As an environmental contaminant, Benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P; BaP) disrupts the antioxidant signaling and thus leads to the induction of oxidative stress and the damage of DNA in the ovary. low-dose atorvastatin (ATV) has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. The present study aimed to survey the effects of prenatal exposure to BaP on ovarian toxicity and also to investigate the protective role of ATV in reducing ovarian toxicity. In this study, rats were divided into seven groups: control, ATV (10 mg/kg), oil, BaP (10 and 20 mg/kg), and ATV + BaP (10 and 20 mg/kg). BaP and ATV were administrated from gestation day 7-16 (GD7 to GD16), orally. 10 weeks after the birth, female offsprings were examined for oxidative stress markers, sex hormones, ovarian and tubular tissue structure, and the apoptosis markers. Data showed that BaP significantly reduced glutathione, increased malondialdehyde level, and disrupted the tissue structure of the ovary. Moreover, estrogen and progesterone levels significantly decreased in the offsprings rats. Also, BaP increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Atorvastatin treatment along with BaP in the embryonic period were able to bring the antioxidant status and sex hormones levels relatively close to normal. Besides, histological findings showed that atorvastatin was able to improve ovarian and oviduct abnormalities caused by BaP. Based on the above studies be concluded that atorvastatin in the embryonic during was able to reduce ovarian damage caused by BaP with antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.
The immunotolerant human leukocyte antigen-G (HLA-G) molecules have a major role in fetal-maternal tolerance during pregnancy. Interaction between these molecules and uterine natural killer (uNK) cells inhibitory receptors prevents NK cell invasion against fetus trophoblast cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the percentages of uNK cells and HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms expression in vaginal discharge of threatened-abortion women in comparison with control. In a case-control study, we investigated 30 threatened-abortion women with bleeding or spotting less than 20 weeks of pregnancy as compared to 30 normal pregnant women. uNK cells percentage was assessed by flow cytometry. Furthermore, we evaluated HLA-G1 and HLA-G5 isoforms expression by Real-Time PCR in these groups. The results of this study showed that threatened-abortion women had increased uNK cells and decreased T cells percentage in vaginal discharge in comparison with normal pregnant women (p = 0.01, p = 0.003, resp.). In addition, HLA-G1 isoform had lower expression in threatened-abortion women in comparison with control group (p = 0.0001). The increase of uNK cells level with the decrease of HLA-G expression in vaginal discharge of threatened-abortion pregnant women is an indicator of mother's immune dysregulation. It is concluded that HLA-G expression level with uNK cells percentage can be determined as a diagnostic marker for threatened-abortion women.
Recently, some studies have noticed a large number of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), who are infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of HCV in these patients in our population. Patients with SCCHN in four tertiary centers in different regions of Iran were checked for HCV. The prevalence of HCV in 107 patients diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma was 0.9%, which has no significant difference with its prevalence in normal population. It seems that HCV at least in Iran could not be considered as a risk factor for SCCHN.
Background: The COVID-19 infection may adversely affect both the mother and baby. Evaluation and identification of aggravating factors can help prevent adverse outcomes. Objectives: The present study aimed to examine pregnant women with COVID-19 infection and evaluate the disease outcomes in Sari, Iran. Methods: The present case series study was performed on 17 pregnant women hospitalized for COVID-19 in Sari. A convenience sampling method was used. First, the researcher took the demographic information and medical history and obtained informed consent from all participants. Then, the selected subjects were examined for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and a throat swab sample was taken from eligible ones for PCR. The PCR was performed for amniotic fluid and neonatal throat samples at pregnancy termination. Six weeks after delivery, the status of rehospitalization of the baby, breastfeeding status, rehospitalization of the mother due to COVID-19, and the state of depression of the mother were evaluated by a 21-item questionnaire over the phone. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS version 23 using the Chi-square test. Results: Out of 19 participants, 17 (68%) had positive results for COVID-19 laboratory tests. The prevalence of preterm labor, admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, and vertical transmission were significantly high in pregnant women with COVID-19 and positive PCR results for amniotic fluid (P < 0.050). The frequency of admission to the ICU was significantly higher in pregnant women with diabetes infected with COVID-19 (P = 0.025). There was no rehospitalization of the mother and newborn due to COVID-19, but one case of postpartum depression (9.5%) and two cases of formula feeding (11.8%) were reported. Conclusions: Due to the high risk of maternal and neonatal outcomes of COVID-19 during pregnancy and the high probability of vertical transmission, it is recommended to take special precautions to prevent the disease during this period.
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