The effect of Spirulina sauce, as a functional food, on cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress biomarkers, glycemic profile, and liver enzymes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients:A randomized double-blinded clinical trial

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate the effect of Spirulina on cardiometabolic risk factors, oxidative stress biomarkers, glycemic profile, and liver enzymes in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients. METHODS: This randomized, double‐blind clinical trial was performed on 46 NAFLD patients. Subjects were allocated to consume either Spirulina sauce or placebo, each 20 g/day for 8 weeks. Fatty liver grade, liver enzymes, anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, and serum lipids, glucose, insulin, malondialdehyde, and antioxidant capacity were assessed pre‐ and postintervention. RESULTS: Fatty liver grade was significantly different between the two groups. A significant change for ALT (alanine aminotransferase) and AST (aspartate aminotransferase) was seen between the two groups (p = .03 and .02, respectively), while ALP (alkaline phosphatase) serum levels were not significantly different within or between groups. Pertaining to glycemic profile, all variables, except HOMA‐IR, were not significantly different within or between groups. Finally, statistically significant changes were seen in both MDA (malondialdehyde) and TAC (total antioxidant capacity) among the groups (p = .04 and <.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Spirulina may improve fatty liver grade by modifying liver enzymes, oxidative stress, and some lipid profiles; however, there was effect of Spirulina on anthropometric characteristics and blood pressure

The Effect of Rivaroxaban in the Complementary Therapy of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss

BACKGROUND: Due to the importance of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and the possible role of blood coagulation in its mechanism and the likely therapeutic effect of anticoagulants and also the lack of studies in this field, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of rivaroxaban (RXA) in the treatment of this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present double-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 34 patients with SSNHL. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. In the first group, in addition to corticosteroid therapy (CST), RXA 10 mg tablets were used daily for 10 days (RXA group), and in the second group, only CST (CST group) treatment was prescribed. Hearing recovery was then assessed and recorded according to the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) criteria. RESULTS: This study showed that the grade of hearing recovery in the RXA group (58.8) was higher than the CST group (47.1), but this difference was not significant (P value >0.05). Also, RXA treatment increased the odds of hearing recovery, and this difference was not statistically significant (odd ratio (95 confidence interval)(OR (95 CI): 2.327 (0.180-18.082); P value = 0.518). In contrast, delay to treatment, more increased PTA (pure tone average (PTA)), and having vertigo reduced the odds of hearing recovery by 0.138-, 0.019-, and 0.069-fold, respectively (P value <0.05). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, although the percentage of hearing recovery was higher in the RXA group, in general, the results of the two treatments were not significantly different

Silent sinus syndrome

Silent sinus syndrome(SSS) is a rare clinical condition. In this report, we are presenting a 58 years old woman with chief complain of right global pain. All ophthalmic examinations were normal. In CT-scan of para nasal sinuses right maxillary sinus volume was decreased but she had no sinonasal symptoms

Prevalence of Dental Occlusal Patterns and Their Association with Obstractive Upper Airway Diseases in Primary School Children, Isfahan, Iran

Background: Teeth, apart from their physiologic function, play an important role in general appearance of indivduals. Therefore any disorder in their growth and evolution, will cause psychologic, social and even economic problems for the person. This observational cross- sectional study aimed to investigate relationship between dental occlusal patterns and obstructive nasal-upper airway- diseases.&#13; Methods: This study was perfromed in schools of No.4 Education at district of Isfahan in educational year 1381-82 between 607 students (277 male, 330 female) aged 9-12 years old. Results of accurate ENT and dentistry physical examination were registered and analyzed using SPSS software and Chi-square and Mantel - Hanzel test.&#13; Results: With increasing age, The frequency of abnormal occlusal patterns increases (from 45.5% to 68.2% in males and 25.8% to 48.5% in females, p=0.015). The increasing in degree of palatal tonsilar hypertrophy was related to higher frequency of abnormal occlusal patterns (36.7% in +1 tonsilar hypertrophy, and 70% in +4 tonsilar hypertrophy, p=0.02). Also, history of frequent common colds, and history of previous nasal fractures were related with abnormal patterns [58.9% (p=0.032), and 83.4% (p= 0.043%), respectively].Five other parameters including sinusitis, hypertrophy of nasal turbinates, rhinitis, nasal polyposis and nasal septal deviation were not associated with abnormal occlusal patterns (p&gt;0.1).&#13; Conclusion: Some of obstructive upper airwacy diseases are related with abnormal dental occlusal patterns. These parameters can be simply diagnosed, treated or prevented.&#13; Key words: dental occlusion, malocclusion, obstructive nasal disorders, nasal turbinates, adenoid, rhinitis, tonsillectomy, open mouth breathin

Investigating the Effect of RTMS on Tinnitus Patients

Background: Tinnitus is the perception of sound in the absence of an auditory stimulus and is a common symptom of auditory system disorders. Ear causes adverse effects on the quality of sleep and lifestyle, concentration in daily activities, social relations, and emotional balance of sufferers. To eliminate tinnitus, in this research, an RTMS device, which is a tool used for electrical brain stimulation, is used. Methods: The statistical population includes all people (both men and women) who came to Al-Zahra Hospital and Ayatollah Kashani Hospital in 2023 with complaints of tinnitus. The sample size of 30 people is selected using the available sampling method. People are compared in the beginning and before the RTMS method (pre-test) and then after the implementation of the RTMS method again and as a post-test. The instrument used is the Tinnitus Questionnaire (THI), administered as a pre-test and post-test, a 25-item self-report questionnaire that quantifies the effect of tinnitus on daily life by evaluating functional, emotional, and catastrophic responses in response to tinnitus. Findings: The findings showed a significant difference between the pre-test and the post-test, and the average tinnitus scores in the post-test are lower than the pre-test (P < 0.01). Conclusion: It is concluded that repetitive magnetic brain stimulation (RTMS) is effective in tinnitus, and this method can be used as an effective treatment method. © 2025 Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved