J Res Med Sci
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Nosocomial surfaces are potential pathogen reservoirs. Our aim was to describe the microbial diversity and analyze microbial patterns of healthcare-associated pathogens in two step-down-care-units at a tertiary care hospital. We monitored infected patients over 45 days to describe microbial diversity and colonization patterns. ⋯ The most frequently recovered ESKAPE species (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter cloacae) were A. baumannii (7.53%; 208/2762 isolates) and E. faecium/Enterococcus faecalis (5.18%; 143/2762). We recovered a high diversity of species, including potential pathogens. A. baumannii was detected more frequently on diverse surfaces and persisted in patients' nostrils during the hospital stay.
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Prediabetes is a high-risk state for developing diabetes at an annual rate of 5%-10%. Early intervention can prevent further complications, including metabolic syndrome. Bisphosphonates are commonly used for osteoporotic postmenopausal women. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of bisphosphonates on lipid profile including triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) of prediabetic postmenopausal women with osteopenia. ⋯ No statistically significant difference was detected in the serum lipid profile of prediabetic postmenopausal women with osteopenia as a result of alendronate intervention. More studies with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods are recommended.
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The cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a virus which can lead to severe acute respiratory syndrome-CoV-2 (SARS-COV-2). There are evidences of involvement of immune system in pathogenesis of this disease. We investigated the presence of various vasculitis-associated autoantibodies and complement levels in patients with COVID-19. ⋯ Decrease in complement levels may predict a critical state of COVID-19 disease. Therefore, measuring its levels may be of great benefit in making earlier decisions to initiate disease-suppressing treatments including corticosteroids.
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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a life-threatening disease in many countries. Albendazole, as the drug of choice for medical treatment of CE, is accompanied by adverse effects and may be ineffective in 20%-40% of cases; hence, new and more effective compounds are urgently needed to optimize the management of the disease. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of Zataria multiflora essential oil (ZMEO) versus albendazole against human liver CE. ⋯ From the point of view of efficacy and safety, ZMEO indicated a significant superiority to albendazole. Hence, ZMEO may be considered as an alternative for albendazole in the medical treatment of liver CE.
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Anesthesiologists should obtain the best technique for cesarean section (CS). This study designed to compare the effect of general anesthesia (GA) and spinal anesthesia (SA) on immune system function in elective CS. ⋯ According to the angiogenesis properties of TGF-β, it seems that SA probably affects the rate of recovery more than that of the GA.