This review compared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) laboratory findings, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes in patients from the general population versus medical staff to aid diagnosis of COVID-19 in a more timely, efficient, and accurate way. Electronic databases were searched up to 23rdMarch, 2020. The initial search yielded 6,527 studies. Following screening, 24 studies were included [18 studies (11,564 cases) of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the general public, and 6 studies (394 cases) in medical staff] in this review. Significant differences were observed in white blood cell counts (p < 0.001), lymphocyte counts (p < 0.001), platelet counts (p = 0.04), procalcitonin levels (p < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase levels (p < 0.001), and creatinine levels (p = 0.03) when comparing infected medical staff with the general public. The mortality rate was higher in the general population than in medical staff (8% versus 2%). This review showed that during the early stages of COVID-19, laboratory findings alone may not be significant predictors of infection and may just accompany increasing C-reactive protein levels, erythrocyte sedimentation rates, and lactate dehydrogenase levels. In the symptomatic stage, the lymphocyte and platelet counts tended to decrease. Elevated D-dimer fibrin degradation product was associated with poor prognosis.

Allogeneic tissue transplantation is one of the most effective treatments for several diseases and injuries, in particular, malignant and non-malignant hematological conditions.Following this procedure, transplanted tissue encounters various complications, one of the most serious being graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The management of GvHD directly affects the success of transplantation and the survival rate of the patient; therefore, many studies have focused on GvHD prevention and control. This review briefly explains the transplantation process, causes of graft rejection, and importance of the human leukocyte antigen system. Initially, we address the pathophysiology and immunobiology of GvHD, the cells involved in this complication, the differences between chronic and acute GvHD, and the importance of graft-versus-leukemia. Interestingly, various types of immune cells are involved in GvHD pathogenesis. After explaining how these cells affect the GvHD process, we discuss the studies conducted to control and reduce GvHD symptoms.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine factors associated with caregiver burden among primary caregivers of women with breast cancer in Iran. METHODS: This was a descriptive correlation study conducted in 2012 on 150 main caregivers of patients with breast cancer who came to the oncology clinic of Shahid Ghazi hospital in Tabriz, Iran. A questionnaire which included caregiving-related factors and the Zarit Burden Interview was used for data collection after its validity and reliability were determined. Data was analyzed using SPSS 13.0 software with descriptive and analytic statistics. The association between significant variables and the dependent variable with an observation of the effects of other variables was assessed using the multiple linear regression model. RESULTS: The mean age of caregivers was 39.60 ± 13.80 years old, and 77 (51.3%) of them were men. The mean score of the Zarit Burden Interview was 30.55 ± 19.18. In the regression model, the mean score of activities of daily living, level of education, gender, and financial status were identified as the determining factors of the burden of caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Primary caregivers need to be financially supported by the relevant organizations. Care skills training and providing palliative care seem helpful in reducing the pain and the burden of family caregivers for patients with breast cancer.
Activities of Daily Living ; Adult ; Breast Neoplasms/*psychology ; Caregivers/*psychology ; *Cost of Illness ; Family/psychology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Iran ; Male ; Marital Status ; Middle Aged ; Socioeconomic Factors