The Mental Health of Pregnant Women During COVID-19

Dear Editor,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health emergency since the end of 2019.1 It has been the cause of more than 2.06 million deaths around the world until now.2,3 As you know, this pandemic has caused many problems and has had damaging effects on various aspects of people’s lives. One of the essential issues to pay special attention to is women’s mental health during pregnancy. In this letter, we would like to explain the immediate need to focus on the psychological impact of the SARS-Cov-2 during pregnancy.Several reports have shown that the rate of psychopathology (anxiety, depression, etc.) in pregnancy has increased significantly during pandemics. This increasing rate was related to fear of infection with the virus, reduce support services in hospitals and operating rooms, inadequate prenatal care, and social isolation from support networks.4Mortazavi and colleagues published an article regarding pregnant women’s well-being and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.5 The results of their study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a harmful effect on pregnant women in terms of mental health. A little percentage of pregnant women have severe coronavirus infection, but this pandemic has psychological consequences for the neonate and the mother.Perinatal support is a service for any woman with mental health problems, who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or have a baby up to one year of age. There has been a significant decrease in prenatal care around the world, which could lead to increased rates of psychopathology problems which is in turn a risk factor for poor postpartum health and postnatal depression. Since the start of the pandemic, for the protection of pregnant women and their children, only one person is allowed to enter the delivery room and unnecessary visits are unacceptable.Perinatal support leads to reduced pain during delivery, increases psychological health, and satisfaction during pregnancy, so it seems that these policies have some harmful effects, and they will show themselves in the near future.Moreover, during the pandemic, violence against women has increased as a result of economic stress and financial instability. Domestic violence is closely related to psychopathology, especially increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. During pregnancy, mental health disorders can have very serious consequences for both the mother and baby. For instance, increased perinatal psychopathology can result in the usage of drugs, alcohol, and future suicide. In addition, when the mother has stress, many problems can restrict fetal growth, lead to premature birth, and induce low birthweight.According to all the explanations above, future research should aim to recognize women who are exposed to domestic violence, as well as the psychological effects of the pandemic on pregnant women and their children. To solve these problems, careful planning and management is needed and if not addressed, it can lead to irreversible outcomes in the future.In order to have a healthy society in future, we also suggest that after the end of this pandemic we need to set up a screening and control program for women who have given birth during this pandemic to monitor and manage possible consequences

The Mental Health of Pregnant Women During COVID-19

Dear Editor,Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health emergency since the end of 2019.1 It has been the cause of more than 2.06 million deaths around the world until now.2,3 As you know, this pandemic has caused many problems and has had damaging effects on various aspects of people's lives. One of the essential issues to pay special attention to is women's mental health during pregnancy. In this letter, we would like to explain the immediate need to focus on the psychological impact of the SARS-Cov-2 during pregnancy.Several reports have shown that the rate of psychopathology (anxiety, depression, etc.) in pregnancy has increased significantly during pandemics. This increasing rate was related to fear of infection with the virus, reduce support services in hospitals and operating rooms, inadequate prenatal care, and social isolation from support networks.4Mortazavi and colleagues published an article regarding pregnant women's well-being and worry during the COVID-19 pandemic.5 The results of their study showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a harmful effect on pregnant women in terms of mental health. A little percentage of pregnant women have severe coronavirus infection, but this pandemic has psychological consequences for the neonate and the mother.Perinatal support is a service for any woman with mental health problems, who are planning a pregnancy, are pregnant, or have a baby up to one year of age. There has been a significant decrease in prenatal care around the world, which could lead to increased rates of psychopathology problems which is in turn a risk factor for poor postpartum health and postnatal depression. Since the start of the pandemic, for the protection of pregnant women and their children, only one person is allowed to enter the delivery room and unnecessary visits are unacceptable.Perinatal support leads to reduced pain during delivery, increases psychological health, and satisfaction during pregnancy, so it seems that these policies have some harmful effects, and they will show themselves in the near future.Moreover, during the pandemic, violence against women has increased as a result of economic stress and financial instability. Domestic violence is closely related to psychopathology, especially increased rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. During pregnancy, mental health disorders can have very serious consequences for both the mother and baby. For instance, increased perinatal psychopathology can result in the usage of drugs, alcohol, and future suicide. In addition, when the mother has stress, many problems can restrict fetal growth, lead to premature birth, and induce low birthweight.According to all the explanations above, future research should aim to recognize women who are exposed to domestic violence, as well as the psychological effects of the pandemic on pregnant women and their children. To solve these problems, careful planning and management is needed and if not addressed, it can lead to irreversible outcomes in the future.In order to have a healthy society in future, we also suggest that after the end of this pandemic we need to set up a screening and control program for women who have given birth during this pandemic to monitor and manage possible consequences

Homocysteine Levels and Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review

The most common type of stroke is ischemic stroke. Given that death due to stroke is one of the three leading causes of death globally, it is essential to identify its risk factors, especially modifiable risk factors. Nowadays, High homocysteine is recognized as one of the risk factors for stroke. Our aim in this study was to investigate the association between homocysteine levels and ischemic stroke. We searched the keywords in Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct with a 15-year time limit. At first, 3884 studies were found, and after further investigation and based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, only nine studies were selected. Of the nine selected studies was a clinical trial and eight observational studies, and in total, there were 16227 participants in these studies. The prevalence of ischemic stroke was higher in people with high homocysteine levels than in people with normal homocysteine levels (14.1% vs. 9.8%). The prevalence was generally higher in men, but among people with high homocysteine levels, the prevalence of ischemic stroke was slightly higher in women than in men (12% vs. 11%), and also, in women and men, the prevalence of ischemic stroke was higher in people with high homocysteine levels than in people with normal levels. Based on selected studies, increased homocysteine levels in men and women increases the risk of ischemic stroke. Because homocysteine levels are a modifiable risk factor, diet and prevention of vitamin B12 decrease can help prevent an increased risk of ischemic stroke

Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Poisoning; a Brief Report

Introduction: Some studies have reported creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) as a new emerging way in predicting the outcomes of poisoned patients. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum CPK level in the first 24 hours with outcomes of poisoned patients.Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed using the medical profiles of poisoned patients aged between 13 and 70 years old who were referred to the emergency department of a big referral medical toxicology center during 6 years and whose necessary data for this study was available.Results: 318 patients with the mean age of 34.9±14.5 years were studied (77.1% male). The mean serum CPK level of patients was 4693.1 ± 10303.8 (35–89480) IU/L. There was no significant correlation between serum CPK level and cause of poisoning (r= 0.16; p=0.51), age (r = -0.021; p = 0.651), sex (r = 0.131; p = 0.281), seizure (r = -0.022; p = 0.193), level of consciences (r = -0.138; p = 0.167), and duration of hospital stay (r= 0.242, p = 0.437). The mean serum CPK level was significantly higher in ICU admitted (p<0.0001), AKI (p<0.0001), hyperkalemia (p<0.0001), hypophosphatemia (p=0.045), and hypocalcaemia (p=0.008) cases.  The best cut off point of serum CPK level in predicting acute kidney injury (AKI) was estimated to be 10000 IU/L (sensitivity = 83.8% and specificity = 68.8%).Conclusion: It seems that CPK could be considered as a candidate tool for screening the intoxicated patients in need for ICU admission and at risk for AKI

Neuroprotective Strategies in the Perioperative Period: A Systematic Review

Surgery and anesthetics may cause brain damage, and the resulting neurological defect can impair the patient's cognitive function. This disorder is one of the most common complications after surgery and causes disorders in several cognitive areas of the patient. The mechanism of this disorder is not fully understood, but Neuronal inflammation is one of the main causes of this disorder. The purpose of this systematic review study was to evaluate neuroprotective drug strategies for the treatment or prevention of surgical disorders associated with anesthesia. We searched the keywords "neuroprotective", "neuroprotection", "postoperative" and "perioperative" in the databases of web of science, Scopus, PubMed, science direct and Google Scholar with a 5-year time limit. At first, 492 articles were obtained and finally, after detailed survey based on exclusion and inclusion criteria, 31 studies were selected to extract data. Findings from studies show that medication and treatment strategies used in group of mice and rats under surgery with treatment can improve Neuronal inflammation and brain damage compared to mice and rats with surgery only and reduce the side effects of surgery and anesthetics

Do not Forget People’s Mental Health

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has changed the typical lifestyle of people worldwide for nearly two years. Maybe before the onset of this pandemic, no one believed that a virus could change all aspects of life. COVID-19 has had a catastrophic effect worldwide, and it has led to more than 5 million deaths.1Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, different factors such as emotional and exaggerated images and news, rumors, and misinformation about the origins and causes of the disease, have affected the lifestyle of the people, and many people have lost their family or friends., all leading to increased anxiety.2 The results of studies in the previous pandemics have shown that one of the most critical domains of harm is the mental health of people and the significant point is that the mental health of infected individuals was less affected than non-infected individuals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, different studies have evaluated the mental health of people. Fear and anxiety are common feelings that are experienced by patients with or suspected of COVID-19. A study published in 2020 showed that fear of illness results in increased anxiety and stress levels in patients, healthy individuals or health workers

The relation between Eyelid Tumors and Demographic Variable

Aims: This study evaluated the relationship between demographic variables, location, histopathologic results with Eyelid Tumors in Labbafinejad hospital in Tehran from 2010 to 2020. Methods and Material: The t-test and analysis of variance were used for comparison of normally distributed variables among groups. Results: The study was performed on 97 men and 115 women, in which we found 88 cases of benign tumors and 124 cases of malignant tumors. The mean age of the patients was 51.04± 22.9 years ranged between 1- 89. The topography analysis of lesions showed the frequency of locations: 98 cases at the lower eyelid, 112 cases at the upper eyelid, and 2 on both sides, 107 cases at the right eyelid, 101 cases at the left eyelid, and 4 in both eyelids. We realized that basal cell carcinoma was the most frequent malignancy reported, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, whereas intradermal nevus and dermoid cyst made up most of the benign lesions, respectively. Our data also demonstrated a significant difference in the number of men diagnosed over women with basal cell carcinoma. Conclusions: In this study, 54.8% of lesions were malignant, found mostly in men. The top two types of malignant tumors were basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, and the most frequent benign lesions were intradermal nevus and dermoid cyst, respectively

Global, regional, and national burden of rheumatoid arthritis, 1990–2020, and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease associated with disability and premature death. Up-to-date estimates of the burden of rheumatoid arthritis are required for health-care planning, resource allocation, and prevention. As part of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021, we provide updated estimates of the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis and its associated deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) by age, sex, year, and location, with forecasted prevalence to 2050. Methods Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was estimated in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020 using Bayesian meta-regression models and data from population-based studies and medical claims data (98 prevalence and 25 incidence studies). Mortality was estimated from vital registration data with the Cause of Death Ensemble model (CODEm). Years of life lost (YLL) were calculated with use of standard GBD lifetables, and years lived with disability (YLDs) were estimated from prevalence, a meta-analysed distribution of rheumatoid arthritis severity, and disability weights. DALYs were calculated by summing YLLs and YLDs. Smoking was the only risk factor analysed. Rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was forecast to 2050 by logistic regression with Socio-Demographic Index as a predictor, then multiplying by projected population estimates. Findings In 2020, an estimated 17·6 million (95% uncertainty interval 15·8–20·3) people had rheumatoid arthritis worldwide. The age-standardised global prevalence rate was 208·8 cases (186·8–241·1) per 100 000 population, representing a 14·1% (12·7–15·4) increase since 1990. Prevalence was higher in females (age-standardised female-to-male prevalence ratio 2·45 [2·40–2·47]). The age-standardised death rate was 0·47 (0·41–0·54) per 100 000 population (38 300 global deaths [33 500–44 000]), a 23·8% (17·5–29·3) decrease from 1990 to 2020. The 2020 DALY count was 3 060 000 (2 320 000–3 860 000), with an age-standardised DALY rate of 36·4 (27·6–45·9) per 100 000 population. YLDs accounted for 76·4% (68·3–81·0) of DALYs. Smoking risk attribution for rheumatoid arthritis DALYs was 7·1% (3·6–10·3). We forecast that 31·7 million (25·8–39·0) individuals will be living with rheumatoid arthritis worldwide by 2050. Interpretation Rheumatoid arthritis mortality has decreased globally over the past three decades. Global age-standardised prevalence rate and YLDs have increased over the same period, and the number of cases is projected to continue to increase to the year 2050. Improved access to early diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis globally is required to reduce the future burden of the disease.publishedVersio

The International Clinical Neuroscience Journal; 2022 in a Glance: A Work Overview for 2022

The acceptance rate in the ICNJ was 46% (rejection rate: 54%) in 2022 and the average peer review time was around three weeks. Overall, 32 papers, including 16 (50%) original articles, 8 (25%) case reports, 6 (18.75%) review articles, and 2 (6.25%) letters to the Editor were published in 2022. The most published topics in 2022 were COVID-19 (6 papers), mental health, and cancers. Most publications focused on COVID-19, as a common topic worldwide. Some of the articles were published as editorial letters.1,2 There were papers about COVID-19 and mental health1 and COVID-19 and headache.2Six review papers were about “Upper Extremity Function After Stroke”, “Neurological Complications of COVID-19”, “Neuropathic Pain”, “Public Acceptance of the COVID-19 Vaccination”, “Consciousness in Sleep” and Molecular and Cellular Basis in Neurodegenerative Diseases”.3-8 Moreover, ICNJ presents eight rare, complex and challenging neurological and neurosurgical cases (“Fahr Syndrome and Syncope”, “Acute Hemifacial by Haemorrhagic Schwannoma”, “Multilevel Lumbar Spondylolisthesis”, “Convulsion Presentation of Parietal Meningioma”, “Coil Embolization in Pseudoaneurysm of the Supraglenoid Internal Carotid Artery”, “Physical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction and Sensation”, “Traumatic Unilateral Basal Ganglia Haemorrhage”, and “Parenchymal Infarction After Subacute Subdural Hematoma Evacuation”).9-16 The editors and editorial board members of the journal believe that the publication of these cases can help develop good hypotheses for further studies in the future.Sixteen published original articles present new and novel assessments, diagnostic methods, prevention, treatment, and approaches of neurological disease, and valuable epidemiological features and findings to be used worldwide.17-32The International Clinical Neuroscience Journal is supported by Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN). The goal of (ICNJ) is to continue publishing high quality and novel studies especially in areas of tissue engineering, molecular biology, personalized medicine, degenerative diseases and neuromodulation. We would like to invite all researchers from around the world to contribute to this journal. We appreciate the contributions of all the researchers and scientists who trusted the ICNJ