Annals of Military and Health Sciences Research
Volume:21 Issue: 4, Dec 2023

 The complement system plays a role in chronic immune activation during viral infections.

 This study aimed to evaluate the levels of saliva and serum complements C3 and C4 in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and healthy individuals.

 This cross-sectional study included 36 severe and 22 critical COVID-19 hospitalized patients and 22 healthy individuals. Serum and unstimulated salivary C3 and C4 levels were assessed using the immunoturbidimetric method and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with the Student-Newman-Keuls test as a post hoc analysis.

 Salivary C3 and C4 levels were significantly lower in patients with severe and critical COVID-19 than in healthy individuals. There was no significant difference between the groups infected with severe and critical COVID-19. Serum C3 and C4 levels were lower in critical COVID-19 patients than in healthy individuals; nevertheless, no significant difference was observed between severe COVID-19 patients and healthy individuals. Additionally, serum C4 levels were lower in critical COVID-19 patients than in severe COVID-19 patients.

 It appears that serum and salivary C3 and C4 levels decrease in patients with COVID-19 infection.

 Substance use has been a challenge for humanity since ancient times. Given the problems associated with substance use and the challenges of its treatment, it is essential to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of this issue in various populations, especially in work environments. Military organizations play a crucial role in raising awareness, preventing substance use, and reducing harm among soldiers.

 This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of substance use (specifically cannabis, morphine, and amphetamine) and the demographic characteristics of soldiers hospitalized in a military hospital.

 A total of 380 Iranian soldiers who were admitted to a military hospital with various diagnoses in 2018 were selected as the research sample. Urine samples from the soldiers were analyzed using kits for morphine, amphetamine, and cannabis, and demographic questionnaires were completed.

 The prevalence of substance use among soldiers who were admitted to the military hospital was observed to be 18%, with cannabis, morphine, and amphetamine use at 10%, 6%, and 2%, respectively. The majority of the soldiers studied were unmarried, had no university education, were unemployed, and had low incomes.

 The prevalence of substance use is high among soldiers who are unmarried, lack a university education, are unemployed, and have low incomes.

 Gastric cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide.

 This study describes the epidemiologic, pathologic, imaging, and surgical findings of patients with gastric cancer referred to a tertiary hospital in Tehran, Iran.

 This was a single-center cross-sectional study. All the patients referred for a staging laparoscopy of gastric cancer in a tertiary hospital in Tehran, Iran, were included.

 A total of 30 patients participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 12.6 years, of whom 76.7% were male. None of the patients had a family history of gastric cancer. Four patients were active smokers, 1 had opium addiction, and 1 had a history of chronic alcohol use. Most patients (n = 29) had at least 1 symptom or were symptomatic for 2.8 months (2.8 ± 2.3 months). The most common clinical complaints were abdominal pain, weight loss, and nausea. Within the follow-up period, 43.3% (n = 13) of the patients expired. The Kaplan-Meier diagram of the study revealed a mean survival time of 8.4 ± 2.1 months within the 2-year follow-up, with a median of 6.0 ± 2.3 months.

 Our results confirmed the previous findings of the clinicopathologic characteristics of gastric cancer patients. Our primary findings were a younger mean age at the diagnosis, advanced stages of cancer at the first visit, low rates of comorbidity and risk factors, an overall survival rate of 43.3%, and a mean survival time of 8.4 ± 2.1 months in 2 years of follow-up.

 Parasitic infections in children can negatively impact their growth, health, nutrition status, and cognitive development.

 This study aimed to investigate intestinal parasitic infection and its relationship with the nutritional status of primary school students in Tehran in 2020.

 The current study was conducted on 250 samples collected by the available sampling method from 2 selected residential settlements in Tehran. The samples were tested using both direct and formalin ether concentration (sedimentation) methods. The nutritional status of participants was evaluated using the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) questionnaire. The data were analyzed by the χ2 test. A significant level was considered 0.05.

 Of the 250 student samples surveyed, 45 exhibited parasitic infection. In terms of nutrition, 18 cases were malnourished, 212 cases were exposed to malnutrition, and 20 cases had normal nutrition. The frequency of parasitic infection was higher in malnourished students (P < 0.05). It was also higher in students whose parents' education levels (especially the mother) were lower.

 It seems that parasitic infections are associated with students’ nutritional status and their parent education.

 It has been reported that differences in the level of education and employment status of the parents can affect the children’s growth index.

 Given the importance of children’s optimal growth rate on society’s health and since parental employment can alter children’s growth index, we decided to conduct a comparative study of the growth indices of children aged 7 to 11 years with working mothers and stay-at-home mothers.

 A sample of 300 male students aged 7 to 11 years was selected using convenience sampling. The children’s height, weight, and BMI were measured by a trained individual twice to reduce error. After collecting the required information from 300 students, data analysis was performed in SPSS 24 and Microsoft Excel using the analysis of independent t-test at the significance level of 0.05.

 Of the 300 students examined, 21.7% (n = 65) were 7 years old, 20.7% (n = 62) were 8 years old, 21% (n = 63) were 9 years old, 20% (n = 60) were 10 years old, and 16.7% (n = 50) were 11 years old. Moreover, 225 mothers stayed at home, and 75 worked. Based on the independent t-test to compare the BMI of the children whose mothers stayed at home and those whose mothers worked, a significant difference was observed only in children aged 7 years, whose BMI was lower in the working mothers’ group (P = 0.02).

 It seems that children who have stay-at-home mothers tend to have better growth than those whose mothers work at certain ages.

 The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a significant global concern. The improper use of antibiotics, identified as a leading contributor to this problem, is a widespread issue in medical centers worldwide.

 This study aimed to investigate the utilization pattern of levofloxacin, a commonly prescribed antibiotic.

 We conducted a retrospective descriptive study in Ahvaz, Iran, focusing on patients who had received levofloxacin over a 6-month period. Data collection involved a questionnaire comprising patient demographic details, diagnosis information, details concerning levofloxacin administration, and outcomes, all extracted from the patients' medical records. During the assessment, we considered factors such as the correct dosage, frequency of administration, potential drug interactions, and adverse effects. Data analysis was performed using SPSS v. 20.

 A total of 35 patients, with a mean age of 55.17 ± 20.36 years, received levofloxacin during the study period, and 48.6% of them were women. On average, each patient received 3.20 ± 2.85 grams of levofloxacin, with a minimum dose of 0.500 grams and a maximum of 11.50 grams. The average treatment duration was 3.813 ± 4.26 days. In only 8.6% of cases, the prescribed dosage was deemed inappropriate, while in 40% of cases, the duration of antibiotic use was found to be inadequate.

 The utilization of levofloxacin was deemed irrational in 40% of cases. Although the prescribed dosage for the respective diagnoses was generally accurate, the treatment duration was often incorrect, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance.

 In military organizations and units, commanders, as the most influential people on the military conditions of duty-staff personnel, have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of their forces. Therefore, primary mental health training and improving their ability to deal with risky behaviors can guarantee the health of the military forces under their command.

 This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the gatekeeper training program in improving the attitude and enhancing the knowledge about suicide prevention among Iranian army commanders.

 This practical research was structured using a quasi-experimental method with the 31-question scale of the attitude toward suicide (ATTS) questionnaire as a pretest and posttest. A sample of 40 commanders in Tehran’s military barracks was appointed by purposeful sampling (20 in the experimental group and 20 in the control group). The experimental group received a gatekeeper-based suicide prevention training package, while the control group received no training. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test in SPSS software.

 The present study indicated a considerable impact on knowledge and attitude about suicide in IR army commanders. Furthermore, the difference between the experimental and control groups in suicide prevention knowledge and its fundamental structures was significant, and in the entire population, it was greater than 0.1.

 The findings indicated that the gatekeeper training package significantly improved attitudes toward suicide and enhanced knowledge about it. Thus, the gatekeeper training package can be used in other active training methods to educate commanders to prevent suicide.

 Lipoid proteinosis (LP), also known as Urbach-Wiethe disease, is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by the deposition of glycoproteins in mucous membranes, skin, and organs. Symptoms typically begin in childhood, persist throughout life, and encompass hoarseness, skin inflammation, scarring, and ulcers, resulting in a waxy appearance. Oral manifestations present as white plaques and ulcers, significantly impacting the oral cavity. To date, approximately 400 cases have been reported worldwide.

 Herein, we present the case of a 36-year-old female diagnosed with LP who sought a dental implant evaluation. Her medical history revealed tooth decay, which necessitated extractions, and she had previously undergone maxillary implant placement and mandibular bone grafting. Upon general examination, the patient exhibited voice hoarseness, hyperkeratosis on the elbows and hands, and papules on the fingers. Oral examination revealed firm and fibrotic mucosa, papillomatosis, and limited mouth opening. Hyposalivation and the absence of the left parotid duct orifice were noted. No significant abnormalities were observed on the eyelids or face. Salivary gland assessment indicated a reduced flow rate (1 ml in 5 minutes). This case highlights the importance of conducting a comprehensive evaluation and tailoring management strategies to the individual needs of patients with LP.

 Lipoid proteinosis is a rare mucocutaneous disorder characterized by a slow and benign course, with varying prevalence in different regions. Early recognition of oral symptoms is crucial, as they often precede skin and neurological manifestations. Although typical oral signs usually include tongue firmness and an inability to protrude, these were not observed in the present case. Xerostomia and dental agenesis, though uncommon, have been reported in previous cases, consistent with the findings of the present case, although different areas of the oral cavity might be involved in some instances.