Spontaneous pregnancies and determinant factors in infertility: A cross-sectional study

Background: The phenomenon of infertility may be derived from different factors - either in males or females or both genders, including few unexplained factors. It is generally managed by medical and surgical treatments. Objective: To find a relation of occurrence of spontaneous pregnancy (SP) with effective factors in infertility. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two referral infertility centers (university and privacy center) in the southwest of Iran from March 2015 and March 2016 on 655 infertile couples, who were divided in two groups of with (n = 31) and without (n = 624) SP. The variables included female and male age, male smoking, male job, the place of living, the causes of infertility, the type and duration of infertility, and the subgroups of infertility causes. Results: Infertility may be caused due to both male- and female- related factors (47.5%). While female-related infertility was found in 31.5%, male-related infertility in 14.5%, and infertility due to unexplained factors in 6.6% of our patients. The rate of SP was 4.7%, which had a significant relation with the duration of infertility (p = 0.01), with women’s age (p = 0.048), unexplained infertility (p = 0.001), and husband’s job (p = 0.004). Conclusion: The occurrence of SP in infertile couples was related to age of the female partner, the duration of unexplained infertility, and the male partner’s job. Key words: Male infertility, Female infertility, Spontaneous pregnancy, Epidemiology, Etiology

Real Exchange Rate Shocks and Export-Oriented Businesses in Iran: An Empirical Analysis Using NARDL Model

In this paper, the asymmetric and nonlinear effects of the real exchange rate shocks on different export-oriented businesses, i.e. Petrochemical, Basic Metal, and Mining industries stock indexes, in Tehran Stock Exchange is examined. From the policymakers’ perspective, this idea is theoretically interpreted as a "fear of appreciation" hypothesis that refers to the intervention of central banks in foreign exchange markets to restrict currency appreciation rather than depreciation to defend export competitiveness. To this aim, in addition to the main variables, the monthly time series data of the control variables, i.e. inflation, OPEC oil price, and international sanctions, from 2012:01 to 2020:01 are used. Our findings based on the NARDL approach illustrate that not only have exchange rate shocks significant effects on different stock indexes, but these relationships are asymmetric and nonlinear. Moreover, the results have confirmed the fear of depreciations hypothesis in the export-oriented industries, that means the central bank of Iran tends to pursue the “leaning-against-the-depreciation-wind” policy rather than “leaning-against-the-appreciation-wind” one

Radiobiological effects of wound fluid on breast cancer cell lines and human-derived tumor spheroids in 2D and microfluidic culture

Intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) could abrogate cancer recurrences, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear. To clarify the effects of IORT-induced wound fluid on tumor progression, we treated breast cancer cell lines and human-derived tumor spheroids in 2D and microfluidic cell culture systems, respectively. The viability, migration, and invasion of the cells under treatment of IORT-induced wound fluid (WF-RT) and the cells under surgery-induced wound fluid (WF) were compared. Our findings showed that cell viability was increased in spheroids under both WF treatments, whereas viability of the cell lines depended on the type of cells and incubation times. Both WFs significantly increased sub-G1 and arrested the cells in G0/G1 phases associated with increased P16 and P21 expression levels. The expression level of Caspase 3 in both cell culture systems and for both WF-treated groups was significantly increased. Furthermore, our results revealed that although the migration was increased in both systems of WF-treated cells compared to cell culture media-treated cells, E-cadherin expression was significantly increased only in the WF-RT group. In conclusion, WF-RT could not effectively inhibit tumor progression in an ex vivo tumor-on-chip model. Moreover, our data suggest that a microfluidic system could be a suitable 3D system to mimic in vivo tumor conditions than 2D cell culture

Real Exchange Rate Shocks and Export-Oriented Businesses in Iran: An Empirical Analysis Using NARDL Model

In this paper, the asymmetric and nonlinear effects of the real exchange rate shocks on different export-oriented businesses, i.e. Petrochemical, Basic Metal, and Mining industries stock indexes, in Tehran Stock Exchange is examined. From the policymakers’ perspective, this idea is theoretically interpreted as a "fear of appreciation" hypothesis that refers to the intervention of central banks in foreign exchange markets to restrict currency appreciation rather than depreciation to defend export competitiveness. To this aim, in addition to the main variables, the monthly time series data of the control variables, i.e. inflation, OPEC oil price, and international sanctions, from 2012:01 to 2020:01 are used. Our findings based on the NARDL approach illustrate that not only have exchange rate shocks significant effects on different stock indexes, but these relationships are asymmetric and nonlinear. Moreover, the results have confirmed the fear of depreciations hypothesis in the export-oriented industries, that means the central bank of Iran tends to pursue the “leaning-against-the-depreciation-wind” policy rather than “leaning-against-the-appreciation-wind” one

The Relationship between Perceived Organizational Justice, Organizational Commitment and Job Satisfaction

Background and Objectives: One of the latent and consequential factors of facilitation of organizational justice is staff members’ level of organizational commitment. The present study aimed at surveying the relationships between various dimensions of organizational justice with organizational commitment and job satisfaction of staff of a Medical University. Methods: 263 staff members were eligible and agreed to participate in the survey.  Data related to demographic characteristics, perceived organizational justice (Rego and Kanha scale), and organizational commitment (Meyer and Allen questionnaire) and job satisfaction (Saneie scale) were collected. Validity and reliability of research methodology were measured through utilization of Content Validity Index and internal consistency procedure, respectively. Results: Organizational justice, organization commitment, and job satisfaction were all positively correlated. There were positive and significant correlations between job satisfaction with organizational justice and organizational commitment with organizational justice. Furthermore, Multiple linear regression analysis showed that all three parts of organizational justice can explain only 26% of the changes in organizational satisfaction and only organizational procedural justice can explain only 3.3% of the changes in organizational Commitment. Conclusion: Considering the research findings, it is proposed that in order to facilitate the level of organizational commitment, occupational circumstances such as educational facilities should be utilized. With such utilizations, functional and mental efficiency of staff will be improved and the sense of high level job efficiency is generated against any possible regret for choosing the particular organization

Investigating the Relationship between Communication and Collaboration of Nurses with Physicians from Nurses\\\' Point of View in Neyshabur Hospitals

Interactions between physicians and nurses are regarded as an indicator to present the desirable care for the patient. The present study was conducted with aim of clarifying the status of communication and collaboration of nurses and physicians as well as the correlation between these two factors from the nurses' viewpoint. This research was a descriptive - analytical study of the cross-sectional type in which all the nurses employed in the wards of 22 Bahman and Hakim hospitals of Neyshabur city participated as a census. The sample size was 162 persons according to Morgan table. To collect data a three-part questionnaire was used which included demographic information as well as the communication and collaboration of physicians and nurses. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS ver. 16 using descriptive and inferential statistical tests. 34.6% and 65.4% of nurses were employed in Hospitals of Hakim and 22 Bahman, respectively. 37%, 24.7% and 38.3% of them were working in intensive care units, the emergency ward and other wards, respectively. The results of the study showed that the amount of communication and collaboration of nurses with physicians in all scopes of communication was at a moderate level and a positive correlation was found between the scopes of communication and collaboration of physicians and nurses. A significant relationship also was found between communication, collaboration, and employees' demographic information. Conclusion: The results showed that the effective communication between physicians and nurses is an important element in order to have collaboration between them. Therefore, better communication could improve collaboration of the

Prevalence of renal complications of levetiracetam in neonates with seizures in Qom from 2015 to 2020

  Introduction: Spasms or seizures during the first month of life are the most common clinical manifestations of central nervous system failure in infants and occur due to overactivity of a group of nerve cells in the brain and excessive electrical stimulation of neurons. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of renal complications of Levetiracetam in neonates with seizures. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and retrospective study was performed on creatinine level, blood urea and duration of levetiracetam use for all neonates studied and only renal ultrasound was performed for cases where their creatinine was elevated. Finally, the obtained information was used for statistical analysis. Results: According to the results, there was no statistically significant differences in neonatal subgroups,   especially in infants on levetiracetam, except transient increased creatinine and urea. During 6 months follow-up, only three cases with increased creatinine above 1.4 was observed. This 3 cases had normal genitourinary ultrasound.  Also, in neonates diagnosed with choroid cyst on ultrasound, in one case the creatinine level was more than 1.4 and in the other cases the serum creatinine level was less than 1.4. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, no serious renal complication was observed with Levetiracetam and its use can be recommended for patients

Oral Levetiracetam as Add-On Therapy in Neonatal Seizures

Background: Seizure is the most common signs of nervous system disease in neonates.The first line of treatments in neonatal seizures (after ruling out and emergency treatment of electrolyte imbalance and hypoglycemia) are, phenobarbital and phenytoin. At least, 35%-45% of seizures may not be controlled by first-line drugs, so further treatment would be necessary. Levetiracetam has shown its safety and efficacy in treatment of neonatal seizures. We aimed to evaluate drugs that are more effective concerning neonatal seizure.Methods: Initially, 245 neonates presented with seizure in neonatal wards &NICUs(level IIa&IIb) in Qom hospitals,were enrolled in this clinical trial study(inclusion criteria). The main causes of seizure in 12 neonates were electrolyte imbalance and hypoglycemia,therefore, they were excluded from the study.  Phenobarbital and then if needed, phenytoin administered to the remaining neonates, as first line treatment.Eventually, 42 neonates with a diagnosis of resistant seizure to these drugs were challenged with oral levetiracetam. Data was analysed using SPSS ver. 20.(Chicago,IL,USA). The study was registered as code number of IRCT2016051527896N1.Results: In this study,85.8% of seizures were controlled  with initial dosage of oral levetiracetam and 9.5% by increasing the dose  but 4.7% were not cured .Conclusion: when the intravenous form of  levetiracetam is not available and neonatal seizure not respond to first line classic drugs,oral levetiracetam as add on therapy is effective.Keywords:  Neonatal  seizure,  Oral  levetiracetam,   treatmen

The Effect of rTMS with Rehabilitation on Hand Function and Corticomotor Excitability in Sub-Acute Stroke

Objectives:&nbsp;Stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability. Hand motor impairment resulting from chronic stroke may have extensive physical, psychological, financial, and social implications despite available rehabilitative treatments. The best time to start treatment for stroke, is in sub-acute period. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a method of stimulating and augmenting the neurophysiology of the motor cortex in order to promote the neuroplastic changes that are associated with motor recovery. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols plus routine rehabilitation on hand motor functions and hand corticomotor excitability in stroke patients with hemiplegia with pure routine rehabilitation programs. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial which was performed on 24 patients with hemiplegia who were randomly divided in to three groups. One group (n=7), received high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (Hf rTMS) on lesioned M1 with routine rehabilitation program, and the other group (n=7), received rehabilitation program with low frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation stimulation (Lf rTMS) on nonlesined M1, and a control group (n=10), who were given only routine rehabilitation programs. The treatment was performed for 10 sessions, three times peri-test, Post and follow-up about neurophysiological contralesional hemisphere evaluations using record of MEP wave indices by single pulse TMS, and assessing functional wolf test and hand grip power of disabled hand by dynamometer. Results: The results demonstrated that the rest MEP threshold reduction in experimental group which received high frequency magnetic stimulation was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was similar finding for active MEP threshold in the both high and low frequency but not in control group (P<0.05). Also there were more significant relation between obtained results from WOLF test and grip power with MEP mentioned parameters, in high frequency group, but not in low frequency and control group. Discussion: According to the results, However it seems that Hf rTMS combined with routin physiotherapy can significantly improve hand functions and brain neurophysiology via specifically increase of contralesional corticomotor excitability in sever stroke patients that is representative of the role of neuroplasticity in nonlesioned hemisphere but the hypothesis of movement improvement related cognitive balance can't be eliminated by exploring powerful approved effect of Hf rTMS on mood regulation

[In Press] The use of vaginal progesterone as a maintenance therapy in women with arrested preterm labor : a double-blind placebo-randomized controlled trial

Background: The efficacy of maintenance tocolytic therapy after successful arrest of preterm labor remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 400 mg of daily vaginal progesterone (cyclogest) after successful parenteral tocolysis to increase latency period and improvement of neonatal outcomes in women with threatened preterm labor. Materials and methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 85 participants were randomly allocated to either 400 mg daily of vaginal progesterone (n = 45) or placebo (n = 40) until 34 weeks of gestation. The primary outcomes were the time until delivery (latency period) and cervical length after 1 week of treatment. Secondary outcome were GA on delivery, type of delivery, incidence of low birth weight, perinatal morbidity and mortality. Results: Longer mean latency until delivery (53.6 ± 16.8 versus 34.5 ± 12.9) days p = .0001; longer mean of gestational age on delivery (37.5 ± 2.2 versus 34.2 ± 2.1) weeks p = .0001; cervical length after 1 week of treatment (27.5 ± 5.5 versus 20.7 ± 3.1) mm p = .0001; low birth weight 12 (29.3%) versus 19 (57.6%) p = .01; and NICU admission 9 (22%) versus 15 (45.5%), were significantly different between the two groups. No significant differences were found between neonatal death 1 (2.4%) versus 2 (6.1%), p = .43; RDS 5 (12.2%) versus 8 (24.2%), p = .17; and need to mechanical ventilator 2 (5.4%) versus 6 (18.2%) p = .136, for the progesterone and placebo groups, respectively. Conclusion: Daily administration of 400 mg vaginal progesterone after successful parenteral tocolysis may increase latency preceding delivery and improves cervical shortening and neonatal outcome in women with preterm labor. Further confirmatory studies are warranted