Search

Background: Sodium valproate is recommended as a first-line drug to prevent migraine attacks, and sodae is an herbal medicine. Objectives: Sodium valproate and herbal sodae were compared for effectiveness and side effects. Materials & Methods: A two-center, randomized, double-blind clinical trial included migraine patients from Kermanshah and Hamadan cities into two groups: Sodae herbal recipients and valproate (200 mg) recipients, for 3 months. A numerical rating scale (NRS) scale was used to measure residual pain at the end of each month of treatment. Also, a researcher-made form and the headache impact test (HIT-6) questionnaire were used. Side effects reported by the patients were collected, and liver function tests and complete blood cell count tests were conducted. Results: A total of 70 migraine patients were evaluated: 33 patients (47%) in the soda group and 37 patients (53%) in the valproate group. The NRS scores in both groups decreased constantly, with no significant difference (P=0.303). Also, HIT-6 scores were constantly reduced in both groups with no significant difference (P>0.05). More side effects are significantly (P=0.043) reported in the valproate group (54.05%) than in the sodae group (30.30%). The most common side effect in the valproate group was drowsiness (13.5%), while among the sodae group, it was diarrhea (15.1%). Conclusion: The sodae and valproate did not differ in headache improvement, HIT-6 scores, and changes in laboratory parameters. However, the valproate group reported more side effects than the sodae group. Sodae is a suitable herbal medicine for preventing and controlling migraine attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minority language studies have received increasing attention over the last decade in Iran. Drawing on Spolsky's (Spolsky, Bernard. 2004. Language policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press) language policy theoretical framework, this inquiry reports on the language ideologies, practices, and management efforts of an under-explored group of Kurdish families residing in the city of Kermanshah. To this end, semi-structured interviews and ethnographic fieldwork guided the collection of data from 40 Kurdish–Persian bilingual parents. The thematic analysis of data revealed glaring inconsistencies among the three elements of family language policy (FLP). That is parents' strong attachment to Kurdish did not necessarily translate into their language practices and efforts. The results also suggest that the studied parents adopted a subtractive approach to their children's proficiency in Kurdish. We argue that parents are not the core force in heritage language maintenance and there are other external factors determining the transmission of the home language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COVID‐19 patients, especially the patients requiring hospitalisation, have a high risk of several complications such as opportunistic bacterial and fungal infections. Mucormycosis is a rare and opportunistic fungal infection that mainly affects diabetic and immunocompromised patients. An increase has been observed in the number of rhino‐orbital mucormycosis in patients with COVID‐19 admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran, since October 2020. This is a report of the frequency, risk factors, clinical manifestations, treatment and prognosis of COVID‐19 associated with mucormycosis infection. Methods: The medical records of COVID‐19 patients with rhino‐orbital mucormycosis who were diagnosed in an educational therapeutic hospital in Kermanshah, west of Iran were surveyed. Several parameters were analysed including demographic, clinical, therapeutic and laboratory characteristics. Results: Twelve patients with COVID‐19–associated rhino‐orbital mucormycosis were identified from 12 October to 18 November 2020. All cases reported as proven mucormycosis had a history of hospitalisation due to COVID‐19. Comorbidities mainly included diabetes mellitus (83.33%) and hypertension (58.33%). Seventy‐five per cent of patients received corticosteroids for COVID‐ 19 treatment. The sites of involvement were rhino‐sino‐orbital (83%) and rhino‐sino (17%). Amphotericin B/liposomal amphotericin B alone or in combination with surgical debridement or orbital exenteration was used as the first‐line therapy. The overall mortality rate was 66.7% (8/12). Conclusions: We found a high incidence of mucormycosis among COVID‐19 patients. Diabetes mellitus and corticosteroid use were the dominant predisposing factor of mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a life‐threatening and opportunistic infection; therefore, physicians should know the signs and symptoms of the disease so that a timely diagnosis and therapy can be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: One of the possible ways of changing human health might be through the oral mucosa. One of tongue disorders is geographic tongue (GT), which classic manifestation is an area of erythema, with atrophy of filiform papillae of the tongue, surrounded by a serpiginous, white, hyperkeratotic border. Saliva is a rich source of antioxidant and fulfills an important role in maintaining the normal function of the oral cavity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the status of salivary antioxidant and immunoglobulin E in patients with GT and healthy people. Materials and Methods: In this case‑control study, samples were gathered from high school students in three municipal regions of Kermanshah, Iran by using multistage random cluster sampling method. The samples included 30 patients with GT (15 men and 15 women with the mean age of 17.6 ± 0.72) and 30 healthy volunteers (15 men and 15 women with the mean age of 17.1 ± 0.61). Saliva samples were collected through standard method, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase (CAT), and salivary immunoglobulin E were measured. Results: In patients with GT, unstimulated salivary shows increased level of immunoglobulin compared with that of control group (P = 0.013). However, there was no significant relationship between control and GT patient groups regarding TAC of saliva (P = 0.91) and CAT (P = 0.83). Conclusion: It seems that the activity of CAT enzyme and TAC of saliva does not play primary role in the pathogenesis of GT. However, the level of immunoglobulin E present in saliva can function as an indicator of increased sensitivity in GT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Kidney dysfunction, coagulopathy disorders, and lung involvement are the most common disorders caused by the COVID-19 virus. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation of lung involvement severity with kidney dysfunction and coagulopathy disorders in COVID-19 patients. Patients and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 97 patients with COVID-19 referred to Imam Reza hospital in Kermanshah from December 2020 to June 2021. Lung involvement severity, kidney function tests, and coagulation laboratory data were collected. Logistic regression test was conducted to explore the correlation between lung involvement with kidney dysfunction and coagulopathy disorders. Results: Out of 97 patients, 53 (54.6%) were male, with a mean age of 59.31 ± 16.44 years. The correlation between lung involvement severity with kidney function tests, including, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and coagulation factors, including prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), and D-dimer, were significant (P > 0.05). Lung involvement severity significantly predicted kidney dysfunction and coagulopathy disorders. Conclusion: Lung involvement severity would be able to predict kidney dysfunction and coagulopathy disorders in patients with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent excavations of Quwakh Tapeh, located forty-five kilometers west of Kermanshah in the Mahidasht Plain in western Iran, two fragments were discovered of an Assyrian royal stele belonging to the end of the eighth century BCE and erected on the site following the attack of the Assyrian king Sargon II (722–705 BCE). Considering the high quality of the material, a dolostone, as well as the high quality of the carving of both the relief and the cuneiform inscription, an important question arises as to where the stele was manufactured. In this article we present the results of petrographic and ICP analysis carried out in order to identify the origin of the raw material used for the Quwakh Tapeh stele. The results of our investigations indicate that the stone used to make the stele was probably extracted from the Shahbazan Formation, which outcrops across the Chahar Zabar-Hasanabad Pass to the west and southwest of Quwakh Tapeh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pigeon fly ( Pseudolychia canariensis) causes irritation in infested birds and potentially transmits malaria-like parasites such as Haemoproteus columbae. On the other hand, the pigeon fly may be infested by mites, a phenomenon called phoresy. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of pigeon fly, identify its possible phoretic association with mites, and determine the prevalence of hemoproteid parasites in domestic pigeons ( Columba livia domestica) in Kermanshah province, west of Iran. From May 2015 to May 2016, 16 colonies of domestic pigeons were investigated. In case of infestation, the flies were fixed in ethanol containing glycerin and then placed in potassium hydroxide. The flies were identified based on morphological characteristics. The masses suspected to contain mites were removed from the body surfaces of flies by centrifugation and floatation methods. Extracted mites were mounted on glass slides and identified based on morphology. Blood smears were prepared from pigeons for observing possible hemoproteid parasites. Out of 16 colonies of pigeons, one colony (6.25%) was infested with pigeon fly and a mite, identified as Myialges anchora. Blood smears taken from the birds in this pigeon loft were positive for H. columbae. To the best of our knowledge, this survey showed the phoretic association between pigeon fly and M. anchora for the first time in domestic pigeons in western regions of Iran. It is recommended that in case of avian and mammals' infestation with flies, especially hippoboscid flies, possible infestation with mites and phoretic association between the flies and mites should be investigated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Introduction of new approaches for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection such as anti-retroviral medicines has resulted in an increase in the life expectancy of HIV patient. Evaluating the dental health status as a part of their general health care is needed in order to improve the quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study was to compare the root and crown caries rate in HIV patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with that rate in HIV patients without treatment option. Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study consisting of 100 individuals of both genders with human immunodeficiency virus were divided into two groups: i. group 1 (treatment group) including 50 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) receiving HAART and ii. group 2 (control group) including 50 HIV infected patients not receiving HAART. Dental examinations were done by a dentist under suitable light using periodontal probe. For each participant, numbers of decay (D), missed (M), filled (F), Decayed missed and filled teeth (DMFT), decay surface (Ds), missed surface (Ms), filled surface (Fs), Decayed missed and filled surfaces (DMFS), and tooth and root caries were recorded. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test and independent t test using SPSS 13.0, while p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in all analysis. Results: The mean and standard deviation (SD) of decayed, missed and filled teeth of those who were on highly active antiretroviral therapy was 6.86 ± 3.57, 6.39 ± 6.06 and 1.89 ± 1.93, respectively. There was no significant difference between these values regarding to the treatment of patients. The mean and standard deviation of DMFT, DMFS and the number of decayed root surfaces were 15.14 ± 6.09, 56.79 ± 28.56, and 4.96 ± 2.89 in patients treated by anti-retroviral medicine which were not significantly different compared to those without this treatment. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, highly active antiretroviral therapy could not be considered as a single factor for dental caries prevalence in HIV-infected patients. However, more research is recommended to evaluate the cariogenic potential of these medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). This study evaluated the side effects of Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines in MS patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study among MS patients in Kermanshah province, Iran, who received Sinopharm or AstraZeneca vaccine, sampling was performed through convenience sampling according to the nationwide MS registry of Iran (NMSRI). Demographic and clinical information of the participants and data on the side effects of vaccines were collected by telephone after the first dose. The data were analyzed in SPSS software. Results: 264 vaccinated MS patients (217 with Sinopharm and 47 with AstraZeneca) were studied. In the Sinopharm and AstraZeneca groups, respectively, 58.5% and 73.3% of patients had side effects that were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P = 0.064). In the AstraZeneca group, the severity of side effects and prevalence of taking painkillers were significantly higher (P < 0.050) and the interval between vaccination and side effects onset was significantly shorter (P = 0.013). The most commonly experienced side effects in the Sinopharm group were fatigue (29.0%), myalgia (24.9%), fever (24.0%), and headache (21.7%), and in the AstraZeneca group were fever (59.6%), chills (51.1%), myalgia (40.4%), and fatigue (34.0%). Logistic regression by controlling for confounding variables showed that considering some factors as confounding factors did not show a significant difference between the 2 vaccines in the experience of side effects (P = 0.104). Conclusion: The AstraZeneca vaccine caused more severe side effects in MS patients than the Sinopharm vaccine. Most of the side effects were moderate in severity and transient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of malignancy that rarely causes death but results in cosmetic problems and is associated with high treatment cost. Clinical characteristics of this cancer are related to the host and environmental factors. Theses factors are specific for each area and may change over the time. The aim of this study was to find clinical characteristics of BCC in Kermanshah city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 119 histopathologically documented BCC cases in Haj Dayi skin clinic in Kermanshah in 2009. Demographic data of patients and characteristics of the lesions including their number, location, size and clinical type were recorded. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and chi squared tests. Results: The patients had a total number of 171 BCC lesions. Nodular type encompassed 158 (92.4%) lesions and was the most common clinical form. Pigmented subtype included one third of lesions and was significantly more common in male patients with moderate brown skin and following radiotherapy (P<0.05). The nose was the most common area of involvement and actinic keratosis was the most common associated skin lesion. Conclusion: In this study, the most common clinical and pathological type of BCC was nodular type. It was observed in old patients, those with outdoor jobs and was associated with actinic keratosis. Educational and screening programs for prevention, early detection and diagnosis, and appropriate treatment for high-risk individuals are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malaria is the most severe protozoan disease in the world. As a result of strict malaria control programs, malaria's epidemiological model has changed. Knowing this epidemiological model and its effects will help us predict and prevent a new epidemic. This research was conducted to review the epidemiological trend of malaria in the Kermanshah province of Iran and some of its effective factors. Data were extracted from the registers in the disease control unit of the province, national population census, and annual rainfall report. The data was processed by SPSS16. There has been an evident decrease in malaria cases over the last 30 years in Kermanshah. This decreasing trend began especially after 1994, and since then, just 6% of all cases have happened. Between 1990 to 1997, an epidemic occurred, and more than 80% of positive cases were registered in these years. P. vivax malaria was the most common type (99.32%), and P. falciparum malaria was the second, with a very egregious difference (0.68%). The average age was 23.1 years, and men were infected twice more than women. There was a positive relation between annual rainfall level and positive malaria cases in these cities. After the major changes in malaria control programs in Kermanshah province, the number of positive cases fell noticeably, and now it is in the elimination stage. All cases of malaria were imported in the last years, and no resistance type was ever seen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Kermanshah province (the most populated province in the west of Iran) has one of the highest suicide rates among Iran's provinces. This study aims to update the existing knowledge of suicide situations in the province in order to take the first step towards designing preventive interventions. Methods: Data were extracted from the electronic files of the Forensic Medicine Organization (FMO) of Kermanshah province during the course of oneyear. The chi-squared test and Cramer's V statistic were used to assess the associations between the demographic variables. Results: 265 confirmed cases (65.7% males and 34.3% females) of suicide were registered during the study period. The overall annual rate of suicide in Kermanshah province was 13.6 persons per 100,000 residents. Approximately, 45% of the cases were between 20 and 29 years old. Hanging in males (50%) and self-immolation in females (43%) were the dominant suicide methods. Conclusion: Compared to the average suicide rate in Iran, Kermanshah province has a noticeably higher rate. Focusing on social determinants of health in the population should be seriously considered by the health system's policy-makers regarding practical approaches to be used for the purposes of reducing suicide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Infectious diarrhoeal diseases are great problem throughout the world and are responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major cause of gastroenteritis that may be complicated by hemorrhagic colitis (HC) or the hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which is the main cause of acute renal failure in children. Food-borne outbreaks associated with Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli have been well documented worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains in raw milk samples. Materials and Methods: Raw milk samples collected from various cow farms in Kermanshah, Iran during June - September 2009 were investigated for STEC using PCR targeting stx1 and stx2 and then eaeA. Results: Of 206 samples, 36 (17.47%) were contaminated with STEC. STEC isolates harbored 56.41% and 43.59% stx2 and stx1 gene respectively. In antibiotic resistance test, all strains were sensitive to ceftazidime, cefepime, gentamicin, imipenem and ciprofloxacin. 23.08% of isolates were resistat to tetracycline, and 38.5% of them showed intermediate sensitvity to cephalothin. Conclusions: The high presence of STEC in raw milk confirms the important role of raw milk as putative vehicle of infection to human. Moreover, this study suggests that the development of antibiotic resistant STEC must be a major concern in Iran and more studies are needed to identify the prevalence of STEC in other food samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lifestyle includes routine and daily living activities affecting an individual's health. The present study aimed at evaluating the health-promoting lifestyle profile (HPLP) of medical sciences students of Kermanshah, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 343 medical sciences students were enrolled by the stratified random sampling method. The data collection tools were demographic information form and the HPLP-II questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results: The mean overall HPLP-II score of the subjects was 2.25 ± 0.44 out of 4. Of the six HPLP-II dimensions, the highest and lowest scores belonged to interpersonal relations and physical activity, respectively. The mean overall HPLP-II score was statistically different in terms of gender, marital status, smoking habits, and economic status (P ≤ 0.05).Conclusion: HPLP-II level was moderate in most of the students, and health-promoting behaviors, in the physical activity dimension, were in a low state. The results emphasized the need for interventions to improve students' lifestyles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: No standard self-report instrument for withdrawal symptoms is available in Iran. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 10-item Amphetamine Withdrawal questionnaire version 2 (AWQV2). Methods: A sample of 388 methamphetamine addicts (215 females and 173 males) referred to addiction recovery centers and psychiatric ward of Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah. A two-stage random sampling method was used. The reliability and internal consistency of the AWQV2items were examined using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest reliability, respectively, and the instrument validity of the AWQV2 was measured using construct validity and convergent validity. Results: The AWQV2 had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.72. Factor analysis using the main component analysis with a varimax rotation introduced three factors of hyperarousal, anxiety, and reversed vegetative symptoms. These factors explained 0.58 of the total variance. The coefficient of test-retest reliability at a 2-week interval was equal to 0.77. The convergent validity of the AWQV2 was examined by simultaneously administering the AdvancedWarning of Relapse (AWARE) questionnaire to 40 subjects, with a correlation coefficient of 0.81. Conclusions: Based on the results, the AWQV2 has very good psychometric properties and may be used in research and therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Given the harmful effects of insomnia and the need for a better understanding of the disorder as well as providing proper care, the present study aimed to compare the emotional dysregulation and experiential avoidance in patients with insomnia and non-clinical individuals. Methods: To conduct the present cross-sectional study, two sample groups were selected randomly. The first group consisted of 100 patients with insomnia who visited the Sleep Disorders Research Center at Farabi hospital in Kermanshah, Iran. The second group consisted of 100 administrative staff of Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) without sleep problems. For data collection, three questionnaires were used: Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (EAQ). The data were analyzed through the analysis of variance, using the SPSS version 13. Results: The total mean score of difficulties in emotion regulation in patients with insomnia and non-clinical people measured 101.18 (45.60) and 86.77 (21.88), respectively, and the mean scores of experiential avoidance measured 37.53 (12.33) and 28.74 (21.88) in patients with insomnia and non-clinical people, respectively. The results of the present study revealed that there was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of emotional dysregulation and experiential avoidance. Conclusion: According to the current results, it is suggested that therapists consider the role of emotional dysregulation and experiential avoidance in the treatment and care of chronic insomnia. To solve these problems, it is recommended third-wave therapies be used, especially acceptance and commitment therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose It has been suggested that there is a link between the dietary intake of certain nutrients and the risk of prostate cancer. The aim of this study is to examine the associations between dietary intakes of all nutrients and the risk of prostate cancer in Kermanshah.Design/methodology/approach This case-control study was conducted in Kermanshah, a province in the west of Iran in November of 2016. The sample consisted of 50 patients with confirmed prostate cancer, and 150 healthy men who matched in age with these cases and did not have any symptoms of prostate disorder were chosen as controls. Dietary intakes were collected by a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that contained 147 food items and were then analyzed by Nutritionist 4 software.Findings After adjustment for potential confounding factor, highest tertile compared to lowest tertile of dietary vitamin E intake [odds ratio (OR) = 0.21; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.05-0.89], lycopene intake (OR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.01-0.86) and magnesium intake (OR = 0.02; 95% CI = 0.01-0.55) had a protective effect on the incidence of prostate cancer. However, there were no associations between dietary intakes of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin B12, folate and calcium with prostate cancer.Originality/value The finding suggests that the dietary intakes of vitamin E, lycopene and magnesium could decrease the risk of prostate cancer. Nevertheless, dietary intake of other nutrients such as fiber, calcium, vitamins D, A, B12 and folate was not associated with prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by excessive cellular replication. Vascular adhesion protein-1 (VAP-1) is an adhesion molecule with an enzymatic activity that partakes in the migration process of lymphocytes into sites of inflammation. The current study aimed to investigate the plasma lipids and VAP-1 in serum of psoriatic patients in Kermanshah (Iran). Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive analytical study carried out on 80 psoriatic patients, and 80 healthy volunteers as control group. Serum lipids (triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (Ch), HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol) were determined by enzymatic methods. The level of VAP-1 protein was evaluated by ELISA method. Results: The mean levels of cholesterol, TG, HDL and LDL in patients were 167.7, 123.4, 44.1 and 112.3 mg/dl, respectively. However, these values in control group were 156.7, 113.3, 45.5 and 102.4 mg/dl, respectively. In addition, the mean of VAP-1 protein in psoriatic patients and control group was 289.8 and 192.7 ng/ml, respectively. Cholesterol level and VAP1 protein in psoriatic patients were found to be significantly higher than those of control group. Conclusion: The current study showed that the levels of cholesterol and VAP-1 in psoriasis patients were significantly higher than control group. This higher level may be account for high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among these patients and it may be useful to do early screening and treatment of psoriatic patients to prevent the atherosclerosis and its complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]