Background Pre-diabetes is a condition in which blood glucose levels are high but not as high as in diabetic patients. However, it can lead to diabetes, making it a serious global health issue. Previous studies have shown that the gut microbiome can affect insulin sensitivity and improve glucose management, which can reduce or delay the progression of pre-diabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to investigate the effects of probiotics on glycemic and lipid profile control in pre-diabetic patients. Methods This randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted on 70 pre-diabetic patients at the Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Participants were divided into two groups, both of which received lifestyle modification training. One of the groups also received 500 mg/day probiotic capsules for three months, while the other group received a placebo. Before and after the three-month period, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum insulin level, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood sugar (FBS), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides (TG) were measured and compared using statistical tests to examine the effect of probiotics. Results A total of 70 individuals participated in the trial, including 50 women (71.4%) and 20 men (28.6%), with an average age of 43.53 ± 8.54 years. At the end of the trial, the mean weight (P < 0.001), FBS (P < 0.001), HbA1c (P = 0.035), TG (P = 0.004), and LDL (P = 0.016) were significantly reduced in the intervention group, while their insulin level (P = 0.041) and HDL (P = 0.001) were significantly increased. However, mean systolic (P = 0.459) and diastolic blood pressure (P = 0.961) and insulin resistance (P = 0.235) did not show any significant difference in the intervention group from the beginning of the study. Conclusion Our study showed that probiotic administration is effective in improving the glucose and lipid profile of pre-diabetic patients. However, it was not significantly different from the placebo.
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of gift-giving on the patient's behavior. We hypothesized that it is possible to improve the relationship between a doctor and a patient by giving the visiting patient gifts as such gesture may boost her confidence in the doctor, help built personable relationship, and thereby facilitate examination. Materials and Methods For this study, we selected pediatric patients aged 3 to 12 years, who visited pediatric clinic of Dr. Sheikh Hospital of Mashhad. Patients were divided into two groups. One group received a gift (stickers) after examination and prescription. The criterion for evaluating patients' behavior was parental opinion, and the questionnaire was completed in two stages. The Chi-square test was used to compare the behavior of the patients, and data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results In total, 194 people participated that included 74 boys and 120 girls. There was a significant difference at the 99% level between the control and intervention groups in the variables of stress, the desire to go to the doctor, fear reduction between visits, regular use of the drug, cooperation with the doctor, the desire for re-referral, and insistence on referring to the same physician after receiving the gift. There was also a significant difference at the 95% level between two groups in terms of the expression of physical problems by kids. However, there was no significant difference in the level of stress before the receipt of the gift, the desire and willingness to refer to the doctor before receiving the gift, and the waiting time tolerance to enter the doctor's room. Conclusion We found that gifts motivate more appropriate behaviors in kids when referring to a doctor.
The aim of this review was to assess several factors associated with Buerger’s disease or thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), especially the immunological basis of this disease. We found that an established etiology for TAO has not been agreed on so far, but no one denies the strong association between TAO and tobacco consumption. Another possible etiology for this disease is bacterial infections such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Rickettsia and their possible role via inflammatory processes. TAO was more common in low socioeconomic societies with poor hygiene. It may be attributable to the prevalence of Rickettsia infection because of the tick bite in these societies. In case of autoimmunity, it should be noted that T 17 cells keep the body away from autoimmune processes. The number of infiltrated CD4+ T cells in the arterial wall is higher than B cells. In fact, this may propose the significant role of T cells in the immunopathology of patients with TAO. The disease is also associated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-17 and IL-23, as inflammatory cytokines. Antiphospholipid antibodies, anti-CL, anti-TLRVYK, anti-TLRIYT, anti-TLALYK, and anticardiolipin may also play a role in this disease. Further evidence is needed to shed light on the condition, especially in case of T cell lymphocytes’ role.
Infantile colic is a common problem observed within the first 3 months of life in infants and is a common cause of crying among infants. Migraine is a common cause of recurrent primary headaches during childhood. The pathogenesis of migraine and colic has remained unknown, but various factors seem to be involved. Patients with migraine may have a medical history of infantile colic, and infantile colic is considered an early manifestation of migraine. In this study, we investigate the frequency of history of infantile colic in 6- to 14-year-old children with migraines. In this case–control study, 80 children with the diagnosis of migraine and 100 children without migraine, all within the age range of 6 to 14 years, were included. A checklist was completed for each person about the background information and history of infantile colic as well as the history of migraine in parents. Among the children with migraine, 92.5%, and in the control group, 10%, had a familial history of migraine. Also, among the children with migraine, 61.25%, and in the control group, 4%, had a history of infantile colic. The obtained results showed that the frequency of a history of infantile colic was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. This study provides some evidence regarding the presence of association between infantile colic as well as the familial history of migraines and developing migraines in the future. However, due to some limitations of the retrospective manner of the study, the results should be completed with future studies.
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