Arch Iran Med
-
Statistical methods (SM) are a ubiquitous tool in research. This study aimed to review SM used in original article published in the Archives of Iranian Medicine (AIM) and assess their effect on article acceptance period. ⋯ Contrary to the researchers' misconceptions, the acceptance period was not affected by SM, study design, statistical population, sample size, or type of software.
-
Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative, spiral-shaped, and microaerophilic bacterium that inhabits the human gastric mucosa and is considered to be the most important etiologic agent for gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, however, there is ample evidence to suggest an association between H. pylori infection and extragastric complications, particularly atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the rate of H. pylori infection and the risk of atherosclerosis in an Iranian population. ⋯ We confirmed a positive relationship between H. pylori infection and atherosclerosis in the Iranian population, which is similar to other reports from Western countries. Most likely, H. pylori infection can increase the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
-
Severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often experience hyper-inflammatory reactions, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), blood clotting, and organ damage. The most prominent immunopathology of advanced COVID-19 is cytokine release syndrome, or "cytokine storm" which is attributed to a defect of immune-regulating mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as one of the main cells that maintain immune homeostasis. ⋯ Regulatory T cells can be one of the determinants of disease severity and prognosis in patients with COVID-19 by inhibiting rampant inflammation and preventing cytokine storms.
-
Review
Does Opium Consumption Have Shared Impact on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease and Cancer?
Although atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and cancer are seemingly different types of disease, they have multiple shared underlying mechanisms and lifestyle-related risk factors like smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and inadequate physical activity. Opium abuse is prevalent in developing countries, especially the Middle East region and many Asian countries. Besides recreational purposes, many people use opium based on a traditional belief that opium consumption may confer protection against heart attack and improve the control of the risk factors of ASCVD such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. ⋯ Moreover, there is accumulating evidence that opium consumption exerts potential carcinogenic effects and increases the risk of developing various types of cancer. We conducted a review of the literature to review the current evidence on the relationship between opium consumption and ASCVD as well as various kinds of cancer. In addition, we will discuss the potential shared pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the association between opium abuse and both ASCVD and cancer.
-
Review Case Reports
Exaggerated Mini Puberty during Early Infancy of a Preterm Girl: A Case Report and Review of Literature.
Mini puberty is the important period of infancy life that can have a serious impact on sexual development in both sexes. In the infants born very preterm and with extremely low birth weight, mini puberty changes including changes in clinical, hormonal, and imaging data are severe and long lasting, especially in girls. It can be called "exaggerated mini puberty". ⋯ We did follow up clinical and para-clinical evaluations for the infant during one year and compared the obtained data with those of similar published articles. During one year of monitoring, the case gradually grew to the normal pre-pubertal state, without any hormonal suppressive treatment. Exaggerated mini puberty is a temporary physiologic state in very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants that does not require any extra hormonal and surgical interventions.