An accumulating body of evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system plays a significant role in pathophysiological processes and impacts disease severity. Here we investigate the possible role of a cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) functional variant in determining disease severity and the potential pharmacological therapeutic effects of CB2 activation in viral respiratory infection. The common missense variant (CAA/CGG; Q63R) of the gene-encoding CB2 receptor (CNR2) was evaluated in 90 inpatient and 90 outpatient children with acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI). The frequency distribution of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-the main cause of severe cases of bronchiolitis and pneumonia in children-was studied in all collected samples. The mechanism through which CB2 affects clinical outcomes in case of RSV infection was studied in Balb/c mice model using AM630 as a CB2 antagonist. The potential therapeutic effect of CB2 activation during RSV infection was studied using a selective agonist, JWH133. The CB2 Q63R variation was associated with increased risk of hospitalization in children with ARTI. Children carrying the QQ genotype were more prone to developing severe ARTI (OR = 3.275, 95% CI: 1.221–8.705; p = 0.019). Of all the children enrolled in the study, 83 patients (46.1%) were found positive for RSV infection. The associated risk of developing severe ARTI following RSV infection increased more than two-fold in children carrying the Q allele (OR = 2.148, 95% CI: 1.092–4.224; p = 0.026). In mice, the blockade of CB2 by AM630 during RSV infection enhanced the influx of BAL cells and production of cytokines/chemokines while exaggerating lung pathology. CB2 activation by JWH133 reduces the influx of BAL cells and production of cytokines/chemokines while alleviating lung pathology. Collectively, CB2 is associated with RSV severity during infancy and may serve as a therapeutic target in RSV infection through the alleviation of virus-associated immunopathology.

No abstract

BackgroundAntimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) is a distinguished method to improve the prescription and efficacy of antibiotics.AimThe efficacy of ASP and conventional methods was compared to measure the effectiveness of meropenem (MPM) and vancomycin (VMN) antibiotics in pediatric patients.DesignIn an interventional quasi-experimental study, 135 children admitted in Children’s Hospital affiliated to University of Medical Sciences in time periods of 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 were assessed.MethodsThe conventional and ASP methods in 2014–2015 and 2015–2016 were respectively utilized to provide the best antimicrobial therapy of MPM and VMN antibiotics in patient children. The data of mortality rate (MR), antibiotic prescription (AP), antibiotic dose (ADe), antibiotic duration (ADn), length of hospital stay (LOHS), and blood cultures (BCs) were compared across the years using the Chi square, independent t test, and Fisher’s exact test.ResultsThe levels of MR, AP, ADe, ADn, LOHS, and positive BCs using the ASP method in 2015–2016 were significantly lower those of in 2014–2015 using the conventional one (p < 0.05).ConclusionsThe ASP method versus conventional one with a better efficacy can be employed as an antibiotic administration guide for MPM and VMN in the therapy of patients in community-based hospitals.

BACKGROUND:Neonatal jaundice is one of the main causes of the patient’s admission in the neonatal period and is potentially linked to morbidity.AIM:This study aimed to determine the possible risk factors for neonatal jaundice.METHODS:We investigated the case of infants who were admitted to the neonatal department of Ziyaeian hospital and Imam Khomeini Hospital for jaundice. Simple random sampling was used to evaluate variables related to maternal and neonatal predisposing factors based on the medical records and clinical profiles. All variables in this study were analysed using SPSS software.RESULTS:In this study, about 200 mothers and neonates were examined. Our findings depicted that mother’s WBC, Hb, PLT, and gestational age were associated with jaundice (P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were significant relationships between different degrees of bilirubin with TSH, T4 levels and G6PD (P < 0.05). In fact, TSH, T4 levels and G6PD were found to be linked to neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. The risk factors for jaundice in our study population comprise some predisposing factors such as WBC, Hb, PLT, gestational age, TSH, and T4 levels, as well as G6PD. Neonates at risk of jaundice are linked to some maternal and neonatal factors that can provide necessary interventions to reduce the burden of the disease. Therefore, identification of associated factors can facilitate early diagnosis, and reduce subsequent complications.CONCLUSION:Neonatal jaundice should be considered as the main policy in all health care settings of the country. Therefore, identification of factors affecting the incidence of jaundice can be effective in preventing susceptible predisposing factors in newborns and high-risk mothers.

Diagnosis and timely treatment of neonatal jaundice is critical to preventing its dangerous side effects. Knowing the predisposing factors of neonatal jaundice is still a serious debate, which can be effective in controlling jaundice and the primary problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate maternal risk factors that contribute to the Hyperbilirubinemia among newborns admitted to Imam Khomeini and Ziaeean hospitals during 2015. We collected random samplings for the current study. Medical records for all newborns with jaundice were examined for risk factors associated with Hyperbilirubinemia. All variables were analyzed by SPSS software, version 19. Chi-square test and T-test were applied to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data, respectively. Our findings revealed that maternal age, weight, BMI, WBC, Hb, PLT, birth in the first pregnancy, numbers of pregnancies and prolonged delivery were significantly associated with bilirubin levels. Preventing the risk correlated with maternal factors or identifying neonates with these risk factors is important in effective management of infants. Therefore, the evaluation of neonatal jaundice in health care services should always be considered as a fundamental policy.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract