The effect of topical olive oil application on the symptoms of infantile colic: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Background and Aims: Infantile colic is one of the most common disorders in the first months of infants' lives. This condition hurts parents' moods. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of the topical use of olive oil on infantile colic symptoms. Methods: The study was carried out on 80 infants 1-3 months old, randomly allocated into two groups, receiving abdominal massage with olive oil thrice a day in the intervention group (n = 40) and the same procedure with liquid paraffin in the placebo group (n = 40), for 14 successive days. During this period, the parents recorded the episodes of colic, duration of colic, crying intensity, and episodes of defecation. These variables were assessed and compared at the beginning and on the 7th and 14th days. Results: The mean crying duration changed from 4.05 ± 2.44 to 1.41 ± 1.03 h/day (65% decrease) in the olive oil group and from 3.85 ± 1.37 to 1.60 ± 1.32 h/day (58% decrease) in the paraffin group (p = 0.38). The episodes of crying were reduced from 5.79 ± 4.56 to 2.51 ± 4.93 episodes/day (↓57%) in the olive group and from 6.01 ± 3.40 to 3.01 ± 2.40 episodes/day (↓50%) in the paraffin oil group (p = 0.14). Furthermore, the intensity of crying was decreased from 9.04 ± 1.54 to 4.48 ± 2.17 (p < 0.001) in the olive oil group and from 9.0 ± 1.20 to 4.77 ± 1.68 (p < 0.001) in the paraffin oil group. On the 14th day, the crying intensity showed no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Abdominal massage with olive oil has the same effect as massage with paraffin oil in reducing the symptoms of infantile colic.

Prognostic and Clinicopathologic Significance of Discoidin Domain Receptors in Different Human Malignancies: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Discoidin domain receptors (DDRs) belong to the receptor tyrosine kinases family and are activated by different types of collagens, which play roles in various physiological processes. An abnormal expression of DDRs is reported in different types of cancers. Despite many reports about the association and roles of high DDR expression levels in cancers, the prognostic values of DDRs are still unclear. This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the prognostic effect of DDRs in different tissue cancers. METHOD: A literature search was performed in several related databases to find eligible English articles. Based on our research, 20 appropriate studies with 2,602 patients were selected till October 5, 2020. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) with a corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed to evaluate the strength of correlation between DDRs and survival of cancer patients. RESULT: Pooling results showed that a high DDR expression was significantly associated with poorer overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.304, 95% CI 1.007-1.69, p = 0.04). Subgroup analysis based on cancer type revealed a significant link between a high DDR expression level and poor OS both in gastrointestinal (pooled HR = 1.78, 95% CI 1.214-2.624, p = 0.003) and urological cancers (pooled HR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.062-1.82, p = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Our meta-analysis results suggest that high DDRs expression has the potential to be used as a biomarker of poor prognosis in cancers.

Lysyl Oxidase Mechanisms to Mediate Gastrointestinal Cancer Progression.

BACKGROUND: Malignancy is a complex process resulting from different changes such as extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and stiffness. One of the important enzymes that contribute to ECM remodeling is lysyl oxidase (Lox) that is overexpressed in different types of human cancers. Because of the high prevalence and poor survival of gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies in this review, we discuss the association between Lox activity and the progression of GI cancers. Lox proteins are a group of extracellular enzymes that catalyzed the cross-linking of collagen and elastin, so they have important roles in the control of structure and homeostasis of ECM. Abnormal activation and expression of the Lox family of proteins lead to changes in the ECM toward increased rigidity and fibrosis. Stiffness of ECM can contribute to the pathogenesis of cancers. SUMMARY: Dysregulation of Lox expression is a factor in both fibrotic diseases and cancer. ECM stiffness by Lox overactivity creates a physical barrier against intratumoral concentration of chemotherapeutic drugs and facilitates cancer inflammation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. KEY MESSAGE: Because of the roles of Lox in GI cancers, development targeting Lox protein isotypes may be an appropriate strategy for treatment of GI cancers and improvement in survival of patients.

Abuse and Neglect of Healthy Newborn by Parents: A Social Problem with a Long History.

A Two-day-old girl who was found in garbage by police and transferred to hospital. She was irritable and dehydrated; also there were burn injuries around her knees and right cheek. Her weight was 3100 grams and physical examinations were normal. Opium was found in urine. Phenobarbital (4 mg/kg/day intravenous every 12 hours) was started for her irritability. After 20 days, infant was entrusted to a welfare organization with coordination of social support of hospital. The prevention of child abuse and neglect is an urgent public health concern. Home visit by welfare organization has been proposed as a promising approach to prevent health and developmental problems among children. We report this case of an abused and neglected newborn.

Comparative Study of Hearing Impairment among Healthy and Intensive Care unit Neonates in Mashhad, North East Iran.

INTRODUCTION: According to World Health Organization (WHO) 2001 statistics, hearing disorders are the most common congenital disease, and the incidence rate among high-risk newborns is as much as ten times as high as that in healthy neonates. However, 78% of screening test failures are well-baby nursery babies. The Joint Committee on Infants' Hearing (JCIH) has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in neonates with hearing impairments in order to preserve their maximum linguistic skills. The aim of our study was to compare the prevalence of hearing loss among babies in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the rooming-in unit (RIU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Neonates born in three hospitals in Mashhad between 2008 to 2010 were studied prospectively and screened for auditory disorders using the oto acoustic emission (OAE) test at the time of discharge and 3 weeks later. To confirm hearing loss, the auditory steady state response (ASSR) test was used among those participants who failed both OAE tests. RESULTS: Two-thousand and sixty-three neonates from the NICU were screened and compared with a control group consisting of 8,724 neonates from the RIU or the well-baby nursery. At the end of the study, hearing impairment as confirmed by failure in the ASSR test was diagnosed in 31 neonates (26 in the control group [0.30%] and five in the NICU group [1.94%]). CONCLUSION: In our study, the prevalence of hearing disorders among NICU neonates was 6.5-times greater than that among babies from the RIU or well-baby unit. This observation demonstrates the importance of universal screening programs particularly for high-risk population neonates.

Maternal serum magnesium level and low birth weight neonate.

BACKGROUND: The aim of study was to compare the serum level of magnesium in mothers having low birth weight with those having normal birth weight neonates. METHODS: In a case-control study, women who delivered low birth weight neonate (cases), compared with normal birth weight (controls) in serum concentration of magnesium. Blood samples collected within 24 h after delivery. Concentration of magnesium assessed by standard atomic absorption spectro-photometry. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to control of potential confounding variables. RESULTS: A total of 116 mothers (67 cases and 49 control) were studied. Mothers in two groups did not differ in age, body mass index, and socioeconomic or demographic factors. Maternal magnesium concentration did not differ between two groups 0.86 ± 0.11 m.mol/l versus 0.94 ± 0.22 m.mol/l respectively (P = 0.09). CONCLUSION: There is no significant difference between serum magnesium levels of low birth weight infants' mother and normal weight infants' mother.

Prevalence and risk factors of hypospadias in a private hospital in northeast iran.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine prevalence and risk factors of hypospadias in newborn infants of a private hospital in Mashhad city located in northeast Iran. METHODS: All live birth deliveries in maternity hospital were enrolled from Oct 2006 to Sep 2008. All hypospadias cases were compared with the next male live births for possible risk factors. This study included only solitary hypospadias cases, those associated with other anomalies were excluded. Both parents were asked to fill out the same written questionnaires seperately. Data was analyzed by using SPSS. FINDINGS: During two years 6149 babies were born in our hospital; 25 cases (0.4%, 4 in1000 live births) of hypospadias were identified. Hypospadias occurred in 0.76% of male deliveries. Most cases of hypospadias were born in summer and winter was the season which least number. Positive family history (P=0.04) was regarded as a potential risk factor that was present in 44% of cases in hypospadias group. Iron supplement consumption in first trimester of pregnancy in control group was significantly more than in hypospadias group (P=0.001) and also usage of folic acid in control group before and in first trimester of pregnancy was taken more by mother in control group than in hypospadias group (P=0.049 and P=0.001 respectively). CONCLUSION: Prevalence in this population was intermediate (4 in 1000 live births). Summer was the most epidemiology factor for occurring of hypospadias probably due to conception in cold season. Iron and folic acid supplementation may have preventive effect in hypospadias.

Effect of Birth Weight and Socioeconomic Status on Children's Growth in Mashhad, Iran.

Background. Socioeconomic status and birth weight are prominent factors for future growing of children. Also Studies show that this criterion is associated with reduced cognitive outcomes, school achievement, and adult work capacity. So in this paper we determined the effects of some socio-economic statuses and birth weight on physical growth of children in Mashhad, Iran. Method and materials. This is a cross sectional study that determined effect of socio-economic status and birth weight on weight, heighting and BMI of school age children. Healthy six years old children who were screened before enter, to school were eligible for participating in our study between 6 June 2006 and 31 July. Weight and standing height were documented at birth and measured at 6 years old. Then, their BMI were calculated in childhood period. Data were analyzed by using SPSS software. Result. Results show that some socio-economic variables and birth weight is associated with and, perhaps, influence the variation of growth in the children. The variables which show the most consistent and significant association were birth weight, sex, economic status and education of parents. Conclusion. In this paper, we found that birth weight, economic status and education parents of neonates have directly significant effect on growth childhood period. We recommended that paying attention to these criteria for improving growth of children in our society should be considered by authorities.

Study of the bacterial agents in nosocomial and acquired infections based on the blood culture in neonatal intensive care unit of a hospital, north east of Iran.

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of bacterial agents in bloodstream infections among hospitalized patients in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: From March 2003 to February 2004, 1341 blood samples were taken from hospitalized infants in NICU of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad north east of Iran. In this study, 6 ml of blood was extracted from the patients having septicemia, which was then added to the bottle containing the blood culture broth. The bottles were labeled and incubated at 35 degrees C for maximum of 7 days. RESULTS: The result shows that out of the 202 patients with positive blood cultures 109 had gram positive organisms while 93 had gram negative organisms. In those with gram-positive bacteria, 73 cases were acquired infection and 36 cases were nosocomial infection. These results for gram negative bacteria showed that 51 cases were due to acquired infection and 42 cases due to nosocomial infection. In determining the relation between the rate of death and the type of infection, we found that out of 202 patients 83 (41%) died. Of these cases 48 (39%) were due to acquired infection and 35 (45%) were due to nosocomial infection. CONCLUSION: We conclude that nosocomial bloodstream infection is an important target for the most aggressive strategies for prevention and control.

The effect of breast milk and lanolin on sore nipples.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of rubbing breast milk versus lanolin in the treatment of symptoms of sore nipples. METHODS: We carried out this randomized clinical trial on 225 mothers with sore nipples in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad, Iran from April 2001 for 2 years. We randomly divided the patients into 3 groups. The first group rubbed the hind milk on their nipples at the end of each breast-feeding session, and the second group used lanolin locally on the nipple 3 times a day, and cleaned the nipple with a wet cloth before infant feeding. The third group did not use anything (control group). We corrected the breast-feeding technique of all mothers throughout the study. After the first visit, we reexamined the patient on the third, fifth, seventh and tenth days. We obtained information with interviewing and physical examination by using a questionnaire. We based the sore nipple improvement on absence of irritation according to mothers opinions. We analyzed the obtained information using the SPSS version 11.5 software, and the used tests were Chi-Square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Kruskal-Wallis test. RESULTS: The first group (breast milk users) included 78 patients, the second group (lanolin users) included 74 patients, and the third group (control group) included 73 patients. The 3 groups were similar in gravidity, delivery method, pre-delivery breast feeding education, the beginning time of the first breast feeding, prior success breast feeding experiences, detergent agents usage for nipples, use of formula, and pacifier. Clinical manifestations, such as appearance time of symptoms, irritation and breast wound were not significantly different. The healing time was different in these 3 groups (p=0.038) according to the mean ranking in the groups. The healing time in the lanolin group was longer than the breast milk group (p=0.029) and the control group (p=0.028). No side effects were noted during the study. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that, due to the better healing of the sore nipple with breast milk, its availability, without payment and side effect, breast milk is recommended for the treatment of sore nipples.