Relationship between serum level of interleukin-2 in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and disease activity in comparison with control group

Background: Despite the large number of surveys, there are not any validated biomarkers for SLE disease activity till now. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between serum level of IL-2 in patients with SLE and disease activity in comparison with control group. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 73 patients with lupus and 73 healthy subjects referred to the rheumatology clinic of 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan (North of Iran).They were studied via convenience sampling during 2011-2012. Blood samples were taken from both groups and serum levels of interleukin -2 measured by Avi Bion Human IL-2 ELISA kit. Serum Level of IL-2 greater than 15 pg/ml defined positive and lesser than this amount defined negative. Disease activity evaluated with SLE disease activity index. Score greater than or equal to three or four defined as active disease. Data analysis conducted by SPSS software (version 16) and by using descriptive statistics and statistical tests. Results: Serum level of IL-2 was positive in 45.2% of sample studied and negative in 54.8% in case group, while in control group, serum level of IL-2 only in 11% of sample studied was positive and in 89% was negative. Statistical analysis indicated a significant relationship between serum level of IL-2 and the SLE disease activity index (p=0.025). Conclusion: This study showed the relationship between serum levels of IL-2 and disease activity, so this biomarker can be used as a clinical indicator for assessing disease activity in patients with SLE

Predictors of Postpartum Depression in an Iranian Population, 2006

Background: Postpartum depression has serious complications. There are various risk factors for postpartum depression and in some cases these are controversial. Objectives: This study tested the prevalence of postpartum depression and its related factors in Kashan, Iran, in 2006. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 460 women referred to Kashan’s health centers, during the second and third months after childbirth, were enrolled. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to make a diagnosis of depression. Other variables such as; type of delivery, satisfaction with husband, and demographic features were also assessed. Data were analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and regression analysis, using SPSS 16 software. Results: The prevalence of severe and moderate depression was 28.9%. Our findings did not reveal any significant relationship between; type of delivery, unwanted pregnancy, gender of neonate, duration of marriage and gravidity with postpartum depression (P > 0.05). The stepwise regression analysis showed that depression made a significant model with; satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother. Conclusions: Satisfaction with husband, age and education of mother are the important risk factors for postpartum depression

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and cytokines in heart failure: dose and effect?∗∗Editorials published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiologyreflect the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of JACCor the American College of Cardiology.

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a rate-limiting step in catecholamine synthesis in which its activity influences Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and IQ of schizophrenia patients, has been studied for a long time. In the meantime, the present investigation assessed the effect of noggin and type of self-assembling nanofibers in TH gene over-expression by neuron-like cells derived from human endometrial-derived stromal cells (hEnSCs). Neuroblastoma cells and hEnSCs encapsulated into nanofibers including Matrigel, (RADA)4, laminin, and BMHP-1 motif bounded to (RADA)4 and their cell viability were studied for 48 h and 18 days in basal and neurogenic media, respectively, in noggin-rich media. Then, expression of neural genes and proteins has been investigated by immunocytochemistry (ICC) and real-time PCR methods, respectively. The results indicated that neuroblastoma cell and hEnSC viability is in good agreement with the level of Bcl2 and β-tubulin III gene expression; however, -BMHP-1 and -laminin nanofibers exhibited significantly higher cell viability eventually through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway as compared to others, respectively. The gene expression analysis of nanofibers showed that none of them induced gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) gene expression while glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) gene just over-expressed in cells encapsulated into Matrigel with a low level of Bcl2 gene expression. However, the TH gene just had been over-expressed in cells encapsulated into -laminin nanofiber and 2D cell culture. In the absence of noggin with -laminin nanofibers, TH gene expression was suppressed. It might be concluded that although noggin through anti-BMP pathways resulted in GFAP decrement and TH gene increment, the type of scaffold that defined the final fate of cells and -laminin accompaniment might be useful for the recovery of Alzheimer and Parkinson disease patients. © 2016 Springer Science+Business Media New Yor

Systematic review on human resources for health interventions to improve maternal health outcomes: Evidence from low- and middle-income countries

There is a broad consensus and evidence that shows qualified, accessible, and responsive human resources for health (HRH) can make a major impact on the health of the populations. At the same time, there is widespread recognition that HRH crises particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) impede the achievement of better health outcomes/targets. In order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), equitable access to a skilled and motivated health worker within a performing health system is need to be ensured. This review contributes to the vast pool of literature towards the assessment of HRH for maternal health and is focused on interventions delivered by skilled birth attendants (SBAs). Studies were included if (a) any HRH interventions in management system, policy, finance, education, partnership, and leadership were implemented; (b) these were related to SBA; (c) reported outcomes related to maternal health; (d) the studies were conducted in LMICs; and (e) studies were in English. Studies were excluded if traditional birth attendants and/or community health workers were trained. The review identified 25 studies which revealed reasons for poor maternal health outcomes in LMICs despite the efforts and policies implemented throughout these years. This review suggested an urgent and immediate need for formative evidence-based research on effective HRH interventions for improved maternal health outcomes. Other initiatives such as education and empowerment of women, alleviating poverty, establishing gender equality, and provision of infrastructure, equipment, drugs, and supplies are all integral components that are required to achieve SDGs by reducing maternal mortality and improving maternal health

Impact of service provision platforms on maternal and newborn health in conflict areas and their acceptability in Pakistan: a systematic review

Various models and strategies have been implemented over the years in different parts of the world to improve maternal and newborn health (MNH) in conflict affected areas. These strategies are based on specific needs and acceptability of local communities. This paper has undertaken a systematic review of global and local (Pakistan) information from conflict areas on platforms of health service provision in the last 10 years and information on acceptability from local stakeholders on effective models of service delivery; and drafted key recommendations for improving coverage of health services in conflict affected areas. The literature search revealed ten studies that described MNH service delivery platforms. The results from the systematic review showed that with utilisation of community outreach services, the greatest impacts were observed in skilled birth attendance and antenatal consultation rates. Facility level services, on the other hand, showed that labour room services for an internally displaced population (IDP) improved antenatal care coverage, contraceptive prevalence rate and maternal mortality. Consultative meetings and discussions conducted in Quetta and Peshawar (capitals of conflict affected provinces) with relevant stakeholders revealed that no systematic models of MNH service delivery, especially tailored for conflict areas, are available. During conflict, even previously available services and infrastructure suffered due to various barriers specific to times of conflict and unrest. A number of barriers that hinder MNH services were discussed. Suggestions for improving MNH services in conflict areas were also laid down by participants. The review identified some important steps that can be undertaken to mitigate the effects of conflict on MNH services, which include: improve provision and access to infrastructure and equipment; development and training of healthcare providers; and advocacy at different levels for free access to healthcare services and for the introduction of the programme model in existing healthcare system. The obligation is enormous, however, for a sustainable programme, it is important to work closely with both the IDP and host community, and collaborating with the government and non-government organisations

Factors affecting the quality of work-life of nurses: a correlational study

Background Quality of work-life is an important factor in the recruitment and retention of the nursing workforce and their work productivity. Aims This study aimed to identify factors that affect the quality of work-life of nurses. Methods In this correlational study, 239 nurses employed in a tertiary teaching hospital in Iran completed the study questionnaires, including the quality of work-life questionnaire. The associations between potential independent variables and quality of work-life were examined using multivariate regression analysis. Results Participants were mostly women (80.33%) and within the age range of 30–45 years (71.54%). Working in other hospitals, having a second job and health information-seeking behaviours were significant predictors of quality of work-life, explaining 28.68% of the total variance in quality of work-life of nurses. Conclusions Improving working standards may prevent nurses from working extra hours or in different occupations. This, along with facilitating the health information-seeking behaviours of nurses, may help improve their quality of work-life by maintaining a better work-life balance and acquiring knowledge and skills that can help with effective management of work and life commitments. </jats:sec

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among women of reproductive age in iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) able to cause infection for an entire lifetime. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine seroprevalence of CMV among women of reproductive age in Iran. Methods: English and Persian databases such as Web of Science (WOS), PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, SID, Iran doc, Iran Medex, Magiran, and Medlib were searched (from 2008 to 2017) accurately using the keywords: Cytomegalovirus, Pregnant women or Pregnancy, Epidemiology, Prevalence and Iran. Results: Results of 15 studies with total samples of 5253 persons from 2008 to 2017 were combined and meta-analyzed. The pooled prevalence rate of IgG among women was estimated 90 (95 CI: 87-93). The highest prevalence rate of IgG was in Tehran, Rasht, Mashhad and Yasoj, all 100 (95 CI: 100-100), and the lowest prevalence was in Jahrom 0.62 (95 CI: 53-71). The overall prevalence rate of IgM among women was estimated at 0.06 (95 CI: 0.03-0.13). The highest prevalence rate of IgM was in Kerman 0.34 (95 CI: 0.29-0.39) and Mashhad 0.25 (95 CI: 0.2-0.31), and the lowest prevalence was in Yasoj 0 (95 CI: 0.00-0.00) Conclusion: The prevalence of immunity in Iran, is satisfactory. Nevertheless, to maintain and increase the level of immunity across the country, it is necessary to routinely screen the women of reproductive ages across the country. © 2019, Iranian Journal of Public Health. All rights reserved

Possibility of the pond culture of Asian sea bass, lates calcarifer in Gwadar farm , Sistan & Baloochestan

In the present study, the possibility of marine culture of Asian sea bass in the shrimp earthen ponds located in the Gwadar region (coastal area of Oman Sea, southeastern of Iran) was investigated. To this end, Asian sea bass frys reared for 7 months including 1 month nursery and 6 months growth-period. During the culturing periods, fish were feed ad libitum by various commercial rainbow trout diets based on fish growth stages. After nursery period, the average weight of 11.05±1.5 g and survival percent of 65 % were obtained for fish. During the growth-out period, the average weight increased continually from 31.4±4.7 g in late June to 252.1±30 g at the end of growth-out period in late Dec. Also, the highest values of monthly weight gain yielded during August, Sept and Oct when fish had the average weight range of (76.9±14.4)-(188.1±12.8) g. The values of monthly feed conversion ratio (FCR) were low and similar from July to Oct and then increased in Nov and Dec. The values of total monthly feed intake (FI) increased continually from July to Oct and then with a decrease in Nov, increased again in Dec. The values of survival percent after nursery and growth-out period were 65 % and 66% respectively. Also, the average of monthly FCR, FCR at the time of fish harvesting, total FI and total harvested biomass were 1.36, 2.5, 630.5 kg and 325 kg. in conclusion, the pond culture of Asian sea bass with marine water results appropriate survival and growth rates so that fish (11.05±1.5 g) obtained marketable weight (252.1±30 g) during 6 months culturing period. It seems that first-half of year in Gwadar area is more suitable for sea bass culture since this time periods results better FCR ( fed by rainbow trout feed) and has economic justification. Also, with regular sorting operation and providing of species-specific feed for Asian sea bass can increase the Production per Unit Area