Safe motherhood in crisis; threats, opportunities, and needs: a qualitative study.

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of life, including pregnancy, childbirth, and safe motherhood so that pregnancy and childbirth take place in completely novel and unusual conditions for people. Therefore, we aimed to determine the opportunities, threats, and needs of pregnant women during a crisis.

Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted among women who had a history of pregnancy and childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic period in 2022.

Dietary intake of phytochemicals in association with irritable bowel syndrome in adults.

Background & Aim: There is limited data regarding the association between phytochemical-rich diets and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The current study aimed to cross-sectionally evaluate the association of dietary phytochemical index (DPI) with the odds and severity of IBS.

Methods: In this study, which included 3362 Iranian healthcare staffs, a dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (DS-FFQ) was utilized to collect dietary information.

The association of disease type, pre-transplant hemoglobin level and platelet count with transfusion requirement after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) has become an effective treatment for a wide range of hematologic and non-hematologic diseases. Patients undergoing HSCT might require multiple platelets and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions during aplasia phase until engraftment, which could profoundly affect patients' conditions. Identification of risk factors associated with blood product requirements could help in decreasing transfusion-related complications.

A policy analysis of the national phenylketonuria screening program in Iran.

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) screening is a public health measure taken to diagnose and treat the patients with PKU to prevent severe neurological disorders in them. The present study was aimed at analyzing the policies of the national PKU screening (NaPS) program in Iran.

Methods: PKU screening program policies were analyzed in compliance with the policy triangle model.

Vitamin D decreases CD40L gene expression in ulcerative colitis patients: A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

Background/aims: The interaction of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and CD40 triggers the induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It has been proposed that vitamin D deficiency might be an important factor, which causes or aggregates the autoimmune situations. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on CD40L gene expression in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC).

Vitamin D suppresses proangiogenic factors in patients with ulcerative colitis: A randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical trial.

Background: Angiogenesis and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). This study aimed to assess the effect of vitamin D on serum levels of proangiogenic factors, visfatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), in patients with UC.

Materials And Methods: Ninety patients were randomized to receive either a single intramuscular injection of 300,000 IU vitamin D or normal saline.

Vitamin D Increases CTLA-4 Gene Expression in Patients with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the large intestine. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) is a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, which binds B7-1 and B7-2 on APCs (antigen-presenting cells), and induces APCs to produce an inhibitory signal to T cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D on CTLA-4 gene expression in whole blood samples of patients with UC.

Effect of single-dose injection of vitamin D on immune cytokines in ulcerative colitis patients: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic recurrent inflammation of the colon. It has been proposed that the UC pathogenesis may be related to vitamin D deficiency and/or vitamin D administration in UC patients may have an ameliorating effect on the intestinal inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on the serum levels of immune cytokines in UC patients.

Exploring the concept of scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL): Concept analysis.

Researchers have contributed to the definition of SoTL; however, the literature is not conclusive on its definitions and attributes. Therefore, this study was an attempt to precisely define SoTL by its attributes, antecedents and consequences. The Walker and Avant (2011) concept analysis method was used.

Vitamin D Status and Its Relation to Inflammatory Markers in Patients with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis.

BACKGROUND Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease (CD), and Ulcerative colitis (UC) are autoimmune inflammatory diseases of the alimentary tract, which seems to be caused by the interaction of environmental and genetic factors as well as diet and nutritional factors such as vitamin D. The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D status and its associations with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) as inflammatory markers in patients with UC. METHODS In this analytical cross-sectional study 90 patients with mild to moderate UC who were resident of Tehran were assessed.

Vitamin D Decreases Beck Depression Inventory Score in Patients with Mild to Moderate Ulcerative Colitis: A Double-Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

The prevalence of depression in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is significantly more than in controls. Some studies assessed the link between vitamin D and depression. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of vitamin D on Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.

Comparison of eradication regimens in patients with end stage renal disease.

Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the (HP) eradication regimens in patients with end stage renal disease.

Background: In patients undergoing hemodialysis, the pathologic changes seen in the stomach may be the result of high serum levels of gastrin, delayed gastric emptying or HP infection.

Methods: Our study was a randomized clinical trial in which 120 patients with ESRD (Patients who undergo hemodialysis) confirmed HP infection, were divided to four groups having 2-week eradication regimens; Group I: LCA (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, amoxicillin 500 mg-BD), Group II: LCM (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD), Group III: LCAM (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD,amoxicillin 500 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD) and Group IV: Sequential (lansoprazole 30 mg-BDfor two weeks; first week: amoxicillin 500 mg-BD and second week: clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD).

Prevalence and Years Lived with Disability of 310 Diseases and Injuries in Iran and its Neighboring Countries, 1990-2015: Findings from Global Burden of Disease Study 2015.

Background: Due to significant achievements in reducing mortality and increasing life expectancy, the issue of disability from diseases and injuries, and their related interventions, has become one of the most important concerns of health-related research.

Methods: Using data obtained from the GBD 2015 study, the present report provides prevalence and years lived with disability (YLDs) of 310 diseases and injuries by sex and age in Iran and neighboring countries over the period 1990-2015. Age-standardized rates of all causes of YLDs are presented for both males and females in 16 countries for 1990 and 2015.

Expression Analysis of Previously Verified Fecal and Plasma Dow-regulated MicroRNAs (miR-4478, 1295-3p, 142-3p and 26a-5p), in FFPE Tissue Samples of CRC Patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Early diagnosis of this neoplasm is critical and may reduce patients' mortality. MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules whose expression pattern can be altered in various diseases such as CRC.

Association of Helicobacter pylori infection with coronary artery disease: is Helicobacter pylori a risk factor?

Background: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is the most common infection in the world and coronary artery disease (CAD) is probably associated with it. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the association between HP infection and CAD in suspected patients referred for coronary angiography. The coronary angiography was performed using Judkins method and patients were assigned to participate in CAD positive (>50% luminal diameter stenosis) and negative groups.