Some evidence suggests that a variety of genetic factors contribute to development of the tuberculosis (TB). TLR4 and TLR9 have been proposed as susceptibility genes for TB. This study was performed in 124 newly diagnosed TB cases and 149 healthy controls in a TB-endemic region of Iran. The TLR4 genes Asp299Gly, Thr399Ile, and TLR9 gene T-1486C polymorphisms were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The frequencies of the mutant alleles of TLR4 Arg299Gly, Thr399Ile, and TLR9 T-1486C polymorphisms were 0.8 versus 0.1, 5.6 versus 3, and 28.6 versus 25.2 in patients and controls, respectively, that were not significant. The synergic effect of TI,II/CC genotypes for TLR4 Thr399Ile and TLR9 T-1486C polymorphisms showed increased risk of PTB susceptibility. In conclusion, no significant relation was found between TLR4 and TLR9 polymorphisms alone and PTB. However, synergic effects of TLR4 Thr399Ile and TLR9-1486T/C polymorphisms might increase risk of PTB.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common cause of gastric cancer (GC). This microorganism is genetically diverse; GC is caused by several genetic deregulations in addition to environmental factors and bacterial virulence factors. lncRNAs (long noncoding RNAs) are significant biological macromolecules in GC, have specific functions in diseases, and could be therapeutic targets. Altered lncRNAs can lead to the abnormal expression of adjacent protein-coding genes, which may be important in cancer development. Their mechanisms have not been well understood, so we are going to investigate the risk of GC in a population with both high lncRNA and H. pylori infection.

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Background: The inappropriate use of antibiotic leads to microbial resistance, nosocomial infections and increased hospital costs. The present study was designed to evaluate DUE (Drug utilization evaluation) of cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam drugs consumption patterns. Methods: This study was a descriptive and cross–sectional which performed 2014 on 140 hospitalized patients in Sina hospital Tabriz, Iran. Demographic data, duration of prescription, dose, dosage adjustment in renal impairment and accompanied prescribed antibiotics were extracted from medical files. UpToDate and American Hospital Formulary Service (AHFS) drug information 2012 were considered as standards of rational prescribing. Data analysis was performed by SPSS 18 software. Results: In 77.4% and 90% of the prescribed doses of cefepime and piperacillin-tazobactam for patients with guideline. The most common antibiotic administered with cefepime was ciprofloxacin (37 cases). In 21 patients, cefepime dosage should have been adjusted according to renal impairment, whereas it has done only in 16 (22.9%) patients. Culture was done in 60 (85.8%) cases. In 22(31.4%) patients, the result of culture was negative. Drug dosage and indication were appropriate in 34 (48%). The most common antibiotic administered with Piperacillin/tazobactam was vancomycin (45 cases). In 9 patients, Piperacillin/tazobactam dosage should have been adjusted according to renal impairment and it has done. Culture was done in 53 (75.8%) cases. In 9(12.8%) patients, the result of culture was negative. Conclusion: The results showed that there was an injudicious use of cefepime and piperacillin/ tazobactam at our hospital, evidenced by the significant number of inappropriate empiric prescriptions and drug modifications

Background and aims: The prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among nurses who provide care to pregnant women may lead to self-medication (SM) among them as well as recommendation of SM to pregnant women. There is limited information about SM among nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study sought to evaluate SM, used medications, and symptoms among nurses providing care to pregnant women with COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in a four-month period from March 21 to July 22, 2020. Participants were 125 nurses who were providing care to pregnant women in Imam Reza teaching hospital, Tabriz, Iran. A sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire and a questionnaire on SM contributing factors were used to collect the data. The SPSS software (v. 21.0) was used to analyze the data at a significance level of less than 0.05 through the chi-square test. Results: The prevalence of SM among nurses was 40.83%. SM had significant relationship with the use of antibiotics (P=0.012), herbal medicines (P=0.028), multivitamins (P=0.035), and analgesics (P=0.044). Moreover, SM had significant relationship with nausea (P=0.036), fever (P=0.019), headache (P=0.044), and diarrhea (P=0.021). Conclusion: SM is highly prevalent among nurses who provide care to pregnant women with COVID-19.

Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in pregnant women can lead to the development of serious complications in neonates. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a new tool for predicting this infection in pregnant women and to assess the psychometric properties of this scale. Materials and Methods:This methodological study was carried out on 220 pregnant women visiting Al-Zahra and Taleghani hospitals of Tabriz, Iran in 2019. First, the relevant items were formulated and the respective questionnaire was developed and then, the validity (i.e., face, content, and construct) and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed as well. The data were analyzed in SPSS 21 using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), dependent t test, and Cronbach alpha coefficient. Results: A 22-item questionnaire was designed and the items were scored using a five-point Likert-type scale (Min=22, Max=120). Finally, the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value, Bartlett’s test of the Sphericity value, the internal consistency of the tool based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, and the intra-cluster correlation coefficient were 0.801, 4035.810, 0.811, and 0.81, respectively. Conclusions: In general, the present tool can reliably predict HBV infection in pregnant women thus its application is recommended in preventing relevant complications.

Introduction: In developing countries, which is an endemic region in terms of tuberculosis, there is an urgent need for fast, accurate, and inexpensive serological testing. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic value of patient serum IgG antibodies by ELISA in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Method: This case-control study was performed on patients with pulmonary tuberculosis in 2017-2020. After selecting the case (n = 30) and control (n = 30) subjects according to inclusion criteria, their blood samples were obtained and analyzed in the reference laboratory by standard kits for immunoglobulin G against 16, 36, and 40 kDa antigens of mycobacterium tuberculosis. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 47.07 (15.57%). The majority of participants were 46 (51.1%) women. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding sex and age. serological examination of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis showed 25 positive results and only 4 of the control group had a positive result. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of serology test were 83.3%, 86.67%, 86.20% and 87.88% respectively. Conclusion: Despite the acceptable sensitivity of the serologic immunoglobulin G test, according to the statement of World health organization (WHO), it did not possess an acceptable specificity. It is recommended that a a wider range of different antigens to be studied also it is essential to evaluate the diagnostic value of the other immunoglobulins inpatient in different stages of the disease.