Assessment of the incidence of sensorineural hearing loss among infants admitted to neonatal intensive care unit in health centers of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Materials and methods: In this prospective cohort study, 870 neonates were recruited by nonrandom sampling method. After filling in the demographic and clinical check lists, automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) was performed for neonates at the beginning of hospitalization; then they were followed-up and again they were assessed with AABR and for those babies who had abnormal AABR, auditory brainstem response (ABR) was performed before discharge at the same day

Risk factors for sensorineural hearing loss among high-risk infants in Golestan province, Iran in 2010 - 2011

Background: Hearing impairment, as one of the most common birth defects, is a hidden disability with negative impacts on speech and cognitive development. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and determine the associated risk factors among infants admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and neonatal wards of teaching hospitals, affiliated to Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 791 infants were recruited via non-random sampling. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the subjects were gathered, and the Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test was performed upon admission. Afterwards, the subjects were followed-up and re-assessed, using the AABR test. For infants with abnormal AABR results, the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) test was performed on the day of discharge. Results: The mean age of the infants was 3.75 ± 4.86 days upon admission, and 56.4% of the subjects were female. The mean length of hospital stay was 9.63 ± 1.1 days; the subjects were hospitalized for 3.50 ± 10.21 days in the NICUs and 6.1 ± 5.27 days in the neonatal wards. In total, 3.4% of the infants presented with SNHL. No significant difference was found between SNHL and neonates’ age (P = 0.52), sex (P = 0.5), or sepsis (P = 0.94). However, SNHL was significantly associated with gestational age (P = 0.045), birth weight (P < 0.001), length of hospital stay (P < 0.001), pathological jaundice (P=0.033), antibiotic treatments (P = 0.007), and total serum bilirubin level (P = 0.01). Additionally, binary logistic regression analysis demonstrated the association between SNHL and these factors. Conclusions: In this study, the prevalence of SNHL among hospitalized neonates was similar to previous reports in Iran and other countries. Based on the findings, administration of ototoxic drugs during the neonatal period can lead to SNHL. Therefore, it seems essential to regularly screen newborns under treatment and limit the indiscriminate use of ototoxic drugs. © 2015, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Consequences of living with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Severe psychological stress is potentially threatening for anyone. Chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder is accompanied by other psychological problems including depression. Thus the aim of this study was to describe the consequences of living with this disorder. Method: In this qualitative study, 20 male veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder were selected purposefully and studied using semi-structured deep interview. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis in 2011. Results: The consequences of living with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder were classified into three main categories of psychological, physical, and social consequences, based on the common experiences of the participants. Psychological consequences include three subcategories of lack of self-confidence, lack of entertainment, and negative emotions. Physical consequences include four subcategories of sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, physical pain, and restricted physical activity. Social consequences include three subcategories of disrupted interpersonal relations, lack of income or job, and restricted duty fulfillment. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrated that combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder has had a negative effect on all different aspects of their health including physical, psychological and social. Reducing this problem requires interventions and continuous monitoring of the medical health status of these clients. Keywords: Trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, war, consequences of the disease, qualitative stud

Effects of Opium Addiction and Cigarette Smoking on Hematological Parameters

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of opium addiction and cigarette smoking on the complete blood count (CBC).Methods: Eighty-six male subjects, including 31 opium-addicted cigarette smokers (OACS), 19 opium-addicted non-cigarette smokers (OANCS), 17 non-opium-addicted cigarette smokers (NOACS), and 19 non-opium-addicted non-cigarette smokers (NOANCS) participated in this study. The CBC test was measured in all individuals.Findings: The OACS had significantly higher white blood cell (WBC), lymphocyte, and red blood cell (RBC) count but lower in mean corpuscular volume (MCV) compared to NOANCS. The OANCS had significantly higher lymphocyte in comparison with NOACS. Our results demonstrated that the number of WBC, lymphocytes, and RBC were significantly higher, while, MCV was lower in OANCS subjects when compared to NOACS. The OACS had significantly higher level of lymphocyte in comparison with NOACS. The mean number of lymphocyte in OANCS was found significantly higher than NOACS. The smokers were shown to have significantly higher levels of WBC compared to NOANCS.Conclusion: Our results showed that opium-addiction, especially when associated with cigarette smoking, has intensive effects on hematological factors and these alteration might leads to greater risk for developing atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, and imbalance in immune system

From Monomers to Condensates: Golgi-Associated plant Pathogenesis Related protein 1 (GAPR-1) Oligomerization in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Golgi-associated plant pathogenesis-related protein 1 (GAPR-1) is a peripheral membrane protein located on the cytosolic leaflet of the Golgi apparatus in mammalian cells. GAPR-1 belongs to the CAP (cysteine-rich secretory proteins, antigen 5, pathogenesis-related-1) superfamily of proteins, harboring predicted amyloidogenic regions, especially in the CAP1 and CAP2 motifs. The presence of these predicted amyloidogenic regions within the CAP domain implies that the amyloid-like aggregation pathway might be a shared characteristic of the CAP superfamily. Consistent with this, GAPR-1 has been shown to interact with an amyloid oligomer-specific antibody and form amyloid-like fibrils in vitro. In recent years, Saccharomyces cerevisiae has become a favored model organism for exploring reversible protein aggregation, including amyloid-like aggregation. A recent trend involves the development of yeast cell-based assays, or "humanized yeast systems," enabling the study of human protein functions in yeast. The induction of phase-separated protein droplets (condensates) in yeast by overexpressing amyloid-prone proteins provides insight into the mechanisms of protein phase separation and its potential link to the formation of functional/pathological amyloids in the human body. Here, we delve into the amyloidogenic properties of GAPR-1 in S. cerevisiae. The study illustrates that GAPR-1-GFP expression meets the criteria of a protein with amyloidogenic properties, leading to the formation of reversible intracellular protein condensates. The thesis investigates factors influencing GAPR-1 oligomerization in yeast, particularly the role of lipid bilayers and metal ions. Additionally, we explore the role of GAPR-1 as a negative regulator of autophagy and its potential interaction with Beclin 1, a key initiator of autophagy. Building on previous findings, the study suggests that the oligomerization of GAPR-1 may be instrumental in its interaction with components of the autophagic machinery, thereby influencing the regulation of autophagy. Furthermore, we investigate the role of phosphorylation in regulating the oligomeric states of GAPR-1 and Beclin 1 in a yeast model system, with a focus on understanding how phosphorylation influences their interaction. At the end, we introduces a novel assay system designed to explore protein-protein interactions, based on the formation of biomolecular condensates in S. cerevisiae. Expanding on earlier observations of mutual interference in condensate formation during the co-expression of GAPR-1 and Beclin 1, our assay system is extended to investigate various protein-protein interactions. This innovative assay system offers a versatile platform for investigating diverse protein-protein interactions and their dynamics within cellular condensates. We explores protein-protein interactions involving GAPR-1, extending beyond its known interaction with Beclin 1 and its inhibitory effect on Aβ peptide (1-40) amyloid formation. The investigation reveals that GAPR-1 forms heterotypic interactions not only with Beclin 1 but also with the Aβ peptide (1-40) and Huntington protein. These findings suggest a potential role of GAPR-1 in modulating interactions with other amyloidogenic proteins, with potential implications for cellular processes related to autophagy and protein aggregation. In conclusion, the discussion chapter explores the concept of cross-seeding among amyloid proteins, highlighting the significance of interactions between misfolded proteins with different sequences or structural motifs, leading to hybrid or mixed amyloid structures.The potential therapeutic opportunities arising from targeting these interactions to modulate the formation and progression of amyloid aggregates are also discussed