Seroepidemiology of hepatitis C in Kermanshah (West of Iran, 2006)

Background and Aims: Chronic and serious outcomes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impose remarkable economic burden to the health system. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of HCV infection in the general population of Kermanshah in the year 2006. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 1721 residents from Kermanshah were chosen by systematic and cluster sampling in the year 2006. After interview, serum samples were taken and evaluated for HCV-Ab using ELISA method (3rd generation). Positive samples were confirmed by Western Blot (WB) and PCR if necessary. Results: The prevalence of HCV was 0.87 (male: 1.4 vs. female: 0.3). There was 88.2 coordination between ELISA and WB results. Statistical relationship was observed between HCV infection and male sex (P<0.018), history of addiction (P<0.0001), shared needle (P<0.0001), unsafe sexual contact (P<0.008), history of blood and blood products transfusion (P<0.0001), tattooing (P<0.0001), history of incarceration (P<0.0001), and hemophilia (P<0.0001). On the other hand, stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that hemophilia, shared needle, IV addiction, transfusion and addiction were the most important risk factors for HCV infection in a descending order. The rate of HCV infection increased in cases with multiple risk factors. Conclusions: We estimate that among 967196 people, who live in Kermanshah, nearty 8400 individuals may have HCV infection and this will be a major problem in the near future. Addicts especially IV drug users and cases with the history of blood and blood products transfusion are high risk groups who need special attention regarding HCV infection

A review of advanced air distribution methods - theory, practice, limitations and solutions

Ventilation and air distribution methods are important for indoor thermal environments and air quality. Effective distribution of airflow for indoor built environments with the aim of simultaneously offsetting thermal and ventilation loads in an energy efficient manner has been the research focus in the past several decades. Based on airflow characteristics, ventilation methods can be categorized as fully mixed or non-uniform. Non-uniform methods can be further divided into piston, stratified and task zone ventilation. In this paper, the theory, performance, practical applications, limitations and solutions pertaining to ventilation and air distribution methods are critically reviewed. Since many ventilation methods are buoyancy driving that confines their use for heating mode, some methods suitable for heating are discussed. Furthermore, measuring and evaluating methods for ventilation and air distribution are also discussed to give a comprehensive framework of the review

A case of ophthalmomyiasis in man by Oestrus ovis Linncacus in Tehran ( Insecta Diptcra, Oestridae)

Five first-stage-larvae were removed by soft and pointed blottingpaper from the left eye of a woman and they were identified as oestrus ovis. She was infected in Tehran and this is the first true case of ophrhalmomyiasis due to sheep nasal bot fly in Iran. Reports indicate that case of ophrhalmomyiasis are more frequent in Iranian villages with different degree of .severity. Methods for prevention and treatments are also discussed

A case of ophthalmomyiasis in man by Oestrus ovis Linncacus in Tehran ( Insecta Diptcra, Oestridae)

Five first-stage-larvae were removed by soft and pointed blottingpaper from the left eye of a woman and they were identified as oestrus ovis. She was infected in Tehran and this is the first true case of ophrhalmomyiasis due to sheep nasal bot fly in Iran. Reports indicate that case of ophrhalmomyiasis are more frequent in Iranian villages with different degree of .severity. Methods for prevention and treatments are also discussed

Serologic response to hepatitis B vaccine in health care workers, Kermanshah, Iran

Background: Hepatitis B is a major infectious risk factor for health-care workers (HCWs) and public- safety workers. Although seroconversion rate following hepatitis B vaccination is estimated to be more than 90%, serologic response to Heberbiovac HB vaccine currently given in our center in Kermanshah province has been varied in different experiences, So, this study was conducted to determine serologic response in HCWs.&#13; Methods: In a descriptive-cross sectional study, in 138 HbcAb from 10 health care centers, HbcAb negatives and vaccinated with Heberbiovac HB (Cuba made, available vaccine in Iran), HbsAb titer was assessed by ELISA. Serologic response as antibody titer equal or more than 10mIU/ml considered protective level (serologic responder). The data were analyzed by SPSS software, using X² and Fisher exact test.&#13; Results: Within 138 HCWs(60.1% female and 39.9% male), 69.6% had serologic response. The age had significant role in serologic response rate, but sex, weight, smoking and interval from the last time of vaccine reception were not effective factors.&#13; Conclusion: Serologic response rate to HBV vaccine in Kermanshah was much lower than other experiences. We need more information about the efficacy of Heberbiovac HB in high-risk groups and general population, the reasons of low efficacy and increasing serologic response.&#13; Keywords: Hepatitis B, Vaccine, Serologic response, Heberbiovac HB, Health-care worker

Ventilation for Good Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency

As a result of new energy efficiency directives and legislations in Europe and elsewhere, the ventilation component of energy usage in buildings has increased relative to the total energy consumption. At the same time, the air quality in some buildings has in recent years deteriorated as building designers and managers have been aiming to design more air-tight buildings and reduce the energy consumption. This article gives a brief overview of the types of mechanical ventilation and air distribution systems that are used for buildings. It briefly describes the performance of traditional and some new types of ventilation systems in terms of indoor air quality (IAQ) provision. A method for evaluating the performance of air distribution systems that uses the ventilation and energy effectiveness is then introduced. This is based on the Air Distribution Index which has two different expressions, depending on the nature of the room environment in which the air distribution system is used. One method is for use in uniform environment and the other for both uniform and non-uniform conditions. The two methods are then applied to different types of room air distribution to compare their performances in terms of IAQ provision for occupants and energy efficiency

Neurological Manifestations of Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19: A Case Series Study

There are some reports about the neurological manifestations and complications of COVID-19. We present neurological manifestations in 6 hospitalized patients with COVID-19. The patients presented with common symptoms of COVID-19 along with common findings from high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan such as ground-glass opacities (GGOs). Though, RT-PCR testing of SARS-CoV-2 was negative for all 6 cases. In the current report, acute cerebrovascular diseases affected older patients, while dementia, seizure and encephalopathy affected younger ones. Three of the 6 patients had proven strokes based on their neuroimaging. Four of the 6 patients had high d-dimer levels. Two of the cases experienced convulsion. The third patient presented with typical symptoms and signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The sixth case was interesting for transient dementia. Unfortunately, four out of six patients died. The recent case series report the association between neurological involvements and COVID-19 infection. Clinicians should be alert of the neurologic symptoms in the setting of COVID-19, which might even be the first presentations of this infection