BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of human cancer. Despite the high prevalence of these tumors, there is a lack of reliable epidemiological data in some regions including Iran. OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between BCC subtypes and anatomical distribution in the Iranian population. METHODS: There were 876 patients with a single BCC enrolled in this study (March 2007 to March 2010; Razi Dermatology Center, Tehran, Iran). RESULTS: Among 876 patients, 544 were males and 332 females. Of the lesions, 43% were nodular, 32.4% mixed type, 3% superficial and rest of other subtypes. In the lesion location, 58.2% were on the face, 29.2% on scalp, 6.2% on ears, 2.3% on neck, 1.7% on trunk and 1.3% on the extremities. There was no significant difference between male and female in the BCC subtypes, but anatomical distribution of the tumor was different (p=0.002). Most of the trunk-arising BCCs were superficial, and most of the facial BCCs were nodular subtype. Also, most of the BCC subtypes occurred in patients between 40 to 80 years old and mostly on the face and scalp (p=0.04). However, superficial BCCs mostly occurred in younger patients over others (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Subtype is associated with a site, independent of gender or age. Also BCCs occurring on the trunk are mostly of the superficial subtype.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Dermatology ; Ear ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Male ; Neck ; Prevalence ; Scalp

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of sesame oil on the reproductive parameters of diabetic male Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The adult male rats in a split plot design were divided into normal (n=10), normal 5% (n=5; 5% sesame oil enriched diet), diabetic (Streptozocin induced diabetes; n=9), diabetic 5% (n=9; 5% sesame oil enriched diet), and diabetic 10% (n=9; 10% sesame oil enriched diet) groups. Diet supplementation continued for 56 days. RESULTS: Sesame oil supplementation did not reduce the plasma glucose concentration of rats in the diabetic groups (p>0.05). The total spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Leydig cells/tubule, and the germ cell to Sertoli cell ratio were lower in the diabetic rats than the normal ones (p<0.05), and with the exception of spermatogonia counts, these values improved by the addition of sesame oil to the diet (p<0.05). The sperm progressive motility and viability were lower in the diabetic rats (p<0.05) and sesame oil supplementation did not improve them. Incorporation of sesame oil into the diet improved the plasma testosterone concentration of the diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, sesame oil supplementation improved the reproductive parameters of diabetic rats at the levels of the testicular microstructure and function, but was not effective in protecting the epididymal sperm.
Adult ; Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diet ; Germ Cells ; Male ; Rats ; Sesame Oil ; Sesamum ; Spermatocytes ; Spermatogonia ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Testosterone

Pediatric malnutrition is an enormous health issue all around the world and its distribution is different in distinct areas of a country. This study has been designed to report the anthropometric status and some socio-economic factors among 2–5 years old children from Golestan province of Iran to show a better view of pediatric health status and better planning for future actions. This study was carried out by clustered-randomized sampling method on 1,382 of 2–5 years old children in urban and rural areas of Golestan province. Anthropometric measurements were performed and World Health Organization child growth standards were used for further analyses. The prevalence of stunting in boys and girls were 7.4% and 7.5% in urban and 4.1% and 5.4% in rural areas. The prevalence of underweight in boys and girls were 6.9% and 4.7% in urban and 5.7% and 4.4% in rural areas. The prevalence of subjects being at risk for overweight were 17.8% and 11.7% in boys and girls, respectively, in urban areas and were 11.1% and 9.2% in rural areas, respectively. There was a marginally significant difference between urban boys and girls in terms of weight status (p = 0.067). In this study remarkably high prevalence of malnutrition, especially a high dominance of overweight, was reported in Golestan province of Iran. Follow-up investigation to identify the cause of malnutrition and to establish public health policies are needed to revise these health issues in Golestan province of Iran.
Anthropometry ; Child Nutrition Disorders ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Growth Disorders ; Humans ; Iran ; Malnutrition ; Methods ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Thinness ; World Health Organization

BACKGROUND: High serum phosphate and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) levels are well-recognized independent risk factors of mortality and morbidity in patients with chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Sevelamer, as a phosphate chelating agent, reduces serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels produced by bone osteocytes. This study aimed to determine the best dose at which sevelamer could successfully reduce serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in rat models of adenine-induced CKD. METHODS: CKD was induced using adenine. Healthy and CKD-induced rats were divided into 6 groups as follows: healthy controls; CKD controls; rats treated with 1%, 2%, and 3% sevelamer for CKDs; and healthy rats administered 3% sevelamer. Biochemical factors and serum FGF-23 levels were measured using spectrophotometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. RESULTS: Serum phosphate levels were best decreased in rats receiving 3% sevelamer in their diet (5.91±1.48 mg/dL vs. 8.09±1.70 mg/dL, P < 0.05) compared with the CKD control rats. A dose-dependent decrease in serum FGF-23 levels was observed, and the most significant results were obtained in rats receiving 3% sevelamer compared with the CKD control rats (142.60±83.95 pg/mL vs. 297.15±131.10 pg/mL, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Higher sevelamer doses significantly reduced serum phosphate and FGF-23 levels in adenine-induced CKD rats.
Adenine ; Animals ; Diet ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Humans ; Models, Animal ; Mortality ; Osteocytes ; Phosphates ; Rats ; Renal Insufficiency ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Risk Factors ; Sevelamer* ; Spectrophotometry

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the waist circumference of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), had an impact on lung function. METHODS: There were 180 patients with COPD recruited into this prospective cross-sectional study. The age, weight, body mass index and waist circumference (WC) were measured. Spirometry parameters including forced vital capacity (FVC), and forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), were measured and FEV1/FVC calculated. RESULTS: The mean FEV1/FVC in both normal weight and overweight patients, did not statistically significantly correlate with WC. The COPD assessment test, positively correlated with WC ( p = 0.031). A positive correlation with body mass index ( p < 0.001), smoking ( p = 0.027), and global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease score ( p = 0.009), were observed to positively associate with WC. WC, age, C-reactive protein, duration of disease, and gender (male), were observed to be statistically significant risk factors for the severity of COPD. CONCLUSION: WC was not observed to impact upon lung function in this study but it was a predictive factor for COPD severity in patients.
Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Forced Expiratory Volume ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Diseases, Obstructive ; Overweight ; Prospective Studies ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive ; Risk Factors ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Spirometry ; Vital Capacity ; Waist Circumference

BACKGROUND: The increasing production of un-recycled waste is a great threat to public health. Therefore, assessment and measurement of people's beliefs and perceptions with regard to these threats can contribute to the development of suitable educational messages promoting waste separation behaviors. This study aimed to carry out the scale development and psychometric evaluation of behaviors and beliefs associated with waste separation among female students. METHOD: This methodological research was performed in 2019. The primary questionnaire was developed based on the assessment of waste separation beliefs and behaviors based on the extended parallel process model. Afterwards, to confirm the content and face validity of the research tool, the opinions of 14 faculty members and certain students were asked for, respectively. In order to assess the construct validity of the questionnaire, exploratory factor analysis was performed based on the data collected from 386 female students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The internal and external reliability of the tool was determined through estimating Cronbach's alpha and test-retest based on intraclass correlation (ICC) index, respectively. RESULTS: The mean age and academic semester of the students were 22 ± 1.9 years and 5.58 ± 2.6, respectively. The primary version of the questionnaire was designed with 65 items; one item was omitted during the content validity process. Construct validity with factor analysis technique yielded nine dimensions including 64 items with a factor loading above 0.3. The overall reliability of the research tool was confirmed at Cronbach's alpha of 0.87. Furthermore, the ICC of the entire questionnaire was 0.89. CONCLUSION According to the results of the study, the final 64-item questionnaire could be used by various researchers to assess waste separation beliefs and behaviors considering suitable psychometric features.
Female ; Humans ; Iran ; Medical Waste Disposal ; Psychometrics ; Students, Medical ; psychology ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Traumatic hemorrhagic shock is a life-threatening event worldwide. Severe brain trauma accompanying femoral fractures can trigger inflammatory responses in the body and increase pre-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1. The primary treatment in these cases is hydration with crystalloids, which has both benefits and complications. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of fluid therapy on the hemodynamics, coagulation profiles, and blood gases in such patients. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, patients were divided into two groups: femoral fracture group and non-femoral group. The hemodynamic status, coagulation profile, and blood gases of patients in both groups were evaluated upon arrival at the hospital and again 2 h later. Data were analyzed by t-test and ANOVA with repeated data and paired samples t-test. RESULTS: A total of 681 trauma patients (605 men and 76 women) participated in this study, including 69 (86.3%) men and 11 (13.8%) women in femoral fracture group and 536 men (89.2%) and 65 women (10.8%) in non-femoral group. The laboratory parameters were evaluated in response to the equal amount of crystalloid fluid given upon arrival and 2 h later. Blood gases decreased in the fracture group despite fluid therapy (p < 0.003), and the coagulation profile worsened although the change was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION The treatment of multiple-trauma patients with femoral bone fractures should be more concerned with the need for the infusion of vasopressors such as norepinephrine. If there is evidence of clinical shock, excessive crystalloid infusion (limited to 1 L) should be avoided, and blood and blood products should be started as soon as possible.

PROPOSE: In this study, we re-assessed the criteria defined by the radiological society of North America (RSNA) to determine novel radiological findings helping the physicians differentiating COVID-19 from pulmonary contusion. METHODS: All trauma patients with blunt chest wall trauma and subsequent pulmonary contusion, COVID-19-related signs and symptoms before the trauma were enrolled in this retrospective study from February to May 2020. Included patients (Group P) were then classified into two groups based on polymerase chain reaction tests (Group Pa for positive patients and Pb for negative ones). Moreover, 44 patients from the pre-pandemic period (Group PP) were enrolled. They were matched to Group P regarding age, sex, and trauma-related scores. Two radiologists blindly reviewed the CT images of all enrolled patients according to criteria defined by the RSNA criteria. The radiological findings were compared between Group P and Group PP; statistically significant ones were re-evaluated between Group Pa and Group Pb thereafter. Finally, the sensitivity and specificity of each significant findings were calculated. The Chi-square test was used to compare the radiological findings between Group P and Group PP. RESULTS: In the Group PP, 73.7% of all ground-glass opacities (GGOs) and 80% of all multiple bilateral GGOs were detected (p < 0.001 and p = 0.25, respectively). Single bilateral GGOs were only seen among the Group PP. The Chi-square tests showed that the prevalence of diffused GGOs, multiple unilateral GGOs, multiple consolidations, and multiple bilateral consolidations were significantly higher in the Group P (p = 0.001, 0.01, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively). However, GGOs with irregular borders and single consolidations were more significant among the Group PP (p = 0.01 and 0.003, respectively). Of note, reticular distortions and subpleural spares were exclusively detected in the Group PP. CONCLUSION We concluded that the criteria set by RSNA for the diagnosis of COVID-19 are not appropriate in trauma patients. The clinical signs and symptoms are not always useful either. The presence of multiple unilateral GGOs, diffused GGOs, and multiple bilateral consolidations favor COVID-19 with 88%, 97.62%, and 77.7% diagnostic accuracy.
COVID-19 ; Contusions/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Lead ; Lung/diagnostic imaging* ; Lung Injury/etiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/methods*