and 74 women as healthy control) were participated in this study. Anthropometrical and biochemical characteristics were measured. Serum apelin and androgen hormones levels were determined in 66 subjects consisting of 33 cases and 33 controls. PCR were carried out and subsequently, the PCR production was genotyped by Sanger sequencing assay. RESULTS: Our observations showed that all SNPs are related to T2DM. The rs9926289 FTO variant had a strong association with serum apelin and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate levels (P=0.04 and P=0.03, respectively) among SNPs. In addition, apelin and androgenic hormones were correlated with T2DM. Two polymorphisms including rs9939609 and rs9926289 had a strong Linkage disequilibrium (r2=1). CONCLUSION: FTO variants not only were associated with T2DM, but also some variants had a strong association with apelin and androgenic hormones profile.

An overview on biological functions and emerging therapeutic roles of apelin in diabetes mellitus.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a common type of diabetes and considered as multifactorial disease. Apelin is an adipokine which secreted from white adipose tissue and involved in various functions such as insulin sensitivity and food intake. Many studies showed that apelin has a crucial role in diabetes and its concentration will change in relation with insulin resistance. In this review, we will discuss the roles of apelin in energy metabolism and pathogenesis of diabetes and explain why apelin can be a good candidate adipokine to promoting insulin sensitivity.

Correlation of Resistin Serum Level with Fat Mass and Obesity-Associated Gene (FTO) rs9939609 Polymorphism in Obese Women with Type 2 Diabetes.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to detect any association of fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) rs9939609 variant to metabolic and anthropometric parameters and resistin level as adipokines in Iranian obese women with type 2 diabetes mellitus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Totally, 42 diabetic and 36 non-diabetic women were selected. The PCR amplicons of FTO gene were sequenced and metabolic, anthropometric parameters and resistin level were measured. RESULTS: Serum resistin concentrations were not different between diabetic and non-diabetic subjects (p>0.05), while resistin level in diabetic group with AA genotype was lower than that with other genotypes in the same group. In rs9939609 SNP adjusted analysis, insulin and HOMA levels were high in AA genotype. While levels of FBS and HbA1c were higher in AA and AT genotypes. In diabetic group, only TG showed significant difference among three genotypes and mean of TG was higher in TA genotype. No significant correlation between resistin and anthropometric and metabolic parameters was found except for DBP in diabetic patients. CONCLUSION: There was no significant association between rs9939609 and resistin serum level in type 2 obese diabetic women while percentile ranges (25th, 50th and 75th) of resistin concentrations was high in diabetic group.

Herbal Medicines and Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background. The aim of this study was to assess the association between herbal medication and OHSS. Methods. This retrospective cohort study was conducted with 101 polycystic ovary syndrome patients. 66 patients took conventional pharmacological medications and 35 took herbal medications. Data were analyzed by statistical test including Fisher's Exact and binominal logistic regression. P < 0.05 was considered significant. Results. Of the 101 females, 53 were married and 48 were single. There was no significant association between the groups in marriage. No significant association was found in mean age between the two groups (23.9 ± 5.8 years in the control group versus 26.3 ± 6.7 years in the case group). There was a significant difference between the two groups .After adding the dependent (OHSS prevalence) and independent (marriage and group) variables into the model, the Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed suitability. Variances analyzed with this model ranged between 29.4% and 40.7%. Conclusion. The indiscriminate use of herbs is correlated with OHSS. Because patients increasingly consume herbs, they should be aware of potential side effects. However, appropriate dosages of herbs could be obtained for use instead of conventional treatments, which often have side effects.

Comparison of early neonatal valve ablation with vesicostomy in patient with posterior urethral valve.

BACKGROUND: To compare the results of final renal function by two methods of treatment in patients diagnosed as posterior urethral valve (PUV) (valve ablation vs. vesicostomy). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-four boys diagnosed with PUV participated in this study. They were divided into top two groups. Thirty-one of the total were treated with primary valve fulguration (Group 1) and 23 were treated with vesicostomy (Group 2). One-year-creatinine level and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured. Also, they were taken ultrasonography detecting hydronephrosis. Data analysed in IBM SPSS21 with t-test and Chi-square test. Presented with 95% of confidence intervals. RESULTS: Fifty-four boys diagnosed with PUV participated in this study. The mean age of patients in Group 1 was 3.8 ± 1.48 days and Group 2 was 4.7 ± 1.85 days. One-year Cr level was 1.57 ± 1.45 in Group 1 and 1.57 ± 1.45 in Group 2 which was not statistically significant (P < 0.8). Also 1-year GFR level was 31.1 ± 4.4 in Group 1 and 33 ± 4.7% in Group 2 (P < 0.10/23) in Group 2 (43.47%) had severe hydronephrosis and 14/31 (45.16%) in Group 1 had severe hydronephrosis. Graded ultrasound results were not significantly different (P = 0.24). CONCLUSION: The results showed no significant difference. Vesicostomy might be a more favourable method due to less complication and follow-up in early neonatal life. Hence, the condition of the patients and decision of the surgeon are effective parameters in choosing an optimal method in patients diagnosed with PUV.

A randomised controlled trial of oral zinc sulphate for primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescent females.

BACKGROUND: Primary dysmenorrhoea, the most common gynaecologic problem of adolescent females, is commonly treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or oral contraceptive pills. AIM: To compare the effect of zinc sulphate with that of placebo on the control of pain severity and duration in adolescent girls with primary dysmenorrhoea. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a three-month randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 120 adolescent females with primary dysmenorrhoea were randomly divided into two groups of sixty: an intervention group (zinc) and a control group (placebo). Zinc was administered in the form of a capsule containing 50 mg/day zinc sulphate beginning on the first day of menses and continuing until three days prior to the end of menses. Each month, the duration and severity of primary dysmenorrhoea were determined. Severity scoring was performed by using a 0-10 scaling system. RESULTS: In the first month, the duration of pain was significantly lower in the zinc group compared with the placebo group (P-value = 0.044), while there was no significant difference in pain severity between the groups (P-value = 0.497). In the second and third month, pain severity and duration in the zinc group were significantly lower than the placebo group (P-value <0.001). CONCLUSION: Both pain duration and pain severity were decreased by taking oral zinc. The results of our interventional study suggests that zinc may be used to treat primary dysmenorrhoea in adolescents.

Comparison of Specificity and Sensitivity of AMH and FSH in Diagnosis of Premature Ovarian Failure.

INTRODUCTION: Anti-Müllerian hormone represents the primitive follicular number and ovarian age. Low level of AMH is in relation to early menopausal state and decreased ovarian reserve. AMH level changes occur prior to FSH level in representing ovarian failure. The aim of this study is to compare sensitivity and specificity of AMH with FSH in diagnosis of POF. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This descriptive study is done on 96 patients referred to Dr. Rasekh Clinic. Serum level of AMH and FSH was measured at Day 3 (3rd day of menstrual cycle) and data were analyzed through SPSS 21 software. RESULTS: Results of AMH and FSH serum level indicate that AMH has more sensitivity (80% versus 28.57%) and almost equal specificity (78.89% versus 78.65%) compared with FSH. Also negative predictive value of AMH (98.61%) and FSH (87.5%) is different. But positive predictive value is the same (17.39%). Diagnostic accuracy of AMH is more than FSH and has significant differences. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, AMH serum level is more sensitive than FSH serum level. Also AMH has more negative predictive value. Besides, this hormone can be measured at any time of menstrual cycle, against FSH. AMH seems to be more useful in early diagnosis of POF.

Effect of exercise intensity on weight changes and sexual hormones (androstenedione and free testosterone) in female rats with estradiol valerate-induced PCOS.

INTRODUCTION: Weight gain and fat accumulation are predisposing factors of PCOS. Life-style modification, including increasing physical activity, is the first line approach in managing PCOS. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of exercise intensity on weight changes, androstenedione and free testosterone level in female rats with estradiol valerate induced PCOS. METHOD AND MATERIALS: 40 female Wistar rats were selected (180 ± 20 g). They had every 2 to 3 consecutive estrous cycles during 12 to 14 days. The study was approved by ethical committee of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. The first two groups were divided into control (n = 10) and polycystic (n = 30) that were induced PCOS by estradiol valerate injection after 60 days. The polycystic groups were divided into three groups of sham (n = 10), experiment group with low-intensity exercise (pco + l.exe) (n = 10) and experiment group with moderate intensity exercise (pco + m.exe) (n = 10). Exercises were performed during 6 sessions of 60 minutes per week for 8 weeks. (Moderate intensity: 28 m/min-70%-75%VO2Max. Low intensity (20 m/min-50%-55%VO2Max) running at 0 slope, 1 h/day, 6 days/week). ANOVA and LSD test were used for data analysis. RESULTS: In the present study, no significant differences were found in the decrease of total weights of rats. And also androstenedione level changes in experiment groups were higher compared to control group but no significant differences were found, also free testosterone level was significantly higher than the observer group. CONCLUSION: According to weight changes and sexual hormones (Free testosterone and androstenedione) exercise training especially with low intensity may improve symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome.