Effect of antioxidant supplements on sperm parameters in infertile male smokers: a single-blinded clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Naturally, in human body, there is a balance between free radicals and the antioxidant system. Yet, cigarette consumption in smokers increases free radicals and decreases antioxidants. A vast body of research showed that the ROS level of seminal fluid is reduced using oral antioxidant complements through enhancing the clearing capacity of free radicals. Thus, the present research aimed to explore the effect of vitamin complement consumption on changing male infertility indices among smokers. METHODS: In the present randomized clinical trial which was single-blinded, 50 infertile oligospermic and asthenospermic men participated. They were selected in a randomized convenient sampling method. Before the study began, a semen sample was taken from all participants for analysis. Subsequently, the patients received 30 mg of Q10 coenzyme, 8 mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid for a whole duration of 3 months on a daily basis (once a day) and 200 mg of selenium every other day after lunch. A second sample of seminal fluid was taken from patients and semen parameters were compared between the pre- and post-test. The relevant statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS.23. RESULTS: A comparison of pre-test and post-test results revealed that all sperm parameters including the volume, morphology, motion, count and progressive motility were significantly increased after the intervention (p ≥ 005). Moreover, a statistically significant improvement was observed in the pH and concentration of seminal fluid. CONCLUSION: The present research showed that consuming vitamin complements (30 mg of Q10, mg of zinc, 100 mg of vitamin C, 12 mg of vitamin E, 400 mg of folic acid) once a day as well as 200 mg of selenium every other day can effectively improve the qualitative parameters (pH and concentration) and quantitative parameters (volume, motion, morphology, count and progressive motility) in infertile male smokers.

Is the cat an important reservoir host for visceral leishmaniasis? A systematic review with meta-analysis

In recent years feline leishmanial infections (FLI) have been studied more than ever before in various parts of the world. However, evidence-based knowledge on FLI has remained unavailable. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the status of felines infected by Leishmania spp. worldwide. Data were extracted from 10 available databases over the period of 1982 to 2017. Overall, 78 articles fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used for data extraction in this systematic review. The overall FLI prevalence by both serological and molecular methods was estimated at 10% (95% CI: 8%-14%). In Italy, both the seroprevalence (24 %) and PCR prevalence (21 %) were found to be higher than in other countries. The most common diagnostic test used was the indirect fluorescent antibody test (38.5%). Studies on mixed-breed felines were more common than those on other breeds, while the most common parasite species was L. infantum (63%). Our findings suggest that cats act as primary and/or secondary reservoir hosts in the transmission of the Leishmania spp. to humans and also to dogs, by sandflies, at least in endemic foci. Moreover, available data confirm the enzootic stability situation of FLI in several countries including some in Europe.(AU)

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis in patients with cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

BACKGROUND: Aspergillus sensitization (AS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) can occur as a cause of permanent lung damage in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of AS and ABPA in patients with CF and non-CF bronchiectasis in southwestern Iran. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 33 patients with CF and 27 patients with non-CF bronchiectasis from southwestern Iran who were referred to Namazi Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from July 2015 to February 2016. Skin prick test to Aspergillus fumigatus, peripheral blood eosinophil count, total serum IgE, specific IgE and IgG against Aspergillus fumigatus as well as radiologic chest studies were done for each patient. Statistical analysis was done by Mann-Whitney U test, Fisher Exact test, and Kappa weighted in SPSS software version 18. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Nine patients with CF (27.3%) and one patient with non-CF bronchiectasis (3.7%) had positive skin tests to Aspergillus. There was 81.2% agreement between positive skin test and specific IgE to Aspergillus fumigatus (p<0.001). Three patients with CF (9%) met the diagnostic criteria for ABPA, whereas ABPA was not seen in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis. CONCLUSION: ABPA was low in this study, considering more frequency of AS in patients with cystic fibrosis, clinicians should keep in mind the diagnosis of ABPA for those CF patients that do not respond to usual medical therapy and have positive skin tests to Aspergillus allergens.

Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields and risk of Alzheimer disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Occupational exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) occurs in many occupations such as welders, electric utility workers, train drivers and sewing machine operators. There is some evidence suggesting ELF-MF exposure to be a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). The current study aims at systematically reviewing the literature and conducting a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of AD amongst workers exposed to ELF-MF. METHODS: Bibliographic databases were searched including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science in November 2017. Risk of bias was assessed in the all included studies. Pooled estimates were obtained using random-effects meta-analysis. In addition, sources of heterogeneity between studies and publication bias were explored. RESULTS: In total, 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results suggest an increased risk of AD (RR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.35, 1.96). Higher risk estimates were obtained from case-control studies (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.40, 2.32) than from cohort studies (RR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.87). A moderate to high heterogeneity (I2 = 61.0%) and indication for publication bias (Egger test: p <  0.001) were found. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that occupational exposure to ELF-MF might increase the risk of AD. However, this suggestion should be interpreted with caution given the moderate to high heterogeneity and indication for publication bias.

A Significant Breakthrough in the Incidence of Childhood Cancers and Evaluation of its Risk Factors in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This study investigates epidemiologic and practical information about the incidence and risk factors of childhood cancer in a population of Southern Iranian children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total number of 300 cancer patients along with 600 age- and gender-matched healthy control were interviewed by a trained physician regarding their demographic characteristics, and major family-associated risk factors, childhood malignancies. RESULTS: The average annual percentage change for cancers in the studied population is calculated as 45%. Our study indicated that possible risk factors which could contribute to the development of childhood cancer are maternal oral contraceptive pill use during pregnancy, exposure to radiation during pregnancy, parental smoking, residence near high voltage electricity lines, exposure to pesticides and fertilizers, patient allergy, contact with domestic animals and father's educational degree. Furthermore, new ecological risk factors such as air pollution due to nonstandard petroleum or toxic inhalant particles, nonhealthy food consumption, and satellite jamming are other predisposing factors. CONCLUSION: Our study reported a higher average annual percentage change of childhood cancers in our area, compared to the existing literature. In conclusion, detection and prevention of the consistent and possible new environmental risk factors such as nonstandard petroleum or satellite jamming from all around the country should be taking into consideration.

Serological evidence of human cystic echinococcosis and associated risk factors among general population in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran.

The aim of the present study was to determine the seroprevalence of CE among human referring to Health Centers in Mazandaran Province, northern Iran and to identify the risk factors involved in spreading the disease. Between 2013 and 2014, the serum samples were taken randomly from 600 subjects referring to health centers in Mazandaran Province. After obtaining informed consent for each participant, a questionnaire including demographic characteristics and associated risk factors was filled for each individual. Anti-CE antibody was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), using native antigen B. Our results showed 31.6% (n = 190) seropositivity. There were significant difference between seropositivity and sex and residence. Males were significantly more seropositive than females (24.6% versus 7%, P = 0.0001). Regression analysis showed that the subjects who are living in rural areas were 4.4 times more likely to be at risk to CE than urban areas (OR = 4.4; 95% CI = 2.91, 6.64). Contact with dogs, soil and consumed raw vegetables was appeared as main risk factors for CE among community in Mazandaran and it may increase the probability of infection. The high prevalence of CE among individuals indicated that hydatidosis is still a major health problem among community in the investigated areas.

In vitro antileishmanial activity of novel azoles (3-imidazolylflavanones) against promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania major.

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan infectious disease widely distributed all around the world. First line drugs including antimoniales are insufficient due to resistance in endemic areas and high toxicity. Azole antifungals like ketoconazole (KCZ) are also used as antileishmanial agents for several decades. In the present study, we evaluated in vitro antileishmanial effects of new azole antifungals namely 3-imidazolylflavanones (IFs) and their oximes (IFOs) against Leishmania major (L. major) parasites. The obtained results showed remarkable effect of our compounds on promastigote and amastigote stages of L. major. In particular, the 4-chloro analog of flavanone (IF-2) and 3-chloro substituted flavanone oxime (IFO-3) with IC50 values ≤8.9µg/mL were 8-fold more potent than KCZ (IC50=72µg/mL) against promastigote form of L. major. In amastigote stage, the compounds IF-2 and IFO-2 decreased the mean number of infected macrophages (MIR) more than KCZ (p<0.005). In addition, compounds IF-1, IF-2, IF-4, IFO-2, IFO-3 and IFO-5 decreased the mean number of amastigotes per macrophages (MNAPM) significantly more than KCZ (p<0.005). All compounds decreased both MIR and MNAPM significantly more than control (p<0.001). Compounds IF-2 and IFO-2 with parasite survival of 7.70% and 20% had the highest inhibition on intracellular amastigotes. Although most of compounds displayed acceptable selectivity index, compound IF-2 had the highest CC50 value (115.4µg/mL) and SI (383.3). We concluded that our new synthetic azoles displaying potent activity against L. major could be considered as new hits for drug development in the field of antileishmanial therapy.

The Seroprevalence of Human Cystic Echinococcosis in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Study.

Human cystic echinococcosis (HCE), a zoonotic infection of the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, has high effect on public health in human population all around the world. Iran is one of the most important endemic areas in the Middle East. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of HCE in Iranian population. An electronic search for articles from 1985 until April 2015 was performed using data bases PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Magiran, IranMedex, Iran Doc, and Scientific Information Database (SID) both in English and in Persian. A random-effects meta-analysis was used to combine results from individual studies. The information was analyzed by STATA version 11.1. A total of 33 articles met our eligibility criteria and were included in a meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of the prevalence of HCE based on random-effects model was estimated 6.0% (95% CI: 4.0%, 7.0%). The prevalence of the disease significantly increased with age and prevalence rate in males was significantly lower than females (p < 0.001). The using of CIE or CCIEP method was also significantly greater than the other methods (p < 0.001). There was a publication bias in prevalence of studies. HCE is highly prevalent in Iran. Public education for preventive strategies and finally reducing transmission of the parasite and infection in population is needed.