Evaluation of the Relationship between Vitamin D Deficiency and Atherogenic Factors in Diabetic Patients with Metabolic Syndrome

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome includes a range of disorders that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. In this study, we examined the serum level of vitamin D3 in diabetic individuals with metabolic syndrome compared with non-diabetic individuals without metabolic syndrome and the association of serum vitamin D3 levels with metabolic syndrome and atherogenic factor (LDL/HDL). Material and Methods: In a case-control study, we included 110 women with metabolic syndrome according to ATP III criteria and 127 healthy women as a control group. Serum concentration of total cholesterol, LDL-C, FBS, HDL-C and serum triglyceride determined by enzymatic method and colorimetric and, serum level 25-(OH) vitamin D determined by ELISA. Results: It was found that the two healthy and metabolic groups were significantly different in terms of total cholesterol levels, LDL and triglyceride levels, HDL, VLDL, FBS, atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) and vitamin D levels (p<0.05). All participants in the control group and the patient and the whole study population were divided into two categories of insufficient and sufficient based on their measured serum concentrations of 25-(OH) vitamin D. There was a significant difference between the group with insufficient levels of vitamin D in comparison with the group with sufficient levels of vitamin D in terms of total cholesterol, LDL and triglyceride levels, HDL, VLDL, FBS and atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) (p=0.000). Conclusion: The present results showed that there is a significant relationship between level 25-(OH) D and atherogenic index (LDL/HDL) and the incidence of metabolic syndrome.

Evaluation of Patients’ Anxiety about COVID-19 Infection through Dental Visits in Sari Dental School Clinic in 2021

Introduction: Dental treatments have a high-risk nature due to the close relationship between the patient and direct exposure to saliva, blood, etc. Concerns about the transmission of COVID-19 infection have led to the formation of some form of patient fear. Therefore, considering the importance of mental health, the present study was designed to investigate the degree of anxiety in people with COVID-19 through dentistry.Material and Methods: In the present descriptive study, 384 questionnaires were randomly distributed among the patients of Sari Dental Clinic in the period of April to June 2021. After the necessary explanations and obtaining informed written consent, the questionnaires were completed by the clients. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS V.22 software and statistical tests. Values greater than 0.05 were also considered significant.Results: In this study, 29.2% were male and 68.8% were female, and corona-related anxiety was more common in women and married people. As they got older, they tended to respond to higher options like most of the time or always. The higher the level of education, the less noticeable the unnecessary visits to the dental clinic.Conclusion: People were more worried about transmitting the disease to those around them and this anxiety was more in women than men. Married people were also more anxious than single people. Anxiety was significantly higher in the unemployed than in the employed. There was a significant relationship between degree and level of anxiety and people with higher education levels showed more anxiety.

An Investigation on the Properties of Zingiber officinale Rose and Its Application in Nutrition and Medicine Based on Scientific and Islamic Texts

Introduction: Zingiber officinale Rose (ginger) has been used for many purposes in traditional medicine since 2500 years ago. This study intends to introduce the ginger plant, some of their applications in the field of human health in traditional and modern medicine, and their conformity with Islamic and Quranic findings. Material and Methods: Administrative and therapeutic information of ginger plant has been searched in related and valid books, scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, SID, Google Scholar, and Scopus. Ginger keyword has been searched in the Quran and hadiths and its medicinal and pharmacological properties; also in traditional Persian medicine and laboratory studies, the day, was collected from published articles. In order to confirm the obtained information, it was matched with Quranic and narration versions, and the obtained information was analyzed, compiled, and presented. Results: Avicenna has mentioned the positive effects of ginger in his Canon of Medicine. The Food and Drug Administration of the Ministry of Health in Iran has also introduced ginger as a dietary supplement. Ginger is one of those plants which name is mentioned in the Quran, in verse 17 of Surah Al-Insan. In narrations and quoting scientists as well as in modern medicine and articles, the effects and application of this plant in the field of medicine and nutrition have been mentioned. Conclusion: The results have shown that the use of ginger in nutrition as a spice or supplement and in Persian medicine as a medicament has a scientific and practical basis, and studies on this issue are confirmed both in science and Islam. Findings obtained from laboratory and clinical studies can also be effective in the proper use and preparation of appropriate medicinal forms of this plant.

Seroepidemiological Study of Hepatitis A in Medical Students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2019

Introduction: Hepatitis A (HA) is a common infectious disease caused by the HA virus that primarily affects the liver. We need to determine the safety status and infection rate in the community. Therefore, we decided to study the Seroepidemiological of HA in medical students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2019.Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study prospectively examining anti-HAV antibodies in medical students of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in 2019. Patient demographic data, laboratory results of anti-HAV IgG and vaccination history were recorded. Four cc of blood were drawn from each student for the anti-HAV IgG test and after the test was performed. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 software.Results: One hundred and fifty-five students were interviewed. The mean age (standard deviation) of the students in this study was 23.81 (1.47) years. Ninety-nine (63.9%) of the students were male. Therefore, it was caused by previous infection with HAV and 120 (77.4%) cases were considered susceptible individuals whose serum anti-HAV IgG was negative. This was not seen to be statistically significant (P=0.754). According to the test, 77.4% of the predictions were correct. None of the variables of sex, age, history of underlying disease, place of residence, and history of travel had a significant effect on the incidence and positivity of anti-HAV IgG.Conclusion: This study showed that the incidence of anti-HAV IgG was positive in 22.6% of the students, which is much lower than previous studies. This may be due to the higher level of health in this segment of the population.

Excessive Blood Glucose in Diabetic Ketoacidosis and Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemia: A Rare Case Report

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune assault on pancreatic β-cells characterized by a decrease in insulin production. The worldwide incidence rate of T1D is reportedly increasing. In parallel with the increase of T1D, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) also appear as two risk factors for hyperglycemia. This case report presents a T1D patient with DKA and HHS who was finally discharged after recovery.

Evaluation of the Effects of Different Composite Types on the Shear Bond Strength: An in vitro Study

Introduction: The aim of this in vitro study was to determine and compare the shear bond strength (SBS) of two types of composites. Material and Methods: Twenty cylindrical samples were prepared and divided into two control and case groups. The case group consisted of 10 cylindrical samples of two types of composites (3M and Vivadent), and the control group, which was divided into two subgroups of 5, included only one type of composite (3M or Vivadent). After preparation, the samples were transferred to the Instron device for testing the SBS. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 15 software using Smirnov-Kolmogorov test for studying the normal distribution of data and t-student test for independent populations. Results: Heliomolar (Ivoclar-Vivadent) composite (microfill) showed the lowest SBS, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). The highest SBS was for Filtek Z100 (3M ESPE) composite. There were no fracture lines in the interface of the two composites. Conclusion: This confirms that proper use of adhesives can prevent fracture in the interface of different composites. So, using two different composite brands on each other does not reduce the bond strength between them.

Correlation between Arterial Blood Oxygen Saturation, Underlying Diseases and Clinical Signs of COVID-19 Patients with Their Final Outcome

Introduction: COVID-19 can rapidly cause lung damage and severe respiratory distress and subsequently reduce oxygen saturation (SPO2), especially in generally ill patients, which may be exacerbated if severe clinical symptoms or underlying diseases are added. This may lead to deterioration of blood oxygenation or even increase the risk of death when severe clinical symptoms or underlying diseases are present. Therefore, the aim of this study was to Evaluation of the relationship between arterial blood oxygen saturation level and outcome in COVID-19 patients.Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study of 250 patients referred to Imam Sari Hospital with symptoms of respiratory infection, gastrointestinal, and general symptoms in January 2020 to September 2020. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.Results: 27 out of 250 patients died. There is a positive correlation between systemic patient, SPO2 and less than 90% with death results (P<0/02). Patients with heart disease (44.4%), cancer (30.1%), diabetes (11.1%), cerebrovascular accident (18.5%) died (P<0/05). There was no positive correlation between weakness, fever, dyspnea, nausea, and diarrhea and appetite loss with death.Conclusion: Based on the present study, it was found that patients whose clinical symptoms were associated with underlying disease and SPO2 to a severe and critical degree had a higher risk of adverse outcome such as death. People with underlying conditions such as DM, CVD, HTN, and a history of angiography and cancer are also more likely to die due to COVID-19. Most deaths in the present study had low SPO2 at before admission, indicating a strong association between patient mortality and severity of lung involvement and low SPO2.

Evaluation of the Role of Vitamin C and Melatonin on the Genetic Disorder of Human Blood Lymphocytes in the Presence of Vincristine and Permethrin

Introduction: Various studies have shown that vincristine and permethrin have genetic toxicity on the body's normal cells. Due to the widespread use of these drugs, preventing their toxicity is essential; therefore, in this study, the protective effects of vitamin C and melatonin on the genetic toxicity induced by vincristine and permethrin in peripheral blood lymphocytes were investigated. Material and Methods: The protective effects of vitamin C and melatonin (doses of 50, 100 and 200 µm) on the toxicity of vincristine and permethrin induced by micronucleus test on peripheral blood lymphocytes were evaluated ,and in statistical tests P <0.05 as the significant level was considered. Results: According to the results vincristine and permethrin caused genetic disorder by 28.80 ± 1.92 and 34±1.58 micronucleus respectively (p<0.0001). However, by exposing vitamin c and melatonin with permethrin at concentrations of 100 μM and 200 μM, the number of micronuclei was significantly decreased by 24.80 ±2.91, 18.00±1.58 (Vit C) and 22.20±3.34, 15.40±1.14 (melatonin) respectively. In contrast, exposure of these two substances together with vincristine in similar concentrations reduced the micronucleus by 16.60± 2.07 ,10.80± 0.83 (Vit C) and 13.00± 1.58, 6.40± 1.14 (melatonin) respectively. Conclusion: As the results of this study showed, permethrin and vincristine both caused genetic toxicity. Melatonin can protect against DNA damage by purifying reactive oxygen species or stimulating the DNA repair system. Vitamin C plays an essential protective role in many toxic reactions of the body. Both antioxidants have been shown to reduce the genetic toxicity of permethrin and vincristine.

A Review on Diagnostic Methods for Trichomonas Vaginalis

Introduction: Trichomoniasis is the most common non-viral sexually transmitted infection in the world, caused by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas vaginalis, which infects the urogenital tract of men and women. Approximately, 250 million new cases of Trichomonas vaginalis Infection are reported worldwide each year. Trichomoniasis is also considered an important HIV co-infection. The infection is often asymptomatic but can be accompanied by symptoms such as severe inflammation, itching and irritation, foamy discharge, and malodorous smell mucus, but the signs and symptoms of the disease are not sufficient for specific diagnosis. Material and Methods: In this study, the websites of PubMed, Google Scholar, SID, and Margiran were searched and related articles were reviewed. Results: Only screening and the use of highly sensitive and specific diagnostic methods can identify asymptomatic individuals. Today, the most common way to diagnose the infection is to use wet slide, Pap smear and culture methods that do not have high sensitivity and specificity. Also, due to the increase in infection and its complications, finding an efficient, rapid, and easy test to detect the parasite and differentiate Trichomoniasis vaginitis from other sexually transmitted diseases is considered important and necessary. Conclusion: Nowadays, there are several diagnostic methods that differentiate trichomoniasis infection from other sexually transmitted infections with high accuracy and sensitivity. Of course, existing diagnostic methods mostly use women's urine and vaginal samples for diagnosis, and methods that specifically diagnose the infection in men are more limited.

Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss.) Drude: A Mini-Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Effects

Astrodaucus persicus (Boiss) Drude is an annual flowering plant of the Apiaceae family. A. persicus is mainly native to Asia and grows mostly in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. In Iran, it grows mainly in Mazandaran, Golestan, Semnan, Tehran, Qazvin, and Kurdistan provinces. In Iran and Turkey, the plant's aerial parts and young roots are traditionally used as food additives. Various studies have been performed on essential oils and plant extracts. Essential oil compounds and some plant extract compounds have been identified. Different pharmacological effects of plant extracts and essential oils have also been reported. Monoterpenes are the main constituents in the essential oils of various parts of A. persicus. Plant extract (especially plant roots extract) effectively treats breast and colorectal cancers, which seems to be due to the presence of benzodioxole compounds or the antioxidant effects in the roots. The ripe fruits of the plant have potent larvicidal effects. Also, the fruits and roots of the plant significantly inhibit Plasmodium berghei, which can be effective in treating malaria.