Spatiotemporal clustering of suicide attempt in Kermanshah, West-Iran

BackgroundA suicide attempt is a major societal problem because it imposes high costs on societies worldwide. This paper analyses the spatiotemporal clustering of suicide attempt in Kermanshah, Iran from 2006–14.MethodsThis study draws on 18,333 individuals (7,234 males and 11,097 females) who attempted suicide across the Kermanshah province. Data was collected from the records of individuals registered in hospitals across the Kermanshah province between 2006 and 2014. Mean Center, Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE), Moran’s I and Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) in Arc/GIS10.6 software were used for the analysis of the spatial distribution of suicide attempt, while the chi-squared test in SPSS was used to examine the different demographic variables between groups within/outside spatial clusters of suicide.ResultsThe results show that a total of 18,331 suicide attempts (39.46% male and 60.53% female) were reported between 2006 and 2014 in the Kermanshah province. The spatial pattern of suicide attempts was clustered in 16 clusters (6 high clusters and 10 low clusters) and statistically significant differences were found within and outside the hotspots of suicide attempts. Most hot spots were formed in and around cities. Younger people were at a greater risk. The rate of suicide attempts reduced in illiterate people and increased in people with university degrees. Unmarried people were associated with a higher risk of suicide attempt than was married status for both males and females.ConclusionThe results of this study could help public health practitioners and policymakers in Iran prioritize resources and target efforts for suicide attempt prevention

Evaluation of multiple-scoring system for non-alcoholic fatty liver patients based on CK18 levels, lipid profile and liver enzymes

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease is usually associated with conditions such as steatosis, steatohepatitis and cirrhosis. Liver biopsy, which is the reference, gold standard and invasive method for the diagnosis of the disease may have complications. Scoring systems are among the noninvasive diagnostic methods. Numerous noninvasive scoring systems based on routinely measured clinical and laboratory parameters were provided that identifies the steatosis and advanced fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. In this study, several scoring system in patients with NAFLD were evaluated. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was carried out on sonographically established NAFLD (n=51) patients and healthy individuals (n=30). Anthropometric factors, biochemical tests and CK-18 fragment levels were evaluated. Then the scores for hepatic steatosis index, fatty liver index, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelets ratio index (APRI) were calculated. In addition, the BARD and (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) scores were calculated. Results: In this study, as expected, except for FIB-4, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions: Scoring systems examined in this study can help to predict the presence or absence of fibrosis and NAFLD or NASH

Diagnostic Value of N Terminal Pro B Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP) in Cardiac Involvement in Patients with Beta- Thalassemia

Background Heart failure is a major cause of death in thalassemia. The study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of N Terminal Pro B Type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-pro BNP), to early diagnose the cardiac involvement in beta- thalassemia major patients. Materials and Methods  80 thalassemia patients aged 7 to 18 years old (patients group), and 80 healthy age and gender matched controls were enrolled in the case-control study. Patients were selected from those attending to the clinic of Aliasghar hospital, Zahedan-Iran. They were subjected to echo-Doppler tissue and conventional examination for both right and left heart function. Data were analysis using SPSS 18.0 software. Results  NT-pro BNP increased in patients compared the controls (

Quality of life of HIV-infected individuals:insights from a study of patients in Kermanshah, Iran

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is one of the major factors to assessing the health and wellbeing of People living with HIV (PLWH). Likewise, improved QOL is among the prominent goals of patient treatment. This study was conducted to investigate the QOL of PLWH in Kermanshah, Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 364 PLWH of Kermanshah between 2016 and 2017. Outpatients were selected as the sample through the convenience sampling method from HIV Positive Clients of Kermanshah Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center. The reasons for the selection of outpatients include: (a) some patients were substance users, homeless or did not have a fixed address to follow-up; (b) addresses and personal details that were registered on the first admission were incorrect or incomplete; (c) due to financial issues, some were forced to relocate frequently and were difficult to track; (d) some patients were convicts or prisoners, making it hard to find them after their release; (e) some of them were from other provinces, where managing access was not easy/possible. Data was collected using WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire (Persian Version). Data also analyzed with STATA 14, and SPSS 23 using T-test and multiple regression.Results: This study showed that mean (SD) age of PLWH was 40.21 (10.45) years. Females had better QOL than males except for spirituality, religion and personal beliefs. The gender differences disappeared in multivariate results. A significant association was observed between education and the independence, environment, and spirituality domains of QOL. In addition, being married was correlated with overall QOL, psychological and social relationships domains of QOL of PLWH. Drug use was a behavioral factor with negative influence on the QOL.Conclusion: This study found that marital status and drug use were the main predictors of various domains of QOL. Drug use was a behavioral factor with a negative influence on the QOL. Hence, it is recommended that health professionals, planners, and policymakers take effective measures to improve the status quo. <br/

A review on advances in graphene-derivative/polysaccharide bionanocomposites: Therapeutics, pharmacogenomics and toxicity

Graphene-based bionanocomposites are employed in several ailments, such as cancers and infectious diseases, due to their large surface area (to carry drugs), photothermal properties, and ease of their functionalization (owing to their active groups). Modification of graphene-derivatives with polysaccharides is a promising strategy to decrease their toxicity and improve target ability, which consequently enhances their biotherapeutic efficacy. Herein, functionalization of graphene-based materials with carbohydrate polymers (e.g., chitosan, starch, alginate, hyaluronic acid, and cellulose) are presented. Subsequently, recent advances in graphene nanomaterial/polysaccharide-based bionanocomposites in infection treatment and cancer therapy are comprehensively discussed. Pharmacogenomic and toxicity assessments for these bionanocomposites are also highlighted to provide insight for future optimized and smart investigations and researches. © 2020 Elsevier Lt