monireh hatami

Ganoderma lucidum is known in China and Japan as Ling-Zhi and Reishi. Due to medicinal properties and different nutritional compositions, ganoderma lucidum is currently used in food products. It contains essential fatty acids, essential amino acids, and a wide range of polysaccharides; all of which seem to be effective in lowering blood sugar level. This study aims to review the anti-diabetic and hypoglycemic effects of various powders, extracts, and components of ganoderma lucidum, by searching articles in Persian and English published from 2001 to 2020 in SID, MagIran, Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases using the keywords: Active compounds, ganoderma lucidum, diabetes mellitus, hyperglycemia. The results showed that ganoderma lucidum uptake in most cases reduced fasting blood sugar, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin resistance in diabetic patients due to the its active compounds including the extracted polysaccharides, proteins and triterpenoids. Moreover, its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties seems to reduce the complications of diabetes. In conclusion, the consumption of ganoderma lucidum in diabetic patients can be effective in controlling and preventing the disease, although more studies are needed on its effective dose, side effects and toxicity in human samples.

Given the prevalence of AIDS and the need to enhance self-care programs and improve quality of life, the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of self-care education based on virtual networks on quality of life in HIV-positive patients.

This clinical trial was conducted on HIV positive patients referred to the Counseling Centers for Behavioral Disorders in Tehran in 2019 and 80 people of them who were eligible for the study were selected by multistage random sampling method and randomly assigned into control and intervention groups (40 people in each group). Data were collected using demographic information questionnaire and the Multidimensional Quality of Life Questionnaire for Persons with HIV/AIDS (MQoL-HIV) which were completed before the training and two weeks after the last training session. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 19 software.

At the beginning of the study, the mean scores of quality of life and its ten domains did not have significant difference (p>0.05); but after the intervention a significant difference was observed in the mean scores of quality of life and its domains except the domains of cognitive function, economic, interact with the spouse and sexual function (p<0.05).

The self-care education programs based on virtual networks are effective on promoting the quality of life of HIV-positive patients.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) represents the most common metabolic complication during pregnancy. GDM is associated with maternal and fetal complications. Ap- proximately 7% of all pregnancies are affected by GDM, resulting in more than 200,000 cases worldwide annually, and the prevalence may vary from 1% to 14% among all pregnancies. Accordingly, this study attempted to determine the prevalence and some risk factors of GDM.

This hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at Boo- Ali hospital in Tehran, the capital of Iran. Four hundred non-diabetics pregnant women with a gestational age of 24-28 weeks who attended the Boo-Ali hospital outpatient department were included in our study. Demographic and anthropometric data including age, gravida, para, ges- tational age, family history of diabetes, history of GDM, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were collected. Blood samples were collected from the women at 24-28 weeks to diag- nose GDM by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We measured the 25-OH-D level in partici- pants at 24-28 weeks.

Among the 400 pregnant women, 46 (11.5%) had GDM based on OGTT, and the mean age of GDM women were 30.78± 5.96 years. Among selected variables, BMI ≥25kg/m2, family history, and GDM history were associated with increased risks of GDM (odds ratio=2.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–5.07;3.52, 95% CI 1.84–6.70; 19.57, and 95% CI 6.16–62.17, respectively). The association was more robust in the positive GDM his- tory of women.

High prevalence of GDM highlights more attention of health-care givers in screening pregnant women with risk factors. BMI as a modifiable risk factor for GDM needs more attention, and positive family history and previous GDM history should be consid- ered in the core activities of pregnant women.

Background and Low birth weight (LBW) is a key determinant of infant morbidity and mortality. Zinc deficiency during pregnancy may have unfavorable effect on pregnancy outcome, particularly low birth weight. The aim of this study was to determine the association between infant anthropometric characteristic and cord blood plasma zinc level. This study included 268 pairs of mothers and infants (at time of delivery) from whom 134 healthy mothers and their infants <2500g were recruited as case group and 134 healthy mothers and their infants weighing 2500-4000g were participated in control group. The subjects were selected from Fatemieh Hospital Hamadan, Iran. The infants’ birth weight, length, head circumference, chest and mid arm circumference were measured. Cord blood plasma zinc level was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS). The concentration of plasma zinc less than 60 µg/dl was considered as sever zinc deficiency, between 60 to 70 µg/dl mild to moderate deficiency and more than 70 to 150 µg/dl were considered normal. Twin infants, abnormal infants and mothers who smoked, consumed alcohol, used illicit drugs, and those with severe stress were excluded from the study. Sever zinc deficiency was significantly related to infant low birth weight [OR=12.382, CI; 1.210, 126.710, P= 0.040]. No significant relationships were found between infant length, mid arm, chest and head circumference with plasma zinc level. Present study indicated a relationship between infant weights and severe zinc deficiency in plasma cord blood. Severe zinc deficiency could be considered as a major predictor of infant birth weight.