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Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of thiamine (vitamin B1) on general health and infertility treatment outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Materials and Methods: The study is a triple-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial performed on 64 infertile women with PCOS referred to Sarem Hospital in Tehran, Iran. The primary outcomes of the study were general health and infertility treatment outcomes. Eligible women were randomly assigned to the vitamin B1 group (n=32, vitamin B1 tablet at a dose of 300 mg/day for 4 weeks) or the placebo group (n=32, placebo tablet daily for 4 weeks). A general health questionnaire was completed before and after the intervention by both groups, and treatment success was evaluated at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS software ver.16 P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants in the vitamin B1 (VB1) group was 30.4 ± 3.27 years and in the placebo (Pl) group was 29.1 ± 2.66 years with the mean duration of marriage 12.7 ± 3.01 and 13.2 ± 2.97 years respectively. Our results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in overall score (P<0.001) and scores for all domains of the general health questionnaire including somatic symptoms (P<0.001), anxiety and insomnia (P<0.001), social dysfunction (P=0.028), and severe depression (P<0.001) after the intervention. Four weeks consumption of vitamin B1 also resulted in higher numbers of positive pregnancy tests (P=0.006), although the number of fetuses was not significantly different between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: The results of the current study support a possible favourable effect of vitamin B1 on improving general health, infertility treatment outcome, and retrieved follicle count without changing the number of fetuses in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (registration number: IRCT201510266917N3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide disease of various animals and human and results from infection with the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Abortion and congenital defects are important consequences of the T. gondii infection. The aim of this study was to determine the Toxoplasma-induced abortions among women with miscarriage and the presence of T. gondii in their aborted fetuses in Urmia, the northwest of Iran. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 215 women with abortion and their aborted fetuses, from 2020 to 2021. Seroprevalence of anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM were determined using the sera of the aforesaid women. Nested PCR was carried out using RE-529 gene sequences, and sequencing was performed using the T. gondii GRA6 gene on the remnant of pregnancy after abortion. The tissue positive samples were then subjected to another PCR on GRA6 gene and sequenced for genotyping. Among 215 serum samples of women with abortion, 70 (32.6%) were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG, and three (1.4%) were positive for IgM. The RE-529 sequence of T. gondii was positive in three (1.4%) of the aborted fetuses. The analysis of GRA6 gene indicated that all three positive samples carried a GRA6 allele (GRA6I) of T. gondii type I genotype. Our findings suggest that T. gondii is one of the causative agents of spontaneous abortion in West Azerbijan Province, the northwest of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Congenital atrioventricular heart block (CAVB) is a relatively rare condition that can lead to long-term complications. Early diagnosis and management of CAVB is currently the ideal goal, particularly in high-risk pregnancies. Methods: The Fetal Heart Center at Kurdistan University serves as the primary referral center for pregnant mothers residing in the western region of Iran. Fifteen fetuses with CAVB were admitted between November 2007 and August 2022. They were referred for one or more of the following reasons: fetal bradycardia or arrhythmia, abnormal ultrasound findings, and previous maternal or fetal risk factors. After obtaining a complete medical history, we conducted fetal echocardiography and ordered testing for maternal Lo/Ra autoantibodies. Our therapeutic approach was based on the type of atrioventricular block (AVB), serum titer of Lo/Ra antibodies, and specific risk factors associated with each type of AVB. Consequently, we used a combination of different medications, including dexamethasone, Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), IVIG, beta-agonists, and inotropes. Results: We admitted 15 fetuses with CAVB, including seven females (47%) and eight males (53%). Most of our cases had positive tests for Lo and Ra autoantibodies, with varying degrees of AVB. A previous fetal death was common in our case series, accounting for 47% of cases. Moderate and high antibody titers were present in 80% of our cases. Mild bradycardia was a relatively common finding in our cases of first and second-degree atrioventricular block (AVB), occurring in 33% of patients. All of the above-mentioned findings, commonly referred to as major risk factors, were used for either early evaluation or therapeutic goals. No cases with first-degree AVB developed a higher grade of AVB after our therapeutic approach. One fetus with second-degree AVB developed CCHB, and another with mixed second/third-degree AVB reverted to second-degree AVB with the use of appropriate medications. Conclusions: Our therapeutic approach for the current cases yielded satisfactory results. Subsequently, we attempted to develop a rudimentary approach for early managing and treating fetuses with various types of CAVB. We are looking forward to future multicenter studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Every year, it is estimated that 2.3 million unsafe abortions (pregnancy terminations performed by a person without the necessary skills or in an environment without adequate medical standards) among teenage girls between the ages of 15 and 15. 19 years old is done. This figure accounts for approximately 15% of the global incidence of unsafe abortion (22 million), and abortion-related deaths among girls and young women account for approximately one-third of abortion-related deaths worldwide. constitutes Furthermore, the focus of policy and programmatic attention remains primarily on 15-19-year-olds, creating a significant gap in our understanding of the sexual and reproductive experiences of 10-14-year- olds, and it is estimated that particularly in areas Very poor of the world (545 million people) pregnancy leads to unsafe abortion. Most cases of unsafe abortion are concentrated in low- and middle-income countries, where the 10-14-year-old population is relatively the largest, and many countries have restrictions. The potential for sexual and reproductive harm among adolescents is a current and growing threat, yet our understanding of abortion in this group is insufficient to adequately address their needs through programmatic and policy interventions. In most cases, this abortion means that the egg or sperm has the wrong number of chromosomes and as a result, the fertilized egg could not develop normally. We must remember that the importance and unique role of man in the system of creation, as well as the beginning and end of his life, have always been studied by divine thinkers and religions. Abortion as a social and therapeutic phenomenon has long been customary in most societies and nations, and especially its social type in the last century, in economically and industrially advanced societies have increased more and more and is still increasing. Abortion is one of the current problems of human societies, and its dramatic increase results from unrestrainedness and disturbances that pollute the face of societies. Because of the dignity that Islam considers for human beings, even for the stage of coagulation of the sperm and before the soul is breathed, Islam places a special value on the fetus. The studies conducted show that there is illegal abortion in Iran. Most of it is done secretly and by non-specialists, however, legally and officially, except in very limited cases, abortion is not licensed. According to recently announced statistics, about one and a half million births and 300,000 abortions take place in Iran every year, some of which are intentional and others are unintentional. A lot of research has been done on abortion, but it can be seen that abortion is spreading in all countries. Therefore, it is important to research its effectiveness and medical and jurisprudential opinions. Methods: In this review study, the idea and scientific view of medical experts, as well as rational and customary reasons, were among the things that have been paid attention to in this research. Also, the major fatwas of contemporary Shiite jurists and scholars regarding human abortion were discussed and investigated. The focus of the discussion is mostly based on jurisprudential opinion, and based on the explanation and analysis of their jurisprudential opinion, the author's point of view was also given. Results: In medical science, abortion issues and complications and ways to help the mother were taken into consideration, and during the last 3 decades, the death rate related to abortion has decreased significantly. However, the key to reducing mortality is patient education and increased awareness among healthcare workers about the potentially fatal complications that can follow abortion. At the same time, it is deduced from the Islamic texts, whether the verses of the Quran or the hadiths, that abortion has bad consequences for the physical and mental health of a person. Conclusion: In general, it can be acknowledged that medically and legally, abortion has conditions that are dangerous for the mother's health if it is not those conditions. It should be kept in mind that the sanctity of abortion is not an absolute and permanent issue from the point of view of most jurists. In many cases, it is exceptional and according to the conditions under which the abortion takes place or what purpose it pursues, it is different. For each of those cases, a suitable solution or a specific jurisprudential ruling has been provided. In matters of jurisprudence, everyone should follow the point of view of his authority. Qatabah of Islamic jurists considers abortion at any stage of pregnancy as haram and non-Sharia, if there is no valid reason for it. Also, most abortions are simple, and some of them are associated with complications that can be life-threatening. Due to the high complications of abortion, an interprofessional team including an obstetrician, radiologist, triage nurses, nurse practitioner, general surgeon, urologist, and infectious disease specialist is recommended. Most patients with complications after abortion go to the emergency room and are first visited by a triage nurse. The triage nurse should be familiar with possible complications after abortion and quickly accept the patient and warn the interprofessional team. In addition to acute bleeding, complications after abortion can include septic shock, bladder or bowel perforation, and possibly ectopic pregnancy, which can lead to high mortality if not diagnosed in time. A thorough physical examination, including the pelvis, should be performed immediately to ensure that there are no injuries. The anesthesia and operating room nurses should be informed if the patient needs urgent surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to identify Neospora caninum DNA in the brain samples of aborted fetuses of cattle, goats, and sheep in Mazandaran, northern Iran, using PCR. Methods: In total, 133 aborted fetuses (51 sheep, 78 cattle, and 4 goats) were randomly collected from different stages of gestation in various regions of Mazandaran, Iran, from Mar 2016 to May 2017. The DNA was extracted from all the brain samples using phenol chloroform isoamyl alcohol instructions. The Nc-5 gene was used for the detection of N. caninum DNA by nested-PCR assay. Results: The detection of N. caninum DNA was confirmed by the observation of a 227 bp band in 24 samples of 133 aborted fetuses (18.1%). The highest prevalence rate of N. caninum was detected in the cattle (20.5%) followed by the sheep (15.6%); however, no positive cases were reported in the goats. The highest and lowest prevalence rates of the infection were reported as 23.8% and 8.6% in Qaemshahr, and Behshahr, respectively. The prevalence rate of infection (32%) in the early gestational period was higher than those in the middle (15%) and late (3.8%) gestational periods. Conclusion: The obtained data of the present study indicated that N. caninum infection may partly be responsible for abortion and economic loss in livestock farming in Mazandaran Province. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Being obese can lead to various complications during pregnancy, such as Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM), pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), Pre-Eclampsia (PE), and Large Gestational Age (LGA). Although bariatric surgery is an effective way to treat obesity, it can also result in complications and may be linked to having small for gestational age (SGA) babies. This cohort study protocol aims to compare the maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes of two groups of Iranian pregnant women: those who have undergone bariatric surgery and those who are obese but have not had bariatric surgery., Methods: In this study Pregnant women (< 14 weeks' gestation) (n = 38 per group) are recruited either from one of the obesity clinic (exposure group = with a history of bariatric surgery) or primary healthcare clinics in Tehran city (comparison group = pregnant women with obesity and and no history of bariatric surgery). Dietary intake and nutrient status are assessed at < 14, 28, and 36 weeks. Maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes are compared between the two groups, including gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, preterm labor, intrauterine growth restriction, severe nausea and vomiting, abortion, placenta previa and abruption, venous thrombosis, vaginal bleeding, cesarean delivery, meconium aspiration, and respiratory distress. Maternal serum levels of ferritin, albumin, zinc, calcium, magnesium, selenium, copper, vitamins A, B9, B12, and 25-hydroxy Vit D are checked during 24th to 28th weeks. Maternal and neonatal outcomes, including height, weight, head circumference, fetal abnormality, infection, small or large fetus, low birth weight, macrosomia, NICU admission, and total weight gain during pregnancy, are measured at birth. Maternal and offspring outcomes, including weight, height, head circumference, total weight gain during pregnancy, newborn diseases, postpartum bleeding, breastfeeding, and related problems, are assessed 6 weeks after delivery. Child's weight, height, and head circumference are followed at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 months after birth. Maternal stress, anxiety, and depression are assessed with the DASS-21 questionnaire, and physical activity is evaluated using the PPAQ questionnaire in the first and third trimesters., Discussion: By assessing the levels of micronutrients in the blood of pregnant women along with the evaluation of pregnancy outcomes, it is feasible to gain a more accurate understanding of how bariatric surgery affects the health and potential complications for both the mother and the fetus/newborn. This information can help specialists and patients make more informed decisions about the surgery. Additionally, by examining issues such as stress, anxiety, and depression in women undergoing surgery, this study can contribute to recognizing these problems, which can also affect pregnancy outcomes., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: We aimed to detect Toxoplasma gondii in ovine aborted fetuses and evaluate its genetic variations in the southwest of Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 aborted ovine fetuses collected from the different region of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Iran, in lambing season during 2017 and 2018. DNA was extracted from the brain samples of all of the aborted fetuses and PCR amplified, targeting a 529 bp repetitive element gene of T. gondii. Moreover, to find out the heterogeneity of the positive samples, PCR-DNA amplification of the two main genetic markers, B1 and GRA6, of T. gondii were performed. Nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed, using the BLAST program and MEGA-X software. Results: The 529 bp gene of T. gondii was detected in 2 out of 100 (2%) of the ovine aborted samples. The sequences analysis of GRA6 and B1 genes revealed that both isolates from the aborted fetuses of sheep belonged to type I of T. gondii. Intra divergence was more seen in GRA6 gene whereas less divergence was ob-served in B1 gene. Conclusion: Congenital infection with Type I of T. gondii during the neonatal period is associated with abortion in ovine. Evaluation of more aborted samples from broader geographical areas is needed to elucidate the molecular epidemiology and also the genotypes of T. gondii associated with abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic obligate intracellular protozoan parasite that infects warm-blooded animals as well as humans worldwide. The purpose of this study was to delineate the prevalence of Toxoplasma infection in aborted fetuses of sheep in North Khorasan province, Iran. Three hundred and ninety-nine samples of the liver (133 samples), placenta (133 samples), and brain (133 samples) from 133 aborted fetuses of sheep were collected from 2015 to 2017. The ages of aborted fetuses were higher than 120 days' gestational age in this study. According to the samples, sixteen out of 133 aborted fetuses of sheep were infected with T. gondii. Toxoplasma DNA was found in the placenta (68.75%) and liver (31.25%) samples of infected fetuses using the PCR method. The highest and lowest rates of Toxoplasma infection were observed during 2016 and 2017, respectively. Shirvan and Faruj provinces were recognized as the two most infected districts among others. There was a significant difference between the year and abortion rate in sheep due to infection by the Toxoplasma parasite (P < 0.05). Furthermore, no significant difference between the prevalence of T. gondii infection and aborted fetuses was seen (P > 0.05) in different areas. According to the present study, T. gondii infection can be one of the causes of fetus abortion of sheep in North Khorasan province, Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pulmonary hypoplasia is a significant decrease in lung volume by any cause in comparison to the normal volume for gestational age. Objectives: To evaluate the application of prenatal magnetic resonance imaging in order to predict pulmonary hypoplasia, measurement of fetal lung volume (FLV) was aimed to establish a reference data in normal fetuses. Patients and Methods: Three hundred forty two fetuses with abnormal ultrasound findings underwent fast spin-echo T2-weighted MR imaging at a single tertiary care hospital (Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran). Data of 241 fetuses at 18 - 36 weeks' gestation without thoracic malformations were obtained for a FLV normative curve. To acquire a best-fit formula for the mean total fetal lung volume based on each gestational week with 95% confidence interval (CI), we used the regression model applied by Rypens et al. This resulted in a formula calculating the expected fetal lung volume based on gestational age. A one-sample t-test was also carried out to compare the mean total fetal lung volume at each gestational week with the expected mean total fetal lung volume predicted by the formula by Rypens et al., Meyers et al., and Osada et al. Results: Normal FLV increased with gestational age as the spread of values. The expected fetal lung volume was derived from the following formula: Fetal lung volume (mL) = 0.002 x (gestational age [GA]2.913), in which GA is gestational weeks. FLV in our population had a more consistent correlation with Japanese fetuses than European or American fetuses. Conclusion: In fetuses with normal lungs, FLV distribution against gestational age is simply measured prenatally with MR imaging. A single universal formula might not be suitable for fetuses worldwide. In our region, acquired data were more consistent with Asian normal values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is widely prevalent in animals and humans. In goats and sheep this infection has a high economic impact as it causes abortions and lamb losses. Although there are several studies reporting seroprevalence in small ruminants in Iran, molecular-based information is scarce. Purpose: This study aimed to screen caprine and ovine aborted fetuses for T. gondii infection by PCR and histopathology. Methods: Brains of 121 aborted fetuses (10 caprine and 111 ovine) were collected from different parts of the Kordestan province, bordering with Iraq. Gestational age and the general status of each fetus such as freshness, autolysis, mummification and presence of macroscopic lesions in the fetus and foetal membranes was recorded. Individual brain tissues of fetuses were subjected to nested-PCR targeting the B1 gene, and histopathological sections prepared from brains were examined microscopically. Results: PCR results revealed T. gondii-associated abortion in one caprine and nine ovine fetuses (8.3%). Microscopically, pathological lesions included non-purulent meningitis associated with gliosis, focal necrosis, and occasionally tissue cyst. Conclusion: This paper reports for the first time T. gondii-associated abortion in goats in Iran. As organs from aborted fetuses do not necessarily show lesions, molecular confirmation is the unique diagnostic method and should be used in situations of an abortion epidemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tritrichomonas foetus is recently found to be one of the causes of chronic diarrhea in domestic cats but there is no report of feline intestinal trichomoniasis in Iran. Case description: A 9 months female domestic short-haired cat was referred to our hospital with a history of chronic diarrhea over the past two months, and with an unsuccessful previous antibiotic therapy in another clinic. Findings/treatment and outcome: Clinical examination revealed 39.8°C rectal temperature. Complete blood count (CBC) showed moderate inflammatory leukogram. By the wet-mount faecal assessment, moving organisms were observed. Rectal scarping dry-mount cytology revealed many inflammatory cells along with huge numbers of trophozoites with typical morphologic characteristics including central axostyle, undulating membrane, flagella, and one laterally located nucleus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of T. foetus. After treatment with metronidazole and probiotics, the cat was completely recovered. Conclusion: This study represents the first case of intestinal trichomoniasis in a cat with chronic diarrhea in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Multiple risk factors are associated with depression during pregnancy, but so far the effect of fetal sex on depression in pregnancy has not been investigated in Iran. Objective: Frequency survey and depression – related factors with emphasis on relationship between depression and fetal sex in pregnant women referred to Al-Zahra Rasht. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study was done within a period of two months (June and July 2013) on 500 pregnant women referred (more than 20 weeks of pregnancy) to prenatal care of Al-Zahra hospital. The questionnaire consistingof two demographic data and midwifery sections and Beck standard depression inventory were completed by patients who had the inclusion criteria. Results: The prevalence of depression in 500 pregnant women was found to be 27.4%. Factors associated with depression in pregnancy using multiple Logistic regression models, maternal employment status, number of children, same sex of fetus with previous children, duration of notice from fetus sex, family history of depression, stressful event and satisfaction from spouse, and were identified as the most powerful variables affecting theincidence of depression in pregnancy. There was no significant relationship between depression and fetal gender. Conclusion: The high prevalence of depression among pregnant women in this study, compared with global studies suggests the need for more reviews and principal interventionalstudies in this field. The same gender of fetus with previous child and duration of knowledge of fetal sex had a significant relationship with depression during pregnancy. According to the results of this study, screening of the groups at risk of depression is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the severe complications of toxoplasmosis is the induction of abortion in sheep, goats, and human beings. The rate of abortions related to toxoplasmosis in sheep varies between 10% and 23% in the United States and European countries. In Iran, Toxoplasma infection were diagnosed in aborted ovine fetuses between 13.5% and 69% in the brain samples based on PCR. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of abortions related to T. gondii among the aborted fetuses of sheep in Ardabil area, North-West of Iran. Methods: The brains of 75 aborted sheep fetuses in Ardebil area were investigated with nested PCR method using fragments of the GRA6 gene during lambing seasons in 2014–2015. Meanwhile, thoracic and abdominal fluids of aborted fetuses and 200 serum samples collected from the herds affected by abortion were examined for the existence of anti-T. gondii IgG. Results: For 48 out of the 75 fetal brain samples (64%), the results of nested PCR test were found to be positive. Furthermore, antibodies against Toxoplasma was observed in 136 (68%) collected samples of sheep and 21 samples (28%) of fetal fluids. Conclusion: There is the significant role of T. gondii in the abortions of sheep in Ardabil area. Meanwhile, this condition can also be dangerous for human beings because of their consumption of sheep meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: The objective of this study was to provide biometric charts for Iranian fetuses. Methods: One thousand four hundred and twenty-two women enrolled. Four hundred and eighty-four were in the second trimester of pregnancy and 940 were in the third trimester. Data were presented as mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables. Percentiles (5th, 50th, 75th, and 90th) reported. Results: Mean femoral length ranged from 16 to 53 mm in our study in the second trimester and 55-79 mm in the third trimester. Mean biparietal diameter (BPD) for fetuses with in the second trimester was between 14 and 71 and for fetuses in the third trimester was between 74 and 98 mm. Mean abdominal circumference (AC) in our cases with gestational age between 14 and 41 ranged between 86 and 365 mm. Conclusions: We have provided normal reference ranges and percentiles for BPD, AC, femur length, and weight during the second and third trimester of pregnancy in an Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of symptomatic and non-symptomatic ductus arteriosus (PDA) and accuracy of physical signs in diagnosing PDA in preterm infants using blinded comparison of clinical and echocardiographic findings during the first week of life.Methods and Material: This prospective observational cross-sectional study enrolled 200 preterm infants, who underwent echocardiography on 4th-7th postnatal day. The neonates who were diagnosed to have PDA on echo were observed for clinical features of PDA to label it symptomatic PDA. Symptomatic PDA was defined as detecting one or all of these symptoms in a neonate with PDA: bounding pulse, pericardial hyperactivity, systolic or continuous murmur.Results: Forty-five infants had PDA on echocardiography. 66.7% neonates with PDA were symptomatic and the most prevalent symptom in them was heart murmur (100%) either alone or combined with other clinical features. Isolated murmur was seen in 31.2%, murmur and hyperdynamic precordium was seen in 8.8%, murmur and bounding pulses were seen in 6.67% and all three features simultaneously were seen in 20% of infants. The sensitivity of murmur for diagnosing symptomatic PDA was highest.Conclusion: Presence of murmur is the most important clinical feature for diagnosis of symptomatic PDA and has good specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of counseling in reducing anxiety of nulliparous pregnant women. Materials and methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 110 nulliparous pregnant women were selected out of all pregnant women referring to Fatemieh Hospital in Hamadan, Iran. Then, the subjects were divided into two groups in experimental and control (55 women in each). The data were collected through a questionnaire covering demographic and obstetric characteristics and Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The experimental group participated in four weekly sessions of group counseling about mother-infant attachment behaviors. Whereas, the control group only receive routine cares. Two groups were compared in terms of anxiety before and after the study. Results: Before the intervention, no significant difference in anxiety level was observed between the two groups; however, state and trait anxiety levels of pregnant women in the experimental group significantly decreased after the intervention (p < 0.001). There was also significant difference in the mean score of state and trait anxiety levels between the two groups after the intervention (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results showed the effectiveness of prenatal counseling in reducing state and trait anxiety levels of pregnant women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Predicting the success of vaginal delivery is an important issue in preventing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Thus, this study aimed to compare the success rate of vaginal birth by using trans-labial ultrasound and vaginal examination, and vaginal examination only in pregnant women with labor induction., Methods: This was a comparative study including 392 eligible pregnant women with labor induction attending to a teaching hospital affiliated with Iran University of Medical Sciences from April to October 2018 in Tehran, Iran. Women were randomly assigned to two groups; the trans-labial ultrasound plus vaginal examination (group A), and the vaginal examination only (group B). Women were included in the study if they satisfied the following criteria: singleton pregnancy, 37 to 42 weeks of gestational age, fetal head presentation, a living fetus with no abnormalities, uncomplicated pregnancy, and no previous cesarean section or any uterine surgery. We used a partograph for both groups to assess the fetal head position and the fetal head station. In group 1, the Angle of Progression (AoP) and Rotation Angle (RA) were also assessed. Finally, the success and progression of vaginal delivery in two groups were compared by predicting the duration of delivery and mode of delivery., Results: The findings showed that 8.68% of women in the trans-labial plus vaginal examination group delivered by cesarean section, while 6.13% in the vaginal examination only group delivered by cesarean section (P = 0.55). In women with cesarean section in positive fetal head stations, Angle of Progression (AoP) was significantly decreased ranging from 90 to 135 degrees compared to women who delivered vaginally (135-180 degrees; P <  0.001). In addition, the Rotation Angle (RA) was significantly decreased in women with cesarean section ranging from 0 to 30 degrees compared to women who delivered vaginally (60-90degrees; P <  0.001). Further analysis indicated that a higher risk of cesarean section was associated with vaginal examination only as compared to trans-labial ultrasound plus vaginal examination (HR: 8.65, P <  0.001)., Conclusion: Angle of Progression (AoP) and Rotation Angle (RA) indexes might be useful parameters to predict labor progression and successful vaginal delivery among women undergoing labor induction., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Background: Failed visualization of the fetal nasal bone (NB) by ultrasound at 11 -14 weeks of gestation is strongly associated with chromosomal abnormalities. Meanwhile, the incidence of the absent fetal NB in normal fetuses in the first trimester in mothers of different ethnic origins differs significantly. It is, therefore, important to assess ethnic variations in the first-trimester visualization of the fetal NB before introducing this marker into routine screening programs for aneuploidy. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the NB length and the prevalence of the NB absence as well as calculating the likelihood ratio (LR) for the absence of the NB in normal fetuses of Iranian women undergoing first-trimester screening for trisomy 21. Patients and Methods: In 767 normal fetuses, the fetal profile was examined by ultrasound for the absence/presence of the NB. The NB length was also measured, and the LR for the NB absence was also determined. Results: The NB was absent in 2/767 (0.26%) of the fetuses. The mean length of the NB was 3.6 ± 0.69 mm for the fetuses of 11 -14 weeks gestational age. The LR value of the absent NB was equal to 250 in the normal fetuses of the Iranian population living in the North-West provinces. Conclusion: The low prevalence of the NB absence in normal fetuses in the present study is compatible with the larger size of the NB in Iranian people compared to other communities. Meanwhile, the reference range of the NB length in normal Iranian fetuses was established so that basic data could be recorded for further studies regarding the absence or presence of the NB in screening for chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome) within the Iranian population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have assessed the correlation of fetal choroid plexus cyst (CPC) and the risk of congenital anomalies, but few ones have discussed isolated CPC (with no other abnormal sonographic finding). Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome of isolated fetal choroid plexus cyst and to specify its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out at Royan Institute in Tehran, Iran, between April 2009 and December 2012. All prenatal sonographies in this period of time were assessed using a computerized database and fetuses who had isolated CPC were recruited in the study. Sonography reports, mother serum screening test results, fetal echocardiography and amniocentesis were evaluated until birth. A follow-up phone call was made to all individuals to learn about the neonatal outcomes. Results: Overall, 6240 prenatal sonographies were performed in this setting during this period. Isolated CPC was detected in 64 fetuses. The results of double test (N=30), triple test (N=5) and fetal echocardiography (N =24) were normal. Quadruple test result showed 3 abnormal out of 29 cases that all had normal karyotypes. Four samples were dropped out due to premature rupture of membranes (N=3) and intrauterine fetal death (N=1). It was found that the outcomes of all remaining fetuses (N=60) were normal and no anomaly ones were seen until birth. Conclusion: Isolated CPC is a benign regressive condition with no clinical significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to compare the cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) gene expression in the cord blood of infants born from mothers living in low- and high-air polluted areas. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in Spring 2012 in Isfahan, the second large and air-polluted city in Iran. The study comprised 60 neonates, consisting of 30 infants born from mothers residing in areas with high levels of air pollution and an equal number of infants born in areas with a lower air pollution level. The umbilical cord blood sample was taken immediately after birth. The relative gene expression levels of CYP1A1 were examined using real time-polymerase chain reaction method. Results: CYP1A1 gene expression level was 3.3-fold higher in the group living in areas with higher pollution level than in the other group (P = 0.01). No significant difference existed in the mean values of maternal age, gestational age, the newborns' birth weight, and the gender distribution between the two groups. Conclusion: This study provides confirmatory evidence of prenatal health hazards of ambient air pollution and highlights the need for pollution prevention programs to protect women of childbearing age and their children. The clinical implications of this study finding should be confirmed in future longitudinal studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are a few studies about commissioning mothers' understanding from the surrogacy during 9 months of waiting for delivery in Iran and other countries. This study was conducted with an aim to explore and explain the nature of concerns (experiences) of commissioning mothers. Materials and Methods: A qualitative design with a conventional content analysis approach was used to gather and analyze the experiences of commissioning mothers. They were selected from Royan Research Centre and other infertility centers in Iran. After purposive sampling for the selection of the participants, unstructured interviews were held for data collection. Twenty-four unstructured interviews were conducted with 12 commissioning mothers, 2 surrogate mothers, and 2 infertility center social workers who directly and continuously dealt with these mothers. Results: Two main themes emerged from the data analysis: 1. cultural dilemma (consisting of three subthemes: Social taboo, concerns about disclosure to others and the child, concerns about altering maternal and child's identity, and 2. uncertain waiting (consisting of three subthemes: Concerns about health of fetus and surrogate, concerns about an unfamiliar surrogate, and concerns about lack of preparation for maternal role). Conclusions: The study reveals the importance of maternal emotional care in this group and introduces a new arena for nurses' activity. These findings help the mothers by nurses' activities in health care clinics and anywhere they deliver nursing care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) is an important disorder that could be diagnosed in antenatal or postnatal period. The natural history of VUR seems to be different between prenatal or postnatal forms of the disease. We compared the natural history and outcome of vesicoureteral reflux in infants less than one year old diagnosed prenatally or postnatally. Methods: All infants less than 12 months old with VUR were enrolled in two groups. Group 1 composed of patients with antenatal hydronephrosis and group2, infants with diagnosis of VUR because of UTI or other postnatal problems. We followed patients for an average of 33 months. Outcome was assessed by several factors: somatic growth, need for surgery, resolution, occurrence of UTI and scar formation. Findings: We studied 236 renal units in 152 patients (70 boys, 82girls), 67 patients in group 1 and 85 patients in group2. Occurrence of recurrent UTI was 10.6% with no significant difference between two groups. Reflux resolved in postnatal group more significantly than in the other group (73% vs 49%). Scar developed similarly in both groups (15% vs 25% of renal units). Surgery performed in 7 (8.2%) of postnatal and 4 (6%) of prenatal group with no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion: VUR diagnosed prenatally has similar importance and outcome as postnatal diagnosed one. We suggest performing the same imaging and treatment procedures for prenatally and postnatally diagnosed VUR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Foetal growth restriction (FGR) describes the pregnancy complications of pathological reduced foetal growth, leading to significant perinatal mortality and morbidity, and subsequent long-term cardiovascular outcomes. This prospective case-control study was performed on pregnant women referred to the hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2017-2019. All pregnant women underwent ultrasound scan and doppler sonography. FGR was defined as a sonographic estimation of foetal weight below the tenth percentile for a given gestational age. Cardiac sphericity index, including basal-apical length (BAL), transverse length (TL), global sphericity index (GSI), umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI), middle cerebral artery (MCA) PI and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) were assessed. Mean gestational age in FGR and control groups were 233.90 ± 22.00 days and 229.00 ± 25.02 days, respectively. Foetal size index and estimated foetal weight in FGR foetuses were significantly lower than the control group ( p  < .05). BAL, TL and GSI were significantly affected by FGR ( p  = .0001, p  = .018 and p  = .0001, respectively). Abnormal GSI, MCA PI, umbilical artery PI and CPR were significantly more prevalent among FGR foetuses ( p  = .017, p  = .0001, p  = .0001 and p  = .0001, respectively). Cardiac sphericity index, as well as uterine PI, MCA PI and CPR, were the determinants of FGR in foetuses with normal Doppler and abnormal GSI.IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on this subject? Foetal growth restriction (FGR) describes the foetus that does not grow to its expected biological potential in utero , and is a relatively common complication of pregnancy. FGR is accosted with negative birth outcomes and long-term cardiovascular outcomes. One of the indicators of FGR is cardiac sphericity. What do the results of this study add? The findings of this study revealed that the cardiac sphericity index as well as umbilical PI, MCA PI and CPR ratio change in FGR foetuses. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? It is recommended that more studies be performed to follow FGR foetuses longitudinally and evaluate the long-term cardiac abnormalities in infancy and childhood and compare it between FGR foetuses and normal foetuses.

Background: The aim of this study was to apply the nested-PCR and bioassay methods in detection and genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii infection in provided sheep aborted fetus samples from Qazvin Province of Iran. Methods: Eighteen sheep aborted fetal samples were studied by nested-PCR-RFLP, histopathological observation and microbiological assay. Bioassay in mice was carried out by inoculating the brain samples intraperitoneally. Results: The results demonstrated the frequency of 66% infected sheep aborted fetal samples with T. gondii type one. Although we could not isolate any parasite from inoculated mice even after three passages, but it was confirmed histopathologically formation of cyst like bodies in prepared mice brain sections. Conclusion: The results of the performed nested-PCR and formation of brain cyst in inoculated mice exhibited that T. gondii type one infection might be considered as one of the major causative agents for abortion in ewes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In previous years, identification of fetal cells in maternal blood circulation has caused a new revolution in non-invasive method of prenatal diagnosis. Low number of fetal cells in maternal blood and long-term survival after pregnancy limited the use of fetal cells in diagnostic and clinical applications. With the discovery of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in plasma of pregnant women, access to genetic material of the fetus had become possible to determine early gender of a fetus in pregnancies at the risk of X-linked genetic conditions instead of applying invasive methods. Therefore in this study, the probability of detecting sequences on the Y chromosome in pregnant women has been evaluated to identify the gender of fetuses. Peripheral blood samples were obtained from 80 pregnant women at 6th to 10th weeks of gestation and then the fetal DNA was extracted from the plasma. Nested PCR was applied to detect the sequences of single copy SRY gene and multi copy DYS14 & DAZ genes on the Y chromosome of the male fetuses. At the end, all the obtained results were compared with the actual gender of the newborns. In 40 out of 42 born baby boys, the relevant gene sequences were identified and 95.2% sensitivity was obtained. Non-invasive early determination of fetal gender using cffDNA could be employed as a pre-test in the shortest possible time and with a high reliability to avoid applying invasive methods in cases where a fetus is at the risk of genetic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective Delivery of iodine to the foetus depends not only on maternal dietary iodine intake but also on the presence of a functioning placental transport system. A role for the placenta as an iodine storage organ has been suggested, and this study compares the iodine content of placentas from women giving birth at term in Ireland and Iran, areas with median urinary iodine of 79 and 206 μg/l respectively. Design Placental cotyledon iodine was measured using an alkaline ashing technique with Sandell-Kolthoff kinetic colorimetry. Samples were taken from six sites from the centre and periphery of each cotyledon. Placentas (Ireland n = 58; Iran n = 45) were obtained from consecutive euthyroid women delivering at term. Results The median placental iodine (μg/g wet weight) was significantly higher in Iranian than in Irish women (187·2 μg/g vs 34·3 μg/g; P < 0·001). The distribution of individual placental iodine values showed that values >50 μg/g were found in 71·0% of Iranian and in only 21·0% of Irish samples. In Irish subjects, the relationship of placental iodine to pregnant population urinary iodine (UI) (ng/g:μg/l) was 1:2 (40:79), while in Iranians this ratio is closer to 1:1 (211:206). Conclusions These findings, by demonstrating an apparent ability of the placenta to store iodine in a concentration-dependent manner, suggest a hitherto undetected role for the placenta. Whether placental iodine has a role in protecting the foetus from inadequacies in maternal dietary iodine intake is as yet unknown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Well-controlled clinical studies in the developed world have shown that probiotics can shorten the duration of acute non-bacterial diarrhea. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a probiotic consisting of a mixture of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum in the treatment of young children with acute diarrhea in Mashad, Iran Methods: Sixty-two hospital inpatients aged 6 to 36 months with acute non-bloody, non-bacterial diarrhea of a less than 2 days' duration and moderate dehydration were enrolled. Thirty-two were treated with probiotic powder three times daily for 5 days plus the routine oral rehydration solution (study group) and the other 30 were given a placebo plus oral rehydration solution (control group). Results: Mean age at the time of admission was 14.5±7 months for the study group and 13.7±6 months for controls. The mean duration of diarrhea was 3.4 days in the study group and 4.5 days in controls (P = 0.027). Duration of hospital admission was 2.1±0.7 days in the probiotic group compared with 2.7±0.6 days in the control group (P = 0.033). Average weight gain was 425 ± 9 and 370 ± 85 g for the study and control groups, respectively. Average reduction in the frequency of diarrhea per day was 4.4 ± 1.5 times for the study group and 3.6 ± 1.3 times for the control group. Conclusion: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum shortened the duration of diarrhea and hospital stay, and normalized stool frequency. The use of probiotics might be recommended for treating acute diarrhea in young children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of Neospora caninum organisms in the brain of aborted fetuses and placentas of full-term calves born of seropositive cows. Methods: During 2006-2007, 12 brains of aborted calves from Neospora seropositive cattle and 7 placentas from seropositive dams giving birth to full-term calves, from four dairy cattle farms located around Tehran province, Iran were examined by Nested-PCR and histopathology techniques. Result: The Nested-PCR demonstrated that all of 12 aborted fetal brain samples and 5 of 7 placentas were infected by N. caninum. Mild to severe placentitis was observed in 5 placentas. Severe hyperemia and perivascular and perineuronal edema revealed in all fetal brain. In 3 out of 12 brains, scattered foci of hemorrhages, neuropilar necrosis and gliosis were present. In addition, nonpurulent encephalitis with severe lymphohistiocytic perivascular cuffing in one case and a small tissue cyst like Neospora caninum cyst in other calf were observed. Conclusion: Our results confirmed the molecular and histopathologic findings of other studies about Neospora caninum infection and it seems to support the hypothesis that Neospora infection is associated with bovine abortion in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ambient carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matters (PMs) are two important air pollutants in urban areas with known impacts on fetuses. Hence, this study measured some biochemistry factors of 200 neonates with birth dates from January 19 to October 12, 2020, including the birth weight and height and the serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, and TSH. The Support Vector Machine-fitted land-use regression approach was used to predict the spatio-temporal variability of intra-urban PM 2.5 and CO concentrations by month during the pregnancy period of the cases employing 5 variables of Digital Elevation Model (DEM), slope, and distance from Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations, and mines and industries. Spearman correlation analysis (p < 0.05) was performed between the neonate indices and mean monthly PM 2.5 and CO concentrations at the exact residential address of maternal cases and their nearby areas in 250, 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 m-radius buffer rings. All modeling efforts succeeded in predicting CO and PM 2.5 levels with acceptable adjusted r2 values. Northern Isfahan had relatively higher CO and PM 2.5 concentrations due to its adjacency to low-vegetated open lands and its high traffic load as compared to southern areas. The correlation results between the neonate biochemistry indices and mean PM 2.5 and CO concentrations were mostly positive in most buffer rings, especially in the >500 m-radius buffer rings for PM 2.5 and in the 2000 m-radius rings for CO. Although the correlation results of PM 2.5 followed a detectable trend in the buffer rings, the associations between CO and the neonate biochemistry indices differed significantly between the buffer rings. Results showed that increasing mean monthly concentration of CO and PM 2.5 may stimulate further production of liver enzymes while decreasing the birth weight and height. [Display omitted] • The effects of ambient PM2.5 and CO pollutants on fetus development were assessed. • PM2.5 and CO pollutants were modeled using land-use regression. • 200 neonates were assessed in terms of physical development, liver enzymes and TSH. • Strong associations were found between fetus attributes and nearby PM2.5 and CO levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan that infects the fetus through the placenta and leads to severe complications in the fetus. One of the complications of congenital toxoplasmosis is spontaneous abortion. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis infection was investigated among spontaneously aborted fetuses (SAFs), and the genotypes of parasite isolates were determined in the present study. Placentas from 330 samples of SAFs were collected in Jahrom (Fars province) from February to September 2018. DNA was extracted from each placental tissue. The T. gondii infection was detected using nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR) assay based on a 529 bp repeat element (RE) gene. Afterward , Toxoplasma was genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) based on the GRA6 gene. The frequency of T. gondii infection was found to be 14.5% (48 out of 330 samples). Genotyping of nine T. gondii isolates revealed that all belonged to genotype II. Statistically, the prevalence of T. gondii infection was significantly correlated with the education levels of the mothers and the age of the fetus (P < 0.05). The lowest prevalence of Toxoplasma infection belonged to mothers with university education and the highest frequency of infection was observed among the fetuses in the age group of 8–9 weeks. The findings of the present study suggest a significant role for toxoplasmosis in SAFs in Jahrom city. • The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was investigated in 330 of spontaneously aborted fetuses (SAFs) using Nested-PCR for RE gene. • Toxoplasma strains were genotyped using PCR-RFLP based on the GRA6 gene. • The frequency of T. gondii infection was found to be 14.5%. Genotyping of nine isolates revealed that all belonged to G2. • The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was significantly correlated with the education levels of the mothers and the fetal age. • The findings of the present study suggest a significant role for toxoplasmosis in SAFs in Jahrom city. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the results of the nonstress test (NST) performed at 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM on women with high-risk pregnancies.Method: The NST was performed 2 h after a meal, at 9:00 AM and 9:00 PM, in a quiet room exposed to daylight, on 80 women with high-risk singleton pregnancies. Each session lasted 20 min. If the NST was nonreactive, the entire biophysical profile was immediately performed. The women's blood pressure was measured before, 10 min within, and at the end of the NST. Women who smoked or had uterine contractions were excluded from the study.Results: Diurnal nonstress test variations were manifested by a higher incidence of reactive NSTs and an increased number of fetal heart accelerations after 9:00 PM (82.5%) than at 9:00 AM (68.8%) (p<0.027 P<0.001).Conclusions: Evening appointments for fetal assessments, except in emergency conditions, may eliminate the need for additional tests such as the entire biophysical profile because of the decreased incidence of nonreactive NSTs. Evening NSTs would save time and decrease maternal anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discourse on abortion rights inevitably centres on the fetus, and is often framed around the dichotomy of "pro-life" vs. "pro-choice" positions. This dichotomy is not, however, the only framework to discuss abortion; concerns about the fetus have found varied expression in theological, legal and medical constructs. This article examines discourses on the fetus from the Philippines, Iran and the United States, to show how complex they can be. It examines laws punishing abortion compared to laws punishing the murder of children, and also looks at the effects of ultrasound, amniocentesis and stem cell research on anti-abortion discourse. Although the fetus figures prominently in much legal discourse, it actually figures less prominently in popular discourse, at least in the English and Philippine languages, where terms like "child" and "baby" are used far more often. Finally, the article highlights the need to examine the experiences and narratives of women who have had abortions, and the implications for public policies and advocacy. It is important to expose the way anti-abortion groups manipulate popular culture and women's experience, driving home their messages through fear and guilt, and to show that pregnant women often decide on abortion in order to defend their family's right to survive. Le discours sur le droitàl'avortement se centre inévitablement sur le fætus et s'inscrit souvent autour de la dichotomie des positions « pour » ou « contre » l'avortement. Cette dichotomie n'est cependant pas le seul cadre de discussion de l'avortement ; les préoccupations pour le fætus ont trouvé diverses expressions dans des argumentations théologiques, juridiques et médicales. Cet article étudie le discours sur le fætus aux Philippines, en Iran et aux Etats-Unis, pour montrer sa complexité. Il compare les lois qui sanctionnent l'avortement avec les lois punissant le meurtre d'enfants, et s'intéresse aussi aux conséquences sur le discours anti-avortement de l'échographie, l'amniocentèse et la recherche sur les cellules souches. Si le fætus figure au centre de beaucoup de textes juridiques, sa place est moindre dans le discours populaire, au moins en anglais et en philippin, où les termes « enfant » et « bébé » sont utilisés beaucoup plus fréquemment. Enfin, l'article souligne la nécessité d'examiner les expériences des femmes qui ont avorté, et les conséquences sur les politiques publiques et le plaidoyer. Il faut expliquer comment les groupes anti-avortement manipulent la culture populaire et l'expérience des femmes pour véhiculer leurs messages par la peur et la culpabilité, et montrer que les femmes décident souvent d'avorter pour défendre le droit de leur familleàsurvivre. La disertación sobre los derechos de aborto inevitablemente se centra en el feto y suele enmarcarse en torno a la dicotomáa "pro-vida" contra posiciones "pro-libre elección". Sin embargo, esta dicotomáa no es el único marco para analizar el tema del aborto; las inquietudes respecto al feto han encontrado diversas expresiones en las estructuras teológicas, jurádicas y médicas. En este artáculo se examina la disertación sobre el feto en Filipinas, Irán y Estados Unidos, para mostrar cuán compleja puede ser. Se analizan las leyes que castigan el aborto comparado con las que castigan el asesinato de niños, y además se estudian los efectos de la ecografáa, amniocentesis e investigación en células madre en la disertación anti-aborto. Aunque el feto se destaca en gran parte de la disertación jurádica, en realidad no se menciona tan a menudo en la disertación popular, por lo menos en inglés y en filipino, donde términos como "niño" y "bebé" se utilizan con mayor frecuencia. Por último, el artáculo resalta la necesidad de examinar las experiencias y lo referido por las mujeres que han abortado, y las implicaciones para la gestoráa y defensa y las poláticas. Es importante exponer la forma en que los grupos anti-aborto manipulan la cultura popular y la experiencia de las mujeres, recalcando sus mensajes mediante el temor y la culpa, y mostrar que las mujeres embarazadas a menudo optan por interrumpir su embarazo a fin de defender el derecho de su familia a la supervivencia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study examined the impact of in utero exposure to Ramadan, the Islamic fasting month, by trimester on height at ages 0 to 18 for a sample of children from Tehran, Iran. If exposure to Ramadan is associated with significant nutritional stress to the fetus, the fetus's adaptive responses to nutritional insufficiency could manifest as changes in height during childhood, long before any effects on aging or disease risk at older ages., Methods: Children who were exposed and not exposed to Ramadan in utero were compared to identify any systematic difference between their parents' and households' characteristics (including height, age, education, and indicators of wealth). Also, the seasonal pattern of food consumption in Tehran was analyzed. Finally, the association of child height with prenatal exposure to Ramadan was measured, controlling for seasonality and parent and household., Results: Ramadan associated fasting in the second trimester of gestation was associated with 0.091 age-adjusted SDs (ie, 0.60-0.67 cm) decrease in children's height at age 10 years or older. The negative association was largest in male children and was approximately 1 cm at age 12 years or older among male children., Conclusion: Maternal Ramadan fasting in the second trimester, the critical period for long bone development, was associated with decreased height. Exposure to ritual fasting is important because approximately 75% of all Muslim children are exposed to Ramadan in utero., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the fetal environment is a high-priority concern due to the fetus being more sensitive than adults to these ubiquitous xenobiotics. The aim of the present study was to compare the maternal and fetal serum levels of ΣPAHs and their effects on fetal growth in an industrial and an urban area in Southwest Iran. The industrial area was the petrochemical and gas area (PGA) of the Central District of Asaluyeh County and the urban area (UA) was the Central District of Bushehr County, Ninety-nine maternal serum (MS) and 99 cord serum (CS) samples from the PGA and 100 MS and 100 CS samples from the UA were collected during May 2018 to February 2019. The mean concentrations of ΣPAHs were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the PGA than the UA in both MS (157.71 vs. 93.56 μg/L) and CS (155.28 vs. 93.19 μg/L) samples. Naphthalene (NAP) was the predominant PAH detected in all the studied samples. Significant negative associations were found between birth weight and anthracene (ANT) level in MS (β = −22.917, p = 0.032; weight decrement = 22.917 g for a 1 μg/L increase in ANT); head circumference and chrysene (CHR) level in MS (β = −0.206, p = 0.023; head circumference decrement = 0.206 cm for a 1 μg/L increase in CHR); and birth height and NAP level in CS (β = −0.20 , p = 0.005; height decrement = 0.20 cm for a 1 μg/L increase in NAP). Maternal diet had a significant effect on the serum levels of PAHs. The results of this study showed that transmission of PAHs from mother to fetus through the cord blood is an important issue and mothers who live in industrial areas and consume PAH-containing foodstuffs, and their fetuses, are more at risk than those living in a non-industrial urban area. [Display omitted] Capsule: Comparison of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons levels of maternal and cord serum samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia carrier couples has helped to prevent bearing affected children. Among 177 couples referred to our laboratory for prenatal diagnosis, 14 mothers had twin pregnancies. Methods: By using direct and indirect methods, we determined their mutations and linkage analysis using polymorphic markers (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP]). Results: It was shown that in five families both fetuses were heterozygote carriers. In another five families, one fetus was normal and the other one was carrier. In two families, one fetus was affected and the other one was heterozygous carrier; in one case one fetus was affected and the other one was homozygote normal. In the last family both fetuses were homozygote normal. If all fetuses were fraternal then one would expect to see seven homozygote normal and the same number affected, and 14 carriers. Conclusion: Our results indicated that at least in cases where both fetuses had identical genotypes, then they may be identical twins. Molecular testing indeed showed that in three cases the twins were identical. Another point is that in three cases, one of the twin fetuses was affected and the other one was either normal or heterozygote in which only the affected fetuses were aborted by the specialist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxoplasmosis is an important cause of abortion and stillbirth in sheep on a worldwide basis. In the present study, the role of Toxoplasma gondii in inducing abortion in sheep of the Mashhad area of Iran was addressed using serological and parasitological methods. In total, 325 aborted ovine fetuses were collected between 2006 and 2008 during lambing season. Thoracic and abdominal fluids of aborted fetus were serologically investigated with a T. gondii-IFAT. Antibody titers equal to or greater than 1:20 were detected in 17 (5.2%) of ovine fetuses. Processed brain samples of seropositive ovine fetuses were intraperitoneally inoculated into mice for isolation of T. gondii. The process yielded a single T. gondii isolate that remained avirulant for mice after several passages. The results document that T. gondii is among the important causes of ovine abortion in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract??Neospora caninumis an apicomplexan protozoan which causes abortion in cattle worldwide. The present study was designed to assess the importance of bovine neosporosis for causing abortion in Iranian cattle. Infection was primarily diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), complemented with histopathology and immunohistochemistry (IHC). One hundred brains of aborted bovine fetuses were collected from Iranian dairy herd between 2003 and 2005 in Mashhad area.N. caninumwas detected by PCR in the brains of 13 aborted fetuses. Lesions consistent withN. caninuminfection were observed in 12 of fetal brains. Immunohistochemical examination of brain detectedN. caninumorganisms in three aborted fetuses, and a thick-walled (2??m) cyst with 50??m diameter was identified in one of the IHC-positive brain. The results indicated that neosporosis is an important cause of abortion in dairy cattle of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Anti- Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 7 (7%) and 3 (3%) of sera from women with spontaneous abortion. • PCR detected T. gondii DNA in the buffy coat of two seropositive and one seronegative case, but not in the fetuses tissues. • The isolates belonged to type I of T. gondii. Given the lack of routine screening and the high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Iran, the current study aimed to find out the rate and features of Toxoplasma gondii infection in the spontaneously aborted human fetuses in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, Southwestern Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on 100 spontaneously aborted fetuses' tissues and their mother blood samples. The mothers' sera were evaluated for anti- Toxoplasma antibodies while their buffy coat and aborted fetuses tissues were evaluated for Toxoplasma DNA. PCR product at GRA6 locus was sequenced and phylogenetic analysis was done. Likewise, quantitative Real-Time PCR was performed to find out the parasite burdens in mothers buffy coat and fetuses tissues. Using serological method, anti- Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies were detected in 7 (7%) and 3 (3%) out of 100 sera from women with spontaneous abortion. Real-time PCR method detected T. gondii DNA in the buffy coat of one seronegative and 2 (out of 3) IgM seropositive cases. None of the samples from aborted fetuses were infected with T. gondii. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis showed that the sequenced isolates belonged to type I of T. gondii and two identified T. gondii isolates were taxonomically grouped into one clade. Our findings revealed type I genotype of T. gondii in two mothers with spontaneous abortion, without fetus involvement. It is necessary to examine more aborted fetuses' samples from different geographical areas to determine the association between Toxoplasma genotype and abortion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study is to systematically review the studies on Neospora caninum infection in aborted bovine fetuses in Iran. Search for all published reports on N. caninum in Iran was performed from inception until January 2020. Major English (PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct) and Persian (SID, Iranmedex, and Magiran) electronic database sources were used. Finally, 16 articles were assessed for eligibility and 12 articles comprising 20 independent studies were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Due to the statistically significant heterogeneity (Q=149.12, df=19, P<0.001 and I2=87.26), the random effect model was used for meta-analysis. Prevalence of N. caninum infection in 1239 aborted bovine fetuses with 351 positive ones was 34.8% (95% CI: 26.5–44.0%). Sample size was categorized as < 50 and ≥ 50 and subgroup meta-analysis was performed to compensate for the loss of precision due to inclusion of small size studies. The result showed that overall prevalence of infection in the latter group (23.1%) is significantly lower than in the first category (45.7%). It may be suggested that the subgroup with large sample size would be more precise and conservative approximation of the infection at the country level. The present meta-analysis confirms the previous findings regarding the importance of N. caninum as a major abortion agent in cattle industry in Iran and the need for appropriate action toward prevention and control of this parasite.

Fetuses and young children are sensitive to even low levels of exposure to Hg, which can damage their brain and adversely affect their central nervous system and cognitive development. This study was conducted to determine the maternal and fetal mercury burden levels in mothers presenting to Shahidan Mobini Hospital for delivery. Eighty-nine mothers were included in this study and 360 samples were taken from their placental tissue and blood (maternal blood) as well as their umbilical cord tissue blood (infant blood). Findings revealed a significant strong correlation (r = 0.890, p < 0.001) in blood mercury between mothers and their infants. According to multiple linear regression analysis, there was a significant positive association between living in rural areas and the level of mercury in the placental tissue (β = 11.09, p < 0.001). This positive association was also found in other samples. In addition, there was a significant association between maternal age and mercury level in the placental tissue (β = 5.56, p = 0.049), placental blood (β = 11.67, p = 0.003), umbilical cord tissue (β = 8.33, p = 0.004) and umbilical cord blood (β = 9.51, p < 0.001)., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: 15-20percentofIranian couplesareinfertile on average. In recent yearsgreat improvementsinassisted reproductivetechniqueshave been carried outin our country. The aim of the presentstudywas to present a survey of gamete and fetus donations in Iran. Materials and Methods:This article reviewed the most recent internet and library resources to collect the data related to the subject. Results: State population policies won the United Nations award for successes in family planning programs in 1988. These policies not only reduced the population, but also helped infertile couples take vital steps.Religion and the subsequent Islamic views are particularly important for people who seek infertility treatment in Iran. It should be mentioned that in recent decades, scientific progresses in the field of medical sciences have substantially stressed medical ethics. Third-party reproduction is one of the new treatment methods has required fatwasin order to be included in Islamic religious frames. Fortunately, Iranian religious authorities have received new scientific discoveries openly. Fatwas issued so far has paved the ground forlegislating inthis filed; the congress ratified the act of embryo donation to infertile womenin July 2003. The cabinet received executive regulations for this act in March 2004. According to these regulations, donors should have legalized marriage bond, acquire normal physical and mental health, possess good IQ, have no addiction to psychotropic or addictive substances and have no incurable disease (like AIDS, or hepatitis). The donors‘ and recipients‘ information are kept confidential, and documents related to the donors or recipients are only disclosed by court decision. The Recipients‘ eligibility should be confirmed by a righteous court and affairs concerning embryo donation are processed quickly outside the formal timetables set for civil litigation. The court decision which underlies rights, tasks, consent, etc. assumes public order and justice and possesses validity in all legal systems. Programs for sieving and giving consultation to donors and receivers are mainly based on the health and well-being of the newborn baby. Conclusion: Due to the novelty of gamete and embryo and the present legislations in our country, further studies should be dedicated to ethical issues in addition to the medical andlegalissues [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most controversial topics in international medicine during the last few decades has been artificial insemination, which has been examined in different scientific, religious, and ethical settings due to its multifaceted characteristics. While artificial insemination displays positive effects and averts disintegration in families deprived of children, it bears detrimental effects including intermixture and obliteration of parentages which is caused by introduction of a man's sperm into a female who is not necessarily his sexual partner. Custody of children born by artificial insemination is an intricate legal problem facing our society. Custody is a nonfinancial consequences of parentage. This article discusses the parentage debates followed by artificial insemination and attempts to figure out who would get the custody of newborn child when third-party reproduction is involved. Since children form a large part of society and the approved laws should particularly pay attention to them. Legislator should ordain written laws in order to secure children born this way. Also, sanctions should be put to oblige parents to give proper care to these children. This article has used library method, surveying historical documents for data collection. Documents' sources are mentioned. In line with couples' natural right for childbearing, this research reviews artificial insemination and the subsequent debates rose for the custody. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we report the first case of a 619 bp deletion on the beta-globin gene, found in a family from Kerman Province, Iran. This mutation is frequent in Pakistan, but it has not been previously reported in any part of Iran. This study revealed that all family members have this beta(0)-thalassemia (beta(0)-thal) mutation.