Dysphagia in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder and multiple sclerosis: A comparison of frequency, severity, and effects on quality of life.

Overview: Dysphagia has been previously discussed as a potential life-threatening condition secondary to chronic neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with NMOSD has never been studied before. This study aims to determine the frequency of dysphagia and its impact on QoL in NMOSD patients in comparison with MS people and healthy individuals.

Health risk assessment of exposure to triclosan in pregnant women using Monte Carlo simulation techniques: .

This study aimed to assess the triclosan (TCS) health risk in an Iranian pregnant women sample by Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The urinary TCS of 99 women after the 28 week of pregnancy was detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry detector (GC/MS), and the MCS model implemented a health risk assessment. The corresponding hazard quotient (HQ) and the sensitivity analysis were calculated.

Trends in incidence rates of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus: A retrospective study in Isfahan province, Iran.

Aims/introduction: We aimed to determine the incidence trend of childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan province over a period of 12 years.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, children aged <20 years at the time of type 1 diabetes mellitus diagnosis, from March 2007 to March 2019, were included. The crude and adjusted incidence rate of type 1 diabetes mellitus is calculated as the number of cases per 100,000 person-years by the period.

Effect of Maternal Triclosan Exposure on Neonatal Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Levels: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: This study is aimed at assessing the relationship between maternal urinary triclosan (uTCS) exposure and the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level of infant cord blood.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2019-2020 in Isfahan, Iran, and 99 pregnant women participated in the study. Urine samples were collected after the 28th week of pregnancy, and the concentration of TCS was measured using GC/MS.

Effect of levetiracetam drug on antioxidant and liver enzymes in epileptic patients: case-control study.

Background: There is a limited amount of data regarding levetiracetam (LEV), an antiepileptic drug.

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the effect of LEV on antioxidant status and liver enzymes.

Methods: In this case-control study, 33 epileptic patients under treatment with LEV for at least 6 months were compared with 35 healthy subjects.

Efficacy of synbiotic supplementation in improving rheumatoid arthritis.

Background And Purpose: Today, improving rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as a chronic inflammatory disease is attributed to the proper status of the gut microbiota. Although some supplements containing beneficial live microorganisms (probiotics) can reduce inflammation by altering the bacterial composition of the gut, there is limited information on the effect of synbiotic (probiotics mixed with prebiotics) supplements on RA. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of a synbiotic supplement as an adjuvant therapy in rheumatic patients.

The effects of garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers, fatigue, and clinical symptoms in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Based on the antiinflammatory properties of garlic, current study was conducted to evaluate the garlic supplement effects on serum levels of some inflammatory biomarkers, clinical symptoms, and fatigue in women with active rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial study, 70 women with RA were randomly divided into two groups: The intervention group was supplemented with 1,000 mg of garlic, and the control group received placebo for 8 weeks. At baseline and at the end of the study, clinical symptoms, fatigue, serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined.

Effect of Vitamin D and Magnesium Supplementation on Behavior Problems in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by the three main symptom domains including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Recent findings suggested that nutrients might play an important role in the pathology of ADHD. The present study aimed to examine the effects of Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation on behavior problems in children with ADHD.

Association Between BMI and Inflammation Among Diabetic Polyneuropathy Patients.

Background: Inflammation is defined as body tissues response to harmful stimuli. Obesity-related inflammation leads to increased risk chronic diseases including diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). The present study was performed to determine association between body mass index (BMI) and inflammatory markers including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in DPN patients.

Effects of curcumin on cardiovascular risk factors in obese and overweight adolescent girls: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Obese adolescents are at higher risk of development of cardiovascular risk factors and obesity in later life. Dietary intake of antioxidants, particularly curcumin, as an active ingredient of turmeric extract, may have noticeable effects on obesity and its important complications such as cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of curcumin supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors among overweight and obese female adolescents.

Factors in relation with fatigue and illness perception in patients with myocardial infarction and the changes in fatigue due to intervention on illness perception: Research design, methodology, and preliminary results.

Background: In physical diseases including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), illness perception (IP) plays an important role in illness outcomes. Fatigue is a major bothersome symptom after myocardial infarction (MI). This manuscript presents the research design, methodology, and primary findings of a study on factors in relation with fatigue and IP in patients with MI, and changes in fatigue after intervention on IP.

Effects of curcumin supplementation on markers of inflammation and oxidative stress among healthy overweight and obese girl adolescents: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: It is well known that there is a strong linkage between obesity, systemic low-grade inflammation, and oxidative stress in the pediatric population. Possible strategies that might control obesity and its relevant problems in this crucial group are of utmost importance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of curcumin supplements on inflammation, oxidative stress, and chemerin levels in adolescent girls.

The MTHFR C677T polymorphism influences the efficacy of folic acid supplementation on the nerve conduction studies in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy; A randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: Among patients with diabetic polyneuropathy, the status of folic acid, homocysteine, and nerve conduction studies (NCS) variations has been associated with methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene polymorphisms. The objective of the present study is to assess B9 vitamin supplementation associated with MTHRF C677T polymorphism can be effective on NCS variations in patients.

Materials And Methods: This study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Vitamin B12 and Folate Status in Patients with Epilepsy Under Levetiracetam Monotherapy.

Background: Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) may lead to an increase in the plasma concentration of homocysteine. There is limited information, especially from Iran, regarding the risk in patients who are treated with levetiracetam as a new type of AED. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of levetiracetam on plasma homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in adult patients with epilepsy.

Effect of folic acid supplementation on nerve conduction velocity in diabetic polyneuropathy patients.

Objectives: In diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) patients, the effect of folic acid and homocysteine has been related to components of nerve conduction velocity (NCV). The objective of this study was to determine the effect of folic acid supplementation on NCV in DPN patients.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either 1 mg of folic acid (n = 40) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks.

Ten-year trend in stroke incidence and its subtypes in Isfahan, Iran during 2003-2013.

As there was no evidence of long-term studies on stroke trend, stroke subtypes and its relationships to stroke risk factors and demographic characteristics in Iran, we aimed to evaluate the 10-year trend of stroke incidence and stroke subtypes in Isfahan, Iran. In a hospital-based retrospective study, 24186 cases with the first-ever stroke were analyzed. We assessed the incidence trend of annual stroke and its subtypes [ischemic stroke (IS) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)] during the years 2003 to 2013 by sex, and studied the association of demographic and major stroke risk factors with incidence and mortality rate of stroke.

Efficacy of Group Cognitive-behavioral Therapy in Maintenance Treatment and Relapse Prevention for Bipolar Adolescents.

Background: Despite conducting wide-ranging of pharmacotherapy for bipolar adolescents, many of them are showing a deficit in functioning with high relapse rate. The aim of the current study was to develop a manual and investigate the efficacy of group cognitive-behavioral therapy (G-CBT) for female bipolar adolescents.

Materials And Methods: During the first qualitative phase of a mixed-methods study, a manual of G-CBT was developed.

Effect of Religious Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Religious Obsessive-compulsive Disorder (3 and 6 months Follow-up).

Background: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic disorder that strongly affects one's life and social, emotional, and occupational functioning. Due to the effect of religious beliefs on phenomenology of OCD, in this paper, we assess the effectiveness of religious cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) within 3 and 6 months follow-up.

Materials And Methods: This study is a clinical trial with follow-ups which last 2 months consisting eight sessions of 1.

Carotenoids as Potential Antioxidant Agents in Stroke Prevention: A Systematic Review.

Stroke and other cerebrovascular diseases are among the most common causes of death worldwide. Prevention of modifiable risk factors is a cost-effective approach to decrease the risk of stroke. Oxidative stress is regarded as the major flexible operative agent in ischemic brain damage.

Seasonal and Monthly variation in stroke and its subtypes-10 Year Hospital-Based Study.

Background And Objectives: There is no evidence of long-term studies of seasonal variations in stroke in Iran. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine the seasonal and monthly variation of 28-day mortality in Isfahan, Iran.

Methods: From 2003 to 2013, In a Hospital-based retrospective study, 24186 cases with first-ever stroke were analyzed in Isfahan.

Spatial Analysis of Neonatal Congenital Hypothyroidism and Nitrate as an Environmental Pollutant in Isfahan Province During 2010-2013.

Background: Thyroid absorption of iodine could be encumbered by nitrate drinking water when it is transported to the fetal thyroid gland. Therefore, nitrate potentially causes congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to thyroid dysfunction. In this study, we have not only aimed at spatial determination of CH distribution and nitrate concentration (NC) existing in drinking water, but also we intended to evaluate the probable impact of nitrate on CH incidence.

Cost-effectiveness Analysis of Cetuximab in Treatment of Metastatic Colorectal Cancer in Iranian Pharmaceutical Market.

Background: Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody which acts against the epidermal growth-factor receptor. Randomized controlled trials show that the addition of cetuximab to folinic acid, 5-flourouracil, irinotecan (FOLFIRI), folinic acid, 5-flourouracil, oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) and capecitabin + oxaliplatin (CAPOX) regimens, as the first-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC), increases the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) compared to FOLFIRI, FOLFOX and CAPOX regimens alone. The aim of this study was to analyze the cost-effectiveness of different treatment programs for managing metastatic CRC with and without cetuximab in the first-line treatment of unresectable metastatic CRC in Iran.

Musculoskeletal manifestations in diabetic versus prediabetic patients.

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in a sample of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and those with prediabetes and compare the findings between the two groups.

Methods: One hundred and eighty-eight patients with DM and 125 prediabetic subjects were randomly enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Demographic data and past history were recorded.

Frequencies of CD4+ T Regulatory Cells and their CD25(high) and FoxP3(high) Subsets Augment in Peripheral Blood of Patients with Acute and Chronic Brucellosis.

Objectives: Brucellosis remains one of the most common zoonotic diseases worldwide. In humans, brucellosis can be a serious, debilitating, and sometimes chronic disease. Different mechanisms can be postulated as to the basis for the induction of the chronic status of infectious diseases that T regulatory cells are one of the most important related mechanisms.