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Background: Brain and central nervous system (CNS) cancers make up about 3% of all cancers around the world and are more common among men than women. Present study aimed to evaluate the occurrence trend of brain and CNS cancers in Iran from 1990 to 2017. Methods: This study using global burden of disease (GBD) 1990 to 2017 data demonstrated the trend of incidence and mortality of brain and nervous system cancer in Iran. All-age, sex-based, age-standardized, age-specific (from 1990 to 2017), and age distribution of incidence and mortality rates of brain and nervous system cancer were estimated in Iran during 2017. Results: Both incidence and mortality rates of brain and nervous system cancer increased from 1990 to 2005 in Iran, Eastern Mediterranean Region, and global level. During 1990, incidence and mortality rates of brain and nervous system cancer were higher in women than men, but gradually both rates increased in men and exceeded women in Iran. From 1990 to 2017, the value of age-adjusted rate was higher than all-age rate of brain and nervous system cancer. The most incidence and mortality of brain and nervous system cancer from 1990 to 2017 occurred in age group of > 70 and the least values were seen in 15-49-year-old group in Iran. Conclusion: The brain tumor occurrence and mortality in Iran was higher than other Eastern Mediterranean Region countries. Incidence and mortality of this cancer has an increasing trend in Iran and this trend somewhat was independent from population aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tick‐borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a significant cause of flaviviral infections affecting the human central nervous system, primarily transmitted through tick bites and the consumption of unpasteurized milk. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TBEV and identify new natural foci of TBEV in livestock milk. In this cross‐sectional study, unpasteurized milk samples were collected from livestock reared on farms and analysed for the presence and subtyping of TBEV using nested reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction , alongside the detection of anti‐TBEV total IgG antibodies using ELISA. The findings revealed that the highest prevalence of TBEV was observed in goat and sheep milk combined, whereas no TBEV was detected in cow milk samples. All identified strains were of the Siberian subtype. Moreover, the highest prevalence of anti‐TBEV antibodies was detected in sheep milk. These results uncover new foci of TBEV in Iran, underscoring the importance of thermal processing (pasteurization) of milk prior to consumption to mitigate the risk of TBEV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This research compares the effectiveness of weight-bearing exercise on a rebounder, as well as ankle exercise therapy on biomechanics and quality of life (QoL) in patients with diabetic neuropathic feet. Methods: The present investigation is a clinical trial study with two experimental groups and one control group. A total of 48 women... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead is a relatively ubiquitous heavy metal with particular features such as resistance to corrosion, high malleability and wide variety of industrial applications. In medicine, however, it is considered as a slow-acting toxic substance affecting multiple body systems, specifically functioning as a potent neurotoxin in the central nervous system. Lead poisoning may be acute or chronic and can be due to occupational or environmental exposures. The history of lead poisoning dates back to ancient times. The present paper briefly describes the world- wide historical accounts of lead poisoning with a special focus on Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Failure to diagnose some injuries in patients with multiple trauma referring to the emergency room can lead to problems and disabilities. Thus, it is necessary to be aware of these cases. In this respect, this study was conducted to investigate undiagnosed injuries in patients with multiple trauma who referred to the Northwest Emergency Center of Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Imam Reza hospital in Tabriz with the participation of 1000 patients by random sampling during 2019. Demographic data and data related to trauma (during hospitalization and after discharge) were obtained from patients' medical records. Finally, data were analyzed in SPSS (version 20) using χ² and logistic regression tests. Results: The type of the accident was significantly associated with damage to the central nervous system (CNS) and the musculoskeletal system (P = 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). Based on the evaluation of patients who came for examination for the second time, it was observed that 22.4% of cases with injuries were not diagnosed during hospitalization. Motorcycle and pedestrian accidents were significantly associated with failure to diagnose in the hospital, and age, motor accident, and winter variables were significantly contributed to the lack of diagnosis. Conclusions: Orthopedic injuries (upper limbs are much more common than lower limbs) are the most common injuries that are not diagnosed in hospitalized patients with multiple trauma. These injuries are more prevalent among individuals aged 5-30 years old who have been involved in car accidents in the winter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Febrile seizure (FS) is a highly frequent presenting complaint in children. It is defined as a seizure that occurs in children between 6 to 60 months related to a fever of 38°C or more without any other explanatory causes of seizure such as evidence of central nervous system (CNS) infection or a previous seizure without fever. The aim od study is to evaluate mean folic acid serum levels in febrile children with or without seizures. Methods: The mean folic acid serum levels and demographic data of 100 children aged 6 to 60 months, admitted to the Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad, Iran in 2018- 2019, were collected, where the patients with febrile seizure were considered as the case group and the febrile ones without seizure as the control group. The inclusion criteria were children aged 6 to 60 months with febrile seizures who were admitted to the pediatric ward. The exclusion criteria were having a past medical history of seizure, meningitis, or encephalitis. Results: There were 49 febrile convulsive children (cases) and 51 febrile children without a seizure (controls). The mean serum folic acid level was 7.07 and 9.89 ng/ml for cases and controls respectively (P-value < 0.001). Conclusion: Children with febrile seizures had significantly lower serum folic acid levels than febrile children without a seizure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim The purpose of this study was to investigate the stimulatory and protective effects of Methylphenidate (MPD) on the experimental epilepsy induced by intraperitoneal injection of Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) in adult male rats. Methods & Materials In this study, 15 male rats (weight, 200-250 gr) dividied into one control group (n=5) received normal saline and two treatment groups; the first group (n=5) received MPD with a dose of 2.5 mg/kg and the second group (n=5) received MPD with a dose of 5 mg/kg by gavage. After anesthesia with ketamine-xylazin combination and animal skull surgery, the recorded electrodes were inserted into the cranium in the stratum striatum layer of the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and epileptic activity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of PTZ (80 mg/kg) and the epileptiform activity was evaluated in terms of the number of spikes per time unit and their amplitudes by eTrace software. Ethical Considerations This study with an ethics code of FVMT.REC.1397.67 was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University of Tabriz. Results Oral MPD at 2.5 and 5 mg/kg doses increased the number of spikes up to 576 and 613, respectively, compared to the control group (330 spikes), which were statistically significant. Amplitude of PTZinduced epileptic activity after treatment with 2.5 and 5 mg/kg MPD reached 1254 and 1085 respectively compared to control group (1051), which were not statistically significant. Conclusion The doses of oral MPD used in this study potentiate seizure activity. Therefore, the use of this drug in people with a background of seizure or suffering from some types of seizure should be cautious, and the evaluation of its effect in these patients need further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Phenylalanine hydroxylase or its cofactor, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), deficiency causes accumulation of phenylalanine in body fluids and central nervous system. Considering the fact that hyperphenylalaninemia is a preventable cause of mental retardation in infants, the objective of this study was to determine the incidence of congenital hyperphenylalaninemia in Fars province, south of Iran. Methods: In a period of one year from November 2007 to November 2008 blood samples were withdrawn from all newborns born in Fars province for measurement of serum phenylalanine. The samples with a serum level of ≥ 2 mg/dl were referred to pediatric endocrine clinic for confirmation and determination of the type of hyperphenylalaninemia by quantitive serum phenylalanine measurements by using High-Pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Findings: Nine out of 76966 newborns had a serum phenylalanine level ≥2mg/dl, of which 8 cases were confirmed by HPLC. The incidence of the disease was 1:10000. The incidence of mild hyperphenylalaninemia and phenylketonuria (PKU) among the patients was 62.5% and 37.5% respectively and the incidence of BH4 deficiency was 1/76966. Conclusion: These findings indicate a high incidence of hyperphenylalaninemia, in the newborns from Fars province. The high incidence makes a comprehensive screening program for management of the disease necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: To translate and test the reliability and validity of the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQoL-54) in Iranian MS patients.Setting and Design: Using a standard "forward-backward" translation, cognitive debriefing and cultural adaptation procedure, the English version of the MSQoL-54 was translated to Persian which is the Iranian official language.Materials and Methods: The subjects were multiple sclerosis (MS) patients referred to Motaharri clinic, Shiraz, South of Iran. Demographic data were recorded. Epidemiological data concerning MS type, duration of the disease, Functional System Score (FSS) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) of patients were also provided by a qualified neurologist.Statistical Analysis: The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed through factor analysis. Factor analysis was performed to determine that the Persian version is a two-dimensional measure including physical and mental parameters.Results: Multiple sclerosis patients (female:106 (75.2%), male:35 (24.8%)), with a mean+/-SD age of 32.2+/-9.8 years were enrolled in the study. Cronbach's alpha was 0.962. There were no significant differences between each item and the mean of physical and mental scores of MSQoL-54, regarding sex, marital status and education. There was a negative significant correlation between EDSS and physical health, role limitation due to physical problems, pain, energy, health perception, social function, cognitive function, health distress, overall Quality of Life. The scaling success rates were 100%, demonstrating convergent validity of each scale. Factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the questionnaire.Conclusions: The Persian version of the MSQoL-54 questionnaire has a good structural characteristic, it is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used for measuring the effect of MS on the Quality of Life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lead is a toxic metal that affects almost every organ in the body. Children are more susceptible to lead toxicity because they ingest non-food items (pica), have oral exploratory habits, absorb more substantial amounts of ingested lead compared to adults, and have a developing central nervous system. This study describes venous blood lead concentrations (BLC) in young children living in Birjand, Iran.Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in 2016 on children 1-7 years of age who were referred to healthcare centers in Birjand City. Demographic information was obtained, and their BLC was tested using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).Results: Four hundred children were tested. Their mean age was 52.37 ± 23.77 months; their mean BLC was 2.49 ± 2.64 μg/dL (median 1.85 μg/dL). Thirty-two (8%) children had a BLC > 5 μg/dL. A logistic regression model revealed that per one unit of increase in age, the chance of an elevated BLC decreased by 3% (OR (95%CI): 0.97 (0.96-0.99), p < 0.01). The risks of an elevated BLC was 61% lower in girls compared to boys (OR (95%CI): 0.39 (0.17-0.92), p = 0.03). Further, per one rate of increase in the BMI, the chance of an elevated BLC was higher (OR (95%CI): 1.13 (1.02-1.24), p = 0.01). Children whose fathers were laborers had higher BLC than those with employee fathers (p = 0.01).Conclusion: Of 400 children aged 1-7 years old living in Birjand, Iran, 8% had elevated BLC. BLC correlated with the child 's age, gender, body mass index, and father's occupation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]