A Closer Look at the Avian Influenza Virus H7N9: A Calm before the Storm?

The avian influenza A (H7N9) virus, which circulates in wild birds and poultry, has been a major concern for public health since it was first discovered in China in 2013 due to its demonstrated ability to infect humans, causing severe respiratory illness with high mortality rates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 1568 human infections with 616 fatal cases caused by novel H7N9 viruses have been reported in China from early 2013 to January 2024. This manuscript provides a comprehensive review of the virology, evolutionary patterns, and pandemic potential of H7N9.

Machine learning in obsessive-compulsive disorder medications.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the fourth most common psychiatric disorder with a significant morbidity rate. Despite various treatment modalities and medications, some patients show no definitive response. The aim of this study is to classify the medications of OCD with machine learning (ML) methods and to compare the classification performances of the decision tree (DT), chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) algorithm, and linear model in ML methods.

Effect of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes in adult patients with COVID-19: A GRADE-assessed systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The COVID-19 pandemic has emerged as a major global health crisis. Vitamin D, a crucial fat-soluble vitamin, has been recommended for COVID-19 patients, though evidence of its effectiveness is inconsistent. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on COVID-19-related outcomes.

Monkeypox (Mpox) vs. Innate immune responses: Insights into evasion mechanisms and potential therapeutic strategies.

Orthopoxviruses, a group of zoonotic viral infections, have emerged as a significant health emergency and global concern, particularly exemplified by the re-emergence of monkeypox (Mpox). Effectively addressing these viral infections necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between the viruses and the host's immune response. In this review, we aim to elucidate the multifaceted aspects of innate immunity in the context of orthopoxviruses, with a specific focus on monkeypox virus (MPXV).

Association Between the Level of Vitamin D and COVID-19 Infection in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted a notable impact on worldwide health across diverse age groups. Although children and adolescents were initially considered less vulnerable, they have also shown susceptibility to the virus, emphasizing the importance of understanding associated risk factors. Epidemiological data reveal an increasing number of COVID-19 cases in this age group.

Anatomical variations of the extracranial internal carotid artery: prevalence, risk factors, and imaging insights from CT-angiography.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of different extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) variations in CT angiography (CTA) of the neck and its predisposing factors.

Methods: In this retrospective study from 2021 to 2023 conducted in the radiology department of Shafa Hospital, Kerman, Iran, all patients who had undergone neck CTA were included. Expert radiologists blindly examined each CTA image for the following: EICA variations-coiling, kinking, straight morphology, and tortuosity-and the distance between the internal carotid artery and the apex of the epiglottis and the C2 lower margin.

Diagnostic Value of Dermoscopic Structures in Predicting Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Skin of Color.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) manifests different dermoscopic patterns in individuals with dark skin complexion compared to those with fair skin types. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic utility of dermoscopy in discerning superficial BCC from other types of BCC, specifically in patients with dark skin complexion.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study focuses on patients diagnosed with BCC who were referred for skin biopsy between July 2020 and September 2022.

Efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of COVID-19 vaccines in individuals with liver cirrhosis: a rapid review and meta-analysis.

The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines has been a remarkable advancement. However, the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of these vaccines in individuals with liver cirrhosis require careful evaluation due to their compromised immune status and potential interactions with underlying liver disease. The present study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in liver cirrhosis patients.

Single intravenous dose ondansetron induces QT prolongation in adult emergency department patients: a prospective observational study.

Background: Ondansetron is one of the most commonly used drugs in the emergency department (ED) for treating nausea and vomiting, particularly in intravenous (IV) form. Nevertheless, it has been shown to prolong QT interval and increase the risk of ventricular dysrhythmias. This study evaluated the associations between single IV ondansetron dosage and subsequent QTc prolongation in the ED.

The Role of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Infected Gastric Cancer in Increasing microRNA124 (miR-124) Promoter Methylation and Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 (EZH2) Gene Expression.

The tumor suppressor microRNAs, miR-21, miR-124, and miR-494, participate in the controlling several cellular processes. To assess target miRNAs promoter methylation levels, we investigated 304 pairs of gastric cancer (GC) tissues and non-tumor tissues. We used a commercial real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Helicobacter pylori kit to detect EBV and H.

Novel Mutations in the Non-Structure Protein 2 of SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: Mutation in the genome of SARS-CoV-2 may play a role in immune evasion, pathogenicity, and speed of its transmission. Our investigation aimed to evaluate the mutations that exist in the NSP2.

Materials And Method: RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal swabs from 100 COVID-19 patients.

The co-occurrence of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease and systemic lupus erythematosus: a case report.

Background: Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is an uncommon systemic disease that mostly affects young women. Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease typically manifests as necrotizing lymphadenopathy, which frequently follows by a fever; however, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease occurs rarely in extranodal regions. One of the most important accompaniments of Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease is its connection with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

A comprehensive review of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1: An imminent threat at doorstep.

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) are globally challenging due to widespread circulation and high mortality rates. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains like H5N1 have caused significant outbreaks in birds. Since 2003 to 14 July 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) has documented 878 cases of HPAI H5N1 infection in humans and 458 (52.

Evaluation of hematological parameters alterations in different waves of COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The occurrence of variations in routine hematological parameters is closely associated with disease progression, the development of severe illness, and the mortality rate among COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to investigate hematological parameters in COVID-19 hospitalized patients from the 1st to the 5th waves of the current pandemic.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 1501 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 based on WHO criteria, who were admitted to Shahid Sadoughi Hospital (SSH) in Yazd, Iran, from February 2020 to September 2021.

Beyond skin deep: shedding light on the neuropsychiatric consequences of Monkeypox (Mpox).

This review is attempted in view of World Health Organization (WHO) warning on Monkeypox virus (Mpox) to summarize the available data regarding the potential effect on central nervous system (CNS), its complications, and diagnostic methods. We combed various international databases (including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar) for articles mentioning Mpox infection, orthopox infection, and the central nervous system that were published between the years 2000 and 2022. Further evidence was evaluated from relevant studies published in the literature.

Global Trend on Machine Learning in within One Decade: A Scientometric Study.

Purpose: This study aims to create a science map, provide structural analysis, investigate evolution, and identify new trends in () research articles.

Methods: All publications were gathered from the Web of Science (WoS) database from August 2010 to 2021. The data were required for bibliometric analysis.

Mortality Trends of Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Pancreaticobiliary Diseases: A Hospital-Based Prospective Study in the Southeast of Iran.

: Gastrointestinal (GI), liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases, in addition to the high health care utilization, account for a significant proportion of disability and death in Iran. We aimed to assess the incidence of in-hospital mortality for the total GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman, Iran. : In a cross-sectional study from May 2017 to April 2018, we collected the data of in-hospital death records due to GI, liver, and pancreaticobiliary diseases in all hospitals in Kerman city.

Kawasaki disease in children: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis, seen mostly in children. Epidemiology of KD is dependent on geographical location and seasonality. Although many years have passed since the first report of KD, multiple related factors are still unknown.