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Background: The bidirectional association of HIV/AIDS and Tuberculosis (TB) presents significant global health challenges. However, the relationship between these dual epidemics and the heterogeneity in their mortality rate patterns have not been properly addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study was to cluster and model the joint trajectories of HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 worldwide. Methods: In this longitudinal study, the HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates data for 204 countries from 1990 to 2021 were obtained from the global burden of disease database. The longitudinal k-means clustering approach was utilized to categorize countries into homogeneous subgroups based on the joint patterns of HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates. Subsequently, the Bayesian multi-process nonlinear Latent Growth Model (LGM) was conducted to concurrently estimate the patterns of HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates. Results: The average global TB mortality rates dropped from 30.61 to 13.34 per 100,000 between 1990 and 2021. Meanwhile, the average HIV/AIDS mortality rates rose from 10.94 to 48.42 per 100,000 by 2000 before declining to 16.90 per 100,000 in 2021. The Bayesian multi-process nonlinear LGM indicated that the intercepts for the overall HIV/AIDS and TB models were 11.168 and 30.184, and the slopes were 16.104 and − 1.040, respectively. This suggests that the initial HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates were 11.168 and 30.184 persons per 100,000, and the rates of change were 16.104 and − 1.040 persons per 100,000 every five years. However, the strength and direction of the rate of change were dependent on the factor loading scores, as they exhibited a nonlinear trend. Finally, the 204 countries were clustered into three distinct subgroups, each with different intercepts and slopes. Cluster A demonstrated the lowest HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates throughout the study, while Cluster C exhibited the highest mortality rates. Conclusions: Although the overall global HIV/AIDS and TB mortality rates have declined, Southern African countries continue to bear a significant burden of HIV/AIDS and TB, with no significant reduction observed in TB mortality rates from 1990 to 2021. Therefore, prioritizing these countries is crucial to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of eradicating the global HIV/AIDS and TB epidemics by 2030 and 2035, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Low socioeconomic status (SES) is identified as a pivotal risk factor for mental health. Objective socioeconomic status (OSS) is measured by tangible resources, whereas subjective social status (SSS) reflects an individual's perception of their OSS. A paucity of literature exists that elucidates the specific psychosocial mechanisms or pathways linking OSS with mental illness via SSS. This research aimed to explore the mediating role of SSS in the OSS-mental health association, utilizing data from the Iranian Mental Health Survey (IranMHS). Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from IranMHS, a national survey conducted in 2011 through face-to-face interviews with 7,886 Iranian adults aged 15-64. As part of the original survey, the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was randomly administered to half of these participants. We focused our analysis on data from 3,759 participants who completed all items of the GHQ-28. OSS was evaluated using education, occupation, wealth, and a combined OSS index, while SSS was measured using the MacArthur Scale. We examined how SSS mediates the associations between OSS factors and GHQ scores, including its four dimensions—somatic symptoms, anxiety and insomnia, social dysfunction, and severe depression— while adjusting for demographic variables and conducting gender-stratified analyses. Results: Among the 3759 respondents, 2157 (57.4%) were women, 2110 (56.1%) lived in urban areas, with an average age of 33.1 years (SD=12.1). SSS mediated the associations between wealth and the overall GHQ score (mediation percentage: 92.3%), education (75.4%), OSS index (66.7%), and occupation (34.0%) on the GHQ score. The most significant mediation effects were observed for wealth on the somatic symptoms, social dysfunction, and depression dimensions, with SSS accounting for more than 80% of these associations. Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant mediating role of SSS in the relationship between OSS and mental health. Enhancing our comprehension of the social determinants that moderate the relationship between objective and subjective socioeconomic status may contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the impact of SES on mental health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exposure to heavy metals in coffee house air poses notable occupational health risks. This study aimed to quantify heavy metal and particulate pollution levels in Tehran's traditional coffee houses. Materials and Methods: In this study of 57 Tehran coffee houses, samples were collected using personal sampling pumps and 0.8 µm cellulose ester filters following National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH-7300) guidelines. Heavy metal levels were determined using ICP-AES analysis. Results: The results showed that iron and magnesium metals had the lowest concentration of metals in the air within coffee houses, with an average of 10-8 µg/m³, whereas manganese metals had the highest concentration, with an average of 4.507 10-5 µg/m³. Two of the 57 locations under study had greater Threshold Limit Values (TLVs) than the others, whereas other locations had lower TLV mixtures, and these two locations had mixed TLVs of 1.315 and 1.282, respectively. 96.49 percent of the 57 measured locations had a mixed TLV below the standard and 3.51 percent above it. According to the findings of the current study, there are eight heavy metals present in Traditional coffee houses air, ranging in concentration from more to less of Fe, Mg > Pb > Ag > Cu > Ca >Na >Mn. Conclusions: The health of coffee house employees may suffer adverse effects from chronic exposure to these elements. To protect the health of Traditional Coffee Houses employees, it is essential to incorporate engineering controls for indoor air quality, monitor ventilation systems, and ensure compliance with safety regulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidemiological studies on air pollution, diabetes, and hypertension conflict. This study examined air pollution, diabetes, and hypertension in adults in 11 metropolitan areas of Iran (2012-2016). Local environment departments and the Tehran Air Quality Control Company provided air quality data. The VIZIT website and Stepwise Approach to Chronic Disease Risk Factor Surveillance study delivered chronic disease data. Multiple logistic regression and generalized estimating equations evaluated air pollution-related diabetes and hypertension. In Isfahan, Ahvaz, and Tehran, PM2.5 was linked to diabetes. In all cities except Urmia, Yasuj, and Yazd, PM2.5 was statistically related to hypertension. O3 was connected to hypertension in Ahvaz, Tehran, and Shiraz, whereas NO2 was not. BMI and gender predict hypertension and diabetes. Diabetes, SBP, and total cholesterol were correlated. Iran's largest cities' poor air quality may promote diabetes and hypertension. PM2.5 impacts many cities' outcomes. Therefore, politicians and specialists have to control air pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pediatric obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Tourette syndrome (TS) are often concurrent. This study explores the temperament profile of complex OCD phenotypes. Methods: A clinical registry recorded demographic data, psychiatric diagnoses, and temperament traits, including novelty seeking (exploratory behaviors), harm avoidance (fear of uncertainty), reward dependence (sentimentality), and persistence (perseverance). Temperament data were accrued from the Junior Temperament and Character Inventory (JTCI). Participants were divided into (1) OCD only; (2) OCD+ADHD or TS; and (3) OCD+ADHD+TS to compare temperament. Results: Participants include 126 youths with OCD (61.9% male, 88.9% white) between the ages 6 and 18 years (12.7 ± 3.1). Among the three groups, the complex neurodevelopmental disorder group OCD+ADHD+TS expresses the highest novelty seeking and lowest persistence. Harm avoidance is increased in all groups compared to reference controls, irrespective of concurrent ADHD or TS. For the OCD+ADHD+TS group, contamination and washing symptoms have higher novelty seeking (p < 0.01), while counting and ordering have lower novelty seeking (p < 0.05). Harm avoidance is increased with aggressive, somatic, and checking symptoms in OCD only (p < 0.01), while persistence is increased with repeating and counting symptoms in the comorbid groups (OCD+ADHD or TS, OCD+ADHD+TS). Discussion/Conclusion: The complex subtype, OCD+ADHD+TS, is associated with high novelty seeking and low persistence, while high harm avoidance is linked to pediatric OCD irrespective of ADHD or TS co-occurrence. In sum, pediatric OCD with ADHD and TS confers a unique temperament profile, further refining complex phenotypes of pediatric OCD for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most important factors affecting the auditory system and can cause sensorineural hearing loss. This study investigated the relationship between behavioral hearing thresholds in children with a history of jaundice and the maximum level of bilirubin concentration in the blood. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on 18 children with a mean age of 5.6 years and with a history of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Behavioral hearing thresholds, transient evoked emissions and brainstem evoked responses were evaluated in all children. Results: Six children (33.3 %) had normal hearing thresholds and the remaining (66.7 %) had some degree of hearing loss. There was no significant relationship (r= -0.28, P= 0.09) between the mean total bilirubin levels and behavioral hearing thresholds in all samples. A transient evoked emission was seen only in children with normal hearing thresholds however in eight cases brainstem evoked responses had not detected. Conclusion: Increased blood levels of bilirubin at the neonatal period were potentially one of the causes of hearing loss. There was a lack of a direct relationship between neonatal bilirubin levels and the average hearing thresholds which emphasizes on the necessity of monitoring the various amounts of bilirubin levels.