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Purpose: Smear scores and induration sizes resulting from the PPD (tuberculin purified protein derivative) test can serve as indicators of whether a patient suffering from tuberculosis shows smear conversion or not. Methods: Using microbiological methods smear and sputum tests, patients diagnosed as infected with between 2002 and 2015 were included in this study. All of the assumed factors that may have a role in smear conversion were studied, in addition to the prolongation of tuberculosis. Results: 398 of 512 patients fulfilled all the inclusion criteria and formed the basis of this study. 215 patients (54%) were females and 183 (46%) were males. The median age for both men and women was 36 years. We found a statistically significant difference between the size of induration resulting from the PPD skin test and the rate of non-conversion (=0.002). Further univariate analysis also showed that smear grading and an induration size of ≥10 mm were independently associated with delayed smear conversion. Patients with cavitary lesions showed a higher rate of non-conversion after two months, which was not significant. We could not find any association between some of the variables, such as age, sex, weight, smoking, alcoholism, addictions, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, alternative anti-TB treatment, and smear conversion. Conclusion: Intensified treatment and precautions against transmission should be especially considered for TB patients with high smear grading and an induration size of more than 10 mm.

The hip fracture causes significant disabilities in many elderly people. Many studies around the world have identified various risk factors for the hip fracture. The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the risk factors of hip fractures. This study is a systematic review of risk factors for hip fractures. All published papers in English and Persian languages on patients in Iran and other countries between 2002 - 2022 were examined. The search strategy used keywords matching the mesh, including : predictors, hip fracture, and disability. Articles were selected from international databases (PubMed, Proquest,Web of Sience, Scopus, Google scholar and Persian(Sid,Magiran), and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to assess the risk of bias. The study has identified several factors that were significantly correlated with the risk of hip fracture, including age, cigarette and alcohol consumption, visual and hearing problems, low BMI levels, history of falling, weakness, and diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, liver and kidney diseases, bone density, osteoporosis, vertebral fracture, and hyperthyroidism. However, the study did not find any significant correlations between the consumption of calcium and vitamin D, history of fractures, cognitive disorders, schizophrenia, and household income, and the risk of hip fracture. The results of this study reveal the determining role of some risk factors in hip fracture in older persons. Therefore, it is recommended that health policy makers provide the possibility of early intervention for some changeable factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Head injury is an increasing consequence of different kinds of trauma. It may result in release of substances such as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) within the cerebrospinal fluid or in serum, which can be used for the measurement of severity of damage. The aim of this study was to assess the predictive value of GFAP in prediction of trauma severity in head-injured patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 98 patients with head injury admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital of Kashan University of Medical Sciences (KAUMS) enrolled in this study during 2020-2021. The GFAP serum level, the Extended Glasgow Coma Outcome Score (EGOS), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Rotterdam computed tomography score were assessed and then analyzed by SPSS V20. Results: The mean of GCS at the time of admission and discharge and EGOS and Rotterdam scores at a 3-month follow-up all were within a mild range. In addition, on the base of EGOS, all of the patients had recovered to a good state 3 months after their injury. Statistical analysis revealed a meaningful correlation between GFAP and GCS and EGOS (P < 0.05). GFAP with sensitivity of 80.8%, specificity of 65.3%, and area under the curve of 0.804 has appropriate strength for prediction of severity of head injury. Conclusions: The sensitivity and specificity of GFAP revealed acceptable strength for prediction of severity of head injury, even when confounding factors are considered. The mean of EGOS and GCS and Rotterdam score were all within the range of mild injury. However, further detailed and multicenter studies are recommended for better clarification of the role of GFAP as a biomarker of traumatic brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Road traffic injuries (RTIs) are the most frequent public health problem in Iran. The present study reviewed the methodology of the RTI articles using the Haddon matrix evidence. Materials and Methods: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Persian national databases, including SID, Magiran, and IranDoc, were searched for the articles published from March 21, 2009, to October 21, 2020. The search process was done by two independent reviewers. The quality of the articles was assessed based on the Scopus index of journals. Results: Nine-hundred and fourteen articles were included in this review study, which mostly focused on RTIs in Iran and precrash and postcrash prevention approaches. The methodological approach was cross-sectional in 487 (53.2%) articles and merely 5 (0.54%) articles were randomized clinical trial (RCT) papers. RCT studies focused on the human factor in the precrash phase. Research center evidence indicated that the Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centers mainly focused on human and environmental factors. However, the Trauma Research Center of Kashan and Sina Trauma and Surgery Research Center of Tehran often addressed vehicles. Conclusion: The RTIs studies in Iran often followed a cross-sectional methodology and used a precrash prevention approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has caused a global health crisis. Nevertheless, no antiviral treatment has yet been proven effective for treating COVID‐19 and symptomatic supportive cares have been the most common treatment. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effects of propolis and Hyoscyamus niger L. extract in patients with COVID‐19. This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 50 cases referred to Akhavan and Sepehri Clinics, Kashan university of medical sciences, Iran. Subjects were divided into two groups (intervention and placebo). This syrup (containing 1.6 mg of methanolic extract along with 450 mg of propolis per 10 mL) was administered three times a day to each patient for 6 days. The clinical symptoms of COVID‐19 such as: dry cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, chest pain, fever, dizziness, headache, abdominal pain, and diarrhea were reduced with propolis plus Hyoscyamus niger L. extract than the placebo group. However, the administration of syrup was not effective in the control of nausea and vomiting. In conclusion, syrup containing propolis and Hyoscyamus niger L. extract had beneficial effects in ameliorating the signs and symptoms of COVID‐19 disease, in comparison with placebo groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous studies have showed that psoriatic arthritis increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. On the other hand, an increased carotid intimamedia thickness can be associated with atherosclerosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between psoriatic arthritis and carotid intima-media thickness. Methods: In this case-control study performed during 2018, 22 patients with psoriatic arthritis and 22 healthy controls matched for age and sex were participated. In all subjects, the carotid intima-media thickness was measured by ultrasonography. Systemic inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were assessed in psoriatic arthritis patients. Results: The mean carotid intima-media thickness was 56±0.10 mm in the psoriatic arthritis patients and 54±0.07 mm in the control group with no significant difference (p=0.358). According to the regression analysis, carotid intima-media thickness had no positive correlation with age, sex and body mass index. The carotid intima-media thickness increased in psoriatic arthritis patients with increasing the duration of arthritis, disease activity (DAS- 28), CRP, and ESR, but the correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusion: The study findings do not support the previous reports that claimed a potential correlation between mean carotid intima-media thickness and psoriatic arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]