Search

This study aimed to assess the global status and genetic diversity of Microsporidia infection in different birds. An online search was conducted in international databases from 1 January 1990 to 30 June 2022. A total of 34 articles (including 37 datasets) were included for the final meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of Microsporidia infection in birds was 14.6% (95% CI: 11.6–18.1). The highest prevalence of Microsporidia was found in wild waterfowl which was 54.5% (28.1–78.6). In terms of detection methods, the pooled prevalence was estimated to be 21.2% (95% CI: 12.1–34.4) and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.3–17.3) for using microscopic and molecular detection methods, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most common pathogen (24/31; 77.42% of the studies) according to PCR-based methods, and genotype D was the highest reported genotype (nine studies). In conclusion, designing strategies for the control and prevention of Microsporidia infection in birds should be recommended.

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba dispar, and Entamoeba moshkovskii, using microscopic and molecular methods in Jahrom city (Fars Province), south of Iran. Stool samples were collected from 360 outpatients referred to the medical laboratories in Jahrom city. Standard parasitological methods, including direct wet mount examination, formalin–ether sedimentation technique, and trichrome staining techniques, were used for detection of Entamoeba complex. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the genus/species of Entamoeba. Entamoeba complex cysts were detected in 2.5% (9/360) of samples by microscopic methods, while 11 isolates were considered positive for the Entamoeba complex by nested PCR. Among them, 2 (18.18%) out of 11 samples were E. histolytica, 5 (45.45%) were E. dispar, and 4 (36.36%) were E. moshkovskii. Molecular positivity was more prevalent among females (4.16%), people living in rural areas (3.44%), and people over 60 years old (13.33%). Considering the clinical manifestations, the Entamoeba complex infection in patients with fever (7.69%), severe diarrhea (5.10%), and nausea (5%) was high. This study reported the presence of E. histolytica, E. dispar, and E. moshkovskii in Jahrom city. Therefore, we suggest more public health interventions in Jahrom city.

Background : Silver nanoparticles pose high antibacterial properties against multi drugresistant and non-resistant bacteria. However, bacteria acquire resistance against chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles after repeated exposure. Therefore, there is an inevitable need to understand the mechanistic behavior of silver nanoparticles. Objective: In this study, we have performed a complete proteomic analysis of Escherichia coli after the treatment with silver nanoparticles to find out the mechanism of bactericidal action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Methods: Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using Artemisia annua leaf extract and incubated with Escherichia coli to elucidate the antibacterial assay by determining MIC and the effect on the growth pattern. Further total genome proteins were isolated from control and silver nanoparticles treated bacteria, which were identified by LC MS and Label free quantification analysis technique. Results:: Total identified proteins were 293, out of which 11 proteins were exclusively present in treated bacteria; these are the proteins mainly expressed in stress conditions. Fold change analysis shows that 65 proteins were upregulated where stress proteins are overexpressed while membrane proteins were downregulated. Conclusions: This study reveals that silver nanoparticles inhibit the expression of cellular proteins and cause cell death. Such a study may be helpful in designing drugs against resistant microbes.

Introduction Self-care behaviors are the most important factor in diabetes management, and improving such behaviors is the cornerstone in helping patients to manage their illness. The current study aimed to determine interfering factors in the self-care process in patients with diabetes. Methods The present qualitative study with content-analysis design was performed from March 2017 to April 2019 in Mashhad, Iran. Data collection was started with sampling and continued until saturation. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Participants comprised 21 patients with diabetes (adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes) aged 31–60 years. Data analysis was performed using the Landman method and MaxQDA 10 software. Results Qualitative content analysis showed that patients' self-care behavior was influenced by different factors and conditions. In the current study, four key themes facilitating or preventing self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes were extracted: accessibility, environmental factors, behavioral habits, and personal factors. Conclusion A range of personal and environmental factors may play an important role in the formation of self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes, and providing medical, welfare, and social support to such patients can facilitate self-care behavior formation in them. On the other hand, by removing perceived barriers, patients may be better able to adhere to self-care behaviors.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Sociodemographic and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence among non-addicted individuals referred to the laboratories of the medical centers of Lar city in Fars Province during April 2019 to December 2019.

Additional file 2: Table S2. Sociodemographic and risk factors of non-addicted individuals and molecular-prevalence of T. gondii infection referred to the laboratories of the medical centers of Lar city in Fars Province during April 2019 to December 2019.

Objective: In Persian medicine (PM), wet-cupping therapy (WCT) is the most utilized approach. WCT is mostly done between the shoulders, which is referred to as “hejamt-e-aam” in the Persian language. CD4+T cells also refer to T helper lymphocytes play a critical role in the immune system. Naïve CD4+ T cells differentiate into at least four subsets, T helper 1 (Th1), T helper 2 (Th2), T helper 17 (Th17), and T regulatory (Treg) cells. The master regulator controlling each subset have been defined as follows, Tbet (Th1), Gata3 (Th2), RORγt (Th17), FoxP3 (Treg). The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of WCT and dry-cupping therapy (DCT) on the ratios of Th1/Th2 and Treg /Th17 in healthy individuals. Material and Methods: Participants were divided randomly into two groups of 41 men in the WCT group and 40 men in the DCT group. Blood was taken, before, one and four weeks after the intervention. RNA was extracted from the peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the expression of T-bet, GATA-3, RORγt, and Foxp3 genes were determined by using SYBR green RT-PCR technique. Results: The results showed that WCT increased the expression ofGATA-3, RORγt, and Foxp3 transcription factor genes (p=0.009, p=0.001, and p=0.021, respectively). Although in the WCT group, the ratio of Foxp3/RORγt increased (p=0.048), but the ratio of T-bet/GATA-3 (Th1/Th2) decreased (p=0.971). Conclusion: Our findings indicated that WCT may regulate the T subsets of lymphocyte and reduce inflammation.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite with worldwide distribution. It is estimated that near one-third of the people around the globe are latently seropositive for the parasite. Since the current common drugs are incapable in the elimination of parasites within tissue cysts, the development of an effective vaccine has high priority for researchers to limit the infection. During recent years, non-stop efforts of scientists have made great progress in the identification and development of T. gondii candidate vaccines. However, there is a lack of a commercially licensed vaccine for human application yet. Rhomboid proteases (ROMs) are a class of serine proteases that have an important role in the invasion of the parasites that can be considered as a new target for vaccine strategy. They also play critical roles in mitochondrial fusion and growth factor signaling, allowing the parasite to completely enter into the host cell. In the current review, we have summarized the recent progress regarding the development of ROM-based vaccines against acute and chronic T. gondii infection in animal models., EXCLI Journal; 18:Doc259; ISSN 1611-2156

Additional file 1: Table S1. The acylation sites of CDPK4 sequence. Table S2. Epitopes predicted in CDPK4 protein by different parameters based on Bcepred online server. Table S3. The predicted B-cell epitopes via ABCpred tool. Table S4. Linear B-Cell epitope of the CDPK4 protein by SVMTriP. Table S5. IC50 values for CDPK4 binding to MHC class I molecules obtained using the IEDB. Table S6. IC50 values for CDPK4 binding to MHC class II molecules obtained using the IEDB. Table S7. Details of selected MHC-I T-cell epitope of T. gondii CDPK4 protein sequence using NetMHCcons server. Table S8. Details of selected MHC-II T-cell epitope of T. gondii CDPK4 protein sequence using NetMHCIIpan server. Table S9. Predicted CDPK4 epitopes by CTLpred.

Additional file 2: Figure S1. Transmembrane domains expected in CDPK4 protein. (A) Some statistics and a list of the location of the predicted transmembrane helices and the predicted location of the intervening loop regions. Length: the length of the protein sequence; Number of predicted TMHs: The number of predicted transmembrane helices; Exp number of AAs in TMHs: The expected number of amino acids in transmembrane helices. If this number is larger than 18 it is very likely to be a transmembrane protein (OR have a signal peptide); Exp number, first 60 AAs: The expected number of amino acids in transmembrane helices in the first 60 amino acids of the protein. If this number more than a few, you should be warned that a predicted transmembrane helix in the N-term could be a signal peptide; Total prob of N-in: The total probability that the N-term is on the cytoplasmic side of the membrane; (B) Analysis of the transmembrane domains of CDPK4. Figure S2. (A) The results of the GOR4 server suggested that CDPK4 contains 34.97% alpha helix (Hh), 11.49% extended strand (Ee) and 53.54% random coils (Cc) in secondary structure; (B) Graphical finding from prediction of secondary structure of CDPK4 using GOR4. Figure S3. (A) The results of the SOPMA server suggested that CDPK4 contains 30.14% alpha helix (Hh), 10.02% extended strand (Ee) and 59.84% random coils (Cc) in secondary structure; (B) Graphical finding from prediction of secondary structure of CDPK4 using SOPMA server. Figure S4. Graphical output from prediction of secondary structure of CDPK4 using PSIPRED tool. Figure S5. Predicted 3D model by the SWISS-MODEL server. Figure S6. Propensity scale plots of CDPK4 protein. (A) Surface accessibility; (B) Antigenicity; (C) Bepipred linear epitope prediction; (D) Beta-turn; (E) Flexibility; (F) Hydrophilicity. On the graphs, the Y-axes indicate the corresponding score for each residue (averaged in the specified window), while the X-axes indicate the residue positions in the sequence. The higher residue score could be interpreted as having a higher likelihood that the residue would be part of the epitope (yellow color on the graphs). Green color (under the threshold) shows the unfavorable regions that are related to the properties of interest.

CO2 storage wells will eventually need to be permanently plugged and abandoned. Subsidence, fault/fracture reactivation or chemical degradation can all adversely affect well plug integrity leading to CO2 leakages. Thus, monitoring of well plug integrity should be of high priority for CO2 storage. There are materials whose properties change upon application of mechanical stress or chemical alterations that could be tested for well plug integrity sensing. One of them is cement with conductive fibres. In this paper we summarize SEP FARAWELL project results describing electrical response of conductive composites made of well cement and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in response to load, carbonation, and water saturation changes. The results show that bulk resistivity of well cement/CNF composites changes upon application of the three stimuli mentioned above thus the material proves promising for monitoring applications.

Davood Robat Sarpooshi,1 Ali Taghipour,2 Mehrsadat Mahdizadeh,3 Nooshin Peyman3 1Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Student Research Committee, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; 3Department of Health Education and Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IranCorrespondence: Nooshin PeymanDepartment of Health Education and Health Promotion, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences Mashhad, IranTel +98 51 3854 4643Fax +98 51 3851 7505Email nooshin.peyman@yandex.comIntroduction: Self-care behaviors are the most important factor in diabetes management, and improving such behaviors is the cornerstone in helping patients to manage their illness. The current study aimed to determine interfering factors in the self-care process in patients with diabetes.Methods: The present qualitative study with content-analysis design was performed from March 2017 to April 2019 in Mashhad, Iran. Data collection was started with sampling and continued until saturation. Data were collected through semistructured interviews. Participants comprised 21 patients with diabetes (adults with type 1 or 2 diabetes) aged 31– 60 years. Data analysis was performed using the Landman method and MaxQDA 10 software.Results: Qualitative content analysis showed that patients’ self-care behavior was influenced by different factors and conditions. In the current study, four key themes facilitating or preventing self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes were extracted: accessibility, environmental factors, behavioral habits, and personal factors.Conclusion: A range of personal and environmental factors may play an important role in the formation of self-care behaviors in patients with diabetes,and providing medical, welfare, and social support to such patients can facilitate self-care behavior formation in them. On the other hand, by removing perceived barriers, patients may be better able to adhere to self-care behaviors.Keywords: interventional conditions, self-care, diabetes, qualitative

Additional file 4: Figure S4. The weighted prevalence of Toxocara/Toxascaris in Iran dogs by study method

Additional file 1: Supplementary Figure 1. The pooled molecular prevalence of microsporidia infection in dogs. Supplementary Figure 2. The pooled molecular prevalence of Enc. intestinalis infection in dogs. Supplementary Figure 3. The pooled molecular prevalence of Enc. cuniculi infection in dogs. Supplementary Figure 4. The pooled sero-prevalence of microsporidia infection in dogs. Supplementary Figure 5. The pooled prevalence of microsporidia infection in dogs.

Additional file 1: Figure S1. The quality assessment of included studies of human population

Additional file 2: Figure S2. The weighted prevalence of human Toxocara/Toxascaris by the year in Iran

Additional file 5: Figure S5. The total prevalence of T. canis in feces of animals according to the different parasitology methodsin carnivore population in Iran.

Additional file 3: Figure S3. The weighted prevalence of human Toxocara/Toxascarisby the age in Iran

In this study, our recent and new approach for detailed tracking of the interface between well fluid and cement by using particles is investigated. The particles can enable us to know the precise location of the interface between two fluids and be sure about displacement efficiency in the annulus. This includes the introduction of intermediate buoyant particles that reside at the interfaces between successive fluids in a well (e.g., cement-spacer or spacer-mud). Such particles must overcome strong secondary flows to travel with the interface. For this purpose, the displacement mechanisms of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in the annulus of vertical and inclined wells is investigated by using an experimental set-up with concentric and eccentric annular geometries. For more efficient displacement, the displacing fluid should have a higher density than the displaced fluid, and the intermediate-buoyancy particles that reside at the interface between successive fluids are introduced into the models. Particle motions are investigated in models with different fluid rheology and displacement flow rates. This approach for tracking of the interface can improve the quality of annular cementing of CO2 wells and thus the storage safety.

Background: Fertility rate apparently is a non-interventional behavior, but in practice, it is influenced by social values and norms in which culture and traditional beliefs play a significant role. In this regard, some studies have shown that gender roles can be associated with reproductive behaviors. With regard to the importance of annual reduction of population growth rate and its outcomes, the present study was performed to determine the relationship between gender role attitude and fertility rate in women referring to Mashhad health centers in 2013. Materials and Methods: The present study is an analytical cross-sectional and multistage sampling study performed on 712 women. Data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of two sections: Personal information and gender role attitude questionnaire that contained two dimensions, i.e. gender stereotypes and gender egalitarianism. Its validity was determined by content validity and its reliability by internal consistency (r = 0.77). Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 16. Results: Initial analysis of the data indicated that there was a significant relationship between acceptance of gender stereotypes (P = 0.008) and gender egalitarianism (P < 0.001), and fertility. There was also a direct association between acceptance of gender stereotypes and fertility rate (r = 0.13) and an indirect association between egalitarianism and fertility rate (r = −0.15). Conclusions: The results of the present study indicate that there is an association between gender role attitude and fertility. Paying attention to women's attitude is very important for successful planning in the improvement of fertility rate and population policy.

Cytokines play a key role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of current study was to investigate the relationship between the serum concentrations of 12 cytokines with mortality and extent of CAD in individuals undergoing angiography and healthy controls. 342 CAD patients were recruited and divided into 2 groups: those with ≥50% occlusion in at least one coronary artery [Angiography (+)] or ®was used for measuring 12 cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, MCP-1, IFN-γ, EGF, VEGF) using sandwich chemiluminescent assays. Univariate analysis, multivariate regression models, ROC, and Kaplan–Meier survival curves were used for exploring the candidate markers in CAD patients. Serum level of IFN-γ, IL-4, MCP-1, EGF, IL-6, and IL-8 were markedly higher in angiogram-positive patients, while VEGF concentrations were significantly (P 2.16pg/mL IL-6 had a > 94% sensitivity and 70% specificity in predicting 2 years mortality in the subjects with a serum MCP-1 > 61.95pg/ mL, and patients having IL-6/MCP-1 combination had a shorter survival.Our findings demonstrate that CAD patients with serum MCP-1 and IL-6 levels of >61.95 and >2.16pg/mL had a higher mortality with 94.1% sensitivity and 70.5% specificity for predicting mortality in CAD patients.

Background: Childhood obesity has become a global epidemic and physical inactivity and considered asone of the most important contributing factors. We aimed to evaluate a school-based physical activityintervention using social cognitive theory (SCT) to increase physical activity behavior in order to preventobesity among overweight and obese adolescent girls. Study design: Randomized controlled trial study. Methods: A seven-month randomized controlled trial based on SCT was implemented with 172overweight and obese girl students (87 in intervention and 85 in control group), with the presence of theirparents and teachers. Activities of the trial included: Sports workshops, physical-activity consulting privatesessions, free practical and competitive sports sessions, family exercise sessions, text messages, andnewsletters. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) were measured and questionnairesabout duration of physical activity, duration of screen time (watching television and playing computergames) and psychological variables regarding the SCT constructs were obtained. Results: Duration of physical activity (in minutes) and most of psychological variables (self-efficacy, socialsupport, and intention) significantly increased at post-intervention, while hours of watching television andplaying computer were significantly decreased (P

This study aimed to adapt the MADRE to Persian and to examine the validity and reliability of the new scale. For the adaptation, the translation and back-translation method was used and after some variations a shorter version of questionnaire having 26 items was developed from the original MADRE. Validity testing involved a panel consisted of 15 psychologists to fulfill a quantitative assessment by calculating content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Since the lowest acceptable quantity of CVR in the presence of 15 panelists and CVI is determined 0.49 and 0.79 respectively, all the items of developed instrument enjoyed a proper level of content validity in terms of essentiality, relevance, and clarity with an exception for one item relevance. Reliability of the instrument was assessed by a test–retest method and use of Cronbach's alpha.Persian scale demonstrated good test-retest reliability and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was achieved 0.752 for the overall scale.The findings of current investigation suggest that Persian adaption of MADRE is a valid and reliable instrument which can be tried on target populations in further studies., International Journal of Dream Research, Vol 10, No 1 (April 2017)

Background: Despite so many unmet sexual health education (SHE) needs of adolescents, socio-cultural challenges have caused this issue to be ignored in different scoieties. This study investigated Iranian female adolescents’ experiences and perceptions with respect to SHE that they received at schools, and what they really needed, expected, and preferred. Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, seven focus group discussions (44 adolescents) and 13 individual in-depth interviews were conducted among female adolescents aged 14-18 in Mashhad and Ahvaz, Iran, to explore adolescents’ experiences and perceptions towards SHE in Iranian schools. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Analyzing adolescents’ perspectives and experiences revealed their great dissatisfaction with SHE in schools. Emerged categories included: lack of obligation and priority for SHE, sexual reticence and evading, making adolescents frightened of sexual issues, inconsistency of SHE with adolescents’ needs, unqualified educators, and lack of appropriate educational materials. Conclusion: This study found some similarities between expectations of Iranian adolescents and those of adolescents from other cultures about an SHE program. Adolescents showed great abilities to appraise health services delivered for them, and so any program for sexual health promotion in adolescents ought to address adolescents’ needs, demands, and aspirations. Their contribution can provide insights for tailoring SHE programs for adolescents.

Background and Objectives: Despite significant progress in prostate cancer research, screening of the disease has remained controversial. From a socio-epidemiological perspective, little is known of patients' experiences and general practitioners' perceptions on this issue especially in Iran. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Iranian patients and general practitioners about the early detection of prostate cancer. Method: A mixed method design was adopted in two phases. Phase 1 (qualitative) used a grounded theory approach to interview a purposive sample of twelve men with prostate cancer and twelve general practitioners. Data were analyzed using MAXqda2 software. The findings from the quantitative phase informed the design of a survey (Phase 2) on 615 Iranian general practitioners. The quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS (V16). Findings: Phase I revealed a continuous social process in the detection of prostate cancer from men and GP's perspective. For men, the detection process contained three stages of "making sense of the illness", "seeking help", and "seeking a diagnosis". For GPs, four phenomena including "observation", "communication", "reflection" and "making decision" were developed. "Seeking to know the illness" and "interacting to assess the risk of prostate cancer" emerged from men and GPs' data. The results from Phase 2 showed that socio-cultural barriers and triggers influenced GPs' interactions. According to the GPs, men's lack of knowledge was the main barriers, which resulted in delay seeking care, but the wife had a significant role in persuading their spouses to seek help. Lack of a clear policy about screening was an important barrier in the detection of the disease. Conclusion: The results provide useful insights about patients and general practitioners' beliefs and perceptions on prostate cancer screening. Additionally, the findings could provide directions for policy makers to take socio-cultural aspects of prostate cancer into account in future health policy' planning. The findings point to the future development primary cancer care within the Iranian health system.

Background: Despite clear reasons for necessity of sexual health education for adolescents, it is a contested issue and has faced challenges in most cultures. Providing sexual education for non-married adolescents is culturally unacceptable in most Muslim societies. Objective: This qualitative study addressed socio-cultural challenges to sexual health education for female adolescents in Iran. Materials and Methods: Qualitative data from female adolescents (14-18 yr), mothers, teachers, authorities in health and education organizations, health care providers and clergies were collected in two large cities of Iran including Mashhad and Ahvaz through focus group discussions and individual in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using conventional qualitative content analysis with MAXqda software. Results: Our results revealed that the main socio-cultural challenges to sexual health education for adolescents in Iran are affected by taboos surrounding sexuality. The emergent categories were: denial of premarital sex, social concern about negative impacts of sexual education, perceived stigma and embarrassment, reluctance to discuss sexual issues in public, sexual discussion as a socio-cultural taboo, lack of advocacy and legal support, intergenerational gap, religious uncertainties, and imitating non-Islamic patterns of education. Conclusion: It seems that cultural resistances are more important than religious prohibitions, and affect more the nature and content of sexual health education. However, despite existence of salient socio-cultural doubtful issues about sexual health education for adolescents, the emerging challenges are manageable to some extent. It is hoped that the acceptability of sexual health education for adolescents could be promoted through overcoming the cultural taboos and barriers as major obstacles.