Effects of body electroacupuncture on plasma leptin concentrations in obese and overweight people in Iran: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of obesity, a major public health problem, is increasing in many countries, including Iran. Leptin, a peptide hormone that is released from adipocytes, is a major factor in appetite regulation. Levels of plasma leptin increase with increased body fat mass (BFM). Research has found acupuncture to be effective both in weight loss and suppression of appetite. Although a few studies have reported the effect of body and ear acupuncture on leptin levels, researchers have performed few studies on the effect of body electroacupuncture in humans. OBJECTIVE: The research team examined the effects of body electroacupuncture and a low-calorie diet on plasma leptin in obese and overweight individuals with an excess (phlegm-dampness or phlegm-heat) or deficiency (spleen/stomach qi deficiency or primary qi deficiency) pattern according to Chinese medicine. DESIGN: The research team randomly assigned participants to one of two groups, intervention or control. SETTING: This study occurred in the nutritional clinic at Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were individuals (N = 86) between 18 and 65 years of age with body mass indexes (BMI) between 25 and 45 kg/m2. INTERVENTION: The intervention group (n = 47) received actual electroacupuncture, and the control group (n = 47) received sham acupuncture. Both groups consumed a low-calorie diet for 6 weeks. OUTCOME MEASURES: The research team measured plasma leptin, BFM, body weight (BW), and BMI before and after treatment. RESULTS: For participants in the intervention group with both the excess and the deficiency patterns, the research team found a significant reduction in plasma leptin (24.96%, P = .001) and BFM (8.29%, P = .001). In the control group, the team found a less significant reduction in leptin and BFM. The difference between the two groups was significant for leptin (P = .03) but not for BFM (P = .8). CONCLUSIONS: While body electroacupuncture with a low-calorie diet can reduce plasma leptin concentration, the mechanism will require further clarification.

Efficacy of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in prevention of preterm delivery.

AIM: Preterm delivery is defined as a birth before 37 weeks' gestation and is the cause of two-thirds of perinatal mortality and thus one of the major problems in obstetrics. Its etiology is unknown, but hormonal factors have been reported to play a part. Progesterone is a placental hormone and effective in maintaining pregnancy. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in the prevention of preterm delivery. METHODS: This interventional study was performed with 100 pregnant women who had been referred to the Obstetrics Clinic of Ghaem Hospital (related to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences) during 2007 to 2008. They were randomly divided into two groups of 50 cases and 50 controls. The case group received 250 mg of intramuscular 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate weekly from 16 weeks' gestation up to a maximum of 37 weeks' gestation. In the control group, routine perinatal care was performed and the pregnancy outcomes were compared in both groups. RESULTS: The mean gestational age was 36 weeks in the case group and 34 weeks in the control group. The mean birth weight was 2695 g in the case group and 2399 g in the control group. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of gestational age and birth weight (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Weekly administration of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone caproate to pregnant women with a history of preterm delivery was associated with a decrease in preterm delivery and improvement in birth weight.

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements improve the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, including markers of inflammation and auto-immunity.

OBJECTIVE: Fish-oil contains high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. We have evaluated the effects of purified omega-3 fatty acid supplements on several anthropometric and biochemical parameters, including heat shock protein (Hsp) 27 antibody titres in subjects with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Subjects (n = 120) with metabolic syndrome (mean age of 52.9 +/- 11.9 years) were randomly allocated to one of two groups: sixty subjects were given 1 gram of fish oil as a single capsule, containing 180 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 120 mg docosahexaenoic acid daily for 6 months. Control subjects did not receive any supplementation over the same period. RESULTS: The study was completed by 47 subjects in the intervention group and 42 subjects in the control group. Treatment with omega 3 supplements was associated with a significant fall in body weight (P < 0.05), systolic blood pressures (P < 0.05), serum low density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05), and total cholesterol (P < 0.05), triglycerides (P < 0.05), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (P < 0.01), and Hsp27 antibody titres (P < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: It appears that omega 3 improves the cardiovascular risk profile of subjects with metabolic syndrome, having effects on weight, systolic blood pressure, lipid profile and markers of inflammation and autoimmunity.

Efficacy of azithromycin versus systemic meglumine antimoniate (Glucantime) in the treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) treatment is painful, and cosmetic results are often unsatisfying. Azithromycin has been reported to be effective in treatment of CL caused by Leishmania viannia braziliensis. The efficacy of azithromycin was compared with Glucantime in treatment of Old World leishmaniasis. Of 49 patients, 22 received 500 mg/day azithromycin for 5 days/month. Treatment cycles were repeated monthly to a maximum of 4 months; 27 patients received 60 mg/kg intramuscular meglumine antimoniate for 20 days. Both groups were followed up for 16 weeks. In the azithromycin group, 2 patients withdrew because of GI symptoms. The response rates of 20 patients (29 lesions) were as follows: full improvement, 10.3%; partial improvement, 27.6%; and 62.1%, no response. In the glucantime group with 27 patients (58 lesions), these rates were 34.4%, 13.8%, and 51.7%, respectively (P = 0.036). Azithromycin was determined to be not as effective as Glucantime in treatment of Old World CL.

The relationship between eating disorder symptoms and obsessive compulsive disorder in primigravida women.

BACKGROUND: Eating Disorder Symptoms are among the most common disorders in perinatal period and are influenced by various environmental and psychosocial factors such as anxiety disorders. So, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between Eating Disorder symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive disorder in primigravida women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried on 213 in primigravida women referring to Mashhad health care centers, selected through a two stage sampling method (cluster-convenience) in Mashhad in 2013. Demographic and prenatal characteristics Questionnaire, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q)(26Q) and Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Questionnaire (30Q) were completed by the subjects. The statistical analysis was performed with various statistical tests such as Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test, one-way ANOVA and linear regression. Significance level was considered as P < 0.05. RESULTS: Based on the findings 94.6% of the subjects had Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and 18% had Eating Disorder Symptoms. In addition, there was a poor positive correlation between the rate of Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive. CONCLUSIONS: There was a correlation between the Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive in pregnant women. It is recommended to eliminate or decrease Eating Disorder Symptoms and Obsessive Compulsive among Iranian pregnant women through preventive measures.

HLA-DRB1 frequency in patients with familial and sporadic rheumatoid arthritis in north east of Iran.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that has a strong correlation with HLA-DRB1. Family history is considered a known risk factor for RA. The aims of this study were to compare the frequency of HLA-DRB1 alleles between patients with sporadic and familial RA and also between healthy controls with RA patients (sporadic and familial) and clarify if familial RA is more severe than sporadic RA. This study included 129 consecutive patients with sporadic and 48 cases with familial (first-degree siblings) RA who visited a rheumatology unit. Demographic data, including extra-articular involvement, mean disease activity according to DAS28 (ESR) criteria, and main laboratory findings, were compared between patients with sporadic and familial RA. HLA-DRB1 typing was carried out using the PCR-SSP method, and the frequency of each allele was determined in all cases and compared with the results of HLA-DRB1 frequencies in 72 healthy controls who were previously reported by our group in northeast Iran. Patients with sporadic and familial RA were matched in age and sex, most of the cases in both groups were females. The mean age of patients was 45 years. Ocular involvement was the most frequent extra-articular manifestation of our patients. There was no significant difference between the two groups in visual analogue scale (VAS) index, number of inflamed or tender joints, extra-articular involvements, and main laboratory findings. HLA-DRB1* 01 (55 %), 04 (48 %), and 03 (43 %) alleles were the most frequent alleles in both sporadic and familial diseases. The frequency of HLA-DRB1*11 and HLA-DRB1*13 was significantly higher in normal participants compared with RA (p = 0.001). There was no significant difference in the HLA-DRB1 allele's frequency between sporadic and familial RA. Therefore, familial aggregation was not associated with RA severity.

The efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging and color Doppler ultrasonography in diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.

Background and aims. Although salivary gland tumors are not very common, early diagnosis and treatment is crucial because of their proximity to vital organs, and therefore, determining the efficacy of new imaging procedures becomes important. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and color doppler ultrasonography parameters in the diagnosis and differentiation of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Materials and methods. In this cross-sectional study, color doppler ultrasonography and MRI were performed for 22 patients with salivary gland tumor. Demographic data as well as MRI, color doppler ultrasonography, and surgical parameters including tumor site, signal in MRI images, ultrasound echo, tumor border, lymphadenopathy, invasion, perfusion, vascular resistance index (RI), vascular pulse index (PI) were analyzed using Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-test. Results. The mean age of patients was 46.59±13.97 years (8 males and 14females). Patients with malignant tumors were older (P < 0.01). The most common tumors were pleomorphic adenoma (36.4%), metastasis (36.4%), and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (9%). Nine tumors (40.9%) were benign and 13 (59.1%) were malignant. The overall accuracy of MRI and color doppler ultrasonography in determining tumor site was 100% and 95%, respectively. No significant difference observed between RI and PI and the diagnosis of tumor. Conclusion. Both MRI and ultrasonography have high accuracy in the localization of tumors. Well-identified border was a sign of benign tumors. Also, invasion to adjacent structures was a predictive factor for malignancy.

The relationship between occupational stress and dysmenorrhea in midwives employed at public and private hospitals and health care centers in Iran (Mashhad) in the years 2010 and 2011.

BACKGROUND: According to the biopsychosocial model, menstrual symptoms are caused not only by a combination of biological factors such as hormonal disorders and lifestyle, but also by psychological and social factors such as working environment. This study aimed to determine the relation between occupational stress and dysmenorrhea in Iranian midwives. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective correlational study was performed on 150 midwives at public and private hospitals and health care centers of Mashhad, Iran. The subjects were selected through two-stage cluster sampling during 2010-2011. At the beginning of the study, participants completed questionnaires containing demographic information, work circumstances, the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, and the Job Content Questionnaire. They then completed the short form of daily Menstrual Distress Questionnaire during three consecutive menstrual cycles. Independent Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and chi-square tests, correlation coefficients, and linear regression analysis were used to analyze the data collected data in SPSS11.5. RESULTS: Dysmenorrhea was observed in 63.3% of the participants. Among these individuals, 15.7%, 45.2%, and 38.9% had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. Moreover, 59.3% of the studied midwives had severe occupational stress. There was a significant positive correlation between occupational stress and severity of dysmenorrhea (P = 0.002, r = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Occupational stress is associated with increased risk of severe dysmenorrhea. This finding can be used to guide preventive measures to eliminate or decrease occupational stress and dysmenorrhea among Iranian midwives. However, identification of sources of occupational stress and related workloads is necessary.

Comparison of serum levels of Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The physiological changes in thyroid gland during pregnancy have been suggested as one of the pathophysiologic causes of preeclampsia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was comparison of serum levels of Tri-iodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4), and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 40 normal pregnant women and 40 cases of preeclampsia in third trimester of pregnancy were evaluated. They were compared for serum levels of Free T3 (FT3), Free T4 (FT4) and TSH. The data was analyzed by SPSS software with the use of t-student, Chi-square, Independent sample T-test and Bivariate correlation test. p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age was not statistically different between two groups (p=0.297). No significant difference was observed in terms of parity between two groups (p=0.206). Normal pregnant women were not significantly different from preeclampsia cases in the view of FT3 level (1.38 pg/ml vs. 1.41 pg/ml, p=0.803), FT4 level (0.95 pg/ml vs. 0.96 pg/ml, p=0.834) and TSH level (3.51 µIU/ml vs. 3.10 µIU/ml, p=0.386). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study do not support the hypothesis that changes in FT3, FT4 and TSH levels could be possible etiology of preeclampsia.

The effect of asthma on phonation: a controlled study of 34 patients.

The effect of upper respiratory tract diseases on phonation has been reviewed, but little is known about the influence of lower respiratory tract diseases. In particular, the effect of asthma as a reversible obstructive small-airway disease on phonatory variables is not yet clear. We conducted a cross-sectional controlled study to evaluate the quality of phonation in a group of 34 adults with untreated mild to severe persistent asthma who were seen at the Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Patients with sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or primary laryngeal disease were ineligible for study participation. For comparison purposes, we identified a group of nonasthmatic, age- and sex-matched healthy controls. We evaluated eight voice parameters: basal voice frequency at the glottic level (F0), jitter, shimmer, breathiness, harshness, hoarseness, normalized noise energy (NNE), and S/Z ratio. These parameters were measured by a voice meter with Dr. Speech statistical software. We found that values for F0, jitter, and shimmer were very similar in the two groups, but there were statistically significant differences in values for harshness, hoarseness, NNE, S/Z ratio (all p < 0.01), and breathiness (p = 0.015). Our findings suggest that lower airway diseases such as asthma can impair phonation, and we recommend future studies with larger populations to further explore this issue.

Molecular cloning and expression of Cro s 1: an occupational allergen from saffron pollen (Crocus sativus).

BACKGROUND: The cultivation of saffron is expanding through the southeast of Iran, and allergy to saffron pollen occurs in workers involved in processing this plant. We aimed to clone, sequence and express a major allergen involved in saffron pollen allergy, and to compare the recombinant with the natural allergen. METHODS: The N-terminal amino acid sequence of Cro s 1, an allergen from saffron pollen, was determined after immunoblotting. The cDNA encoding for this allergen was cloned by PCR utilizing a primer based on the N-terminal amino acid sequence. Recombinant Cro s 1 (rCro s 1) was expressed as a soluble protein in Pichia pastoris and purified to homogeneity by gel filtration. Inhibition of IgE binding to rCro s 1 by pollen extract was analyzed by ELISA. SECTION TITLE: The allergen Cro s 1 was identified from saffron pollen extracts and cloned by PCR. Cro s 1 cDNA defined an acidic polypeptide with homology to pollen proteins from Chenopodium album and Ligastrum vulgaris. The rCro s 1 was expressed in P. pastoris at 28 mg/l. Saffron pollen extract inhibited the binding of patient serum IgE to rCro s 1. CONCLUSION: We identified and cloned the first Crocus sativus pollen allergen. rCro s 1 cDNA shows a very high homology with Che a 1, the major allergen of lamb's-quarter, Chenopodium album, Caryophyllales, pollen (97%). Cro s 1 is a useful tool for specific diagnosis and structural studies of occupational allergy to saffron.

Comparison of vaginal misoprostol with foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor.

At times, despite an unripe cervix, induction of labor may be needed. In these cases, a safe and suitable method should be considered for cervical ripening and pregnancy termination. The aim of this study is the comparison of vaginal misoprostol with Foley catheter for cervical ripening and induction of labor. This randomized clinical trial was performed on 108 pregnant women who had referred to the teaching hospitals of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during a time period of September 2007 to March 2008. These women were randomly divided into two groups: Misoprostol (including 49 patients) and Foley catheter (including 59 patients). For the first group, 25 microgram vaginal misoprostol was administered every 4 h up to maximum 6 doses. For the second group, Foley catheter 18 F, inflated with 50 cc of sterile water, was placed through the internal os of the cervix. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Two groups were similar in the view of demographic characteristics, cesarean indications, maternal and fetal outcomes and neonatal outcomes. Vaginal delivery was significantly higher in misoprostol group (89.9 vs. 62.7, p < 0.01). The mean of delivery time was significantly shorter in misoprostol group (11.08 ± 5.6 vs. 13.6 ± 16.0 h, p < 0.05). In the cases of pregnancy termination and unripe cervix, two methods of misoprostol and Foley catheter were considered suitable, but it seemed that misoprostol decreases the delivery time and was needed for the cesarean section.