Survival rate and the determinants of progression from HIV to AIDS and from AIDS to the death in Iran: 1987 to 2016

Objective: To examine the prognostic factors of progression from HIV to AIDS and AIDS to the death in people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran. Methods: In this registry-based retrospective cohort study, we recruited 28 873 HIV-infected people from 158 Behavioral Diseases Counseling Centers of Iran. Two outcomes of interest included survival rates from HIV diagnosis to AIDS and from AIDS to the death. We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model to investigate survival rate and factors affecting on survival controlling effect of confounding factors. Results: The one, three, five, and ten-year survival rate from HIV to AIDS were 85%, 73%, 61% and 32%, and for AIDS to death were 90%, 81%, 74% and 55%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk of progression from AIDS phase toward death in individuals with CD4 less than 200/mm3, infected with tuberculosis (TB) and not treated by antiretroviral therapy (ART) was 2.17 (95% CI: 1.62-2.90), 1.49 (95% CI: 1.01-2.20) and 4.88 (95% CI: 3.42-6.96) times higher respectively. The risk of progression to AIDS in patients with baseline CD4 less than 200/mm3 was 2.32 (95% CI: 2.14, 2.51) times higher than patients with CD4 > 200/mm3 (P=0.001). On the other hand, tuberculosis increases the risk of death by 49.0% (P=0.04). The hazard ratio of death in patients who did not receive ART was 4.88 (95% CI: 3.42, 6.96) times higher than patients who received ART (P<0.001). Conclusion: The early detection of HIV, the screening and treatment of TB and receiving the ART improve the survival of HIV/AIDS patients significantly, and prevent the transmission of HIV to other people.

Survival rate and the determinants of progression from HIV to AIDS and from AIDS to the death in Iran: 1987 to 2016

Objective: To examine the prognostic factors of progression from HIV to AIDS and AIDS to the death in people living with HIV/AIDS in Iran. Methods: In this registry-based retrospective cohort study, we recruited 28 873 HIV-infected people from 158 Behavioral Diseases Counseling Centers of Iran. Two outcomes of interest included survival rates from HIV diagnosis to AIDS and from AIDS to the death. We used Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression model to investigate survival rate and factors affecting on survival controlling effect of confounding factors. Results: The one, three, five, and ten-year survival rate from HIV to AIDS were 85%, 73%, 61% and 32%, and for AIDS to death were 90%, 81%, 74% and 55%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk of progression from AIDS phase toward death in individuals with CD4 less than 200/mm

Trigonella foenum-graecum seed extract modulates expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in HepG2 cells

Objective: To investigate anti-dyslipidemic effects of hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, and 4-OH-Ile on HepG2 cell line. Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with hydroalcoholic fenugreek seed extracts, diosgenin, 4-OH-Ile, and orlistat. IC

Development of [111]In-labeled porphyrins for SPECT imaging

The aim of this research was the development of [111]In-labeled porphyrins as possible radiopharmaceuticals for the imaging of tumors. Ligands, 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis [3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl] porphyrin] [TDHPP], 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis [4-hydroxyphenyl] porphyrin [THPP] and 5, 10, 15, 20-tetrakis [3,4-dimethoxyphenyl] porphyrin] [TDMPP] were labeled with [111]InCl3 [produced from proton bombardment of natCd target] in 60 min at 80[degree sign]C. Quality control of labeled compounds was performed via RTLC and HPLC followed by stability studies in final formulation and presence of human serum at 37[degree sign]C for 48 h as well as partition coefficient determination. The biodistribution studies performed using tissue dissection and SPECT imaging up to 24h. The complexes were prepared with >99% radiochemical purity [HPLC and RTLC], high stability in 48h. Partition coefficients [calculated as log P] for [111]In-TDHPP, [111]In-THPP and [111]In-TDMPP were 0.88, 0.8 and 1.63 respectively. Due to urinary excretion with fast clearance for [111]In-TDMPP, this complex is probably a suitable candidate for considering as a possible tumor imaging agent

Prevalence of intestinal helminthes in owned dogs in Kerman city, Iran

OBJECTIVE@#To survey the prevalence of canine gastrointestinal helminthes in dogs presented to the Veterinary faculty of the University of Kerman between May and November 2011.@*METHODS@#A total of 70 fecal samples were evaluated by the fecal sedimentation method.@*RESULTS@#The prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes was 7.14%. The parasites most frequently detected were Toxocara canis (T. canis) (4.3%); Toxascaris leonina (T. leonina) (1.4%) and Teania spp. (1.4%). The age distribution of intestinal parasites in dogs showed that the dog less than 1 year old had a higher overall prevalence than those dogs over 12 months of age but there was not significant (P>0.05). Also there was no significant difference in the prevalence between male (7.7%) and female (6.5%) dogs (P>0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is thought that the reduction in the frequency of the dogs with those helminthes may be mainly a result of the improvement in breeding environment and the routine use of antihelmintics. The significance of zoonotic diseases caused by intestinal helminthes makes it necessary for us to know the infection status of domestic dogs and to take measures for further control. It is concluded that veterinarians have an important role in educating dog owners of these potential risks and means for preventing or minimizing zoonotic transmission.

Estimation of the Frequency of Intravenous Drug Users in Hamadan City, Iran, Using the Capture-recapture Method / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: The number of illicit drug users is prone to underestimation. This study aimed to use the capture-recapture method as a statistical procedure for measuring the prevalence of intravenous drug users (IDUs) by estimating the number of unknown IDUs not registered by any of the registry centers. METHODS: This study was conducted in Hamadan City, the west of Iran, in 2012. Three incomplete data sources of IDUs, with partial overlapping data, were assessed including: (a) Volunteer Counseling and Testing Centers (VCTCs); (b) Drop in Centers (DICs); and (c) Outreach Teams (ORTs). A log-linear model was applied for the analysis of three-sample capture-recapture results. Two information criteria were used for model selection including Akaike's Information Criterion and the Bayesian Information Criterion. RESULTS: Out of 1,478 IDUs registered by three centers, 48% were identified by VCTCs, 32% by DICs, and 20% by ORTs. After exclusion of duplicates, 1,369 IDUs remained. According to our findings, there were 9,964 (95% CI, 6,088 to 17,636) IDUs not identified by any of the centers. Hence, the real number of IDUs is expected to be 11,333. Based on these findings, the overall completeness of the three data sources was around 12% (95% CI, 7% to 18%). CONCLUSION: There was a considerable number of IDUs not identified by any of the centers. Although the capture-recapture method is a useful and practical approach for estimating unknown populations, due to the assumptions and limitations of the method, the results must be interpreted with caution.

Biological activity analysis of native and recombinant streptokinase using clot lysis and chromogenic substrate assay

Determination of streptokinase activity is usually accomplished through two assay methods: a] Clot lysis, b] Chromogenic substrate assay. In this study the biological activity of two streptokinase products, namely Streptase[registered], which is a native product and Heberkinasa[registered], which is a recombinant product, was determined against the third international reference standard using the two forementioned assay methods. The results indicated that whilst the activity of Streptase[registered] was found to be 101 +/- 4% and 97 +/- 5% of the label claim with Clot lysis and Chromogenic substrate assay respectively, for Heberkinasa[registered] the potency values obtained were 42 +/- 5% and 92.5 +/- 2% of the label claim respectively. To shed some light on the reason for this finding, the n-terminal sequence of the streptokinase molecules present in the two products was determined. The results showed slight differences in the amino acid sequence of the recombinant product in comparison to the native one at the amino terminus. This finding supports those of other workers who found that n-terminal sequence of the streptokinase molecule can have significant effect on the activity of this protein

Hepatitis B and C infections in Hamadan province during 2004-2009

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] and hepatitis C virus [HCV] infections are major global public health problems. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence rate of these infections over six successive years in Hamadan Province, the west of Iran. This retrospective cohort study was conducted on the database of hepatitis registry. In this study, 1257 subjects infected by HBV and 705 subjects infected by HCV were detected and enrolled. HBV infection was detected by presence of HBsAg and HCV infection by presence of Anti-HCV. In order to estimate province-based age-specific incidence rates of HBV and HCV infections, we used the same age-specific population as the denominator. The incidence rate pre 100,000 population from 2004 to 2009 for HBV infection was 19.60, 12.29, 12.31, 11.13, 9.46, 7.70 [P<0.001] and for HCV infection was 6.73, 7.42, 7.57, 8.45, 5.30, 5.17 respectively [P<0.001]. The incidence rate of HBV infection decreased continuously over time, while the incidence rate of HCV infection fluctuated and even increased from 2004 to 2007 then decreased. The rate ratio of trend for HBV infection across successive years was 0.85 [95% CI: 0.82, 0.88] and that of HCV infection was 0.94 [95% CI: 0.90, 0.99]. The decreasing trend in the incidence rate of HBV infection in current years may be the result of vast national immunization of newborn and adolescents against hepatitis B infection. On the other hand, fluctuating incidence rate of HCV infection with a temporarily increasing growth is critical and should be the focus of the health policymakers' special attention

anticancer activity compared between triptorelin and a new gonadotropin releasing hormone analogue

Gonadotropin releasing hormone [GnRH] plays a key role in reproduction. This decapeptide is synthesized and released by hypothalamus and induces the pituitary gonadotrop cells to release pituitary gonadotropin hormones. In some extrapituitary compartments GnRH and its receptor act as part of the autocrine regulatory system of cell proliferation. The anticancer activity of GnRH and its analogues has been observed by many researchers. In this study the anticancer activity of a new analogue of GnRH and triptorelin was investigated by cell proliferation assay. Results indicate that proliferation of human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines are dose-dependently inhibited. The inhibitory efficiency of the new analogue is proved to be higher than the original triptorelin. In addition to its antimitogenic activity, evidence was found for the involvement of the apoptotic mechanism in the action of the new analogue and triptorelin. In conclusion, the new analogue can be considered as a good pharmaceutical candidate

Treatment of natural tropical theileriosis with the extract of the plant Peganum harmala

Theileria annulata, a protozoan parasite of cattle and domestic buffaloes, is transmitted by ticks of the genus Hyalomma, and causes a disease named Mediterranean or tropical theileriosis. In this research 50 cattle naturally infected with Theileria annulata were treated with the extract of the plant Peganum harmala. The treatment was continued for 5 days, the dose of the extract being 5 mg/kg per day. After the treatment, 39 cattle responded to the treatment and recovered, but 11 did not respond to the treatment and died. The recovery rate of animals treated with the extract of the plant Peganum harmala was 78%.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans in Iran

For evaluation of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in diarrheic and non-diarrheic humans in Iran, fecal specimens from diarrheic (n = 129) and non-diarrheic humans (n = 271) were collected and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts. The presence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was determined by Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining. Humans were grouped according to their age as follows: younger than 15, 16-25, 26-35, 36-50, and over 51 years. The results showed that the overall prevalence of infection in all 400 samples was 10.8%, but the prevalence (25.6%) in diarrheic humans was higher than that (3.7%) in non-diarrheic humans. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. were detected in the feces of 21.4%, 9.3%, 8.8%, 6.7% and 5.7% of different age groups, respectively. The intensity of oocysts was significantly higher in diarrheic humans than in non-diarrheic ones. There was a significant association between Cryptosporidium sp. infection and occurrence of diarrhea (P < 0.05). The results indicate that Cryptosporidium sp. infection is prevalent in diarrheic humans in Iran.

Biodistribution of [64 Cu] pyruvaldehyde-bis [N4-methylthiosemicarbazone] complex in fibrosarcoma-bearing rats

[64]Cu-pyruvaldehyde-bis [N[4]-methylthiosemicarbazone] [64]Cu-PTSM] is one of the most important copper radiopharmaceuticals used in clinical experiments. In this work, copper-64 [T[1/2]=12.33 h] production has been presented followed by the synthesis of the complexing agent, PTSM, and its structure was confirmed by common spectroscopic methods followed by radiolabeling with [64] Cu-actetate. The tracer was finally administered to fibrosarcoma-bearing rats and the biodistribution was determined in critical tissues as well as tumor. The final radiopharmaceutical solution underwent common quality control tests for animal injection a radiochemical purity >95% was determined. A significant tracer tumor uptake was observed 2 hours post injection. Tumonmuscle and tumonblood ratios were shown to be 8 and 6 respectively. [64]Cu-PTSM prepared in this report is a good candidate for tumor therapy as well as diagnosis for national use