Evaluating the miR-302b and miR-145 expression in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded samples of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: MicroRNAs are involved in key cellular processes regulating, and their misregulation is linked to cancer. The miR-302-367 cluster is exclusively expressed in embryonic stem and carcinoma cells. This cluster also promotes cell reprogramming and stemness process. In contrast, miR-145 is mostly regarded as a tumor suppressor, where it regulates cellular functions such as cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis. By suppressing the main pluripotency factors (OCT4, SOX2, MYC and KLF4), miR-145 silences the self-renewal program in ESCs. Therefore, the main aim of this study is to find a potential link between the expression level of hsa-miR-302b and hsa-miR-145 with tumor vs. non-tumor as well as high-grade vs. low-grade states of the esophageal tissue samples. Methods: A total number of 40 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples of esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) were obtained, and the tumor and marginal non-tumor areas delineated and punched off by an expert pathologist. Total RNA was extracted with Trizol, and cDNA synthesized using the miRCURY LNA™ Universal RT microRNA PCR Kit. Real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were performed using specific LNA-primers and SYBR Green master mix. Results: The expression level of miR-302b failed to show any significant difference, neither between tumor and their non-tumor counterparts, nor among tumors with different grades of malignancies (P > 0.05). In contrast, miR-145 was significantly down regulated in all grades of tumor samples (P 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our data revealed a significant down-regulation of miR-145 in ESCC tissue samples. Based on our ROC curve analysis data (AUC = 0.74, P < 0.001) miR-145 could be regarded as a potential tumor marker for diagnosis of esophageal cancer. © 2015, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved

A comparison between the efficacy of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D in improving women’s general health

Objective: The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D on young women's general health. Method: One hundred and eighty students studying at Shiraz University were recruited. Students completed the General Health Questionnaires (GHQ-28) prior to participation. They were then randomly assigned to take a tablet containing either 5 mg of dydrogesterone, 500 mg of calcium plus 200 mg of vitamin D, or a placebo twice daily from the 15th to the 24th day of their menstrual cycle for 2 consecutive cycles, and to complete the same questionnaires during both the intervention cycles. Results: The effects of dydrogesterone and calcium plus vitamin D on general health scores were similar during the first month of intervention (11.41±4.28, 12.23±3.76, respectively) (p>0.05) and both of them were more effective than placebo (16.69±3.28) (

Motherhood: Female Perspectives and Experiences of Being a Parent with ASC

Little is known about the emotional pressures and practical management of daily challenges and, intra and interpersonal demands of raising a child as a parent with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Conditions. The present study utilised a qualitative approach to understand perceptions of females diagnosed on the autistic spectrum of ‘being a parent’. Eight semi-structured interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Benefits and challenges of being a parent were highlighted alongside population-specific skill and characteristics associated with strength and resilience, love, nurture, routine and sensory considerations. Findings identify the need for population-specific specialist parenting support, provide direction for professionals in clinical settings and expand the paucity of research in this area

Correlation between serum bilirubin ‎ and JM-105 and MBJ-20 ‎ transcutaneous bilirubinometer measurements

Anecdotal reports have raised the possibility of discrepancies between the measurements by the ‎TcBs and the serum bilirubin measurements (SBR) and questioned their accuracy. Also, there is a ‎lack of research on the diagnostic accuracy of the TcB devices JM-105 and MBJ-20 according to ‎the area tested in late preterm and term neonates. ‎ We aimed to evaluate the correlation between SBR and two TcBs used on the forehead and chest.‎ Results: The mean differences between the TcB measurements on the forehead and sternum and the SBR ‎levels were similar for the JM-105 and MBJ-20. The greatest correlation was observed between ‎the SBR measured using the two devices on the sternum. Both devices had high sensitivity and ‎negative predictive values at SBR <230 µmol/L, and high specificity and positive predictive ‎value at SBR ≥230 µmol/L.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Sexual Dysfunction in Postpartum Australian Women

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent and reportedly has adverse impacts on quality of life. Although it is prevalent after childbirth, women rarely seek advice or treatment from health care professionals. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the sexual functioning of Australian women during the first year after childbirth. Methods: Postpartum women who had given birth during the previous 12 months were invited to participate in this cross‐sectional study. A multidimensional online questionnaire was designed for this study. This questionnaire included a background section, the Female Sexual Function Index, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐8), and the Relationship Assessment Scale. Responses from 325 women were analyzed. Results: Almost two‐thirds of women (64.3%) reported that they had experienced sexual dysfunction during the first year after childbirth, and almost three‐quarters reported they experienced sexual dissatisfaction (70.5 %). The most prevalent types of sexual dysfunction reported by the affected women were sexual desire disorder (81.2%), orgasmic problems (53.5%), and sexual arousal disorder (52.3%). The following were significant risk factors for sexual dysfunction: fortnightly or less frequent sexual activity, not being the initiator of sexual activity with a partner, late resumption of postnatal sexual activity (at 9 or more weeks), the first 5 months after childbirth, primiparity, depression, and relationship dissatisfaction. Conclusion: Sexual satisfaction is important for maintaining quality of life for postpartum women. Health care providers and postpartum women need to be encouraged to include sexual problems in their discussions

Effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding: A placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial

Objective: A wide range of herbal plants have been reported to treat various gynecological problems of women. This studywas set out to investigate the effect of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) in high school girls. Methods: Ninety-two young women who experienced HMB and met the inclusion criteria were recruited in this study. Participants were evaluated for six consecutive menstrual cycles. During 3 assessment cycles, their HMB was confirmed by Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart. They were then randomly allocated to two study groups to receive either ginger or placebo capsules. The participants filled in the same chart during three intervention cycles. Results: The level of menstrual blood loss dramatically declined during the three intervention cycles in ginger-receiving group. The decrease of blood loss in ginger-receiving group was significantly more remarkable than that of participants receiving placebo (p < 0.001). Minimum number of participants reported adverse effects. Conclusion: HMB is highly prevalent among young women. Considering the significance of appropriate and timely treatment and also the importance of prevention of unwanted consequences, ginger may be considered as an effective therapeutic option for HMB. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

A Comparison of Sexual Outcomes in Primiparous Women Experiencing Vaginal and Caesarean Births

<b>Background and Objective:</b> We conducted this study to evaluate and compare postpartum sexual functioning after vaginal and caesarean births. <b> Materials and Methods:</b> This was a cross-sectional study that was carried out in postnatal health care in a hospital. A total of 50 primiprous women who had given birth 6-12 months ago and came to the hospital for postnatal care were asked to join the study. Forty of the women completed the entire questionnaire. Among these women, 20 delivered spontaneously with mediolateral episiotomy and 20 had elective caesarean section. Sexual function was evaluated by a validated, self-created questionnaire. A statistical evaluation was carried out by SPSS v.11. A two-part self-created validated questionnaire for data collection was administered regarding sexual function prior to pregnancy and 6-12 months postpartum. <b> Results:</b> The median time to restart intercourse in the normal vaginal delivery with episiotomy (NVD/epi) group was 40 days and in the caesarean section (C/S) group was 10 days postpartum. The most common problems in the NVD/epi group was decreased libido (80&#x0025;), sexual dissatisfaction (65&#x0025;), and vaginal looseness (55&#x0025;). In the C/S group, the most common problems were vaginal dryness (85&#x0025;), sexual dissatisfaction (60&#x0025;), and decreased libido (35&#x0025;). There were clinically significant differences between the two groups regarding sexual outcomes, but these differences were not statically significant. <b> Conclusion: </b> Postnatal sexual problems were very common after both NVD/epi and C/S. Because sexual problems are so prevalent during the postpartum period, clinicians should draw more attention to the women&#x2032;s sexual life and try to improve their quality of life after delivery

Comparison of the effect of ginger and zinc sulfate on primary dysmenorrhea: A placebo-controlled randomized trial

Primary dysmenorrhea is common among young women and results in their incapacitation; it can be accompanied by various symptoms that can disrupt their lives. The aim of this randomized trial was to compare the effect of ginger, zinc sulfate, and placebo on the severity of primary dysmenorrhea in young women. One hundred and fifty high school students were recruited. The participants were divided into three groups. The first group received ginger capsules, the second group received zinc sulfate capsules, and the third group received placebo capsules. All participants took the medications for four days, from the day before the commencement of menstruation to the third day of their menstrual bleeding. The severity of dysmenorrhea was assessed every 24 hours by the pain visual analog scale. The severity of pain was significantly different between, before, and after the intervention in both the ginger and the zinc sulfate groups (p < .001). Compared with the placebo receiving group, participants receiving ginger and zinc sulfate reported more alleviation of pain during the intervention (p < .05). Ginger and zinc sulfate had similar positive effects on the improvement of primary dysmenorrheal pain in young women