Background: Surrogates are women who bear a genetically unrelated child for another individual or couple. Experiences of surrogate mothers need further investigation. Objective: The objective of the ...study was to answer the questions of what were the experiences of surrogate mothers and what problems they confronted during the process of surrogacy. Methods: The present study was a qualitative content analysis. Purposive sampling was used in the study. Pregnant women with various ages and educational levels were invited for semi-structured interviews. Graneheim and Lundman's method was used for analyzing the data. Results: In this study, 15 participants were interviewed. The codes extracted from the interviews were categorized into five main themes and 13 subthemes. The main themes were: (1) desperation; (2) pain and suffering with the subthemes of physical pain, emotional suffering, suffering caused by others, and fears; (3) emotional involvement and self-alienation; (4) looking for the positive aspects of the surrogacy with subthemes of positive interpretation of the experience, and the sense of pride; (5) and supportive systems including the commissioning parents, the surrogate's family, the health system, and the community as subthemes. Financial motivations were the reason for surrogacy which made women endure many physical, psychological, and social problems. The women expressed some positive feelings about surrogacy and also mentioned several support sources. Conclusion: Surrogate mothers reported numerous physical, emotional, and social problems that require better counseling services. A supportive system, especially the health system, should provide better and more humanistic services for surrogate mothers.
Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare cancer arising in skeletal muscle that typically impacts children and young adults. It is a worldwide challenge in child health as treatment outcomes for metastatic and ...recurrent disease still pose a major concern for both basic and clinical scientists. The treatment strategies for rhabdomyosarcoma include multi-agent chemotherapies after surgical resection with or without ionization radiotherapy. In this comprehensive review, we first provide a detailed clinical understanding of rhabdomyosarcoma including its classification and subtypes, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Later, we focus on chemotherapy strategies for this childhood sarcoma and discuss the impact of three mechanisms that are involved in the chemotherapy response including apoptosis, macro-autophagy, and the unfolded protein response. Finally, we discuss in vivo mouse and zebrafish models and in vitro three-dimensional bioengineering models of rhabdomyosarcoma to screen future therapeutic approaches and promote muscle regeneration.
In late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), spread to almost all countries worldwide. The outbreak ...of this virus has been confirmed on 19th February, 2020, in Iran.
The aim of this study was to investigate the time of viral RNA clearance in swab and serum samples of COVID-19 patients having received different medications. We also evaluated different factors that may affect viral RNA persistence in patients infected by SARS-CoV-2.
In March 2020, twenty-one hospitalized COVID-19 patients participated in this prospective study. All patients received antiviral agents in their routine care. Throat swabs and blood samples were obtained from all patients in different intervals, including day 3 or 5, day 7, day 10, and finally, 14 days after the first positive real-time RT-PCR (rRT-PCT) test.
The median time from the symptom onset (SO) to the first negative rRT-PCR results for throat swabs and serum samples of COVID-19 patients was 18 and 14 days, respectively. These times were more significant in patients with lymphopenia, oxygen saturation ≤ 90%, and comorbidity.
This preliminary study highlights that SASR-CoV-2 RNA was not detectable in the upper respiratory tract for longer than three weeks. In addition, SARS-CoV-2 may persist for a long period of time in the respiratory than in the serum samples. This study supports the idea that in limited resource settings, the patients should be tested earlier than three weeks for discharge management.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. In NHL, the important part of the immune system, a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes become cancerous. NHL ...subtypes include marginal zone lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular lymphoma (FL), and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. The disease can emerge in either aggressive or indolent form. 5-year survival duration after diagnosis is poor among patients with aggressive/relapsing form of NHL. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis involved in NHL establishment and progression. In the next step, we can develop innovative therapies for NHL based on our knowledge in signaling pathways, surface antigens, and tumor milieu of NHL. In the recent few decades, several treatment solutions of NHL mainly based on targeted/directed therapies have been evaluated. These approaches include B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), epigenetic modulators, Bcl-2 inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors, and T-cell therapy. In recent years, methods based on T cell immunotherapy have been considered as a novel promising anti-cancer strategy in the treatment of various types of cancers, and particularly in blood cancers. These methods could significantly increase the capacity of the immune system to induce durable anti-cancer responses in patients with chemotherapy-resistant lymphoma. One of the promising therapy methods involved in the triumph of immunotherapy is the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with dramatically improved killing activity against tumor cells. The CAR-T cell-based anti-cancer therapy targeting a pan–B-cell marker, CD19 is recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant B-cell NHL. In this review, we will discuss the structure, molecular mechanisms, results of clinical trials, and the toxicity of CAR-T cell-based therapies. Also, we will criticize the clinical aspects, the treatment considerations, and the challenges and possible drawbacks of the application of CAR-T cells in the treatment of NHL.
Social capital is a complex concept that is considered an effective factor in the development of societies. Considering the importance of burdens of psychiatric disorders in Iran, we studied the ...relationship between various dimensions of social capital of parents of children and adolescents and psychiatric disorders among them. In this cross-sectional study, 18,940 parents of children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years old were randomly selected from all provinces of Iran and were evaluated by the Millon clinical multiaxial inventory-III (MCMI-III) and a modified version of Nahapiet and Ghoshal questionnaire. MCMI-III was designed as a self-report tool for investigating psychiatric clinical disorders and personality traits in the general population. Modified Nahapiet and ghoshal questionnaire has 20 items and measures four components of social capital included trust, values, communication, and collaboration. Validity and reliability of both questionnaires have been approved in Iran. In the regression model, the relationship between social capital components and clinical and sever clinical syndromes, in the form of regression weight and standard weight for trust was − 0.558 and − 0.062 with p value less than 0.0001, and for values was − 0.466 and − 0.057, respectively, with p value less than 0.0001. There was a reverse correlation between social capital components of parents of children and adolescents and psychiatric disorders in Iran. In regression statistical models, the two components of values and trust were negative predictors of psychiatric disorders. Considering the high prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Iran, it seems that the strengthening of cognitive and structural aspects of social capital of parents of children and adolescents is one of the effective factors in reducing the prevalence of these disorders among them.
Various treatments have been proposed to treat ectopic pregnancy, but their impact on future pregnancies is still the subject of controversy.
The aim of this study is to compare the medical and ...surgical treatment methods and their impact on the subsequent fertility results and complications in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy.
In this analytical, cross-sectional study, 370 women with the history of ectopic pregnancy, (treared with single dose of methotrexate or salpingectomy by laparotomy), that referred to Al-Zahra Hospital, Rasht, Guilan between 2009 to 2013 were enrolled. 147 women responded to the phone call. The age, the number of women that needed to drug for pregnancy, fertility rate and the fertility outcomes were studied.
147 women responded to the call and between them, 114 women tried to get pregnant again after the ectopic pregnancy treatment. They were agreed to the participate in the study. The mean age of the patients was 28.56±5.63 yr. The fertility rates in the medical and the surgical groups were 56.6% and 47.61%, respectively (p=0.141). There were no significant differences in the poor consequences of pregnancy among the two groups; ectopic pregnancy (p=0.605), miscarriage (p=0.605), and prematuredelivery (p=0.648). 15.1% in the medicinal group and two patients 12.5% in the surgical group had received fertility treatment in order to get pregnant (p=0.135). There was no significant difference in two groups.
It seems that surgical treatment depending on the underlying variables of each patient, can be used such as medical treatment, without worrying about its effect on fertility.
•The assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially the depressive disorders and their comorbidities, may help to prevent mood disorders in children and adolescents.•Findings ...showed that a higher age, being female, and the father’s unemployment were associated with an increased odds of depressive disorders.•The mother’s job and a history of psychiatric hospitalization of the father and mother were negative predictors for depressive symptoms.
Depressive disorders are a major public health problem in developed and developing countries. Recently, several risk factors have been described for depressive disorders in children and adolescents. The aim of the present study was to identify the main risk factors that can affect the incidence of depression in Iranian children and adolescents.
A total of 30,546 children and adolescents (between 6 and 18 years of age) participated in a cross-sectional study to identify the predictors of depressive disorders. Depressive disorders were assessed using the Persian version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (K-SADS-PL). In addition, a demographic characteristics questionnaire was completed by parents of the participants. The data was analyzed using the SPSS22 software via performing the descriptive analysis and the multiple logistic regression analysis methods. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results showed that a higher age (15–18), being female, and the father's unemployment were associated with an increased odds ratio for depressive disorders. The age of 10–14 (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 1.57–2.81), the age of 15–18 (OR = 4.44; 95% CI, 3.38–5.83), female gender (OR = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.2–1.73) and the father's unemployment (OR = 1.59; 95% CI, 1.01–2.5) were significant positive predictors, whereas, the mother's job (as a housewife) (OR = 0.66; 95% CI, 0.45–0.96) and a history of psychiatric hospitalization of the father and mother (OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.15–0.78 and OR = 0.34; 95% CI, 0.14–0.84) were negative predictors for depressive symptoms.
Depressive symptoms are common in children and adolescents and are correlated with age and gender. The assessment of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders, especially the depressive disorders and their comorbidities, may help to prevent mood disorders in children and adolescents.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) is a cancer that starts in the lymphatic system. In NHL, the important part of the immune system, a type of white blood cells called lymphocytes become cancerous. NHL ...subtypes include marginal zone lymphoma, small lymphocytic lymphoma, follicular lymphoma (FL), and lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma. The disease can emerge in either aggressive or indolent form. 5-year survival duration after diagnosis is poor among patients with aggressive/relapsing form of NHL. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis involved in NHL establishment and progression. In the next step, we can develop innovative therapies for NHL based on our knowledge in signaling pathways, surface antigens, and tumor milieu of NHL. In the recent few decades, several treatment solutions of NHL mainly based on targeted/directed therapies have been evaluated. These approaches include B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling inhibitors, immunomodulatory agents, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), epigenetic modulators, Bcl-2 inhibitors, checkpoint inhibitors, and T-cell therapy. In recent years, methods based on T cell immunotherapy have been considered as a novel promising anti-cancer strategy in the treatment of various types of cancers, and particularly in blood cancers. These methods could significantly increase the capacity of the immune system to induce durable anti-cancer responses in patients with chemotherapy-resistant lymphoma. One of the promising therapy methods involved in the triumph of immunotherapy is the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells with dramatically improved killing activity against tumor cells. The CAR-T cell-based anti-cancer therapy targeting a pan–B-cell marker, CD19 is recently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant B-cell NHL. In this review, we will discuss the structure, molecular mechanisms, results of clinical trials, and the toxicity of CAR-T cell-based therapies. Also, we will criticize the clinical aspects, the treatment considerations, and the challenges and possible drawbacks of the application of CAR-T cells in the treatment of NHL.
•Hypothermia can have potential side effects for patients with cardiac surgery.•Rewarming is effective in improving some hemodynamic parameters.•Rewarming can be used safely to improve the patients’ ...hemodynamic parameters after open-heart surgery.
Hypothermia after open-heart surgery can have potential side effects for patients.
This study aimed to examine the effects of rewarming on patients' hemodynamic and arterial blood gases parameters after open-heart surgery.
This randomized controlled trial was performed in 2019 on 80 patients undergoing open-heart surgery at Tehran Heart Center, Iran. The subjects were consecutively recruited and randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=40) and a control group (n=40). After the surgery, the intervention group was warmed with an electric warming mattress while the control group warmed using a simple hospital blanket. The hemodynamic parameters of the two groups were measured 6 times and arterial blood gas was measured 3 times. Data were analyzed by independent samples t and Chi-squared tests, and repeated measures analysis.
Before the intervention, the two groups did not significantly differ in terms of hemodynamic and blood gas parameters. However, the two groups were significantly different in the mean heart rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, temperature, right and left lung drainage in the first half-hour, and the first to fourth hours after the intervention (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between the mean arterial oxygen pressure of the two groups during and after rewarming (P <0.05).
Rewarming of patients after open-heart surgery can significantly affect hemodynamic and arterial blood gas parameters. Therefore, rewarming methods can be used safely to improve the patients’ hemodynamic parameters after open-heart surgery.
Sodium caseinate composite films containing lipids–oleic acid (OA), stearic acid (SA), or Matricaria recutita essential oil (MEO) – were prepared through emulsification and their physical, thermal, ...mechanical, and barrier properties were evaluated and compared. Furthermore, their antimicrobial effectiveness against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli was studied. Emulsified films were softer, less rigid, and more stretchable than pure films. The films’ water vapor barrier properties were found to decrease upon the addition of lipid content; this effect was greatly reduced when MEO was added. The presence of OA/SA and MEO decreased tensile strength and elastic modulus but increased the elongation at break. Thermal analysis of all emulsified films showed two endothermic peaks; these results confirmed those obtained by SEM studies, where a partial separation of the two phases occurred. The films’ antimicrobial activities were increased by incorporating lipids, particularly those containing MEO, which were more effective against the studied bacteria. This work showed that when taking all the studied variables into account, films formulated with MEO were found most suitable for various food applications.
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