Seroprevalence of West Nile Virus in Regular Blood Donors Referred to the Blood Bank of Kurdistan Province, Iran

Background: West Nile virus is an infection that is most commonly caused by infected mosquito bites, however, blood transfusions, organ transplants, breast feeding, pregnant mother-to-the-fetus transmission, and occupational transmission among laboratory and medical staff are also the less common routes of infection. Given the endemic nature of this virus in the Middle East, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of this virus in regular blood donors, as the reliable source of blood supply needed for patients in hospitals. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, venous blood samples were collected from 259 regular blood donors referred to the Blood Transfusion Organization of Kurdistan. After separating blood serum, the amount of IgM and IgG antibodies against West Nile virus was measured via ELISA test. Results: Concerning antibodies, IgG and IgM against West Nile virus were positive in 14 patients (5.4%) and 3 patients (1.2%), respectively. Seropositive IgG levels were observed in 11 patients over the age of 40 (12.5%) but only in 3 patients under 40 years of age (1.8%). The difference was statistically significant (OR = 7.95; 95% CI: 2.16–29.32; p < 0.01). Conclusion: Given the value of blood and blood products obtained from regular blood donors for therapeutic purposes and the significant prevalence of the virus and considering the presence of cases with positive IgM, it seems necessary to screen blood donors in blood transfusion centers in the western parts of Iran.

Association between trace elements in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues with the risk of breast cancers in western Iran

This study aimed to assess the tissue content of essential and toxic metals including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), silver (Ag), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), selenium (Se), and zinc (Zn) in the breast cancerous tissues compared to the non-cancerous tissue. The biopsy specimens of 63 breast cancers along with 63 adjacent healthy tissues in Kurdistan Province, Iran, were collected from 2019 to 2020 and assayed using ICP-MS (Agilent 7900). The results of the Mann-Whitney test illustrated that the concentration of Pb, Cd, As, Cr, Cu, and Se were significantly elevated in cancerous tissue (p < 0.05), while Zn was the only trace element with higher levels in healthy subjects (p < 0.05). Moreover, weak to moderate correlations between elements were observed in the cancerous group including Al-Cr (r=0.60), As-Cu (r=0.52), and Cu-Se (r=0.56). In contrast, no correlation over 0.50 was found between trace elements in the non-cancerous group. Raw risk differences (RDs) accounted for a significant effect for Pb, Cd, As, Ag, Cr, Se, and Zn on the development of breast cancer. In conclusion, elevated levels of As, Cd, Cu, Pb, and Se may contribute to enhancing the risk of breast cancer.

Oral Propolis, Nutritional Status and Quality of Life with Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Chemotherapy-induced side effects include an impaired nutritional status and reduced quality of life in patients. The contribution of propolis, as a co-adjuvant nutritional supplement in cancer treatment, is suggested due to its functional characteristics and biological activities such as antitumoral activity, DNA protection, free radicals scavenging, and immune stimulation; however, clinical trials to support these effects in cancer patients are necessary. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of propolis vs. placebo on the nutritional status and quality of life in patients diagnosed with breast cancer who are receiving chemotherapy (No. IRCT2016062828679N1). A total of 60 patients from the Oncology Clinic at Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran were randomized to receive propolis (250 mg/two times per day for three months) or a placebo. After three months of intervention, energy intake of patients who received propolis increased significantly compared to placebo group (p = 0.000). The quality of life also showed significant improvements in patients receiving propolis, particularly with regards to emotional functioning (p = 0.03), global QoL functioning (p = 0.04), and financial difficulties (p = 0.01) compared to the control group. Propolis is suggested an adequate and safe therapeutic option to improve the nutritional status and quality of life in patients diagnosed with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy. However, more trials are needed in order to draw robust conclusions with regard to its efficacy in chemotherapy-induced side effects.

Prevalence of human visceral leishmaniasis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Leishmania infantum is the main cause of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL; also known as kala-azar) in the Middle East and may be fatal if left untreated. This disease was first reported in 1949 in Iran. Despite marked improvements in hygiene and sanitation conditions, the disease is still endemic in some parts of Iran. It is difficult to determine the current prevalence of HVL in Iran due to the scarcity of comprehensive studies in this regard. In response to this gap, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to gain better understanding of HVL epidemiology in the general population of Iran. English and Persian databases were searched for studies reporting the prevalence and risk factors associated with HVL in the Iranian people from January 1995 to December 2019. The reported data were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The pooled prevalence of HVL infection and its 95 % confidence intervals were calculated. Quality assessment, heterogeneity testing and publication bias assessment were also done. Literature search revealed 3634 studies, of which 35 studies met our eligibility criteria, with a total of 50,716 individuals. The meta-analysis was performed on 31 out of 35 included studies. The estimated pooled prevalence of HVL infection according to seropositivity was 2% (95 % CI: 1-2%) in the general population of Iran in which western and northern provinces had the lowest and the highest prevalence, 0.5 % (95 %CI, 0.2-0.7%) and 3% (95 %CI, 1-5 %), respectively. The seroprevalence of HVL among females (2%; 95 %CI, 1-2 %) was more than males (1%; 95 %CI, 1-2 %). The ≤10 and >10 years age groups had similar seroprevalence rates (1%, 95 %CI, 1-2 % versus 1%, 95 %CI, 0-1 %, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of geographic area, age and sex. Of 31 studies included in the meta-analysis, the most common diagnostic test was the direct agglutination test (96.77 %). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systematic review of the prevalence of HVL in Iran. The results showed a low seroprevalence of HVL infection. However, the lack of published reports of HVL in an area does not exclusively mean the absence of the disease or carrier. We therefore recommend further studies in this regard.

Prognostic Factors of Outcome in Methanol Poisoning; an 8-year Retrospective Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION

Identification of high-risk patients with poor prognosis is essential for quick diagnosis and treatment of methanol poisoning to prevent death and improve the outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory factors in patients with methanol poisoning to determine the prognosis and outcome.

METHODS

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, all patients with methanol poisoning, who had presented to the emergency department of Tohid Hospital, Sanandaj, Iran from 2011 to 2019 (8 years) were enrolled using census method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to find the independent predictive factors of poor outcome in the mentioned patients.

RESULT

Methanol poisoning was diagnosed in 52 (11.55%) of the 450 cases admitted to hospital for alcohol intoxication. In multivariate analysis, time interval from methanol intake to hospital admission (OR=1.06; 95% CI= 1.00-1.11; p=0.04), respiratory arrest (OR=25.59; 95% CI= 1.37-478.13; p=0.03), and higher concentration of blood glucose (OR=1.03; 95% CI= 1.00-1.09; p=0.03) had a significant correlation with Poor outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the findings of this study, delayed admission to hospital, respiratory arrest and hyperglycemia were identified as independent risk factors of poor outcome in methanol poisoning.

Seizure Prevalence and Its Related Factors in Tramadol Intoxication; a Brief Report

INTRODUCTION

Seizure is known to be a serious complication of tramadol consumption even in its therapeutic doses. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of seizure and its related factors in tramadol intoxicated patients referred to emergency department (ED).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, all individuals, admitted to ED following tramadol intoxication were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of seizures. Demographic data as well as clinical, electroencephalogram and imaging findings were compared between the two groups using SPSS software version 22.

RESULTS

167 patients with the median age of 23 (13-45) years were studied (85% male). Seizure was seen in 97 (58.0%) cases. Risk of seizure had increased 3.7 times in patients with a history of seizure (OR: 3.71 Cl 95%: 1.17 - 11.76). Tramadol dose was significantly higher in patients who had seizure more than once (Median: 2800 IQR: 1800-4000), compared to those who had one seizure episode (Median: 850 IQR: 1800-400) (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Based on the findings of this study, history of seizure increased the risk of seizure in patients taking tramadol, and the increase in dose correlated with a significant increase in seizure frequency.

Intravascular Hemolysis following Acute Zinc Phosphide Poisoning; a Case Report

Zinc phosphide (ZnP) is low-cost, accessible, and very effective as a rodenticide. It has been used for many human suicide poisonings around the world, including Iran. Nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiotoxicity are the most serious complications of ZnP poisoning, which are associated with a high mortality rate. The aim of this paper was to report a poisoned patient that ingested ZnP with suicidal attempt and faced complications due to hemolysis.

Frequency of intracranial injury in cadavers with head trauma with and without scalp injury in Tehran

Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of morbidity, disability and mortality in patients with head injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the frequency of intracranial injury in cadavers with head trauma with and without scalp injury in Tehran. In this analytical cross-sectional study, we investigated 187 cadavers who died due to head trauma in motor vehicle accident or after falling in Tehran from November 2013 to February 2014. Age, sex, mechanism of trauma, scalp injury, sub-scalp bruising, skull fracture, hemorrhage including subdural hemorrhage (SDH), epidural hemorrhage (EDH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) and contusion were recorded from examination and autopsy. One hundred and eighty seven cadavers (165 (88.2%) male and 22 (11.8%) female) with head injury with the mean age of 36.14 years (SD = 15) were recruited in this study. Mechanism of trauma was motor vehicle accident in 147 (78.6%) cadavers and falling in 40 (21.4%) cadavers. One hundred and fifty eight (84.5%) had SDH, 44 (23.5%) had EDH, 162 (86.6%) had SAH and 139 (74.3%) had contusion. Hemorrhage was seen in 132 (93%) cadavers who had scalp injury and 36 (80%) cadavers who did not have scalp injury (p = 0.01). Overall, 168 (89.8%) cadavers had hemorrhage and 139 (74.3%) had contusion. There was a significant correlation between intracranial injuries and scalp injury (p < 0.05). There was not a significant correlation between EDH and scalp injury (p = 0.52). Consequently, in patients with head trauma, complete examination should be performed but absence of findings in examination cannot exclude intracranial injury.

Sex determination using mandibular anthropometric parameters in subadult Iranian samples

INTRODUCTION

Sex determination is the first step in the identification of corpses and skeletal remains. The mandible is the largest and strongest bone of the face and has high durability. It is known that skeletal features vary by population, thus the need to establish population-specific standards. In this study, for the first time, we investigated mandibular anthropometric parameters for sex determination in subadult Iranian cadavers.

METHODS

Eight mandibular anthropometric parameters were measured in 45 Iranian cadavers below the age of 20 (23 males and 22 females corpses), and the relationships of these variables with gender were determined. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, ROC curve, cross tabulation and discriminant analysis in SPSS 13.

RESULTS

No significant statistical difference was seen in the mandibular anthropometric values between the two genders in samples below the age of 12. In the 12-19 age group, accuracy of symphysial height and bigonial breadth in differentiation of gender was 69% and 86.2% respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although mandibular anthropometric parameters are not helpful in sex determination below the age of 12, if for some reasons such as explosions, air disasters and other accidents, only the mandible is available, symphysial height and mandibular bigonial breadth could be used to determine the gender with high accuracy.

Knowledge translation in Iranian universities: need for serious interventions

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the status of knowledge translation (KT) in Iranian medical science universities in order to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the most important organizations responsible for producing knowledge in the country.

Methods

The KT activities were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively in nine universities using the Self-Assessment Tool for Research Institutes.

Results

The strengths and weaknesses of universities were determined using seven main themes: priority setting; research quality and timeliness; researchers’ KT capacities; interaction with research users; the facilities and prerequisites of KT; the processes and regulations supporting KT; and promoting and evaluating the use of evidence.

The quantitative and qualitative results showed that the Iranian universities did not have an appropriate context for KT. There were significant shortcomings in supportive regulations, facilities for KT activities, and the level of interaction between the researchers and research users.

Conclusions

The shortcomings in KT were mostly in the area of stewardship and policymaking (macro level), followed by planning and implementation at the universities. In order to strengthen KT in Iran, it should occupy a prominent and focused role in the strategies of the country’s health research system.

Dyspepsia prevalence in general population aged over 20 in the west part of Iran

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population aged over 20 in western Iran.

METHODS

The cross-sectional study was conducted among the randomly selected general population over the age of 20 years in Sanandaj city. Iran, from April to December 2009. A questionnaire containing demographic, symptoms and history variables was used. Dependent variables were self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms. The prevalence of dyspepsia in different groups was analysed using chi square test, while logistic regression analysis was done to determine dyspepsia, ulcer-like, dysmotility-like and reflux-like prevalence after controlling the confounders.

RESULTS

Among 590 respondents, the prevalence of dyspepsia was 54.6% (n = 322). Among them were 243 (41.2%) cases of uninvestigated dyspepsia. According to dyspepsia classification, the prevalence of ulcer-like, dysmotility-like, reflux-like and non-specific dyspepsia were 31.5% (n = 186), 11% (n = 65), 27.3% (n = 161) and 12.4% (n = 74), respectively. Difference in dyspepsia prevalence between men and women persisted after adjustment for other factors (p =0.01) and dyspepsia prevalence was higher in over-60-years old group than the middle aged group (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONn: The study showed high prevalence of dyspepsia in the general population. Gender, age, family history and theophylline consumption affect the prevalence of dyspepsia.

The evaluation of iron deficiency and anemia in male blood donors with other related factors

AIMS AND BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide and blood donation may cause iron depletion. Limited studies with large sample size have been done on male donors. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among male donors in the Kurdistan Organization of Blood Transfusion in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Sample size was 1184 blood donors selected by systematic random sampling. Hemoglobin, serum iron, serum ferritin, total iron banding capacity (TIBC) and transferin saturation were measured in donors. Iron depletion, lack of iron stores, iron deficiency, iron deficiency anemia and anemia were evaluated among them. Data was analyzed with SPSS software and X(2), one-way ANOVA, and LSD test.

RESULTS

Iron deficiency, anemia, iron deficiency anemia, iron depletion and lack of iron resources were seen in 2.3, 4.08, 2.14, 22.76 and 4.66 percent respectively. There was a significant relationship of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia with instances of donation and interval from last donation (P < 0.05). A significant relationship was seen between iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia among blood donors with more than ten times blood donation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed regular male donors require especial attention. Therefore, serum ferritin is recommended as a more adequate index to use for iron deficiency screening and planning purposes for iron supplementation among them.

Percutaneous management of urinary calculi in horseshoe kidneys

Urolithiasis in horseshoe kidney presents a unique challenge in decision-making and technical aspects of calculus treatment. We present our experience with a group of patients with symptomatic calculi in their horseshoe kidneys. We had 8 patients with 9 horseshoe kidneys bearing calculi. They all underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The median size of the calculi was 21 mm (range, 12 to 45 mm). Auxiliary therapeutic procedures were required in 2 patients who had residual calculi on control imaging. The stone-free status was observed in 6 patients (75.0%) at discharge, and in 7 (87.5%) after 3 months of follow-up. Surgical complications included bleeding in 2 patients that was controlled with complete bed rest and blood transfusion, and pleural injury in 1 which was managed conservatively.