Investigation of the Relationship between Serum Leptin levels and Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Background: Worldwide, half of women suffer from nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy which generally continues to the 20th week of pregnancy. Although pathogeneses of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy as well as hyperemesis gravid arum are still unknown, some believe that nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is likely related to maternal serum leptin level. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between leptin and pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Methods: In this case-control study, 45 pregnant women at first and second trimesters were selected through convenient sampling. Mothers’ blood samples were taken in the 6th, 12th, 15th, and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The participants were devised into healthy, without nausea, (24) and with nausea and vomiting groups (21). The relationship among the variables was analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation, regression tests, and Lambda statistic (P value <0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.47±5.55 years, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be 5.458±26.57. There was no significant difference between groups in this regard. Based on results, changes in maternal serum leptin had significant correlation with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (p<0.04), meaning that the mean of leptin changes in patients with nausea and vomiting was significantly lower. Moreover, serum leptin at first and second trimesters of pregnancy did not have significant correlation with nausea and vomiting (p=0.5 and 0.3, respectively). Conclusion: With regard to leptin peak level at second trimester of pregnancy, leptin changes at first and second trimesters can be a good index to predict the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Thus, further domestic studies are required in this respect

Hormone profiles and antioxidant activity of cultivated and wild tomato seedlings under low-temperature stress

Low temperature is a major limiting factor for the growth and reproduction of some plant species, such as tomato. So far, few studies have been conducted on the effects of low temperature, and the mechanisms of plants’ response to this type of stress is not fully clear. In the current study, the effects of low, nonfreezing temperature (10◦ C for three days) on the hormone content, antioxidant activity, and expression patterns of cold-related genes in the leaves of cold-tolerant species (Solanum habrochaites Accession ‘LA1777′ ) and cold-susceptible species (Solanum lycopersicum cultivar ‘Moneymaker’) were investigated. Low temperature increased the abscisic acid (ABA) content in both tomato species, while the content of zeatin-type cytokinins (ZT) increased in the cold-tolerant species. However, the content of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA) reduced in response to low temperature in susceptible species. Accordingly, cytokinin (CK) is identified as an important hormone associated with low-temperature stress in tomato. In addition, our results indicate that the C-repeat/DRE binding factor 1 (CBF1) gene is less induced in response to low temperature in tomato, although transcription of the inducer of CBF expression 1 (ICE1) gene was upregulated under low temperature in both tomato species. It seems that ICE1 may modulate cold-regulated (COR) genes in a CBF-independent way. In addition, in response to low temperature, the malondialdehyde (MDA) level and membrane stability index (MSI) increased in the susceptible species, indicating that low temperature induces oxidative stress. Additionally, we found that glutathione peroxidase is highly involved in reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging induced by low temperature, and antioxidants are more induced in tolerant species. Overall, our results suggest that sub-optimal temperatures promote oxidative stress in tomato and CK is introduced as a factor related to the response to low temperature that requires deeper attention in future breeding programs of tomato

Iran Faces Critical Domestic and Regional Challenges

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The effects of probiotic supplement on hemoglobin in chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Chronic inflammation is one of the causes of anemia in chronic renal failure patients under hemodialysis. Probiotics probably establish a balance between pro‑ and anti‑inflammatory cytokines. The study was conducted to determine the effects of probiotic supplementation on hemoglobin (Hb) in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: A parallel clinical trial was conducted in which patients were randomly allocated into two groups. The intervention group (n = 18) was given a 500 mg probiotic supplement (a capsule) every day whereas the control group (n = 18) received placebo (a capsule), both for 3 months. Hb levels and C‑reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured for three periods. The data were analyzed in SPSS‑16 using statistical tests including the t‑test and repeated‑measures ANOVA. Results: In the probiotic supplementation group, the mean Hb was 9.22 ± 1.04 mg/dl before the intervention and reached 10.85 ± 1.177 mg/dl afterward, while in the placebo group, the mean Hb level was 9.38 ± 0.97 mg/dl before the intervention and reached 10.03 ± 1.97 mg/dl afterward (P > 0.05). During the study, the placebo caused to increase of Hb temporary, but in longer term, the effect of probiotic was more manifested. Hb levels increased in both groups although the change was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The findings showed no significant differences between the two groups in either the pre‑ or post‑intervention CRP levels (P = 0.239). Conclusion: Probiotic supplementation decreased Hb fluctuations in hemodialysis patients but did not result in a significant increase in Hb levels. Similar studies are therefore recommended to be conducted with a prolonged duration of the study or an increased probiotic dose with larger sample size to complete the results of the present study. © 2017 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

Comparing the effects of nicotinic acid and carbonate lanthanum on hyperphosphatemia in the hemodialysis patients: A double-blind clinical trial

Background: Control of the phosphorus in hemodialysis patients is very important and can be done in many ways. The purpose of the study was to compare the effects of Nicotinic acid and Lanthanum carbonate on hyperphosphatemia in the hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was done in Imam Hossein hospital (Shahroud, Iran) in 2014. The participants (n=60) were divided into two groups: Control (Lanthanum carbonate) and Intervention group (Nicotinic acid). The tapering doses of Nicotinic acid and lanthanum carbonate were completed monthly in three steps from 200 to 600 mg and from 250 to 750 mg, respectively. Serum phosphorus and calcium were measured in both groups and the results were compared using the paired t-test and ANOVA. Results: The comparison of Mean for age in Intervention (51.5&plusmn;21.3 years) and Control groups (50.7&plusmn;22.5 years) showed no significant differences. Comparing the phosphors level before the intervention in Intervention (6.67&plusmn;1.37 mg/dl) and Control group (6.69&plusmn;0.28 mg/dl) showed no significant difference. Nicotinic acid significantly decreased the blood phosphorus level (P&lt;0.001) in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: Similar to Lanthanum carbonate, Nicotinic acid can decrease the serum phosphorous level. However, for determining the most effective dose of the Nicotinic acid, more studies are required