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Introduction: Emerging infectious diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 can cause pandemics and create a critical risk for humans. In a previous pilot study, we reported that the immunological responses induced by cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) could decrease the incidence and severity of COVID-19. In this large-scale case–control study, we assessed the possible relationship between mortality and morbidity of COVID-19 in healed CL persons suffering scars compared to cases without CL history. Methods: This controlled cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and December 2022 in the endemic and high-burden areas of CL in southeastern Iran. In the study, 1400 previous CL cases with scars and 1,521,329 subjects who had no previous CL were analyzed. We used R 4.0.2 to analyze the data. Firth's bias reduction approach corresponding to the penalization of likelihood logistic regression by Jeffreys was also employed to influence the variables in the dataset. Also, a Bayesian ordinal logistic regression model was performed to explore the COVID-19 severity in both case and referent groups. Results: The occurrence and severity rate of COVID-19 in CL scar cases are significantly less than in the non-CL control group, while in the CL scar subjects, patients with critical conditions and mortality were not observed. The morbidity (OR = 0.11, CI 0.06–0.20 and P < 0.001) and severity of COVID-19 in previous cases with CL scars were significantly diminished than that in the control group (credible interval − 2.57, − 1.62). Conclusions: The results represented a durable negative relationship between cured CL and COVID-19 incidence and severity. Additional studies seem necessary and should be designed to further validate the true impact and underlying mechanistic action of CL on COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency could play an important role in the development of non-skeletal diseases, including cancer. Vitamin D also affects the function of the reproductive system. In the present study, the relationship between 25(OH)D levels with oocyte quality in Breast Cancer (BC) women and control group have been investigated. After initial evaluations, ovarian stimulation began with the GnRH antagonist protocol in the BC group (N = 16) and control group (N = 16). The serum and follicular fluid (FF) 25(OH)D levels were measured at the time of oocyte retrieval and their relationship to oocyte quality was examined. The mean levels of serum and FF 25(OH)D in BC women were significantly lower than in the control group (22.26 ± 7.98 vs. 29.61 ± 9.12, P = 0.02, 21.65 ± 7.59 vs. 28.00 ± 9.05, P = 0.04, respectively). There was a significant correlation between the levels of 25(OH)D in FF and serum in BC women (r = 0.873, P < 0.001). But there was no correlation between the serum or FF 25(OH)D levels with the parameters related to oocytes (P > 0.05). In the BC women, the number of dysmorph and highly dysmorph oocytes was higher than in the control group (P < 0.001). Women with BC referring to infertility centers for fertility preservation are more likely to be deficient in serum 25(OH)D level; this subsequently affects the FF 25(OH)D level. However, serum and FF 25(OH)D levels may not be suitable indicators for examining maturity and quality of oocytes in terms of morphology in BC women, and the poor morphological quality of oocytes in BC women may be due to other factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Social isolation is a common and serious health issue in the older community-dwelling adults that leads to negative consequences such as suicidal thoughts, psychological distress, as well as a decline in welfare, health and quality of life. Objectives. This study aimed to determined the prevalence of social isolation and related factors in older Iranian adults. Material and methods. This cross-sectional study was performed on 290 older community-dwelling Iranian adults using a multistage sampling method in Shahroud, Iran. Social isolation was measured using the Lubben Social Network Scale-18 (LSNS-18) with a score higher than 36. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate logistic regression). The significance level was set at 0.05. Results. The prevalence of social isolation was 57.9%. Marriage history (married or deceased spouse – divorced), higher education and living arrangements (living with a spouse or with a spouse and children) were factors associated with lower social isolation; however, social isolation was higher in older adults with two or more children (p = 0.03). Conclusions. A high percentage of older Iranian adults suffer from social isolation. It is suggested that older adults not live alone, get married and have academic education as much as possible, and it is necessary to take extensive measures to reduce this social issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship between assertion and aggression with addiction potential among students in Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2019, 500 students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, were selected by multistage random sampling, for a study using the Addiction Potential Scale, and Assertion and Aggression Questionnaires. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Chisquare, t test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the linear regression model. Results: The mean scores of addiction potential, aggression, and assertion were 32.7 ± 17.2, 41.5 ± 12.9 and 139.4 ± 22.3, respectively. In this study, 38.8% (N = 194) of students had high aggression and 76.8% (N = 384) had high assertion. In the regression model, aggression, history of drug and addictive substances abuse, history of tobacco use, and history of alcohol abuse were significantly related to addiction potential (p ≤ 0.05). There was a negative relationship between assertion and addiction potential so that with oneunit increase in the assertion score, the addiction potential score decreased by -0.11. Conclusion: Given the direct relationship between aggression and addiction potential, and since more than three-quarters of the students had moderate to high aggression, it is necessary to pay more attention to this issue. Interventions may play an important role in improving the current situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of risk factors that are associated with increased risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its individual components among Iranian bakery workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolling 163 randomly selected bakery workers from Semnan province (Northeast Iran), was conducted in 2017. A standard questionnaire was used for data collection. Analyses were performed using t-test, one-way ANOVA and Latent Class Analysis (LCA) in R software. RESULTS: The prevalence of MetS was 19.8% among bakery workers. More bakery workers with MetS had no regular exercise (p = 0.001) and worked more than eight hours a day (p = 0.001). In this study, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) diagnostic criteria had more agreement with the American Heart Association (AHA) (49.1%) than the World Health Organization (WHO) and Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) criteria. Also, the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATPIII) had the highest sensitivity for diagnosing MetS. The sensitivity of the four diagnostic methods, WHO, IDF, ATP and AHA, were 45.2%, 61.7%, 67.9% and 64.8%; and their specificity were 98.2%, 100%, 100% and 100%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of MetS is high among bakery workers in Iran. Increased physical activity and intake of fruit and vegetables are recommended for the prevention of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Unhealthy lifestyles among young people are seriously related to incapacity and health problems in adulthood. The aim of this study was to determine the importance of a health-promoting lifestyle and its association with self-efficacy and well-being. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 500 students from Shahroud University of Medical Sciences (Shahroud, Iran) were randomly selected in 2017. The Persian versions of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile, Self-Efficacy Scale, and WHO-5 Well-Being Index were used. Results: Among the participants, 34% of students had an abnormal imaginable well-being, and 68% of students had high self-efficacy. The mean score of a health-promoting lifestyle was 127.47 ± 19.78, which is interpreted as moderate, and the mean score of physical activity was 14.10 ± 4.95, which is poor. There was a significant relationship between well-being, and self-efficacy with health-promoting lifestyle. Age, gender, educational level, place of residence, student employment, self-efficacy, and wellbeing were associated with students' lifestyles. Conclusion: A health-promoting lifestyle of students in this study was moderate and they did not have an acceptable level of physical activity. The direct effect of well-being, and self-efficacy on lifestyle, revising students' curriculums to improve their health behaviors, and general health indicators, can all lead to the enhancement of health-promoting lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correct affiliation is listed below: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran. Correction to: I Scientific Reports i https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-39341-w, published online 26 July 2023 The original version of this Article contained an error in Affiliation 6, which was incorrectly given as 'Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ophthalmic Epidemiology Research Center Shahroud, University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran'. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Traumatic childbirth is among the important factors that make childbirth an unpleasant experience and has psychological negative effects on women. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with traumatic childbirth. Subject and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 women were interviewed in the first 48 h after childbirth in Torbate-heydariyeh (eastern Iran) in 2015. Traumatic childbirth was determined based on DSM-V-A criteria. Statistical analysis of the data was done through chi-square and logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of traumatic childbirth was 48.3% ( N = 193). Logistic regression showed variables such as place of residence, type of delivery, pregnancy complications, bleeding during pregnancy, rupture of grade 3 or 4 during delivery, and emergency cesarean section were significantly correlated with traumatic childbirth ( p <0.001). Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of traumatic childbirth, it is recommended that its associated risk factors be identified so that negative psychological consequences for the mother can be prevented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which determined the sexual satisfaction and its influencing factors among fertile and infertile women in Shahroud, Iran. Topics discussed include analysis of data using ordinal logistic regression and Chi square tests, findings on the level of sexual satisfaction of the study participants , and the impact of women's education and husbands' jobs on sexual satisfaction ratings.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing public health problem with a worldwide distribution, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing worldwide. Hence, this study aimed to compare the prevalence of MetS based on the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III), and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) diagnostic criteria. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 4737 people aged 45–69 years were enrolled in the 2nd phase of Shahroud Eye Cohort Study. We evaluated the prevalence of MetS with 95% confidence intervals by age and sex groups and according to MetS components. The accuracy (sensitivity and specificity) of these three methods was compared using latent class analysis. Finally, kappa statistic was used to determine the agreement between the diagnostic methods. Results: The prevalence of MetS varied from a minimum of 47.2% (as defined by the AACE) to a maximum of 60.0% (as defined by the IDF). The sensitivity of the three diagnostic methods of IDF, NCEP ATP III, and AACE was 98.9%, 94.4%, and 91.1%, respectively, and the specificity of these three methods was 94.6%, 97.0%, and 98.4%, respectively. Moreover, the highest agreement was found between the definition of the IDF and the NCEP ATP III. Conclusion: The IDF diagnostic method has a higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of MetS in Iranian middle-aged people. It is recommended to use this method for identifying more people at risk of MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population attributable fraction (PAF) refers to the proportion of all cases with a particular outcome in a population that could be prevented by eliminating a specific exposure. The authors of a recent paper evaluated the prevalence and estimated the PAFs for risk factors of TB among elderly people in China [Inf Dis Poverty. 2019;8:7]. Confounding is inevitable in observational studies and Levin's formula is of limited use in practice for unbiasedly estimating PAF. In a complex survey design, an unbiased estimation of the PAF can be calculated using a sample-weighted version of the Miettinen formula or a sample weighed parametric g-formula. With respect to causal interpretation of PAF in public health setting, computation of PAF is logical and practical when the exposure is amenable to intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]