scholarly journals An Investigation Into the Beneficial Effects of High-Dose Interferon beta 1-a, Compared to Low-Dose Interferon Beta 1-a (the base therapeutic regimen) in moderate to severe COVID-19

Author(s):  
Ilad Alavi Darazam ◽  
Firouze Hatami ◽  
Mohammad Mahdi Rabiei ◽  
Mohamad Amin Pourhoseingholi ◽  
Minoosh Shabani ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a serious obstacle in front of public health. Interferon-beta 1a (IFN-β 1a) has been used to treat patients with COVID-19. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of high-dose IFN-β 1a compared to low dose IFN-β 1a in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.Methods: In this randomized, controlled, and clinical trial, eligible patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections were randomly assigned to receive one of the two following therapeutic regimens: The intervention group was treated with high-dose IFN-β 1a (Recigen) (Subcutaneous injections of 88μg (24,000 IU) on days 1, 3, 6) + lopinavir /ritonavir (Kaletra) and the control group was treated with low-dose IFN-β 1a (Recigen) (Subcutaneous injections of 44μg (12,000 IU) on days 1, 3, 6) + lopinavir /ritonavir (Kaletra) (400mg/100 mg twice a day for 10 days, orally, in two groups). Result: A total of 168 COVID- 19 confirmed patients underwent randomization; 83 were assigned to the intervention group and 85 were assigned to the control group. Median Time To Clinical Improvement (TTIC) for cases treated with low-dose IFN-β1a was shorter than that for cases treated with high-dose IFN-β1a (6 vs10 days). Due to differences between some baseline clinical factors between intervention and control group, we performed an adjusted analysis. The model failed to reach a significant difference between two groups. Conclusion: The use of high-dose IFN-β 1a did not improve TTCI in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Also, it did not have any significant effect on mortality reduction compared with treating with low-dose IFN-β 1a.Trial registration: The trial was confirmed by the Ethics in Medical Research Committee of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Signed informed consents were obtained from all the participants or their legally authorized representatives. This trial has been registered as ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04521400.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilad Alavi Darazam ◽  
Firouze Hatami ◽  
Mohammad Mahdi Rabiei ◽  
Mohamad Amin Pourhoseingholi ◽  
Minoosh Shabani ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a serious obstacle in front of public health. Interferon-beta 1a (IFN-β 1a) has been used to treat patients with COVID-19. We aimed to compare the effectiveness of high dose IFN-β 1a compared to low dose IFN-β 1a (the base therapeutic regimen) in moderate to severe COVID-19 cases.Methods: In this randomized, controlled, and clinical trial, eligible patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections were randomly assigned to receive one of the two following therapeutic regimens: The intervention group was treated with high dose IFN-β 1a (Recigen) (Subcutaneous injections of 88μg (24,000 IU) on days 1, 3, 6) + lopinavir /ritonavir (Kaletra) and the control group was treated with low dose IFN-β 1a (Recigen) (Subcutaneous injections of 44μg (12,000 IU) on days 1, 3, 6) + lopinavir /ritonavir (Kaletra) (400mg/100 mg twice a day for 10 days, orally, in all two groups). Result:A total of 168 COVID- 19 confirmed patients underwent randomization; 83 were assigned to the intervention group and 85 were assigned to the control group. Median Time To Clinical Improvement (TTIC) for cases treated with low dose of IFN-β1a was shorter than that for cases treated with high dose of IFN-β1a (6 vs10 days; P=0.018). Hazard Ratio for TTCI in the Cox regression model was 1.56 (95% CI: 1.05-2.30, P-value=0.026). Due to differences between some baseline clinical factors between intervention and control group, we; therefore, performed an adjusted analysis by including spo2, D-dimer and CRP in Cox regression model. The model failed to reach a significant difference between two groups. The adjusted HR was 1.37 (95% CI: 0.88-2.12, P-value=0.16). No difference was observed in terms of mortality between two groups. ConclusionThe use of high-dose IFN-β 1a did not improve TTCI in hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19. Also, it has not any significant effect in mortality reduction compared with treating with low-dose IFN-β 1a.Trial registration: The trial was confirmed by the Ethics in Medical Research Committee of the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. signed informed consents were obtained from all the participants or their legally authorized representatives. This trial has been registered as ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04521400.


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (4) ◽  
pp. 185-191
Author(s):  
Tomomi Nobashi ◽  
Tsuneo Saga ◽  
Yuji Nakamoto ◽  
Yoichi Shimizu ◽  
Sho Koyasu ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective. This study investigated whether the metformin (Met)-induced enhanced intestinal uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (18F-FDG) is reduced by loperamide, a long-acting anti-diarrheal agent. Methods. Mean18F-FDG uptake in the mouse small intestine and colon with Met exposure was compared with that in control mice. In the Met group, high-dose (1.0 mg/kg body weight) and low-dose (0.1 mg/kg body weight) loperamide were introduced, and18F-FDG uptake in the small intestine and colon was compared with that of control mice administered high-dose loperamide. The percent injected dose of18F-FDG per gram of tissue (%ID/g) in the extracted tissues was then determined. Results.18F-FDG uptake increased significantly in the small intestine (0.64±0.06 vs. 1.01±0.15, p=0.040) and, especially, the colon (0.46±0.13 vs. 2.16±0.51, p<0.001) after Met exposure. Neither high-dose nor low-dose loperamide significantly reduced18F-FDG uptake in the small intestine (0.82±0.31 vs. 0.84±0.22, p=0.93 and 0.78±0.25 vs. 0.70±0.15, p=0.13, respectively) or colon (2.13±0.41 vs. 1.67±0.55, p=0.063 and 1.77±0.39 vs. 1.80±0.25, p=0.56, respectively). The colonic %ID/g was significantly higher in Met groups irrespective of loperamide introduction than in control group, whereas the significant difference in the small intestine was observed only between Met and control groups. Conclusion. Metformin increased18F-FDG uptake in intestines especially in colon. Loperamide administration partially, but not sufficiently, suppresses the Met-induced increased colonic uptake of18F-FDG.


2015 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 181-189
Author(s):  
Isidro Alex C. Urriquia ◽  
Lotus D. Llavore

ObjectiveAn animal trial, its protocol approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the U.P. National Institutes of Health (IACUC Protocol No. 2010-008), was employed to investigate the effects of resveratrol on the degree and rate of orthodontic tooth movement in guinea pigs.Materials and MethodsEighteen male adult guinea pigs were randomly allocated into 3 groups: low dose, high dose, and control groups. A 0.016″ titanium molybdenum alloy wire formed into a helical torsion spring with a coil, with the loops cemented onto the maxillary incisors of the animals, served as the orthodontic appliance. Daily oral administration of resveratrol was provided to the low dose (0.047 mg/kg) and high dose (0.47 mg/kg) groups, while water was provided to the control group. Measurements were taken everyday at the interproximal area at the level of the incisal edge using a measuring caliper.ResultsThe results of the ANOVA showed no statistically significant differences in the mean measurements of tooth separation among the three groups from day 2 (P=0.966) to day 8 (P=0.056). However, starting from day 9 (P=0.049) until day 18 (P=0.000), there was a significant difference in the mean tooth separation among the test groups.ConclusionUsing the LSD, it was noted that the low dose and the high dose groups have similar degrees of mean tooth separation, with the control group being significantly different from the two.


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-822
Author(s):  
Maryam Safary ◽  
Sevil Hakimi ◽  
Noushin Mobaraki-Asl ◽  
Paria Amiri ◽  
Habib Tvassoli ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrophic vaginitis is a common problem in postmenopausal women and results from decreased levels of blood estrogen. It is associated with symptoms of itching, burning, dyspareunia, and postmenopausal bleeding. The present study evaluated the effects of fenugreek extract on atrophic vaginitis. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 60 postmenopausal women in Ardabil, Iran, in 2018. The participants were selected using block randomization with the allocation ratio 1:1. Those in the intervention group received 0.5g (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) fenugreek vaginal cream 5% twice a week for 12 weeks. The control group received conjugated estrogens vaginal cream at the dose of 0.625 mg (the applicator filled to the half-full mark) containing 0.3 mg of conjugated estrogens. Atrophic vaginitis was evaluated before and after the treatment through clinical examination, clinical signs, and measurement of Vaginal Maturation Index (VMI). Findings: After the 12-week intervention and modification of the baseline score, the mean (standard error) score for atrophic vaginitis signs was 3.100 (1.43-4.75). This difference was statistically significant in intragroup comparison and in favor of the control group in intergroup comparison (p=0.001). VMI was less than 49% in 86.7% and 46.7% of the participants in the intervention and control groups, respectively. This was a significant difference in favor of the control group (p=0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that total fenugreek extract could be effective in treating signs of atrophic vaginitis, but it was not as effective as ultra-low-dose estrogen.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sevde Aksu ◽  
Pelin Palas Karaca

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (<i>n</i> = 30) and control groups (<i>n</i> = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.


Author(s):  
Meilinah Hidayat ◽  
Sijani Prahastuti ◽  
Estherolita Dewi ◽  
Dewi Safitri ◽  
Siti Farah Rahmawati ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTObjective: As an antiobesity therapy, combination extracts of Detam 1 soybean and Jati Belanda will be consumed for a long time; therefore, theirtoxicities to the liver need to be investigated. To determine the effect of subchronic toxicity test of combination of ethanol extract of Detam 1 soybean(EEDS) and ethanol extract of Jati Belanda (EEJB) on liver function with parameters: Alanine transaminase (ALT), macroscopic, and histopathologicalof liver.Methods: This study was conducted on 120 Wistar rats (60 males and 60 females), 90 days (treatment group) and 120 days (satellite group). Ratswere divided into six treatment groups (3 test materials, 1 control, and 2 satellites); each group included 10 males and 10 females.Results: ALT levels of treatment groups (low dose, medium, and high), both males and females were lower than the control group (p<0.05). Thetreatment groups demonstrated a good effects effect on liver function. Liver weight of all groups showed no significant difference compared with thecontrol group (p>0.05). Results of histopathological score interpretation of male and female liver rats of low dose groups were not disturbed; middledose groups were slightly disturbed and high dose groups were damaged. Satellite high doses of male groups were disrupted, while female groupswere not.Conclusion: The combination of EEDS and EEJB has a good effect on liver function, did not lead to change organ weight and at low doses did not causerenal histopathology damage in rats after 90 days administration.Keywords: Combination of soybean Jati Belanda, Toxicity subchronic test, Function, Weight, Histopathology, Liver.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
Hamid Reza Adeli Bhroz ◽  
Kazem Parivar ◽  
Iraj Amiri ◽  
Nasim Hayati Roodbari

Background and Aim: Thyroid is one of the endocrine glands, (T3 and T4) play a significant role in the development of prenatal brain and the following stages. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of hypothyroidism on the amount of expression of NT4, NT3, nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in brain of one-day rat neonates with hypothyroidism.Materials and Methods: In total, 25 mature mice of Albino NMRI race were selected after mating, divided into three group, control, as well as low-dose and high-dose intervention groups. Samples of the control group received pure water during pregnancy, whereas subjects of the intervention group with low and high doses of the medication were administered with 20 mg and 100 mg methimazole powder (dissolved in 100 cc water), respectively. After child delivery, blood samples were obtained from mother mice to determine the level of T3 and T4 in blood serum. Following that, the brain of one-day mice were removed by surgery and assessed to determine the amount of expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF using the complete kit of RT-PCR.Results: Levels of T4 and T3 in the control group were 28 ug/dl and 1.59 ug/dl, respectively. In the low-dose intervention group, the amounts of the mentioned hormones were 8 ug/dl and 0.85 ug/dl, significantly, indicating a significant reduction in the expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF genes, compared to the control group. Moreover, T4 and T3 were 6 ug/dl and 0.79 ug/dl in the high-dose group, respectively, conveying a significant decrease in the expression of NT4, NT3, NGF and BDNF genes, compared to the control group (P<0.05).


2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Sabah R. H. Ahmed ◽  
Safaa G. Salem ◽  
Nahed M. Saber ◽  
Reda T. A. Abou Elazab ◽  
Merfat M. Atia

the offspring in prenatal and postnatal periods and later life.  Lack of self-care is the most important reason for mortality in diabetic patients. Self-efficacy has a significant role in enhancing successful adherence to healthy behaviors, lifestyle modifications, and diabetes control among gestational diabetes pregnant women. Aim:  The current study aimed to evaluate the nursing intervention (NI) effectiveness on health locus of control (HELOC) and self-efficacy in women with gestational diabetes (GD). Methods: A quasi-experimental design (study and control group) was used. The researchers conducted this study at the Antenatal Outpatient Clinics of Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital, Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. A purposive sample of 120 women with GD was carefully chosen from the nominated setting and dispersed accidentally into two identical groups (study and control group). Three tools were used for collecting the study data: A structured self-administered questionnaire, the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale-C Form, and the General Self-efficacy Scale. Results: There is a statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in their internal health locus of control (HELOC) scores after the intervention, with a mean difference of 4.70 at CI 95% for the intervention group p<0.001. A non-statistically significant difference was found between the intervention group and the control group in the external health locus of control (HELOC) mean scores before and after the intervention, although there was a significant difference between the change in both groups p=0.032. Also, there is a highly statistically significant difference between the intervention group and the control group in the self-efficacy scores after the intervention in the intervention group, where p<0.001 compared to a non-significant difference between them before the intervention group intervention (p=0.555). Conclusion: The study concluded that the women with GD who attended NI sessions obtained higher HELOC scores (internal and external) and higher self-efficacy scores than those who do not. Educational nursing intervention should become a fundamental part of the total management of gestational diabetes in antenatal outpatient clinics.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Anggi Vina Hariyati ◽  
Cahyaningrum ◽  
Adil Zulkarnain

Anemia is one of the public health problems that need more attention of the female because they experience menstruation and they are in the growth phase. From the data of Semarang City Health Office  in 2011, it is shown the incidence of anemia in adolescents aged 10-19 years old are 68.24%. The prevention effort of the case is by measuring hemoglobin and prescribing blood supplement. The objective of the study is to find out the effect of Fe tablets on Hemoglobin in Semarang Merchant Marine Polytechnique students. The objective of the study is to find out the effect of Fe tablets on Hemoglobin in Semarang Merchant Marine Polytechnique students. This research used pre-experimental design with the two group pretest posttest. The population in this Study were all Merchant Marine Polytechnique Semarang at the 4th semester of female students  amounting to 50 with the total respondents 34 respondents taken with purposive sampling technique. The data were collected by performing Hemoglobin examination. The results of the study show that the average Hemoglobin before being prescribed Fe on the intervention and control group was 11.29 g/dl. After being prescribed Fe to the intervention group, it is found the average increased to 13.69 g/dl, while in the control group it is found averaged 11.72 g/dl. Bivariate Analysis uses an independent t test, the value of t is 6.136 with a p-value of   0.000. It shows that the p-value is 0,000 <((0.05), this indicates that there is a significant difference in the decrease in Hemoglobin levels in the population after being prescribed blood supplement between the intervention and control groups in The Semarang Merchant Marine Politechnique Students. It is suggested that the female adolescents to consume more iron-containing foods or consume Fe supplements such as Fe, during menstruation. ABSTRAK  Anemia merupakan salah satu masalah kesehatan masyarakat yang perlu khusus nya pada remaja  putri yang perlu mendapatkan perhatian khusus karena remaja putri mengalami mestruasi tiap bulan dan dalam masa pertumbuhan . Hasil Data Dinas Kesehatan Kota Semarang tahun 2011.  Kejadian anemia pada remaja usia 10-19 sebanyak 68,24%. Untuk menangani masalah tersebut pencegahan yang dilakukan yaitu dengan cara mengukur hemoglobin dan pemberian suplemen tablet tambah darah . Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat Pengaruh Pemberian Tablet Fe Terhadap Hemoglobin Pada Taruni Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat Pengaruh Pemberian Tablet Fe Terhadap Hemoglobin Pada Taruni Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang. Jenis penelitian ini menggunakan  pre-eksperimen design dengan rancangan Two group pretest posttest. Populasi dalam penelitian iniadalah seluruh taruni politeknik ilmu pelayaran semarang semester 4 berjumlah 50 taruni dengan jumlah sempel 34 responden dengan tehnik pengambilan sempel purposive sampling. Pengambilan data dengan melakukan pemeriksaan Hemoglobin.  Penelitian menunjukan bahwa rata-rata Hemoglobin sebelum diberikan pada taruni kelompok intervensi  dan  kontrol sama yaitu  11,29 g/dl.  Dan setelah diberikan pada kelompok intervensi  rata-rata meningkat menjadi 13,69 g/dl, sedangkan  kelompok kontrol rata-rata sebesar 11,72 g/dl. Analisis bivariate Menggunakan uji t independen, didapatkan nilai t hitung 6,136 dengan p-value sebesar 0,000. Terlihat bahwa p-value 0,000 <a (0,05), ini menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan secara signifikan penurunan (selisih) kadar Hemoglobin b pada taruni sesudah diberikan tablet penambah darah antara kelompok intervensi dan kontrol pada taruni Politeknik Ilmu Pelayaran Semarang.  Hendaknya bagi remaja putri lebih banyak mengomsumsi makanan yang mengandung zat besi atau mengomsumsi suplemen yang mengandung besi seperti Fe terutama saat mestruasi


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahboobeh Rasoulzadeh Bidgoli ◽  
robab latifnejad roudsari ◽  
ali montazeri

Abstract Background: Infertility is an emotional tension which influences the whole aspects of relationships in infertile couples. A main objective of infertility treatments is elevation of pregnancy rate. The present study aimed to examine the effect of collaborative counseling on pregnancy rate in infertile women, undergoing in vitro fertilization in Mashhad, Iran. Methods: In this clinical trial, 60 women with primary infertility were selected from an infertility research center and were randomly allocated into intervention (n=29) and control (n=31) groups. The intervention group received individual counseling, based on the collaborative reproductive healthcare model with collaboration of a midwife, a gynecologist and a clinical psychologist in five sessions during a two-month period. The control group received routine care. Positive pregnancy test was considered as a criterion of treatment success at the end of the study. Data were analyzed using statistical tests including independent samples t-test. Results: There was no significant difference in pregnancy rate between intervention and control groups (P = 0.298). Also, there were no significant differences in follicle and embryo numbers between two groups. However, a significant difference was observed between two groups in terms of oocyte numbers where the intervention group had more oocyte (P = 0.014). Conclusion: Overall the findings indicated that the collaborative infertility counseling did not improve treatment success in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization


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