Search

Purpose Primary B cell defects manifesting as predominantly antibody deficiencies result from variable inborn errors of the B cell lineage and their development, including impairments in early bone marrow development, class switch recombination (CSR), or terminal B cell differentiation. In this study, we aimed to investigate autoimmunity in monogenic patients with B cell development and differentiation defects. Methods Patients with known genetic defects in the B cell development and differentiation were recruited from the Iranian inborn errors of immunity registry. Results A total of 393 patients with a known genetic defect in the B cell development and differentiation (257 males; 65.4%) with a median age of 12 (6–20) years were enrolled in this study. After categorizing patients, 109 patients had intrinsic B cell defects. More than half of the patients had defects in one of the ATM (85 patients), BTK (76 patients), LRBA (34 patients), and DOCK8 (33 patients) genes. Fifteen patients (3.8%) showed autoimmune complications as their first manifestation. During the course of the disease, autoimmunity was reported in 81 (20.6%) patients at a median age of 4 (2–7) years, among which 65 patients had mixed intrinsic and extrinsic and 16 had intrinsic B cell defects. The comparison between patients with the mentioned four main gene defects showed that the patient group with LRBA defect had a significantly higher frequency of autoimmunity compared to those with other gene defects. Based on the B cell defect stage, 13% of patients with early B cell defect, 17% of patients with CSR defect, and 40% of patients who had terminal B cell defect presented at least one type of autoimmunity. Conclusion Our results demonstrated that gene mutations involved in human B cell terminal stage development mainly LRBA gene defect have the highest association with autoimmunity.

PURPOSE: The aim of this updated version of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the association of PD with lipid profile. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was done in electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus until August 2021. Cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort studies investigating the relationship between PD and lipid profile were included. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were performed independently by two investigators. A random-effect model was used to pool the effect size. Odds ratio (OR) was used as effect size for the association of PD with Hyperlipidemia, and SMD was used for the association of PD with the mean level of lipid profile. RESULTS: Overall, 34 documents met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review, and 31 were included for the meta-analysis. Sixteen studies were cross-sectional, 16 case-control, and two cohorts. Results of the random effect model showed that PD increased the odds of dyslipidemia by 15% (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.26). The Association of PD with low HDL, high LDL, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypercholesteremia was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The mean level of HDL in patients with PD was significantly lower than in subjects without PD (SMD: -0.69, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.26). Moreover, the mean level of LDL, TC, TG in patients with PD was significantly higher than in subjects without PD (P

PURPOSE: The aim of this updated systematic review and meta-analysis was the association between hyperglycemia and periodontitis. METHODS: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus until March 2021. The key search words were based on "periodontitis" and "hyperglycemia." We included cohort, case–control, and cross-sectional studies, restricted to publications in English. The quality assessment of included studies and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers. Meta-analysis was performed for cross-sectional studies using the random-effects model. RESULTS: The literature search yielded 340 studies, and finally, 19 and 11 studies were included in systematic review and meta-analysis, respectively. The total sample size of the eligible studies in the meta-analysis was 38,896 participants, of whom 33% were male with a mean age of 51.20 ± 14.0 years. According to a random-effect meta-analysis in cross-sectional studies, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between hyperglycemia and periodontal indices was statistically significant (OR: 1.50, 95%CI: 1.11, 1.90). There was evidence of publication bias (coefficient: − 3.53, p-value = 0.014) which, after imputing missing studies, the pooled OR of the association between hyperglycemia and periodontitis change to 1.55 (95%CI: 1.20, 1.90). CONCLUSION: Results of the present study show that hyperglycemia was positively associated with periodontitis. However, more cohort and prospective longitudinal studies should be conducted to find the exact association. Overall, it seems the management of hyperglycemia could be considered as a preventive strategy for periodontitis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-021-00861-9.

Abstract. Objective(s): Cardio-metabolic risk factors are becoming a global health concern. To address this problem, one of the proposed ways is to focus on phytochemical-rich foods consumption. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the results of observational studies (cohorts, case-control, and cross-sectional) that investigated the association between dietary phytochemical index (PI) as a new index for evaluating phytochemical-rich food intake and various risk factors of cardio-metabolic disorders. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The literature search was performed up to August 2021 with no publication year restriction on observational studies investigating the association between PI and cardiometabolic risk factors on adults and children. A random-effect meta-analysis was used. Results: Overall, 16 articles (cross-sectional, case-control, cohort) were eligible for this systematic review and 8 studies with 99771 participants were included in the meta-analysis. Random effect meta-analysis showed that adherence to higher dietary PI decrease the odds of abdominal obesity (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.58, 0.88, I2: 84.90), generalized obesity (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.98, I2: 68.10), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.89, I2: 0.00), hypertension (OR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.99, I2: 7.02), and MetS (OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.69, 0.88, I2: 84.90). However, results considering the associations between dietary PI with glycemic indices, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were not significant (p

Background: The available information on the echocardiographic features of cardiac injury related to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and their prognostic value are scattered in the different literature. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the echocardiographic features of cardiac injury related to COVID-19 and their prognostic value. Methods: Published studies were identified through searching PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), and Google scholar databases. The search was performed using the different combinations of the keywords “echocard*,” “cardiac ultrasound,” “TTE,” “TEE,” “transtho*,” or “transeso*” with “COVID-19,” “sars-COV-2,” “novel corona, or “2019-nCOV.” Two researchers independently screened the titles and abstracts and full texts of articles to identify studies that evaluated the echocardiographic features of cardiac injury related to COVID-19 and/or their prognostic values. Results: Of 783 articles retrieved from the initial search, 11 (8 cohort and 3 cross-sectional studies) met our eligibility criteria. Rates of echocardiographic abnormalities in COVID-19 patients varied across different studies as follow: RV dilatation from 15.0% to 48.9%; RV dysfunction from 3.6% to 40%; and LV dysfunction 5.4% to 40.0%. Overall, the RV abnormalities were more common than LV abnormalities. The majority of the studies showed that there was a significant association between RV abnormalities and the severe forms and death of COVID-19. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that RV dilatation and dysfunction may be the most prominent echocardiographic abnormality in symptomatic patients with COVID-19, especially in those with more severe or deteriorating forms of the disease. Also, RV dysfunction should be considered as a poor prognostic factor in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction Since the late COVID-19, many countries have faced various surges and peaks within the number of infected. Iran was one of the countries that faced many surges and peaks within these years and faced many inadequacies and shortages of resources and hospital beds. Hence the healthcare system started using in-hospital medication such as Remdesivir in outpatients to reduce the load of patients admitted to the hospital. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the reported signs, symptoms, and outcomes of COVID-infected hospitalized and out-patients receiving Remdesivir. Methods In this retrospective cohort study, 214 patients (121 outpatient and 93 hospitalized) with moderate levels of Covid infection between October 2021 and February 2022 were studied. Both groups were treated with 200mg of Remdesivir, followed by 100 mg daily intravenous injections for five days; signs and symptoms, such as pain, shortness of breath, cough, fever and etc., of patients at the initiation and the end of treatment were recorded. Moreover, the patients’ blood oxygen saturation was assessed two to three times a day, and the mean of the recorded measures was considered as the daily oxygen saturation. The outpatient group had to visit the hospital daily for treatment and assessment. At the treatment’s end, mortality rates, disease signs, and symptoms alleviations were compared between the groups. Results The outpatient and hospitalized group’s mean age was 40.30 ± 12.25 and 37.70 ± 12.00 years, and 51.2% and 55.9% were males, respectively. There was no statistical difference between baseline and clinical characteristics in the outpatients and hospitalized groups. After adjusting for oxygen saturation at baseline and gender in the multivariable Cox regression analysis, the risk of death did not statistically differ between the hospitalized and outpatient group (hazard ratio: 0.99, 95% confidence interval: 0.39–2.50)) at the end of the study. Conclusion Based on the results of this study, the outcome, signs, and symptoms of inpatient and outpatient Remdesivir treatment groups did not differ significantly. Hence in COVID-19 surges where we have limitations in admitting patients, outpatient Remdesivir treatment for those without any underlying diseases can be a proper management method.

This study investigated and pooled the long-term trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (HTN) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE/PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Scopus between database inception and November 2020. All cross-sectional studies that investigated the prevalence of pre-HTN, HTN, awareness, treatment, and control in the MENA counties were included. The selection study, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two investigators independently. Heterogeneity between studies was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I-squared, and due to sever heterogeneity between studies, the random effect model was used to pool the estimates. Sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the long-term trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of HTN according to definition of HTN as systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or more, or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more, or being on pharmacological treatment for HTN. Overall, 178 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies comprised 2,262,797 participants with a mean age of 45.72 ± 8.84 years. According to random effect model, the pooled prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN was 33% (95% CI 28, 39) and 26% (25, 27), respectively. Over the past three decades, prevalence of hypertension increased significantly in the region. The pooled awareness, treatment, and control rates were 50% (48, 53), 41% (38, 44), and 19% (17, 21), receptively. The pooled awareness, treatment, and control rates of HTN were lower significantly in men than women. According to definition of HTN as blood pressures above 140/90 mm Hg, over the past three decades, although the awareness and treatment rates did not change significantly, the control rates improved significantly in the region. The findings showed that HTN is a significant public health problem in the MENA region. Although there are low levels of pooled awareness, treatment, and control rates, the control rates improved over the past three decades in the region.

This study is a part of the Global Asthma Network (GAN) phase I project to assess asthma symptoms in children, adolescents, and their parents in Karaj, Iran. The present cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019-2020 in Karaj, Iran, in alignment with the goals of the GAN study, including assessing asthma prevalence, severity, and risk factors. In this study, 1500 students were selected using a multistage stratified cluster sampling method from 40 public and private schools in Karaj. The entire population of children aged 6-7 years or adolescents aged 13-14 years in a given school and their parents was considered the sample unit. The GAN core questionnaires were completed for students and parents. The results showed that the response rate was 89.6%. A total of 1326 children and adolescents, 572 children aged 6-7 years, and 754 aged 13-14 years and their parents were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of ever- and current wheezing was 24% and 13.8% among 6-7-year-olds, and 18.8% and 12.3% among 13-14-year-olds, respectively. In children aged 6-7 years, parental wheezing significantly increased the chances of children wheezing (odds ratio: 3.27; 95% confidence interval: 1.70, 6.310). The current study’s findings showed that the prevalence of asthma symptoms among children and adolescents and their parents in Karaj, Iran, was mainly higher than the findings of studies conducted in other cities in Iran.

Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death and a decline in the quality of life and economic losses caused by single-agent infectious diseases in the world. This study was aimed at determining the ...

Background: Different studies have been conducted to estimate the survival rate of colorectal cancer in Iran but there is no overall estimate of the survival rate. The aim of this study was to calculate the pooled 1, 3, and 5-year survival rate of the patients with colorectal cancer in Iran. Methods: To retrieve relevant studies, we conducted a systematic search in Iranian databases, including Iran Medex, Magiran, SID, and international databases such as Medlin/PubMed, Scopus, and Google scholar using “Colorectal Neoplasms” and “Survival Rate” as keywords up to December 1st, 2017. We used random effect model to estimate pooled 1, 3, and 5-year survival rates of the patients with colorectal cancer in Iran. To assess the heterogeneity, we used Chi-squared test at the 5 % significance level (p

BackgroundThe extent to which patients with End-stage renal disease (ESRD) are at a higher risk of COVID-19-related death is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the ESRD patients at increased risk of COVID-19 -related death and its associated factors.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study was conducted on 74 patients with ESRD and 446 patients without ESRD hospitalized for COVID-19 in Alborz province, Iran, from Feb 20 2020 to Apr 26 2020. Data on demographic factors, medical history, Covid-19- related symptoms, and blood tests were obtained from the medical records of patients with confirmed COVID-19. We fitted univariable and multivariable Cox regression models to assess the association of underlying condition ESRD with the COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Results were presented as crude and adjusted Hazard Ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In the ESRD subgroup, demographic factors, medical history, symptoms, and blood parameters on the admission of survivors were compared with non-survivors to identify factors that might predict a high risk of mortality.ResultsCOVID-19 patients with ESRD had in-hospital mortality of 37.8% compared to 11.9% for those without ESRD (Pvalue P-value p–values ConclusionsOur findings suggested that the presence of ESRD would be regarded as an important risk factor for mortality in COVID-19 patients, especially in those who are older than age 65 years and presented with a lack of consciousness or O2 saturation less than 93%.

Aim: This study investigated and pooled the long-term trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension (HTN) in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Material and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE/ PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, EMBASE and Scopus between database inception and November, 2020. All cross-sectional studies with the English language that investigated the prevalence of pre-HTN, HTN, awareness, treatment, and control in the MENA counties were included. The selection study, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two investigators independently. Heterogeneity between studies were assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I-squared and due to sever heterogeneity between studies, the random effect model was used to pool the estimates. Sensitivity analysis was performed to estimate the long-term trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control rates of HTN according to definition of HTN as systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or more, or diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or more, or being on pharmacological treatment for HTN. Results: Overall, 178 studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies comprised 2,262,797 participants with a mean age of 45.72±8.84 years. According to random effect model, the pooled prevalence of pre-HTN and HTN were 33% (95% CI: 28, 39) and 26% (25, 27), respectively. Over the past three decades, prevalence of hypertension increased significantly in the region. The pooled awareness, treatment, and control rates were 50% (48, 53), 41% (38, 44) and 19% (17, 21) receptively. The pooled awareness, treatment and control rates of HTN were lower significantly in men than women. According to definition of HTN as blood pressures above 140/90 mm Hg, over the past three decades, although the awareness and treatment rates did not change significantly, the control rates improved significantly in the region. Conclusion: The findings showed that HTN is a significant public health problem in the MENA region. Although there are low levels of pooled awareness, treatment and control rates, the control rates improved over the past three decades in the region. Funding Statement: This study funded by Alborz University of Medical Sciences. Declaration of Interests: The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.

Purpose Diabetic’s patients are supposed to experience higher rates of COVID-19 related poor outcomes. We aimed to determine factors predicting poor outcomes in hospitalized diabetic patients with COVID-19. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all adult diabetic patients with radiological or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 who hospitalized between 20 February 2020 and 27 April 2020 in Alborz province, Iran. Data on demographic, medical history, and laboratory test at presentation were obtained from electronic medical records. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was self-reported. Comorbidities including cancer, rheumatism, immunodeficiency, or chronic diseases of respiratory, liver, and blood were classified as “other comorbidities” due to low frequency. The assessed poor outcomes were in-hospital mortality, need to ICU care, and receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Self-reported. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to quantify the predictors of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 in patients with DM. Results Of 455 included patients, 98(21.5%) received ICU care, 65(14.3%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 79 (17.4%) dead. In the multivariate model, significant predictors of “death of COVID-19” were age 65 years or older (OR (95% CI): 2.0 (1.16–3.44), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (2.05 (1.16–3.62), presence of “other comorbidities” (2.20 (1.04–4.63)), neutrophil count ≥8.0 × 109/L)6.62 (3.73–11.7 ((, Hb level

To evaluate the effect of amniotic membrane (AM) at split-thickness skin graft (STSG) donor sites.This double-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 35 eligible participants referred to the burn unit of Vasei Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, during 2017 and 2018. Each STSG donor site was divided into two sides, and the respective halves were covered with either a dried AM or petrolatum gauze (control). Outcomes were evaluated on postprocedure days 10, 20, and 30 using the Vancouver Scar Scale.The mean age of the patients was 39.4 ± 13.97 years, and 62.8% (n = 22) were male. There was no statistically significant difference in wound healing rate on day 10 (P = .261), 20 (P = .214), or 30 (P = .187) between groups. The intervention group had significantly better epithelialization than the control group on day 10 (investigator 1, 1.62 ± 0.59 vs 1.40 ± 0.88 [P = .009); investigator 2, 1.22 ± 0.84 vs 0.91 ± 0.85 [P = .003]), as well as pain reduction (P.001 during the follow-up period). However, there was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of pigmentation or vascularization (P.05).Findings suggest that the use of AM is not superior to petrolatum gauze in terms of STSG healing rate; however, AM achieved better pain reduction and epithelialization on day 10.

Background: Diabetic’s patients are supposed to experience higher rates of COVID-19 related poor outcomes. We aimed to determined factors predicting poor outcomes in hospitalized diabetic patients with COVID-19. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included all adult diabetic patients with radiological or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 who hospitalized between 20 February 2020 and 27 April 2020 in Alborz province, Iran. Data on demographic, medical history, and laboratory test at presentation were obtained from electronic medical records. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus was self-reported. Comorbidities including cancer, rheumatism, immunodeficiency, or chronic diseases of respiratory, liver, and blood were classified as “other comorbidities” due to low frequency. The assessed poor outcomes were in-hospital mortality, need to ICU care, and receiving invasive mechanical ventilation. Self-reported. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to quantify the predictors of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 in patients with DM. Results: Of 455 included patients, 98(21.5%) received ICU care, 65(14.3%) required invasive mechanical ventilation, and 79 (17.4%) dead. In the multivariate model, significant predictors of “death of COVID-19” were age 65 years or older (OR (95% CI): 2.0 (1.16-3.44), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (2.05 (1.16 -3.62), presence of “other comorbidities” (2.20 (1.04-4.63)), neutrophil count ≥ 8.0 × 10⁹/L )6.62 (3.73-11.7 ((, Hb level ). (All p –values < 0.05). Some of these factors were also associated with other assessed poor outcomes, e.g., need to ICU care or invasive mechanical ventilation.Conclusions: Diabetic patients with age 65 years or older, comorbidity CKD, “other comorbidities”, as well as neutrophil count ≥ 8.0 × 10⁹/L, Hb level Presence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease were associated with none of the poor outcomes.

Plantar warts can cause pain near the toes and the sole of the foot and may result in referral for treatment. This study was aimed at comparing 40% trichloroacetic acid (TCA) and cryotherapy (Cryo) for the treatment of plantar warts. This single-blind, randomized clinical trial was performed on 60 subjects presenting with plantar wart in Sabzevar, Iran in 2018. The first intervention group was treated with 40% TCA in four sessions within 4 weeks. The second intervention group was treated with Cryo using liquid nitrogen in four sessions within 8 weeks. The mean (SD) age of subjects was 20.16 ± 5.96 years and 68.33% (n = 41) were male. Although the resolution rate of warts in the TCA 40% group was greater than the Cryo group, there was no statistical association found between the two groups by adjusting age, sex, and basal time (P = .648). Findings suggest that although 40% TCA was almost as effective as Cryo in the treatment of plantar warts, considering the lower adverse effects of TCA 40% group as compared to the Cryo group, it could be a proper alternative.

BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are present in a large number of patients with novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to determine the risk and predictors of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 in patients with DM and CVD.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study included hospitalized patients aged ≥ 18 years with confirmed COVID-19 in Alborz province, Iran, from 20 February 2020 to 25 March 2020. Data on demographic, clinical and outcome (in-hospital mortality) data were obtained from electronic medical records. Self-reported comorbidities were classified into the following groups: “DM” (having DM with or without other comorbidities), “only DM” (having DM without other comorbidities), “CVD” (having CVD with or without other comorbidities), “only CVD” (having CVD without other comorbidities), and “having any comorbidity”. Multivariate logistic regression models were fitted to quantify the risk and predictors of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19 in patients with these comorbidities.ResultsAmong 2957 patients with COVID-19, 2656 were discharged as cured, and 301 died. In multivariate model, DM (OR: 1.62 (95% CI 1.14–2.30)) and only DM (1.69 (1.05–2.74)) increased the risk of death from COVID-19; but, both CVD and only CVD showed non-significant associations (p > 0.05). Moreover, “having any comorbidities” increased the risk of in-hospital mortality from COVID-19(OR: 2.66 (95% CI 2.09–3.40)). Significant predictors of mortality from COVID-19 in patients with DM were lymphocyte count, creatinine and C-reactive protein (CRP) level (all P-values ConclusionsOur findings suggest that diabetic patients have an increased risk of in-hospital mortality following COVID-19; also, lymphocyte count, creatinine and CRP concentrations could be considered as significant predictors for the death of COVID-19 in these patients.

BACKGROUND After surgery and loss of anesthetic effect, postoperative pain can annoy the patient and affect patient satisfaction with treatment. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of preoperative pentoxifylline (PTX) on postoperative pain and development of secondary hyperalgesia in patients undergoing laparoscopic appendectomy (LA). METHODS This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial study was conducted on 91 eligible subjects with acute appendicitis referred to Shahid Beheshti hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, in 2018. The intervention and control groups were administered with a single oral dose of PTX (10 mg/kg) and placebo an hour before surgery, respectively. Postoperative pain was measured within 24 hours after surgery using a VAS, and the area of secondary hyperalgesia was measured 24 hours after surgery using the Stubhaug et al. method. RESULTS The mean age of the subjects was 26.74 ± 9.99 years, and 57.14% were female. Pain intensity during rest was significantly greater in the control group as compared to the PTX group 24 hours after surgery (VAS scores 2.19 ± 0.49 and 3.13 ± 0.66, respectively; P

Objectives: To compare the serum bilirubin level of neonates under phototherapy with two methods of transcutaneous (TcB) and total serum bilirubin measurement (TSB). Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on the icteric term and late preterm neonates in Sabzevar, Iran between Oct 30, 2016, and Aug 7, 2018. Within 24 hours of birth, the TcB and then TSB of the neonates were measured before and after phototherapy. The TcB was performed using BiliCheck (KJ-8000 Transcutaneous Jaundice Meter) during phototherapy, at the forehead between the two eyebrows and the middle part of the sternum which were covered by a white 3 × 3 cm gauze. Results: 200 neonates were eligible, the bilirubin level of 50.5% of male infants were ranging from 15 to 18 mg/dL of serum. The correlation for serological-transcutaneous frontal tests was 0.74, 0.82, 0.76, and 0.55 for the first to the fourth day, respectively, versus to 0.71, 0.91, 92 0, and 0.69 for the mentioned days for serological-transcutaneous sternal tests. Based on Bland-Altman and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) methods for four days; although the correlation between the two methods is high on the first day in both areas, the value of reduction is greater on day four in the frontal area. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the covering of sternal and frontal areas does not affect the correlation between the TcB and TSB methods. Also, TcB in the absence of TSB could be a good alternative in order to measure the level of bilirubin.

Split-thickness skin grafting (STSG) is widely used to heal wounds resulting from trauma, burns, and chronic wounds. This study aimed to determine the true effect of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on patients with burn wounds requiring STSG during treatment of donor wounds. This randomized, triple-blind clinical trial was conducted on patients who referred to the burn ward of Vasei Hospital of Sabzevar, Iran, from May 2017 to May 2018. The donor site was randomly divided into 2 groups: PRF and control (Vaseline petrolatum gauze) using Vaseline gauze. In the intervention group, the PRF gel was applied to the wound and covered with Vaseline gauze and wet dressing. Conversely, only Vaseline gauze and wet dressing were applied to the control group. Outcome evaluation was conducted using paired t test and Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test, as appropriate, on days 8 and 15. The mean age of the patients was 33.10 ± 2.60 years, and 51.50% were male. The mean wound healing time in the PRF and control groups was 11.80 ± 3.51 and 16.30 ± 4.32 days, respectively ( P < .001). The PRF group showed significantly higher wound healing rates than the control group at 8 and 15 days dressing ( P < .001 and P < .001, respectively). Moreover, the mean wound healing for all wound healing indices diagnosed by 2 specialists in PRF was higher than control group on days 8 and 15 ( P < .001). We found a statistically significant difference on days 8 and 15 regarding the mean pain levels between the 2 groups ( P < .001). The findings showed that PRF can significantly increase the time and rate of donor wound healing compared with conventional treatment and also reduce the severity of pain.

Background: Research self-efficacy is one of the main factors influencing the successful conduction of research and following it in students. This study was performed with the aim of determining the research self-efficacy and its relationship with academic performance in postgraduate students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) in 2016. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 320 postgraduate students of TUMS in 2016. Proportional stratified sampling was done with simple random sampling from each school. The data were gathered with Phillips and Russell's research self-efficacy questionnaire, demographic questions, and grade point average (GPA) and were analyzed with independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and multiple linear regressions in SPSS 18. Results: Out of 320 students participating in this study, 152 patients (47.5%) were male and 168 (52.5%) were female with the mean age of 27.83 ± 4.3 years. The mean of research self-efficacy score was 186.18 ± 59.5 which was significant depended on college degrees and was significantly higher in doctorate students (P = 0.0001). However, no significant difference was seen in research self-efficacy score of students due to gender (P = 0.754) and school (P = 0.364). There was a significant direct relationship between students' GPA and research self-efficacy score (r = 0.393, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Results of this study showed that the research self-efficacy score of TUMS postgraduate students is at an acceptable level, except the quantitative and computer skills that need appropriate educational interventions. As a direct and significant relationship existed between research self-efficacy score and student's academic performance, improving the research self-efficacy will also increase students' academic performance.