Search

Introduction: This study measures the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (CVE) against hospital admission and severe COVID-19. Methods: This study is a test-negative case-control design using data from eight provinces in April, 2021 until March, 2022. The individuals were classified as cases and controls based on the results of the RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 and matched based on the timing of the test being conducted as well as the timing of hospital admission. The measure of association was an odds ratio (OR) by univariate and multiple logistic regression. The multiple logistic regression has been carried out to take confounding factors and potential effect modifiers into account. The CVE was computed as CVE = (1 – OR)*100 with 95% confidence interval. Results: Among 19314 admitted patients, of whom 13216 (68.4%) were cases and 6098 (31.6%) were controls, 1313 (6.8%) died. From total, 5959 (30.8%) patients had received the vaccine in which one, two, and booster doses were 2443 (12.6%), 2796 (14.5٪), and 720 (3.7٪), respectively. The estimated adjusted effectiveness of only one dose, two doses and booter vaccination were 22% (95% CI: 14%-29%), 35% (95% CI: 29%-41%) and 33% (95% CI: 16%-47%), respectively. In addition, the adjusted vaccine effectiveness against severe outcome was 33% (95% CI: 19%- 44%), 34% (95% CI: 20%- 45%) and 20% (95% CI: -29%- 50%) for those who received one, two and booster vaccinations, respectively. Conclusion: Our study concluded that full vaccination, though less effective compared to similar studies elsewhere, decreased hospital admissions and deaths from COVID-19 in Iran, particularly during the Delta variant period, with an observed decline during the Omicron variant dominance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Voiding Dysfunction (VD) is one of the most common disorders among women, which is characterized by a disorder in urination. Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the factors that can affect VD. In this study, the relationship between prolapse in the anterior, posterior, and apical areas and VD has been evaluated. Materials and methods: This is a cohort retrospective study. The participants in this study were women with VD, who referred to the pelvic floor disorders clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran in 2018-2020. Clinical information was obtained retrospectively from the hospital's electronic data system, also symptoms (intermittent stream, incomplete voiding, poor flow, post void dribble, straining to void, stage anterior, posterior and apical) and urodynamic parameters (including EMG, PVR100, Qmax12, and pdet20) were evaluated, which included detailed questionnaires (Urinary Distress Inventory 6 (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7)), pelvic examination, and complete urodynamic evaluation. Results: There was a direct relationship between the age of the patients and the stage of prolapse (p<0.001). So that, the stage increased with age. In addition, it was found that the severity of urinary symptoms is related to the stage of prolapse in the apical area (p=0.001). Also, the results showed that intermittent stream symptoms and the symptoms of staining to void had a significant relationship with the stage of prolapse (III and IV) in the apical and anterior areas. Also, it was shown that only PVR > 100 had a significant relationship with the stage of prolapse in the apical area (p=0.001). Conclusion: Intermittent stream and straining to void were related to the stages of prolapse in the apical and anterior regions. It was also concluded that the greater the prolapse, the higher the value of PVR > 100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A major factor in long‐term impairment is stroke. Patients with persistent stroke and severe functional disabilities have few therapy choices. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may contribute to the regulation of the pathophysiologic processes of ischemic stroke as shown by altered expression of lncRNAs and microRNA (miRNAs) in blood samples of acute ischemic stroke patients. On the other hand, multipotent mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) increase neurogenesis, and angiogenesis, dampen neuroinflammation, and boost brain plasticity to improve functional recovery in experimental stroke models. MSCs can be procured from various sources such as the bone marrow, adipose tissue, and peripheral blood. Under the proper circumstances, MSCs can differentiate into a variety of mature cells, including neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Accordingly, the capability of MSCs to exert neuroprotection and also neurogenesis has recently attracted more attention. Nowadays, lncRNAs and miRNAs derived from MSCs have opened new avenues to alleviate stroke symptoms. Accordingly, in this review article, we examined various studies concerning the lncRNAs and miRNAs' role in stroke pathogenesis and delivered an overview of the therapeutic role of MSC‐derived miRNAs and lncRNAs in stroke conditions. Significance Statement: The potential for using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat a variety of human disorders, including stroke recovery, is substantial. Some of the qualities that make MSC particularly appealing as a therapeutic candidate are immune privileged status, availability from a variety of potential sources, inherent multipotency, and the ability to promote repair through numerous channels concurrently, including immunoregulation, neurogenesis, and angiogenesis. In the end, we came to the conclusion that MSC‐extracellular vesicles, like microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs, improved neurological function and prevented neuronal death, which in turn decreased brain damage following stroke. This research adds to our understanding of MSC‐based stroke therapy and provides support for a novel restorative treatment for stroke patients who may be at risk for cognitive impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]