The Efficacy of Methadone Maintenance Therapy on the Quality of Life and Marital Satisfaction among Substance Users

Introduction: the present study has been conducted with the aim of examining the quality of life (QoL) and marital satisfaction before and after three months of methadone maintenance in the patients enrolled in methadone therapy center in city of Kashan.Method: In this study, a quasi-experimental with pre and post assessments was conducted. Forty-five substance users receiving methadonetherapy were selected and investigated for three months. General assessment of patients (including demographic variables) was recorded and patients completed the QoL and martial satisfaction questionnaires.Results:Paired T-test revealed that the effect of methadone on QoL and martial satisfaction was significant (p<0.001). Scores of QoL and marital satisfaction have significant difference just in job variable among the other demographic variables. Pairwise comparison confirmed that two aspects (including physical and environmental) of QoL increased at post-test relative to pre-test.Conclusion: results of this study showed that methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) can lead to a significant improvement of QoL and martial satisfaction in substance users

The survey of pattern of abusing and causes of addiction tendency among women undergoing methadone maintenance treatment in Kashan city during 2017-2018

Background: The current prevalence rates indicate an increasing trend of substance abuse among women. This study aimed at determining the pattern of consumption and causative factors for tendency to drug abuse in woman referred to addiction treatment centers. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the study population was all women referred to addiction treatment centers of Kashan during 2017-2018. The research instrument was a demographic information questionnaire, causes of drug abuse tendency and structured clinical interviews with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders (SCID) to assess the substance abuse disorder. Results: The mean age and onset age of drug abuse were 40±10.3 and 25±6.4 years, respectively. Opium was the most common abused drug (81) and smoking was the most cited method for drug abuse. Ten percent of the patients had a history of injection. The main causes of drug tendency from the perspective of the patients were addict family (77), easy access to drugs (64), as well as depression and disappointment (56). Conclusion: The pattern of drug abuse among women undergoing the method one maintenance treatment in Kashan is traditional on the basis of the opium derivatives. The addict family was the main cause of drug abuse. Therefore, it would be necessary to pay more attention to the family of the patients as vulnerable groups in planning and to provide training on the causes of drug abuse tendency and preventive measures

Evaluation of iron overload by cardiac and liver T2* in β-thalassemia: Correlation with serum ferritin, heart function and liver enzymes

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship of cardiac and hepatic T2* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) values as a gold standard for detecting iron overload with serum ferritin level, heart function, and liver enzymes as alternative diagnostic methods. Methods: A total 58 patients with beta-thalassemia major who were all transfusion dependent were evaluated for the study. T2* MRI of heart and liver, echocardiography, serum ferritin level, and liver enzymes measurement were performed. The relationship between T2* MRI findings and other assessments were examined. Cardiac and hepatic T2* findings were categorized as normal, mild, moderate, and severe iron overload. Results: 22% and 11% of the patients were suffering from severe iron overload in heart and liver, respectively. The echocardiographic findings were not significantly different among different iron load categories in heart or liver. ALT level was significantly higher in patient with severe iron overload than those with normal iron load in heart (P=0.005). Also, AST level was significantly lower in normal iron load group than mild, moderate, and severe iron load groups in liver (P<0.05). The serum ferritin level was significantly inversely correlated with cardiac T2* values (r = -0.34, P=0.035) and hepatic T2* values (r = -0.52, P=0.001). Conclusion: Cardiac and hepatic T2* MRI indicated significant correlation with serum ferritin level

Prealbumin/CRP Based Prognostic Score, a New Tool for Predicting Metastasis in Patients with Inoperable Gastric Cancer

Background. There is a considerable dissimilarity in the survival duration of the patients with gastric cancer. We aimed to assess the systemic inflammatory response (SIR) and nutritional status of these patients before the commencement of chemotherapy to find the appropriate prognostic factors and define a new score for predicting metastasis. Methods. SIR was assessed using Glasgow Prognostic Score (GPS). Then a score was defined as prealbumin/CRP based prognostic score (PCPS) to be compared with GPS for predicting metastasis and nutritional status. Results. 71 patients with gastric cancer were recruited in the study. 87% of patients had malnutrition. There was a statistical difference between those with metastatic (n=43) and those with nonmetastatic (n=28) gastric cancer according to levels of prealbumin and CRP; however they were not different regarding patient generated subjective global assessment (PG-SGA) and GPS. The best cut-off value for prealbumin was determined at 0.20 mg/dL and PCPS could predict metastasis with 76.5% sensitivity, 63.6% specificity, and 71.4% accuracy. Metastatic and nonmetastatic gastric cancer patients were different in terms of PCPS (P=0.005). Conclusion. PCPS has been suggested for predicting metastasis in patients with gastric cancer. Future studies with larger sample size have been warranted

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia in middle-income countries

Background: Adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccines are extensively used in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Remarkably, cases of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis due to vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) have rarely been reported from LMICs. Aims: We studied the frequency, manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of CVST-VITT in LMICs. Methods: We report data from an international registry on CVST after COVID-19 vaccination. VITT was classified according to the Pavord criteria. We compared CVST-VITT cases from LMICs to cases from high-income countries (HICs). Results: Until August 2022, 228 CVST cases were reported, of which 63 were from LMICs (all middle-income countries [MICs]: Brazil, China, India, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Turkey). Of these 63, 32 (51%) met the VITT criteria, compared to 103 of 165 (62%) from HICs. Only 5 of the 32 (16%) CVST-VITT cases from MICs had definite VITT, mostly because anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies were often not tested. The median age was 26 (interquartile range [IQR] 20–37) versus 47 (IQR 32–58) years, and the proportion of women was 25 of 32 (78%) versus 77 of 103 (75%) in MICs versus HICs, respectively. Patients from MICs were diagnosed later than patients from HICs (1/32 [3%] vs. 65/103 [63%] diagnosed before May 2021). Clinical manifestations, including intracranial hemorrhage, were largely similar as was intravenous immunoglobulin use. In-hospital mortality was lower in MICs (7/31 [23%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 11–40]) than in HICs (44/102 [43%, 95% CI 34–53], p = 0.039). Conclusions: The number of CVST-VITT cases reported from LMICs was small despite the widespread use of adenoviral vaccines. Clinical manifestations and treatment of CVST-VITT cases were largely similar in MICs and HICs, while mortality was lower in patients from MICs.</p

Sex differences in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after adenoviral vaccination against COVID-19

Introduction: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) is a severe disease with high mortality. There are few data on sex differences in CVST-VITT. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences in presentation, treatment, clinical course, complications, and outcome of CVST-VITT between women and men. Patients and methods: We used data from an ongoing international registry on CVST-VITT. VITT was diagnosed according to the Pavord criteria. We compared the characteristics of CVST-VITT in women and men. Results: Of 133 patients with possible, probable, or definite CVST-VITT, 102 (77%) were women. Women were slightly younger [median age 42 (IQR 28–54) vs 45 (28–56)], presented more often with coma (26% vs 10%) and had a lower platelet count at presentation [median (IQR) 50x109/L (28–79) vs 68 (30–125)] than men. The nadir platelet count was lower in women [median (IQR) 34 (19–62) vs 53 (20–92)]. More women received endovascular treatment than men (15% vs 6%). Rates of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins were similar (63% vs 66%), as were new venous thromboembolic events (14% vs 14%) and major bleeding complications (30% vs 20%). Rates of good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2, 42% vs 45%) and in-hospital death (39% vs 41%) did not differ. Discussion and conclusions: Three quarters of CVST-VITT patients in this study were women. Women were more severely affected at presentation, but clinical course and outcome did not differ between women and men. VITT-specific treatments were overall similar, but more women received endovascular treatment.</p

Sex differences in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis after adenoviral vaccination against COVID-19

Introduction: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis associated with vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (CVST-VITT) is a severe disease with high mortality. There are few data on sex differences in CVST-VITT. The aim of our study was to investigate the differences in presentation, treatment, clinical course, complications, and outcome of CVST-VITT between women and men. Patients and methods: We used data from an ongoing international registry on CVST-VITT. VITT was diagnosed according to the Pavord criteria. We compared the characteristics of CVST-VITT in women and men. Results: Of 133 patients with possible, probable, or definite CVST-VITT, 102 (77%) were women. Women were slightly younger [median age 42 (IQR 28–54) vs 45 (28–56)], presented more often with coma (26% vs 10%) and had a lower platelet count at presentation [median (IQR) 50x109/L (28–79) vs 68 (30–125)] than men. The nadir platelet count was lower in women [median (IQR) 34 (19–62) vs 53 (20–92)]. More women received endovascular treatment than men (15% vs 6%). Rates of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins were similar (63% vs 66%), as were new venous thromboembolic events (14% vs 14%) and major bleeding complications (30% vs 20%). Rates of good functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0-2, 42% vs 45%) and in-hospital death (39% vs 41%) did not differ. Discussion and conclusions: Three quarters of CVST-VITT patients in this study were women. Women were more severely affected at presentation, but clinical course and outcome did not differ between women and men. VITT-specific treatments were overall similar, but more women received endovascular treatment.</p

Influence of Chemotherapy on the Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Status in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Chemotherapeutic agents used in patients with cancer cause to generate the enormous amounts of free radicals associated with cell injury. In this study we assess the effects of chemotherapy regimen on oxidant/antioxidant status in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 38 newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia were recruited in this study. All patients received cytarabine and daunorubicin as chemotherapy regimen. Plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and the levels of erythrocyte activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were determined before chemotherapy and 14 days after chemotherapy with cytarabine and daunorubicin. Plasma MDA concentrations increased significantly (from 2.68±0.89 nmol/L to 3.14±1.29 nmol/L) during the 14days post-chemotherapy period (P=0.04). Plasma TAS concentrations changed with chemotherapy from 1.09±0.15 mmol/L to 1.02±0.14 mmol/L with P=0.005. Erythrocyte SOD and GPX activity decreased overtime from 1157.24±543.61 U/g Hb to 984.01±419.09 U/g Hb (P=0.04) and 46.96±13.70 U/g Hb to 41.40±6.44 U/g Hb (P=0.02) respectively. We report here that there is an increase in malondialdehyde levels and a decrease in the levels of antioxidant enzymes and total antioxidant status. This suggests that chemotherapy causes these changes as a result of enormous production of reactive oxygen species in the patients with AML. Antioxidant supplementation must be approached with caution because of the probability of reduction the therapeutic efficacy of these cytotoxic drugs

Applied electrochemical biosensor based on covalently self assembled monolayer at gold surface for determination of epinephrine in the presence of Ascorbic acid

AbstractIn this paper, a new electrochemical sensor for the determination of epinephrine (Epi) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) is described. The characterization of Au TMBH self-assembled monolayer modified electrode (TMBH SAM-ME) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using the [Fe(CN)6]−3/−4 redox couple. The mediated oxidation of Epi at the modified electrode was investigated by voltammetric methods and the values of transfer coefficient (α), the ionic exchanging current density (io), catalytic rate constant (kh) and diffusion coefficient (D) were calculated. By double potential step chronoamperometric experiments (DPCHA) at the modified electrode was obtained two linear segments of 1.7–24.9μM and 24.9–91.7μM by a detection limit (3σ) of 0.19±0.01μM for Epi. The advantages of this modified electrode were reproducibility and repeatability, stability and anti fouling effect against oxidation products of Epi at the surface of TMBH SAM-ME. Finally, the modified electrode was shown agreeable responses to recovery of Epi from real sample solutions by standard addition method

The effects of propolis on pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance, glycemic control, and quality of life in chronic kidney disease: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive kidney damage with an increasing prevalence. Some evidence suggests that propolis as a novel antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agent may have beneficial effects in CKD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of propolis on some kidney function parameters, pro-oxidant–antioxidant balance (PAB), glycemic status, quality of life, and blood pressure (BP) in patients with CKD. In this study, 44 patients with CKD were randomly assigned to receive propolis capsules at a dose of 250 mg daily or placebo for three months. Of 44 randomized individuals, 35 completed the trial. At the end of the intervention (end of month three), improvement in some dimensions of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (derived from Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short-Form (KDQOL- $${\mathrm{SF}}^{\mathrm{TM}}$$ SF TM , v. 1.3) questionnaire) were significantly higher in the propolis group than the placebo group, even after adjustment for baseline values, present of diabetes, and age (P  0.05). No serious adverse events were reported throughout the study. Propolis supplementation may improve the HRQoL of CKD patients. More studies are needed to validate the adjunct use of propolis for metabolic control of CKD patients