Preparation and characterization of antibacterial magnetic-/pH-sensitive alginate/Ag/Fe3O4 hydrogel beads for controlled drug release.

This work reports the synthesis of novel antibacterial magnetic-/pH-sensitive hydrogel beads based on ionotropic-gelation of alginate biopolymer. Using pomegranate peels extract, green-Ag nanoparticles were synthesized inside a mixture of alginate and Fe3O4, via in situ method. The alginate beads were investigated by VSM, TEM, XRD, and FE-SEM techniques. The introducing Ag and Fe3O4 nanoparticles in hydrogel beads caused a reduction in the swelling capacity of hydrogel beads. Besides, a pH-dependent swelling behavior was observed for hydrogel beads with a maximum swelling capacity at pH = 7.4. Diclofenac sodium (DS) as a model drug was loaded in hydrogel beads and its release showed a pH-dependent behavior. Drug release studies exhibited significant behaviors on the subject of physiological simulated pHs with a high release rate at pH = 7.4. The alginate beads have shown a prolonged and successive controlled drug release nearly 83% at pH = 7.4 and time 200 min. In addition to the pH, the release of DS from magnetic beads was affected by the external-magnetic-fields. Also, the Ag-incorporated alginate beads showed strong antibacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli. These results indicated that the hydrogel beads have potentially applicable in drug delivery systems.

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis E Virus in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of common causes of viral hepatitis worldwide with higher prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. Although epidemics of HEV have been reported from Iran, there are variable reports of this infection out of epidemics from different parts of Iran. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of HEV in Iran. METHODS In this systematic review and meta-analysis we searched PubMed, Scopus, Science direct, Google Scholar, Scientific Information Databank (SID), IranMedex, and Magiran for all relevant studies published in either English or Persian languages, up to 2015. Pooled seroprevalence estimates with a DerSimonian-Laird random-effects model were calculated. Statistical heterogeneity among the included studies was evaluated by Cochrane Q statistic and I2. RESULTS 38 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria compromising 18461 participants. The pooled seroprevalence rate of HEV in Iran was estimated about 10% (95% CI=0.09-0.12) with maximum and minimum of 46% (95 % CI=0.42-0.50), and 0.01% (95 % CI=0.000-0.002), respectively. CONCLUSION HEV is common in Iran although the prevalence is lower than some neighbor countries.

The Role of Socioeconomic Status on Health-Related Quality of Life in the West of Iran.

INTRODUCTION: The quality of life involves different dimensions of people's social mental, physical welfare and health. AIM: This study aimed to determine the effects of economic- social factors on quality of life in 2013 in the west of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we selected cases among different counties of Ilam province by multi-stage cluster sampling. Data collection tools were general economic questionnaires and the quality of life questionnaire SF-36. Data analysed using multiple regression models. RESULTS: Nine hundred and eighteen participants were selected mean±sd age for the studied participant was 32.97±9.5 years and mean±sd scores for their quality of life were 61.74± 12.31. Based on results of logistic regression, the good quality of life among women was 1.2 times more than men and among married was 1.47 times more than single. After adjustments on other covariates, the odds of good quality of life for people with good and median economic condition was respectively 1.8 and 3.4 times more than groups with bad economic condition. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the general improvement of people's quality of life can be influenced by increasing social cooperation, improving health care services and providing counseling services about obtained policies by health care.

Prevalence of Food Insecurity in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Food security is one of the main factors of individual and social health. It is of such importance that the World Bank and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) announced it as one of the Millennium Development Goals. This study aimed to report the prevalence of food insecurity in Iran. METHODS: We searched English databases including; Scopus, Ovid, Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar and also Iranian databases; SID, Magiran and IranMedex for words Iran, food insecurity, and prevalence up to August 2015. The pooled food insecurity prevalence was calculated using Der-Simonian test. All analyses were performed using random effects model with 95% CI. We assessed heterogeneity of the studies using sub-group and meta-regression analyses. RESULTS: A total of 31 studies were included. The prevalence of food insecurity was 49% among households (95% CI: %40-%59), 67% in children (95% CI: %63-%70), 61% in mothers (95% CI: %35-%88), 49% in adolescents (95% CI: %33-%66) and 65% in the elderly (95% CI: %44-%86). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of food insecurity is high in Iran. Fiscal policies should promote the nutritional knowledge of household members and also support the households to meet their nutritional needs. This plan should give priority to mid and low socioeconomic groups.