Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a common medical condition worldwide and its prevalence has increased notably in the past few years due to the increases in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, diagnosis of this disease is still a matter of debate because of disease variations and pathophysiologic alterations. Specific single markers have gained considerable attention recently, among them markers related to hepatic pathophysiology, inflammation, adipocytokines and so forth. But, it seems that no single marker is sufficient for diagnosis and staging of the disease, and applying a panel including different types of tests may be more useful.

Abstract. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a viral disease with several different modes of transmission. We describe the manifestations, outcome, and likely modes of transmission for three nosocomial cases. All threee cases were healthcare workers (two men and one woman). They had fever, myalgia, and petechia. Disseminated intravascular coagulation resulted in the death occurred in the woman. Because this disease is manifested with non-specific influenzalike symptoms, diagnosis can be difficult. Data for these patients can be used to investigate airborne or sexual transmission of this virus, although neither route was substantiated for these patients. Use of universal precautions and early case detection are the most helpful strategy for preventing nosocomial transmission of CCHF.Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease that has been reported in more than 30 countries in Africa, Asia, southeastern Europe, and the Middle East.1 It was first described in the Crimea in 1944. Later, a virus isolated from the Congo was identified as the same virus, resulting in the name Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV).2 Infection with CCHFV is manifested as an acute viral disease (fever, myalgia, and arthralgia) and in severe cases, hemorrhagic manifestations may ensue. It is transmitted mainly through tick bite or animal contact but repeatedly has caused nosocomial outbreaks.3-7 Human-to-human transmission occurs by infected blood or secretions, but airborne transmission of the disease has not been documented. 8 We describe the manifestations and outcomes in three confirmed cases of CCHF in healthcare workers in Iran. The risk factors and routes of transmission in a hospital setting are discussed. INDEX CASE 1On August 2, 1999, a 55-year-old man (a shepherd) was referred to the emergency room of a hospital with hematemesis. He had a history of animal contact. Epistaxis developed after a nasogastric tube was inserted in an attempt to control gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Unfortunately, he died of intractable GI bleeding and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) four days later. SECONDARY CASE 1On August 16, 1999, a 32 -year -old man (a physician) came to a clinic in Shahrekord in central Iran with severe headache, malaise, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea for one week. Petechiae, epistaxis and gum bleeding then developed, which resulted in his referral to the clinic. He was admitted to a hospital and treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. There was no history of recent travel or contact with domestic animals. It was later discovered that he had been in contact with index case 1, who had died of severe GI bleeding two weeks before his first symptoms. The index case had coughed and splashed blood on the physician's face while he was trying to insert a nasogastric tube. Physical examination showed right cervical lymphadenopathy and a palpable spleen, but the patient was not febrile. Laboratory examinations showed leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, increased levels of aminotransferase...

HEV seroprevalence in Isfahan Province is lower than that previously reported in other parts of Iran and the Middle East area. More studies in other parts of Iran are needed to obtain a prevalence map for creating preventional strategies.

Objectives. Dracocephalum has over 60 species and is found mainly in the temperate regions of Asia and Europe. One of these species, i.e., Dracocephalum kotschyi Boiss, is known to have a number of medicinal properties and active ingredients in many parts of the world. Despite being an endemic wild-flowering plant of great importance, the plant is currently considered endangered in Iran. Besides, there is paucity of information on the significance of the medicinal properties and active constituents of D. kotschyi among the Iranian people. On that account a systematic review of studies reporting on the medicinal properties and active ingredients and its significance to human and animal health was conducted and the existing knowledge gaps were identified. Methods. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used in the search for published articles on medicinal properties and active ingredients of D. kotschyi and its significance on humans and animals in Iran. The search was confined to scientific articles from repositories of popular data bases and search engines among them PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Science Direct, SpringerLink, and Scopus. The search narrowed down on scientific journals, books, and book chapters focusing on the medicinal properties of D. kotschyi in Iran for the period between 1970 and 2018. Results. A total of 1158 scientific articles were sourced from the various databases, out of which 38 met the search criteria and qualified for this review. The studies were conducted in only 9 of the 31 provinces of Iran, with a large proportion in Isfahan province, central Iran. The studies showed that all plant parts (roots, aerial parts, flowers, and leaves) had active constituents. Essential oils and aerial plant parts were the main components studied. Nevertheless, the most frequently reported constituents were xanthomicrol, limonene, luteolin, geranial, apigenin, and calycopterin. A number of medicinal properties were reported among them antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancerous, antinociceptive, antihyperlipidemic, antispasmodic, cytotoxic, and immunomodulatory effects. The plant was also reported to be a remedy for inflammatory pain, headaches, congestion, liver disorders, ulcer, fever, renal pain, dyspepsia, stomach ache, abdominal pain, joints pains, muscle spasm, congestion, bloating, and wound healing effects, among others. Conclusion. This review has shown that D. kotschyi is an important medicinal plant with a large number of active constituents and great potential to safeguard human and animal health in Iran. However, over utilization of the D. kotschyi plant is already endangering its existence. Nevertheless, more studies need be conducted across the country.

Background: To assess the economic aspects of HBV (hepatitis B virus) transmission prevention for premarriage individuals in a country with cultural backgrounds like Iran and intermediate endemicity of HBV infection.

Consumption of spicy foods is directly associated with IBS, particularly in women. Further, prospective studies are warranted to (1) examine this association in other populations; and (2) evaluate whether dietary interventions, for example a reduction in spice consumption, would improve IBS symptoms.

Few studies have focused on the effects of a soy containing diet on inflammation and serum leptin level among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of such a diet in patients with NAFLD. Forty-five patients with NAFLD participated in this parallel randomized clinical trial for 8 weeks. Patients were randomly allocated to these 3 groups: 1) a low-calorie diet, 2) low-calorie low-carbohydrate diet, and 3) low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet. Low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum insulin level significantly compared to other 2 groups (-11.6±2.8 vs. -6.3±1.7 and -3.1±1.0 mg/dl for FBS; and -5.1±1.2  vs. -1.2±0.3 and -1.7±0.5 mg/dl for serum insulin level). Serum hs-CRP level was also reduced significantly following low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet (-0.8±0.1 vs. -0.1±0.06 and -0.1±0.06 mg/dl). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced significantly. Changes in leptin level tended to be different among 3 groups. After trial, 5 patients in each intervention group did not have NAFLD. From 6 patients in grade 2 at the beginning only 1 patient remained and others moved to grade 1. Low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet could reduce glycemic indices, hs CRP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a significant level in patients with NAFLD. However, these effects were dependent on baseline weight and further studies are needed to clarify the effect of such interventions in subjects with different BMI categories.

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