Prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 in rheumatic patients and evaluation of the effect of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs.

One of the most controversial issues among rheumatologists is the best approach to managing a rheumatic patient (RP) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-19 in RPs compared to the general population and to relatively assess the potential role of RPs' treatment regimen against COVID-19. In a cross-sectional study, all RPs with an updated medical record between December 1, 2019, and February 29, 2020, at the rheumatology clinic of Shahid Beheshti Hospital, Qom, Iran were included (as the case group), and the prevalence of COVID-19 was compared to the paired control group-individuals without RDs, randomly selected from the Qom Health Network's database.

Design of an Optimally-Diagnostic Skin Test for Diagnosis of Sensitivity to Eight Allergens: A First-in-Human Study of Dose Escalation and Simultaneous Administration in Chinese Subjects.

Background: Eight extracts from common native allergens, pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, , cat dander and dog dander were developed for skin prick test (SPT). Since standardization and composition alone cannot guarantee that the allergen extracts are within the concentration range that give the best chance of a true diagnosis, it is necessary to explore the optimal diagnostic concentration (ODC) of allergens in SPT.

Objective: To identify the optimal diagnostic concentration of eight allergen extracts in SPT and assess the safety of simultaneous administration.

Performing Percutaneous Dilational Tracheostomy without using Fiberoptic Bronchoscope.

Background: Percutaneous tracheostomy is an elective method that is increasingly being taken up in the intensive care unit alongside the patient's bed. In many centers, bronchoscopy is used, but the necessity of using bronchoscopy in percutaneous tracheostomy has not yet been determined. Discontinuing use of bronchoscopy can potentially reduce the cost and increase the efficiency of percutaneous tracheostomy.

Correlation of clinical signs and symptoms of Behçet's disease with mean platelet volume (MPV) and red cell distribution width (RDW).

Background: A strong correlation was previously found between mean platelet volume (MPV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and the severity of signs and symptoms in patients suffering from inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The current study evaluated these correlations in patients with Behçet's disease (BD) as well the relationship between MPV and RDW and disease activity score on the Iranian Behçet's Disease Dynamic Activity Measurement (IBDDAM).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 319 patients with BD for whom demographic and epidemiological data, IBDDAM scores, and duration of illness was recorded.

The impact of metabolic syndrome on morbidity and mortality among intensive care unit admitted COVID-19 patients.

Background And Aims: Given the limited information describing the connection between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), we aimed to assess the impact of MetS on morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was performed from 1st April to May 3, 2020 on 157 ICU-admitted COVID-19 patients in Shahid Modarres Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Patients' clinical, laboratory and radiological findings, and subsequent complications, were collected and compared between MetS and non-MetS groups.

Maternal Prenatal Depression in Pregnancies With Female and Male Fetuses and Developmental Associations With C-reactive Protein and Cortisol.

Background: Prenatal depression has lasting effects on development in offspring, including later mental illness risk. Maternal responses to depression include inflammation and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis stimulation. Effects on development of cerebral inhibitory neurocircuits may differ for female and male fetuses.

Pregnancy and Delivery in Patients With Repaired Congenital Heart Disease - A Retrospective Japanese Multicenter Study.

Background: Although advances in cardiac surgery have led to an increased number of survivors with congenital heart disease (CHD), epidemiological data regarding the pregnancies and deliveries of patients with repaired CHD are scarce.

Methods and results: In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of pregnancies and deliveries of women with repaired CHD. Overall, 131 women with repaired CHD were enrolled and there were 269 gestations.

Efficacy and safety of prolonged release budesonide granules in mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitis: A multi-centre Phase IIa study (TOPICAL-1).

Background: In patients with mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitis, systemic corticosteroids are the treatment of choice.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prolonged release budesonide granules for the induction of remission in patients with mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Patients with mesalazine-refractory ulcerative colitis discontinued mesalazine at baseline and received 9 mg prolonged release budesonide granules daily for 8 weeks in this open-label, phase IIa study, followed by a 2-week follow-up phase wherein patients continued treatment on alternate days (EudraCT number 2014-005635-14; ClinicalTrials.

Plasma indoxyl sulfate levels predict cardiovascular events in patients with mild chronic heart failure.

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) is associated with either chronic kidney disease or renal failure, which may predict cardiovascular events via cardiorenal syndrome. The present study aimed to elucidate whether the plasma levels of IS can predict the occurrence of cardiovascular events in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) and investigate which causes of CHF leading to cardiovascular events are highly influenced by plasma IS levels. We measured the plasma IS levels in 165 patients with CHF [valvular disease: 78, dilated cardiomyopathy: 29, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM): 25 and others: 33] admitted to our hospital in 2012, and we followed up these patients for more than 5 years (the median follow-up period: 5.

Apararenone in patients with diabetic nephropathy: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 dose-response study and open-label extension study.

Background: We investigated the efficacy and safety of apararenone (MT-3995), a non-steroidal compound with mineralocorticoid receptor agonist activity, in patients with stage 2 diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: The study had two parts: a dose-response, parallel-group, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter, phase 2, 24-week study and an open-label, uncontrolled, 28-week extension study. Primary and secondary endpoints were the 24-week percent change from baseline in urine albumin to creatine ratio (UACR) and 24- and 52-week UACR remission rates.

Evaluating the effect of oral clarithromycin on acute cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions compared with systemic glucantime.

Background And Aim: It is widely accepted that the high prevalence of leishmaniasis, demands the search for a tolerable effective treatment with the least side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of treatment with clarithromycin on regression of lesions.

Materials And Methods: This study was performed on 20 patients with leishmaniasis referred to dermatology clinic in 2017-2018.

Association of a novel homozygous mutation in the HMGCS2 gene with an HMGCSD in an Iranian patient.

Background: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) synthase 2 gene (HMGCS2) encodes a mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the first reaction of ketogenesis metabolic pathway which provides lipid-derived energy for various organs during times of carbohydrate deprivation, such as fasting. Mutations in this gene are responsible for HMG-CoA synthase deficiency (HMGCSD). The aim of present study was to investigate the association of mutation in the HMGCS2 gene with HMGCSD in a patient with atypical symptoms.

The relationship among fear and anxiety of COVID-19, pregnancy experience, and mental health disorder in pregnant women: A structural equation model.

Introduction: Coronavirus pandemic causes stress and anxiety for pregnant women worldwide. The present study was conducted for the path analysis of the relationship among fear and anxiety caused by coronavirus, pregnancy experience, and the mental health of pregnant women.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 222 pregnant women who were referred to Kamali Hospital in Alborz province in 2020.

Physiologic Indirect Response Modeling to Describe Buprenorphine Pharmacodynamics in Newborns Treated for Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome.

Background And Objective: Buprenorphine has been shown to be effective in treating infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome. However, an evidence-based buprenorphine dosing strategy has not been established in the treatment of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome because of a lack of exposure-response data. The aim of this study was to develop an integrated pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic model to predict buprenorphine treatment outcomes in newborns with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome.

Body Water Content and Morphological Characteristics Modify Bioimpedance Vector Patterns in Volleyball, Soccer, and Rugby Players.

: Bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA) is a widely used method based on the interpretation of raw bioimpedance parameters to evaluate body composition and cellular health in athletes. However, several variables contribute to influencing BIVA patterns by militating against an optimal interpretation of the data. This study aims to explore the association of morphological characteristics with bioelectrical properties in volleyball, soccer, and rugby players.

Mortality Risk Factors among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Major Referral Center in Iran.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has killed many people worldwide since December 2019, and Iran has been among the most affected countries. In this retrospective study, we aimed to determine the prognostic factors associated with mortality in COVID-19 patients by analyzing 396 survived and 63 non-survived patients in Shahid Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from January 30 until April 5, 2020. As the results, the BMI > 35 (p = 0.

Short-Term Effects of Early Postoperative Celecoxib Administration for Pain, Sleep Quality, and Range of Motion After Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: We hypothesized that early postoperative administration of celecoxib would reduce pain scores and improve sleep quality and active range of motion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) under general anesthesia.

Methods: Patients in the celecoxib group received 400 mg of celecoxib 2 hours after TKA, followed 6 hours later by 200 mg of celecoxib. Patients in the control group received 400 mg of celecoxib the second day after surgery.

Benefits of Avène thermal hydrotherapy in chronic skin diseases and dermatological conditions: an overview.

The beneficial effects of Avène Thermal Spring Water (TSW), a low mineral content spring water, on chronic skin diseases have been recognized for more than two centuries. This article provides a brief overview of efficacy and tolerance data for Avène TSW from clinical studies conducted at the Avène Hydrotherapy Center in patients with chronic inflammatory skin diseases or temporary skin injuries. Avène TSW hydrotherapy is effective as adjuvant management for chronic skin diseases and dermatological conditions, relieving subjective and physical symptoms with excellent tolerance.

Efficacy and safety of degarelix in patients with prostate cancer: Results from a phase III study in China.

Objective: To establish non-inferiority of gonadotropin-releasing hormone degarelix compared with goserelin in suppressing and maintaining castrate testosterone levels from Day 28 to Day 364 in Chinese patients with prostate cancer.

Methods: This is an open-label, multi-centre study in which men aged ≥18 years were randomised in a 1:1 ratio to once-a-month subcutaneous injection of either degarelix (240/80 mg) or goserelin (3.6 mg) for 12 months.

Involvement of the Hippocampal Alpha2A-Adrenoceptors in Anxiety-Related Behaviors Elicited by Intermittent REM Sleep Deprivation-Induced Stress in Mice.

Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. In patients with AD/HD, a decrease in the total and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep times has been observed. We have previously reported that mice with REM sleep deprivation-induced stress (REMSD) may show the hyperactivity- and inattention-like symptoms of AD/HD.

Budesonide Orodispersible Tablets Maintain Remission in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Patients With Eosinophilic Esophagitis.

Background & Aims: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disorder. Swallowed topical-acting corticosteroids are effective in bringing active EoE into remission. However, it is not clear whether these drugs are effective for long-term maintenance of remission.

Use of an Integrated Low-Flow Anesthetic Vaporizer, Ventilator, and Physiological Monitoring System for Rodents.

Low-flow digital vaporizers commonly utilize a syringe pump to directly administer volatile anesthetics into a stream of carrier gas. Per animal welfare recommendations, animals are warmed and monitored during procedures requiring anesthesia. Common anesthesia and physiological monitoring equipment include gas tanks, anesthetic vaporizers and stands, warming controllers and pads, mechanical ventilators, and pulse oximeters.