No abstract

Inflammation has a crucial role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and previous studies have proposed an important function of IL-6 during inflammation. On the other hand, IL-6 levels and inflammation might be associated with hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α). Thus, due to the possible role of HIF-1α in inflammation and COVID-19 pathogenesis, we aimed to investigate the levels of HIF-1α and its correlation with inflammatory parameters (IL-6 and CRP) and D-dimer. In this case-control study, 84 patients (54 patients hospitalized in the ICU and 30 individuals as outpatient subjects) were included as the case group, and 50 healthy subjects were included as the control group. The levels of D-dimer, CRP, IL-6 (interleukin 6) and HIF-1α were assessed in all studied groups. The results of the present investigation showed that the levels of D-dimer, CRP and IL-6 were significantly increased in COVID-19 patients compared to healthy individuals. On the other hand, the level of HIF-1α significantly decreased in COVID-19 patients. In addition, there was a significant correlation between IL-6 and CRP and D-dimer, while HIF-1α was indirectly correlated with IL-6, CRP and D-dimer. Ultimately, our data indicated that the levels of CRP, D-dimer, IL-6 and HIF-1α were significantly different between ICU patients and the outpatient group with healthy individuals. Based on the study results, inflammation plays a crucial role in COVID-19 pathogenesis, and low HIF-1α is a consequence of inflammation due to COVID-19 infection and might have a protective role in COVID-19.

Anemia is the most common hematologic abnormality in pregnancy. Maternal anemia is associated with adverse fetal, neonatal, and childhood outcomes. This study aims to determine the prevalence of anemia, and iron deficiency anemia (IDA), the severity of the condition, and study the effect of some socio-demographic factors on pregnant women in Garmian province. The study was conducted among 157 pregnant women in Garmian province between 17 and 49 years old. Participants completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics, disease, and gestational age. A hematological evaluation, including a complete blood count (CBC) and serum for ferritin testing. Results of this study have shown that the prevalence of anemia and IDA were 34.4% and 15.3%, respectively. Almost three-quarters of the pregnant women had mild anemia, while 31 % of the subjects had moderate anemia, and about 60% of the participants were diagnosed with normocytic anemia. The second trimester had the highest prevalence, with 51.9% for the anemic and 45.8% for IDA subjects, while the first trimester showed the lowest prevalence, with 14.8 % for anemic and 12.5% for IDA subjects. Age, occupation, gravidity with anemia, and iron deficiency anemia did not make a significant difference. Moreover, there was no significant difference in blood indices between anemic and IDA participants. The serum ferritin level was unaffected by the pregnancy trimesters.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a kind of diabetes marked by high blood sugar, insulin, and insulin insufficiency. Adult-onset diabetes is another name for it. Increased thirst, frequent urination, and unexplained weight loss are common indications and symptoms. Metformin side effects include metallic taste, weakness, diarrhea, stomach upset, lactic acidosis, and vomiting. Two other side effects are asthenia and a Vitamin B12 deficiency. Many recent studies and most health experts recommend basil seed as a better Metformin substitute. The research investigates why patients who consume basil seeds have a similar response to those who take Metformin. The methodology of the study consisted of two main steps, first step is to analyze basil and use HPLC to determine its chemical components. The second step is to compare the broken-down components to Metformin-composed materials, which is done by diluting with methanol/water (50:50 v/v) and removing the fat layer using 20 mL hexane. The findings showed that basil seed and Metformin had the most similar component structure, thus the foundlings concluded that patients had the same responses without the Metformin side effects, implying that basil seed stabilizes blood sugar levels.