Toxocara eggs in public places worldwide - A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxocariasis is a neglected tropical disease of humans. Although many studies have indicated or shown that environmental contamination with Toxocara species eggs is a major risk factor for toxocariasis in humans, there has been no comprehensive analysis of published data or information. Here, we conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis of current literature to assess the global prevalence of Toxocara eggs in public places (including beaches, parks and playgrounds). We conducted searches of the PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Science Direct databases for relevant studies published until 20 April 2018, and assessed the prevalence rates of Toxocara eggs in public places. We used the random effects model to calculate pooled prevalence estimates, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and analysed data in relation to WHO geographical regions. Subgroup analysis and meta-regressions regarding the geographical and environmental variables were also performed. Of 2384 publications identified, 109 studies that tested 42,797 soil samples in 40 countries were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of Toxocara eggs in public places was 21% (95% CI, 16-27%; 13,895/42,797). The estimated prevalence rates in the different WHO regions ranged from 13% to 35%: Western Pacific (35%; 95% CI, 15-58%), Africa (27%; 95% CI, 11-47%), South America (25%; 95% CI, 13-33%), South-East Asia (21%; 95% CI, 3-49%), Middle East and North Africa (18%; 95% CI, 11-24%), Europe (18%; 95% CI, 14-22%), and North and Central Americas (13%; 95% CI, 8-23%). A high prevalence was significantly associated with high geographical longitude (P = 0.04), low latitude (P = 0.02) and high relative environmental humidity (P = 0.04). This meta-analysis of data from published records indicates that public places are often heavily contaminated with eggs of Toxocara. This finding calls for measures to reduce the potential risk of infection and disease in humans.

The effect of bupropion on sexual function in patients with Schizophrenia: A randomized clinical trial

Background and objective: About one percent of the world's population are affected by Schizophrenia. It is assumed that antipsychotic drugs cause sexual dysfunction, but the main mechanism of it, is not specified. Few researches that have addressed this issue showed that there is a relationship between neuroleptics and sexual dysfunction. A number of studies found that bupropion could improve the sexual dysfunction. So the purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of bupropion on sexual function of the patients with Schizophrenia. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed on 40 schizophrenic patients admitted to Kamrani psychiatry clinic in Tehran during 2015-2016. Participants were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups. The experiment group was taken bupropion tablets 150 mg/day and the control group were given placebo for one-month. The sexual performance of participants was studied before and after the intervention by the sexual functioning questionnaire (SFQ). Obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS software with student t-test and chi-square tests. Results: 40 patients older than 18 year old participated in the study. Before treatment the two groups did not have significant difference based on a general score of SFQ questionnaire, but There was a significant difference between two groups after the intervention. Experiment group (bupropion) showed significant improvement in sexual function. Using bupropion in the experiment group led to significant change in the score of sexual desire, erection and orgasm, but it had no effect on sexual arousal and ejaculation. The associations of ejaculation and orgasm were significance. Using the bupropion changed the erection and orgasm in the two groups of control and experimental. Conclusion: This study shows that 150 mg/day dose have considerable effect on sexual dysfunction of patients that are under treatment with anti-psychotic drugs. Also, this drug does not have any special side effects

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Are educating and promoting interventions effective in oral health?: A systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: It is estimated that about 20%-25% of the world's population are suffering from periodontal diseases or severe gum diseases. This requires appropriate interventions. For the development of effective and evidence-based programmes tailored to the target group, the aim of this review was to survey to the effectiveness of oral health education and promotion interventions in the relevant groups of people. METHODS: The electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science and Cochrane Library were searched for English language studies between 2010 and (January-December) 2016. To assess the quality of articles, the checklist was used that includes 19 items. Studies were selected based on PICOs criteria, and finally, 16 studies were entered in our study. RESULTS: A total of 16 articles were selected, classified into two groups (A and B groups), so that group A with short-term effects includes improving knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, oral health behaviour (toothbrushing and flossing), theoretical constructs (perceived susceptibility, perceived severity and perceived behavioural control) which consists of 15 articles and group B with long-term effects includes improving decayed teeth, plaque, calculus and bleeding which consists of six articles. CONCLUSION: Approximately, this study supports effectiveness of all oral health education and promotion interventions, especially in short-term outcomes. Regarding the importance of long-term and short-term outcomes for oral health education and promotion programmes, These interventions could be performed in the future with several target groups including family and teachers.

Oral Health Education and Promotion Programmes: Meta-Analysis of 17-Year Intervention.

OBJECTIVES: Oral Health Education and Promotion Interventions (OHEPIs) focus on improving knowledge, to adopt favourable oral health behaviours that can enhance oral health and clinical oral health. However, no meta-analyses exist that evaluate the effectiveness of OHEPI programmes. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of oral health education and promotion programmes. METHODS: The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and ScienceDirect databases from years 2000 to 2016 were searched. Eleven studies based on Participant, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome Study (PICOs) and quality assessment criteria were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of the data was carried out using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V2.0 software. As the heterogeneity of subgroups was higher than 50%, an effect random model was used for the computation of average odds ratio. RESULTS: The heterogeneity of the studies was higher than 50% (I2  = 92%, P < .001); therefore, the random effect model was used to calculate the average odds ratio. 3 subgroups, (A) programme outcomes (long- and short-term outcomes), (B) age groups and (C) the follow-up periods after the intervention, were extracted for the intervention review. Overall, programme outcome and the 3-month subgroup follow-up were both significantly increased (OR = 2. 41, CI: 1.3, 4.7; P = .005) (OR = 1.14, CI: 1.01, 1.30; P = .03) in terms of odds effectiveness of the interventions. But the age subgroups showed no significance (OR = 0.93, CI: 0.74, 1.17; P = .52) in odds effectiveness of the interventions. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that past OHEPIs are effective and positive impacts on dental visits, attitudes, as well as brushing and flossing behaviours during 3 months post-intervention among children.