Prognostic role and therapeutic susceptibility of cathepsin in various types of solid tumor and leukemia: A systematic review

Cathepsins (CTSs) are multifunctional proteins that can play prominent roles in cancer progression and metastasis. In this systematic review, we compared the prognosis of CTS subtypes overexpression in leukemia and solid tumors, and investigated the effect of different factors on CTS prognosis. We systematically searched published articles indexed in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane library, ISI Web of Science, and EmBase databases from February 2000 until January 2020. Among the selected leukemia and solid tumors studies, overexpression of CTS subtypes in newly diagnosed and treated patients were with poor prognosis in 43 studies (79.6) and with good prognosis in 9 studies (16.6). However, there were 2 studies (3.8) with either good or poor prognosis, depending on conditions and caner stage and host cell. The relation between CTS and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) in leukemia and solid tumors was mentioned in 7 studies (13). Overexpression of CTS subtypes in all new case patients had contributed to the induction of poor prognosis. It seems that CTS subtypes, based on the type of cancer and its stage, the type of host cells, and the probable relation with HLA, breed good or poor prognosis in patients with cancer. Therefore, monitoring the overexpression of CTS subtypes and determining the effect of each of these factors on CTS prognosis could be helpful in predicting cancer prognosis both in newly diagnosed or under treatment patients. They could also be useful in finding ways for improving the efficiency of contemporary therapeutic strategies in various types of leukemia and solid tumors. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Use of a problem-based learning teaching model for undergraduate medical and nursing education: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Mehdi Sayyah,1 Kiarash Shirbandi,2 Amal Saki-Malehi,3 Fakher Rahim4 1Department of Medical Education, Ahvaz Jundishapur of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 2Department of Radiology, Allied Health Sciences School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 3Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; 4Research Center of Thalassemia and Hemoglobinopathy, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran Objectives: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the problem-based learning (PBL) method as an alternative to conventional educational methods in Iranian undergraduate medical courses.Materials and methods: We systematically searched international datasets banks, including PubMed, Scopus, and Embase, and internal resources of banks, including MagirIran, IranMedex, IranDoc, and Scientific Information Database (SID), using appropriate search terms, such as “PBL”, “problem-based learning”, “based on problems”, “active learning”, and“ learner centered”, to identify PBL studies, and these were combined with other key terms such as “medical”, “undergraduate”, “Iranian”, “Islamic Republic of Iran”, “I.R. of Iran”, and “Iran”. The search included the period from 1980 to 2016 with no language limits.Results: Overall, a total of 1,057 relevant studies were initially found, of which 21 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Of the 21 studies, 12 (57.14%) had a high methodological quality. Considering the pooled effect size data, there was a significant difference in the scores (standardized mean difference [SMD]=0.80, 95% CI [0.52, 1.08], P<0.000) in favor of PBL, compared with the lecture-based method. Subgroup analysis revealed that using PBL alone is more favorable compared to using a mixed model with other learning methods such as lecture-based learning (LBL).Conclusion: The results of this systematic review showed that using PBL may have a positive effect on the academic achievement of undergraduate medical courses. The results suggest that teachers and medical education decision makers give more attention on using this method for effective and proper training. Keywords: problem-based learning, education, meta-analysis, traditional learnin

Prevalence and spatial distribution of bed bug, Cimex lectularius, infestation in Southwest of Iran: GIS approach

Background: The common bed bug, a nocturnal bloodsucking insect, is known as a human parasite and public health problem in the world. The prevalence and geographical dispersion of bed bug in Ahvaz City, southwest of Iran was measured. Methods: Spatial distribution of Cimex lectularius was determined by surveying 520 houses in 62 areas of Ahvaz City in 2017. Some information like as infested points, the concern level of the residents and allergic reaction to the insect bite were registered in a form using the secondhand instrument. Results: According to the spatial distribution map, of 62 areas, 27 of them are infested with bed bugs. Infestation is scattered throughout the city, but its focus is on the east of the Karun River. The most bed bug infestation was in Asiabad followed by Manbaab areas. Prevalence of bed bug infestation estimated 9.61 in Ahvaz city. It was 5.4 and 11.6 in apartments and single houses, respectively. The lowest and highest infestation rates based on its source were 1.35 and 9.03 in wallpaper and cracks and crevices, respectively. Bedroom and sitting room were the main harborages for bed bug in the houses. The majority of residents who had bitten by a bed bug showed various allergic reactions like redness skin, papules, vesicles, pustules and blisters. Most of the people in the infested houses (62) were very concern about bed bug infestation. Conclusion: Public education and increasing the knowledge of people can lead to successful management, prevention and elimination of this nuisance pest. © 2020 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Correlation between non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and carotid Intima-Media thickness in patient with type II diabetes

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is a very prevalent condition determined by the infiltration of fat of liver cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the correlation between NAFLD and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) in patient with type II diabetes. This case-control study included three groups, including those with type II diabetes without NAFLD (n = 85), those with type II diabetes and NAFLD (n = 85) and non-diabetic individuals with only NAFLD (n = 85). The CIMT and the grading of the NAFLD were determined using an ultrasound B-mode. There was no significant difference between the case and control groups in term of overall mean of age (57±10 years vs. 56.9±8 years, respectively). Considering the two factors (diabetes and NAFLD) effect, with adjustment for age and gender as a confounding effect of diabetes (p = 0.01) and NAFLD (p = 0.022) on CIMT was significant. The mean right CIMT, left CIMT and overall CIMT in three different study groups of diabetic patients, according to various NAFLD grading showed no significant difference. Our findings showed a considerable association between NAFLD and increased CIMT, in which this association is not affected by the severity of fatty liver. So, immediate ultrasound screening and treatment for the patients with NAFLD are recommended to prevent CVD complications such as atherosclerosis considering early stages of fatty liver disease. © 2015 Asian Network for Scientific Information

Body composition and basal metabolic rate in systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Aim of the work: Descriptions of the body composition parameters and metabolism in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are limited. The aim of the present work was to assess the body composition factors and basal metabolic rate (BMR) in Iranian SLE patients and to study its relation to disease activity. Patients and methods: Seventy-four female SLE patients and 76 matched controls were included in the present study. The body mass index (BMI), body fat (BF), visceral fat (VF), body muscle (BM) and basal metabolic rate (BMR) were measured using BIA (bioelectrical impedance analysis). The international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed for all the patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 38.5 ± 10.1 years with a median disease duration of 7.5 years. The median SLEDAI was 4. Body composition factors (BMI, BF, VF, and BM) were not significantly different between the patients and their controls. The BMR in SLE patients was significantly lower (1328.4 ± 154.6 kcal/day) than the controls (1400.4 ± 200.4 kcal/day) (p = 0.01). No differences have been found in body composition parameters and BMR between the SLE patients with high and low SLEDAI or daily corticosteroid dose. There was no significant correlation between the SLEDAI and any of the studied parameters except for a negative association with age (r = −0.3, p = 0.03). Conclusion: SLE women have a significantly lower BMR compared to their controls. No significant differences have been observed regarding BMI, BF, BM and VF between the groups