Marked increase in breast cancer incidence in young women : A 10-year study from Northern Iran, 2004-2013

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. Breast cancer incidence in young women is a health issue of concern, especially in middle-income countries such as Iran. The aim of this study is to report the breast cancer incidence variations in Golestan province, Iran, over a 10-year period (2004-2013). Methods: We analyzed data from the Golestan Population-based Cancer Registry (GPCR), which is a high-quality cancer registry collecting data on primary cancers based on standard protocols throughout the Golestan province. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASRs) and age-specific incidence rates per 100,000 person-years were calculated. Time trends in ASRs and age-specific rates were evaluated using Joinpoint regressions. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) with correspondence 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) were calculated. Results: A total of 2106 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed during the study period. Most cases occurred in women living in urban areas: 1449 cases (68%) versus 657 cases (31%) in rural areas. Statistically significant increasing trends were observed over the 10-year study period amongst women of all ages (AAPC = 4.4; 95%CI: 1.2-7.8) as well as amongst women in the age groups 20-29 years (AAPC = 10.0; 95%CI: 1.7-19.0) and 30-39 years (AAPC = 5.1; 95%CI: 1.4-9.0). Conclusion: The incidence of breast cancer increased between 2004 and 2013 in Golestan province amongst all age groups, and in particular amongst women aged 20-39 years. Breast cancer should be considered a high priority for health policy making in our community.Peer reviewe

Prevalence of HAV Ab, HEV (IgG), HSV2 IgG, and Syphilis Among Sheltered Homeless Adults in Tehran, 2012

Abstract Background: This study investigated the prevalence for hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) and syphilis among homeless in the city of Tehran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 596 homeless were recruited in Tehran. A researcher-designed questionnaire was used to study demographic data. Using enzyme-linked immunoassay, and rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test, we evaluated the seroprevalence of HAV anti-body, HEV IgG, herpes, HSV2 IgG, and syphilis among sheltered homeless in Tehran. The associations between the participant’s characteristics and infections were evaluated using logistic regression and chi-square. Results: A total of 569 homeless, 78 women (13.7%) and 491 men (86.3%) were enrolled into the study from June to August 2012. Their age mean was 42 years and meantime of being homeless was 24 months. Seroprevalence of syphilis, HEV IgG, HSV2 IgG and HAV Ab was 0.55%, 24.37%, 16.48%, and 94.34%, respectively. History of drug abuse was reported in 77.70%; 46.01% of them were using a drug during the study and 26.87% of them had history of intravenous drug abuse. Among people who had intravenous drug abuse, 48.25% had history of syringe sharing. Conclusion: The prevalence of HAV, HEV and HSV2 were higher than the general population while low prevalence of syphilis was seen among homeless peoples who are at high risk of sexually transmitted infection (STD). Our findings highlighted that significant healthcare needs of sheltered homeless people in Tehran are unmet and much more attention needs to be paid for the health of homeless people

Diagnostic Value of IL-6, CRP, WBC, and Absolute Neutrophil Count to Predict Serious Bacterial Infection in Febrile Infants

Since  clinical  manifestations  of  most  febrile  infants  younger  than  three  months  old  are nonspecific, differentiation of Serious Bacterial Infection (SBI) from self-limiting viral illness is a significant challenge for pediatricians. This study was performed to assess the diagnostic value of white blood cell count (WBC), Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC), Interleukin -6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein   (CRP) level to predict SBI in febrile infants younger than three months old who were hospitalized. This was a diagnostic test validation study. In this prospective study, 195 febrile infants admitted to 17 Shahrivar Hospital underwent a full sepsis workup including blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid cultures and chest radiography. WBC count, ANC and CRP and Il-6 level were measured in all patients. Serum IL-6 concentration was measured by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay test. Then diagnostic, values of these tests for predicting SBI was compared with each other. Of total cases, 112 (57.4%) infants were male. SBI was diagnosed in 29 (14.9%) patients. The most common type of SBI was Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Serum IL-6 (³20pg/dl) had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 79/1%, 91.6%,75.4%,  60.3%,  respectively  and  for  CRP  (³  10mg/l)  values  were  81.6%,  89.8%,  78.2%,  and  52%,respectively. The predictive values of CRP and IL-6 were higher than WBC and ANC. IL-6 and CRP are more valid and better diagnostic markers for predicting SBI than WBC count and ANC. CRP level seems to be an accessible and cost-effective marker for early diagnosis of SBI. Since by no marker we can totally rule out SBI in febrile infants < three months of age, it is recommended to administer systemic antibiotics until culture results become available

Evaluating Knowledge and Performance of Emergency Medical Services Staff Regarding Pre-Hospital Triage

مقدمه: یکی از شاخص های مهم آمادگی در حوادث و بلایا بررسی میزان آگاهی و عملکرد پرسنل فوریتها از اصول تریاژ می باشد. لذا این پژوهش با هدف تعیین میزان آگاهی و عملکرد کارکنان فوریتهای پزشکی درباره تریاژ پیش بیمارستانی استارت در سال 1395 انجام شد. روش کار: این مطالعه مقطعی بر روی پرسنل فوریت های پزشکی شمال استان خوزستان انجام شد. افرادی که شرایط ورود به مطالعه را داشتند، بصورت سرشماری وارد مطالعه شدند. داده ها با استفاده از پرسشنامه ای متشکل از 5 پرسش (اطلاعات جمعیت شناختی)، پانزده پرسش (آگاهی تریاژ) و نوزده پرسش (عملکرد تریاژ) جمع آوری شد. سپس اطلاعات حاصل مورد تجزیه و تحلیل آماری قرار گرفت. يافته ها: در مجموع 117 نفر با میانگین سنی 08/6±21/33 سال و میانگین سابقه کاری 32/4 ± 35/7 سال در این مطالعه شرکت کردند که همگی مرد بودند. میزان میانگین آگاهی افراد مورد مطالعه از تریاژ در حد متوسط ( میانگین نمره: 44/9) و همچنین نتایج بخش عملکرد نیز حاکی از عملکرد متوسط (میانگین نمره: 58/9) ایشان بود. نتيجه گيری: بر اساس یافته های حاصل از مطالعه حاضر میزان آگاهی و عملکرد پرسنل اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی شمال استان خوزستان درباره تریاژ پیش بیمارستانی در حد متوسط بود.Introduction: One of the important indices of preparedness for accidents and disasters is evaluation of knowledge and performance of emergency medical services (EMS) staff regarding principles of triage. Therefore, the present study was done with the aim of determining the knowledge and performance of EMS staff regarding START pre-hospital triage in 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on EMS staff in north of Khuzestan province. Individuals who met the inclusion criteria were included via census sampling. Data were gathered via a questionnaire consisting of 5 demographic data questions, 15 triage knowledge questions and 19 triage performance questions. The data were then statistically analyzed. Results: 117 individuals with the mean age of 33.21 ±6.08 years and mean job experience of 7.35 ± 4.32 years participated all of whom were male. Mean knowledge of the studied population regarding triage was average (mean score: 9.44) and their performance score revealed that their performance was also average (mean score: 9.58). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the current study, knowledge and performance of EMS staff in north of Khuzestan province was average regarding pre-hospital triage.

Kdr genotyping and the first report of V410L and V1016I kdr mutations in voltage-gated sodium channel gene in Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) from Iran

Background: Aedes aegypti is the main vector of arboviral diseases worldwide. The species invaded and became established in southern Iran in 2020. Insecticide-based interventions are primarily used for its control. With insecticide resistance widespread, knowledge of resistance mechanisms is vital for informed deployment of insecticidal interventions, but information from Iranian Ae. aegypti is lacking. Methods: Fifty-six Ae. aegypti specimens were collected from the port city of Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan Province in the South of Iran in 2020 and screened for kdr mutations. The most common kdr mutations in Latin America and Asia (V410L, S989P, V1016G/I and F1534C), especially when present in combinations, are highly predictive of DDT and pyrethroid resistance were detected. Phylogenetic analyses based on the diversity of S989P and V1016G/I mutations were undertaken to assess the phylogeography of these kdr mutations. Results: Genotyping all four kdr positions of V410L, S989P, V1016G/I and F1534C revealed that only 16 out of the 56 (28.57%) specimens were homozygous wild type for all kdr mutation sites. Six haplotypes including VSVF (0.537), VSVC (0.107), LSVF (0.016), LSIF (0.071), VPGC (0.257) and LPGC (0.011) were detected in this study. For the first time, 11 specimens harbouring the V410L mutation, and 8 samples with V1016I mutation were found. V410L and V1016I were coincided in 8 specimens. Also, six specimens contained 1016G/I double mutation which was not reported before. Conclusions: The relatively high frequency of these kdr mutations in Iranian Ae. aegypti indicates a population exhibiting substantial resistance to pyrethroid insecticides, which are used widely in control operations and household formulations. The detection of the 410L/1016I kdr mutant haplotype in Iranian Ae. aegypti suggests possible convergence of invasive populations from West Africa or Latin America. However, as Iran has very limited maritime/air connections with those African countries, a Latin American origin for the invasive Ae. aegypti in Iran is more plausible

Microbial deproteinization of shrimp shell penaeus merguiensis for chitin extraction

Introduction: After cellulose, Chitin is the most abundant biopolymer in nature. The most important derivative of chitin is chitosan, obtained by deacetylation of chitin. Major sources of chitin are the exoskeleton of marine crustaceans such as crab, shrimp, and krill. Chitin extraction from shrimp shells can be carried out chemically or using biological methods. Microbial fermentation as an eco-friendly procedure is a suitable alternative for the chemical and enzymatic processes. In this study, the effect of three protease-producing bacteria species (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Serratia marcescens, and Bacillus pumilus) on the efficiency of microbial demineralization (DM) and deproteinization (DP) of the shrimp shell penaeus merguiensis, was investigated. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of hydrolysate obtained during the fermentation process was measured. Materials and methods: Demineralization and deproteinization was carried out by incubating shrimp waste inoculated with bacteria at 30&deg;C and 100 rpm for 6 days. Results: Statistical analysis of data showed a significant difference between the percentage of demineralization and deproteinization in different bacteria species (p<0.05). The highest deproteinization (74.76%) and demineralization rate (78.46%) were obtained with P. aeruginosa, while the lowest was observed for S. marcescens. Antioxidant activity of hydrolysate also showed a significant difference. The highest reducing power and total antioxidant capacity were observed in volumes of 400 &micro;l hydrolysate of S.marcescens and 100 &micro;l hydrolysate of B. pumilus, respectively. Discussion and conclusion: The results indicated that P. aeruginosa in comparison with other bacterial strains, had a higher ability to remove proteins and minerals from shrimp shell waste. Therefore, the use of this bacterium is suitable for protein and minerals removal from marine crustaceans

Investigating the Relationship between Mental Health with Self-Control and Life Satisfaction in Students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2019

Background: Assessing students' mental health status and related factors is one of the important ways to achieve academic development. In this regard, the present study was conducted to determine the relationship between mental health with self-control and life satisfaction in students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 230 undergraduate and doctoral students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The research instruments were demographic information Questionnaire, General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28), Tanji Self-Control Questionnaire, and Diener Life Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with 95% confidence level. Findings: 49% of students had mental health and mental health status was better in men and married people. There was also a significant correlation between mental health, self-control, and life satisfaction. Conclusion: Mental health has an effect on students' life satisfaction and self-control. Therefore, it is recommended to hold one-on-one counseling sessions with students, and in their educational program, the issue of life satisfaction should be addressed. In order to maintain high self-control in students and prevent the occurrence of abnormal behaviors in universities, this issue should be considered

Proteomics investigation of human sera for determination of postoperative indicators of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis

Abstract Background Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatidosis is an important zoonotic parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The disease is a major health problem all over the world. Finding specific and sensitive biomarkers for follow-up of CE in patients after surgery is essential. Using proteomics methods, the present study aimed to evaluate post-surgical treatment by finding probable biomarker/s in the serum of human lungs CE. Methods A total of 24 human sera were tested. These sera included eight confirmed lung/s CE patients sera before surgery (BS), eight sera 12 months post-surgery (12MPS) as well as eight control sera from healthy people. Proteomics methods including 2DE and LC–MS/MS were performed on the specimens followed by bioinformatics analysis. Differentially expressed proteins (DEP) were detected and, separately integrated with protein–protein interaction (PPI) data to construct the PPI network. Results A total of 171 protein spots were detected in three groups including BS, 12MPS, and control groups; of which a total of 106 DEP have been expressed based on fold changes > = 2 and p-value < 0.05. More analysis was performed and a total of 10 protein spots were selected for identification by mass spectrometry showing the following proteins: APOA1, BGN, SPP2, EAF1, ACOXL, MRPL55, MCTP2, SEPTIN1, B4GALNT1, and ZNF843. Based on centrality parameters of the PPI network (degree and betweenness) five Hub-bottlenecks proteins with significant centrality values were found including APOA1, BGN, SPP2, EAF1, and ACOXL. Conclusion This study showed five proteins as hub-bottleneck proteins; of which APOA1 was more prominent. It can be concluded that a change in expression of this protein in patients’ sera could be used as an indicator tool for the achievement of lungs CE surgical therapy

Maternal Dietary Patterns and Gestational Diabetes Risk: A Case-Control Study

Background. Maternal dietary patterns play an important role in the progress of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The aim of the present study was to explore this association. Method. A total of 388 pregnant women (122 case and 266 control) were included. Dietary intake were collected using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). GDM was diagnosed using a 100-gram, 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Dietary pattern was identified by factor analysis. To investigate the relation between each of the independent variables with gestational diabetes, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results. Western dietary pattern was high in sweets, jams, mayonnaise, soft drinks, salty snacks, solid fat, high-fat dairy products, potatoes, organ meat, eggs, red meat, processed foods, tea, and coffee. The prudent dietary pattern was characterized by higher intake of liquid oils, legumes, nuts and seeds, fruits and dried fruits, fish and poultry whole, and refined grains. Western dietary pattern was associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus before and after adjustment for confounders (OR = 1.97, 95% CI: 1.27–3.04, OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.04–2.27). However, no significant association was found for a prudent pattern. Conclusion. These findings suggest that the Western dietary pattern was associated with an increased risk of GDM