Exploring the postpartum pyrexia related to inherited coagulopathies in a cohort of Iranian women

Background: Postpartum pyrexia results from various causes with bacterial infection heading the list. However, there are many other possible causes such as bleeding. Congenital deficiency of the coagulation factors causes inherited coagulopathies most of which are rare. Following delivery, the reduction in coagulation factors puts these mothers at greater risk of postpartum excessive bleeding

Objectives: We aimed to assess postpartum pyrexia in bleeding disorder mothers

Methods: This study was conducted on 98 bleeding disorder patients and 199 controls. Using a standardized questionnaire, the data were collected by consulting a specialist. The subject's medical records during pregnancy and labor were also reviewed. Postpartum fever was defined as temperature > 38°C in the first 10 days after delivery excluding the first day. The data were analyzed using Chisquare statistical analysis and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant

Results: Postpartum pyrexia was detected in 11.2% of the patients compared to 4% of the controls. The statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher incidence of postpartum fever among the coagulation disorder patients [P = 0.019]. Considering the infection, our data showed that in the patient group, fever was mostly due to [unknown] reasons other than infection

Conclusions: Our results revealed that besides hemorrhagic complications in inherited bleeding disorders, postpartum fever could also be a sign of threat. Early identification and diagnosis of these threats greatly improve the childbirth outcomes in high-risk mothers

Exploring the link between VDR rs2228570 and uterine leiomyoma in Iranian women

Evidences are growing toward an inhibitory role of vitamin D3 in uterine leiomyoma pathogenesis. Uterine leiomyoma commonly affects women of reproductive age and is referred to as one of the most common indications for hysterectomy, worldwide. The effects of vitamin D are mediated through the vitamin D receptor. A single nucleotide polymorphism of the VDR gene results in longer protein with decreased activity. The present study has focused on the distribution of FokI polymorphism in Iranian patients with uterine leiomyoma. Using the PCR-RFLP method 45 cases and 53 controls were assessed. The results demonstrated a correlation between VDR TT genotype and uterine leiomyoma by Odds Ratio of 1.886 [CI, .767-4.640]. The examination of heterozygous CT genotype also showed the same result by Odds Ratio of 1.875 [CI, .629-5.590]. This study lends support for an increased risk of uterine leiomyoma associated with the VDR rs2228570 polymorphism. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report regarding VDR FokI polymorphism in leiomyoma patients

[ effect of endurance training on MiR-155 expression, STAT3 gene expression, and interleukin 6 protein in mice with breast cancer]

Endurance training has an important role in the prevention and adjuvant therapy of breast cancer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of endurance training on miR-155 expression, signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 [STAT[3]] gene expression, and interleukin 6 [IL-6] protein in breast cancer tumor in mice. In this study, 16 female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into exercise-tumor [ET] and rest-tumor [RT] groups. The mice were oriented in the environment and one million estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells [MC4L2] were injected into each mouse. Subsequently, the ET group performed endurance exercise, 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Tumor volume was measured by a digital caliper weekly. Finally, the mice were sacrificed and tumor tissue was removed and kept in -70[degree]C. Then, RNA was extracted by the Trizol protocol and complementary DNA [cDNA] was synthesized according to guidelines of the Kit Company. Consequently, the real-time PCR method was performed and data was collected. Significant differences were observed between the ET and RT groups in the STAT[3] gene expression, miR-155 expression, and IL-6 protein [P < 0.05]. These results were consistent with tumor growth rate. Exercise can reduce miR-155 expression, STAT[3] gene expression, and IL-6 protein in tumor tissue. Due to the reduction in miR-155 expression, STAT[3] gene expression, and IL-6 protein in the ET group, it can be claimed that endurance training can be used as adjuvant therapy by decreasing of oncogenic and inflammation factors

Compound Heterozygosity for Two Novel SLC26A4 Mutations in a Large Iranian Pedigree with Pendred Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to detect the genetic cause of deafness in a large Iranian family. Due to the importance of SLC26A4 in causing hearing loss, information about the gene mutations can be beneficial in molecular detection and management of deaf patients. METHODS: We investigated the genetic etiology in a large consanguineous family with 9 deaf patients from Fars province of Iran with no GJB2 mutations. Initially, linkage analysis was performed by four DFNB4 short tandem repeat markers. The result showed linkage to DFNB4 locus. Following that, DNA sequencing of all 21 exons, their adjacent intronic sequences and the promoter of SLC26A4 was carried out for mutation detection. RESULTS: Two novel mutations (c.863-864insT and c.881-882delAC) were identified in exon 7 of the gene, in both homozygous and compound heterozygous state in patients. CONCLUSION: Our results supported the importance of the SLC26A4 mutations in the etiology of hearing loss among the Iranian patients and therefore its mutation screening should be considered after GJB2 in the molecular diagnostics of hearing loss, especially when enlarged vestibular aqueduct or goiter is detected.

[ process of illegal abortion: a qualitative study]

Unsafe abortion is the main problem of women during their reproductive age. This study was carried out to explore the reasons behind illegal abortion in Iran. This was a qualitative study. Twenty-seven participants were interviewed during March and September 2006 about illegal abortion process. All participants had an experience about illegal abortion or their occupation was relevant to the one aspect of illegal abortion. Interviews were analyzed using a content analysis method. Five main themes emerged from analysis: motivations for ending unwanted pregnancy [social factors, familial factors, personal factors], the assessment of situation [reactions, religious and individual beliefs, socio-politics restrictions], definite decision, changing the mind, doing abortion by the help of fassilators [the role of partner, previous experiment, doing abortion in general or pirvate centers, doing abortion by herself] and abortion outcomes [physical outcome social outcome, mental outcome, juridical outcome]. Illegal abortions are usually performed by unskilled practionnaires. Since, in Iran abortion is illegal, finding ways to protect women against malpractice needs urgent attention

[Development and application of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction technique using SYBR green I in the diagnosis of Down syndrome]

Rapid diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Syndrome [Down Syndrome] patients using Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction [Real-Time qPCR] in order to establish a novel method for prenatal diagnosis in the future. A total of 5 ml of peripheral blood was obtained from each patient and normal controls [NR]. Then, genomic DNA from lymphocytes was extracted using the salting out procedure. Gene dosage levels of DSCAM and [PMP22, DSCAM] in Down Syndrome and NR were analyzed using real-time quantitative PCR. The DSCAM/ PMP22 ratio was calculated according to the 2-delta delta Ct formula for all samples. Real-time PCR showed a DSCAM/PMP22 ratio of 1.48 +/- 0.18 and 1.01 +/- 0.10 [p<0.001] in Down Syndrome and normal samples, respectively, demonstrating three copies of the target [DSCAM] gene in Trisomy 21 Syndrome. DSCAM/PMP22 ratio is increased significantly in Down Syndrome patients than NR [1.5 times]. Therefore, the real-time quantitative PCR technique can be used as a sensitive, accurate and reliable technique for rapid and prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 Syndrome

Successful pregnancies in two orthotopic liver transplant [OLT] recipients in Iran; two case reports

Pregnancy and parenting have been part of human life throughout history and liver transplant recipients are not any exception. This paper reports successful pregnancies in two liver transplant recipients in Iran. Case Presentation: The first case was a 34-year old woman who had undergone orthotopic liver transplantation [OLT] at Shiraz Namazi Educational Hospital in 2002. She decided to get pregnant seven years after the operation. During pregnancy, immunosuppressive therapy continued, except Mycophenolate Mofetil which has an absolute contra-indication in pregnancy. The patient was followed up during pregnancy by the transplant team as well as a gynecologist. She faced no significant complications and the liver function was stable during pregnancy. She later underwent a Cesarean section in the 38th week of gestation and the newborn was a healthy girl weighing 2480g with an Apgar score of 8 at the time of birth. There were no evidences of prematurity or structural abnormalities in the newborn. The second case was a 31-year old primipara who had received an orthotopic liver transplant [OLT] in Shiraz in 2002. She had a smooth pregnancy without any complications and the newborn was a boy weighing 3100g with Apgar scores of 8 and 10 at the time of birth and 5 minutes thereafter, respectively. As the number of transplant recipients is growing along with the number of recipients who are in their fertility years, it is vital to ensure a proper medical care by a coordinated multidisciplinary team during pregnancy