Epidemiologic evaluation of toxoplasmosis and leading risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Iran

BackgroundToxoplasmosis is a common opportunistic infection that can be fatal in immunocompromised individuals, such as those with HIV/AIDS.AimsConsidering the rising incidence of HIV/AIDS in human populations worldwide and the high risk of toxoplasmosis among these patients, the current epidemiologic study was conducted to identify the characteristics and leading risk factors of toxoplasmosis among HIV/AIDS patients in Arak City, Marzaki Province, Iran.Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in HIV patients under the care and counselling of the local health centre of Arak City. We included a total of 49 patients with HIV/AIDS who completed a written informed consent form and a two-part questionnaire. Demographic data and information about various risk factors were collected in the questionnaire. Blood samples were collected from each patient. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG and IgM antibody assays and PCR were conducted on serum samples. Logistic regression and chi-squared (&chi;2) tests were used for statistical analysis. P values less than 0.05 (p < 0.05) were considered significant.Results Of the study participants, 22.4 per cent were Toxoplasma seropositive, with 20.4 per cent and 2 per cent being IgG- and IgM-positive, respectively. Among the participants, those who had occupational exposure to soil had the highest risk for toxoplasmosis (p < 0.043, OR=7.243).ConclusionThe seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in HIV/AIDS patients is lower in Arak than in the general population in most parts of Iran. This is possibly owing to racial and geographic differences

Highly Conserve Sequences in Envelope, Nucleoprotein and RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharyngeal Samples of the COVID-19 Patients; a Diagnostic Target for Further Studies

Background: The etiological agent of COVID-19 is SARS-CoV-2. Conversional molecular methods used for detection of virus in COVID-19 infected patient. This study aimed to investigate the presence of escape mutations from molecular detection on SARS-CoV-2 targeted genes, which indicates importance of mutations in false negative PCR test results in detection of virus in clinical specimens of patients with COVID-19. Material and Method: The 20 nasopharyngeal swabs samples collected from COVID-19 confirmed patients. The SARS-CoV-2 E, nsp12 and N genetic regions Amplified by RT-PCR assay. PCR products sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method and Multiple sequence alignment for the assessment of the polymorphism and mutations preformed using MEGA X software and Maximum likelihood method for the phylogenetic assessment. Result: Among all COVID-19 cases 60% and 40% were male and female, respectively. The MSA showed high conservation between all of the evaluated samples and VOCs in all N, E and nsp12 genes. Also, the phylogenetic evaluation by Maximum likelihood method reported high similarity between all SARS-CoV-2 sequenced samples, VOCs and Wuhan reference sequence in evaluated region. Conclusion: Our study results approved the relatively conserved suitability of the E, N and RdRp-gene regions without any diversity, therefore, making them perfect candidates for first-line screening

Effect of competition between petroleum-degrading bacteria and indigenous compost microorganisms on the efficiency of petroleum sludge bioremediation: Field application of mineral-based culture in the composting process

The effect of competition between isolated petroleum-degrading bacteria (PDB) and indigenous compost microorganisms (ICM) on the efficiency of composting process in bioremediation of petroleum waste sludge (PWS) was investigated. After isolating two native PDB (Acinetobacter radioresistens strain KA5 and Enterobacter hormaechei strain KA6) from PWS, their ability for growth and crude oil degradation was examined in the mineral-based culture (MBC). Then, the PDB isolate were inoculated into the composting experiments and operated for 12 weeks. The results showed that the PDB degraded 21.65–68.73% of crude oil (1–5%) in the MBC after 7 days. The PDB removed 84.30% of total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPHs) in the composting bioreactor containing the initial TPH level of 20 g kg−1. Removal of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in the composting experiments proceeded according to the first-order kinetics. The computed values of degradation rate constants and half-lives showed a better performance of the PDB than ICM for TPHs removal. This finding suggests that simultaneous application of the PDB and ICM in the composting reactors resulted in a decline in the effectiveness of the PDB which is due to competition between them. The study also verified that the capability of PDB in degrading PHCs can be successfully scaled-up from MBC to composting process

Indoor environment assessment of special wards of educational hospitals for the detection of fungal contamination sources: A multi-center study (2019-2021)

Background and Purpose: The hospital environment was reported as a real habitat for different microorganisms, especially mold fungi. On the other hand, these opportunistic fungi were considered hospital-acquired mold infections in patients with weak immune status. Therefore, this multi-center study aimed to evaluate 23 hospitals in 18 provinces of Iran for fungal contamination sources.Materials and Methods: In total, 43 opened Petri plates and 213 surface samples were collected throughout different wards of 23 hospitals. All collected samples were inoculated into Sabouraud Dextrose Agar containing Chloramphenicol (SC), and the plates were then incubated at 27-30ºC for 7-14 days.Results: A total of 210 fungal colonies from equipment (162, 77.1%) and air (48,22.9%) were identified. The most predominant isolated genus was Aspergillus (47.5%),followed by Rhizopus (14.2%), Mucor (11.7%), and Cladosporium (9.2%). Aspergillus(39.5%), Cladosporium (16.6%), as well as Penicillium and Sterile hyphae (10.4% each), were the most isolates from the air samples. Moreover, intensive care units (38.5%) and operating rooms (21.9%) had the highest number of isolated fungal colonies. Out of 256 collected samples from equipment and air, 163 (63.7%) were positive for fungal growth.The rate of fungal contamination in instrument and air samples was 128/213 (60.1%) and 35/43 (81.2%), respectively. Among the isolated species of Aspergillus, A. flavus complex (38/96, 39.6%), A. niger complex (31/96, 32.3%), and A. fumigatus complex (15/96, 15.6%) were the commonest species.Conclusion: According to our findings, in addition to air, equipment and instrument should be considered among the significant sources of fungal contamination in the indoor environment of hospitals. Airborne fungi, Hospital, Indoor air, Equipment, Sources of fungal contamination in the indoor environment of hospitals

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

The global burden of adolescent and young adult cancer in 2019 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background In estimating the global burden of cancer, adolescents and young adults with cancer are often overlooked, despite being a distinct subgroup with unique epidemiology, clinical care needs, and societal impact. Comprehensive estimates of the global cancer burden in adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) are lacking. To address this gap, we analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, with a focus on the outcome of disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), to inform global cancer control measures in adolescents and young adults. Methods Using the GBD 2019 methodology, international mortality data were collected from vital registration systems, verbal autopsies, and population-based cancer registry inputs modelled with mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs). Incidence was computed with mortality estimates and corresponding MIRs. Prevalence estimates were calculated using modelled survival and multiplied by disability weights to obtain years lived with disability (YLDs). Years of life lost (YLLs) were calculated as age-specific cancer deaths multiplied by the standard life expectancy at the age of death. The main outcome was DALYs (the sum of YLLs and YLDs). Estimates were presented globally and by Socio-demographic Index (SDI) quintiles (countries ranked and divided into five equal SDI groups), and all estimates were presented with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs). For this analysis, we used the age range of 15-39 years to define adolescents and young adults. Findings There were 1.19 million (95% UI 1.11-1.28) incident cancer cases and 396 000 (370 000-425 000) deaths due to cancer among people aged 15-39 years worldwide in 2019. The highest age-standardised incidence rates occurred in high SDI (59.6 [54.5-65.7] per 100 000 person-years) and high-middle SDI countries (53.2 [48.8-57.9] per 100 000 person-years), while the highest age-standardised mortality rates were in low-middle SDI (14.2 [12.9-15.6] per 100 000 person-years) and middle SDI (13.6 [12.6-14.8] per 100 000 person-years) countries. In 2019, adolescent and young adult cancers contributed 23.5 million (21.9-25.2) DALYs to the global burden of disease, of which 2.7% (1.9-3.6) came from YLDs and 97.3% (96.4-98.1) from YLLs. Cancer was the fourth leading cause of death and tenth leading cause of DALYs in adolescents and young adults globally. Interpretation Adolescent and young adult cancers contributed substantially to the overall adolescent and young adult disease burden globally in 2019. These results provide new insights into the distribution and magnitude of the adolescent and young adult cancer burden around the world. With notable differences observed across SDI settings, these estimates can inform global and country-level cancer control efforts. Copyright (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

National, sub-national, and risk-attributed burden of thyroid cancer in Iran from 1990 to 2019

An updated exploration of the burden of thyroid cancer across a country is always required for making correct decisions. The objective of this study is to present the thyroid cancer burden and attributed burden to the high Body Mass Index (BMI) in Iran at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2019. The data was obtained from the GBD 2019 study estimates. To explain the pattern of changes in incidence from 1990 to 2019, decomposition analysis was conducted. Besides, the attribution of high BMI in the thyroid cancer DALYs and deaths were obtained. The age-standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer was 1.57 (95% UI: 1.33–1.86) in 1990 and increased 131% (53–191) until 2019. The age-standardized prevalence rate of thyroid cancer was 30.19 (18.75–34.55) in 2019 which increased 164% (77–246) from 11.44 (9.38–13.85) in 1990. In 2019, the death rate, and Disability-adjusted life years of thyroid cancer was 0.49 (0.36–0.53), and 13.16 (8.93–14.62), respectively. These numbers also increased since 1990. The DALYs and deaths attributable to high BMI was 1.91 (0.95–3.11) and 0.07 (0.04–0.11), respectively. The thyroid cancer burden and high BMI attributed burden has increased from 1990 to 2019 in Iran. This study and similar studies’ results can be used for accurate resource allocation for efficient management and all potential risks’ modification for thyroid cancer with a cost-conscious view

Molecular identification of candida species isolated from women with vulvovaginal candidiasis: brief report

Background: Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common infection, affecting up to 75% of women during their lifetimes. Approximately 5% of patients may experience recurrent VVC. Candida albicans is the most common causative agent of VVC. The objectives of this study were identification of candida species isolated of women with vulvovaginal candidiasis by molecular method in Arak city. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, between Jun 2015 to March 2016 from 210 patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis referred to gynecology and obstetrics clinics in Arak city, Iran. Vaginal sampling was performed by wet sterile swabs. Samples were collected from vaginal discharge, vaginal posterior fornix, and sides of the vaginal wall. The swabs were investigated for direct exam and cultured on Sabouraud&rsquo;s dextrose agar medium contain chloramphenicol. Yeast isolates DNA were identified by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Fungal genomic DNA was extracted from each isolate colony, glass bead method and after amplification of ITS1-ITS4 region with PCR assay, digested by MSP I restriction enzyme. Results: From 210 patients with vulvovaginitis, 95 (45.2%) patients showed VVC. These patients were positive for Candida growth in culture and were infected with one Candida species. The age range of women with vulvovaginitis was between 14-60 years and the most VVC cases were in age group of 21-30 years. The most common Candida species isolated were Candida. albicans (70.5%), C. glabrata (20%), C. tropicalis (7.4%) and C. parapsilosis (2.1%). Conclusion: Regarding to the results of this study, C. albicans was the most common Candida species, isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and approximately 30% of this infection causing by non-albicans species of Candida

In Vitro Effect of a High-Intensity Laser on Candida albicans Colony Count: In Vitro Effect of High-Intensity Laser

&nbsp; Introduction: This study assessed the effect of high-intensity laser on Candida albicans (C.albicans) colony count. Methods: In vitro, an experimental study was conducted on standard-strain C. Albicans (ATCC18804). Seventy-two samples with two different concentrations of C. Albicans (104 cells/mL and 106 cells/mL) were randomly assigned to three groups of control, laser, and nystatin. Each group included 12 samples from each concentration. In the nystatin group, 10 cc of nystatin suspension was added to the samples and mixed for 30 60 seconds. In the laser group, the Ga-Al-Ar diode laser with 940 nm wavelength and 2 W power was irradiated to the samples with 0.4 mm tip diameter in non-contact mode (1 mm distance) at a speed of 1 mm/second. The suspensions in the three groups were cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar culture medium and incubated at 37°C for 24 hours. The number of C. Albicans colonies was then counted and reported. The three groups were compared by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (alpha=0.05). Results: In both concentrations, the mean colony count in the nystatin group was significantly lower than that in the control (P&lt;0.05) and laser (P&lt;0.05) groups. The mean colony count in the laser group was significantly lower than that in the control group (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: High-intensity laser with 940 nm wavelength and 2 W power in non-contact mode can significantly decrease the C. Albicans colony count in vitro, but its effect is lower than that of nystatin