Workplace Violence Against Iranian Nurses: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Nurses are exposed to workplace violence more than other healthcare professionals. This study aims to examine the prevalence of different types of workplace violence against Iranian nurses. A systematic review and meta-analysis were designed according to the PRISMA statement. To avoid bias, all stages of the research were done independently by two researchers. Eligible studies were retrieved from comprehensive search of several electronic databases included Magiran, Barakat Knowledge Network System, IranDoc, Regional Information Center for Science and Technology (RICST), Scientific Information Database (SID), Iranian National Library, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Science Direct, ISI Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, and Google Scholar until April 2017. A random effects model was applied to combine studies. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2. In 26 studies, 10,858 nurses entered the meta-analysis process. The mean age and work experience of the nurses were 33.5 ± 7.5 and 10.85 ± 10.1 years, respectively. The prevalence of workplace verbal, physical, sexist, and racist violence and threat against Iranian nurses was 80.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] [74.2, 86.0]), 24.8% (95% CI [17.4, 34.0]), 6.7% (95% CI [4.9, 9.2]), 14.6% (95% CI [10.1, 20.7]), and 44% (95% CI [30.1, 58.8]), respectively. The prevalence of verbal and physical violence against the emergency department nurses was 89.7% (95% CI [69.4, 97.1]) and 21.0% (95% CI [12.6, 32.9]), respectively. The highest prevalence of verbal, physical, sexist, and racist violence was from patient's relative (42.3%, 95% CI [30.7, 54.7]), patients (12.6%, 95% CI [5.9, 25.0]), healthcare workers (5.1%, 95% CI [2.4, 10.4]), and patients (2.3%, 95% CI [0.9, 5.4]), respectively. Given the high prevalence of violence against the nurses in Iran, it is highly necessary to take certain intervention measures and design new policies.

Epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii among blood donors in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Asymptomatic Toxoplasma gondii transmitted from blood donors to receiving patients has become a concern. Numerous articles have been published on the epidemiology of T. gondii in blood donors in Iran and a systematic review of the results shows quite different findings, hence this study was conducted to determine the seroprevalence of T. gondii in Iranian blood donors using meta-analysis. METHODS: We searched for epidemiological studies that were published until July 2016 in eight English databases including: Scopus, PubMed, Ovid, Science Direct, Cochrane, Web of Science, Springer, Wiley Online Library, and four Iranian databases: Magiran, Iranmedex, SID and Medlib as well as Google Scholar. To estimate pooled estimator, regarding high heterogeneity and significance of I2 index, Random effects model was used. Data analysis was conducted using Review Manager Ver5.3.5 and P<0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Among 10 studies with a sample size of 4538 Iranian blood donors, the seroprevalence of T. gondii was calculated to be 34.4% (CI95%: 24.9-43.9). The rate in males and females was 33.36% (CI95%: 19.92-46.81) and 37.63% (CI95%: 20.81-54.45), respectively. The seroprevalence of IgM and IgG antibodies among blood donors were 2.74% (CI95%: 0.55-4.92) and 31.84% (CI95%: 20.61-43.08), respectively. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was significantly associated regarding blood group (P=0.04), but this relation was not significant with blood transfusion (P=0.62). CONCLUSION: The results of this review indicate a high seroprevalence of T. gondii (about one-third) in Iranian blood donors and emphasizes the importance of screening the seroprevalence of T. gondii of donated blood in Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization.

Curcumin Aattenuates the Expression of Metalloprotease (AHA_0978) and Serine Protease (AHA_3857) Genes in Aeromonas Hydrophila.

BACKGROUND: Aeromonas hydrophila is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for various infections in humans and animals. Bacterial exoproteases are considered an important determinant in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila. Serine protease and metalloprotease, that are regulated by the bacterial Quorum sensing (QS) system are important virulent factors in the pathogenicity of A. hydrophila. Anti-QS potential of curcumin has been reported, previously. In this work, we characterized the effect of curcumin on the expression of the metalloprotease and serine protease genes in A. hydrophila. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of curcumin was measured by the agar macro-dilution method and a sub-inhibitory concentration (1/2 MIC) was used in subsequent experiments. The expression level of the metalloprotease and serine protease genes among the treated and control bacteria was evaluated using quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. Bacterial proteolytic activity was also measured by skim milk agar plate assay. RESULTS: MIC of curcumin for bacterial strain was 1024 µg/ml curcumin, and at 512 µg/mL (1/2 MIC) it remarkably attenuated the expression of the metalloprotease and serine protease genes up to 66 and 77%, respectively. Also, the proteolytic activity of A. hydrophila was considerably reduced by curcumin. CONCLUSION: Due to the promising inhibitory effect on bacterial proteolysis, curcumin could be considered an anti-virulence agent against A. hydrophila.

Is latent tuberculosis infection challenging in Iranian health care workers? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The high chances of getting latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among health care workers (HCWs) will an enormous problem in low and upper-middle-income countries. METHOD: Search strategies were done through both national and international databases include SID, Barakat knowledge network system, Irandoc, Magiran, Iranian national library, web of science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, OVID, EMBASE, the Cochrane library, and Google Scholar search engine. The Persian and the English languages were used as the filter in national and international databases, respectively. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms was used to controlling comprehensive vocabulary. The search terms were conducted without time limitation till January 01, 2019. RESULTS: The prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs, based on the PPD test was 27.13% [CI95%: 18.64-37.7]. The highest prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs were estimated 41.4% [CI95%: 25.4-59.5] in the north, and 33.8% [CI95%: 21.1-49.3] in the west. The lowest prevalence of LTBI was evaluated 18.2% [CI95%: 3.4-58.2] in the south of Iran. The prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs who had work-experience more than 20 years old were estimated 20.49% [CI95%: 11-34.97]. In the PPD test, the prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs who had received the Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) was estimated 15% [CI95%: 3.6-47.73]. While, in the QFT, the prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs in non-vaccinated was estimated 25.71% [CI95%: 13.96-42.49]. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis shows the highest prevalence of LTBI in Iranian's HCWs in the north and the west probably due to neighboring countries like Azerbaijan and Iraq, respectively. It seems that Iranian's HCWs have not received the necessary training to prevent of TB. We also found that BCG was not able to protect Iranian's HCWs from TB infections, completely.

Correction: Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0214738.].

Epidemiology of multiple sclerosis in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders and is one of the main causes of disability. The prevalence and incidence of MS in Iran is reported to range from 5.3 to 89/ 100,000and 7 to 148.1/ 100,000, respectively. There are no systematic and meta-analysis studies on MS in Iran. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the prevalence and incidence of MS in Iran using meta-analysis. METHOD: A systematic review of the present study focused on MS epidemiology in Iran based on PRISMA guidelines for systematic review and meta-analysis. We searched eight international databases including Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Google Scholar search engine and six Persian databases for peer-reviewed studies published without time limit until May 2018. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive meta-analysis ver. 2 software. The review protocol has been registered in PROSPERO with ID: CRD42018114491. RESULTS: According to searching on different databases, 39 (15%) articles finalized. The prevalence of MS in Iran was estimated 29.3/ 100,000 (95%CI: 25.6-33.5) based on random effects model. The prevalence of MS in men and women was estimated to be 16.5/ 100,000 (95%CI: 13.7-23.4) and 44.8/ 100,000 (95%CI: 36.3-61.6), respectively. The incidence of MS in Iran was estimated to be 3.4/ 100,000 (95%CI: 1.8-6.2) based on random effects model. The incidence of MS in men was estimated to be 16.5/ 100,000 (95%CI: 13.7-23.4) and the incidence of MS in women was 44.8/ 100,000 (95%CI: 36.3-61.6). The meta-regression model for prevalence and incidence of MS was significantly higher in terms of year of study (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study can provide a general picture of MS epidemiology in Iran. The current meta-analysis showed that the prevalence and incidence of MS in Iran is high and is rising over time.

Effect of Yoga on Lipid Profile and C-reactive Protein in Women.

BACKGROUND: Few scientific studies have been conducted about the effect of yoga on biochemical variables such as total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglyceride (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) to lay a scientific foundation regarding benefits of yoga, but its effect is not clearly detected yet. This study was conducted to assess the effect of yoga on lipid profile and CRP in women. METHODS: This research was designed as an interventional study. After reviewing inclusion and exclusion criteria, selected biochemical variables such as TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, and CRP were measured for each participant. Yoga instruction was done three times a week for 26 weeks by an experienced yoga instructor. After 26 weeks of yoga intervention, the above-mentioned dependent variables were assessed. SPSS Ver. 16 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: After a 26-week follow-up for participants, only 24 women had the necessary criteria to be included in the study. The mean TG was 157.33 ± 68.416 mg/dL and 134.33 ± 58.80 mg/dL before and after the intervention (P = 0.108), respectively. The mean TC was 234.83 ± 48.47 mg/dL and 183.33 ± 55.09 mg/dL before and after the intervention (P = 0.014), respectively. The mean HDL-C was 31.58 ± 14.22 mg/dL and 38.25 ± 13.5 mg/dL before and after the intervention (P = 0.118), respectively. The mean LDL-C was 171.75 ± 42.69 mg/dL and 142.91 ± 36.4 mg/dL before and after the intervention (P = 0.030), respectively. The mean CRP was 0.57 ± 0.22 mg/L and 0.71 ± 0.77 mg/L before and after the intervention (P = 0.779), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The result showed that yoga reduced TC and LDL-C significantly, but had no significant effect on TG, HDL-C, and CRP.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Iranian Dentists: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders are the most important problems among professions particularly, dentists. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in various parts of the body in Iranian dentists by using systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was based on preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and searching in national databases such as SID, Magiran, Irandoc, IranMedex, and Medlib, and international databases such as MedLine, Web of Sciences, Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, Embase, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Ebsco, CEBM, and Google Scholar search engine which were published by January 1, 2017. Researched keywords were in Persian and their standard English equivalents were in accordance with their MeSH. The obtained documents were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-analysis version 2. RESULTS: According to 23 studies through 2,531 Iranian dentists which took part in this study, prevalence of skeletal disorders in Iranian dentists has been 17.6% [confidence interval (CI) 95%:11.7-25.5] in knees, 33.2% (CI 95%:24.1-43.8) in shoulders, 33.4% (CI 95%: 26.8-40.8) in the thorax, 51.9% (CI 95%:46.7-57.2) in necks, 33.7% (CI 95%:28.2-39.6) in wrists/hands, 12.9% (CI 95%:7.7-20.6) in elbows, 37.3% (CI 95%: 31.5-43.5) in lower back, 11.9% (CI 95%:8.7-16.1) in thighs, 12.9% (CI 95%:3.8-36) in the foot, and 10.5% (CI 95%:7-15.4) in legs. CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in Iranian dentists, ergonomics should be included as a lesson in preclinic and also, reeducation courses for ergonomics basics should be executed for graduate dentists.

Lung cancer in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: There are many epidemiological pieces of evidence that show IPF patients have the highest risk of lung cancer. We conducted a systematic review of all published data to define the characteristics of lung cancer that develops in IPF by performing a meta-analysis. METHOD: This study was performed based on the PRISMA guideline. Documents gathered by searching through the Web of Sciences, Scopus, PubMed/Medline, OVID, and COCHRANE databases which published before 03/25/2018 that related to lung cancer in IPFs' patients. Articles were searched using standard keywords as well as Mesh and Mesh Entry and all probabilistic combinations of words using Boolean operators. Data searching, extracting and quality appraising were done by two researchers, independently. At last, Random-effects size based on Cochrane test and I2 were used. The review protocol has been registered in PROSPERO with ID: CRD42018094037. RESULTS: Based on the meta-analysis conducted in 35 (0.18%) included studies, the total sample size of patients with IPF was estimated 131947 among whom 6384 had LC. The total rate of LC prevalence in IPF patients was estimated to be 13.54% (95% CI: 10.43-17.4) that was significantly 9 times higher in men vs. Women and smoker vs. non-smoker. Highest to lowest prevalence of cellular (histological) subtypes of lung cancer in IPF were SQCC (37.82%), ADC (30.79%), SmCC (20.48%), LCC (5.21%), and ADQC (4.81%), respectively. The highest and lowest stage of lung cancer in IPF patients was estimated at III and II, respectively. The highest involvement location of lung cancer in IPF patients was in the Peripheral. Also, the prevalence of the tumor region involved from the highest to the lowest was estimated to be in the RLL, LLL, RUL and LUL regions. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer in IPF, most commonly SQCC, presents in elderly heavy smokers with a male, locating in peripheral regions and the lower part of lung predominance.

The relation of maternal hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy on preterm birth: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The clinical consequences of hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy such as preterm birth are not still clear. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this meta-analysis was to estimate the relation of clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy and preterm birth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this meta-analysis, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analysis were utilized. Searching the cohort studies were done by two researchers independently without any restrictions on Scopus, PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane, EBSCO and Google Scholar databases up to 2017. The heterogeneity of the studies was checked by the Cochran's Q test and I2 index. Both random and fixed-effects models were used for combining the relative risk and 95% confidence intervals. Data were analyzed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software version 2. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included in the meta-analysis. The relative risks of the clinical hypothyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism and hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy on preterm birth was estimated 1.30 (95% CI: 1.05-1.61, p=0.013, involving 20079 cases and 2452817 controls), 1.36 (95% CI: 1.09-1.68, p=0.005, involving 3580 cases and 64885 controls) and 1.31 (95% CI: 1.04-1.66, p=0.020, involving 1078 cases and 44377 controls), respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of preterm birth was higher among mothers with clinical and subclinical hypothyroidism or hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy compared to euthyroid mothers, and these relations were significant. Therefore, gynecologists and endocrinologists should manage these patients to control the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth.