Relationship Between Lower Esophageal Sphincter Muscles Thickness and Their Response to Pneumatic Dilation in Patients With Achalasia.

Background: Prognostic factors play a major role in managing achalasia patients treated with pneumatic dilatation (PD) and understanding the pathophysiology of the disease. In this regard, the muscular thickness of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) has drawn attention in recently published studies.

Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed achalasia were included consecutively in this study, and Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) was used to determine the thickness of longitudinal and circular muscles of LES.

Correlation between coronary artery calcification and COVID-19.

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is an underlying cardiac condition contributing to increased COVID-19 mortality and morbidity which can be assessed by several diagnosis methods including coronary artery calcification (CAC). The goal of this study was to find out if there were potential links between CAC, clinical findings, severity of COVID-19, and in-hospital outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective study evaluated 551 suspected patients admitted to teaching hospitals of the Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran, from March to October 2021.

Electrocardiographic parameters and mortality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A single center study.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic outbreak of RNA coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2), associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple organ failure, and death. The surface electrocardiogram is the first line assessment of cardiac electrical system. We aimed to interpret classically the electrocardiographic parameters at admission and during hospital course and association of them with prognosis in patients admitted with diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2.

Coronary artery calcification score as a prognostic indicator for COVID-19 mortality: evidence from a retrospective cohort study in Iran.

Background: Coronary artery calcification (CAC) has been established as an independent risk factor for major adverse cardiovascular events. Nevertheless, the effect of CAC on in-hospital mortality and adverse clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 has yet to be determined.

Objective: To investigate the association between CAC score and in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 patients.

Educating correct ECG interpretation is a way to promote the satisfaction and competency the diagnostic service providers.

Background: Given electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation as one of the diagnostical challenges for medical students and health professionals, this research was carried out to present an experience of web-based teaching method and novel approaches used for training of ECG interpretation.

Methods: This online program was conducted in three days. The main content of the class was taught during one hour, and after that, the teacher spent enough time for responding the asked questions.

Complications of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator and Their Potential Risk Factors in Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) has different complications such as cardiac arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death (SCD). Insertion of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is recommended for HCM patients who are at high risk of SCD and malignant arrhythmias, despite having their own potential complications. .

Can Binaural Beat Music Be Useful as a Method to Reduce Dental Patients' Anxiety?

Background: One of the main issues in dentistry and a barrier to offering dental treatment is anxiety. The usage of music is one of the nonmedical ways to reduce anxiety. Binaural beat technology is used as a music treatment technique.

A Multiple-Center, Retrospective Study of Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients with Cardiovascular Disease in North Iran.

Background: In this retrospective study, we investigated the outcomes and demographic characteristics of COVID-19 patients with and without a history of CVD.

Methods: This large retrospective, multicenter study was performed on inpatients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia who were admitted across four hospitals in Babol, Northern Iran.Demographic data, clinical data, and cycle threshold value (Ct) results of Real Time PCR were obtained.

Antifungal Properties of on species: A Systematic Review.

Background And Purpose: infections have increased significantly in the antimicrobial resistance era, and synthetic antifungal drugs have limitations. The present work aimed to review the antifungal properties of () as an herbal remedy.

Method: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, SID, Civilica, and Magiran databases were searched for the antifungal activity on , , dental biofilm, and clinical studies of on species.

Optimal cut points of N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with COVID-19.

Background: COVID19 patients may suffer from multiple cardiovascular complications. Recently, N-terminal of the prohormone brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was a potentially independent risk factor for COVID-19 in-hospital death. The present study aimed to find new optimal cut points for NT-proBNP across censored survival failure time outcomes in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Novel SCN5A variants identified in a group of Iranian Brugada syndrome patients.

Brugada syndrome (BrS) is a rare hereditary arrhythmia syndrome that increases an individual's risk for sudden cardiac death (SCD) due to ventricular fibrillation. This disorder is regarded as a notable cause of death in individuals aged less than 40 years, responsible for up to 40% of sudden deaths in cases without structural heart disease, and is reported to be an endemic in Asian countries. Mutations in SCN5A are found in approximately 30% of patients with Brugada syndrome.

Interleukin 10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium, metabolic syndrome, and serum antioxidant capacity in elderly people with and without cardiovascular disease: Amirkola health and ageing project cohort-based study.

Background: The age-related autoinflammation-mediated atherosclerosis is associated with some immunological, nutritional, and metabolic parameters and redox status. Here, we evaluated the association of circulatory interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels with lipid profile, some nutrients, and total anti-oxidant capacity in elderly people who presented cardiovascular disease (CVD) with or without metabolic syndrome (MetS) and in healthy subjects.

Methods: In this cross-sectional case-control study, 258 sera prepared from elderly people (144 healthy and 114 patient subjects) who participated in a community-based study, the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), were analyzed for IL-10, lipid profile, vitamin D, selenium (Se), antioxidant capacity, and MetS.

Association of vitamin D deficiency and premature coronary artery disease.

Background: Evidence suggests hypovitaminosis D is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) and its extent and related risk factors. However, some investigations have produced contrary results. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and the severity of premature coronary artery involvement.

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in a patient with dextrocardia situs inversus.

Background: Dextrocardia is a congenital anomaly, which may have coexistent coronary artery disease (CAD), arrhythmias and conventional indications for device therapy. However, the implantation of transvenous leads can be technically challenging and the approach needs to be tailored to the patient's individual anatomy.

Case Presentation: A 54-year-old male with dextrocardia situs inversus and ischemic left ventricular dysfunction developed ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation.

Pericardial Graft vs. Host Disease in a Patient with β-Thalassemia Major.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) in young children improves results in β-thalassemia major. Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is an important complication of peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. GVHD affects heart with a behavior resembling an autoimmune disease, including pericardial effusion.

Efficacy and safety of oral ketamine versus diclofenac to alleviate mild to moderate depression in chronic pain patients: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Ketamine is a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist capable of exerting antidepressive effects in single or repeated intravenous infusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of oral ketamine vs. diclofenac monotherapy in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression among patients with chronic pain.

A Comparison of Hand Pain and Hand Function after Z-plasty Reconstruction of the Transverse Carpal Ligament with Traditional Median Neurolysis in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common focal mono-neuropathy. A study was designed to compare the effects of traditional open carpal tunnel release with median neurolysis and Z-plasty reconstruction of the transverse carpal ligament on post-operative hand pain and hand function in patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods: Fifty-two patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome entered the study.

Two-year survival analysis of twisted wire fixed retainer versus spiral wire and fiber-reinforced composite retainers: a preliminary explorative single-blind randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Traditional retainers (both metal and fiber-reinforced composite [FRC]) have limitations, and a retainer made from more flexible ligature wires might be advantageous. We aimed to compare an experimental design with two traditional retainers.

Methods: In this prospective preliminary clinical trial, 150 post-treatment patients were enrolled and randomly divided into three groups of 50 patients each to receive mandibular canine-to-canine retainers made of FRC, flexible spiral wire (FSW), and twisted wire (TW).

Effects of two erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet lasers and conventional treatments as composite surface abrasives on the shear bond strength of metal brackets bonded to composite resins.

Background: Bonding brackets to dental surfaces restored with composites are increasing. No studies to date have assessed the efficacy of laser irradiation in roughening of composite and the resulted shear bond strength (SBS) of the bonded bracket. We assessed, for the 1(st) time, the efficacy of two laser beams compared with conventional methods.

Etiology of syncope in hospitalized patients.

Background: Syncope is a common clinical problem which can be remarkably debilitating and associated with high health care costs. Syncope is a clinical syndrome with many potential causes. The aim of the study was to determine the etiologies of patients with syncope in the emergency department (ED) of a referral and general university hospital.

A Survey of Severity and Distribution of Musculoskeletal Pain in Multiple Sclerosis Patients; a Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Pain, a common phenomenon in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, is associated with many symptoms and problems.

Aim: To investigation severity and distribution of musculoskeletal pain in MS patients.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 115 members of the Mazandaran MS Association with confirmed MS were randomly selected to participate in the study.