Search

Objective: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) affects the quality of life of elderly women. This study aimed to investigate the satisfaction, recovery, and recurrence of symptoms in patients with POP who underwent colpocleisis. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study included elderly women (106 cases with an average age of 74.49±6.07) suffering from stage III or higher POP who underwent partial or total colpocleisis. Pre- and post-operative POP-Q, urinary symptoms, and the level of patient satisfaction were the outcome measures. Results: POP and urinary incontinence significantly decreased after surgery (p

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effect of severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 infection on lower urinary tract function using validated questionnaires in patients with patients. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria on 709 patients with Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) on an outpatient basis from September 2020 to May 2021 in Kerman’s health centers. After signing the consent form and completing the demographic information, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Modules and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms questionnaires were completed. Finally, the data were analyzed using the SPSS version 26 software. Results: Patients with COVID-19 (n=709) (365 questionnaires related to women and 344 questionnaires related to men) were examined on an outpatient basis. In general, 42.2% of women and 45.6% of men with COVID-19 had nocturia. The frequency of urination per day was higher than normal in 23% of women and 40.4% of men. In addition, 15% of women complained of a sense of urinary urgency while urinating, and 13.7% and 20% of men complained of straining and hesitancy in urinating, respectively. Similar to the males, the common symptoms in women were nocturia and increased daily frequency. In addition, with increasing age, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) became common in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: The results of our investigation imply that people with COVID-19 may acquire or experience de novo LUTS, particularly storage symptoms. All symptoms were more in people over 50 years old than in those younger. COVID-19 infection should be investigated in any patient presenting with LUTS during the current pandemic. Further research is needed to clarify the exact pathophysiology of this correlation.

ABSTRACT There is presently no disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), which is the most prevalent cause of dementia. Objective: This study aspires to estimate the efficacy and safety of cell-based treatments in AD. Methods: Observing the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methods and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, a systematic search was accomplished in PubMed, Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (Medline, via Ovid), Embase; Cochrane, and Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature — CINAHL (via EBSCO) databases up to June 2023. The relevant clinical studies in which cell-based therapies were utilized to manage AD were included. The risk of bias was evaluated using the JBI checklists, based on the study designs. Results: Out of 1,014 screened records, a total of five studies with 70 individuals (including 59 patients receiving stem cells and 11 placebo controls) were included. In all these studies, despite the discrepancy in the origin of stem cells, cell density, and transplant site, safety goals were obtained. The intracerebroventricular injection of adipose-derived stromal vascular fraction (ADSVF) and umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs), the intravenous injection of Lomecel-B, and the bilateral hippocampi and right precuneus injection of UC-MSCs are not linked to any significant safety concerns, according to the five included studies. Studies also revealed improvements in biomarkers and clinical outcomes as a secondary outcome. Three studies had no control groups and there are concerns regarding the similarity of the groups in others. Also, there is considerable risk of bias regarding the outcome assessment scales. Conclusion: Cell-based therapies are well tolerated by AD patients, which emphasizes the need for further, carefully planned randomized studies to reach evidence-based clinical recommendations in this respect.

Abstract Preclinical and clinical studies have indicated that combining photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy with other therapeutic approaches may influence the treatment process in a variety of disorders. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine whether PBM-combined therapy provides additional benefits over monotherapies in neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders. In addition, the review describes the most commonly used methods and PBM parameters in these conjunctional approaches. To accomplish this, a systematic search was conducted in Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases through January 2024. 95 potentially eligible articles on PBM-combined treatment strategies for neurological and neuropsychological disorders were identified, including 29 preclinical studies and 66 clinical trials. According to the findings, seven major categories of studies were identified based on disease type: neuropsychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, ischemia, nerve injury, pain, paresis, and neuropathy. These studies looked at the effects of laser therapy in combination with other therapies like pharmacotherapies, physical therapies, exercises, stem cells, and experimental materials on neurological disorders in both animal models and humans. The findings suggested that most combination therapies could produce synergistic effects, leading to better outcomes for treating neurologic and psychiatric disorders and relieving symptoms. These findings indicate that the combination of PBM may be a useful adjunct to conventional and experimental treatments for a variety of neurological and psychological disorders.

Objective: Only a few numbers of studies have been published on the use of abobotulinumtoxinA (Dysport®) in idiopathic detrusor overactivity (IDO). This study reported the long-term follow-up of women with IDO who were treated with intravesical Dysport® injections. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-six patients with IDO who had failed first-line conservative and antimuscarinic therapy received 500–900 units of Dysport® between April 2014 and July 2015. All patients were followed up for 5 years after their initial injection and interviewed on the phone. Results: A total of 236 women with IDO aged from 18 years to 84 years (mean±standard deviation: 49.6±15.9 years) were included in our study. The median follow-up time for patients was 36.5 (range: 10–70) months, and the median recovery time after injection was 18.5 (range: 0–70) months. A total of 83 (35.2%) patients stated that they had subjective improvement of their symptoms whereas 84 (35.6%) patients did not report any improvement in symptoms. The initial International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder mean score was 6.9 (standard deviation 3.4). There was a positive association between the median recovery time and the components of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Overactive Bladder questionnaire. Conclusion: In a sub-population of overactive bladder patients with IDO who have failed first-line therapy, a single intravesical Dysport® injection can resolve patient symptoms completely or reduce the symptoms to an acceptable level that can be controlled with antimuscarinics or re-injection on demands.

Cancer of the thyroid has become the fastest-growing cancer among women in the past several decades. This study is aimed at using scientometric methods to identify research frontiers and development trends in the field of thyroid cancer (TC) research. We used the Scopus database to collect articles and reviews related to TC in November 2022. R software and Bibliometrix software package were used for scientometric analysis. More than 28,000 articles were obtained from Scopus using the defined specific keywords. The United States, France, and England published the most publications. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and Cancer were found as the core journals in this field. Morris LGT, Sikora AG, and Davies L authored the most publications. National Cancer Institute, National Cancer Institute at NIH, and the University of Washington contributed the most publications. The most cited evidence was related to the articles of Bray (2018), Sung (2021), and Parkin (2005). Using scientometric analysis, this study mapped and visualized the knowledge landscape in the field of TC. The analysis showed that scientists in the field of TC are working collaboratively to tackle one of the most prevalent cancers in the world. This analysis showed that scientists in the field of TC are working with a scientific framework as a team to tackle one of the most common cancers in the world.

Background. The high mortality and morbidity rate of COVID-19 turned this pandemic into the most challenging health issue. Here we systematically reviewed the consequences of COVID-19 in heart transplant recipients. Methods. The terms "Coronavirus" or "COVID19", "SARS-CoV-2", "Heart Transplantation", and "Cardiac Graft" were searched focusing on heart transplant patients with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome of coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on June 22, 2022, in Web of Science / ISI, PubMed and Ovid ProQuest, Scopus. Results. The results showed that of 14 eligible studies that were included in the systematic review, 8 were case reports, and 6 case series. Among 109 reported cases, 67 patients were male and 22 were female and about the rest, it was not reported. The minimum hospitalization day was one day and the maximum was 60 days. In three case reports, the studied patients died, and in one case series, 7 out of 28 patients died. The most reported symptoms were shortness of breath (85.7%), cough (76.2%), and myalgia/fatigue (76.2%), followed by rhinitis (66.7%) and fever (7.7%). 66 percent). Conclusion. Although the symptoms of the disease in these patients are similar to other patients, the mortality rate is high. Considering that the studies conducted on heart transplant recipients with covid-19 have mostly been in the form of case studies, it is suggested that larger studies be conducted so that more accurate information can be obtained regarding the survival rate, symptoms of the disease, and the type of drugs used. Practical Implications. The mortality rate of heart transplant cases affected by COVID-19 was 23.6% (21 patients).In four studies the duration of hospitalization was not mentioned, but the others varied from no hospitalization in one case to up to 60 days. The most reported symptoms were dyspnea (85.7%), cough (76.2%), and myalgia/fatigue (76.2%), followed by rhinitis (66.7%) and fever (66.7%). Treatment differed for each patient, but hydroxychloroquine, antibiotic therapy including Azithromycin, and lopinavir/ritonavir were the most commonly used drugs.

Abstract Purpose Diabetes mellitus (DM), a hyperglycemic condition, occurs due to the failure of insulin secretion and resistance. This study investigated the combined effects of exercise training and melatonin (Mel) on the function of heart tissue in diabetic rodent models. Methods A systematic search was conducted in Embase, ProQuest, Cochrane library, Clinicaltrial.gov, WHO, Google Scholar, PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, Web of Science, Ongoing Trials Registers, and Conference Proceedings in July 2022 with no limit of date or language. All trials associated with the effect of Mel and exercise in diabetic rodent models were included. Of the 962 relevant publications, 58 studies met our inclusion criteria as follows; Mel and type 1 DM (16 studies), Mel and type 2 DM (6 studies), exercise and type 1 DM (24 studies), and exercise and type 2 DM (12 studies). Meta-analysis of the data was done using the Mantel Haenszel method. Results In most of these studies, antioxidant status and oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptosis rate, lipid profiles, and glucose levels were monitored in diabetic heart tissue. According to our findings, both Mel and exercise can improve antioxidant capacity by activating antioxidant enzymes compared to the control diabetic groups (p

Emerging evidence suggests an association of hyperemesis gravidarum (HG) with transient hyperthyroidism and high HCG levels. For synthesizing the current evidence to determine the association between HG with hormones related to thyroid function, a comprehensive systematic search was performed in the electronic databases comprised Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, ProQuest, and Cochrane Library up to December 2021. All published observational studies that evaluated the association of hyperemesis gravidarum with transient hyperthyroidism were investigated considering the PICO method. The standardized Joanna Briggs Institute Meta-Analysis of Statistics, Assessment, and Review Instrument were applied to appraise the included studies. Twenty-nine studies consisted of 6525 women included in the systematic review. Among them, 28 studies with 2446 participants were included in the meta-analysis. There were significant associations of HG with fT3 (MD: 1.31 pg/mL, 95% CI: 0.61 to 2.01), fT4 (MD: 1.95 ng/dL, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.73), TSH (MD: −1.22μIU/mL, 95% CI: −1.75 to −0.68), TT4 (MD: 0.56 nmol/L, 95% CI:-0.43 to 1.24), and HCG (MD: 1.90IU/L, 95% CI: 0.497 to 3.301). In conclusion, the serum levels of fT3, fT4, and TT4 increased but TSH decreased significantly in women with compared without HG, indicating the significant association of HG with GTT.

Background. Chronic hepatitis B is associated with different long-term outcomes in various regions. One of the critical predictors of clinical outcomes is the genotype of Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The current study investigated the frequency of worldwide and Iranian national HBV genotypes. Methods. Electronic search was performed through Medline (via Ovid), Embase, Web of Science, and Persian databases. Furthermore, the references of eligible articles were manually checked. The quantitative synthesis was conducted using the 2nd version of comprehensive Meta-analysis software (CMA.2). Results. In total, 5817 records were retrieved, and after removing duplicate studies, 3701 were screened at the title/abstract level. A total of 350 eligible studies were identified in the end.D genotype had the highest frequency (43.50%; 95% CI: 39.60 to 47.50), and the H genotype had the lowest frequency (1.2%; 95% CI: 0.6 to 2.7) globally. In 29 studies conducted in Iran (97.0%), genotype D was identified. Genotype E was the most prevalent in the African Region, followed by A in the American Region, B and C in the South-East Asian Region, D in the European Region, and C in the Western Pacific Region. Conclusion. The most prevalent genotype of HCV worldwide and in Iran is D. Furthermore, HBV genotype frequencies vary according to WHO regions. A prediction of progression could be made based on these results. Practical Implications. 1.According to the results of the meta-analyses, the D genotype had the highest frequency (43.50%; 95% CI: 39.60 to 47.50) and the genotype H had the lowest frequency (1.2%; 95% CI: 0.6 to 2.7) globally. 2.In 29 studies conducted in Iran (97.0%), genotype D was identified. 3. Genotype E was the most prevalent in the African Region, followed by A in the American Region, B and C in the South-East Asian Region, D in the European Region, and C in the Western Pacific Region.

Purpose: This study aimed to review the functional urology guidelines, relate the level of evidence (LOE) of their recommendations and highlight the discrepancies between the LOE and grade of recommendation. Materials and Methods: The electronic search was conducted in May 2019 and updated in February 2021. Three researchers separately reviewed the extracted guidelines based on the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II instrument. We extracted recommendations from each guideline and ranked them into three Grades of A, B, and C; and their evidence into four levels of I to IV. Results: Among the published functional urology guidelines, 18 guidelines were published between 2014 and 2020. Overall, 592 recommendations were abstracted. Of these, 121 recommendations were related to evaluation or diagnosis, and the others (n = 471) on the disease management. These recommendations were in the field of urinary incontinence (UI) (n = 216), overactive bladder (OAB) (n = 172), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) (n = 126), and neurogenic bladder (NGB) (n = 78). Subgroup analysis showed that most of the recommendations in relation to UI were Grade A (n = 111; 51.4%), and one-third were Grade C (n = 83; 38.4%). The remaining 22 recommendations were Grade B (10.2%). In OAB, most of the recommendations were Grade B (n = 67, 39.0%), 55 of them were Grade A (32.0%) and the rest were Grade C (n = 50, 29.1%). Among UI guidelines, 51 (45.9%) Grade A recommendations were supported by LOE I evidence, and 39 (47.0%) Grade C recommendations were supported by LOE IV evidence. Across OAB guidelines, 43 (78.2%) Grade A recommendations were supported by LOE I evidence, and 20 (40.0%) Grade C recommendations were supported by LOE IV evidence. Across LUTS guidelines, 34 (61.8%) Grade A recommendations were supported by LOE I evidence, and 14 (23.3%) Grade C recommendations were supported by LOE IV evidence. Among NGB guidelines, 21 Grade A recommendations were supported by LOE I evidence, and 9 Grade C recommendations were supported by LOE IV evidence. Conclusion: Most of the recommendations in the field of functional urology are not based on the systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high quality RCTs; which indicates that more attention is still needed in making decisions based on the certainty and grade of recommendations.

Background. This systematic review evaluated the studies conducted on Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) due to COVID-19 vaccination to clarify any possible connections and the type of vaccines causing GBS. Methods. A comprehensive search was performed on July 2021 through MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases to detect published and unpublished papers. Our PICO was all COVID-19 vaccinated individuals as the population, COVID-19 vaccines as the intervention, and patients experiencing GBS following COVID-19 vaccination as the outcome. Critical appraisal instruments from the Joanna Briggs Institute case series or case report were used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Results. In the present systematic review, 12 case reports and case series including 21 patients were assessed. More than half of the patients were male, and the mean age of male patients was lower than females. In terms of vaccine type, the most common kind of vaccine injected was Oxford/AstraZeneca, and all the cases except one patient had received only one dose of the vaccine. Regarding the interval between receiving the vaccine and the onset of GBS symptoms, the mean duration was 14 days. The lowest mean time interval between receiving the vaccine and the onset of symptoms of GBS was related to the unnamed vector-based COVID-19 vaccine, and the highest was associated with Oxford/AstraZeneca. Conclusion. Through this systematic review of case reports, we neither attempt to establish nor rule out a causal link between the COVID-19 vaccine and GBS, because such a link requires extensive case-control studies. However, we must highlight any events that may occur following the injection of existing vaccines. Practical Implications. The most common symptoms seen in patients experiencing GBS after vaccination included progressive bilateral lower limb weakness, paresthesia, numbness of limbs, generalized body aches, and back pain.

Objective: Having cosmetic breast implants increases a woman's chance of suicide, which is now a global challenge. This systematic review evaluated the possible risk of suicide among women who undergo cosmetic breast implants. Method: This meta-analysis was done based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). In the current systematic review and meta-analysis, we systematically searched for all articles written in both English or Persian that estimated the prevalence of suicidal ideation in women who had cosmetic breast implants. We systematically searched different databases, including MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane, Library ProQuest, Scopus, and Google Scholar, from inception to March 2021. There was also a search for references. Suicidal ideation, a suicide plan, or suicide attempts were the outcomes. In order to determine the total pooled prevalence of suicidal ideation, we utilized a random-effects model. To examine the risks of bias in each study, we applied the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal method. Results: We identified 218 citations in our initial search. After omitting duplicated citations and excluding irrelevant studies according to the title and abstract selection, 42 studies were chosen for the full text analysis. Finally, 11 research, examining a total of 324,332 women were incorporated into the systematic review and critical appraisal assessment. Eight of these studies were found to be eligible for meta-analysis. The frequency of suicide in women with cosmetic breast implant was 0.2% (95% CI: 0.1% to 0.4%; P < 0.001) (Q-value: 168.143, I2:95.83). Most of the included studies had moderate quality. Conclusion: There might be a correlation between cosmetic breast implants and suicide risk, which could be stronger in the presence of a history of mental illnesses. The evidence about the possible effects of breast implants on the risk of suicide is still inconclusive, and there is a need for future well-designed studies on this topic.

ABSTRACT. Anticholinergics (ACs) are among the most prescribed drugs. Investigating the impaired cognitive domains due to individual ACs usage is associated with controversial findings. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of individual ACs on different aspects of cognitive function based on clinical trial studies. Methods: This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed in Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists and the meta-analysis was performed using the CMA software. Results: Out of 3,026 results of searching, 138 studies were included. A total of 38 studies that assess the cognitive impacts of scopolamine were included in the meta-analysis. Included studies reported cognitive effects of scopolamine, mecamylamine, atropine, biperiden, oxybutynin, trihexyphenidyl, benzhexol, and dicyclomine; however, glycopyrrolate, trospium, tolterodine, darifenacin, fesoterodine, tiotropium, and ipratropium were not associated with cognitive decline. Based on the meta-analyses, scopolamine was associated with reduced recognition (SDM -1.84; 95%CI -2.48 to -1.21; p

Background: Due to the importance of psychological support for women during menopause as a period with a high prevalence of mental health problems, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of the essential oil of lavender-Bergamot (La-Ber) and Mindfulness-Based Intervention (MBI) on sexual function, anxiety (primary outcome), and depression score (secondary outcome) in postmenopausal women with sexual dysfunction. Materials and Methods: This controlled randomized trial with a factorial design was performed on 132 postmenopausal women. Participants were randomly allocated into four equal groups: Aromatherapy-Routine Care (Aroma-RC), MBI-Placebo (MBI-P), Aromatherapy-MBI (Aroma-MBI), or Routine Care-Placebo (RC-P). Two to three drops of La-Ber or a similar placebo were inhaled three times a day for 8 weeks. Eight sessions of MBI intervention were conducted. At the end of the intervention and eight weeks afterward, the outcomes were assessed. Results: The sexual function score improved significantly in Aroma-MBI (adjusted Mean Difference [aMD]: 2.4, 95% CI: 0.01 to 4.80) and MBI-P (aMD: 2.6, 95% CI: 0.2 to 5.1) groups compared to the RC-P group. The anxiety score was reduced in the Aroma-RC group at the end of the intervention (aMD: -4.12, 95% CI: -7.41 to -0.72; p = 0.020) and eight weeks later as well as in the Aroma-MBI group. In terms of depression, the mean score of depression was significantly lower than the RC-P group in the Aroma-RC group at the end of the intervention (p = 0.011). Conclusions: MBI and aromatherapy seem effective on sexual function and menopausal anxiety. MBI improves sexual function, while aromatherapy ameliorated anxiety and depression.

Background: Since the outbreak of COVID-19, various treatments have been frequently reported for patients infected with this virus, especially in transplant patient recipients. Investigating o the literature and organ transplant patients with COVID-19, it could pave the way to understanding, handling, and treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We had a brief review of the literature on immunosuppressive therapy in kidney transplants infected with COVID-19 based on the PubMed Database by keywords “kidney, transplant, COVID-19, and immunosuppress” after hospitalization of a kidney transplant reception infected with COVID-19. He had already been recorded in the Organ Transplant Registry (ID≠ 64510) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences /Iran. Results: We reported the clinical course of a 45-year-old man with a history of kidney transplant and immunotherapy who was infected with COVID-19 with respiratory infections and positive RT-PCR (Real-time polymerase chain reaction). He was treated with hydroxychloroquine, Kaletra, Cellcept, and Prednisolone for 5 days, and finally discharged from the hospital. In addition, the reviewing of 48 papers with 745 samples showed that immunosuppressant medications alone could be a therapeutic choice in kidney transplants infected with COVID-19 with careful management. Conclusion: The patients with organ transplantation infected with COVID-19 may show different clinical signs, clinical course, and prognosis due to underlying diseases and the use of immunosuppressant medications. It might be best to continue taking the immunosuppressant medications but to modify them based on patients conditions such as clinical symptoms, laboratory results, paraclinical examinations.

Objective:Misconduct is one of the important issues in research integrity. Cochrane systematic reviews are known for their best level of evidence. Since kidney failure is a major public health problem worldwide, the Cochrane Library provides a robust and reliable database to upgrade medical knowledge and make the best medical decisions. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that are included in the Cochrane systematic reviews of kidney and transplant groups.Materials and Methods:This analytic cross-sectional study was conducted on systematic reviews of kidney and transplant group of Cochrane reviews. All types of biases in the understudied RCTs or quasi-RCTs of these systematic reviews were evaluated using the Cochrane appraisal checklist. The types of biases in included studies were also separated and stratified. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16.Results:A total of 267 systematic reviews and their understudied 3213 RCTs were evaluated. In the kidney and transplant group, the highest risk of bias was seen in allocation concealment bias, whereas the most common bias was unclear allocation concealment (selection bias). From 2008 to 2009, high random sequence generation bias has dramatically increased, and after decreasing, the gradual growth has been continuing over time. Furthermore, the low detection bias has reduced surprisingly in 2011 then decreased in 2012-2013.Conclusion:Regarding high risks of performance and random sequence generation biases in understudied RCTs, critical structure deficiencies were obvious. Therefore, observing integrity principles to prevent research misconduct is recommended.

Abstract Background The type of pneumonia that is caused by the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has spread across the world in a pandemic. It is not clear if COVID-19 patients have any lower urinary tract signs or symptoms. Methods The effect of COVID-19 on lower urinary tract function was studied in a prospective multi-centre, observational study including 238 patients who were admitted with symptoms caused by COVID-19 to the university hospital of Aachen in Germany and Tabriz in Iran. Results None of the patients reported to have any lower urinary tract symptoms. SARS-CoV-2 was found in the urine of 19% of the tested patients. The mortality rate in COVID-19 infected patients with microscopic haematuria together with white blood cells in their urine, was significantly increased from 48 to 61% in the Tabriz cohort (p-value = 0.03) and from 30 to 35% in the Aachen cohort (p-value =0.045). Furthermore, in the group of patients with SARS-CoV-2 urine PCR, the mortality rate rose from 30 to 58%. (p-value =0.039). Conclusion Patients admitted with COVID-19 did not report to have any lower urinary tract symptoms, even those patient who had a positive Urine SARS-CoV-2 PCR. In addition, hematuria, WBC in urine as well as SARS- CoV-2 presence in urine, were found to be strong negative prognostic factors in admitted COVID-19 patients.

Background: The main objective of this study is to provide the first characterization of the current research field of the clinical microbiome in LUTSs. Methods: First-of-its-kind scientometric insight into the historical development and structural state of the discipline is provided by a field analysis, mapping, and sub-analysis of articles for future research. On 22 December 2022, the entire Scopus database was searched without language or date restrictions. Search terms included “Chronic prostatitis”, OR “Interstitial cystitis”, OR “Lower urinary tract symptoms”, OR “Lower urinary tract dysfunction”, OR “Overactive bladder”, OR “Incontinence”, OR “Urolithiasis”, OR “Urothelium”, OR “Urine”, OR “Urology”, OR “urinary disorder”, OR “Pathophysiology”, OR “Benign prostatic hyperplasia”, OR “Benign prostatic enlargement”, AND “Microbiota”, OR “Microbiome”, OR “Urobio-ma”, OR “Urobiota; microflora”. The author and institutional data were transformed using the analytical tool Biblioshiny (a Shiny app for Bibliometrix), which took into account variations in author spelling as well as institutional naming and subgroups. Results: The specified search strategy was able to locate 529 documents from 267 sources published from 1981 to 2022. The average number of years from publication was 4.59 years. The authors with the most publications were Wolfe AJ and Brubaker I. The top three most collaborative networks were Loyola University Chicago, Loyola University Medical Center, and the University of California San Diego. The most frequently occurring words among the 50 nodes were: human, humans, nonhuman, female, adult, article, microbiology, microflora, microbiota, and controlled study. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology and the International Urogynecology Journal, followed by Nature Reviews Urology, were the top three most relevant sources in microbiome research in urology. Conclusions: One of the most crucial requirements for developing research policies and anticipating the scientific requirements of researchers is paying attention to the evolution of various scientific fields. Understanding research gaps and future needs in microbiome research in urology can be effectively understood by paying attention to the models, maps, and visualizations used in this research, which are the results of systematic analysis of scientific products in the most esteemed scientific journals in the world.

Background: In the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a rising need for a rapid and reliable diagnostic tool. We hypothesized that chest computed tomography (CT) can be a potential alternative for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of chest CT and RT-PCR in Iranian patients with suspected COVID-19. Methods: In a retrospective, single-center case series, 568 consecutive hospitalized or outpatient patients with suspected COVID-19 underwent chest CT and/or RT-PCR testing at Imam Reza Hospital, the tertiary teaching hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in Iran, from February 21 and March 28, 2020. Results: The sensitivity of chest CT for signifying COVID-19 was 64% (95% CI: 56%–71%) on the basis of positive RT-PCR results as a standard method. CT imaging also had a specificity of 77% (95% CI: 73%–81%), positive predictive value of 35% (95% CI: 0.31–0.39), negative predictive value of 66% (95% CI: 0.61–0.69), positive likelihood ratio of 2.79 (95% CI: 2.26–3.46), and negative likelihood ratio of 0.47 (95% CI: 0.38–0.57). Conclusion: Chest CT had higher specificity than RT-PCR in the diagnosis of COVID-19, . Therefore, it can play a crucial role in the early diagnosis. Similar to the previous studies, the typical CT features were patchy ground-glass opacities as well as peripheral aspects of the lungs consolidations.

Purpose Neurogenic bladder dysfunction (NGB) has an impact on the quality of life, which made it an important research subject in preclinical studies. The present review investigates the effect of stem cell (SC) therapy on bladder functional recovery after the onset of spinal cord injury (SCI), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease (PD), and stroke in rodent models. Methods All experiments evaluated the regenerative potential of SC on the management of NGB in rodent models up to June 2019, were included. From 1,189 relevant publications, 20 studies met our inclusion criteria of which 15 were conducted on SCI, 2 on PD, 2 on stroke, and 1 on MS in the rodent models. We conducted a meta-analysis on SCI experiments and for other neurological diseases, detailed urodynamic findings were reported. Results The common SC sources used for therapeutical purposes were neural progenitor cells, bone marrow mesenchymal SCs, human amniotic fluid SCs, and human umbilical cord blood SCs. There was a significant improvement of micturition pressure in both contusion and transaction SCI models 4 and 8 weeks post-SC transplantation. Residual urine volume, micturition volume, and bladder capacity were improved 28 days after SC transplantation only in the transaction model of SCI. Nonvoiding contraction recovered only in 56 days post-cell transplantation in the contusion model. Conclusions Partial bladder recovery has been evident after SC therapy in SCI models. Due to limitations in the number of studies in other neurological diseases, additional studies are necessary to confirm the detailed mechanism for bladder recovery.

Background: To determine the association between pre-conception obesity and screening results of pre-natal and post-natal anxiety in women that referred to the health centers of Tabriz, Iran. Methods: 62 obese (class 2-3) and 245 normal-weight women were enrolled in the first trimester of pregnancy through the cohort study and followed-up 1 year after childbirth from December 2012 to January 2016. The Beck anxiety inventory scale (BAI-II) was completed in five time points: the first, second, third trimester of pregnancy, 6–8 weeks and 12 months after childbirth. Chi-square, Fisher’s exact tests, Independent t-test, MannWhitney, and multivariate logistic regression adjusted for confounders were used for data analysis. Statistically significant was considered as p

Background: In the outbreak of infectious diseases, non-pharmacological intervention might be the only available protection tools. The aim of this systematic review is to investigate whether it is or is not necessary to wear masks in new corona virus (COVID-19) outbreaks in the community. Methods: On February, 28, 2020, related databases were searched with the following keywords: "COVID-19"; "COVID 19"; 2019-nCoV; 2019-CoV; coronavirus; mask* and facemask. We updated the search in March 13, 2020. A total of 982 relevant reports were identified after removing duplicates. Of these, 71 references were screened based on titles and abstracts. After excluding unrelated studies, 36 studies were included in the full-text review and were assessed for eligibility. Finally, 3 articles met our inclusion criteria. Results: In three wards of hospital with more exposure to infected patients, wearing the N95 respirator while using regular disinfectants and hand hygiene, was a better way to prevent COVID-19 transmission from patients to nurses and physicians when compared to non-users of masks. Another study on family members with a history of travelling to Wuhan, showed that those who had worn a surgical mask only during the hospital visit, were infected. However, the 7 years old child of the family who wore a surgical mask, was not found to be infected by COVID-19. Finally, none of eleven healthcare workers who had unprotected exposure with confirmed cases were infected. Conclusion: Due to the newness of the COVID-19 virus, no clinical trials have been found regarding the use of the masks in the prevention of the disease, and the level of evidence were low.

Neurogenic bladder (NGB) secondary to spinal cord injury (SCI) is accompanied with several complications such as urinary tract deterioration, urinary incontinence, and consequently lower quality of life (QoL), significant morbidities, and occasionally death. Current therapeutic methods have some side effects and there is no treatment for the upper urinary tract injuries. Stem cell therapy is a promising method for treating this condition. However, the best timing and the best route of its transplantation have not yet been determined. Animal models of SCI, especially in rats, are the most commonly used method for evaluating the efficacy of cell therapy in NGB improvement, and the most common assessment method is the urodynamic studies (UDS). However, there are variations in the range of UDS parameters among the published studies. The current review aimed to discuss the effect of stem cell transplantation on bladder dysfunction recovery based on urodynamic parameters after SCI in rats. For this purpose, the cell source, doses, the route of administration, and the complete UDS equipment and its parameters were summarized in SCI models in rats. In some urodynamic test results, to some extent, an improvement in the lower urinary system function was observed in each treatment group. However, this improvement was far from full functional recovery. The average cell dose was about 1 million cells in every injected site. In most studies, the stem cells (SCs) were transplanted 9 days after the injury using PE-50 and PE-60. Many researchers have recommended further experimental and clinical studies to confirm this treatment modality.

Background: Using bone turnover marker (BTM) monitoring to identify “quick losers” who may develop osteoporosis in the coming years is one of the main challenges in clinical practice. This study was implemented to examine the association of BTMs with bone mineral density (BMD) as well as to determine their relationship with the fracture risk assessment tool (FRAX) in women in the postmenopausal period. Materials and Methods: This study was observational cross-sectional research that was done on women between the ages of 50 and 65 who were in the postmenopausal period. A dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was applied to select 120 eligible women with normal BMD and 120 women without normal BMD. BTMs were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteoporosis's Odds Ratio (OR) was estimated using a confounder-adjusted logistic regression model. The area under curve was calculated for the differentiation of low BMD in the postmenopausal period through receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves. To assess the probability of major osteoporotic fracture and hip fracture for the future 10 years, FRAX was applied. Results: Higher serum osteocalcin (OC) (OR: 1.134, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.086–1.184), osteopontin (OP) (OR: 1.180; 95%CI: 1.105–1.261), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (OR: 1.007; 95%CI: 1.001–1.144) concentrations were potential risk factors for developing low BMD in women after menopause. The area under curve (AUC) (95%CI) for OC, OP, and ALP was 0.75 (0.668–0.8130), 0.75 (0.685–0.812), and 0.602 (0.524–0.670), respectively. ROC analysis indicated that at the cut-off point of 16.28 ng/mL, sensitivity and specificity were 70.3% and 70.9%, respectively, for OC. Furthermore, at the cut-off point of 28.85 ng/mL, the sensitivity of 70.3% and specificity of 66.6% were obtained for OP. The serum OC and OP were significantly related to hip and major osteoporotic fractures (P < 0.05).Conclusion: The higher serum concentration of OC, OP, and ALP had significant associations with lower BMD. These BTMs can be complementary tools and helpful in the postmenopausal period as measures for screening of bone loss and possible bone fracture.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Iran is part of the worldwide pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The present study aimed to demonstrate the clinical characteristics of patients affected by COVID-19, in our tertiary teaching hospital. Medical records and compiled data of 668 patients with suspected COVID-19 were obtained retrospectively between January to April 2020. The present study outcomes included demographic features of infected patients, underlying diseases and conditions, the relationship between the results of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or CT-scan with the manifestations of the disease, mortality rate, and age distribution of fatalities among men and women. The median age of hospitalized patients was 63 years old (from 18 to 94). The patients’ chief complaints in the admission time were cough, dyspnea, fever, and gastrointestinal problems, respectively. Hospitalized patients' common comorbidities were hypertension (HTN), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) (24%), diabetes mellitus (DM) (21.5%), asthma, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (6%), or other underlying diseases (15.5%). One-third of patients had no comorbidity according to the data of medical records. In hospitalized patients, 169 (84.5%) had positive RT-PCR, and 156 (78%) had positive chest CT findings. The mortality rate of males was higher than females (66.3% vs. 33.3%) and in patients with positive RT-PCR compared to patients with positive chest CT-scan findings. The majority of deaths had a history of DM or HTN/CVD in their medical records. The chief complaint of patients was cough. DM and HTN or CVD were the common underlying disease related to death in hospitalized cases. Besides, the hospitalization and mortality rate in males was higher than in females. About 87% of dead hospitalized cases had positive RT-PCR results, and this rate was 82% for chest CT results.

The new virus SARS-CoV-2 is savagely spreading out over the world. The biologic studies show that the target receptor for the virus might be angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). This peptide is responsible for converting angiotensin II (Ang II), which is a profoundly active peptide, into Ang 1-7 with quite a balancing barbell function. It is emphasized that the direct target of the virus is ACE2 underlining the obvious difference with ACE. Nevertheless, we hypothesized that a back load build up effect on Ang II may usurp the ACE capacity and subsequently leave the bradykinin system unabated. We think there are clinical clues for dry cough and the presumed aggravating role of ACE inhibitors like captopril on the disease process. Thereby, we speculated that inhibition of bradykinin synthesis and/or blockade of bradykinin B2 receptor using Aprotinin/ecallantide and Icatibant, respectively, may hold therapeutic promise in severe cases and these molecules can be advanced to clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of family-centered care interventions is to enhance the abilities of family members in certain areas that overcome the barriers to health and well-being, The purpose of the present research was to determine the effect of education based on family-centered empowerment model on health-promoting behaviors and some serum metabolic indicators in elderly women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this stratified randomized controlled trial, 60 elderly women aged 60 years and older referring to elderly-friendly health centers in Tabriz-East Azerbaijan were divided randomly into intervention and control groups in 2019. Intervention group received a family-centered healthy lifestyle intervention once a week for 10 sessions and the control group received the routine care. The mean score of health-promoting behaviors using the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II questionnaire, glycemia and serum lipid profile, liver and renal function, 25-hydroxy Vitamin D, and calcium serum levels were assessed before the intervention, 2 and 6 months after the intervention through SPSS/version 23 using independent t-test, ANCOVA, and repeated measure analysis. RESULTS: The ANCOVA test showed a significant increase in total lifestyle score in the intervention compared to the control group, 2 (adjusted mean difference [aMD]: 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.6–21.8) and 6 months (aMD: 17.2; 95% CI: 7.7–26.7) after education. The score of the nutrition and health responsibility domains significantly increased two (P < 0.05) and 6 months (P < 0.001) after the intervention in the intervention group compared to control. In both groups, serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, urea, and creatinine showed a significant decrease, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and calcium levels showed a significant increase (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: A healthy lifestyle education based on family-centered empowerment model increased the total lifestyle score. So, it is recommended as an effective educational approach to improve the health of elderly.