Various production and service models on small-scale of natural products as a new job opportunity for pharmacists.

Introduction: pharmacists' job opportunities in Iran are limited to the presence in the industry, pharmacy, hospital, research-centers and faculty of universities. The need of our community to the pharmacist is quantitatively 32 pharmacists per 100,000 people. Every year, 1000 pharmacists graduate in Iran; but there are not enough adequate employment opportunities for them. Given the huge costs of establishing and purchasing a pharmacy and a factory. Job opportunity for pharmacists should be created based on entrepreneurship principles. These opportunities can be defined in the format of designing knowledge-based models that are managed by the pharmacist. There are remarkable amounts of natural products required by healthcare providers on a small scale every day. Manufacturing these products is not cost-effective for a large industrial complex. Small-median enterprises model is one of the reasons for the success of the BRICK countries based on the small-scale chain production ultimately make a huge economic network structure­­ with high profitability.Methods and Results: Regulations of Health Ministry, the GMP principles for herbal productions, regulations of nutrition supplements registration, the process of issuing the production license, the process of issuing the establishment permit, the minimum requirements for establishing the units of medicinal plants packaging and production of plant extracts, the regulation for getting packaging and production license for plant products,supportive-policy package, industry relations with the university in the area of food and drug, regulations and guidelines for registration and establishment of knowledge-based companies, all were investigated.According to the existing criteria, the following proposed models can be presented:1) Small production with maximum 10 employees; including solids, semisolid and liquids production departments.2)Production workshop model outside the city with maximum 50 employees. 3) Providing consultation and training services in the field of medicine. Conclusions: As the pharmaceutical community need to the job that by applying a not-so-great capital to have a proper efficiency, and the pharmacist to use his knowledge, a set of products as a network can besides providing these needed items, provide the country with natural products. Therefore, the facilities to create new pharmaceutical job opportunity as well as holding empowerment courses for pharmaceutical students in this field are required

Frequency of IMP-1 and VIM Genes among Metallo-beta-Lactamase Producing Acinetobacter spp. Isolated from Health Care Associated Infections inNortheast of Iran

Background: The emergence and rapid spread of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producing Acinetobacter spp. are of great concern worldwide due to limited treatment options. Epidemiologic studies of the causing genes are important for prevention. Methods:  In  this  study,  70  imipenem-resistant  Acinetobacter  strains  were isolated from health care associated infections. These isolates were screened for detection of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) using inhibitor potentiated disk diffusion tests with thylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). PCR was designed for detection of bla vim and bla imp-1 using specific primers. Results: Among these 70 strains, 50 strains appeared to produce metallo-beta-lactamase. Three isolates were detected by PCR to carry metallo-beta-lactamase gene bla vim, but bla imp-1 gene was not detected. Conclusion: These findings suggest that in our area other genetic elements are responsible for resistance against metallo-beta-lactams

Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity of Epileptic Children before and after Monotherapy with Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine,

Background: Brain is highly vulnerable to free radical damage due to a large quantity of mitochondria, a considerable amount of oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids, a ratio of high oxygen consumption, and less antioxidant capacity. The experimental and clinical data suggest a putative role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of seizures and epileptic syndromes.Objectives: A case-control study was carried out to compare serum total antioxidant capacity in the newly diagnosed children with epilepsy and that of a control group of healthy children at the same age.Patients and Methods: A total of 130 participants (65 in each group) aged between 1 and 17 years participated in this study. Serum total antioxidant capacity was compared between two groups before drug administration. The effect of antiepileptic therapy on the serum total antioxidant capacity also was studied in children with epilepsy before and 3 months after antiepileptic drug administration. Serum total antioxidant capacity values were measured based on Erel's method using an automated commercial kit. This method is based on the bleaching of the characteristic color of a more stable 2,2’‑azinobis‑(3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulfonic acid) radical cation by antioxidants. The results were expressed in mmol Trolox equivalent/lResults: Serum total antioxidant capacity values was significantly lower in the patients group before drug administration [mean (SD): 1.31 (0.19) mmol/L] than that of the control group [mean (SD): 1.46 (0.21) mmol/L] (P < 0.001). In the patients group, no differences were found in the serum total antioxidant capacity before and 3 months after anticonvulsant monotherapy.Conclusion: Reduced serum total antioxidant capacity, and an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress should be considered in the children with epilepsy

Prevalence and type distribution of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in breast cancer : a Qatar based study

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated in the etiology of a variety of human cancers. Studies investigating the presence of high-risk (HR) HPV in breast tissue have generated considerable controversy over its role as a potential risk factor for breast cancer (BC). This is the first investigation reporting the prevalence and type distribution of high-risk HPV infection in breast tissue in the population of Qatar. A prospective comparison blind research study herein reconnoitered the presence of twelve HR-HPV types’ DNA using multiplex PCR by screening a total of 150 fresh breast tissue specimens. Data obtained shows that HR-HPV types were found in 10% of subjects with breast cancer; of which the presence of HPV was confirmed in 4/33 (12.12%) of invasive carcinomas. These findings, the first reported from the population of Qatar, suggest that the selective presence of HPV in breast tissue is likely to be a related factor in the progression of certain cases of breast cancer

Risk factors associated with long covid syndrome: A retrospective study

Background: Recently, people have recognized the post-acute phase symptoms of the COVID-19. We investigated the long-term symptoms associated with COVID-19, (Long COVID Syndrome), and the risk factors associated with it. Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. All the consecutive adult patients referred to the healthcare facilities anywhere in Fars province from 19 February 2020 until 20 November 2020 were included. All the patients had a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. In a phone call to the patients, at least three months after their discharge from the hospital, we obtained their current information. The IBM SPSS Statistics (version 25.0) was used. Pearson Chi square, Fisher’s exact test, t test, and binary logistic regression analysis model were employed. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: In total, 4,681 patients were studied, 2915 of whom (62.3%) reported symptoms. The most common symptoms of long COVID syndrome were fatigue, exercise intolerance, walking intolerance, muscle pain, and shortness of breath. Women were more likely to experience long-term COVID syndrome than men (Odds Ratio: 1,268; 95% Confidence Interval: 1,122-1,432; P=0.0001), which was significant. Presentation with respiratory problems at the onset of illness was also significantly associated with long COVID syndrome (Odds Ratio: 1.425; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.177-1.724; P=0.0001). A shorter length of hospital stay was inversely associated with long COVID syndrome (Odds Ratio: 0.953; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.941-0.965; P=0.0001). Conclusion: Long COVID syndrome is a frequent and disabling condition and has significant associations with sex (female), respiratory symptoms at the onset, and the severity of the illness

Global, regional and national burden of bladder cancer and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease study 2019

Introduction The current study determined the level and trends associated with the incidence, death and disability rates for bladder cancer and its attributable risk factors in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2019, by age, sex and sociodemographic index (SDI; a composite measure of sociodemographic factors). Methods Various data sources from different countries, including vital registration and cancer registries were used to generate estimates. Mortality data and incidence data transformed to mortality estimates using the mortality to incidence ratio (MIR) were used in a cause of death ensemble model to estimate mortality. Mortality estimates were divided by the MIR to produce incidence estimates. Prevalence was calculated using incidence and MIR-based survival estimates. Age-specific mortality and standardised life expectancy were used to estimate years of life lost (YLLs). Prevalence was multiplied by disability weights to estimate years lived with disability (YLDs), while disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are the sum of the YLLs and YLDs. All estimates were presented as counts and age-standardised rates per 100 000 population. Results Globally, there were 524 000 bladder cancer incident cases (95% uncertainty interval 476 000 to 569 000) and 229 000 bladder cancer deaths (211 000 to 243 000) in 2019. Age-standardised death rate decreased by 15.7% (8.6 to 21.0), during the period 1990–2019. Bladder cancer accounted for 4.39 million (4.09 to 4.70) DALYs in 2019, and the age-standardised DALY rate decreased significantly by 18.6% (11.2 to 24.3) during the period 1990–2019. In 2019, Monaco had the highest age-standardised incidence rate (31.9 cases (23.3 to 56.9) per 100 000), while Lebanon had the highest age-standardised death rate (10.4 (8.1 to 13.7)). Cabo Verde had the highest increase in age-standardised incidence (284.2% (214.1 to 362.8)) and death rates (190.3% (139.3 to 251.1)) between 1990 and 2019. In 2019, the global age-standardised incidence and death rates were higher among males than females, across all age groups and peaked in the 95+ age group. Globally, 36.8% (28.5 to 44.0) of bladder cancer DALYs were attributable to smoking, more so in males than females (43.7% (34.0 to 51.8) vs 15.2% (10.9 to 19.4)). In addition, 9.1% (1.9 to 19.6) of the DALYs were attributable to elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (males 9.3% (1.6 to 20.9); females 8.4% (1.6 to 19.1)). Conclusions There was considerable variation in the burden of bladder cancer between countries during the period 1990–2019. Although there was a clear global decrease in the age-standardised death, and DALY rates, some countries experienced an increase in these rates. National policy makers should learn from these differences, and allocate resources for preventative measures, based on their country-specific estimates. In addition, smoking and elevated FPG play an important role in the burden of bladder cancer and need to be addressed with prevention programmes.publishedVersio

Knowledge and Attitude of Students at Alzahra University about Breast Self-Examination, Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the most common preventable cancer among women. One of the ways of prevention and early detection of breast cancer is breast self-examination (BSE). Thus, we decided to conduct a study about the knowledge and attitude toward BSE among the students of Alzahra University, Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study in which 135 female students aging 18-26 years were enrolled using stratified random sampling. Data was collected by valid and reliable questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used to analyze the data. Results: While most students (45.9%) had an average level of knowledge about BSE, married students were significantly more knowledgeable (P = 0.007). The majority of students (68.1%), especially older, married students and those with a positive family history of breast cancer, had more positive attitude about BSE. The most popular way of gaining information among students was mass media. Students who gained information from university books had significantly more knowledge than others (P < 0.001). Subjects who obtained information from mass media had more positive attitude than others (P = 0.04). In addition, students with more knowledge had significantly more positive attitude (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The knowledge and attitude about BSE is less than satisfactory even among university students. The values would probably be even less among the general female population in Iran. Proper and more intense educational programs about BSE should be scheduled even in higher education institutions. Keywords: Knowledge, Attitude, Breast self examination, Students

Hassanzadeh M, Ashrafi I. Identification and characterization of Salmonella isolates from captured house sparrows

Abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Salmonella in a population of house sparrows, which are commonly found around poultry houses, and to characterize the obtained Salmonella isolates via serotyping, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and antibiotic resistance analysis. Samples of visceral organs (gastrointestinal tract, liver, and heart) from 470 house sparrows were subjected to culture and the results show that 18 (3.8%) were positive for Salmonella. Of the 18 Salmonella isolates characterized, the most predominant serovars were Salmonella Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis (9 and 8 cases each, respectively), whereas only 1 serovar belonged to S. Montevideo. All 9 S. Typhimurium serovars were positive for rfbJ, fljB, invA, and fliC genes based on multiplex PCR assay. In the case of S. Enteritidis serovars, PCR generated amplification products for spv and sefA genes, and a random sequence (specific for the genus Salmonella) in all 8 samples. All the Salmonella isolates were sensitive to norfloxacin, flumequine, ampicillin, and sultrim, and 35% were resistant to lincospectin (the most prevalent resistance)

Migratory routes, domesticated birds and cercarial dermatitis: the distribution of

Background: One of the major migration routes for birds going between Europe and Asia is the Black Sea-Mediterranean route that converges on the Volga Delta, continuing into the area of the Caspian Sea. Cercarial dermatitis is a disorder in humans caused by schistosome trematodes that use aquatic birds and snails as hosts and is prevalent in areas of aquaculture in Northern Iran. Before the disorder can be addressed, it is necessary to determine the etiological agents and their host species. This study aimed to document whether domestic mallards are reservoir hosts and if so, to characterize the species of schistosomes. Previous work has shown that domestic mallards are reservoir hosts for a nasal schistosome. Results: In 32 of 45 domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) (71.1%), the schistosome Trichobilharzia franki, previously reported only from Europe, was found in visceral veins. Morphological and molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the species designation. These findings extend the range of T. franki from Europe to Eurasia. Conclusion: The occurrence of cercarial dermatitis in Iran is high in areas of aquaculture. Previous studies in the area have shown that domestic mallards are reservoir hosts of T. regenti, a nasal schistosome and T. franki, as shown in this study. The genetic results support the conclusion that populations of T. franki from Iran are not differentiated from populations in Europe. Therefore, the schistosomes are distributed with their migratory duck hosts, maintaining the gene flow across populations with compatible snail hosts in Iran

Evaluation the Effect of Saffron Aqueous Extract on Oxidative Stress Parameters and Important Biochemical Enzymes of Liver Tissue in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background and Aim: Medicinal plants possessing antioxidant activity may reduce oxidative stress and improve the functions of various organs that affected by hyperglycemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of saffron aqueous extract (SAE) administration to diabetic rats by measuring the oxidative stress parameters and important biochemical enzymes in liver tissue. Materials and Methods: 72 hours after STZ administration (60 mg/kg body weight), the animals with fasting blood glucose over of 250 mg/dl were considered to be diabetic rats and experimental groups were: control (1), control drug (2), diabetes (3) and diabetes drug (4). The treatment was started on the 7th day after STZ injection with i.p injection of SAE (200mg/kg body weight), five doses and weekly to groups 2 and 4. At the end of the experimental period, biochemical factors were measured after bleeding and harvesting of tissues. Findings: Results indicated the perturbation in the activity of important liver enzymes in diabetic group (3) and SAE adjusted and normalized their levels activity. In addition, SAE with increases in the activity of antioxidant enzymes alleviated diabetes induced oxidative stress and thus reduced MDA levels in group 4 compared to group 3. Conclusion: SAE is not only useful in the controlling of blood glucose, but also has antioxidant potential to protect the liver tissue of diabetic rats against damage caused by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress