Prevalence of Occult Hepatitis B in HIV Positive Patients (Adolescents and Adults) in Kermanshah- Iran

Background Occult hepatitis B infection (OBI) is considered a risk factor for progression of liver disease in patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This disease progression is reported to be more significant in those with concomitant HIV infection. We aimed to determine the prevalence rate of OBI in a sample of HIV-positive patients. Materials and Methods: Sixty-six HIV-infected patients with positive Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAb) and negative Hepatitis B surface antigen HBsAg were included. HBV DNA was measured by real time polymerase chain reaction PCR method. Those with positive HBV viral load were considered as seropositive OBI. Then, the patients were studied regarding age, gender, intravenous drug use (IVDU), CD4 count, and concomitant infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), available in their medical records. Results: Seventy-seven patients (38.5%) had positive HBc antibody (HBcAb). Of 66 patients who were positive for both HIV and HBc antibody, eight patients (12.12%) had OBI. About 3.7% in age group younger than 40 years and 5.3% in age group older than 40 years, OBI was detected. Forty-four patients (54.5%) were male. OBI rate was 22.2% in males and zero in females (P 350/mL, 4.1% had OBI. In those who were IV drug user, 17.94% and in those who were not IV drug user, 3.57% gad OBI. Conclusion The prevalence of OBI in the studied sample of HIV-infected patients is considerable. As we did not find any significant association between OBI and studied factors except for gender, we think that screening for OBI would be useful for HIV-infected patients, especially male patients

Evaluation of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) in COVID-19: A Systematic Review on All Types of Studies for Epidemiologic, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Purposes: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in COVID-19

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) uses the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of SARS-CoV for cell entry. We aimed to check the association between ACE2 and COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) in a systematic review. Two databases (PubMed/Medline and Scopus) and bioRxiv were checked for retrieving all types of studies in relation to ACE2 and COVID-19 until March 18, 2020. Forty-one studies were entered to the systematic review. These studies included nineteen original, eight reviews, four letters to the editor, three research papers, one correspondence, one commentary, one mini review, two reports, one opinion, and one perspective. In summary, the results showed that the ACE2 receptor for COVID-19 is similar to that of SARS-CoV. However, its expression was different in various populations as well as in the two genders. ACE2 may be used as a therapeutic target. Patients who take ACE inhibitors may have benefit in severe disease outcomes. Finally, pangolins and snakes and turtles may act as the potential intermediate hosts transmitting disease to humans

Septic arthritis of both knees following intra-articulari njection of petrol

Abstract: A 70 years old man was referred to our center with bilateral knee arthritis following intra-articular petrol injection. Because of previous antibiotics use gram stain and culture were negative. Septic arthritis was diagnosed and antibiotics and drainage were started. After 2 years he improved eventually and was able to walk. But, some movement limitation remained

Exploring material heterogeneity in gas flow simulation through clay materials: a numerical study

This paper presents the results of the initial molding of the large-scale gas injection test 1 (Lasgit) conducted at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory in Sweden. Lasgit is a field test that follows the Swedish KBS-3V disposal concept, in which copper/steel canisters containing spent nuclear fuel are deposited in disposal boreholes drilled into the repository tunnels' floor. Bentonite blocks are used to fill the space around each canister, which will eventually swell and seal any gaps. Once hydrated, the bentonite acts as a diffusional barrier to prevent the migration of radionuclides. The gas flow process is influenced significantly by material heterogeneity and local deformability, and material properties are not constant throughout. The initial medium structure is non-uniform, and deformations can result in changes in hydraulic properties and structure. Therefore, material heterogeneity is critical in the THM modeling process. To simulate the tests, a coupled hydro-gas-mechanical 3D numerical model was developed. The model assumes initial permeability to be heterogeneous and includes embedded fractures in the formulation. The model accurately reproduces the observed gas pressure evolution during the test.Postprint (published version

Numerical mesh sensitivity works performed to analyze advective gas flow in a compact clay

In this work, the suitability of several meshing strategies to optimize the CPU time consumption is investigated. The mesh sensitivity strategy is established by applying the basic framework of a coupled hydro-gas-mechanical 3D FEM numerical model to simulate the tests in terms of types of the elements, number of elements and nodes to quantify the influence of different meshes on the accuracy of the test results with regard to optimization of the CPU time consumption. In this study, the problem is represented and the performance and calculation time of both element types and mesh size in the utilized 3D FEM model are checked. To achieve this, both tetrahedral and hexahedral meshes and their refinement/coarsening are generated. Then the performance of the element types and sizes on the test results are compared. This is a main issue for modelling gas injection through clay-based engineered isolation barriers that requires clear up-scaled tests due to full-scale experiments.Postprint (published version

Effectiveness of oral levamisole as an adjuvant to hepatitis B vaccination in healthcare workers non-responsive to previous vaccination: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Healthcare workers are at risk for HBV infection through percutaneous or mucosal contact with infected blood, body secretions, or blood products or via sharps injury. Hepatitis B vaccination, despite immunogenicity, may not induce a proper immune response in 5–10% of the general adult population. Increased immune response in healthcare providers that do not respond properly to conventional hepatitis B vaccination is an important health challenge. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination plus oral levamisole as adjuvant in healthcare providers non-responsive to routine vaccination. Materials and methods: The healthcare workers that were non-responsive to previous hepatitis B vaccination were enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. The participants were then randomized to two groups including hepatitis B vaccination (as a three-dose series on a 0, 1, and 2-month schedule in the deltoid muscle) plus levamisole (levamisole group) and hepatitis B vaccination plus placebo (placebo group) at a 1:1 ratio. The outcome measure was the HBs antibody titer one month after receiving each dose as well as the seroprotection ratio. The side effects were also evaluated in all participants. Results: In total, 22 subjects finished the trial (11 individual in per group). The median antibody titer one month after receiving the first and third doses increased more in the levamisole group compared to the placebo group but the difference was not significant (p ​= ​0.34, p ​= ​0.66, respectively).The seroprotection ratio after three doses was similarly high in both groups (90.9% in per group). Furthermore, the seroprotection ratio and median antibody titer had no significant correlation with age, sex, BMI, and history of smoking in intervention and control groups (p>0.05). No serious side effects were noted in both groups. Conclusions: Re-vaccination can boost the immune response in healthcare professionals that were non-responsive to previous vaccination although the mean antibody titer was higher in the levamisole group

Tuberculosis arthritis of ankle: A case report

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) primarily involves the respiratory tract, but any organ in the body can be affected. In recent years, extrapulmonary TB cases have significantly increased due to the prevalence of immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of unilateral ankle arthritis due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection