Iran University of Medical Sciences

About: Iran University of Medical Sciences is a education organization based out in Tehran, Iran. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 13164 authors who have published 21805 publications receiving 243989 citations. The organization is also known as: Imperial Medical Center.

COVID-19 Infection in Iranian Children: A Case Series of 9 Patients

Abstract: BackgroundCOVID‐19 is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the infection a global pandemic. The incidence, severity, and prognosis of this disease are likely to be different in children compared with adults. Herein we present 9 pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection in Iran.Case PresentationWe present 9 pediatric cases of COVID-19 admitted to different hospitals in Iran. Six patients were male. The youngest was two years old and the oldest one ten years. All children had at least one infected family member. Fever, chills, myalgia, cough, tachypnea, retraction, and crackle were common in all cases. None of our patients presented with diarrhea, vomiting, or a runny nose. Three cases had leukopenia and lymphopenia. COVID‐19 RNA was identified in three cases. In all cases, elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were detected. Two cases had a high level of lactate dehydrogenase. All cases received supportive care and antibiotic therapy and were discharged within six days with a good general condition.ConclusionsCOVID-19 pneumonia prognosis is good in children with no underlying diseases. Our patients recovered without the need for LPN/r, ribavirin, or mechanical ventilation.

Possible association of vitamin D status with lung involvement and outcome in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study.

Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency has been reported as a key factor in the development of infectious diseases such as respiratory tract infections and inflammatory processes like acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the impact of vitamin D on the severity and outcome of COVID-19 is still not fully known. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of serum vitamin D concentration on the extent of lung involvement and final outcome in patients with COVID-19. Seventy-three subjects with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were investigated in this study. The patients had been admitted to our academic hospital from February 28, 2020 to April 19, 2020. Demographic and clinical data, serum 25(OH)D levels, and findings of initial chest computed tomography were recorded. Linear and binary logistic regression, cox regression and ROC curve tests were used for statistical analysis. The mean age of patients was 55.18 ± 14.98 years old; 46.4% were male. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in the deceased (13.83 ± 12.53 ng/ mL compared with discharged patients (38.41 ± 18.51 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). Higher levels of 25(OH)D were associated with significantly less extent of total lung involvement (β = − 0.10, P = 0.004). In addition, vitamin D deficiency [25(OH) D < 25 ng/mL] was associated with a significant increase in the risk of mortality (hazard ratio = 4.15, P = 0.04). This study suggests that serum vitamin D status might provide useful information regarding the clinical course, extent of lung involvement and outcome of patients with COVID-19. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.

Evaluation of pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) and its association with inflammatory cytokines in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Abstract: Chronic low-grade inflammation has been suggested as a key contributor of the pathogenesis and development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). To investigate the association between oxidative stress status and inflammatory cytokines in follicular fluid of 21 PCOS women compared to 21 women with normal ovarian function who underwent intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. Concentration of IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α was measured using sandwich ELISA. Oxidative stress was examined by measuring total oxidant status (TOS), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and thiol groups. PCOS women had an elevated concentration of MDA and TOS compared to controls. Levels of TAC and thiol groups were lower in PCOS compared to controls. PCOS patients had a higher concentration of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α compared to controls. Concentration of IL-10 was lower in PCOS compared to controls. Significant correlations were found between MDA and TOS concentration with TNF-α and between IL-6 and MDA, IL-8 and TAC, IL-10 and TOS levels and also between IL-10 and TAC levels. TAC and thiol groups were negatively correlated with TNF-α. Increased oxidative stress in PCOS is associated with inflammation which is closely linked. Inflammation can induce production of inflammatory cytokines in this syndrome and directly stimulates excess ovarian androgen production.

Colorectal cancer in Iran: Epidemiology and morphology trends.

Abstract: Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers in different countries, including Iran. No comprehensive study has been done in the country for colorectal cancer, but information on the incidence and trends is essential to planning. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence and morphology of colorectal cancer and its trend in Iran. This study was conducted using data from the national cancer registry system in Iran from 2003-2008. We used joinpoint regression analysis for assessing incidence time trends and morphology change percentage. Of all cases of colorectal cancer, 61.83 % were colon cancer, 27.54 % rectal cancer, 7.46 % rectosigmoid cancer, and 3.10 anal cancer. The most common histological types with the frequencies of 80.85 % was related to adenocarcinoma, NOS. The Annual percentage changes (APC) in ASIR for colorectal cancer significantly increased in both men and women. APC in ASIR was 13.7 (CI: 10.5-17.1) in women and 16.4 (CI: 12.4-20.5) in men. APC of adenocarcinoma in villous adenoma showed significant declining trend (p<0.05), while APC of adenocarcinoma, NOS had a constant trend. The incidence of the cancer in recent years has increased in Iran because of changes in lifestyle and diet. Therefore, further studies are necessary to detect the cause of this cancer and perform preventive measures.