Facilitators and Barriers to adherence to antiretroviral therapy among incarcerated people living with HIV in Iran: insights from a qualitative study.

Background: Ensuring consistent adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is crucial for effective HIV treatment and achieving viral suppression. Within prisons, the prevalence of HIV is notably high, and incarcerated individuals face an increased risk of transmitting the virus both during and after incarceration. However, facilitators and barriers to ART adherence among these individuals in low- and middle-income countries remain inadequately explored.

The Association of Smoking and SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Background: SARS-CoV-2 is a member of the coronavirus family that has caused infections in humans. Iran, as one of the countries in West Asia, is facing a high prevalence of this virus. In this study, we aimed to investigate the association between smoking and COVID-19 outcomes during the pandemic and sociodemographic characteristics.

Barriers and facilitators of HIV partner status notification in low- and lower-middle-income countries: A mixed-methods systematic review.

Background: The uptake of HIV partner status notification remains limited in low- and lower-middle-income countries. This mixed-methods systematic review aims to summarize the barriers and facilitators of HIV partner status notification in these settings.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 01, 2000, to August 31, 2023, for empirical qualitative and quantitative studies.

Cumulative incidence and treatment effectiveness of low bone mineral density among people living with HIV in Iran (2021-2023).

Background: The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV), leading to an increased prevalence of age-related comorbidities such as osteoporosis. This study investigates the incidence and characteristics of low bone mineral density (BMD) and the treatment effectiveness of low BMD participants among PLHIV in Kerman, Iran.

Methods: A longitudinal study utilized dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) to screen 94 PLHIV in Kerman, Iran, for low BMD.

An AI-Driven Framework for Detecting Bone Fractures in Orthopedic Therapy.

This study presents an advanced artificial intelligence-driven framework designed to enhance the speed and accuracy of bone fracture detection, addressing key limitations in traditional diagnostic approaches that rely on manual image analysis. The proposed framework integrates the YOLOv8 object detection model with a ResNet backbone to combine robust feature extraction and precise fracture classification. This combination effectively identifies and categorizes bone fractures within X-ray images, supporting reliable diagnostic outcomes.

Facilitators of medication adherence in patients with hypertension: a qualitative study.

Hypertension has been identified as the most important risk factor for disability and premature death worldwide. This study aimed to explain the factors that facilitate medication adherence from the perspective of patients with hypertension in southeastern Iran. This qualitative study used conventional content analysis and purposive sampling methods to achieve data saturation, involving 25 participants.

Autophagy in the Cellular Consequences of Tobacco Smoking: Insights into Senescence.

Smoking is a significant contributing factor to the development of many complex diseases. One of the most important stimuli for aging in the human body is constant exposure to environmental factors such as cigarette smoke. Free radicals in cigarette smoke cause reactive oxygen species production at the cellular level and induce inflammatory responses.

Facilitators and barriers of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis use among four key populations in Iran.

Background: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) significantly reduces HIV transmission, but it is not commonly prescribed in Iran. Therefore, this study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to PrEP use among four key populations (KPs) in Iran.

Methods: We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and sexual partners of people living with HIV (PLHIV) to obtain deep insights into the participants' experiences, beliefs, and viewpoints.

The Effects of Resveratrol in a Randomized Clinical Trial on Drug-Induced Hyperlipidemia and Psychiatric Factors in People Living with HIV.

Introduction: People living with HIV (PLHIV) suffer from a range of consequences related to infection, including hyperlipidemia and neurologic and sleep disorders. Supplements containing phenolic compounds with high antioxidant properties can reduce these side effects. Resveratrol is a phenolic compound that improves the symptoms of diabetes, cancer, and viral infections.

Characterizing people who inject drugs with no history of opioid agonist therapy uptake in Iran: Results from a national bio-behavioural surveillance survey in 2020.

Injection drug use is the primary driver of the human immunodeficiency virus HIV epidemic in Iran. We characterized people who inject drugs (PWID) living in Iran who had never received opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and examined barriers to OAT uptake. We recruited 2,684 PWID with a history of drug injection in the previous 12 months using a respondent-driven sampling approach from 11 geographically dispersed cities in Iran.

Strengths and Weaknesses of HIV Partner Notification Implementation in Iran.

HIV partner notification is a key intervention to facilitate access to HIV testing and treatment. This qualitative study investigated the strengths and weaknesses of the HIV partner notification program in Iran. Additionally, it provides comprehensive recommendations to mitigate potential harms and maximize the benefits of partner notification services.

The influence of age and gender on ocular biometrics and corneal astigmatism in adults undergoing cataract surgery.

Objectives: To assess the influence of age and gender on ocular biometric values and corneal astigmatism features in individuals undergoing phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation.

Methodology: This retrospective study measured ocular biometrics and corneal keratometric astigmatism using the IOLMaster 700 instrument prior to phacoemulsification surgery and intraocular lens implantation.

Results: Analysis included ocular biometric and keratometric values from 3385 eyes of 3385 patients.

Multiscale fiber remodeling in the infarcted left ventricle using a stress-based reorientation law.

The organization of myofibers and extra cellular matrix within the myocardium plays a significant role in defining cardiac function. When pathological events occur, such as myocardial infarction (MI), this organization can become disrupted, leading to degraded pumping performance. The current study proposes a multiscale finite element (FE) framework to determine realistic fiber distributions in the left ventricle (LV).

Cost-effectiveness of pretreatment HIV drug resistance testing in people living with HIV in Iran.

Introduction: HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) is an important challenge in the fight against HIV/AIDS and can threaten progress toward achieving the target of HIV elimination by 2030. Genotyping pretreatment HIVDR testing (DRT) has been proposed as a potential solution. However, the cost-effectiveness of this intervention needs to be evaluated to determine its feasibility and potential impact on healthcare systems.

CRL4-DCAF1 Ubiquitin Ligase Dependent Functions of HIV Viral Protein R and Viral Protein X.

The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) encodes several proteins that contort the host cell environment to promote viral replication and spread. This is often accomplished through the hijacking of cellular ubiquitin ligases. These reprogrammed complexes initiate or enhance the ubiquitination of cellular proteins that may otherwise act to restrain viral replication.

Discordant High Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time Relative to Anti-Xa Values in Hospitalized Patients is an Independent Risk Factor for Increased 30-day Mortality.

Background:  The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and anti-factor-Xa levels (anti-Xa) are both used to monitor patients on unfractionated heparin. Our previous study demonstrated that patients with discordant high aPTT relative to anti-Xa had higher rates of mortality and bleeding events.

Objective:  To determine if underlying patient characteristics drive both discordance and adverse outcomes or if discordance is an independent risk factor to adverse outcomes.

CT strain metrics allow for earlier diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after hematopoietic cell transplant.

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) after hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Quantitative computed tomography (qCT) can help diagnose advanced BOS meeting National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria (NIH-BOS) but has not been used to diagnose early, often asymptomatic BOS (early BOS), limiting the potential for early intervention and improved outcomes. Using pulmonary function tests (PFTs) to define NIH-BOS, early BOS, and mixed BOS (NIH-BOS with restrictive lung disease) in patients from 2 large cancer centers, we applied qCT to identify early BOS and distinguish between types of BOS.

Non-injection drug use among incarcerated people in Iran: Findings from three consecutive national bio-behavioral surveys.

Background: Prisons often serve as high-risk environments for drug use, and incarcerated people are at a high risk for substance use-related mental and physical harms. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of non-injection drug use inside the prison and its related factors among incarcerated people in Iran.

Methods: We utilized data from three national bio-behavioral surveillance surveys conducted among incarcerated people in Iran in 2009, 2013, and 2017.

Prevalence of mobile phone addiction and poor mental health, and factors associated with mental health among medical students in Southeast Iran.

Background: Mobile phone addiction is on the rise among various populations, particularly among the younger generations. This phenomenon can significantly impact various aspects of life, particularly mental health. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of mobile phone addiction and mental health, as well as the associated factors of mental health among medical students in southeast Iran in 2023.

Occupational Fatigue and Its Relationship with Musculoskeletal Disorders and Heat Stress among the Workers of Summer Crops in Southeast Iran in 2021.

Aims: This research aimed to evaluate work fatigue and its relationship with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and heat stress (WBGT) among greenhouse workers in Jiroft County, southeast Iran.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out between September 2021 and February 2022 among 150 workers in summer crop greenhouses. Data were collected by a demographic questionnaire, the Swedish occupational fatigue inventory (SOFI-20), and the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire (NMQ), and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) was measured as per ISO 7243.

Sleep quality and associated factors among people who inject drugs in Iran: a nationwide survey using respondent-driven sampling.

Background: Poor sleep quality is a significant issue among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aimed to evaluate sleep quality and associated factors among PWID in Iran.

Methods: Using respondent-driven sampling, 2,652 PWID (2,563 male) were recruited in 11 major cities in Iran between 2019 and 2020.