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Detection rate of colorectal polyps in symptomatic candidates of colonoscopy: When should we do a total colonoscopy?
No full textBACKGROUND The incidence of colorectal cancer is increasing in the northeast of Iran. Colorectal polyps are among the proposed risk factors noted, especially in the elder population. This study was designed to study the diagnosed cases of intestinal polyps detected from 2011 to 2016 in the northeast of Iran. METHODS The population consisted of symptomatic candidates referred to the colonoscopy center in Gorgan city. Based on the available colonoscopy and pathology reports, 1706 cases were enrolled after the exclusion of cases without sufficient data. RESULTS Among 1709 (55.5 males and 44.5 females) cases, 1405 cases with 1912 polyps were detected. Among them, 345 (25) aged less than 50 years. Tubular adenoma (N = 826, 43.2) and hyperplastic polyps (N = 519, 27.1) were the top two histological findings. Out of 1405 patients with polyps, 660 (39.6) polyps were detected in proximal colon (15.6 in proximal and 24 in both proximal and distal). Malignancies were detected in 13.2 (0.8 malignant polyps and 12.4 malignant masses). CONCLUSION A considerable number of colorectal adenomas in proximal colon and in patients younger than 50 years old, suggesting to schedule colorectal cancer screening from at least 10 years younger and continuing colonoscopy up to the proximal area. © 2021 The Author(s)
Seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection among children 3-15 years old in northern Iran
No full textThe World Health Organization has categorized toxocarosis as a neglected tropical disease despite its significant impact on high-risk groups such as children. This study aimed to investigate the seroprevalence, risk factors, and clinical symptoms of Toxocara spp. infection among children 3�15 years old in northern Iran. A total of 386 children were enrolled in the study. All serum samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibodies against Toxocara spp. infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Moreover, relevant risk factors and clinical symptom data were obtained using questionnaires. Data analysis was performed using the SPSS software version 24. The overall seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection was found 2.85 (11/386). However, Toxocara spp. infection was high for some risk factors, including eating soil (14.3 ), contacting cats (6.7 ), and consuming raw vegetables (3.7 ). However, there were no statistically significant differences regarding the risk factors and socio-demographic characteristics. Considering the clinical symptoms, Toxocara spp. infection was different in children with eosinophilia (20 ), ocular disorders (8.3 ), skin disorders (7.7 ), liver disorders (4.5 ), and stomach ache (4.2 ), although not statistically significant. The results revealed that the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. infection was relatively low in children in northern Iran. It is suggested to conduct more studies in different parts of Iran to gain a deeper understanding of the toxocarosis seroprevalence and its status in high-risk groups such as children with asthma, hypereosinophilic syndrome, allergic skin disorders, and epilepsy. © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Effect of MTA versus CEM apical plugs on fracture resistance of endodontically treated simulated immature teeth restored with cast metal posts: an in-vitro study
No full textBackground: Endodontically treated immature teeth which are restored with cast metal posts are of the most susceptible teeth to fracture. An apical plug is usually used as root end filling in order to seal the wide apical foramen. The current study was performed to evaluate the effect of different apical plug materials (MTA and Calcium enriched mixture cement) at varied thicknesses on fracture resistance of teeth restored with cast metal posts. Methods: A total of 40 extracted intact single-rooted human mandibular premolars (removed for orthodontic reasons) were used in the study. The coronal part of each tooth was removed and root canal preparation was performed. A size 4 Gates Glidden drill was used to enlarge the canal and was passed through the apical foramen in order to simulate an immature apex. Samples were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 8) according to apical plug (control group: No plug, group MTA5: 5 mm MTA plug, group CEM5: 5 mm CEM plug, group MTA3: 3 mm MTA plug, group CEM3: 3 mm CEM plug). Post-space preparations were performed and cast metal post-and-cores were fabricated and cemented. Fracture resistance was assessed using a universal testing machine. Fracture thresholds were recorded and data were analyzed using One-way ANOVA and Dunnett�s T3 tests with significance level at P value 0.05). Conclusions: Within the limits of this study, the evidence indicated that placement of a 5 mm MTA apical plug increased the fracture resistance in simulated immature teeth which are restored with cast metal posts, compared to control group (gutta-percha and sealer). While the results were not as promising for a 3 mm MTA apical plug or either 3 or 5 mm CEM apical plug. © 2021, The Author(s)
Geo-epidemiological reporting and spatial clustering of the 10 most prevalent cancers in Iran
No full textCancer is a problem of both global and local concern. We determined the geo-epidemiological and spatial distribution of the 10 most common cancers in Iran. We used the data of the Iranian Cancer Registry for the year 2014 analysing the prevalence of 112,131 registered cancer cases with the aim of detecting potential geographical underlying causes. The geographic distribution of cancers is reported as standardized incidence rates at the provincial level considering risk with respect to sex and age. A geographical information systems (GIS) approach based on Anselin Local Moran's index method was used to map clusters and spatial autocorrelation patterns. The mean age of the patients was 55.6 (±17.8) and 61.7 (±18.2) for females and males, respectively, in the database which showed 46.1 (n=51,665) of all cases to be female. Analysis of the spatial distribution of cancers showed significant differences among the different provinces. Stomach and breast cancers were the most prevalent cancers in men and females, respectively. The highest incidence rates of stomach cancer were found in Ardabil and Zanjan provinces, with 48.38 and 48.08 per 100,000 population, respectively, while Tehran and Yazd provinces had the highest incidences of breast cancer, 51.0 and 47.5 per 100,000 population, respectively. Strong clustering patterns for stomach and breast cancers were identified in the north-western provinces and in Semnan Province, respectively. These patterns indicate a diversity of geo-epidemiological contributing factors to cancer incidence in Iran
Correlation between ELF-PEMF exposure and Human RPE Cell Proliferation, Apoptosis and Gene Expression
No full textPurpose: Emerging evidence implies that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) can negatively affect angiogenesis. In this regard, the effects of extremely low frequency pulsed electromagnetic field (ELF-PEMF) exposure on the relative expression level of angiogenic factors involved in the pathogenesis of ocular disorders were evaluated in human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells in order to investigate a noninvasive therapeutic method for patients with several ocular diseases associated with neovascularization. Methods: After separating hRPE cells from globes, hRPE cells were exposed to 15 mT of ELF-PEMF (120 Hz) at 5, 10, and 15 min for seven days. Cell proliferation and apoptosis of treated cells were evaluated via ELISA assay. Moreover, relative expression changes of HIF-1α, CTGF, VEGFA, MMP-2, cathepsin D, and E2F3 were performed using real-time RT-PCR. Results: ELF-PEMF exposure had no significant effects on the apoptosis and proliferation rate of hRPE cells. Expression level of HIF-1α, CTGF, VEGFA, MMP-2, cathepsin D, and E2F3 was downregulated following 5 min of ELF-PEMF exposure. Conclusion: As ELF-PEMF showed inhibitory effects on the expression of angiogenic genes in hRPE cells with no cytotoxic or proliferative side effects, it can be introduced as a useful procedure for managing angiogenesis induced by retinal pathogenesis, although more studies with adequate follow-up in animal models are needed © 2021 JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMIC AND VISION RESEARCH | PUBLISHED BY PUBLISHED BY KNOWLEDGE E
Metabolomics reveals biomarkers of opioid use disorder
No full textOpioid use disorder (OUD) is diagnosed using the qualitative criteria defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Diagnostic biomarkers for OUD do not currently exist. Our study focused on developing objective biological markers to differentiate chronic opiate users with OUD from chronic opiate users without OUD. Using biospecimens from the Golestan Cohort Study, we compared the metabolomics profiles of high opium users who were diagnosed as OUD positive with high opium users who were diagnosed as OUD negative. High opium use was defined as maximum weekly opium usage greater than or equal to the median usage (2.4 g per week), and OUD was defined as having 2 or more DSM-5 criteria in any 12-month period. Among the 218 high opium users in this study, 80 were diagnosed as OUD negative, while 138 were diagnosed as OUD positive. Seven hundred and twelve peaks differentiated high opium users diagnosed as OUD positive from high opium users diagnosed as OUD negative. Stepwise logistic regression modeling of subject characteristics data together with the 712 differentiating peaks revealed a signature that is 95 predictive of an OUD positive diagnosis, a significant (p < 0.0001) improvement over a 63 accurate prediction based on subject characteristic data for these samples. These results suggest that a metabolic profile can be used to predict an OUD positive diagnosis. © 2021, The Author(s)
�Konkoor Giant�, a narrative of high school female students from Gorgan, Iran
No full textBackground: The university entrance exam or Konkoor is a determining event for the Iranian adolescents and their families. It is considered as the most important opportunity for adolescents for creating their ideal futures. Hence, regarding the importance of this exam and its accompanying pressures during the critical and stressful adolescence period, this study describes adolescents' perspective about what make them worried about the university entrance exam. Methods: This study is based on responses of 500 high school female students to an open-ended question completed in their class. In total 482 adolescents wrote down their answers. Using quantitative content analysis, these statements were analyzed. Results: The findings showed that three categories including �individual� category (87.90) with three subcategories; Konkoor's outcome, readiness for Konkoor, self-blame, and �family� category (7.12) with three subcategories; consequences of failure, family expectations, family conflicts, and �religious- socioeconomic� category (4.98) with three subcategories; religion, financial status, educational policies as the main adolescents concern sources about the university entrance exam. Conclusion: Considering the high concerns of female adolescents about the university entrance exam and the pressures that they receive from their families, society, and even themselves, modifying the educational policies, applying some measures to promote knowledge, and gaining required skills to deal with different aspects of such concerns are necessary for adolescents and their parents. © 2019 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
CovidCTNet: an open-source deep learning approach to diagnose covid-19 using small cohort of CT images
No full textCoronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is highly contagious with limited treatment options. Early and accurate diagnosis of Covid-19 is crucial in reducing the spread of the disease and its accompanied mortality. Currently, detection by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the gold standard of outpatient and inpatient detection of Covid-19. RT-PCR is a rapid method; however, its accuracy in detection is only ~70�75. Another approved strategy is computed tomography (CT) imaging. CT imaging has a much higher sensitivity of ~80�98, but similar accuracy of 70. To enhance the accuracy of CT imaging detection, we developed an open-source framework, CovidCTNet, composed of a set of deep learning algorithms that accurately differentiates Covid-19 from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and other lung diseases. CovidCTNet increases the accuracy of CT imaging detection to 95 compared to radiologists (70). CovidCTNet is designed to work with heterogeneous and small sample sizes independent of the CT imaging hardware. To facilitate the detection of Covid-19 globally and assist radiologists and physicians in the screening process, we are releasing all algorithms and model parameter details as open-source. Open-source sharing of CovidCTNet enables developers to rapidly improve and optimize services while preserving user privacy and data ownership. © 2021, The Author(s)
Impact of dental caries on oral health related quality of life among preschool children: perceptions of parents
No full textBackground: Childhood dental caries can affect the children�s and their parents� oral health-related quality of life. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of oral and dental health conditions on the oral health-related quality of life in preschool children and their parents. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study, samples were selected from children 3 to 6 years old enrolled in licensed kindergartens using "proportional allocation" sampling. Then, the parents of the children were asked to complete the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS). Results: In this study, 350 children aged 3 to 6 years were evaluated with a mean age of 4.73 years. The mean dmft index (decayed, missed, and filled teeth) was 3.94 ± 4.17. The mean score of oral health-related quality of life was 11.88 ± 6.9, which 9.36 ± 5.02 belongs to the impact on children and 2.52 ± 3.20 to parents' impact. Conclusions: The mean score of ECOHIS increased with the dmft index increase in children, indicating a significant relationship between the dmft and ECOHIS score. These outcomes can be used as proper resources to develop preventive policies and promote oral health in young children. © 2021, The Author(s)
Perceived risk of COVID-19 acquisition and maternal mental distress
No full textBackground Pregnant women are a high-risk population for mental health effects during a pandemic. Objective This study aims to examine the association of perceived risk toward COVID-19 viral infection acquisition and maternal mental distress. Methods In a cross-sectional study, a total of 392 pregnant women were recruited. Data gathered using the perceived stress scale, State-Trait anxiety inventory, Beck depression inventory, and protective behaviour were assessed. Linear regression analysis was applied in both unadjusted and adjusted models to assess the association between the exposure and outcome variables. Results In all five unadjusted and adjusted models, the perceived risk of COVID-19 acquisition remained a highly significant predictor for stress, anxiety factor 1 and 2, depression, and protective behaviours (P<0.001). Conclusion COVID-19 may be an important additional stress source for pregnant women. © 2021 MA Healthcare Lt