Association of Demographic, Clinical, and Vaccination Characteristics with COVID-19 Viral Load Assessed by qRT-PCR.

BACKGROUND: The effect of vaccination on the SARS-CoV-2 baseline viral load and clearance during COVID-19 infection is debatable. This study aimed to assess the effects of demographic and vaccination characteristics on the viral load of SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: We included the patients referred for outpatient SARS-CoV-2 qRT-PCR (reverse transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction) test between July and September 2022. Cycle threshold (Ct) data were compared based on the demographic and vaccination characteristics. A generalized linear model was used to determine the factors associated with the SARS-CoV-2 PCR Ct value. RESULTS: Of 657 participants, 390 (59.4%) were symptomatic and 308 (47.1%) were COVID-19 positive. Among 590 individuals with known vaccination status, 358 (60.6%) were booster vaccinated, 193 (32.6%) were fully vaccinated, 13 (2.2%) were partially vaccinated, and 26 (4.4%) were unvaccinated. Most vaccinated patients received inactivated vaccines (70.5%). The median Ct value was 20 [IQR: 18-23.75] with no significant difference between individuals with different vaccination statuses (P value = 0.182). There were significant differences in Ct value in terms of both symptom presence and onset (both P values < 0.001). Our regression model showed that inactivated vaccines (P value = 0.027), mRNA vaccines (P value = 0.037), and the presence and onset of symptoms (both P values < 0.001) were independent factors significantly associated with the viral load. CONCLUSION: The SARS-CoV-2 baseline viral load is unaffected by vaccination status, yet vaccination might accelerate viral clearance. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the presence and onset of symptoms are independent variables substantially associated with the patient's viral load.

Preventive Effect of Different Wild Pistachio Oils on Oxidative Stress Markers, Liver Enzymes, and Histopathological Findings in a Metabolic Syndrome Model.

BACKGROUND: Wild pistachio (Pistacia Atlantica mutica) species with wide distribution in Iran have different nutrition properties and may have therapeutic effects in metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome, as a prevalent health problem, is a main risk factor for different chronic diseases such as diabetes, fatty liver and cardiovascular diseases. The present study aimed to evaluate the preventive effects of mixture, kernel, and hull oil of wild pistachio (WP) on oxidative stress markers, liver function and histopathological findings in metabolic syndrome induced rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After oil extraction by cold press method and chemical analysis, rats were divided into 6 groups. Group 1 received normal saline; group 2 received 2cc fructose solution and 0.5cc normal saline; and groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 received 2 cc fructose solution and 0.5 cc sunflower oil, mixture, hull and kernel oils of WP for 10 weeks, respectively. Then, glycemic indices, oxidative stress, liver enzymes and histopathological examination were determined using standard laboratory tests. RESULTS: WP Kernel and mixture oils notably decreased the fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance compared with the fructose group. Insulin level was significantly increased in the kernel oil group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in oxidative stress, liver enzymes and histopathology parameters among the groups. CONCLUSION: Kernel oil of WP improved hyperglycemia, insulin resistance and insulin secretion, but the changes in oxidative stress markers, liver enzymes and histopathologic results were not significant among the groups.

Non-scarring Alopecias in Iranian Patients: A Histopathological Study With Hair Counts.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Non-scarring alopecia is a challenge in the diagnosis and treatment, rarely studied in Asian countries.The current study aimed at evaluating histopathological features including hair count of different subtypes of non-scarring alopecia in Iranian patients. METHODS: The current study was conducted on 114 cases diagnosed with non-scarring alopecia in Molecular Dermatology Research Center and Pathology Department of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Cases with two 4-mm scalp punch biopsies were selected. Patients' clinical data were compared with histological findings. RESULTS: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) was the most common subtype followed by alopecia areata (AA) and combined AGA/telogen effluvium (TE). Perifollicular inflammation was observed in 21% of AGA with a significant difference in males and females (66.7% vs. 33.3%; P-value <0.05). Clinical and histopathologic diagnoses were correlated in 55% of cases. Maximum correlation was observed in combined AGA and chronic TE (88%). For vertical sections, the diagnostic rate was 33.6%, while 88% for transverse sections. CONCLUSION: Transverse together with vertical sectioning provides most of the information in non-scarring alopecias, while transverse sectioning is enough to diagnose the majority of non-scarring alopecias. Perifollicular inflammation was observed in a significant number of cases with AGA, more common in males. It is suggested to report such cases as possibly curable.

Prevalence of Endometriosis in Malignant Epithelial Ovarian Tumor.

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to assess the prevalence and histological characteristics of endometriosis in different types of ovarian surface epithelial tumors. METHODS: Microscopic slides of 110 ovarian tumors (89 malignant and 21 borderlines) were reviewed from 2008 to 2013 in two major gynecological centers affiliated with the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The presence or absence of endometriosis and transitions from atypical endometriosis to carcinoma were also histologically evaluated. Chi-square and t-test were used to compare the study groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49.93 ± 9.36 years in the Endometriosis-Associated Ovarian Carcinomas (EAOC) group and 50.18 ± 12.8 years in the non-EAOC group. Among the 110 patients, 28 (25.4%) had endometriosis. According to ovarian cancer subtype 67% (4/6) of clear cell adenocarcinoma, 65% (11/17) of endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 28% (7/25) of low grade serous adenocarcinoma, 4% (1/25) of high grade serous adenocarcinoma, 30% (4/13) of borderline serous tumor, and 25% (1/4) of mixed carcinoma had endometriosis. None of the mucinous borderline tumors and mucinous adenocarcinoma cases had endometriosis. Moreover, 23 cases had typical endometriosis, while 14 had atypical endometriosis. On the other hand, 19 cases had both typical and atypical endometriosis. Furthermore, transition from atypical endometriosis to carcinoma was seen in 11 cases. CONCLUSION: Clear cell and endometrioid carcinoma are the most common types of EACO. Atypical endometriosis was more commonly seen in endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas which are included in type I ovarian cancer. Thus, it can be concluded that atypical endometriosis is a precursor for type I ovarian cancer.

Chemotherapy-Induced Perforation of Gastric Burkitt Lymphoma; A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Burkitt lymphoma of stomach is among the most rapidly growing gastric cancersassociated with several gasterointestinal  symptoms  including  hematemesis,  anorexia,  vomiting  and  etc. Gastric perforation  in patients with Burkitt lymphoma of stomach is a very rare condition especially after chemotherapy. We herein present a 21-year old man who was kwon case of gastric Burkitt lymphoma who had undergone chemotherapy and presented with acute onset gastric pain and tenderness. He was diagnosed to suffer from perforated gastric lymphoma for which laparotomy and total gastrectomy was performed. Treatment was continued by chemotherapy. Closed observation is thus recommended for those patients with gastric Burkitt lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy.