Worldwide prevalence of human papillomavirus among pregnant women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of cervical cancer and a suspected agent for ovarian and endometrial cancers in women. It is associated with adverse outcomes during pregnancy. To date, there is no estimate of the prevalence of HPV infection in pregnant women at the regional and global levels. This study evaluated the global prevalence of HPV infection based on all observational studies that had reported the prevalence of HPV among pregnant women between January 1980 and December 2021 in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and SciELO databases. We utilised a random-effect model to determine the global prevalence and related risk factors of HPV infection. Between-studies heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistic. Moreover, subgroup and meta-regression analyses were employed to assess the source of heterogeneity and the relationship between HPV prevalence and socio-demographic factors, respectively. Among 144 eligible studies comprising 189 datasets, the overall prevalence rates of HPV at the 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated as 30.38% (26.88%-33.99%), 17.81% (9.81%-27.46%), 32.1% (25.09%-39.67%), 2.26% (0.1%-8.08%) and 25.5% (23.3%-27.8%) in cervico-vaginal, placenta, serum, amniotic fluid and urine samples, respectively. The highest prevalence rates were estimated for countries in the African region, while countries in the European and Eastern Mediterranean regions showed the lowest prevalence rates. HPV-16 and -18 were the most prevalent isolated strains. The pregnant women living with HIV and those with pregnancy disorders had significantly higher prevalence rates than general pregnant women (p < 0.05). The younger ages for first intercourse and pregnancy, multiple lifetime sexual partners, and lower education levels were primary risk factors for HPV infection. In conclusion, although the overall HPV prevalence varied markedly based on sampling sites and geographical locations, the highest prevalence rates were observed in less-developed countries. Our findings imply that implementing behavioural and therapeutic interventions as well as vaccination programs are crucial to prevent and reduce the current burden of HPV infection among pregnant women.

Prevalence and risk factors of latent tuberculosis infection in hemodialysis patients in southwest Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health concern, particularly in developing countries. Diagnosing latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in hemodialysis patients is crucial because of the risk of developing active tuberculosis in this population due to attenuated immune response. Herein, we assessed the prevalence of LTBI in hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we included all patients referred to hemodialysis centers in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, southwest Iran, in 2018 through census sampling. Tuberculin skin test (TST) was utilized to screen the patients for LTBI. All steps were done by trained physicians. RESULTS: In total, 183 patients (mean age: 59.3, SD= 16.0) were included in the study of which 76 (41.5%) were females, and 107 (58.5%) were males. Neither the patients nor their family members had a history of tuberculosis. Assuming an above 5-millimeter enduration as a positive TST result, 22 patients (12%) had LTBI. None of the demographic or clinical features differed between TST -negative and -positive groups. CONCLUSION: Hemodialysis patients are prone to LTBI due to several immunological and environmental factors. Screening for LTBI may be beneficial to prevent active tuberculosis in this population.

Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in Iran and its projections through 2050: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of vision loss. A substantial increase in the burden of AMD is expected in the aging populations, including the Iranians. We investigated the age and gender-specific prevalence of AMD and its determinants in Iran. METHODS: We systematically searched international (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, etc.) and local (IranDoc, Magiran, etc.) online databases. We included cross-sectional or cohort studies, either clinic- or population-based, published on the prevalence of AMD among Iranians, with no limitation on age. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) tools for critical appraisal were used. Prevalence estimates are pooled by applying random-effects modeling. Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed. RESULTS: Seventeen studies with 16,120 participants were included. Based on studies in general population, the pooled prevalence of AMD was 10.8% (95% CI: 6.5-16.2%) in males, and 9.8% (95% CI: 4.7-16.4%) in females. 8.5% of moderate vision impaired, 13.6% of severe vision impaired, and 15.7% of blind participants were affected by AMD. The prevalence of AMD was 2% in 40-49, and 32.3% in the ≥ 80 population. The prevalence of AMD was 11.9% among the visually impaired vs. 8.7% in the general population. The study's sampling method, location, and mean age were correlated with the heterogeneities of the prevalence. We observed an increasing trend in the number of AMD cases (average annual percent change = 3.66%; 95% CI: 3.65-3.67%) from 1990 to 2050. The expected number of AMD cases in Iran will be near 5.5 million by 2050. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AMD in Iran was somewhere between the prevalence of Asians and Europeans. Given the aging trend of the Iranian community and an average annual percent change of 3.66%, it is indispensable to adopt preventive and screening policies to diminish the burden of the disease in the future decades.

A novel role for aspirin in enhancing the reprogramming function of miR-302/367 cluster and breast tumor suppression.

Recent studies have provided evidence for tumor suppressive function of the embryonic stem cell-specific miR-302/367 cluster through induction of a reprogramming process. Aspirin has been found to induce reprogramming factors of mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition in breast cancer cells. Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether overexpression of miR-302/367 cluster and aspirin treatment cooperate in the induction of reprogramming and tumor suppression in breast cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 and SK-BR-3 human breast cancer cell lines were transfected with a miR-302/367 expressing vector and treated with aspirin. The cells were evaluated for indices of apoptosis, proliferation, migration, and invasion. In both cell lines, treatment of miR-302/367-transfected cells with aspirin upregulated expression of some main pluripotency factors such as OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, and KLF4, and downregulated expression of some invasion and angiogenesis markers at gene and protein levels. Aspirin increased the apoptotic rate in both cell lines transfected with miR-302/367. Both miR-302/367 and aspirin upregulated the expression of FOXD3 protein which is a known inducer of OCT4 and NANOG. Our results demonstrate that aspirin can enhance miR-302/367-induced reprogramming of breast cancer cells possibly through upregulation of FOXD3 expression. This can further augment the reversal of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and inhibits migration, invasion, and angiogenic signaling in breast cancer cells reprogrammed by miR-302/367. Therefore, aspirin may serve as a useful adjuvant for reprogramming of cancer cells.

The future of MRI in radiation therapy: Challenges and opportunities for the MR community.

Radiation therapy is a major component of cancer treatment pathways worldwide. The main aim of this treatment is to achieve tumor control through the delivery of ionizing radiation while preserving healthy tissues for minimal radiation toxicity. Because radiation therapy relies on accurate localization of the target and surrounding tissues, imaging plays a crucial role throughout the treatment chain. In the treatment planning phase, radiological images are essential for defining target volumes and organs-at-risk, as well as providing elemental composition (e.g., electron density) information for radiation dose calculations. At treatment, onboard imaging informs patient setup and could be used to guide radiation dose placement for sites affected by motion. Imaging is also an important tool for treatment response assessment and treatment plan adaptation. MRI, with its excellent soft tissue contrast and capacity to probe functional tissue properties, holds great untapped potential for transforming treatment paradigms in radiation therapy. The MR in Radiation Therapy ISMRM Study Group was established to provide a forum within the MR community to discuss the unmet needs and fuel opportunities for further advancement of MRI for radiation therapy applications. During the summer of 2021, the study group organized its first virtual workshop, attended by a diverse international group of clinicians, scientists, and clinical physicists, to explore our predictions for the future of MRI in radiation therapy for the next 25 years. This article reviews the main findings from the event and considers the opportunities and challenges of reaching our vision for the future in this expanding field.

Helicobacter pylori infection and risk of multiple sclerosis: An updated meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There is considerable controversy around the question as to whether Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection has a protective or causative role in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated published information to assess the association between H. pylori infection and MS. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive systematic review of relevant observational studies in international databases. A random-effects model was used to calculate pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). I2 statistic was used to assess the between-study heterogeneity. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses were applied to identify the source of heterogeneity. RESULTS: In total, 22 studies (25 datasets) were eligible for the meta-analysis: 17 datasets had prevalence data and eight datasets had data on the mean titer of anti-H. pylori IgG. The pooled prevalence of H. pylori was 44.1% (908/2606) in the MS patients and 46.1% (1016/2200) in the controls, indicating a non-significant protective effect of H. pylori on MS (OR, 0.82; 95%CI, 0.58-1.17). In the subgroup analysis, studies that used ELISA yielded a significant protective association (OR, 0.59; 95%CI, 0.46-0.77), while a positive non-significant association (OR, 1.33; 95%CI, 0.83-2.15) was found from studies that used other serological methods; interestingly, a significant positive association (OR, 6.64; 95%CI, 2.40-13.76) was found from studies that used histological methods to detect H. pylori infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings do not support the hypothesis that H. pylori infection represents a protective factor against the development of MS; however, the results varied depending on the diagnostic method(s). Particularly, a significant positive association was identified when studies introduced results based on histological examination, suggesting that active H. pylori infection might be a risk factor for development of MS. Thus, further studies are needed utilizing accurate diagnostic methods to elucidate the association between active H. pylori infection and MS.

Population-based pattern of medication use and prevalence of polypharmacy among patients with cardiovascular diseases: results of the Pars cohort study from Iran.

BACKGROUND: Polypharmacy in patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been linked to several adverse outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the pattern of medication use and prevalence of polypharmacy among CVDs patients in Iran. METHOD: We used the baseline data of the Pars cohort study (PCS). The participants were asked to bring their medication bags; then, the medications were classified using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Polypharmacy was defined as using five or more medications concurrently. Poisson regression modeling was applied. The adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated. RESULTS: Totally, 9262 participants were enrolled in the PCS, of whom 961 had CVDs. The prevalence of polypharmacy in participants with and without CVDs was 38.9% and 7.1%, respectively. The highest prevalence of polypharmacy (51.5%) was among obese patients. Abnormal waist-hip ratio (PR: 2.79; 95% CI 1.57-4.94), high socioeconomic status (PR: 1.65; 95% CI 1.07-2.54), tobacco-smoking (PR: 1.35; 95% CI 1.00-1.81), patients with more than three co-morbidities (PR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.30-1.53), high physical activity (PR: 0.66; 95% CI 0.45-0.95), use of opiate ever (PR: 0.46; 95% CI 0.26-0.82), and healthy overweight subjects (PR: 0.22; 95% CI 0.12-0.39) were associated with polypharmacy. Cardiovascular drugs (76.1%), drugs acting on blood and blood-forming organs (50.4%), and alimentary tract and metabolism drugs (33.9%) were the most frequently used drugs. Agents acting on the renin-angiotensin system were the mostly used cardiovascular system drugs among men and those above 60 years old, while beta-blocking agents were mostly prevalent among cardiovascular system drugs in women with CVDs. CONCLUSION: Given the high prevalence of polypharmacy among CVDs patients, and subsequent complications, programs to educate both physicians and patients to prevent this issue is crucial.

The incidence and features of Delphian lymph node involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: In papillary thyroid cancer patients, the extent of dissection is still a matter of debate. Evaluating Delphian lymph nodes (DLNs) during the surgery has been speculated as a valuable tool to determine the extent of dissection. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the incidence and features of DLNs involvement in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHOD: We conducted this cross-sectional study among surgical cases of papillary thyroid cancer. Patients were divided based on their DLNs involvement status. Their age, gender, location of the mass, lymphatic involvement, tumor size, tumor characteristics, pathology report, and operation note features were compared between the two groups. Definitive pathology slides of the patients were evaluated regarding DLN features. RESULTS: Of the 61 patients (mean age: 38.2 ± 12.0), 45 (73.8%) were females. In 13 (21.3%) patients, DLNs involvement was reported. A statistically significant relationship was noted between DLNs involvement and other lymph nodes' involvement on the same side of the mass (P < 0.001), the opposite side (P = 0.041), and also central lymph nodes (P < 0.001). Vascular invasion was also significantly higher among patients with DLNs involvement (P = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Since DLNs involvement is significantly associated with extensive nodal involvement, intraoperative evaluation of DLNs is recommended to establish the extent to which dissection should be performed.

Student support systems for undergraduate medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic narrative review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has boosted medical students' vulnerability to various problems. Given the stressful nature of medical disciplines, considerable attention must be paid to student support systems during pandemics. This study aimed to review the current literature regarding medical student support systems systematically. METHODS: We performed a systematic review of six databases and grey literature sources in addition to a hand search in the references of the articles on April 5, 2021. We included all studies about support for undergraduate medical students delivered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conducting this review, we used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RESULTS: A total of 3646 articles were retrieved from the databases, and 16 additional papers were extracted from other sources. After removing duplicates, we screened 2434 titles and abstracts according to our criteria. Among them, 32 full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Ultimately, 10 studies were included for review. We identified two major themes: (a) academic support and (b) mental health support. All of the included studies utilized online methods whether for transitioning from previous support systems or developing novel approaches. Students and faculty members seemed to be receptive to these new systems. Despite indicating outstanding program outcomes, most studies merely described the positive effects of the program rather than providing a precise evaluation. CONCLUSION: There are several methods of supporting medical students who are experiencing unprecedented changes in their educational trajectory. Due to substantial differences in undergraduate medical education in different regions of the world, cultural and contextual-oriented support is indispensable for developing a safe learning environment. Future research should investigate the question of the extent to which online support can supersede in-person strategies.

Effects of COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on mental health of Iranian people.

INTRODUCTION: The highly contagious novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged recently as a global pandemic. An efficient way to mitigate the spread of the disease is lockdown and quarantine. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the Iranian population's mental health under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) was utilized to assess the mental health and psychosocial wellbeing of Iranian residents through an online survey. The questionnaire was sent on April 3, 2020, and remained open to responses until April 10, 2020. This period was the time of complete lockdown in Iran. Inclusion criteria included either gender, reading Farsi, internet access, and being between the ages of 18 and 65. Respondents with scores ≥ 24 were classified as having psychiatric problems. RESULTS: Of 35,529 completed surveys, 28,790 were eligible for analysis. 73.4% of the respondents were female. The majority of the participants were between the ages of 26 to 45. Of the participants, 35.5% had scores in the pathological range. We found that females, younger residents, singles, and individuals with lower education had higher levels of psychopathology. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine are wide-ranging, substantial, and can be long-lasting.

Association study of the TNF-α -1031T/C and VEGF +450G/C polymorphisms with susceptibility to endometriosis.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a major mediator of angiogenesis and vascular permeability, have been investigated in endometriosis patients of different populations. This study was carried out to investigate whether the two polymorphisms, TNF-α -1031T/C and VEGF +450G/C are associated with susceptibility to endometriosis in an Iranian population. Totally, 135 women with diagnosis of endometriosis and 173 women with no evidence of the disease were included in this study. The -1031T/C and +450G/C polymorphisms were assessed by PCR-RFLP analysis, using the two restriction enzymes BbsI and BsmFI, respectively. The frequencies of the TNF-α -1031TC genotype (p = 0.038) and the -1031 C allele (p = 0.048) were significantly lower in patients than control group. In contrast, no significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the VEGF +450G/C polymorphism were found between the case and control groups. Our results suggest that the TNF-α -1031T/C polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to endometriosis in Iranian population, and the -1301C allele may have a protective role in development of endometriosis; On the contrary, we find no association between the VEGF +450G/C polymorphism and risk of endometriosis.

The association of patient-reported social determinants of health and hospitalization rate: A scoping review.

Introduction: The interplay between social determinants of health (SDOH) and hospitalization is significant as targeted interventions can improve the social status of the individuals. This interrelation has been historically overlooked in health care. In the present study, we reviewed studies in which the association between patient-reported social risks and hospitalization rate was assessed. Method: We performed a scoping literature review of articles published until September 1, 2022 without time limit. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar to find relevant studies using terms representing "social determinants of health" and "hospitalization." Forward and backward reference checking was done for the included studies. All studies that used patient-reported data as a proxy of social risks to determine the association between social risks and hospitalization rates were included. The screening and data extraction processes were done independently by two authors. In case of disagreement, senior authors were consulted. Results: Our search process retrieved a total of 14,852 records. After the duplicate removal and screening process, eight studies met the eligibility criteria, all of which were published from 2020 to 2022. The sample size of the studies ranged from 226 to 56,155 participants. All eight studies investigated the impact of food security on hospitalization, and six investigated economic status. In three studies, latent class analysis was applied to divide participants based on their social risks. Seven studies found a statistically significant association between social risks and hospitalization rates. Conclusion: Individuals with social risk factors are more susceptible to hospitalization. There is a need for a paradigm shift to meet these needs and reduce the number of preventable hospitalizations.

Effects of coenzyme Q10 supplementation on lipid profiles and liver enzymes of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

As an antioxidant, coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ10) has been proposed as a possible treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). In the present meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the effects of CoQ10 supplementation on lipid profiles and liver enzymes of NAFLD patients. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library on 21 April 2022 to retrieve randomized controlled trials on NAFLD patients in which CoQ10 was utilized as a treatment. Data were pooled using the random-effects model and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as the summary effect size. The analysis of the six included studies indicated an overall non-significant decrease in the lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and triglyceride (TG)), and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)) of NAFLD patients who received CoQ10. Sensitivity analysis using "leave-one out" method showed a significant reduction in AST, and GGT after excluding certain studies. Also, subgroup analyses showed significant difference based on CoQ10 dose for TC, AST, and GGT, and also a significant decrease in AST based on the duration of the intervention. No publication bias was found between the studies. Although an overall non-significant decrease was observed in lipid profiles and liver enzymes of NAFLD patients, the results of sensitivity and subgroup analyses showed significant effects of CoQ10 in certain conditions. Further RCTs should be done in light of our findings.

The global prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization in residents of elderly care centers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a difficult to treat infection, particularly in residents of elderly care centers (ECCs). Despite the substantial burden of MRSA, an inadequate number of studies have analyzed MRSA prevalence in ECCs. OBJECTIVES: We conducted a worldwide systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk factors of MRSA in ECCs. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and the gray literature sources for all studies published between January 1980 and December 2022 on the prevalence of MRSA in ECCs. A random-effects model was utilized to estimate pooled prevalence rates at 95% confidence intervals (CI). Moreover, the data were analyzed based on World Health Organization-defined regions, income, and human development index levels. RESULTS: In total, 119 studies, including 164,717 participants from 29 countries, were found eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of MRSA was 14.69% (95% CI 12.39-17.15%; 16,793/164,717). Male gender [prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.55; 95% CI 1.47-1.64], previous MRSA infection (PR = 3.71; 95% CI 3.44-4.01), prior use of antibiotics (PR = 1.97; 95% CI 1.83-2.12), hospitalized within the previous year (PR = 1.32; 95% CI 1.20-1.45), have had any wound (PR = 2.38; 95% CI 2.23-2.55), have used urinary catheter (PR = 2.24; 95% CI 2.06-2.43), have used any medical device (PR = 1.78; 95% CI 1.66-1.91), and those with diabetes (PR = 1.55; CI 1.43-1.67) were more likely to be colonized by MRSA than other patients. CONCLUSION: Screening programs and preventive measures should target MRSA in ECCs due to the high global prevalence rates.

Effects of Melatonin on Cardiac Injury and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: a Meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The antiinflammatory and antioxidative effects of melatonin have been established in recent years. Several studies indicate that oxidative stress and inflammation are key drivers of post-coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery complications. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin on cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers in CABG candidates. METHODS: Embase, Medline/PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane library were searched up to 5 June 2022. All randomized controlled trials examining cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers of CABG patients who received melatonin were included. The random-effects model was utilized to perform the analysis. RESULTS: A total of 947 citations were retrieved through database searches. Finally, five articles (six trials with 342 patients) were included after the screening. Melatonin supplementation led to a significant reduction in cardiac troponin I (CTnI) [weighted mean difference(WMD): -2.28 ng/ml; 95% CI -2.87, -1.69; P < 0.01; I2: 91.25%] and high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels (WMD: -0.62 mg/L; 95% CI -0.73, -0.5; P < 0.01; I2: 99.98%) in patients undergoing CABG surgery. We found a nonsignificant decrease in creatine kinase isoenzyme muscle/brain (CK-MB) levels (WMD: -2.87 ng/ml; 95% CI -5.97, 0.23; P = 0.07; I2: 99.98%) after melatonin supplementation. No publication bias was found according to Egger's test. CONCLUSION: Melatonin supplementation may be useful in reducing cardiac injury and inflammatory biomarkers in CABG candidates. Future studies should investigate the clinical significance of these findings.

Surfing the clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students: A systematic review.

Interpreting an electrocardiogram (ECG) is crucial for every physician. The physician's competency in ECG interpretation needs to be improved at any stage of medical education. The aim of the present study was to review the currently published clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students and provide suggestions for future works. On May 1, 2022, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and ERIC were searched to retrieve relevant articles on clinical trials of ECG teaching to medical students. The quality of the included studies was assessed utilizing the Buckley et al. criteria. The screening, data extraction, and quality appraisal processes were duplicated independently. In case of disagreements, consultation with a third author was put forth. In total, 861 citations were found in the databases. After screening abstracts and full texts, 23 studies were deemed eligible. The majority of the studies were of good quality. Peer teaching (7 studies), self-directed learning (6 studies), web-based learning (10 studies), and various assessment modalities (3 studies) comprised the key themes of the studies. Various methods of ECG teaching were encountered in the reviewed studies. Future studies in ECG training should focus on novel and creative teaching methods, the extent to which self-directed learning can be effective, the utility of peer teaching, and the implications of computer-assisted ECG interpretation (e.g., artificial intelligence) for medical students. Long-term knowledge retention assessment studies based on different approaches integrated with clinical outcomes could be beneficial in determining the most efficient modalities.

Scorpion envenomation-associated myocarditis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Scorpion envenomation is associated with several complications. One of the most serious complications is the cardiac involvement in the form of myocarditis that remains the main reason for mortalities associated with scorpion envenomation. The present review aims to elucidate clinical and paraclinical findings associated with scorpion-related myocarditis, and to explore different management strategies and subsequent outcomes. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for articles related to keywords of myocarditis associated with scorpion envenomation up to May 1, 2022. Each article was carefully reviewed by two independent researchers. In case of disagreement for inclusion, we sought a third researcher opinion. RESULTS: A total of 703 cases from 30 case reports and 34 case series were included in our review. Myocarditis associated with scorpion envenomation was usually reported in children presenting with cardiopulmonary symptoms including pulmonary edema (60.7%) and shock or hypotension (45.8%). The most common ECG findings are sinus tachycardia (82%) followed by ST-T changes (64.6%). The management typically included inotropes (especially dobutamine), prazosin, diuretics, nitroglycerine and digoxin, when indicated. Mechanical ventilation was required in 36.7% of the patients. Mortality in confirmed scorpion-related myocarditis cases is estimated at 7.3%. Almost all survived cases showed rapid recovery and improvement in the left ventricular function. CONCLUSION: Even though myocarditis associated with scorpion envenomation is rare, it remains a serious and in some of cases a fatal consequence of scorpion sting. In case of relative presentations, particularly in envenomed children, diagnosis of myocarditis should be considered. Early screening using serial cardiac markers and echocardiography can guide the treatment. Prompt treatment that focuses on cardiogenic shock and pulmonary edema usually results in a favorable outcome.

The Role of Calcium in Non-Invasively Imaging Breast Cancer: An Overview of Current and Modern Imaging Techniques.

The landscape of breast cancer diagnostics has significantly evolved over the past decade. With these changes, it is possible to provide a comprehensive assessment of both benign and malignant breast calcifications. The biochemistry of breast cancer and calcifications are thoroughly examined to describe the potential to characterize better different calcium salts composed of calcium carbonate, calcium oxalate, or calcium hydroxyapatite and their associated prognostic implications. Conventional mammographic imaging techniques are compared to available ones, including breast tomosynthesis and contrast-enhanced mammography. Additional methods in computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are discussed. The concept of using magnetic resonance imaging particularly magnetic susceptibility to characterize the biochemical characteristics of calcifications is described. As we know magnetic resonance imaging is safe and there is no ionization radiation. Experimental findings through magnetic resonance susceptibility imaging techniques are discussed to illustrate the potential for integrating this technique to provide a quantitative assessment of magnetic susceptibility. Under the right magnetic resonance imaging conditions, a distinct phase variability was isolated amongst different types of calcium salts.

Development of a multi-purpose quality control phantom for MRI-based treatment planning in high-dose-rate brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

Purpose: Suitable commissioning and quality control (QC) tests for high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) is necessary to ensure dosimetric and geometric accuracy of the treatment. This study aimed to present the methodology of developing a novel multi-purpose QC phantom (AQuA-BT) and examples of its' application in 3D image-based (particularly magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]-based) planning for cervix BT. Material and methods: Design criteria led to a phantom with sufficient size waterproof box for dosimetry and capability for inserting other components inside the phantom for: (A) Validating dose calculation algorithms in treatment planning systems (TPSs) using a small-volume ionization chamber; (B) Testing volume calculation accuracy in TPSs for bladder, rectum, and sigmoid organs at risk (OARs) constructed by 3D printing; (C) Quantification of MRI distortions using 17 semi-elliptical plates with 4,317 control points to mimic a realistic female's pelvis size; and (D) Quantification of image distortions and artifacts induced by MRI-compatible applicators using a specific radial fiducial marker. The utility of the phantom was tested in various QC procedures. Results: The phantom was successfully implemented for examples of intended QC procedures. The maximum deviation between the absorbed doses to water assessed with our phantom and those calculated by SagiPlan TPS was 1.7%. The mean discrepancy in volumes of TPS-calculated OARs was 1.1%. The differences between known distances within the phantom on MR imaging were within 0.7 mm compared with computed tomography. Conclusions: This phantom is a promising useful tool for dosimetric and geometric quality assurance (QA) in MRI-based cervix BT.

Requirements for improving social capital among faculty members of medical universities: A multicenter qualitative study.

Introduction: Social capital is critical to organizational dynamics, particularly in developing countries. This study explored strategies for enhancing social capital among faculty members at seven medical universities in the south of Iran. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2021. We used a purposeful sampling technique to recruit faculty members and conducted individual semi-structured interviews with them. Thematic analysis was used to analyze and describe the collected data. Results: A total of 49 faculty members (34 males; 15 females) participated in this study. The participants expressed satisfaction with their affiliations with medical universities. Social capital was related to the feeling of belonging to the organization, as well as to interpersonal and intra-organizational relations. Social capital was associated with three components: empowerment, organizational policy change, and organizational identification. Additionally, a dynamic relationship between the individual, interpersonal, and macro-organizational levels reinforced the organization's social capital. This means that, just as the macro-organizational level affects the members' identities, the members' activism affects the macro-organizational level. Conclusion: To strengthen the organization's social capital, managers should work on the mentioned components at the individual, interpersonal, and macro-organizational levels.