With the increase in the population of the aged, one of the most crucial issues that can result in serious health consequences is elder abuse. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of elder abuse and its subtypes in Iran.

This is a systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guidelines. Relevant keywords were used for database search in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science. All of the search and data extraction process was conducted independently by two researchers. JBI checklist was used for risk of bias assessment. The data were cleaned and analyzed using Biostat, (Comprehensive Meta-Analysis). The meta-analysis was performed using Random Effects Model, and I2 index was calculated for assessing heterogeneity.

Twenty-three articles were finally analyzed. The data of 6,298 individuals were analyzed, which were significantly heterogeneous (I2= 99.38). The prevalence of elder abuse was 55% (95% CI: 0.42-0.68). The subtype with the highest prevalence was emotional neglect (39%, 95% CI: 0.29-0.50), while the lowest prevalence was related to social rejection (15%, 95% CI: 0.11-0.19)

All types of elder abuse are highly prevalent in Iran. Therefore, it is crucial to develop evidence-based comprehensive plans to better identify, intervene, and prevent this issue.

Treating infections due to antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a challenge and researchers are looking for new antimicrobial compounds. Galls are abnormal plant growths caused by biological agents and have active compounds. The present study was designed to examine the antibacterial effects of different extracts of wild rose gall (Rosa canina L.) against some pathogenic Gram-negative bacilli.

Methanol, acetone, and aqueous extracts from galls were prepared using Soxhlet apparatus. The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined by agar well diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration were assessed by  the microdilution method. The phytochemical composition of galls was investigated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) method.

The inhibition zones of 500 mg/ml methanol extract of wild rose gall against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter bummani, Shigella sonei, and Salmonella typhi were 26.7, 25.0, 25.7, 25.7, 26.7, 23.7 and 18.3, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was directly related to their concentration. The extracts were active against all the pathogenic bacteria with average MICs ranging from 15.6 to 31.3 mg/ml.  The methanol extract of wild rose gall showed the highest bactericidal effect on P. aeruginosa and A. bummani at 62.5 mg/ml, respectively. Moreover, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and octadecenoic acid were composed 36.66%, 14.40%, and 13.21% of total active compounds in wild rose gall.

All of the wild rose gall extracts showed significant antibacterial activities against Gram-negative bacilli. The antibacterial effects may be related to the high amounts of organic acids in wild rose gall extracts

EOS, as a new‎ imaging technique, has several benefits over conventional radiography in measuring spinal curvatures. In this study, we aimed to use EOS to determine the normal values of thoracic kyphosis besides its association with the participants' age and gender.

In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 100 individuals with no history of spinal abnormality were included. Spinal curvatures, comprising proximal thoracic segment, distal thoracic segment, and total thoracic kyphosis, were measured on EOS images using a Cob method. The demographic characteristics of the participants, such as age and gender were also extracted from medical profiles.

The study population included 31 males and 69 females with a mean age of 27.2 ± 17.4 years (range 6-66). The mean curvatures of proximal and distal thoracic segments were 14.5 ± 6.5º and 32.7 ± 7.5º, respectively. The mean total thoracic kyphosis was 47.2 ± 7.2º. Besides, distal and total thoracic kyphosis, but not proximal thoracic segment, were significantly more in participants aged over 40 years (p=0.03, p=0.04, and p=0.07, respectively). No significant association was found between the thoracic curvatures and participants' sex.

It seems that there is a direct relationship between distal and total thoracic kyphosis and aging; however, more studies are required in order to approve our results.

PCOS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by inflammation caused by unknown reasons. This study aimed to investigate the Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels and Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein and gene expression of follicular fluid in women with PCOS.

The study included 30 PCOS and 30 healthy women. The individuals were selected after clinical examination and the inclusion criteria. During the puncture and after removing oocytes, follicular fluids were collected from individuals. The SAA protein concentration was determined by the ELISA method. Arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid levels were determined using GC method and the statistical software SPSS 16, and the p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant.

There was a significant difference in metaphase II oocytes (M2) (p =0.001), number of Embryo (p =0.014), Estradiol (p =0.025), FSH (0.040), LH (p =0.035) and Prolactin (p =0.023) levels between two groups. The concentration of SAA protein level and gene expression shows a significant increase in the patient group compared to the control group (p <0.05). The results showed that AA level was significantly increased in the patient group (284.12 ng/mL) compared to the control group (176.23 ng/mL) (p =0.001) while, there was a significant decrease (p =0.001) in EPA level in the patient group (24.56 ng/mL) compared to the control group (33.48 ng/mL).

It appears that higher EPA levels and lower follicular fluid AA concentrations reduce SAA levels and thus may increase follicular maturation in women with PCOS.

Numerous studies have shown that the risk of death is higher in elderly patients with COVID-19. In Iran, due to the growth of the elderly population and the prevalence of underlying diseases, it is necessary to pay attention to this age group of patients. In this study, clinical, radiological, PCR, and laboratory data of elderly patients with COVID-19 were collected and analyzed in two groups of recovered and dead patients.

This is a retrospective study of 196 consecutive elderly patients with COVID-19 hospitalized from March 21, 2020, to April 3, 2020, and their follow-up until April 23, 2021. Clinical characteristics, laboratory results, PCR, chest CT scans and Hounsfield Unit data were collected and analyzed in two groups of recovered and dead patients. Obtained Data were analyzed using SPSSv22.0 and MATLAB-R2017 software.

The results showed that there were no specific symptoms to distinguish the death group from the recovery group. Significant differences were observed between the two groups for red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, MCHC and MCV levels, bilirubin, aminotransferase levels, CRP, white blood cells, serum BNU, creatinine and PT coagulation index. The concentrations of VBG (HCO3) and VBG (PCO2) in the deceased patients suggest compensated respiratory alkalosis. CT sensitivity is 100% for patients in advanced and severe stages of the disease.

The patients in the death group had more underlying diseases than the recovered group. COVID-19 patients are more likely to die when they have both diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

 Prediction of preterm delivery can reduce a large number of its complications. The present study aimed to compare vaginal and plasma fibronectin concentrations in the diagnosis of preterm delivery.

 Serum samples were obtained from 105 women at 24-36 weeks of gestation. However, only 40 women gave permission to collect vaginal samples. Fibronectin concentration was measured using the ELISA technique. Then, plasma and vaginal fibronectin levels were compared in term and preterm deliveries.

 The mean plasma fibronectin level was 6226.43±7174.97 ng/ml among the mothers with term infants and 7724.01±1143.82 ng/ml among those with preterm infants (p=0.667). The mean fetal fibronectin level was 156.61±126.42 ng/ml among the mothers with term infants and 127.71±43.14 ng/ml among those with preterm infants (p=0.241). The cut-off point of plasma fibronectin level was 1750 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 80.25% and specificity of 85.17%. Additionally, the cut-off point of vaginal fibronectin level was 158.98 ng/ml with a sensitivity of 94.62% and specificity of 22.08%.

 Plasma fibronectin analysis had lower sensitivity and higher specificity compared to vaginal fibronectin analysis. This implies that plasma testing has lower false-positive cases and can identify a more significant number of true positive cases of preterm delivery.

 Beta-thalassemia is one of the complex diseases that causes many social and economic problems for the patient and his family. This study aimed to investigate factors influencing the birth of thalassemia (intermedia or major) in family members with thalassemia major in Sistan and Baluchistan province.

This descriptive-analytical study was conducted by census sampling on 48 families of thalassemia major patients with at least two children with thalassemia (intermedia or major) in their members. Data were collected through direct interviews and a review of patients' documents. The results were analyzed by SPSS (version 22) and Mann-Whitney U, Independent t-test, Wilcoxon, and Chi-square tests.

 In this study, statistical evaluations showed that the birth of thalassemia in family members with thalassemia major whose mothers are housewives was 100% and in families that had no premarital counseling was 91.7%. There was a significant relationship between variables related to mothers' awareness of thalassemia, including their place of residence and Sistani and Baluchestani ethnics, and the birth of thalassemia in family members with thalassemia major (in both cases, P-value = 0.05); However, there was no significant relationship between other variables related to mothers' awareness such as age groups and maternal education with the birth of thalassemia in family members with thalassemia major (P-Value = 0.98 and P-Value = 0.22, respectively).

  Informing and educating before marriage for high-risk families with thalassemia children, as well as financial support for low-income families can inform parents, prevent the birth of thalassemia, and improve the quality of life of these patients.

Recently, ciprofloxacin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus strains, due to efflux pumps, has become a significant challenge. Therefore, this study was performed to evaluate the frequency of norA, norB, and norC efflux pump genes and their roles in resistance to ciprofloxacin in clinical isolates of S. aureus.

A total of one hundred clinical blood samples were collected from patient in Qom hospitals and S. aureus isolates were identified by standard microbiological tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns were determined by the disk diffusion method using CLSI guidelines. Subsequently, the presence of norA, norB, and norC efflux pump genes in ciprofloxacin isolates was detected using the PCR method.

Among one hundred clinical samples, 36 S. aureus isolates were recovered and the results of antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that twenty of them were resistant to ciprofloxacin. 15 isolates were resistant to norfloxacin and one isolate was resistant to ofloxacin. Moreover, the norA, norB, and norC genes were found in 58%, 30%, and 41% of ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates, respectively.

Based on the results of this study, norA, norB, and norC efflux pumps may play a significant role in the development of resistance to ciprofloxacin in clinical isolates of S. aureus. Detecting these genes may prove useful in suggesting an effective treatment model for infections caused by S. aureus.