Profile of human leukocyte antigen class I alleles in patients with dengue infection from Western India

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I alleles are known to affect the cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and influence susceptibility to viral infections. The objective of the present study was to find out whether HLA class I alleles are associated with clinical manifestations of dengue virus infection. The profile of HLA class I alleles were investigated in 224 human subjects [85 dengue fever (DF) cases, 29 dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) cases and 110 healthy controls (HCs)] from Western India using PCR based methods. Results revealed significantly higher frequency of HLA-A^∗33 in DF cases compared to HCs [P = 0.032, Odds ratio (OR) 2.12]. The frequency of HLA-A^∗02:11 was higher in DHF cases compared to DF cases. The frequency of HLA-B^∗18 was significantly higher in dengue (DEN) cases [P = 0.047 Pc = 0.846, OR 3.53]. The frequency of HLA-Cw^∗07 allele was significantly higher in DEN cases [DEN vs. HCs: P = 0.0120, Pc = 0.168, OR 2.00]. Significance was observed even when the cases were categorized in to DF and DHF [DF vs. HCs: P = 0.0349, Pc = 0.49, OR 1.87; DHF vs. HCs: P = 0.0399, Pc = 0.56, OR 2.4]. The combined frequency of HLA-Cw^∗07 with HLA-DRB1^∗07/^∗15 genotype was significantly higher in DHF cases as compared to DF and HCs [DHF vs. HCs: P = 0.022, OR 5.31; DHF vs. DF: P = 0.027, OR 5.49]. On the other hand, the frequency of combination of HLA-Cw^∗07 without HLA-DRB1^∗07 was significantly higher in DF cases compared to HCs [DF vs. HCs: P = 0.002, OR 2.42 (1.28–4.55)]. The results suggest that HLA-A^∗∗33 may be associated with DF while HLA-B^∗18 and HLA-Cw^∗07 alleles may be associated with symptomatic dengue requiring hospitalization. In the presence of HLA-DRB1^∗07/^∗15 genotype, HLA-Cw^∗07 is associated with increased risk of developing DHF while in the presence of other HLA-DRB1 alleles, HLA-Cw^∗07 is associated with DF.     

Fe3O4@Au core–shell hybrid nanocomposite for MRI-guided magnetic targeted photo-chemotherapy

Lasers in Medical Science - The combination of multiple therapeutic and diagnostic functions is fast becoming a key feature in the area of clinical oncology. The advent of nanotechnology promises...     

Initial presentation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia with osteoporosis and multiple spontaneous bone fractures

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy. Skeletal abnormalities have been described in association with ALL including osteoprosis and bone fractures. Different factors including the disease itself or soluble products of malignant cells and treatment agents like cytotoxic drugs, methotroxate, corticosteroids and radiotherapy may be responsible for defective bone homeostasis in these patients. Orthopedic conditions and pain may be the first manifestation of acute leukemia and it is important for physicians to recognize the skeletal manifestation of acute childhood leukemia because of a delay in diagnosis has adverse effect on survival. We present a child with ALL that refer with multi bone fractures as a first manifestation of the disease.     

Burden of traffic accidents among pedestrians of Fars province, southern Iran;estimate of years of life lost in a sample of Iranian population from 2009 to 2013

Purpose: Traffic injuries are among the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Pedestrians have been considered as a high-risk group among road users, especially in middle- or low-income communities. This study attempted to determine the burden of pedestrians'' fatalities in Fars, the southern province of Iran using years of life lost (YLL) approach. Methods: The data used in this study were retrieved from Fars Forensic Medicine Organization database on pedestrian traffic accidents. The YLL from 2009 to 2013 was estimated using the method presented by World Health organization. Some epidemiological characteristics of pedestrians'' fatalities were analyzed by SPSS. Results: Although YLL among 1000 male pedestrians decreased from 2.5 in 2009 to 1.5 in 2013, it increased from 0.9 to 2.1 among 1000 females during the same period. Higher proportion of death was found in female, illiterate, and married pedestrians (p < 0.001). In addition, mortality was higher in pedestrians living the cities, during daytime, at home, and in hospitals (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Consistent with the global trends, burden of pedestrian accidents in Fars was also exceptionally high. Considering the national and cultural aspects of different countries, improving the safety of pedestrians demands a multi-dimensional approach with interventional factors concerning policies, rules, pedestrians, motor vehicles and environmental conditions taken into consideration.     

Prevalence and risk factors of alcohol and substance abuse among motorcycle drivers in Fars province, Iran

Purpose: The aim of this present study is to investigate the prevalence of alcohol and substance abuse (ASA) and its relationship with other risky driving behaviors among motorcycle drivers. Methods: This is a cross sectional study which is performed at Shiraz city of Iran. Data from motorcycle drivers were collected using a standard questionnaire in eight major streets at different times of the day. The data includes consumption of alcohol and other substances two hours before driving and some of the risky behaviors during driving. Results: A total of 414 drivers with a mean ± SD age of (27.0 ± 9.3) years participated in the study. Alcohol or substance consumptions two hours before driving was significantly associated with risky driving behaviors such as using mobile phone during driving, poor maneuvering, and driving over the speed limit (both p < 0.001). It was also associated with carelessness about safety such as driving with technical defects (p < 0.001) and not wearing a crash helmet (p=0.008). Conclusion: Screening for alcohol and substance consumption among motorcycle drivers is an efficient way to identify drivers that are at a greater risk for road traffic accidents.     

Epidemiological characteristics of fatal traffic accidents in Fars province,Iran: a community-based survey

Objectives

To determine the epidemiological characteristics of fatal traffic accidents in Fars province, Iran.

Study design

This cross-sectional study included 3642 traffic accident deaths in Fars province, Iran between November 2009 and November 2011. The data source was the Fars Forensic Medicine Registry, which covers the entire province. According to Iranian law, all deaths resulting from injuries or accidents must be investigated to determine the exact cause of death by autopsy. All such deaths are referred to forensic medicine centres in each city, and all data are sent to the main centre in Shiraz, the capital city of Fars province.

Results

Males accounted for 78.3% of the decedents (sex ratio of almost 3.6:1), and the mean ± standard deviation age of all decedents was 32.2 ± 20.3 years. Autopsy reports indicated that head trauma was the most common cause of death. Most collisions were vehicle–vehicle crashes (52.3%), with cars and motorcycles being the most prevalent modes of transport (39.6% and 24.6%, respectively). Fatal accidents were most common during the summer. Most fatal injuries (61.4%) occurred on outer-city roads and 27.4% occurred on inner-city roads. Significant associations were found between decedent's status (car driver, motorcycle driver or passenger, pedestrian or passenger) and interval between injury and death, light conditions at the scene of the accident, place of death, site of injury and cause of death.

Conclusion

Although the clinical management of trauma patients has improved in Iran, coordination between trauma system organizations is required to decrease the burden of injuries.     

An epidemiologic survey of road traffic accidents in Iran: analysis of driver-related factors

Objective: Road traffic accident (RTA) and its related injuries contribute to a significant portion of the burden of diseases in Iran. This paper explores the association between driver-related factors and RTA in the country. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Iran and all data regarding RTAs from March 20, 2010 to June 10, 2010 were obtained from the Traffic Police Department. We included 538 588 RTA records, which were classified to control for the main confounders: accident type, final cause of accident, time of accident and driver-related factors. Driver-related factors included sex, educational level, license type, type of injury, duration between accident and getting the driving license and driver’s error type. Results: A total of 538 588 drivers (91.83% male, sex ratio of almost 13:1) were involved in the RTAs. Among them423932 (78.71%)wereuninjured; 224818(41.74%)had a diploma degree. Grade 2 driving license represented the highest proportion of all driving licenses (290 811, 54.00%). The greatest number of accidents took place at 12:00-13:59 (75 024, 13.93%). The proportion of drivers involved in RTAs decreased from 15.90% in the first year of getting a driving license to 3.13% after 10 years’ of driving experience. Neglect of regulations was the commonest cause of traffic crashes (345 589, 64.17%). Non-observance of priority and inattention to the front were the most frequent final causes ofdeath (138175, 25.66% and129352, 24.02%, respectively). We found significant association between type of accident and sex, education, license type, time of accident, final cause of accident, driver’s error as well as duration between accident and getting the driving license (all P<0.001). Conclusion: Our results will improve the traffic law enforcement measures, which will change inappropriate behavior of drivers and protect the least experienced road users.     

Time analysis of fatal traffic accidents in Fars Province of Iran

Objective:To analyze the time factor in road traffic accidents (RTAs) in Fars Province of Iran.Methods:This study was conducted in Fars Province,Iran from November 22,2009 to November 21,2011.Victims'i...     

An epidemiologic survey of road traffic accidents in Iran:analysis of driver-related factors

Road traffic accident (RTA)and its related injuries contribute to a significant portion of the burden of diseases in Iran.This paper explores the association between driver-related factors and RTA in t...     

Immunogenicity and efficacy of Hoshino strain of mumps vaccine in Iran; two years study

This report describes the immunogenicity and efficacy and long term immunity of Hoshino strain of Mumps (included in MMR Vaccine) in shahr-e-kord, Islamic Republic of Iran (I.R.Iran). A total of 338 Children aged 3-18 years were tested for Mumps IgG using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proportion of susceptible, mumps IgG negative, children was 19.8% (67 subjects). Of the 67 susceptible children, 36 received the MMR vaccination and successfully completed the study. Blood was collected by venipuncture 3, 12, and 24 months after vaccination and serum samples were tested by ELISA for detection of Mumps IgM and IgG. The overall seroconversion rate was 86.1%, 77.7% and 75% at 3, 12, and 24 months after vaccination respectively.