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Background and Aim: Viral infections are associated with augmented morbidity and mortality risk in Hemodialysis (HD) patients. Materials and Methods: In this investigation, we have scrutinized the presence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), and occult hepatitis B virus infection (OBI), in HD patients. In this cross-sectional study, the blood samples and data from 200 hemodialysis patients referred to a dialysis center in Kerman, from January 2022 to March 2023 were collected. Anti-HBV antibodies and HBs Ag were analyzed in the specimens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All samples were tested for OBI by using a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Results: Of the 200 patients considered, 4 (2%) for HBs Ag were positive. Real-time PCR demonstrated OBI in 2 (1%) patients. The majority presence of viral infection was in the age group 50≥ years, self-employment, low education level, and diabetic patients. Furthermore, our study revealed that a higher percentage of HD patients were associated with low educational levels, self-employment, urban residence, and comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion: In this study, HBV antigen prevalence was 2%, and OBI prevalence was 1%, indicating a low HBV incidence in HD patients. Our study underscores the importance of lifestyle improvement, increased awareness among lower-educated and lower-skilled individuals, and rigorous disinfection practices in managing risk factors for hemodialysis patients, including HBV and OBI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Objective: Occurrence of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection may be common in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) patients and may lead to chronic infection as well as cirrhosis. We intended to determine the incidence of HEV infection among HIV-1 patients in comparison to individuals without HIV-1 infection. Methods: In our cross-sectional study, 87 HIV-1-positive patients were compared to 93 healthy individuals in Kerman, Iran. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained from all the participants. Plasma samples were evaluated for HEV IgM and IgG using the ELISA kit. Then, reverse transcriptase-nested polymerase chain reaction (RT-nested PCR) was used in RNA extractions from PBMCs to check for the presence of HEV RNA. Results: Among the subjects examined in our study, 61 (70.1%) and 71 (77.4%) out of patients with HIV-1 infection and healthy individuals were male, respectively. The average ages of patients with HIV-1 and the control group were 40.2 years and 39.9 years, respectively. No discernible differences were found between the two groups based on IgM and IgG seropositivity against the HEV. However, HEV-RNA was found in 8% of patients with HIV-1 and 1.1% of HIV-1-negative individuals (P=0.03). There was also an association between the HEV genome and anti-HEV and anti-HCV antibodies in HIV-1-positive patients (P=0.02 and P=0.014, respectively). Conclusion: HEV infection may be more common in HIV-1 patients and may develop a chronic infection in immunocompromised individuals. Molecular-based HEV diagnostic tests, including RT-PCR assays, should be performed in HIV-1 patients with unknown impaired liver function tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence, risk factors, endoscopic findings, and outcome of gastrointestinal bleeding in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of COVID-19 hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal bleeding from a large university hospital in southeast Iran. This study was conducted over one year from April 2020 to March 2021. Results: Out of 3563 COVID-19 inpatients with approximately equal sex distribution (52.5% of men and 47.5% of women), 80 (2.24%) patients with a mean age of 58.01±20.71 were identified with signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, including; melena (48.8%), hemoglobin drop (42.5%), fresh blood hematemesis (31.3%), rectorrhagia (20%) and coffee ground emesis (10%). 52 patients (65%) had signs of gastrointestinal bleeding on admission, and 28 patients (35%) developed gastrointestinal bleeding during their hospital admissions, most of whom were men (63.8%). Endoscopic characteristics were; gastric erosion (27.7%), gastric ulcer (23%), duodenal ulcer (21.5%), esophageal ulcer (12.3%), and esophageal erosion (6.1%) in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. On colonoscopy, hemorrhoids (25%), mass lesions (16%), fissures (8.3%), diverticular lesions (8.3%), and polyps (8.3%) were the most common findings. The overall mortality of the patients in the present study was 36.2%. However, gastrointestinal bleeding related deaths were 7.5%. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal bleeding was identified in 2.24% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients, with gastroduodenal ulcers and erosions as the most common symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer mortality. Artificial intelligence, as a diagnostic tool, can reduce physicians’ working load. However, the main fear is that due to the existence of many causes and factors, liver diseases are not easily diagnosed. This study analyzes liver disease intelligently. Various decision tree models were used in this research. Methods: The records of 583 patients in the North East of Andhra Pradesh, India, registered at the University of California in 2012, were collected. Decision tree models were compared by three measures of sensitivity, accuracy, and area under the ROC curve. Results: In this study, Decision-Stump showed better results than other models. Accuracy, sensitivity, and ROC curve of Decision-Stump were 71.3058, 1, and 0.646, respectively. Conclusion: The superior model with the highest precision is the Decision-Stump model. Therefore, the Decision-Stump model is recommended for liver disease diagnosis. This paper is invaluable for the allocation of health resources for risky people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain and changes in intestinal movements in the absence of structural or biochemical abnormalities. In spite of the high prevalence, its etiology is unknown, and there are no specific diagnostic laboratory tests. Material and Methods: In a case/control study, 36 biopsy samples taken from patients with IBS and 30 biopsy samples as control were obtained. Expression of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR 3), Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR 9), and Retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG 1) in macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells in terms of percentage and color intensity were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The obtained data were statistically analyzed using Mann Whitney U and Chi-square tests. Results: The differences between percentage and intensity in the sample and control groups were significant for all three receptors in the epithelial cells. In plasma cells, the difference in TLR 3 and TLR 9 percentage was significant but not significant for RIG. However, in terms of intensity, it was not significant for any of them. In lymphocytes and macrophages, there was no significant difference for any of the receptors. Conclusion: Since the expression of some virus sensing receptors on the different cell types of the intestine increases following infection, we concluded that IBS might be related to viral infections of the intestine. Future studies are needed to reveal the exact nature of the suspected viral agents. Some viruses producing gastroenteritis in humans, such as coronavirus, can be suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common chronic demyelinating disease of the central nervous system with various potential etiology, including infectious disease. The number of studies on the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and MS is limited. So, in this study, we aimed to assess the relation between H. pylori infection and MS in Kerman city, the center of the largest province in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, 71 patients with newly diagnosed MS and 145 sex- and age-matched controls were included. Blood samples for IgG anti-HP antibodies were collected from all individuals. SPSS software version 22 was used for data analysis. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: 71 patients with newly diagnosed MS consisted of 48 (67.6%) women and 23 (32.39%) men were included in our study. The mean age was 43 ± 10 years. The mean ages in the case and control groups were 43.83 ± 10.40 and 44.41±16.30 years, respectively (p = 0.114). The control group more commonly had used smoking (p = 0.814). Alcohol consumption was higher in the control group (p = 0.965). More than 40% of the patients in the case group and 55.17% in the control group had body mass index (BMI) > 25 (p = 0.074). H. pylori seropositivity was observed in 61.97% of the MS group compared with 76.55% of the non-MS group (p = 0.021). Conclusion: We concluded that patients with newly diagnosed MS had low H. pylori seropositivity, so H. pylori infection may have a protective effect against MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The results reported on the prevalence of colorectal cancer are very disturbing. This study aimed to address the polyps’ detection rate and their prevalence. In addition, we analyzed some related variables among the patients referred to Afzalipour and Mehregan Hospitals of Kerman in 2015-2016. Methods: Data concerning colonoscopy and pathologic samples of patients aged over 40 years who referred for colonoscopy were collected and analyzed. The polyps’ detection rate and some related variables were assessed. Results: A total of 469 patients older than 40 who underwent colonoscopy were enrolled in this study. One hundred and two cases of polyps were found in which 45.3% of them had adenoma. The bowel preparation (0.03), higher age (0.007) and male gender (0.013) had significant relationship with the detection of polyps. Conclusion: The detection of the polyp / adenoma in this study is comparable with the results of the research carried out in other parts of the world with a high prevalence of colon cancer. Our findings are consistent with other studies in Iran as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) are two accessible indices for liver evaluation. Upper limit of normal (ULN) of these tests are important for starting further investigations for persons with high values. In recent years, cut off points for ULN of these tests have been disputed. This study aimed to determine the ULN of ALT and AST in a population-based study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on a randomized clustered sample of people of Kerman city. Demographic, anthropometric, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. After excluding the recognized risk factors for liver function tests in another group (group 2), data were analyzed in this subgroup. Results: Of 2748 subjects included in this study, 1172 (42.4%) were men, with an age range of 15-85 years. The mean (± SE), median, mode, and 95th percentile were 23.74 ± 0.18, 22, 19, and 37 for AST and 22.37 ± 0.27, 18, 15, and 46 for ALT, respectively. The levels of AST and ALT were higher in men and middle age group (P<0.0001). Similar results were obtained for gender but the association of AST and ALT with age was disappeared in another group. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, it is recommended to measure the ULN of AST and ALT periodically in different regions concerning age and gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of soil–structure interaction on seismic responses of structures have always been a challenging topic for earthquake and structural engineers. Over the years, different ways have been introduced by researchers to consider the effect of this phenomenon during design procedure of structures. In this study, the performance of three different modelling methods including one direct and two substructure approaches has been compared to reveal the ability of each method to estimate the seismic responses of mid-rise structures. For this purpose, the seismic behaviour of two steel moment-resisting frames under different modelling conditions has been investigated and the results have been reported in terms of interstorey drift ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mutations in the EGFR signaling pathway play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Mutations in these genes, like KRAS and BRAF, affect the treatment strategies and associated with poor prognosis and relative resistance to anti-EGFR therapies. Our aim was to conduct a systematic and meta-analysis on all studies that have been conducted on the prevalence of these gene mutations in Iranian CRC patients. Methods: Four science citation index databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane library) and local databases were searched up to March 2018 with related keywords. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted the data. Quality of all included studies was assessed using an adapted checklist from STROBE. A random-effect model was used to calculate the total prevalence of KRAS and BRAF mutations in CRC subjects by the event rate (ER). Meta-regression was utilized to explore heterogeneity causes. Results: In total, from 573 records, 23 eligible studies (2662 patients) were included for data extraction and analysis. In 18 of 23 included studies, the prevalence of KRAS mutations was 33.9% (95% CI=30.1-37.9) with I2=65.17 (p<0.001). The occurrence of KRAS mutations in codon 12 and 13 was 76.9% (95% CI = 70.4-82.3%) with I2=84.88 (p<0.001) and 23.5% (95% CI=17.9-30.3) with I2=85.85 (p<0.001), respectively. In 9 of 23 studies, the BRAF mutation rate was 3.2% (95% CI=0.003-13.6) with I2=88.61 (p<0.001). Conclusion: The prevalence of these mutations in CRC patients shows a significant difference in the different regions of Iran, which is probably due to environmental and racial factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been introduced as a new genomic source for cancer. Therefore, it was decided to conduct a study to evaluate the rs3746444 polymorphism of miR-499 in patients with colon cancer in comparison with healthy subjects. Methods: This case-control study was conducted to investigate rs3746444 polymorphism of miR-499 in blood samples of case and control groups. Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of cancer based on pathologic report were enrolled in the study as the case group and compared with healthy subjects. The level of significance was considered at p< 0.05. Result: The mean of DNA count in samples was 63.17± 23.51 that was significantly higher in the case group. The rs3746444 polymorphism of miR-499 was significantly higher in patients with cancer compared to the healthy subjects (P < 0.05). Conclusion: In this study, rs3746444 polymorphism of miR-499 was significantly higher in patients with colon cancer, which indicated that people with this polymorphism had a higher risk for malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND The anti-TNF drugs are shown to be highly effective in treatment of patients with moderate-tosevere inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Here, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of anti- TNF therapy at the national level. METHODS IBD patients aged 15 > years who received Infliximab and/or CinnoRA® between 2013 to July 2018 were identified. The data extracted from medical dossier and telephonic interview. The efficacy of therapy was defined as time to drug discontinuation or need for IBD-related surgery. The safety was assessed based on patient's reported adverse events. RESULTS We included 315 patients. The mean age of patients was 37.2 years and 62.2% of them developed the disease before age 30 years. Involvement of masculoskeletal system was reported in 7.3% of patients. Partial and complete response to Anti-TNF therapy was seen in 67% of patients. About 16% of patients did not respond to induction therapy and 16.9% of patients lost their response to Anti-TNF during one year. No serious adverse events, serious opportunistic infection, tuberculosis and malignancies reported by patients. Two patients reported pneumonia. CONCLUSION This study for the first time in our country, provides the evidences for efficacy of anti-TNF therapy in moderate to severe IBD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding the importance of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the high prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency in different societies. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution of Vit D3 deficiency in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. In this cross-sectional study, 122 individuals with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were selected by a simple sampling method. After collecting demographic data, serum Vit 25(OH) D3 level was measured by the ELFA method. Blood lipids level (TG, cholesterol, HDL, LDL), FBS, AST, ALT, alkaline phosphatase, total and direct bilirubin, albumin, and PT were measured by the enzymatic method. To analyze the data, descriptive and analytical methods and SPSS software version 16 were used. The study cases are comprised of 122 individuals (57.4% male). The average age of cases was 42.4±11.7 years, and the mean of serum Vit D3 level was 19.8±22 ng/dl (3-220 ng/dl). Regarding the serum 25(OH) D3 levels data showed 66.4% of cases were Vit D3 deficient (Vit D3 level< 20 ng/dl), 18% had insufficient level (Vit D3 level=20-30 ng/dl), and the remained 15.6% had sufficient level (Vit D3 level> 30 ng/dl). HDL level was higher in individuals with 25(OH) D3 sufficiency compared to those with 25(OH) D3 insufficiency and Vit D3 deficiency (P=0.019). There was no significant relationship between serum Vit D3 level and other investigated variables. The results of this study indicated that most individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had Vit D3 deficiency. Further studies are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional disorder with an unknown etiology. Some recent studies report the presence of a microscopic inflammation in people with IBS. This micro-inflammation can be due to an alteration in the pattern of recognition receptors especially in Toll-like receptors (TLRs). In this systematic review, we reviewed an evaluated existing studies related to TLRs and their changes in patients with IBS. Materials and Methods: Three science citation index databases including Web of Science, Pubmed and Embase were searched for related keywords from September 2000 to September 2018. There was no language restriction. Two reviewers screened and extracted data independently. Results: A total of 178 records were retrieved and eight eligible studies (265 patients) were included for data extraction and analysis. The results showed that, compared with the healthy group, the expression of some of the TLRs such as TLR2, TLR3, TLR4 and TLR5 increased whereas the expression of some others including TLR7 and TLR8 decreased significantly. Conclusion: Alteration of TLRs in patients with IBS can be due to changes in microbiota causing a micro-inflammation. This alteration can have a potential role in pathophysiology of IBS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Recent evidence indicates that new approach of the diet with low fermentable oligo-di-mono-saccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) may have an effective role in management of the patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We compared the results of low FODMAP diet with current dietary treatment, general dietary advices (GDA), on the clinical response in patients with diarrhea subtype of IBS (IBS-D). Methods: In this randomized, controlled, single-blind trial, we included 110 patients with IBS-D in two intervention groups. Participants were randomly assigned to the low FODMAP diet (n = 55) and GDA (n = 55) for 6 weeks after a 10-day screening period. Gastrointestinal symptoms and bowel habit status were evaluated using a symptom severity scoring system and Bristol stool form scale pre-intervention and post-intervention. Patients completed 3-day food diary before and after the intervention. Results: Of 110 patients, 101 completed the dietary interventions. At the baseline, the nutrient intake, severity of symptoms, and demographic data were similar between two groups. After 6 weeks, the low FODMAP diet improves significantly overall gastrointestinal symptoms scores, stool frequency, and consistency versus GDA group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Compared with the baseline, both intervention groups expressed a significant reduction in overall scores of symptom severity scoring system, abdominal pain, distension, consistency, and frequency, but this reduction is greater in low FODMAP diet group. Conclusions: Both low FODMAP diet and GDA in patients with IBS-D led to adequate improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms for 6 weeks. However, the low FODMAP diet has greater benefits in IBS improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates political culture in the city of Tehran, focusing on three of its domains including typology of political culture, classification and typology of political citizens, as well as examination of some variables affecting political culture in Iran. The applied research method is in the form of a survey and questionnaire-based data. The study sample size includes 612 citizens residing in Tehran in 2018. Findings show that most citizens are tended to a subjectparochial political culture. It is indicated that political variables i.e. the cost of political activity, government officials' responsiveness, and institutional political trust are effective on political culture. Using cluster method, the citizens were divided into four categories: critical, obedient, unmotivated, and disappointed. Political culture factors are categorized in three groups by analyzing exploratory factors. These are: pluralistic, value, and involvement -behavioral. Findings show that, citizens have been grown higher in pluralistic, and with value aspects, but are in a low level with behavioral aspect, and this factor could be effective on political culture's type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed at investigating the effect of Iranian traditional remedy prepared from Apium graveolens and Trachyspermum copticom (AT) on the severity and frequency of symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). Material and Methods: In total, 150 FD patients were included in this randomized double-blind trial, based on the ROME III diagnostic criteria, and they were divided into three intervention groups namely, AT, Placebo and omeprazole. Then, severity and frequency of symptoms during this eight-week trial were measured. Obtained information was analyzed using Chi-square test and repeated measures test. Result: In general, the severity and frequency of symptoms after the 4th week significantly decreased in the AT group as compared to the omeprazole and placebo groups, and continued to reduce by the end of the eighth week. General reduction of symptom severity and frequency in the omeprazole group was significantly different from the placebo group by the end of the 4th and 8th weeks. With respect to each individual symptom, AT markedly improved symptoms, such as burning, pain, early satiation, fullness, bloating, belching and nausea, as compared to placebo-treated group. Moreover, AT significantly improved symptoms, like vomiting, and nausea, except for pain, as compared to omeprazoletreated subjects. Conclusion: According to the results, AT, as Iranian traditional remedy, was more effective than omeprazole and placebo in reducing the symptoms in FD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]