Serum heat shock protein 70 in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Preeclampsia, a severe complication of human pregnancy is one of the main causes of maternal, fetal, and neonatal morbidity and mortality with unclear pathogenesis. Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) is one of the factors that can mediate cytoprotective, antiapoptotic, and immune regulatory effects. Objective: This meta-analysis was performed with aim to evaluate HSP70 in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. Materials and Methods: The original publications reporting the serum HSP70 levels in preeclampsia and normal pregnancies published before November 2015 were identified by searching PubMed Central, Scopus, and ISI Web of Knowledge databases by two researchers, separately. The keywords were&rdquo; preeclampsia&rdquo; and &ldquo;HSP70&rdquo; or &ldquo;Heat shock protein 70&rdquo; Statistical analyses were performed using STATA software (version 11). Results: Out of 127 studies, seven eligible case-control studies were identified which consists of 350 preeclampsia and 429 normal pregnancies. Our pooled analysis of data from 7 studies which met the inclusion criteria, provides evidence that there is a significant association between HSP70 and preeclampsia. Cochran's test results showed the heterogeneity of the studies (p<0.001) and the I2 index was 91%. The standardized mean differences (SMD) based on a random effect model with trim and fill method was 0.92 (95% CI: 0.33-1.51); also there was a significant association between HSP70 and preeclampsia (Z=3.07, p=0.002). Conclusion: The results showed that serum HSP70 concentration was significantly higher in preeclamptic patients than the control group. Therefore HSP70 may be identified as a diagnostic factor

The effect of vaginal cream of flaxseed and conjugated estrogen on sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women: A single-blind randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Sexual satisfaction is a person's positive evaluation of the sexual relationship. Decrease in sexual satisfaction is one of the common complaints of the postmenopausal period. Flaxseed is a phytoestrogen and contains lignan. The present study was conducted with aim to investigate the effect of vaginal cream of flaxseed and conjugated estrogen on sexual satisfaction in postmenopausal women. Methods: This single-blind randomized clinical trial study was conducted in 2018-2019 on 60 married postmenopausal women aged 40 to 65 years referred to the clinics of Qaem and Imam Reza hospitals in Mashhad, Villa Shahr Health Center and the health center of Khalilabad city of Kashmar. The research units were randomly assigned in two groups of 30 people, vaginal cream of flaxseed and conjugated estrogen for 8 weeks. The intervention group received 4% vaginal gel in the form of one gram per day, and the flaxseed group received one gram per day for up to 8 weeks. Sexual satisfaction was calculated based on Larson's questionnaire before, 4 and 8 weeks after the study. Data analysis was done using SPSS statistical software (version 22) and Independent t-test, Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The mean sexual satisfaction 4 weeks after the intervention was 24.2 ± 10.4 in the flaxseed group and 23.4 ± 12.1 in the conjugated estrogen group (P=0.576), and after 8 weeks, it was 37.7 ± 18.2 in the flaxseed group and 37.8 ± 18.3 in the conjugated estrogen group, which did not show a significant difference between the two groups (P=0.638). Conclusion: Vaginal cream of flaxseed without any side effects compared to the side effects of hormone therapy can be as effective as conjugated estrogen vaginal cream in increasing sexual satisfaction

Induction of labour in term premature rupture of membranes; oxytocin versus sublingual misoprostol; a randomised clinical trial

Premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) occurs in about 8–10% of pregnancies and its most important complication is chorioamnionitis, so labour induction has an important role in this situation. This study was performed to compare oxytocin and sublingual Misoprostol for labour induction in PROM cases with term pregnancy. A total of 270 pregnant women who had spontaneous rupture of membrane and unripe cervix were enrolled. The first group underwent Oxytocin infusion according to low-dose standard protocol and the second group received 25 μg sublingual Misoprostol every 4 h. Time interval from induction to the beginning of active phase of labour was similar in both groups. Second stage of labour was significantly shorter in misoprostol group (p < .05). Although, some maternal side-effects were significantly higher in misoprostol group (p < .001), but 5 minute Apgar score was significantly better in this group. In conclusion, sublingual misoprostol was associated with better neonatal outcomes was more effective than oxytocin for labour induction in PROM cases.Impact statement What is already known on this subject: PROM occurs in about 8–10% of pregnancies; about 60% of these cases are term pregnancies. Most experts recommend early induction of labour in term PROM cases with an eye towards avoiding increased morbidity and mortality. Oxytocin is the most frequently used agent that is administered intravenously for the purpose of labour induction. Misoprostol is an alternative to oxytocin and is simpler to use, as it is administered via the oral, buccal, sublingual, rectal and vaginal routes rather than intravenously. What do the results of this study add: Time interval from induction to the beginning of active phase of labour was similar in both groups. Second stage of labour was significantly shorter in the misoprostol group. Although, some maternal side-effects were significantly higher in misoprostol group, the 5 minute Apgar score was significantly better in this group. What are the implications of these finding for clinical practice and/or further research: Sublingual misoprostol for induction of labour in PROM cases is more effective than oxytocin and its neonatal outcomes are better. Due to its easy prescription and better labour outcomes, sub lingual misoprostol may be a better choice for labour induction in PROM cases

Evaluation of 1,25(Oh)2d3 effects on foxp3, ror-γt, gitr, and ctla-4 gene expression in the pbmcs of vitamin d-deficient women with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (urpl)

Background: Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency can be associated with adverse effects on fetus and pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of 1,25VitD3 on specific transcription factor and markers of Tregs and Th17 cells in the PBMCs of women with URPL as a case group and the PBMCs of healthy women as a control group. Methods: Samples from 20 non-pregnant patients with a history of URPL were compared to 20 normal non-pregnant women. PBMCs were divided into three wells for each subject in the presence of 1,25VitD3 (50 nM, for 16 hours), PHA (10 µM; positive control) and without any treatment (negative control). By Real-time PCR (Taqman assay), specific transcription factors of Tregs and Th17 cells, FOXP3, ROR-γt, GITR, and CTLA-4 mRNA expressions in two groups were measured. Results: FOXP3/ROR-γt mRNA expression in PBMCs decreased significantly in women experiencing URPL compared to the control group (p = 0.0001). Although 1,25VitD3 (50 nM) increased FOXP3 gene expression (p = 0.0001), it did not significantly affect ROR-γt gene expression. 1,25VitD3 treatment significantly increased FOXP3/ROR-γt mRNA expression from baseline in the PBMCs of the fetal loss group compared to that of the control group (p = 0.01). The 1,25VitD3 also increased GITR gene expression (p = 0.017) in the PBMCs of URPL women compared to the controls. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may be a contributor to recurrent pregnancy loss and suggests that the supplementation of women with Vitamin D pre-pregnancy may be protective against URPL via affecting Tregs signature genes, FOXP3 and GITR

The therapeutic potential of regulatory T cells in reducing cardiovascular complications in patients with severe COVID-19

The SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), is an emerging viral infection. SARS CoV-2 infects target cells by attaching to Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE2). SARS CoV-2 could cause cardiac damage in patients with severe COVID-19, as ACE2 is expressed in cardiac cells, including cardiomyocytes, pericytes, and fibroblasts, and coronavirus could directly infect these cells. Cardiovascular disorders are the most frequent comorbidity found in COVID-19 patients. Immune cells such as monocytes, macrophages, and T cells may produce inflammatory cytokines and chemokines that contribute to COVID-19 pathogenesis if their functions are uncontrolled. This causes a cytokine storm in COVID-19 patients, which has been associated with cardiac damage. Tregs are a subset of immune cells that regulate immune and inflammatory responses. Tregs suppress inflammation and improve cardiovascular function through a variety of mechanisms. This is an exciting research area to explore the cellular, molecular, and immunological mechanisms related to reducing risks of cardiovascular complications in severe COVID-19. This review evaluated whether Tregs can affect COVID-19-related cardiovascular complications, as well as the mechanisms through which Tregs act

Evaluation of the Sodium Serum Level in Infants with Jaundice

Background: Inadequate milk intake during the first year of neonate’s life can result in weight loss, severe hyperbilirubinemia, and sometimes hypernatremia. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between neonatal weight loss and hypernatremia in term breastfed infants with idiopathic jaundice, as well as the necessity of sodium concentration measurement in newborns with idiopathic jaundice via weight loss measurement. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we examined 273 infants with jaundice of unknown etiology at Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, in years 2008-2012. The study sample consisted of 226 infants in the control group (serum sodium concentratio

The effect of a vaginal suppository formulation of dill (Anethum graveolens) in comparison to clotrimazole vaginal tablet on the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis

The goal of this study was to compare the effect of Anethum graveolens (dill) vaginal suppositories and 100 mg clotrimazole vaginal tablets on vulvovaginal Candidiasis. This study was a single centre, single-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial, in which 60 women with microbiology-confirmed vulvovaginal candidiasis were randomly assigned to dill and clotrimazole groups. At the end of the study, the estimated prevalence of leucorrhoea, burning, and itching was 23%, 23% and 20% in dill users, respectively. This figure was 20%, 10% and 16.7% for the clotrimazole group, respectively. The difference between the two groups was not significant. 13% of suppository patients, compared with 10% of clotrimazole-treatment patients, had a positive culture, which was not significant (p = .68). According to findings, 2% dill vaginal suppositories were as effective as clotrimazole vaginal tablets in reducing both clinical and microbiological symptoms of Candidiasis. Studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm current findings.Impact statement What is already known on the subject? Based on results from in vivo and in vitro animal studies, dill (Anethum graveolens) has anti-candida activity. What do the results of this study add? It appears that 2% dill vaginal suppositories were as effective as 100 mg clotrimazole vaginal tablets in reducing both the clinical and microbiological symptoms. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and further research? Obstetricians and gynaecologists can offer dill as a useful alternative to chemical drugs, especially in women who are often interested in herbal medicine, or in women who are resistant or are not allowed to use antifungal drugs

Identification of Xq22.1-23 as a region linked with hereditary recurrent spontaneous abortion in a family

Background: Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the most common health complications with a strong genetic component. Several genetic disorders were identified as etiological factors of hereditary X linked RSA. However, more genetic factors remain to be identified. Objective: In this study we performed linkage analysis on a large X linked RSA pedigree to find a novel susceptibility locus for RSA. Materials and Methods: A linkage scan using 11 microsatellites was performed in 27 members of a large pedigree of hereditary X-linked RSA. Two point parametric Linkage was performed using Superlink v 1.6 program. Results: Evidence of linkage was observed to markers at Xq23, DXS7133 and at Xq22.1 DXS101, with LOD score of 3.12 and 1.60, respectively. Conclusion: Identified locus in this study may carry a responsible gene in RSA. Narrowing down of this region may leads to identification of this gene