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Risk factors prediction, clinical outcomes, and mortality in COVID-19 patients
Full text linkPreventing communicable diseases requires understanding the spread, epidemiology, clinical features, progression, and prognosis of the disease. Early identification of risk factors and clinical outcomes might help in identifying critically ill patients, providing appropriate treatment, and preventing mortality. We conducted a prospective study in patients with flu-like symptoms referred to the imaging department of a tertiary hospital in Iran between March 3, 2020, and April 8, 2020. Patients with COVID-19 were followed up after two months to check their health condition. The categorical data between groups were analyzed by Fisher's exact test and continuous data by Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Three hundred and nineteen patients (mean age 45.48 ± 18.50 years, 177 women) were enrolled. Fever, dyspnea, weakness, shivering, C-reactive protein, fatigue, dry cough, anorexia, anosmia, ageusia, dizziness, sweating, and age were the most important symptoms of COVID-19 infection. Traveling in the past 3 months, asthma, taking corticosteroids, liver disease, rheumatological disease, cough with sputum, eczema, conjunctivitis, tobacco use, and chest pain did not show any relationship with COVID-19. To the best of our knowledge, a number of factors associated with mortality due to COVID-19 have been investigated for the first time in this study. Our results might be helpful in early prediction and risk reduction of mortality in patients infected with COVID-19. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LL
Effects of quercetin supplementation on inflammatory factors and quality of life in post-myocardial infarction patients: A double blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial
No full textMyocardial infarction (MI) is one of the leading causes of death in the world. Epidemiological studies have shown that dietary flavonoids are inversely related to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to determine whether quercetin supplementation can improve inflammatory factors, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and quality of life (QOL) in patients following MI. This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted on 88 post-MI patients. Participants were randomly assigned into quercetin (n = 44) and placebo groups (n = 44) receiving 500 mg/day quercetin or placebo tablets for 8 weeks. Quercetin supplementation significantly increased serum TAC compared to placebo (Difference: 0.24 (0.01) mmol/L and 0.00 (0.00) mmol/L respectively; p <.001). TNF-α levels significantly decreased in the quercetin group (p =.009); this was not, however, significant compared to the placebo group. As for QOL dimensions, quercetin significantly lowered the scores of insecurity (Difference: �0.66 (12.5) and 0.00 (5.55) respectively; p <.001). No significant changes in IL-6, hs-CRP, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions were observed between the two groups. Quercetin supplementation (500 mg/day) in post-MI patients for 8 weeks significantly elevated TAC and improved the insecurity dimension of QOL, but failed to show any significant effect on inflammatory factors, blood pressure and other QOL dimensions. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons Lt
Iranian and American Moral Judgments for Everyday Dilemmas Are Mostly Similar
Full text linkMoral judgment is a complex cognitive process that partly depends upon social and individual cultural values. There have been various efforts to categorize different aspects of moral judgment, but most studies depend upon rare dilemmas. We recruited 25 subjects from Tehran, Iran, to rate 150 everyday moral scenarios developed by Knutson et al. Using exploratory factor analysis (EFA), we observed that the same moral dimensions (except socialness dimension) were driven by the same moral cognitive factors (norm violation, intention, and social affect) in Iranian vs. American studies. However, there were minor differences in the factor loadings between the two cultures. Furthermore, based on the EFA results, we developed a short form of the questionnaire by removing eleven of the fifteen scenarios from each of the ten categories. These results could be used in further studies to better understand the similarities and differences in moral judgment in everyday interactions across different cultures. © Copyright © 2021 Yazdanpanah, Soltani, Mirfazeli, Shariat, Jahanbakhshi, GhaffariHosseini, Alavi, Hosseinpour, Javadnia and Grafman
Comparison of pelvic lymph node coverage in conventional radiotherapy based on boney landmarks versus contouring radiotherapy in cervical cancer patients
No full textAim: We aimed to compare pelvic lymph nodes coverage in Digital Reconstructed Radiography (DRR) based on bony landmarks and 3D planning based on contouring in external beam radiation of cervical cancer patients. Material and Methods: The study was carried out on 43 cervical cancer patients who were referred to Cancer Institute of Iran. We used RT Dose Plan software available in our department to define the treatment plan and field sizes. Images of patients were transported to RT dose plan software for planning. The Box treatment field (4 perpendicular fields) with or without additional brachytherapy was considered. The Dose Volume Histogram (DVH) and isodose curves were surveyed for acceptable tumour coverage. The study participants were assigned to two types of planning including planning based on anatomical markers (Conventional, DRR) and planning by considering the actual position of lymph nodes based on CT simulation images (CT). Results: The mean age of participants was 51 years. In the AP/PA field, the mean difference of superior, right, and left lateral borders was-2.31,-0.29, and-0.029, respectively. On the other hand, the mean difference of inferior border was estimated 1.87. Further, in the lateral field, the mean difference of DDR and CT approaches for anterior and posterior borders was 0.89 and 0.164, respectively. Conclusion: It seems CT simulation and use of contouring provide a better vision to pelvic lymph nodes and leads to wider coverage through reducing the possibility of ignoring treated areas. Nevertheless, more studies are required. © Oncology and Radiotherapy
Can adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among seafarers be increased via a theory-based mobile phone-based text message intervention? A randomized clinical trial
Full text linkBackground: One of the main occupational hazards for seafarers is the long exposure to sunlight. This study aimed to determine the efficacy of a mobile phone-based text message intervention in adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors among a sample of seafarers in Genaveh port located in Bushehr province, Iran. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 136 seafarers were randomly selected and assigned to the intervention (n = 68) or a control groups (n = 68). As a theoretical basis, we followed the Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) variables to develop the text messages. The data related to PMT variables and skin cancer preventive behaviors were collected through a questionnaire. Forty-five text messages were designed, pre-tested and sent to the seafarers� phones in the intervention group in 45 days. Both groups were followed up 1 month after the intervention. Data collected in the two stages were analyzed using paired-samples t-test, ANCOVA, and Chi-square tests. Results: Following the intervention, the mean scores of adopting skin cancer preventive behaviors (p = 0.001), perceived self-efficacy (p = 0.01), protection motivation (p = 0.02), and fear (p = 0.001) were significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group. There was significant reduction in the response costs (p = 0.05) and perceived rewards (p = 0.01) scores in the intervention group compared with the control group after the intervention. However, there were no significant differences in the perceived vulnerability (p = 0.14), perceived severity (p = 0.09), and response efficacy (p = 0.64) between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusions: The results of the study indicated the effectiveness of mobile phone-based text message intervention for increasing skin cancer preventive behaviors in Iranian seafarers. Trial registration: Iranian Registry for Clinical Trial (the link to trial: https://www.irct.ir/trial/7572). Registered 16 July, 2016. Prospectively registered. © 2021, The Author(s)
Survey of potential diagnostic metabolite markers in serum of the rat model of alzheimer�s disease using nuclear magnatic resonance (1H-nmr) technique
Full text linkIntroduction: The high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in today's societies indicates an urgent need for the development of methods that will help the early diagnosis of the disease. In this study, using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry (1H-NMR) metabolomics, identification of altered and distinct metabolites in serum of the rat model of AD was performed compared with healthy controls with the aim of introducing potential markers and to further understand the mechanisms of the AD. Materials and Methods: Serum samples from 25 adult male rats (10 healthy and 15 AD) were collected and their metabolites were extracted and analyzed using 1H-NMR technique. Differential metabolite profile was then determined by multivariate statistical analysis. The behavioral screening of the model rats was performed by the paired-associated learning method. Results: The results of the behavioral study showed the impairment of memory abilities in AD rats. Differential metabolites between the two groups were identified by multivariate analysis methods such as OPLS and Random Forest. Importantly, the results showed that there were differences in the pathways related to energy and amino acid metabolism between the control group and the Alzheimer's model. Conclusion: This research opens new horizons to identify biomarkers and physiological pathways involved in Alzheimer�s disease. The introduced metabolites must be confirmed by further studies and might be used as candidate biomarkers for early detection of the disease. © 2021, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved
Treatment of post-traumatic direct carotid�cavernous fistulas using flow diverting stents: Is it alone satisfactory?
No full textBackground: Direct carotid cavernous fistula (CCF) occurs between the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the cavernous sinus. Carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) frequently present with chemosis, pulsatile proptosis, ocular bruit, vision loss, and occasionally intracerebral hemorrhage or seizure. In this article, we share our experience in endovascular treatment of six patients having this pathology with intracranial flow diverting stents with review of literatures. Case description: All six patients had posttraumatic direct CCF, most of their signs and symptoms were visual disturbance, chemosis, orbital bruit, headache, paralysis of extraocular muscles. They were treated with flow diversion stents with or without coils or liquid embolizing material; transvenous and transarterial routes were used. Most of them underwent multiple sessions, and their conditions were improved dramatically. Conclusion: The best and most effective method is to start the procedure by coiling to convert the high-flow fistula to an aneurysmal pouch with the smallest possible size in the cavernous sinus, and then close the defect site with one or two flow diversion devices (FDDs). © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Restricted genetic heterogeneity of the Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate Pvs48/45 in a low transmission setting: Implications for the Plasmodium vivax malaria vaccine development
No full textPlasmodium vivax is the most widespread malaria species parasitizing humans outside Africa, with approximately 100 million cases reported per year. Most human cases of P. vivax are asymptomatic with low parasitemia, making active case detection-based elimination programme challenging and less effective. Despite the widespread distribution of P. vivax, no effective vaccines are currently available. Transmission blocking vaccines have recently emerged as potential vaccine candidates to reduce transmission rates to below the essential levels required for the maintenance of the parasite life cycle. Here, we demonstrated that P. vivax was the predominant species found in a malaria-endemic area, although P. vivax/P. falciparum co-infections were also common. Through genomic sequence analysis and neighbor-joining algorithms, we demonstrated limited genetic heterogeneity in the P. vivax transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pvs48/45 among clinical isolates of P. vivax. Restricted genetic polymorphism occurred at both nucleotide and amino acid levels. The most frequent mutation was A � G at nucleotide position 77 (46.7), whereas the least frequent was C � T at nucleotide position 1230 (3.3). The occurrence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) distribution at 6/8 positions (75) led to changes in amino acid sequences in the Pvs48/45 loci, whereas 2/8 (25) of SNPs resulted in no amino acid sequence variations. Consistently, the nucleotide diversity in the Pvs48/45 locus among the P. vivax population studied was extremely low (� = 0.000525). Changes in amino acid sequences in the Pvs48/45 protein did not result in substantial conformational modifications in the tertiary structures of these proteins. Unveiling the population genetic structure and genetic heterogeneity of vaccine target antigens are necessary for rational design of transmission-blocking antibody vaccines and to monitor the vaccine efficacy in clinical trials in endemic areas for malaria. © 2021 Elsevier B.V
Investigating the association of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene variants with endometriosis in an Iranian population
No full textObjectives: matrix metalloproteinases including matrix metalloproteinase-2 play a key role in endometrial extra cellular matrix breakdown in endometriosis. Aberrant expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 has been reported in eutopic and ectopic endometrial tissue of endometriosis patients so altered expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 due to polymorphisms may lead to establishment and progression of endometriosis. In this study the association between -735 C/T (rs2285053) and â��1575 G/A (rs243866) variants of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene with presence of endometriosis in an Iranian population were investigated for the first time. Study design: A case-control association study was conducted to investigate the role of MMP-2â��735 C/T and ₁₅₇₅ G/A variants in development of endometriosis. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine genotype frequencies of these variants in 100 endometriosis patients and 200 normal samples. Total genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples and single-nucleotide polymorphism flanking regions were amplified using designed specific primers. Enzymatic digestion was performed using Pag I and Hinf I restriction enzymes for rs2285053 and rs243866 variants, respectively. Statistical analysis was ascertained using statistical package for social science version 16 and â��SHEsisâ�� software. Results: There were no significant differences in genotype frequencies of rs2285035 (-735C/T) variant between case and control groups (CC + CT vs. TT p = 0.40; OR = 0.50, 95 CI 0.100â��2.551). There were also no significant differences for C allele frequencies in both case and control groups (p = 0.9). For variant rs243866 (â��1575 G/A) the differences in genotype frequencies between case and controls group were determined to be significant (GG + GA vs. AA p = 0.041; OR = 6.46, 95 CI 0.82â��50.43). The frequency of G allele was significantly different in case and control groups (p = 0.037). Conclusion: In conclusion, existence of rs243866 variant in promoter region of matrix metalloproteinase-2 gene can increase the risk of endometriosis in Iranian women. © 202
Application of a new N,S-containing silica-coated nanomagnetic sorbent for the trace quantification of Hg(II) ions in aquatic samples: evaluation of adsorption mechanism
No full textHerein, an effective µ-dispersive solid-phase extraction (µ-dSPE) for the adsorption of Hg(II) ions from various water samples was implemented using a N,S-containing silica-coated nanomagnetic sorbent (Fe3O4@SiO2-N/S). Initially, the sorbent was synthesized via N-substituted amide reaction followed by the characterization by several analytical techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). After that, Hg(II) ions interacted with the dentate (N,S) of the dispersed sorbent, which seems to be the cornerstone of the extraction concept. Then, Hg(II) ions were desorbed off the sorbent and quantified by a cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometer (CV-AAS). A number of influential factors impacting the analyte extraction/desorption efficiency were fully investigated, and subsequently, the optimal conditions were established. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1�5.0 µg L�1, and based on a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 (S/N = 3), the method detection limit was determined to be 0.05 µg L�1 for the analyte of interest. The µ-dSPE method was applied for the determination of Hg(II) in various fortified real aquatic samples to test its performance. The average relative recoveries obtained from the fortified water samples varied in the range of 93�107 with the relative standard deviations of 2.8�6.4. In addition, an investigatory approach regarding the equilibrium adsorption isotherms of the target ion was performed which fitted best to the Langmuir isotherm model. Finally, the method is assumed to have a great potential to be implemented in environmental/other laboratories for the monitoring trace level of Hg(II) ions. © 2020, Iranian Chemical Society