Purpose: The Toxoplasma gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase-3 (CDPK3) is a key enzyme for parasite egress, control of calcium-dependent permeabilization in parasitophorous vacuole membrane and tissue cyst formation. In this study, we comprehensively explored the bioinformatics features of this protein to improve vaccine design against T. gondii. Materials and Methods: Various web servers were employed for the analysis of physicochemical properties, post-translational modifications, localization in the subcellular milieu, secondary and tertiary structures, as well as B-cell, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-binding and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. Results: This protein was a 537 amino acid antigenic and non-allergenic molecule with a molecular weight of 60.42 kDa, a grand average of hydropathicity score of -0.508, and aliphatic index of 79.50. There exists 46.74% alpha helix, 12.48% extended strand, and 40.78% random coil in the secondary structure. Ramachandran plot of the refined model demonstrated 99.3%, 0.7%, and 0.0% of residues in the favored, allowed and outlier areas, respectively. Besides, various potential B-cell (continuous and conformational), MHC-binding and CTL epitopes were predicted for Toxoplasma CDPK3 protein. Conclusion This article provides a foundation for further investigations, and laid a theoretical basis for the development of an appropriate vaccine against T. gondii infection.

Purpose: The Toxoplasma gondii calcium-dependent protein kinase-3 (CDPK3) is a key enzyme for parasite egress, control of calcium-dependent permeabilization in parasitophorous vacuole membrane and tissue cyst formation. In this study, we comprehensively explored the bioinformatics features of this protein to improve vaccine design against T. gondii. Materials and Methods: Various web servers were employed for the analysis of physicochemical properties, post-translational modifications, localization in the subcellular milieu, secondary and tertiary structures, as well as B-cell, major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-binding and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. Results: This protein was a 537 amino acid antigenic and non-allergenic molecule with a molecular weight of 60.42 kDa, a grand average of hydropathicity score of -0.508, and aliphatic index of 79.50. There exists 46.74% alpha helix, 12.48% extended strand, and 40.78% random coil in the secondary structure. Ramachandran plot of the refined model demonstrated 99.3%, 0.7%, and 0.0% of residues in the favored, allowed and outlier areas, respectively. Besides, various potential B-cell (continuous and conformational), MHC-binding and CTL epitopes were predicted for Toxoplasma CDPK3 protein. Conclusion This article provides a foundation for further investigations, and laid a theoretical basis for the development of an appropriate vaccine against T. gondii infection.

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.
Antibodies ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Iran* ; Mass Screening ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence* ; Renal Dialysis* ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis*

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran.METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied.RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. ImmunoglobulinG (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals.CONCLUSIONS: The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.
Antibodies ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Immunoglobulin G ; Immunoglobulin M ; Iran ; Mass Screening ; Parasitic Diseases ; Prevalence ; Renal Dialysis ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis

OBJECTIVES: Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that occurs worldwide, with a wide range of complications in immunocompromised patients. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among patients undergoing hemodialysis in Iran. METHODS: We searched English and Persian databases for studies reporting T. gondii seroprevalence in Iranian hemodialysis patients through December 31, 2017. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies containing 1,865 participants (1,048 patients and 817 controls) met the eligibility criteria. ImmunoglobulinG (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii were found in 58% (95% confidence interval [CI], 46 to 70) of hemodialysis patients and 40% (95% CI, 31 to 50) of healthy controls, while immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies were found in 2% (95% CI, 0 to 6) of hemodialysis patients and 0% (95% CI, 0 to 1) of healthy controls. The meta-analysis showed that hemodialysis patients were significantly more likely to be seropositive for IgG (odds ratio [OR], 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54 to 2.70; p < 0.001) and IgM (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.23 to 5.22; p < 0.001) antibodies against T. gondii infection than healthy individuals. CONCLUSIONS The current study revealed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in hemodialysis patients. Since hemodialysis patients are immunocompromised and T. gondii can cause serious clinical complications, we recommend that periodic screenings for T. gondii infection should be incorporated into the routine clinical care of these patients.

OBJECTIVETo determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents in Fars Province of Iran.

METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Fars Province of Iran during a 29-month period from March 2009 to July 2011. The data were from the Fars Forensic Medicine Registry. In 4 923 recorded road traffic accident fatalities, 971 deaths were due to pedestrian accidents. The demographic and accident-related information were analyzed by SPSS version 11.5. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTSThe mean age of decedents was (47.2+/-26.2) years, ranging from 6 months to 103 years old. Males accounted for 69.8% of all deaths. Fatal accidents were most common in September; 56.1% of the fatal injuries occurred on intracity roads and 33.1% on extracity roads. Fatal head injuries were present in 60.54% of cases. Evaluation of the injury site and the cause of death found that they were significantly associated with age, interval between injury and death. Besides, the type of roads played an important role in mortality.

CONCLUSIONAlthough the clinical management of trauma patients has been improved in our country in the recent decade, decreasing the burden of injuries needs coordination among trauma system organizations.

OBJECTIVETo identify the main characteristics of victims of motorcycle accidents in Fars Province, Iran.

METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted in Fars Province which has the fourth largest population of all 31 provinces in Iran from March 2009 to June 2010. We included data from all 542 recorded cases of fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents. Data were recorded from the forensic medicine registry consisting of demographic and accident-related information. Demographic information consisted of name, age, sex, status of fatal victim (motorcycle driver vs passenger) and educational level.

RESULTSOf the 2 345 autopsy records from the forensic medicine archives, 542 (23.1%) gave the cause of death as motor vehicle accidents. Mean age of these victims was (31.4+/-6.5) years, and the male to female ratio was 28. Head injury was the most common cause of death in these victims, and overall they tended to have a low level of education. Motorcycle accidents frequently involved younger age groups (15-35 years), and head trauma related with non-use of a helmet was the most common cause of death.

CONCLUSIONSHead injury is frequent among victims in the province we studied. This situation may be related to the victims' low socioeconomic status and little education regarding traffic laws leading to speeding and disregard of these laws along with their weak enforcement.

Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal pedestrian accidents in Fars Province of Iran.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Fars Province of Iran during a 29-month period from March 2009 to July 2011.The data were from the Fars Forensic Medicine Registry.In 4 923 recorded road traffic accident fatalities,971 deaths were due to pedestrian accidents.The demographic and accident-related information were analyzed by SPSS version 11.5.P value less than 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mean age of decedents was (47.2±26.2)years,ranging from 6 months to 103 years old.Males accounted for 69.8％ of all deaths.Fatal accidents were most common in September; 56.1％ of the fatal injuries occurred on intracity roads and 33.1％ on extracity roads.Fatal head injuries were present in 60.54％ of cases.Evaluation of the injury site and the cause of death found that they were significantly associated with age,interval between injury and death.Besides,the type of roads played an important role in mortality.Conclusion: Although the clinical management of trauma patients has been improved in our country in the recent decade,decreasing the burden of injuries needs coordination among trauma system organizations.

PURPOSE: The measurement of heart rate variability (HRV) is a non-invasive method to analyze the balance of the autonomic nervous system. The aim of this study was to compare the changes of HRV and base deficit (BD) during the treatment of trauma patients. METHODS: Forty-three trauma patients with a low injury severity scores (ISS < 24) and negative base excess on admission were included in this study. Based on the BD changes, patients were divided into three groups: 'end pointed' group (n = 13), patients' BDs instantly cleared after primary hydration; 'needs further resuscitation' group (n = 21), patients' BDs did not reach the end point and thus required further hydration or packed red blood cells transfusion; and 'hydration minimal change' group (n = 9), patients' BDs lower than 2.5 mmol/L at the onset of admission and thereafter had minimal change (near normal range). The changes in HRV during fluid resuscitation were detected and compared to BD changes in their arterial blood gases. All data were analysed using the SPSS software Version 15.0. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine the changes in HRV, heart rate, blood pressure, and BD among groups. RESULTS: A significant reverse correlation was found between the BD ratio and the HRV ratio (r = -0.562; p = 0.01). The HRV of patients with aggravated BDs after fluid resuscitation was decreased. There was an increase in HRV at the time of BD clearance. A decrease in HRV after primary crystalloid hydration bore a significant connection with the need for an ICU (p = 0.021) and transfusion of packed red blood cells (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Increase in HRV may be a new non-invasive index for the end point of resuscitation in trauma patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Autonomic Nervous System ; physiopathology ; Crystalloid Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Fluid Therapy ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Injury Severity Score ; Middle Aged ; Resuscitation ; methods ; Wounds and Injuries ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Young Adult