Study on SARS-CoV-2 strains in Iran reveals potential contribution of co-infection with and recombination between different strains to the emergence of new strains.

We aimed to describe SARS-CoV-2 strains in Iranians from nine distributed cities infected during two months expanding late 2020 and early 2021 by genotyping known informative single nucleotide in five PCR amplicons. Two variants associated with haplotype H1 (clade G) and nine additional variants associated with other haplotypes were genotyped, respectively, in RNA isolates of 244 and 85 individuals. The variants associated with the H1a (GR) and H1b (GH) haplotypes were most prevalent, indicating a significant change in infection pattern with passage of time. The most important findings were that recombinant genomes and co-infection, respectively, were surmised in 44.7% and 12.9% of the samples extensively genotyped. Partners of many of the recombinations were relatively common strains. Co-existing viruses were among those currently circulating in Iran. In addition to random mutations, co-infection with different existing strains and recombination between their genomes may significantly contribute to the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 strains.

Humans with inherited T cell CD28 deficiency are susceptible to skin papillomaviruses but are otherwise healthy.

We study a patient with the human papilloma virus (HPV)-2-driven "tree-man" phenotype and two relatives with unusually severe HPV4-driven warts. The giant horns form an HPV-2-driven multifocal benign epithelial tumor overexpressing viral oncogenes in the epidermis basal layer. The patients are unexpectedly homozygous for a private CD28 variant. They have no detectable CD28 on their T cells, with the exception of a small contingent of revertant memory CD4+ T cells. T cell development is barely affected, and T cells respond to CD3 and CD2, but not CD28, costimulation. Although the patients do not display HPV-2- and HPV-4-reactive CD4+ T cells in vitro, they make antibodies specific for both viruses in vivo. CD28-deficient mice are susceptible to cutaneous infections with the mouse papillomavirus MmuPV1. The control of HPV-2 and HPV-4 in keratinocytes is dependent on the T cell CD28 co-activation pathway. Surprisingly, human CD28-dependent T cell responses are largely redundant for protective immunity.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran: A meta-analysis of 69 studies.

AIMS: Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The present study investigated the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Published articles in English and Persian during 2000-2016 identified using keywords of prevalence, metabolic syndrome, and Iran in the following databases: Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, SID and Magiran. Random effect model used to calculate the pooled estimates. Heterogeneity of studies assessed using Q statistic, and geographical distribution of metabolic syndrome demonstrated via GIS map. Data were analyzed by STATA-11. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 30.4% (95%CI: 28.3-32.6) with no significant heterogeneity by diagnostic criteria. The lowest frequency was reported in Sistan and Baluchestan Province [18.3% (95% CI: 12.9-25.8)] compared to the highest in Bushehr [57.8% (95% CI: 41.8-80.0)]. It was significantly more prevalent in women [(34.8% (95%CI: 31.2-38.8)] compared to men [25.7% (95%CI: 23.4-28.3)] (P = 0.001)]. A significant increasing trend (P = 0.001) was observed in different age groups, as metabolic syndrome increased from 12.1% (95% CI: 9.37-15.6) in 20-29 years-old age group to 51.7% (95%CI: 47.4-56.4) in the over 60 years-old age group. CONCLUSIONS: Approximately one-third of Iranian adults have metabolic syndrome which varied by regions, age and gender. Then, appropriate intervention based on behavioral patterns of inhabitants and local conditions may help to reduce the burden of disease.

Reducing urinary oxalate by simultaneous using Sankol herbal drop with oxalate-degrading bacteria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oxalate degrading bacteria and herbal extracts are new strategy for reducing hyperoxaluria. In Iranian traditional medicine, Sankol oral drop is widely used as an antispasmodic drug to reduce stones from urinary tract. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effect of oxalate-degrading bacteria and Sankol oral drop in reducing urinary oxalate in rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several bacterial strains, including Lactobacillus (4), Bifidobacterium (2) and L. paracasei (2) (very strong in degrading oxalate in vitro) were used in this study. Male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups (n = 6). The rats of Group I received normal diet and drinking water + 60% ethanol (positive group). Groups II (negative group), III, IV, V, and VI rats received diet containing ethylene glycol (3%) for 30 days. Groups III rats received Sankol with minimum concentration (7.5 ml/kg/b.w), Group IV rats received Sankol with maximum concentration (9 ml/kg/b.w), Group V rats received Sankol with minimum concentration + probiotic, and Group VI rats received Sankol with maximum concentration + probiotic for 30 days. RESULTS: Treatment with Sankol (maximum concentration) and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria significantly reduced urinary oxalate (P = .0001). At the end of treatment period, rats in groups II (negative control) showed a high score of CaOx crystal, while rats in VI groups did not show any CaOx crystal. CONCLUSION: This is the first study on the simultaneous use of Sankol herbal drop and oxalate-degrading probiotic bacteria that showed a significant reduction in urinary oxalate.

Subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome in patients with acute stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the first cause of morbidity all around the world. Entrapment neuropathies are a known complication of stroke. The objective of this study is to assess the frequency of subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome in the healthy and paretic hands of stroke patients. METHODS: The authors performed nerve conduction study in the first three days after admission in 39 stroke patients without subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome and 30 days after admission. Electrophysiological studies were done in both paretic and non-paretic hands. Both ulnar and median nerves were studied. RESULTS: After one month we found subclinical carpal tunnel syndrome in 16 paretic hands and 13 healthy hands. We did not find any difference in the frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome in two sides. CONCLUSION: The authors suggest that simultaneous different mechanisms may act in inducing carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands of hemiparetic patients.

Lack of association between paraoxonase 1 Q192R polymorphism and multiple sclerosis in relapse phase: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate the serum activity of paraoxonase 1(PON1) and assess the distribution of PON1 polymorphisms in MS patients in the relapse phase. DESIGN AND METHODS: PON1 and arylesterase (ARE) serum activities were measured in two equal groups (each group 63 cases) of relapsing-remitting MS patients and healthy individuals. RESULTS: Mean values for serum PON1 and ARE activities were 90.3±63.4 and 182.1±128.7IU/L for patients and 99.9±73.3 and 190.8±150.3IU/L for controls. Those values were not statistically significant (p=0.242 and p=0.378), respectively. Comparing genotype distributions and allele frequencies in both groups for PON1 Q192R and PON L55M polymorphisms did not show any statistical difference. CONCLUSION: In a selected group of MS patients in relapsing phase no statistically significant difference in PON1 and ARE activities was detected but the mean values for the serum enzyme activities were lower in MS patients.

Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in patients with lacunar infarction: a case control study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess paraoxonase (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) activities and polymorphism in patients with lacunar infarctions. DESIGN AND METHODS: The PON1 activity, ARE and lipid profile were determined in 37 patients and 53 healthy individuals. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 37 patients (20 males and 17 females) were studied. The levels of PON1 activity in patients and healthy individuals were 63.5±46.7IU/L and 95.5±75.5IU/L, respectively (p=0.024). The same values for ARE were 54.3±19.3KU/L for patients and 69.1±29.3KU/L for controls (p=0.008). Polymorphism in Q192R location shows statistically different presentation in patient group compared to healthy controls with an odds ratio of 3.42 (CI 95%: 1.24-9.44, p=0.017). CONCLUSIONS: According to this study, we suggest that PON1 192R polymorphism may play a minor role as a risk marker for developing lacunar infarctions in a group of Iranian population.