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Introduction Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus type 1 (HTLV-1) share similar routes of transmission and both target T cells. HTLV-1 may negatively affect the course of disease in people living with HIV, but previous evidence is conflicting. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the prevalence of HIV/HTLV-1 co-infection, routes of transmission, and patients’ CD4+ counts. Material and methods 184 HIV-positive individuals were recruited for this cross-sectional study from the Counseling Center for Behavioral Diseases of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. Serum samples were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for anti-HTLV-1. Results The mean age of participants was 40.12 ± 11.6 years, and all cases were negative for HTLV-1 infection. Participants were diagnosed on average about 78 months (6 years) ago, and the mean CD4+ count of the participants was 669.22 cells/µl (SD = 284.2). Using ELISA screening, none of the participants from Tehran in various age groups showed concurrent HTLV-1 infection (0 percent). Conclusions Co-infection with HTLV-1 is negligible in HIV-infected patients in Tehran, Iran. Our data also showed that the most common route of HIV transmission among our study subjects was hetero­sexual contact (56.4%).

Abstract People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH) appear to be at an increased risk of sarcopenia, which can have a devastating effect on their life due to consequences such as physical disability, poor quality of life, and finally death. This systematic review examined sarcopenia prevalence and its associated factors in PLWH. A systematic search was conducted using the keywords in the online databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane databases from the dates of inception up to May 2022. The retrieved articles underwent a two‐step title/abstract and full‐text review process, and the eligible papers were selected and included in the qualitative synthesis. Data relating to the study population, purpose of study, gender, age, race, body mass index, medical history, paraclinical results and antiretroviral therapy as associated factors of sarcopenia were extracted. In addition, the prevalence of sarcopenia in PLWH and its promoting and reducing factors were also extracted. We reviewed the 14 related studies for identifying of sarcopenia prevalence and its associated factors in PLWH. The total number of PLWH in all the reviewed studies was 2592. There was no criterion for the minimum number of people with HIV and the lowest number of PLWH was 27, and the highest number was 860. Some studies reported a significantly higher prevalence of sarcopenia in HIV‐infected individuals compared with HIV‐negative controls as follows: 24.2–6.7%, 15–4% and 10–6%, respectively. We showed that, age (30–50 years), being female, >5 years post‐HIV diagnosis, multiple vertebral fractures, cocaine/heroin use and lower gamma‐glutamyl transferase level were the main promoting factors of sarcopenia. Higher educational level, employment, physical exercise, calf circumference >31 cm, and gait speed >0.8 m/s were also factors to reduce sarcopenia. Sarcopenia prevalence in PLWH is higher than HIV‐negative population. Given the importance and prevalence of sarcopenia among PLWH and its associated consequences (i.e., mortality and disability), determining its risk factors is of great importance.

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 epidemic and various control and mitigation measures to combat the widespread outbreak of the disease may affect other parts of health care systems. There is a concern that the COVID-19 pandemic could disrupt HIV services. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically evaluate the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on service delivery and treatment outcomes in people with HIV. Methods In this study, a systematic search was conducted using the keywords in the online databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. The retrieved articles underwent a two-step title/abstract and full-text review process, and the eligible papers were selected and included in the qualitative synthesis. Result We selected 16 studies out of 529 retrieved records that met the inclusion criteria for this review. Study populations of the selected studies were either HIV-positive patients or HIV clinics and healthcare providers. Most studies were focused on adhering to and obtaining medication and attending clinical appointments and their decrement during the pandemic. Other aspects of HIV care (alternative healthcare settings, viral suppression, psychological care, etc.) were discussed to a lesser extent by the included studies. Conclusion Interruption in in-person visits and medical follow-up services, loss of adherence to treatment, and subsequent increase in mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic complications in PLHIV have led to growing concerns. Other challenges were psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression, an increase in substance abuse, and a rise in experienced stigma and discrimination. However, the use of telemedicine in some countries helps to alleviate the situation to some extent and is recommended in similar settings in the future.

Introduction: Loss to follow-up (LTFU) slows the progress in reaching the goals of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention and treatment. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes behind this phenomena. Herein, we aimed to systematically review the prevalence of LTFU among people living with HIV and the reasons behind this event. Material and methods: A systematic search was conducted with key words applied in online databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, UpToDate, and Science Direct, from January 2015 to March 2021. Most relevant papers were retrieved and screened in two phases against inclusion criteria, based on their title/abstract and their full texts, and eligible records were included in the review. Results: In this systematic review, 54 studies were included. Unfavorable socio-demographic and supportive status, distance to facility, age, gender, challenges related to antiretroviral therapy initiation and its’ side effects, and CD4+ counts were among the most common reasons cited for LTFU in HIV clinics. Conclusions: LTFU remains a major factor halting the progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV. Great efforts are still needed to address this issue, especially in populations and regions with higher LTFU incidence. Accessibility of receiving care should be increased to encourage patients to continue their treatments. Upcoming follow-up studies are needed to re-evaluate the progress and to report future challenges and limitations.

Abstract Background Disclosure of HIV-positive status in women is associated with many factors. Consequently, status disclosure remains a challenge for Iranian women living with HIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, related factors, and reflections of HIV-positive status disclosure to a sexual partner(s) among Iranian women living with HIV. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 HIV-seropositive women. Participants were selected from patients registered in the largest HIV clinic and HIV-positive club of Iran. The “HIV disclosure” questionnaire had 38-items and all the interviews were administered by the researcher. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 software. We used a logistic regression method to calculate the crude odds ratio (COR) and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for self-disclosure as the independent predictor variable and the dependent variable, respectively. Results One hundred and seventy HIV-positive women were enrolled. Most of them had disclosed their HIV status to at least one person (94.1%) and their sexual partners (86.5%). In the univariate analysis, being married (COR = 18.66, 95% CI 5.63–61.87), living with a sexual partner (COR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.92–11.62), being aware of sexual partners’ HIV status (COR = 6.20, 95% CI 1.79–21.49), and gaining the support of sexual partner (COR = 9.08, 95% CI 3.48–23.64) were associated with higher odds of HIV status disclosure. In the multivariate analysis, being aware of sexual partners’ HIV status, and gaining the support of sexual partners remained associated with HIV status disclosure. Most women reported a positive reflection from their sexual partners after disclosure, however, negative reflections from society were more common compared to sexual partners and family members. Conclusion This study shows high overall HIV disclosure proportions. It should be noted that a large number of women were infected by their sexual partners, especially by their spouses. The high rate of transmission in married people indicates an urgent need for more emphasis on appropriate prevention behaviors by infected partners.

Airborne LiDAR scanning is a promising approach to providing high-resolution products that are appropriate for different applications, such as flood management. However, the vertical accuracy of airborne LiDAR point clouds is not constant and varies in space. Having a better knowledge of their accuracy will assist decision makers in more accurately estimating the damage caused by flood. Data producers often report the total estimation of errors by means of comparison with a ground truth. However, the reliability of such an approach depends on various factors including the sample size, accessibility to ground truth, distribution, and a large enough diversity of ground truth, which comes at a cost and is somewhat unfeasible in the larger scale. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to propose a method that could provide a local estimation of error without any third-party datasets. In this regard, we take advantage of geostatistical ordinary kriging as an alternative accuracy estimator. The challenge of considering constant variation across the space leads us to propose a non-stationary ordinary kriging model that results in the local estimation of elevation accuracy. The proposed method is compared with global ordinary kriging and a ground truth, and the results indicate that our method provides more reliable error values. These errors are lower in urban and semi-urban areas, especially in farmland and residential areas, but larger in forests, due to the lower density of points and the larger terrain variations.

Introduction: Several clinical manifestations have been discovered for COVID-19 since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which can be classified into early, medium, and long-term complications. However, late complications can be present after recovery from acute COVID-19 illness. The present study aims to comprehensively review the available evidence of late complications related to COVID-19. Method: A search was conducted, using keywords, through electronic databases, which included Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase up to August 29, 2022. Study selection was performed according to a strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) checklist was followed, and studies were appraised using the National Institute of Health (NIH) quality assessment and risk of bias tool. Results: In total, 50 studies were included, and nine distinct COVID-19 late complication categories were identified. A review of these studies revealed that neurologic and psychiatric (n=41), respiratory (n=27), musculoskeletal and rheumatologic (n=22), cardiovascular (n=9), and hepatic and gastrointestinal (n=6) complications were the most prevalent complications of long COVID-19. Conclusion: Almost all human body systems are affected by late complications of COVID-19 with different severity and prevalence. Fatigue and some other neuropsychiatric symptoms are the most common late complications among long COVID-19 patients. Respiratory symptoms including dyspnea (during exercise), cough, and chest tightness were the next most prevalent long-term complications of COVID-19. Since these complications are persistent and late, being aware of the signs and symptoms is essential for the healthcare providers and patients.

Abstract Background and Aims Alteration in humans' gut microbiota was reported in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2). The gut and upper respiratory tract (URT) microbiota harbor a dynamic and complex population of microorganisms and have strong interaction with host immune system homeostasis. However, our knowledge about microbiota and its association with SARS‐CoV‐2 is still limited. We aimed to systematically review the effects of gut microbiota on the SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and its severity and the impact that SARS‐CoV‐2 could have on the gut microbiota. Methods We searched the keywords in the online databases of Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane on December 31, 2021. After duplicate removal, we performed the screening process in two stages; title/abstract and then full‐text screening. The data of the eligible studies were extracted into a pre‐designed word table. This study adhered to the PRISMA checklist and Newcastle−Ottawa Scale Bias Assessment tool. Results Sixty‐three publications were included in this review. Our study shows that among COVID‐19 patients, particularly moderate to severe cases, the gut and lung microbiota was different compared to healthy individuals. In addition, the severity, and viral load of COVID‐19 disease would probably also be influenced by the gut, and lung microbiota's composition. Conclusion Our study concludes that there was a significant difference in the composition of the URT, and gut microbiota in COVID‐19 patients compared to the general healthy individuals, with an increase in opportunistic pathogens. Further, research is needed to investigate the probable bidirectional association of COVID‐19 and human microbiome.

Abstract Background and Aims To monitor the health status of pregnant women moment by moment, new technologies in the field of telemedicine can be used, such as virtual visits and virtual clinics. During the COVID‐19 pandemic, by using these technologies, useful and satisfactory services have been provided to pregnant mothers. The aim of this study is to specify the applications, features, and infrastructure of a comprehensive virtual clinic in the field of gynecological and pregnancy care. Methods A systematic review search was conducted through the scientific databases from February 2013 to February 2022 using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Furthermore, manual searches in Google Scholar and the reference lists of included studies were carried out. Results In this systematic review we included 16 articles that reported experiences in virtual clinics in pregnancy and postpartum healthcare. The involved studies were experimental, cohort, and cross‐sectional studies. The target group users were pregnant or women who gave birth and families of neonatal. The application of virtual clinics was for the visit, consultation, monitoring, follow‐up, and home care virtually. Highly satisfaction scores of caregivers after virtual visits and consultation were reported. There were some challenges during virtual visits and consultation; the most important challenge was a poor internet connection. Conclusion The reviewed studies show promising outcomes according to patient and provider satisfaction. We predict that telehealth will become a growingly significant part of gynecological care in the future.

Introduction COVID-19 vaccines emerged as a worldwide hope to contain the pandemic. However, many people ‎are still hesitant to receive these vaccines. We aimed to systematically review the public knowledge, perception, and acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries and the predictors of vaccine acceptability in this region. Methods We systematically searched databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane and retrieved ‎all relevant studies by 5 August 2021. Results There was a considerable variation in the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance ‎rates, from 12% in a study from Israel to 83.3% in Kuwait, although two other studies from Israel mentioned 75% ‎and 82.2% acceptability rates. Concerns about the side effects and safety of the vaccine were the main reasons for ‎the lack of acceptability of taking the vaccine, which was reported in 19 studies. ‎ Conclusion Several factors, such as age, gender, education level, and comorbidities, ‎are worthy of attention as they could expand vaccine coverage in the target population.‎

Abstract Introduction C‐reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines levels could alter in patients with coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) due to the inflammatory response caused by the virus. This analysis aimed to assess the relationship between the CRP levels and the levels of various cytokines in COVID‐19 patients. Materials and Methods We searched the databases of PubMed, Cochrane, and Web of Science for relevant articles on May 29th, 2021. Applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, the retrieved records underwent two‐phase screenings; first, a title/abstract screening process, and then, a full‐text screening to find the eligible studies. Data for study variables were extracted, including the CRP levels and the levels of all reported cytokines. A strong and significant relationship between Interleukins and CRP was defined as: p ≤ 0.05, 0.7 ≤ r ≤ 1. Results In this study, 103 studies were included for systematic review and correlation analysis. The aggregate mean and SD of study variables were calculated and reported. The correlation between Interleukins and CRP was measured using correlation coefficient (r). It appeared that interleukin (IL)‐10 has a moderate and significant relationship with CRP (p ≤ 0.05, r = 0.472). IL‐10 predicted almost 10% of CRP changes. Conclusion This correlation analysis suggests IL‐10 is moderately correlated with CRP levels in patients with COVID‐19 infection. A better understanding of the pro‐inflammatory markers could contribute to the implementation of therapeutic and preventive approaches. More prospective studies are suggested to explore the relationship between CRP and cytokines as potential markers for the early identification of COVID‐19 progression and severity.

Abstract Introduction Since the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) began, necessary measures to prevent virus transmission and reduce mortality have been implemented, including mandatory public use of masks, regular hand-sanitizing and hand-washing, social distancing, avoidance of crowds, remote work, and cancellation of public events. During and after the introduction of COVID-19 lockout, we performed a systematic review of available published literature to investigate the incidence of seasonal influenza and other respiratory viral infections. Methods PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Research Gate, and the World Health Organization databases and websites were systematically searched for original studies concerning the impact of COVID-19 prevention means and measures on other common respiratory infectious diseases during the pandemic published by March 2021. Results The findings showed that the adherence to health protocols to prevent COVID-19 could help to reduce the incidence of other infectious diseases such as influenza, pneumonia, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Conclusion The implemented prevention measures and protocols might have reduced the incidence of influenza and some other common respiratory infections. However, controversies exist on this matter and future large population-based studies might provide further information to address these controversies.

Introduction: Rare serious complications have been documented after COVID-19 vaccination as clinical research proceeded and new target populations, such as children and ‎pregnant women, were included. In this study, we attempted to review the literature relevant to ‎pregnancy complications and maternal outcomes of COVID-19 immunization in pregnant women. ‎ Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science on 31 August 2022. The records were downloaded and underwent a two-step screening; 1) title/abstract and then 2) full-text screening to identify the eligible studies. We included English original studies that evaluated the adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy. Information such as the type of ‎study, geographical location, type of vaccine injected, gestational age, maternal underlying diseases, and ‎complications following the vaccination were extracted into pre-designed tables. Results: According to the findings of included studies, in most of them vaccination had a positive impact and no negative effects were observed. Also, no medical history was reported in 11 articles, and pregnant women had no underlying diseases. Some serious adverse events were reported after ‎vaccination, including miscarriage, paresthesia, uterine contraction, vaginal bleeding, preterm birth, major ‎congenital anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, and seizure. ‎ Conclusion: Because of limited data availability and the cross-sectional design of most studies, we could neither infer ‎causation between vaccines and incidence of adverse effects nor comment with certainty about any ‎possible adverse outcome of COVID-19 vaccines in vaccinated pregnant women. Consequently, more longitudinal and experimental studies are needed to define the exact adverse effects of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women.

Abstract Background and Aims Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are one of the major health concerns globally. Generally, prisoners are at higher risks for STIs due to risk factors including; drug‐use, high‐risk sexual behaviors, densely populated prisons, and poor living conditions. Therefore, we aimed to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the existing data on STI prevalence, and its associated risk factors among prisoners. Methods We conducted a systematic search of the literature using the keywords in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar online databases. We selected all the relevant original studies in English through title/abstract and full‐text screening process.‎ Results Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected and reviewed 32 studies out of 96 identified papers. The most important STI‐associated risk factors among prisoners were drug use, low educational levels, and unsafe sex. The prevalence of STIs was heterogenous in selected studies and was reported as follows; Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) (0%−14.5%), hepatitis B viruses (HBV) (0.04%−27.23%), hepatitis C viruses (HCV) (0.17%−49.7%), Syphilis (0.2%−22.1%), Chlamydia Trachomatis (CT) (1.02%−6.7%), Gonorrhea (0.6%−7.8%), and herpes simplex virus‐2 (HSV‐2) 22.4%. Conclusion This systematic review indicates that the prevalence of STIs (HIV, HBV, HCV, Syphilis, Chlamydia Trachomatis, Gonorrhea, and HSV‐2) among prisoners appears to be higher than the general population, with drug abuse, low educational levels, and unsafe sex as major risk factors.

Abstract Introduction Risky sexual behaviors. Adequate awareness of reproductive health in young people is important because they are in the early years of fertility, and engaging in risky sexual behaviors is more probable. This study aimed to evaluate the sexual attitude and associated factors of risky sexual behaviors among girls and boys and the difference in sexual norms by gender among university students. Methods A university‐based study with a cross‐sectional survey was conducted for 9 months in 2019. A total of 800 university students were studied by a random sampling technique using a self‐administered structured questionnaire derived from the World Health Organization illustrative questionnaire to assess sexual attitudes among adolescents and young adults. Results Most of the respondents were female and single. Girls were more religious, more frequently visited the cinemas and were more likely to discuss sex matters with family members than boys. There was no significant difference in the total score of sexual attitudes in girls and boys, and both genders had negative attitudes toward risky sexual behavior (42/72). Those who go to parties, bars, or movies are more likely to have risky sexual behavior. Being a religious person is an essential predictor of having less risky behavior (RR = 2.02, 95% CI = [0.96, 3.41]). Conclusion Being religious was a protective factor for engaging in risky sexual behavior. More interventions in schools and universities need to educate students to enhance awareness about the consequences of risky sexual behavior and reduce its rate.

Objective: Understanding the minimum infective dose is significant for risk assessment in the performance of suitable infection control strategies in healthcare centers. However, the literature lacks strong evidence regarding this value for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the minimum infectious dose of coronavirus disease 2019. Methods: We searched the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane and retrieved all the relevant literature by 25 July 2021. The records were downloaded into the EndNote software and underwent title/abstract and full-text screenings. A summary of included studies was organized into tables for further analysis, interpretation, and drafting of the results. Results: Nineteen studies including the laboratory data on human and animal hosts were selected based on the eligibility criteria. All the literature reported on the infective dose, particularly in humans. The main methods for measurement of infection were through tissue culture infectious dose (TCID50) and counting plaque-forming units. The range of minimum infective was 1.26–7 × 10 6.25 PFU. Conclusion: In this study, we have presented a range of minimum infective doses in humans and various animal species. Such numbers can possibly vary between the individuals based on numerous demographic, immunologic, or other factors.

Introduction: Controversies existed regarding the duration of COVID-19 vaccines’ protection and whether receiving the usual vaccine doses would be sufficient for long-term immunity. Therefore, we aimed to systematically review the studies regarding the COVID-19 vaccines’ protection three months after getting fully vaccinated and assess the need for vaccine booster doses. Methods: The relevant literature was searched using a combination of keywords on the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane on September 17th, 2021. The records were downloaded and the duplicates were removed. Then, the records were evaluated in a two-step process, consisting of title/abstract and full-text screening processes, and the eligible records were selected for the qualitative synthesis. We only included original studies that evaluated the efficacy and immunity of COVID-19 vaccines three months after full vaccination. This review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement to ensure the reliability of results. Results: Out of the 797 retrieved records, 12 studies were included, 10 on mRNA-based vaccines and two on inactivated vaccines. The majority of included studies observed acceptable antibody titers in most of the participants even after 6 months; however,it appeared that the titers could also decrease in a considerable portion of people. Due to the reduction in antibody titers and vaccine protection, several studies suggested administering the booster dose, especially for older patients and those with underlying conditions, such as patients with immunodeficiencies. Conclusion: Studies indicated that vaccine immunity decreases over time, making people more susceptible to contracting the disease. Besides, new variants are emerging, and the omicron variant is continuing to spread and escape from the immune system, indicating the importance of a booster dose.

Introduction: Knowledge of the safety of vaccines is crucial, both to prevent and cure them and to decrease the public hesitation in receiving vaccines. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the adverse events reported for inactivated vaccines and Novavax. Methods: In this systematic review, the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Web of Science were searched on September 15, 2021. Then we identified the eligible studies using a two-step title/abstract and full-text screening process. Data on the subjects, studies, and types of adverse events were extracted and entered in a word table, including serious, mild, local, and systemic adverse events as well as the timing of side effects’ appearance. Results: Adverse effects of inactivated coronavirus vaccines side effects were reported from phases 1, 2, and 3 of the vaccine trials. The most common local side effects included injection site pain and swelling, redness, and pruritus. Meanwhile, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, fever, and gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain and diarrhea were among the most common systemic adverse effects. Conclusion: This systematic review indicates that inactivated COVID-19 vaccines, including Sinovac, Sinopharm, and Bharat Biotech, as well as the protein subunit vaccines (Novavax) can be considered as safe choices due to having milder side effects and fewer severe life-threatening adverse events.

Abstract Introduction Coronavirus Disease-2019 (SARS-CoV-2) started its devastating trajectory into a global pandemic in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Ever since, several variants of SARS-CoV-2 have been identified. In the present review, we aimed to characterize the different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and explore the related morbidity and mortality. Methods A systematic review including the current evidence related to different variants of SARS-CoV-2 and the related morbidity and mortality was conducted through a systematic search utilizing the keywords in the online databases including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct; we retrieved all related papers and reports published in English from December 2019 to September 2020. Results A review of identified articles has shown three main genomic variants, including type A, type B, and type C. we also identified three clades including S, V, and G. Studies have demonstrated that the C14408T and A23403G alterations in the Nsp12 and S proteins are the most prominent alterations in the world, leading to life-threatening mutations.The spike D614G amino acid change has become the most common variant since December 2019. From missense mutations found from Gujarat SARS-CoV-2 genomes, C28854T, deleterious mutation in the nucleocapsid (N) gene was significantly associated with patients' mortality. The other significant deleterious variant (G25563T) is found in patients located in Orf3a and has a potential role in viral pathogenesis. Conclusion Overall, researchers identified several SARS-CoV-2 variants changing clinical manifestations and increasing the transmissibility, morbidity, and mortality of COVID-19. This should be considered in current practice and interventions to combat the pandemic and prevent related morbidity and mortality.

Introduction: Knowledge of vaccine-related adverse events is crucial as they are among the most ‎important factors ‎that cause hesitation in receiving vaccines. Therefore, we aimed to systematically ‎review the adverse events ‎related to the mRNA vaccines reported in the literature.‎ Method: A systematic literature search was carried out in the databases of Scopus, PubMed, ‎Cochrane, and Web ‎of Science. We selected original studies that explored the side effects of ‎mRNA ‎COVID-19 vaccines using a two-phase (title/abstract and full-text) screening process.‎ Results: Cardiac ‎complications were the most commonly reported severe adverse events. It appeared that ‎systemic adverse reactions are more ‎common after the second dose of vaccines. The number of ‎adverse effects reported after the Pfizer vaccine was ‎higher than other vaccines, mostly due to its ‎earlier approval and more widespread use throughout the world. Cardiac adverse events had a ‎‎higher prevalence but no significant association has been found between COVID-19 mRNA vaccines ‎and cardiac ‎adverse events except for myopericarditis. ‎ Conclusion: Vaccines ‎play a crucial role in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and decreasing ‎mortalities and the results of the present ‎review acknowledge the fact that the benefits outweigh the ‎adverse events of these vaccines.‎

Abstract Introduction The use of new technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) in the management of chronic diseases, especially in the COVID pandemics, could be a life‐saving appliance for public health practice. The purpose of the current study is to identify the applications and capability of IoT and digital health in the management of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods This systematic review was conducted by searching the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using selected keywords to retrieve the relevant literature published until December 25th, 2021. The most relevant original English studies were included after initial screening based on the inclusion criteria. Results Overall, 18 studies were included. Most of the studies reported benefits and positive responses in the form of patients' and healthcare providers' satisfaction and trust in the online systems. Many services were provided to the patients, including but not limited to training the patients on their conditions; monitoring vital signs and required actions when vital signs were altered; ensuring treatment adherence; monitoring and consulting the patients regarding diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. Conclusion IoT is a new technology, which can help us improve health care services during the COVID‐19 pandemic. It has a network of various sensors, obtaining data from patients. We have found several applications for this technology. Future studies can be conducted for the capability of other technologies in the management of chronic diseases.

Abstract Background and Aims The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) over the past year has affected public health worldwide. During pregnancy, the maternal immune system and inflammatory responses are widely suppressed. Pregnancy‐related immune system suppression could make the mother vulnerable to infectious diseases like SARS‐COV‐2. However, current data suggest little to no possibility of COVID‐19 transmission in pregnant women to the fetus during pregnancy or childbirth. This systematic review focused on the possible complications of COVID‐19 infection in the fetus and newborn babies including the possibility and evidence of vertical transmission by reviewing articles published during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods We conducted a systematic search using keywords on PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases. The studies followed a title/abstract and a full‐text screening process, and the eligible articles were included in the study. Results In total, 238 published papers were identified using a systematic search strategy (44 articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the final review). In all studies, a total of 2375 women with signs and symptoms of COVID‐19, who were in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, were assessed mild to moderate pneumonia was one of the most common symptoms. Seventy‐three percent of the women did not present any comorbidity, 19% had a fever, 17% had to cough as the most frequent clinical signs and symptoms, 7.5% had pulmonary changes with chest scans, 8% had increased C reactive protein, and 9.4% had decreased lymphocytes (lymphocytopenia). A total of 2716 newborns and fetal were assessed; the delivery method of 1725 of them was reported, 913 (53%) through C‐section delivery, and 812 through normal vaginal delivery (47%). Of total newborns, 13 died (five died along with the mother), and 1965 were tested for SARS‐CoV‐2:118 tested positive. In a study, vertical transmission in seven cases was reported in total of 145 cases assessed. Conclusion It appeared that most pregnant COVID patients were mildly ill, and there is currently no convincing evidence to support the vertical transmission of COVID‐19 disease. Therefore, neonates do not represent any additional risk for adverse outcomes neither during the prenatal period nor after birth.

Abstract Introduction Several reports previously described mucormycosis co‐infection in patients with COVID‐19. As mucormycosis and COVID‐19 co‐infection might adversely affect patients' outcomes, we aimed to systematically review the related evidence and the subsequent outcomes. Methods We conducted a systematic review of relevant articles searching the keywords in the online databases of PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science. All the records from the start of the pandemic until June 12th, 2021 underwent title/abstract and then full‐text screening process, and the eligible studies were included. We did not include any language or time restrictions for the included studies. Results We found 31 eligible studies reporting 144 total cases of COVID‐19 and mucormycosis co‐infection. The nose, cranial sinuses, and orbital cavity were the most commonly involved organs, although the cerebrum, lungs, and heart were also involved in the studies. Pre‐existing diabetes mellitus (DM), as well as corticosteroid use, were the most commonly identified risk factors, but other underlying conditions and immunomodulatory drug use were also present in several cases. Aspergillus was the most commonly reported micro‐organism that caused further co‐infections in patients with concurrent COVID‐19 and mucormycosis. As most of the studies were case reports, no reliable estimate of the mortality rate could be made, but overall, 33.6% of the studied cases died. Conclusion Early diagnosis of mucormycosis co‐infection in COVID‐19 patients and selecting the right treatment plan could be a challenge for physicians. Patients with underlying co‐morbidities, immunocompromised patients, and those receiving corticosteroids are at higher risk of developing mucormycosis co‐infection and it is crucial to have an eye examination for early signs and symptoms suggesting a fungal infection in these patients.

Abstract Introduction Patients with COVID‐19 may present different viral loads levels. However, the relationship between viral load and disease severity in COVID‐19 is still unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review the association between SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load and COVID‐19 severity. Methods The relevant studies using the keywords of “COVID‐19” and “viral load” were searched in the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. A two‐step title/abstract screening process was carried out and the eligible studies were included in the study. Results Thirty‐four studies were included from the initial 1015 records. The vast majority of studies have utilized real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction of the nasopharyngeal/respiratory swabs to report viral load. Viral loads were commonly reported either as cycle threshold (Ct) or log10 RNA copies/ml. Conclusion The results were inconclusive about the relationship between COVID‐19 severity and viral load, as a similar number of studies either approved or opposed this hypothesis. However, the studies denote the direct relationship between older age and higher SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load, which is a known risk factor for COVID‐19 mortality. The higher viral load in older patients may serve as a mechanism for any possible relationships between COVID‐19 viral load and disease severity. There was a positive correlation between SARS‐CoV‐2 viral load and its transmissibility. Nonetheless, further studies are recommended to precisely characterize this matter.

The following article, published online on {First published: 21 December 2022} in Wiley Online Library {https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/hsr2.970} has been retracted by agreement between the journal's Editor‐in‐Chief, Zahra Pashaei and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The retraction has been agreed given the journal has received evidence confirming that the peer review process of this paper was manipulated. As a result, the conclusions reported in the article are not considered reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne LiDAR scanning is a promising approach to providing high-resolution products that are appropriate for different applications, such as flood management. However, the vertical accuracy of airborne LiDAR point clouds is not constant and varies in space. Having a better knowledge of their accuracy will assist decision makers in more accurately estimating the damage caused by flood. Data producers often report the total estimation of errors by means of comparison with a ground truth. However, the reliability of such an approach depends on various factors including the sample size, accessibility to ground truth, distribution, and a large enough diversity of ground truth, which comes at a cost and is somewhat unfeasible in the larger scale. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to propose a method that could provide a local estimation of error without any third-party datasets. In this regard, we take advantage of geostatistical ordinary kriging as an alternative accuracy estimator. The challenge of considering constant variation across the space leads us to propose a non-stationary ordinary kriging model that results in the local estimation of elevation accuracy. The proposed method is compared with global ordinary kriging and a ground truth, and the results indicate that our method provides more reliable error values. These errors are lower in urban and semi-urban areas, especially in farmland and residential areas, but larger in forests, due to the lower density of points and the larger terrain variations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Smoking status appears to lead to a poor prognosis in COVID-19 patients. However, findings from the studies conducted on this topic have not been consistent, and further exploration is required. Methods. The objective of this umbrella review was to examine the effects of smoking on COVID-19 management and mortality. Online databases that included PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using relevant keywords up to July 27, 2022. Articles were restricted to the English language, and the PRISMA protocol was followed. Results. A total of 27 systematic reviews, published from 2020 to 2022, were included. Individual studies included in the systematic reviews ranged from 8 to 186, with various population sizes. The consensus from the majority of systematic reviews was that COVID-19 smoker patients experience greater disease severity, disease progression, hospitalization rate, hospital admission duration, mechanical ventilation, ICU admission, and mortality rate. Conclusions. COVID-19 patients with a history of smoking (current and former) are vulnerable to adverse hospital outcomes and worse COVID-19 progression. Effective preventive and supportive approaches are required to decrease the risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in patients with a history of smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]