Evaluation of hepatic, renal and hematologic parameters during single, double and multiple treatment with Methotrexate in patients with ectopic pregnancy hospitalized in AL Zahra hospital

Treatment of ectopic pregnancy with Methotrexate (MTX) is very common. Nowadays available principles include repeated hematologic, hepatic and renal tests a week after administration of MTX but the importance of these tests in healthy woman with no previous history is not clear. The aim of this study was the evaluation of alternation patterns of CBC, LFT and RFT in 1, 7 and 14 days after treatment with single, double and multiple dose of MTX in healthy women with ectopic pregnancy. So that the necessity of performing these tests during MTX treatment in healthy women was determined. Material and Methods: study performed on 275 patients with ectopic pregnancy which hospitalized in AL-Zahra hospital and treated with MTX. Patients divided in three groups according to prescription of single, double and multiple doses of MTX and hepatic and renal functional tests and hematologic cell count evaluated for all patients in 1,7 and 14 days after MTX administration. Demographic data include: age, BMI, gravidity, parity and type of ectopic pregnancy were recorded for all patients. Overall data from three groups were compared. Homogeneity of age and BMI between three groups confirmed. Analysis of hepatic and renal function test and hematologic parameters showed that in single and double treatment route mean of AST, ALT, total and direct bilirubin, white hematologic cell and platelet count were significantly different in 1 and 7 days. However, there was no significant difference observed in multiple dose route. According to results, hepatic, renal and hematologic parameters in different treatment routs were significantly different. However, means in normal range and toxicity was not observed. It seems that measurement of hepatic, renal and hematologic parameters in 0 and 7 days after administration of MTX in healthy woman with no medical history of hepatic, renal or hematologic disorders is not necessary

The Relation Between Free Testosterone and Components of Metabolic Syndrome in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective: To assess the relationship between free testosterone level and components of MS in women with PCOS. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted on 215 women with PCOS. PCOS was diagnosed based on the Rotterdam criteria. Patients were divided into two subgroups of patients with and without MS based on ATP III criteria. In each subgroup, the association between individual components of MS with free testosterone was measured. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The prevalence of MS was 28.8% (n = 62). The mean level of free testosterone in patients with blood pressure ≥ 130/85 was significantly higher than those with blood pressure < 130/85 mm/hg. (p = 0.029) Also, in patients with diastolic blood pressure ≥ 85, the level of free testosterone was significantly higher than patients with diastolic blood pressure < 85. (p = 0.026). Results showed significant positive correlation between the level of free testosterone and cholesterol (p = 0.024). But no significant correlation was noted between levels of free testosterone and other variables. Conclusion: Regarding the relationship between blood pressure and high levels of free testosterone, it seems that regular blood pressure screening has a higher priority of concern comparing other complications for preventing cardiovascular adverse effects in women with PCOS and hyperandrogenism

Klotho, FOXO1 and cytokines associations in patients with coronary artery disease

Introduction: Atherosclerosis is one of the main reasons for adult mortality in advanced populations and countries with high stress levels. Klotho family are single-pass trans-membrane proteins that involve in the genesis and progression of various diseases, including acardiovascular disease, apoptosis and stress oxidative imbalance. Present study, investigates the pattern of changes in Klotho and FOXO1 gene expressions and levels in atherosclerosis. Methods: Present case control study consisted of 79 patients with atherosclerosis and 78 healthy controls. PBMC (peripheral mono-nuclear blood cells) expression levels of Klotho and FOXO1 were assayed, using qPCR method. Serum concentration of Klotho and FOXO1 were measured by ELISA method. Results: A significant reduction was found in PBMC genes expression levels of Klotho (P < 0.01) of patients as comparison with controls. PBMC Gene expression of FOXO1 in patients was increased significantly (P < 0.01) when compared with controls. Pearson analysis showed a positive correlation between PBMC Klotho gene expression and Klotho levels of patients (P < 0.01). The correlation between serum concentrations of Klotho and FOXO1 of patients was also positive significantly (P < 0.01). AUC of ROC for gene expression and serum concentration of Klotho in patients were 0.701 and 0.737 respectively. Conclusion: Investigating the PBMC gene expression and serum concentration of Klotho in patients with atherosclerosis is suggested could be a convenient novel biomarker for predicting, prognosis, monitoring the disease progression and designing a suitable drug for patients with atherosclerosis

The correlation between p16 expression and INK4a locus mutation with grades and stages in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Objective: p16INK4a is a tumor suppressor gene playing a critical role. Researches have indicated the gene to be altered in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Present studies have tried to assess the correlation between p16INK4a expression and INK4a locus mutation in relation to grades and stages of this tumor. Materials and Methods: Expression of p16INK4a was studied immunohistochemically in 58 oral squamous sell carcinoma samples and INK4a locus mutation was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE). Results: Expression of p16INK4a was higher in stage1 compared to stage 2, 3, and 4 (P = 0.234). The difference was not significant in grade 1, 2, and 3 (P = 0.671). The average values of total score (TS) were significantly higher in stage1 compared to stage 2, 3, and 4 (P = 0.035). The average values of complete score (CS) were higher in stage 1 compared to stage 2, 3, and 4 (P = 0.061). The research did not show a significant correlation between lymph node involvement and p16INK4a expression (P = 0.491). It seems that 5.1% (3/58) of samples have mutation in INK4a locus. Conclusion: Loss of p16INK4a expression occurred in initial stages of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Evaluation of TS and CS for p16INK4a might be a useful clinical indicator concerning the tumor. However, gene mutation is believed to have minor rate of genetic alteration in carcinogenesis

Association between the duration of progesterone supplementation treatment and premature neonates outcomes: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract Background and Aims Preterm birth (PTB) is the leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity, progesterone is one of the main hormones to maintain a normal pregnancy. However, there are still conflicting results regarding using progesterone supplementation to prevent PTB and improve neonatal outcomes. The length of treatment with progesterone supplementation is also one of the challenges ahead, so the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the duration of progesterone supplementation treatment and neonatal outcomes. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted on pregnant women at risk of PTB and who have taken progesterone supplementation. They were asked about the length of treatment with progesterone supplements and finally, the neonatal outcomes of these women were measured. Results A total of 265 pregnant women who met the inclusion criteria were included in this study and the subjects were divided into two groups that received progesterone <12 weeks and received progesterone ≥12. In the group of women receiving progesterone with a treatment duration of ≥12 weeks, the rate of preterm labor, respiratory distress syndrome, low birth weight, and the need for hospitalization were significantly lower than in the group receiving progesterone with a treatment duration of ≥12 weeks. Conclusion Progesterone administration for longer than 12 weeks in women at risk of PTB can improve neonatal outcomes

Maternal serum uric acid level and maternal and neonatal complications in preeclamptic women: a cross-sectional study

Background: Preeclampsia is associated with maternal and neonatal complications. It has been indicated that increased uric acid might have a predictive role on preeclampsia. Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of uric acid with maternal and neonatal complications in women with preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 160 singleton preeclamptic women at more than 28 wk gestational age were included. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelet count, liver and uric acid tests, and maternal and neonatal complications were assessed. The severity of preeclampsia, placental abruption, preterm labor, thrombocytopenia, elevated alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT and AST), HELLP syndrome, eclampsia and required hospitalization in the ICU was considered as the maternal complication. Fetal complications were: small for gestational age (SGA), intrauterine fetal death, hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit, and Apgar scor

Evaluation of IP10 and miRNA 269-a Expression Levels in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell of Coronary Artery Disease Patients and Controls

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the main cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, the leading underlying cause of CAD, is a progressive inflammatory disease. miRNAs play a substantial role in inflammation. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) gene expression of IP10 and miRNA 296-a and serum levels of IP10 and serum inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) in CAD patients and controls. This is a case-control study conducted on 82 angiography confirmed CAD patients and 82 controls. PBMC expressions of miR-269a and IP10 were evaluated by real-time method, and serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the study population. A significant increase was found for serum IP10, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels, and PBMC expression of IP10 and miRNA 296-a genes expression of CAD as comparison with controls. No significant correlation was found between IP10 gene expression and miRNA 296-a. A significant positive correlation was found between PBMC gene expression level of IP10 and serum concentrations of IP10 and cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels. Taking together, in PBMC of CAD patients, the IP10 and 296-a miRNA genes expression levels were increased significantly than controls. IP10, IL-6, and TNF-alpha levels in CAD patients were more than those in controls significantly. Concerning positive relationship between miRNA 269-a gene expression level and serum concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in CAD patients, it is proposed that IL-6 and TNF-alpha inhibitor could be the main targets of miRNA 296a and, thereby the IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels were increased; however, further study is needed