Prediction of HBF-0259 interactions with hepatitis B Virus receptors and surface antigen secretory factors

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is an etiological agent of viral hepatitis, which may lead to cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment strategies have not shown promising effect to date but various complications such as, drug toxicity-resistance have been reported. Study on newly discovered compounds, with minimal side effects, as specific HBV inhibitors is a fundamental subject introducing new biologic drugs. Here, we aimed to, by prediction, estimate interactions of HBF-0259 as a non-toxic anti-HBV compound on inhibiting the HBV through either interaction with the viral entry or HBsAg secreting factors using In Silico procedure. Molecular docking was performed by Hex 8.0.0 software to predict the interaction energy (Etot) between HBF-0259 and known cellular factors involved in HBV entry and HBsAg secreting factors. Hex 8.0.0 also employed to create protein–protein complexes. These interactions were then used to analyze the binding site of HBF-0259 within the assumed receptors by MGLTools software. Finally, the amino acid sequences involved in this interaction were aligned for any conservancy. Here, we showed that HBF-0259 Etot with CypA (–545.41 kcal/mol) and SCCA1 (499.68 kcal/mol), involved in HBsAg secretion and HBV integration, respectively, was higher than other interactions. Furthermore, HBF-0259 predicted interaction energy was even higher than those of CypA inhibitors. In addition, we claim that preS1 and/or preS2 regions within HBsAg are not suitable targets for HBF-0259. HBF-0259 has higher interaction energy with CypA and SCCA1, even more than other known receptors, co-receptors, viral ligands, and secretory factors. HBF-0259 could be introduced as potent anti-viral compound in which CypA and or SCCA1, as previously shown, are involved. © 2016 Indian Virological Societ

Therapeutic and ethical dilemma of puberty and menstruation problems in an intellectually disabled (autistic) female: A case report and review of the literature

Intellectual disability is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and skills. Autism is a group of developmental brain disorders, collectively called autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Teenagers with learning and physical disabilities are more likely to have menstrual problems compared to the general populations. The parents of a 12-year-old girl with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability referred to the coroner due to her numerous problems of puberty (menstruation) including: poor hygiene and polluting herself and the environment, not allowing to put or change the pads and changes in mood and physical health prior period, requested for the surgery (hysterectomy). In legal medicine organization after reviewing the medical records, physical exams and medical consultations with a gynecologist and psychiatric, surgery was not accepted. Hysterectomy (surgery) due to the age of the child, either physically or morally is not recommended. The use of hormone replacement therapy has side effects such as osteoporosis. In these cases, it seems noninvasive methods (behavioral therapy and learning care skills) under the welfare experts is also more effective and morally. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Sudden death due to association between NAFLD and cardiovascular changes in a 37-year-Old Man: A case report

Fatty liver disease (FLD) is the most prevalent form of liver disease worldwide. Overnutrition can induce nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a spectrum of conditions ranging from simple steatosis or nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL) to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Some of the epidemiological and pathological studies have also suggested an association between the presence of fatty liver and sudden death. A 37-year-old man was found dead when he was asleep in the bed at home. According to his family, he was single and a costermonger. He was not an athlete, and there was no history of any physical and mental disorder. He was not addicted and did not use any drugs or alcohol. The positive points, in this case, were: a large heart with mild coronary stenosis and steatohepatitis in autopsy and sudden death. Since steatohepatitis did not have any complication such as fat embolism, it can be concluded that the combination of steatohepatitis and cardiovascular disorder led to sudden unexpected death. Heart more than 450 gr is susceptible to arrhythmia, and fatty liver disease can cause cardiovascular changes. © 2016 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Characteristics of absconders from a general health service, Rasoul Akram Hospital in 2013

Introduction Absconding is an important health and security concern because of its adverse effect on patients, care providers, and the community. Studies are limited. Aim This study aimed to describe the characteristics of absconding events in Tehran. Material and methods In this analytical cross-sectional study, 334 absconders from 34 192 patients who were admitted to the Rasoul Akram Hospital in 2013 and escaped from the hospital were recruited. These patients were evaluated based on variables that included age, sex, marital status, hospitalization duration, smoking, alcohol use, addiction, psychiatric disorders or underlying disease, type of insurance, cause of hospitalization, time of scape, and cost of treatment. Results and discussion The study group consisted of 260 (77.8) males and 74 (22.2) females, with a mean age of 37.4 (SD = 17.1). Mean duration of hospitalization was 99 h (SD = 14.8). A total of 70 (21) patients were smokers, 14 (4.2) consumed alcohol, and 65 (19.5) were drug addicts. Psychiatric disorders were observed in 18 (5.4) patients, and underlying diseases were detected in 87 (26). Higher rates of escape were observed in single men (N = 162; 62.30) as well as married women (N = 52; 70.27). The most common time of escape was 12:00 PM. The highest number of escapes was observed in the month of July. Conclusions The present study identified single males, younger patients, psychiatric disease, underlying illness, and addiction as common features of escapees. Particular attention in observing, improvement in observation methods, and staff focusing on engagement could be helpful in decreasing the number of absconding events. © 2015 Warmi�sko-Mazurska Izba Lekarska w Olsztynie. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved

Risk Factors for Mortality in Organophosphate Poisoned Patients

Background: Organophosphates (OP) compounds are used as insecticides in agricultural and domestic settings throughout the world. Acute pesticide poisoning has a high morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the data on acute adult organophosphate poisoning (OPP).Methods: In Descriptive cross sectional study at Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran-Iran during March 2010 to June 2013 and identify the risk factors of mortality, patients with the primary diagnosis of OPP who were admitted to Loghman-Hakim Hospital Poison Centre (LHHPC) were the subjects of this prospective study. Cholinesterase (CE) activity and the PR interval was determined for each patient using the Bazett formula and considering >200 msec. as prolonged. Comparative outcomes of the study were respiratory failure, systolic blood pressure, GCS and intentional poisoning, analysis of the PR interval in the primary ECG on admission, and rate of mortality.Results: The study included 201 patients with a diagnosis of OPP. The mean age of the patients was 33.93. The mortality rate was 9%. Nine patients had conductive abnormality (PR prolongation) in ECG. There was no significant difference between two groups (prolonged and normal PR intervals) according to respiratory failure and systolic blood pressure<90mm Hg and GCS and intentional poisoning. The mortality rate in the long PR group was significantly higher than that of the normal PR group.Conclusion: In our study it has been well demonstrated that PR-interval prolongation affects mortality rate. Prolongation of the PR interval is associated with increased risks of mortality in OPP

Characteristics of traumatic brain injury among accident and falling down cases

Motor vehicle and falling down are responsible for the most number of traumatic injuries. This study aimed to compare the characteristics of traumatic brain injury among accident and falling down cases. In this analytical cross- sectional study, data were collected from the records of cadavers who died due to accident or falling down and referred to Kahrizak dissection hall, Tehran forensic medicine organization during 2013. A total of 237 subjects (183 (77.2) accident and 54 (22.8) falling down) with a mean age of 35.62 (SD=15.75) were evaluated. A number of 213 (89.9) were male. From accident group, scalp injury was seen in 146 (79.8), scalp abrasion in 122 (66.7), scalp laceration in 104 (56.8), sub skull bruising in 176 (96.3), skull fracture in 119 (65), hemorrhage in 166 (90.7), Subdural hemorrhage (SDH) in 155 (84.7), Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 161 (88), Epidural hemorrhage (EDH) in 41 (22.4), contusion in 140 (76.5), and skull base fracture in 140 (76.5) of cases. In falling down group scalp injury was seen in 42 (77.8) cadavers, scalp abrasion in 38 (70.4), scalp laceration in 30 (55.6), sub skull bruising in 49 (90.7), skull fracture in 39 (72.2), Hemorrhage in 49 (90.7), SDH in 43 (79.6), SAH in 47 (87), EDH in 10 (18.5), contusion in 33 (61.1), and skull base fracture in 39 (72.2) of cases. There was no significant difference between these two groups (P Value> 0.05). Accident and falling down had no difference in terms of any injury or hemorrhage. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Validating an infrared thermal switch as a novel access technology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Recently, a novel single-switch access technology based on infrared thermography was proposed. The technology exploits the temperature differences between the inside and surrounding areas of the mouth as a switch trigger, thereby allowing voluntary switch activation upon mouth opening. However, for this technology to be clinically viable, it must be validated against a gold standard switch, such as a chin switch, that taps into the same voluntary motion.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, we report an experiment designed to gauge the concurrent validity of the infrared thermal switch. Ten able-bodied adults participated in a series of 3 test sessions where they simultaneously used both an infrared thermal and conventional chin switch to perform multiple trials of a number identification task with visual, auditory and audiovisual stimuli. Participants also provided qualitative feedback about switch use. User performance with the two switches was quantified using an efficiency measure based on mutual information.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>User performance (p = 0.16) and response time (p = 0.25) with the infrared thermal switch were comparable to those of the gold standard. Users reported preference for the infrared thermal switch given its non-contact nature and robustness to changes in user posture.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Thermal infrared access technology appears to be a valid single switch alternative for individuals with disabilities who retain voluntary mouth opening and closing.</p

Correlation between serum vitamin D level and neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Considering the significant prevalence of Neonatal Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia (NIH) and its irreversible neurological complications, identifying the factors involved in the prevalence of neonatal jaundice is essential. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of NIH in infants admitted to Qods Hospital of Qazvin in Iran in 2015-16. Methods: In this case-control study, 30 term infants with NIH (the case group) were compared with 30 healthy, non- icteric, term infants (the control group) in terms of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The results were analyzed and compared between the two groups using t-test and the Chi-square test. Results: The mean and standard deviation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were 10.76±8.6 ng/dl in the case group and 14.88±11.38 ng/dl in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P=0.11). Conclusion: The results suggest the lack of a relationship between vitamin D levels and NIH. However, further prospective studies are needed to conclude that vitamin D has no role in the pathogenesis of NIH. © 2018 The Author(s)

Correlation between serum vitamin D level and neonatal indirect hyperbilirubinemia

Background: Considering the significant prevalence of Neonatal Indirect Hyperbilirubinemia (NIH) and its irreversible neurological complications, identifying the factors involved in the prevalence of neonatal jaundice is essential. The present study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of NIH in infants admitted to Qods Hospital of Qazvin in Iran in 2015-16. Methods: In this case-control study, 30 term infants with NIH (the case group) were compared with 30 healthy, non- icteric, term infants (the control group) in terms of serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The results were analyzed and compared between the two groups using t-test and the Chi-square test. Results: The mean and standard deviation of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were 10.76±8.6 ng/dl in the case group and 14.88±11.38 ng/dl in the control group. There were no significant differences between the two groups (P=0.11). Conclusion: The results suggest the lack of a relationship between vitamin D levels and NIH. However, further prospective studies are needed to conclude that vitamin D has no role in the pathogenesis of NIH. © 2018 The Author(s)