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Background and Objectives: Since intra-paragigantocellularis lateralis (LPGi) injection of 17p-estradiol induces strong analgesia in male rats which might be mediated via estrogen receptors, this study investigated the role of estrogen receptors of LPGi nucleus in the modulation of formalin-induced pain (while being stimulated by 17p-estradiol) during estrus phase in female rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 48 female Wistar rats (200-270 gr) were randomly divided into 8 groups including control, sham, normal saline (17p-estradiol solvent), DMSO (ICI182,780 solvent), 17p- estradiol, estrogen receptor antagonist (ICI182,780; 15&50 nmol) and ICI182,780/17p-estradiol. After entrance into the estrus phase, drugs were injected into the LPGi nucleus; 15 minutes later, formalin injection (5%, 50 ^l) was done into the left rat's hind paw and formalin-induced paw jerking behavior was recorded for 1 hr. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey multiple comparison test. Results: The results of this research showed that during estrus phase, the treatment of LPGi nucleus with 17p- estradiol significantly attenuated paw jerking behavior in the both phases of formalin test (p<0.001). Pretreatment of the LPGi nucleus with ICI182,780 prevented the 17p-estradiol-induced antinociception (p<0.001). Conclusion: Based on these results, it can be suggested that intra-LPGi injection of 17p-estradiol induces robust analgesia during the estrus phase in female rats; and this effect may be mediated via estrogen receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The current study was designed to determine the beneficial effects of zinc intake on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women with gestational diabetes (GDM). Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 50 women with GDM. Patients were randomly allocated to intake either 233 mg zinc gluconate (containing 30 mg zinc) (n = 25) or a placebo (n = 25) for 6 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the fist of the study and after 6 weeks of intervention to quantify related variables. Newborn's weight, height, head circumference, Apgar score, and hyperbilirubinemia were determined. Results: The change in serum zinc levels after 6 weeks of supplementation was greater in women consuming zinc than in the placebo group (+ 8.5 ± 13.5 vs. - 3.6 ± 16.2 mg/dL, P = 0.006). Changes in serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (- 110.1 ± 1475.5 vs. + 1 137.8 ± 2 429.2 ng/mL, P = 0.03) and plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+ 60.0 ± 129.0 vs. - 28.4 ± 81.4 mmol/L, P = 0.006) were significantly different between the supplemented women and placebo group. We did not find any significant effect of zinc administration on pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: Taken together, zinc administration among patients with GDM was associated with decreased hs-CRP and increased TAC concentrations; however, it did not influence maternal plasma nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, or pregnancy outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease distributed worldwide. Early infection by these protozoa can develop an antibody response which is preventive of abortion and congenital Toxoplasmosis in pregnant women. This study was conducted to determine Seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis in women referring to Kashan Reference Laboratory. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in 2008-2012. Blood samples of 434 women referring to Reference laboratory were examined for IgG and IgM antibody of Toxoplasmosis by Elisa method. Results: Out of 434 women, 311 (71.66%) were seronegative, 123 (28.34%) had IgG antibody (≥10 IU/ML), and 7 (1.6%) cases were positive for IgM antibody spontaneously (>=1.1 IU/ML).The highest seropsitive rate was identified in 25-35 year-oldgroup (46.3%) and 35-45 year-old group (26%) respectively. In 36.6% of seropsitive women, a 10-50 IU/ML of IgG antibody was detected and only 5 subjects(4.1%) enjoyed up to 250 IU/ML antibody. Conclusion: This study showed that a high rate (71.66%) of women who had referred to Kashan Reference Laboratory were negative for Toxoplasmosis antibody. This is very important for the reason that many of the pregnant women are susceptible and thus exposed to Toxoplasmosisis. So preventive and educational measures are recommended for women in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study has investigated whether circulating estrogen level variations in the pro-estrus and estrus phases of the intact rats and estrogen depletion in the ovariectomized animals (OVX) adjust the formalin-induced nociceptive behaviors. During the pro-estrus and estrus phases of rats' estrus cycle and in the OVX rats, 17β-estradiol and ICI 182,780 (estrogen receptor antagonist) were administered into the right paragigantocellularis lateralis (LPGi) nucleus. Then, the formalin-induced flexing and licking responses were recorded for 60 min. The findings of this study revealed that intra-LPGi administration of 17β-estradiol (0.8 μmol) reduced the formalin-induced flexing and licking duration in pro-estrus and estrus rats (P < 0.001), suggesting an analgesic effect. 17β-Estradiol injection into the LPGi nucleus of OVX rats increased the flexing duration (P < 0.05) while decreasing the licking duration (P < 0.05) of the formalin test. The pain modulatory effect of 17β-estradiol on the flexing response was reversed by ICI 182,780 (15 nmol) in the pro-estrus (P < 0.001) and estrus rats (P < 0.001) but not in the OVX rats. Also, pretreatment of LPGi nucleus with ICI 182,780 reversed the analgesic effect of 17β-estradiol on the licking response in the pro-estrus (P < 0.05), estrus (P < 0.001), and OVX rats (P < 0.001). These results suggest that the pain threshold in intact female rats is modulated independently of the estrus state. Still, the basal level of plasma estrogen and the activation of its receptors are necessary for pain modulation., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: One of the drawbacks of tooth-colored dental restorations is their discoloration over time. The present study aimed to determine the effect of four categories of pediatric medications, including analgesics, antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and multivitamins, on two types of tooth-colored dental materials, namely, composite resins and glass ionomer cements., Materials and Methods: In this in vitro study, a total of 40 specimens with disc shapes (with a diameter of 5 mm and thickness of 2 mm) were prepared from each material and immersed in eight different drugs for 2 min three times a day for 1 week. The values of the baseline color were calculated based on the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) L*a*b* system. After 7 days, ΔE values were calculated. Two-way analysis of variance was employed for statistical analysis. Statistical significance was defined at 0.05., Results: Statistical analysis showed that there were significant differences between ΔE and different restorative materials as well as ΔE and drug types ( P < 0.001)., Conclusion: According to the results of this in vitro study, all the four types of drugs caused the discoloration in all the restorative materials, and the color change values were affected by the type of used drug and restorative material., Competing Interests: The authors of this manuscript declare that they have no conflicts of interest, real or perceived, financial or nonfinancial in this article., (Copyright: © 2021 Dental Research Journal.)

Aim: The objective of this study was to determine and compare the effectiveness of two methods of role playing and lecture on knowledge, attitude and performance of nursing' students in the context of pre-hospital triage., Design: This was a pre-test-posttest quasi-experimental study., Methods: A total of 66 nursing students (third year) were assigned to two groups, the control group ( N  = 23) and intervention group ( N  = 23). START pre-hospital triage was taught to two groups by using a lecture (control group) and role playing (intervention group) method. Immediately before the intervention and 4 weeks after the training, students' knowledge, attitude and practice in both groups were assessed through a questionnaire and a checklist. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 21., Results: The results showed that the mean scores of knowledge, attitude and performance increased after intervention in both groups ( p  < .05). The mean ( SD ) difference of total performance score from baseline to follow-up in the experimental group and the control group was 23.91 (13.83) and 7.00 (13.20), respectively ( p  < .001). While there was no significant difference between the mean ( SD ) difference of knowledge and attitude scores in the experimental group and the control group before and after the intervention ( p  > .05)., Competing Interests: We have no conflict of interest to declare., (© 2020 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The current study was designed to determine the beneficial effects of zinc supplementation on expressed levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and glucose transporter type 1 (GLUT1) genes in newborns of women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed among 40 women with GDM. Patients were randomly allocated to intake either 233 mg zinc gluconate (containing 30 mg zinc) (n = 20) or a placebo (n = 20) for 6 weeks. PPAR-γ and GLUT1 mRNA levels were quantified in umbilical cord blood of newborns of women with GDM. After 6 weeks of intervention, the change in serum zinc levels was greater in women consuming zinc than in the placebo group (+11.1 ± 13.4 vs. -4.8 ± 17.3 mg/dL, P = 0.002). Quantitative results of RT-PCR demonstrated that compared with the placebo, zinc supplementation resulted in a significant increase of expressed levels of PPAR-γ mRNA (P < 0.001) and GLUT1 mRNA (P < 0.001) in umbilical cord blood of newborns of women with GDM. Taken together, the current study demonstrated that zinc supplementation for 6 weeks among GDM women increased the mRNA levels of PPAR-γ and GLUT1 in their newborns compared with the placebo group.

Objective: To the best of our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of zinc supplementation on metabolic status in women with gestational diabetes (GDM). This study was designed to determine the effects of zinc supplementation on glucose homeostasis parameters and lipid concentrations in GDM women., Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 58 women diagnosed with GDM, primigravida and aged 18-40years old. Patients were randomly divided into two groups to receive 233mg zinc gluconate (containing 30mg zinc) supplements (n=29) or placebo (n=29) per day for 6weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at the beginning and end of the trial to quantify glucose, insulin and lipid concentrations., Results: Patients who received zinc supplements had significantly higher serum zinc concentrations (+6.9±13.2 vs. -1.5±16.5mg/dL, P=0.03) than those received the placebo. In addition, zinc-supplemented patients had reduced fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (-6.6±11.2 vs. +0.6±6.7mg/dL, P=0.005), serum insulin levels (-1.3±6.6 vs. +6.6±12.2μIU/mL, P=0.003), homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (-0.5±1.6 vs. +1.5±2.7, P=0.001), homeostatic model assessment-Beta cell function (HOMA-B) (-0.7±25.0 vs. +26.5±49.5, P=0.01) and increased quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+0.01±0.01 vs. -0.01±0.02, P=0.004) compared with the placebo. Additionally, significant differences in serum triglycerides (+13.6±61.4 vs. +45.9±36.5mg/dL, P=0.01) and VLDL-cholesterol concentrations (+2.7±12.3 vs. +9.2±7.3mg/dL, P=0.01) were observed following the administration of zinc supplements compared with the placebo.We did not observe any significant effects of taking zinc supplements on other lipid profiles., Conclusions: Taken together, 30mg zinc supplementation per day for 6weeks among GDM women had beneficial effects on metabolic profiles., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Background: To our knowledge, prior research has not examined the effects of magnesium supplementation on metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes in maternal-child dyads affected by gestational diabetes (GDM)., Objective: This study was designed to assess the effects of magnesium supplementation on metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes in magnesium-deficient pregnant women with GDM., Design: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed in 70 women with GDM. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either 250 mg magnesium oxide (n = 35) or a placebo (n = 35) for 6 wk. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after a 6-wk intervention., Results: The change in serum magnesium concentration was greater in women consuming magnesium than in the placebo group (+0.06 ± 0.3 vs. -0.1 ± 0.3 mg/dL, P = 0.02). However, after controlling for baseline magnesium concentrations, the changes in serum magnesium concentrations were not significantly different between the groups. Changes in fasting plasma glucose (-9.7 ± 10.1 vs. +1.8 ± 8.1 mg/dL, P < 0.001), serum insulin concentration (-2.1 ± 6.5 vs. +5.7 ± 10.7 μIU/mL, P = 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (-0.5 ± 1.3 vs. +1.4 ± 2.3, P < 0.001), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated β-cell function (-4.0 ± 28.7 vs. +22.0 ± 43.8, P = 0.006), and the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.004 ± 0.021 vs. -0.012 ± 0.015, P = 0.005) in supplemented women were significantly different from those in women in the placebo group. Changes in serum triglycerides (+2.1 ± 63.0 vs. +38.9 ± 37.5 mg/dL, P = 0.005), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (-432.8 ± 2521.0 vs. +783.2 ± 2470.1 ng/mL, P = 0.03), and plasma malondialdehyde concentrations (-0.5 ± 1.6 vs. +0.3 ± 1.2 μmol/L, P = 0.01) were significantly different between the supplemented women and placebo group. Magnesium supplementation resulted in a lower incidence of newborn hyperbilirubinemia (8.8% vs. 29.4%, P = 0.03) and newborn hospitalization (5.9% vs. 26.5%, P = 0.02)., Conclusion: Magnesium supplementation among women with GDM had beneficial effects on metabolic status and pregnancy outcomes. This trial was registered at www.irct.ir as IRCT201503055623N39., (© 2015 American Society for Nutrition.)

Background: Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are considered for their thrombogenicity and the risk of premature atherosclerosis and the stroke caused by them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between chronic use of low-dose COCs (ethinyl estradiol 30 mcg + levonorgestrel 150 mcg) and endothelial dysfunction and intima-media thickness., Methods: In a cross-sectional study, in 2011-2012, 60 healthy premenopausal women (30 cases of COC consumers and 30 controls as nonconsumers), aged between 25 and 45 years, participated in this study. They were current users for at least a 3-year period. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT) were measured for the patients., Results: The mean duration of COC consumption was 54.03 ± 27.27 months in the case group. There was a significant FMD% difference between 2 groups of cases and controls: 11 ± 3.53 versus 15.80 ± 9.22 (P = .01). In addition, a significant mean CCA-IMT thickness difference was detected: .53 ± .07 versus .44 ± .08 (P = .00). However, after multiple regression analysis and adjusting for body mass index (BMI), in COC users, no significant association between COC consumption duration and FMD% and mean CCA-IMT was observed., Conclusions: Prolonged used of low-dose COCs may cause changes in both endothelial function (measured by FMD%) and endothelial structure (measured by CCA-IMT). There was a nonsignificant inverse relationship between the duration of COC ingestion and FMD% and a nonsignificant positive relationship with CCA-IMT. Our results are in favor of early atherosclerotic changes in prolonged users of COCs., (Copyright © 2014 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Micronutrient deficiency during pregnancy is associated with several complications. This study was designed to determine the effects of received multivitamin-mineral vs. multivitamin supplements on maternal, newborns' biochemical indicators, and birth size., Methods: This double-blind randomized-controlled clinical trial was conducted among 48 Iranian pregnant women, primigravida, aged 18-35 years old in their second and third trimester from December 2011 to September 2012. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive either the multivitamin-mineral (n=24) or multivitamin supplements (n=24) for 20 weeks. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after a 20-week intervention of pregnant women as well as umbilical cord blood of the babies immediately after delivery to measure serum calcium, vitamin D, iron, magnesium, zinc and biomarkers of oxidative stress including plasma total antioxidant capacity and total glutathione., Results: Multivitamin-mineral compared to multivitamin supplementation resulted in a significant increase in maternal serum calcium (0.5 vs. -0.1 mg/dL, p=0.04) and magnesium levels (0.1 vs. -0.2 mg/dL, p<0.001). Furthermore, mean plasma total glutathione levels (1791 ± 566 vs. 1434 ± 622 µmol/l, p=0.04) of the newborns whose mothers received multivitamin-mineral were higher than those whose mothers received multivitamin supplements., Conclusions: Overall, multivitamin-mineral compared to multivitamin supplementation for 20 weeks during pregnancy resulted in a significant increase in maternal serum calcium and magnesium levels as well as a significant elevation of newborn plasma total glutathione levels.

Myasthenia gravis is a rare complication of bone marrow transplantation and graft versus host disease. We report a 30-year-old woman presented with oculobulbar and proximal limb weakness after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia. Also, she developed graft versus host disease following bone marrow transplantation. Investigations led to the diagnosis of muscle specific kinase antibody related myasthenia gravis. There have been only two case reports of muscle specific kinase antibody positive myasthenia gravis after bone marrow transplantation in the literature, but none of the previously reported cases had graft versus host disease., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Given the lack of consistency in the literature regarding the reliability of the ankle-brachial index (ABI) as a valid screening tool and an independent risk indicator of cardiovascular events and mortality, we compared it with angiography as a reference standard test., Methods: This case-control study, conducted between 2010 and 2011 in Tehran Heart Center, recruited 362 angiographically confirmed cases of coronary artery disease (CAD) and 337 controls. A standard protocol was used to measure the ABI and different CAD risk factors., Results: A low ABI had specificity of 99.7%, positive predictive value of 95.8%, negative predictive value of 49.8%, sensitivity of 64%, likelihood ratio of 24.07, and odds ratio (OR) of 22.79 (95%CI: 3.06-69.76). The role of the associated risk factors was evaluated with OR (95%CI), with the variables including gender 3.15 (2.30-4.30), cigarette smoking 2.72 (1.86-3.99), family history 1.72 (1.17-2.51), diabetes 1.66 (1.15-2.4), and dyslipidemia 1.38 (1.02-1.88). In a multivariate model, the following variables remained statistically significantly correlated with CAD [OR (95%CI)]: ABI 13.86 (1.78-17.62); gender 3.69 (2.43-5.58); family history of CAD 2.18 (1.41-3.37); smoking 1.69 (1.08-2.64); age 1.04 (1.02-1.06)., Conclusions: A low ABI had specificity of 99.7%; however, because of its low sensitivity (64%), we should consider CAD risk factors associated with a low ABI in order to use it as a first-line screening test.

Increased levels of pro-inflammatory factors, markers of oxidative stress and insulin resistance during pregnancy have been associated with the development of pre-eclampsia. There is some evidence to suggest that calcium supplement and aspirin can reduce the risk of the disorder. To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of consumed calcium supplement plus aspirin on high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), oxidative stress parameters and insulin resistance in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This study was designed to investigate the effects of consumed calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin on hs-CRP, oxidative stress parameters and insulin resistance among Iranian pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial was carried out among 42 pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia, primigravida, aged 18-40 year old who were carrying singleton pregnancy at their third trimester. Subjects were randomly assigned to received either the placebo (n = 22) or calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin (n = 20) for 9 weeks. Calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin were containing 500 mg carbonate calcium plus 80 mg aspirin. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 9 weeks intervention to measure serum hs-CRP, oxidative stress parameters including plasma Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Total Glutathione (GSH), Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), serum insulin and HOMA-IR score. Consumption of calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin resulted in a significant difference serum hs-CRP levels as compared to the placebo (102.87 vs. 3227.75 ng mL(-1), p = 0.01). Also, mean changes for plasma TAC (68.96 vs. -74.46 mmol L(-1), p = 0.04) and total GSH levels (304.33 vs. -39.33 micromol L(-1), p = 0.03) were significantly different between the two groups. No significant differences were found comparing calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin and placebo in terms of their effects on FPG, serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR. Within-group differences in the placebo group revealed a significant increase in serum hs-CRP levels (3227.75 ng mL(-1), p = 0.008) and marginally significant increase in plasma total GSH levels (304.33 micromol L(-1), p = 0.07). In conclusion, consumption calcium supplement plus low-dose aspirin during pregnancy for 9 weeks in pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia resulted in a significant difference serum hs-CRP and increased levels of plasma TAC and total GSH as compared to the placebo group, but could not affect serum insulin levels and HOMA-IR score.

Increased metabolic profiles during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and remain a significant medical challenge. To our knowledge, no reports are available indicating the effects of calcium-vitamin D supplementation on metabolic profiles among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This study was designed to determine the effects of consumption calcium-vitamin D supplements on metabolic profiles among Iranian pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia. This randomized single-blind controlled clinical trial was performed among 49 pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia, primigravida, aged 18-35 year old who were carrying singleton pregnancy at their third trimester. Subjects were randomly assigned to consume the placebo (n = 25) or calcium-vitamin D supplements (n = 24) for 9 weeks. Calcium-vitamin D supplements were containing 500 mg carbonate calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D3. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and after 9 week intervention to measures of Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG) and serum lipid profiles. Consumption of calcium-vitamin D supplements resulted in decreased FPG and serum triglycerides levels as compared to the placebo (-9.1 vs. 0.5 mg dL(-1); p = 0.03, -11.7 vs. 49.9 mg dL(-1); p = 0.001, respectively). No significant differences were found comparing calcium-vitamin D supplements and the placebo in terms of their effect on serum total-, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol levels. Within-group differences in the placebo group revealed a significant increase in serum triglycerides levels (+49.9 mg dL(-1), p < 0.0001). In conclusion, consumption of calcium-vitamin D supplements for 9 weeks during pregnancy among pregnant women at risk for pre-eclampsia resulted in decreased FPG and serum triglycerides levels as compared to the placebo group, but could not affect serum total-, HDL-, LDL-cholesterol levels.