The Role of Social Participation in Controlling and Preventing of Coronavirus 2019 Disease in Iran

BACKGROUND: According to the prevalence of coronavirus in the world, health measures will not be accountable to face the disease. As well as the economic, political, and social dimensions of the disease, there will be a lot of pressure on the health system, which may not be able to compensate in its various aspects. Therefore, the participation and cooperation of the society in the form of mobilizing the society with the health system will be effective in controlling and preventing this disease. AIM: Investigating the role of social participation in the controlling and preventing of Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) was the aim of this study. METHODS: In this review study, related English and Persian articles from PubMed, Google Scholar, Irandoc, SID, and Science direct were searched and studied using COVID-19, coronavirus, and social participation keywords. RESULTS: The opportunity to distribute health knowledge in the community has been created and led to the internal acquisition of mastery in health promoting of preventing and controlling of COVID-19 in the process of participation in health. Furthermore, the percentage of resources has been increased and the cost of government will be decreased and the possibility of accumulating available resources and the access to them will be provided; at the same time, the allocation of resources will be facilitated to the needy. A better understanding of the health and well-being needs of the people and the promotion of health are other benefits of people’s participation in controlling COVID-19. Involvement and active participation of the people increases the sense of social responsibility and the feeling of authority and it cause to disappear the dominance of official organizations. All of these outcomes have a positive effect on the health of people and society and ultimately in controlling COVID-19. CONCLUSION: As for a common goal is formed in social participation, the common motivation to achieve that goal in the light of proper and timely awareness and information can be a stimulus, a comprehensive determination to control coronavirus and lead to effective collective action against this disease

Evaluation of in vitro antileishmanial activity of curcumin and its derivatives “Gallium curcumin, Indium curcumin and Diacethyle curcumin”

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Leishmania parasites are intracellular haemoflagellates that infect macrophages of the skin and viscera to produce diseases in their vertebrates hosts. Antileishmania therapy is based on pentavalent antimony compounds which toxicity of these agents and the persistence of side effects are severe. Curcumin was identified to be responsible for most of the biological effects of turmeric. Turmeric plant extracts (curcumin and other derivatives) have anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, antileishmanial, hepato protective, anti-cancer, anti-ulcer and anti diabetic activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stock solutions of curcumin, indium curcumin, diacetylcurcumin and Gallium curcumin were made up in DMSO. From the each stock solution serial dilutions were made with phosphate buffered saline and 100 μl of each prepared concentration was added to each well of 96-well micro plate. All tests were performed in triplicate. Negative control only received RPMI-1640 medium with a parasite density of 106 parasites /ml and the positive control contained varying concentrations of standard antileishmania compound, Amphotericine B. MTT solution was prepared as 5 mg/ml in RPMI-1640 and 20 μl of this concentration was added to each well. Antileishmania effects of test agents and control were evaluated by using the MTT assay. RESULTS: Mean growth inhibition of triplicate for each concentration of test agents and control were measured. The IC50 values for curcumin, gallium curcumin [ga (CUR) 3], indium curcumin [in (CUR)3], Diacethyle Curcumin (DAC ) and Amphotericine B were 38 μg/ml, 32 μg/ml, 26 μg/ml, 52 μg/ml and 20 μg/ml respectively. Indium curcumin [in (CUR) 3] with IC50 values of 26 μg/ml was more effective than other three test agents against Leishmania. Mean growth inhibition of triplicate for Amphotericine B as control drug,was 20 μg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: Indium curcumin and Gallium curcumin complex showed more antileishmanial activity than curcumin and diacetylcurcumin and could be suitable candidates for further investigation

Evaluation of in vitro antiviral activity of a brown alga (Cystoseira myrica) from the Persian Gulf against herpes simplex virus type 1

The hot water extract of a brown marine alga, Cystoseira myrica, from the Persian Gulf was evaluated as an antiviral compound against KOS strain of HSV-1 in cell culture. The extract exhibited antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) not only during absorption of virus to the cells, but also on post attachment stages of virus replication. The water extract of C. myrica was sterilized by filtration and autoclaving, respectively. The IC50 for filtered extract was 99 μg/ml and the IC50 for autoclaved extract was 125 μg/ml. Based on resulted selectivity index (SI) values of the extracts, which were 33.4 and 28.2 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively, we found that the antiviral compound(s) in the water extract of C. myrica to be heat stable. Also, the SI values for inhibition of the post attachment stages of HSV-1 replication were 23.1 and 21.7 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. The IC50 in this phase of study were 143 and 162 μg/ml for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. Therefore, C. myrica could be a good candidate as a natural source for anti-HSV-1 compound(s) isolatio

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in childbearing age women in Bushehr City, south west of Iran in 2009

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by an intracellular protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii and congenital form is one of the most important clinical aspects of this disease. Seroepidemiological studies among women of childbearing age could provide appropriate approaches to design prevention measures to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis. In this study, 303 blood samples were collected from women of childbearing age who referred to the health center clinics for premarital examinations in Bushehr city. Sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by using ELISA method. 71 cases (23.4%) were seropositive and 232 (76.6%) serum samples were seronegative for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, 10 samples (3.3%) were seropositive and 293 samples (96.7%) were seronegative for antiToxoplasma IgM antibody. According to the results, there was no significant association between seropositivity and age groups, area of residency, history of contact with cat, educational levels and nutritional behaviors. Most women of childbearing age in Bushehr City do not have immunity against Toxoplasmosis. These women are at risk of acquired Toxoplasmosis in their pregnancy period. It is recommended to health managers to design the educational measures to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis

Seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in childbearing age women in Bushehr City, south west of Iran in 2009

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease caused by an intracellular protozoan,Toxoplasma gondii and congenital form is one of the most important clinical aspects of this disease. Seroepidemiological studies among women of childbearing age could provide appropriate approaches to design prevention measures to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis. In this study, 303 blood samples were collected from women of childbearing age who referred to the health center clinics for premarital examinations in Bushehr city. Sera were tested for anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM antibodies by using ELISA method. 71 cases (23.4%) were seropositive and 232 (76.6%) serum samples were seronegative for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody, 10 samples (3.3%) were seropositive and 293 samples (96.7%) were seronegative for anti-Toxoplasma IgM antibody. According to the results, there was no significant association between seropositivity and age groups, area of residency, history of contact with cat, educational levels and nutritional behaviors. Most women of childbearing age in Bushehr City do not have immunity against Toxoplasmosis. These women are at risk of acquired Toxoplasmosis in their pregnancy period. It is recommended to health managers to design the educational measures to prevent congenital Toxoplasmosis.Keywords: Toxoplasma gondii, premarital women, seroepidemiolog, ELISAAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(36), pp. 5809-5812, 6 September, 201

Thermodynamic analysis of a direct expansion solar assisted heat pump water heater

In this paper, the thermodynamic performance of a direct expansion solar assisted heat pump (DX-SAHP), which is used to heat domestic water from 20˚C to 45˚C, is theoretically investigated. The system includes a 3m2 single-cover flat plate solar collector, 0.150m3 water tank and 70m tube immersed in the water tank as a condenser. The effect of various parameters such as radiation on the collector surface, compressor speed and the ambient temperature on the coefficient of performance (COP) are calculated. Results show that obtained COP is considerably more than that of a conventional heat pump water heater when radiation on the collector is high. Also, increasing collector area and reducing compressor speed enhance COP. The same occurs when the ambient temperature increases. For instance, at an ambient temperature of 15˚C and 450 w/m2 irradiation on collector surface, the calculated COP was 6.37

Investigating the Causes of Elderly People Leaving Home during Coronavirus Disease-19 Epidemic

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) disease affects all age groups, especially the elderly, and regarding the high mortality rate among the elderly, preventive measures are needed to reduce mortality in the elderly. AIM: This study was conducted to investigate the causes of in elderly people leaving home in time of COVID-19 epidemic. METHODS: The present study is a descriptive-analytical study performed on 1656 elderly people in Urmia, Iran, by simple random sampling method. The data collection tool in this study was a researcher-made questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, a questionnaire on the causes of the elderly leaving home during the COVID-19 epidemic. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher tests using SPSS 23 software. RESULTS: The results revealed that the highest concern of the elderly to leave home was to receive health services (45.89%) such as visiting the doctor or the caregiver, receiving medication, and so on. As the second priority, buying daily necessities such as bread, food, clothes … (42.75%) was one of the reasons for the elderly to leave home. Furthermore, education, gender, age, underlying diseases, occupation, and living conditions of the elderly were related to the needs of health services and living necessities and this relationship was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Effective interventions should be designed based on the causes of the elderly leaving home, including the use of home distance care and health ambassadors to estimate the needs and causes of leaving home. Therefore, the elderly would be protected from this disease and its mortality

Evaluation of in vitro antiviral activity of a brown alga (Cystoseira myrica) from the Persian Gulf against herpes simplex virus type 1

The hot water extract of a brown marine alga, Cystoseira myrica, from the Persian Gulf was evaluated as an antiviral compound against KOS strain of HSV-1 in cell culture. The extract exhibited antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) not only during absorption of virus to the cells, but also on post attachment stages of virus replication. The water extract of C. myrica was sterilized by filtration and autoclaving, respectively. The IC 50 for filtered extract was 99 µg/ml and the IC 50 for autoclaved extract was 125 µg/ml. Based on resulted selectivity index (SI) values of the extracts, which were 33.4 and 28.2 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively, we found that the antiviral compound(s) in the water extract of C. myrica to be heat stable. Also, the SI values for inhibition of the post attachment stages of HSV-1 replication were 23.1 and 21.7 for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. The IC 50 in this phase of study were 143 and 162 µg/ml for filtered and autoclaved extracts, respectively. Therefore, C. myrica could be a good candidate as a natural source for anti-HSV-1 compound(s) isolation

Molecular and parasitological study of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Bushehr province, southwest of the Islamic Republic of Iran: a cross-sectional study during 2009–2012

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the most important parasitic disease in Iran. CL is distributed among more than half of 31 provinces of Iran. Studies on epidemiological aspects of the disease and Leishmania species identification among infected humans are necessary for providing a comprehensive prevention and control program thus; this descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on all CL suspected patients who referred to Health Centers of Bushehr province from 2009 to 2012. Physical examinations were carried out in suspected individuals and CL cases were confirmed by microscopical examinations. Prepared slides from suspicious cases of CL were fixed with absolute methanol and stained by Giemsa 10 %. All the Giemsa-stained slides examined under a light microscope with high magnification (1,0009) and classified them based on grading of Leishmania parasites. DNA from each slide was extracted, separately. The ribosomal internal transcribed spacer 1 was amplified with specific primers and PCR products were digested by restrict enzymes (HaeIII), run them in 3 % gel agarose for electrophoresis and visualized on a UV transilluminator after staining with ethidium bromide. SPSS version 21 was used for data analyses. A total of 726 suspected CL cases were referred to Health Centers of Bushehr province from 2009 to 2012 and samples were only prepared from 188 of the patients whereas 43 (5.9 %) of them were microscopy positive. The most frequent of CL was observed in November (14 %) and December (12 %). The most distribution of CL lesions were observed on hands (32 %), feet (26 %), and face (21 %), respectively. The highest frequency of CL was observed in 1–9 years old (30 %). Altogether, 50 % of the patients showed one skin lesion and 2–10 skin lesions were occurred in the remained CL patients. Totally, 27 out of 43 (63 %) of the Giemsa stained slides were positive by PCR–RFLP assay because all the PCR–RFLP negative slides were prepared 3–4 years ago and kept without cover slip, and also observed scarce amastigotes during microscopy observations. Leishmania species were identified in 21 desirable slides which 14 of them were L. major and 7 of the remained isolates were identified L. tropica using PCR–RFLP

High sensitivity C-reactive protein is associated with the metabolic syndrome independent to viral and bacterial pathogen burden

To investigate the influences of bacterial or viral pathogen burden in the relationship of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the metabolic syndrome in a population-based study. METHODS: Data from 1754 men and women aged >or=25 years, from the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study were analyzed. The definition of the metabolic syndrome according to the Adult Treatment Panel III was used. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Helicobacter pylori and cytomegalovirus using ELISA. Measurement of CRP by a high-sensitivity CRP assay was done. RESULTS: The subjects with the metabolic syndrome had a higher geometric mean of CRP levels than the normal persons (p<0.0001). A linear relationship between an increase in the number of metabolic syndrome components and CRP concentrations was observed (p for trend<0.0001). In multiple logistic regression models, hs-CRP showed significant associations with the metabolic syndrome after controlling for cardiovascular risk factors and infectious burden divided into 2, 3 and 4 pathogens [OR=2.06, CI (1.32-3.21), p=0.001; OR=1.75, CI (1.26-2.42), p=0. 001; OR=2.12, CI (1.46-3.08), p<0.0001; respectively]