maryam izadpanahi

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant cause of mortality and disability worldwide. TBI has been associated with factors such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis, which are believed to be mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-type glutamate receptor. Two NMDA receptor antagonists, ketamine and memantine, have shown potential in mitigating the pathophysiological effects of TBI.

To conduct the study, a controlled cortical impact model was used to induce TBI in rats. The rats with TBI were then divided into three groups: a group receiving only TBI, a group receiving TBI along with memantine, and a group receiving TBI along with ketamine. After 24 hr, the levels of oxidative stress markers (such as SOD, MDA, and total thiol) in the brain tissue were measured. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed seven days after TBI to assess the activation of glial cells and the TLR-4/NF-κB neuroinflammatory pathway.

The results indicated that treatment with memantine led to a reduction in MDA levels and an increase in SOD and total thiol levels. Memantine also decreased astrogliosis and down-regulated the TLR-4/NF-κB pathway. On the other hand, ketamine increased the levels of anti-oxidant markers but did not significantly affect the MDA level. Additionally, ketamine decreased the expression of NF-κB seven days after TBI.

The findings suggest that NMDA receptor antagonists, such as ketamine and memantine, may have therapeutic effects on TBI by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.

 Cytomegalovirus (CMV) can vertically transmit from infected mothers to fetuses and causes congenital infection in newborns. Unfortunately, there have been limited data available on the prevalence of congenital CMV (cCMV) infection among Iranian neonates at higher risk of infection.

 The current study aimed to assess the prevalence of cCMV infection among hospitalized neonates in Tehran, Iran, and investigate the diagnostic values of CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on Guthrie cards in comparison to those reported for urine specimens.

 This cross-sectional study was carried out on the hospitalized neonates with 3 weeks of age. The urine specimens and Guthrie cards were taken from each eligible newborn. Total nucleic acid was extracted from the samples and tested by PCR for the presence of CMV deoxyribonucleic acid. The cCMV infection was confirmed in the newborns, and the infected neonates underwent further evaluation.

 Out of 224 newborns, CMV infection was identified in 11 neonates (4.9%). There were no factors in association with cCMV infection. The sensitivity and specificity of dried blood spot (DBS) samples for the identification of newborns with cCMV infection were 90% and 99%, respectively.

 A significant number of hospitalized neonates in the present study were infected with cCMV infection. The results of the current study revealed that Guthrie cards had adequate sensitivity for the identification of CMV infection in the hospitalized newborns. Since symptomatic newborns with cCMV infection have a higher chance for the development of early- or late-onset sequelae of infection, it is recommended to diagnose and treat this group of newborns.