Search

Introduction: Urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) can be considered biomarkers of kidney diseases. EVs derived from podocytes may reflect podocyte damage in different glomerular diseases. IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is one of the most common forms of glomerulonephritis (GN) characterized by proteinuria and hematuria. This study aimed to analyze the uEVs of IgAN patients to understand the pathophysiological processes of the disease at the protein level. Methods: Patients with GN [biopsy-proven IgAN (n = 16) and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN, n = 16)], and healthy controls (n = 16) were included in this study. The uEVs were extracted, characterized, and analyzed to evaluate the protein levels of candidate markers of IgAN, including vasorin precursor, aminopeptidase N, and ceruloplasmin by western-blot analysis. Results: Higher levels of both podocytes and EVs-related proteins were observed in the pooled urine samples of GN patients compared to the healthy controls. In IgAN patients, uEV-protein levels of vasorin were statistically lower while levels of ceruloplasmin were significantly higher compared to MGN (P = 0.002, P = 0.06) and healthy controls, respectively (P = 0.020, P= 0.001). Conclusion: Different levels of the studied proteins in uEVs may indicate podocyte injury and represent a direct association with the pathology of IgAN and MGN.

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic and consequent public health response may have undermined key responses to the protracted drug poisoning crisis, including reduced access to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) among people with opioid use disorder. Our study objectives were to estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with inability to contact OAT prescribers when in need among people on OAT in a Canadian setting during the dual public health crises. Methods Survey data were collected from three prospective cohort studies of community-recruited people who use drugs between July and November 2020, in Vancouver, Canada. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify potential factors associated with inability to contact OAT prescribers among patients who accessed OAT in the past 6 months. Results Among 448 respondents who reported accessing OAT in the past 6 months, including 231 (54.9%) men, 85 (19.0%) reported having been unable to contact OAT prescribers when needed, whereas 268 (59.8%) reported being able to talk to their prescriber when needed, and 95 (21.2%) reported that they did not want to talk to their medication prescriber in the previous 6 months. Among those who reported inability to contact prescribers, 45 (53.6%) reported that their overall ability to contact prescribers decreased since the start of the pandemic. In multivariable analyses, factors independently associated with inability to talk to OAT prescribers included: chronic pain (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.82; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.02, 3.27), moderate to severe symptoms of depression or anxiety (AOR = 4.74; 95% CI 2.30, 9.76), inability to access health/social services (AOR = 2.66; 95% CI 1.41, 5.02), and inability to self-isolate or socially distance most or all of the time (AOR = 2.13; 95% CI 1.10, 4.14). Conclusions Overall, approximately one fifth of the sample reported inability to contact their OAT prescribers when needed, and those people were more likely to have co-occurring vulnerabilities (i.e., co-morbidities, inability to access health/social services) and higher vulnerability to COVID-19. Interventions are needed to ensure optimal access to OAT and mitigate the deepening health inequities resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the escalating drug poisoning crisis.

Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Involvement of regional lymph nodes by breast cancer has shown to be a significant marker in the overall diagnosis of patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of gray-scale ultrasound and elastography in discriminating benign from malignant axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer. Methods: In this analytical study, patients with breast cancer who were referred to sonography ward of a tertiary medical educational center and found to have suspicious lymph nodes were investigated. Formal properties were evaluated by grayscale ultrasound and tissue properties were assessed by elastography. Biopsies were performed on all cases and suspicious tissues were removed. Results: This study was conducted on 50 patients with the mean age of 48.54±10.58 years. 52% of patients had a mass in their right breast and the most prevalent type of breast cancer was intra-ductal carcinoma. 60% of the lymph nodes were reported to be malignant. In 56% of the lymph nodes, grayscale ultrasound tests demonstrated unusual findings and the most common finding was the removal of fat from lymph node hilum. Moreover, elastography results indicated that 36% of the cases have grade 4 (blue) lesions. Conclusion: This study indicated that grayscale ultrasound and elastography have high sensitivity and specificity in detecting metastatic lymph nodes. This finding was in line with the findings reported in many of the previous studies.

Background and Aim: Acupuncture is one of the most common methods of complementary medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on sleep quality in the patients with chronic insomnia. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-blind clinical trial in which 40 patients with chronic insomnia were randomly placed into intervention (TEAS) and control (sham TEAS) groups. The acupuncture points including SP6, HT7 and LI4 were selected according to the medical guideline of traditional Chinese medicine. The stimulation was performed for 8 sessions, twice a week for one month. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and actigraphy were used to evaluate the patientschr('39') sleep quality before and after intervention. Results: Results showed no significant differences in the mean scores of PSQI between the two groups before and after the intervention (p>0.05). In regard to the objective characteristics of sleep quality, total sleep time in the intervention group significantly increased (p=0.015). These alterations were not significant in the sham TEAS group (p=0.502). Conclusions: The results showed that TEAS can be effective in increasing the total sleep time in the patients with chronic insomnia disorder and this effect can be detectable by a monitoring instrument such as actigraphy.

Backgroundand Aim:Acupuncture is one of the most common methods of complementary medicine. The purpose of this study was to evaluate theeffect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on sleep quality in the patients with chronic insomnia.Materials and Methods: Thisstudy was a single-blindclinical trial in which 40 patients with chronic insomnia were randomly placed into intervention (TEAS) and control (sham TEAS) groups. The acupuncturepoints including SP6, HT7 andLI4 wereselected according to the medical guideline of traditional Chinese medicine. The stimulation was performed for 8 sessions, twice a week for one month. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and actigraphywere used to evaluate the patients' sleep quality before and after intervention.Results:Results showedno significant differences in the mean scores of PSQI between the two groups before and after the intervention (p>0.05). In regard to the objective characteristics of sleep quality,total sleep time in the intervention group significantly increased (p=0.015). These alterationswere not significant in the sham TEAS group (p=0.502).Conclusions: The results showed that TEAS can be effective in increasing the total sleep time in the patientswith chronic insomnia disorder and this effect can be detectable by a monitoring instrument such as actigraphy.

Objective(s): Graphene as two-dimensional (2D) materials have attracted wide attention in different fields such as biomedical imaging. Ultra-small graphene nano-sheets (UGNSs) have been designated as low dimensional graphene sheets with lateral dimensions less than few nanometres (≤ 500 nm) in one, two or few layers. Several studies have proven that the process of acidic exfoliation and oxidation is one of the most effective methods to synthesize low dimensional graphene sheets. The band gap of graphene can be changed through changing the reaction temperature resulting in different photoluminescent colors. The aim of our study is synthesis of multi-color photoluminescent UGNSs for biomedical imaging.Materials and Methods: Two different UGNSs were synthesized from two different graphite sources via acidic treatment with a mixture of sulfuric and nitric acids. The prepared UGNSs were characterized by UV-Vis, photoluminescent, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The photoluminescence colors of the prepared UGNSs were detected under excitation wavelength of 470 nm using optical filters.Results: The results showed that the graphite primary source is a determinant factor in the synthesis of different UGNSs. While altering reaction temperature didn't significantly change the emission wavelengths; however it affected their photoluminescent emission intensity.Conclusion: Overall, nontoxic UGNSs synthesized by simple acidic treatment of graphite with different photoluminescent colors (green, yellow and red) can be a promising fluorescent probe for bioimaging.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of variables such as personality traits, driving behavior and mental illness on road traffic accidents among the drivers with accidents and those without road crash. Methods: In this cohort study, 800 bus and truck drivers were recruited. Participants were selected among drivers who referred to Imam Sajjad Hospital (Tehran, Iran) during 2013-2015. The Manchester driving behavior questionnaire (MDBQ), big five personality test (NEO personality inventory) and semi-structured interview (SADS) were used. After two years, we surveyed all accidents due to human factors that involved the recruited drivers. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software by performing the descriptive statistics, t-test, and multiple logistic regression analysis methods. P values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: In terms of controlling the effective and demographic variables, the findings revealed significant differences between the two groups of drivers that were and were not involved in road accidents. In addition, it was found that depression and anxiety could increase the odds ratio (OR) of road accidents by 2.4- and 2.7-folds, respectively (P=0.04, P=0.004). It is noteworthy to mention that neuroticism alone can increase the odds of road accidents by 1.1-fold (P=0.009), but other personality factors did not have a significant effect on the equation. Conclusion: The results revealed that some mental disorders affect the incidence of road collisions. Considering the importance and sensitivity of driving behavior, it is necessary to evaluate multiple psychological factors influencing drivers before and after receiving or renewing their driver’s license.

【Abstract】Objective: To determine the pattern of causalities of Iraqi ballistic missile attacks on Tehran, the capital of Iran, during Iraq-Iran war. Methods: Data were extracted from the Army Staff Headquarters based on daily reports of Iranian army units during the war. Results: During 52 days, Tehran was stroked by 118 Al-Hussein missiles (a modified version of Scud missile). Eighty-six missiles landed in populated areas. During Iraqi missile attacks, 422 civilians died and 1 579 injured (4.9 deaths and 18.3 injuries per missile). During 52 days, 8.1 of the civilians died and 30.4 injured daily. Of the cases that died, 101 persons (24%) were excluded due to the lack of information. Among the remainders, 179 (55.8%) were male and 142 (44.2%) were female. The mean age of the victims was 25.3 years±19.9 years. Our results show that the high accuracy of modified Scud missiles landed in crowded ar-eas is the major cause of high mortality in Tehran. The pres-ence of suitable warning system and shelters could reduce civilian casualties. Conclusion: The awareness and readiness of civilian defense forces, rescue services and all medical facilities for dealing with mass casualties caused by ballistic missile at-tacks are necessary. Key words: Mortality; War; Mass casualty incidents; Wounds and injuries

Objective: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women who had suffered spinal cord injuries in the Iran-Iraq war (l980-1988). Methods: A total of 35 female patients who had suffered spinal cord injury (SCI) in the war were entered into the study. Patients who gave their consent to participate in the study were asked to complete The Shott Form of Health Survey questionnaire (SF-36). Results: The study achieved a response rate of 60% (21/35). The mean age of participants was 41.95 (SD=l2.9) years (ranging from 17 to 62 years): 57.7% of the subjects were single and 28.6% were married. Compared to the normal population, quality of life was significantly lower in all subscales (p

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial illness in children. Knowledge of the antimicrobial resistance patterns of common uropathogens in children according to local epidemiology is essential for providing clinically appropriate, cost effective therapy for UTI. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of urinary tract infections in a referral hospital, Children’s Medical Center, and determination of in vitro susceptibility of these organisms to antimicrobial agents. Of the 1231 bacterial isolates the most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli (38.66%), Klebsiella spp. (22.25%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci (10.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (8.7%), enterococci (8.28%), Enterobacter spp. (4.1%), staphylococcus aureus (3.24%), and proteus mirabilis (2.9%). Among Enterobacteriaceae, 79.80% of E. coli were amikacin-sensitive. Of Gram-positive cocci, 66.66% of staphylococcus aureus were vancomycin-sensitive. Our data show the original distribution of uropathogens from UTIs in children referred to Children’s Medical Center in Tehran and the emergence of multidrug resistant strains.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common bacterial illness in children. Knowledge of the antimicrobial resistance patterns of common uropathogens in children according to local epidemiology is essential for providing clinically appropriate, cost effective therapy for UTI. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of urinary tract infections in a referral hospital, Children’s Medical Center, and determination of in vitro susceptibility of these organisms to antimicrobial agents. Of the 1231 bacterial isolates the most frequent isolates were Escherichia coli (38.66%), Klebsiella spp. (22.25%), Coagulase-negative staphylococci (10.1%), Pseudomonas spp. (8.7%), enterococci (8.28%), Enterobacter spp. (4.1%), staphylococcus aureus (3.24%), and proteus mirabilis (2.9%). Among Enterobacteriaceae, 79.80% of E. coli were amikacin-sensitive. Of Gram-positive cocci, 66.66% of staphylococcus aureus were vancomycin-sensitive. Our data show the original distribution of uropathogens from UTIs in children referred to Children’s Medical Center in Tehran and the emergence of multidrug resistant strains.