Seroepidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Patients with Liver Disease in Southeastern Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research has been concentrated on investigating the involvement of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the progression of liver disorders. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of T. gondii infection in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), as well as the effects of toxoplasmosis infection on biological biomarkers such as aspirate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol (Chol), and triglyceride (Tg) levels in Sistan, southeast Iran. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted between December 2021 and September 2022. The study included 225 patients diagnosed with NAFLD as the case group and 225 healthy blood donors as the control group. The controls were selected from the same region and were matched with the patients based on gender and age. We collected serum samples from all patients and utilized an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to analyze them for the existence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies. A questionnaire and medical records were utilized to gather data on the patient's demographic factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were 68 (30.2%) in patients with NAFLD, whereas it was 11 (4.88%) in the control group. The seroprevalence of T. gondii in NAFLD patients increased in correlation with age (P < 0.001). The prevalence of NAFLD was significantly greater in the seropositive group compared to the seronegative group (P < 0.001). In addition, the levels of the metabolic markers Chol and Tg were significantly higher in T. gondii seropositive NAFLD patients compared to T. gondii seronegative NAFLD patients. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii in patients with NAFLD. Further studies are warranted to investigate the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic implications of this association.

Effects of gut microbial therapy on lipid profile in individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an umbrella meta-analysis study.

BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most common liver disease, is closely associated with metabolic conditions such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, which significantly impact human health outcomes. The impaired lipid profiles observed in NAFLD individuals can further contribute to cardiovascular events. Despite the high prevalence of NAFLD, there is currently no confirmed intervention approved for its treatment. This study aimed to summarize the results of meta-analysis studies of randomized control trials assessing the impact of gut microbial therapy (probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics) on the lipid profile of individuals with NAFLD. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library up to November 1, 2022. Meta-analyses surveying the impact of microbial therapy on lipid profile parameters (triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and total cholesterol (TC)) in the NAFLD population were included in our umbrella review. The final effect size (ES) was estimated, and sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included in this umbrella review. Microbial therapy significantly reduced TG (ES - 0.31, 95% CI - 0.51, - 0.11, P < 0.01), TC (ES - 1.04, 95% CI - 1.46, - 0.61, P < 0.01), and LDL (ES - 0.77, 95% CI - 1.15, - 0.39, P < 0.01) in individuals with NAFLD. However, the effect on HDL was not statistically significant (ES - 0.06; 95% CI - 0.19, 0.07, P = 0.39). CONCLUSION: Considering the absence of approved treatments for NAFLD and the promising role of microbial therapies in improving the three lipid profiles components in individuals with NAFLD, the use of these agents as alternative treatment options could be recommended. The findings underscore the potential of gut microbial therapy, including probiotics, synbiotics, and prebiotics, in managing NAFLD and its associated metabolic complications. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO ( CRD42022346998 ).

Comparing the effect of "learning based on classic education" and "learning based on participatory education" on nursing students critical thinking: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Medical education is facing a challenge in meeting society's demands about their health improvement. Due to this, it seems necessary to educate creative and thoughtful staff for health-care system. By this introduction, this study aimed to compare the effect of "learning based on classic education" and "learning based on participatory education" on nursing students critical thinking. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight nursing students participated in this study. Students were chosen by census method and were divided into two groups randomly. The California critical thinking questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 19 by descriptive statistics and t-test. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference between the mean score of critical thinking before and after conducting the "learning based on participatory education" method. Difference between mean score was significant between the two groups. This mean score was more increased in group which "learning based on participatory education" method was conducted. CONCLUSION: The increased score of critical thinking among students with "learning based on participatory education" method showed the welcome of students toward new and dynamic methods of teaching the critical thinking and proved this that critical thinking can be useful in nursing education.