Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
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Prevalence and Predominant Genotype of Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Iran
No full textObjective. Knowledge regarding the prevalence and risk factors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among pregnant women can give clue to health care providers regarding the appropriate management of HCV infection. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence, genotypic pattern, and risk factors of HCV infection among pregnant women in the northern shores of the Persian Gulf, south of Iran. Methods. From January 2018 to June 2019, serum samples were obtained from 1425 pregnant women, ages ranging from 14 to 46 years (28.1±5.99). Serum samples were tested for detection of anti-HCV antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) (HCV Ab ELISA kit, Dia.Pro, Milan, Italy). Following the extraction of nucleic acid, the molecular evaluation of HCV infection was performed by seminested reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay (RT-PCR), targeting the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) and core of HCV genome and sequencing. Results. Of the 1425 pregnant women, 19 women (1.33%, 95% CI: 0.85%-2.07%) were positive for anti-HCV antibodies. The majority of HCV-seropositive women were in the third trimester of pregnancy, educated, and had a history of blood transfusion, abortion, surgery, or dentistry. Moreover, Arab and Fars pregnant women and those aged >39 years had the highest rate of HCV seroprevalence. Nevertheless, none of these variables were significantly associated with HCV seropositivity. In contrast, HCV seropositivity was associated with place of residency, so that residents of Khormuj city had significantly higher HCV seroprevalence compared to the residents of other cities (OR: 7.05; 95% CI: 1.75-28.39; P=0.006). According to the molecular evaluation, 9 of the 19 HCV-seropositive pregnant women (47.37%) had HCV viremia with genotype 3a. Conclusion. This study reports the HCV prevalence of 1.33% for anti-HCV antibodies and 0.63% for HCV RNA among pregnant women in the south of Iran. Considering the asymptomatic nature of chronic HCV infection and the fact that vertical transmission is possible in women with detectable viremia, therefore, screening of women before pregnancy is recommended to reduce the risk of HCV infection and its complications during pregnancy
Detection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in the Human Eye
No full textPurpose: To determine the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA in postmortem ocular specimens of patients with severe COVID-19 disease.
Patients and methods: Postmortem conjunctival (28 samples), aqueous humor (30 samples) and vitreous humor (30 samples) specimens were obtained bilaterally from the eyes of 15 deceased COVID-19 patients within one hour of death. The presence of viral RNA was evaluated in samples using Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
Results: Positive RT-PCR SARS-COV-2 results were found in one conjunctival and 2 vitreous humor samples. All aqueous humor samples tested negative for the presence of SARS-COV-2 RNA. Of note, three positive samples were obtained from three different patients. The overall prevalence of positive RT-PCR ocular samples was 3.4% among all samples and 20% at the patient level.
Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 RNA is detectable in postmortem conjunctival and vitreous humor samples of patients with severe COVID-19
Therapeutic role of enoxaparin in intra-uterine growth restriction: A randomized clinical trial
No full textObjective: Intrauterine growth restriction is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity. Using enoxaparin may enhance the placental circulation and improve the intrauterine growth. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of enoxaparin in treatment of intra-uterine growth restriction. Study design: 125 women with intrauterine growth restriction were randomized to control group and intervention group (receiving routine high risk pregnancy prenatal care plus daily subcutaneous injection of 40 mg enoxaparin). Prolongation of pregnancy, fetal birth weight, fetal outcome and enoxaparin side effects were compared in 2 groups. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in 2 groups. Mean gestational age at delivery was 36.73(±2.71) in enoxaparin group and 36.85(±2.17) in control group which showed no statistically significant difference. Mean fetal birth weight had also no statistically significant difference in enoxaparin and control group (2370.16 ± 580.72 g versus 2456.07 ± 543.06 g). Rate of betamethasone administration, intubation, NICU admission, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, intra-ventricular hemorrhage, hypoglycemia and low apgar score were similar in two groups. No major adverse effect was seen. Conclusion: Enoxaparin did not prolong the pregnancy and fetal birth weight and did not improve the fetal outcome even in patients with impaired baseline Doppler findings
Evaluation of individual and environmental sound pressure level and drawing noise-isosonic maps using Surfer V.14 and Noise at Work V.5.0
Get PDFNoise pollution is one of the common physical harmful factors in many work environments. The current study aimed to assess personal and environmental sound pressure level and project the sound-Isosonic map in one of the Razavi Khorasan Paste manufacture using Surfer V.14 and Noise at work V.5.0. This cross-sectional, descriptive study is analytical that was conducted in 2018 in the Paste factory that contains Canister, production and Brewing unit. Following ISO 9612:2009, Casella Cel-320 was used to measure personal sound pressure level, while CEL-450 sound level meter (manufactured by Casella-Cel, the UK) was employed to assess environmental sound pressure level. Statistical analyzes was done using SPSS V.18 and Linear Regression test. The sound-isosonic maps were projected using Surfer V. 14 and Noise at work V.5.0. The results of assessing personal sound pressure level indicated that the highest received dose (172.21%) and personal equivalent sound level (87.36 dBA) were recorded for workers in the Canister unit. According to results of measuring of the environmental sound pressure level, out of 16 measurement stations in this unit, overall 87.5% were regarded as danger and caution areas. The lowest and highest sound pressure levels in this units were 61 dBA and 92 dBA that belong to Brewing and Canister units respectively. Results indicate Over 75% of the Canister and production units had a sound pressure level greater than 85 dBA and these two units were regarded as the most dangerous area in terms of noise pollution. It is therefore necessary to implement noise control measures, apply hearing protection program and auditory tests among workers in these units
Removal of acid blue 113 from aqueous solutions using low-cost adsorbent: adsorption isotherms, thermodynamics, kinetics and regeneration studies
No full textDrainage of untreated wastewater from the textile industry due to the use of toxic compounds in it causes pollution in aquatic environments and major environmental and health problems. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to compare the performance of activated carbon coated with AC-ZnO composite as an adsorbent to remove the AB-113 from the aqueous solution. The present study is an experimental-laboratory study in which the effect of independent parameters has been investigated. FTIR and XRD analyzes were performed to determine the composition of the composite. Isothermal and kinetic adsorption at different concentrations were evaluated to evaluate the process. The results of physical-chemical analysis confirmed the correctness of the composite structure. Optimal conditions for AB-113 (with a concentration of 100 mg/L, a composite dose of 0.5 g/L, a reaction time of 15 minutes and pH = 3) 98.2% were obtained. The results of the study of isothermal and kinetic adsorption for dye showed that the adsorption process follows the isotherm of Freundlich (R2 = 0.9859) and Pseudo-second-order. The maximum adsorption capacity of AC-ZnO composite was determined using Langmuir model 333.33 mg/g. Thermodynamic parameters showed the non-spontaneity and endothermic in nature of adsorption process. The present study showed that nanoparticle stabilization technology can be used on activated carbon as an effective and efficient adsorbent to remove dye from aqueous solutions
WT-1, BAALC, and ERG expressions in iranian patients with acute myeloid leukemia pre- And post-chemotherapy
Get PDFPurpose: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the most prevalent acute leukemia in adults. It possesses different cytogenetic and molecular features. The expression of Wilms tumor-1 (WT- 1), brain and acute leukemia, cytoplasmic (BAALC) and ETS-related gene (ERG) might be considered as prognostic factors in AML patients. The aim of this study was to determine the mRNA expressions of WT-1, BAALC and ERG genes in bone marrow of mononuclear cells and their effects on complete remission in the Iranian AML patients, pre- and post- chemotherapy. Methods: Forty AML patients with normal karyotype were evaluated. The mRNA gene expressions were measured with quantitative real-time PCR in bone marrow of mononuclear cells of AML patients at the baseline and after chemotherapy. The subtypes of AML and flow cytometry panel were also assessed. Complete remission (CR) after the treatment was addressed for all patients. Results: The mRNA expressions of WT-1, BAALC and ERG were significantly decreased after the treatment (p= 0.001, 0.017, 0.036). WT-1 mRNA expression was inversely correlated with CR after chemotherapy (P =0.024). There was also significant correlation between baseline expression of BAALC and CR (P=0.046). No significant correlation was observed between ERG and CR pre- and post- chemotherapy (P =0.464 and 0.781). There was also significant correlation between BAALC mRNA expression and CD34+ (P <0.001). Conclusion: The present study showed that WT-1 decreased significantly after standard chemotherapy which could have favorable effects on CR. Also, the high expression of BAALC could have a poor prognostic role in AML patients. The identification of these gene expressions can be an efficient approach in targeted therapy among AML patients
Optimization of electro-kinetic process for remediation of soil contaminated with phenanthrene using response surface methodology
Get PDFThe objective of this work was to investigate the modification of soil contaminated with phenanthrene (PHE) by electro-kinetic remediation (EKR) process using response surface methodology (RSM). The soil sample was obtained from the subgrades (0–30 cm) of an area close to Shahroud City, Northeast of Iran. The effect of variables such as initial pH, voltage, electrolyte concentration, and reaction time on PHE removal was studied. Based on the results obtained from the central composite design (CCD) experiment, the highest and lowest amount of PHE removal was 97 and 20%, respectively. In this study, the variables A, B, C, AB, AC, and C2 with a p value < 0.05 were significant model terms and the parameter of the lack of fit was not significant (p value = 0.0745). Findings indicated that the “predicted R-squared” of 0.9670 was in reasonable agreement with the “adj R-squared” of 0.9857 and the plot of residual followed a normal distribution and approximately linear. Also, the kinetic rates of the removal PHE by the EKR process best fitted with a first-order kinetic model (R2: 0.926). Results of the investigation of the effective variables showed that in values of pH 3, time of 168 h, voltage of 3 V, and electrolyte concentration of 4 mg/L, the removal efficiency of PHE reached 96.6%. [Figure not available: see fulltext.
Ambient air PM2.5-bound PAHs in low traffic, high traffic, and industrial areas along Tehran, Iran
No full textPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have aroused considerable concern over their ubiquitous presence and potentially hazardous effects on the environment. This research provides the data on PM2.5-bounded PAHs distribution in the ambient air of areas with different land uses of Tehran, Iran. A total of 64 air samples - 16 samples in the industrial area (IS), 24 samples in high traffic areas (HTS), and 24 samples in low traffic areas (LTS) - were taken and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The results of this study showed that the mean concentration of ΣPAHs in the air of IS, HTS, and LTS regions was 13.58 ± 18.58, 22.45 ± 33.32, and 33.90 ± 65.006 ng/m3, respectively. The mean concentration of ΣPAHs in samples taken from the IS region was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than that taken from HTS and LTS regions. The source apportionment of PAHs in the air of Tehran was performed using the Unmix.6 EPA receptor model. The results of this model indicated that 41%, 34%, and 26% of PAHs were due to industrial activities and diesel vehicles, traffic and transportation sources, and burning coal and heating appliances, respectively. The total incremental life time cancer risk (ILCR) caused by exposure to PAHs through airborne-PM2.5 of Tehran city was 1.03 × 10−6, 1.51 × 10−6 and 3.23 × 10−6 for LTS, HTS and IS areas, respectively. Estimated results of ILCR indicate that the carcinogenesis risk values in the study area are at an acceptable level (between 10−6–10−4
Nutritional, antioxidant and polyphenol content of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) cultivated in iran
No full textQuinoa is a pseudo cereal plant with high nutritional values. Recently, it was cultivated in iran because of the water crisis. This study aimed to assess the physicochemical and antioxidant properties of quinoa cultivated in iran for the first time. The macronutrients and energetic value, polyphenol, total phenol content and DPPH of quinoa were measured. Some B group vitamins, the free fatty acid profile and trace elements were assessed. Trace elements were also evaluated by iCP. The amounts of dry matter, protein, fat, ash, and available carbohydrates were, 90.30±0.89, 16.30±1.52, 6.09 ±0.30, 4.43±0.47, and 73.14±1.59 %, respectively. The total bacterial count of quinoa was 5.22±0.23 (LOG10 CFU/g). Escherichia coli and sulphite-reducing Clostridia were lower than 1.0 (LOG10 CFU/g). Salmonella was absent in all samples. According to the DPPH method, the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (iC50) of quinoa seed was approximately 6232.0 mg/L compared to the equivalent Gallic acid as a standard (iC50: 184.15 µg/mL). Quinoa seed contained the highest niacin level (0.881 mg/100g) among the vitamin B groups. The amino acid profile analysis revealed the highest contents of glutamic acid (1.230 g/100g) and lysine (3.08 g/100g). The linoleic acid content was 63.5 g/100g (fat). The concentrations of minerals including calcium, magnesium, and potassium, were 0.07, 0.086 and 0.35 g/100g (dw), respectively. Quinoa is a valuable nutritional product that can provide health benefits to humans, mainly because of its linoleic acid content
Joint application of biochemical markers and imaging techniques in the accurate and early detection of glioblastoma
No full textGlioblastoma is a primary brain tumor with the most metastatic effect in adults. Despite the wide range of multidimensional treatments, tumor heterogeneity is one of the main causes of tumor spread and gives great complexity to diagnostic and therapeutic methods. Therefore, featuring noble noninvasive prognostic methods that are focused on glioblastoma heterogeneity is perceived as an urgent need. Imaging neuro-oncological biomarkers including MGMT (O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase) promoter methylation status, tumor grade along with other tumor characteristics and demographic features (e.g., age) are commonly referred to during diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic processes. Therefore, the use of new noninvasive prognostic methods focused on glioblastoma heterogeneity is considered an urgent need. Some neuronal biomarkers, including the promoter methylation status of the promoter MGMT, the characteristics and grade of the tumor, along with the patient's demographics (such as age and sex) are involved in diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Among the wide array of imaging techniques, magnetic resonance imaging combined with the more physiologically detailed technique of H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy can be useful in diagnosing neurological cancer patients. In addition, intracranial tumor qualitative analysis and sometimes tumor biopsies help in accurate diagnosis. This review summarizes the evidence for biochemical biomarkers being a reliable biomarker in the early detection and disease management in GBM. Moreover, we highlight the correlation between Imaging techniques and biochemical biomarkers and ask whether they can be combined