Azra Kenarkoohi

Background: Large-scale public health emergencies, such as pandemics, can significantly disrupt human behavior and social dynamics. This study aimed to examine how containment measures against COVID-19 may be correlated with animal bite rates. Method: A retrospective analysis of animal bite reports from 2015 to 2022 in Ilam Province, Iran, was conducted. Bite data were compared with confirmed COVID-19 case counts and analyzed for trends relative to the pandemic timeline. Correlation and regression analyses evaluated associations between bite incidents and COVID-19 case rates over time. Results: A total of 7036 animal bites and 122,342 COVID-19 cases were included. A significant negative correlation was observed, with periods of greater viral transmission coinciding with relatively fewer reported bites. Bite occurrences generally increased as restrictions eased, but were highest in 2022 after case rates declined. Logistic regression indicated that bite risk was 69% greater in 2021 than in 2020 during the peak of the pandemic. Conclusion: Reduced mobility and public health restrictions during periods of high COVID-19 activity may have contributed to a lower reported animal bite incidence, and exposure during short-term but prolonged isolation was unsustainable. Balanced long-term strategies promoting responsible ownership through education are warranted. Further studies accounting for underreporting and additional contextual factors are needed, but this analysis provides insights into how animal bite patterns may inversely correlate with large-scale public health events in Iran. Policymakers should promote responsible pet ownership through public education on vaccination, supervision, and bite first aid. Targeted campaigns tailored to periods of increased risk, such as the summer season, could help optimize resource allocation.

Background and Aims: Several factors influence the response to the vaccine, including age, gender, pregnancy, microbiota composition, immune function, sex hormones, and micronutrients (such as vitamin D). This study aimed to evaluate antibody responses induced by the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine in pregnant women and investigate its association with serum vitamin D levels. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 140 pregnant women 1–2 months after administering the second dose of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine from August 2021 to April 2022. IgG antibody titers against RBD and serum vitamin D levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship between vitamin D levels and anti‐RBD IgG antibody titer was investigated with linear regression analysis. Results: Anti‐RBD IgG antibodies were detected in 17% (24 out of 140) of the population studied. A positive correlation was observed between serum vitamin D level and anti‐RBD IgG antibody titer ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: Our study showed that two doses of the BBIBP‐CorV vaccine elicited antibody responses against COVID‐19 in only a small proportion of pregnant women, suggesting that higher doses or alternative vaccine platforms may be required to protect pregnant women. Despite the existence of a relationship between vitamin D levels and antibody response in our study, prospective clinical trial studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions regarding the effect of vitamin D on antibody response.

Viral respiratory infections in older adults tend to be more severe and linked to increased mortality. Factors such as lung aging and changes in its structure and function; aging of the immune system and decrease in its function with age; and inflammaging, the accumulation of senescent cells with age with senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) (is a secretory profile that includes the secretion of inflammatory cytokines, growth factors, chemokines, and matrix‐metalloproteinases) leads to an increase in the susceptibility and vulnerability of older adults to respiratory infections. Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, including rising rates of vitamin D deficiency, can also exacerbate respiratory infections in older adults. Vitamin D plays a role in maintaining epithelial integrity and has anti‐inflammatory properties. Vitamin D enhances innate immune responses and suppresses adaptive immune responses, thereby restoring the immune system to homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with microbiota dysbiosis and inflammation, and higher vitamin D levels are associated with greater abundance of beneficial, protective microbiota against respiratory infections. A more profound comprehension of the advantageous impacts of vitamin D in respiratory viral infections, particularly the relationship between vitamin D and the microbiota, will provide new perspectives on the importance of vitamin D assessment and standardization.

Background and Aims: Population aging is a significant demographic change while vaccines are mostly made for children and young adults and their effectiveness might be low in the older population. Age‐associated decline in the immune function (immunosenescence) is a process that may lead to poor vaccine response in the older population. This comprehensive review aims to discuss changes in the immune system with age and their impact on vaccine response to develop strategies to enhance vaccine efficacy in the elderly. Methods: This literature review on how the immune system changes with age and affects vaccine responses in older adults was carried out by examining English‐language publications. The search involved relevant keywords such as “Antibody response,” “Vaccine Efficacy,” “Vaccine Response,” “Immune Aging,” “Immunosenescence,” “Inflammaging,” and “Older Adults” across multiple databases, including Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Results: Age‐related changes in the immune system, such as structural changes in lymphatic tissues, a decrease in the number of naive cells, an increase in the number of dysfunctional memory cells, along with a change in the microbiota profile and its contribution to inflammaging and an increase in the number of senescent cells are factors that lead to vaccine effectiveness decreases with age. Conclusion: A deeper understanding of age‐related alterations and their effect on vaccine efficacy can provide new insights into the enhancement of vaccine‐induced immunity in the older population.

Safe chemicals for drug withdrawal can be extracted from natural sources. This study investigates the effects of clonidine and Thymbra spicata extract (TSE) on mice suffering from morphine withdrawal syndrome. Thymol, which is the active constituent in TSE, was also tested. A total of 90 mice were divided into nine groups. Group 1 was the control group, while Group 2 was given only morphine, and Group 3 received morphine and 0.2 mg/kg of clonidine. Groups 4–6 were given morphine along with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of TSE, respectively. Groups 7–9 received morphine plus 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg of Thymol, respectively, for 7 days. An oral naloxone challenge of 3 mg/kg was used to induce withdrawal syndrome in all groups. Improvement of liver enzyme levels (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine transaminase) (p < .01) and behavioral responses (frequencies of jumping, frequencies of two‐legged standing, Straub tail reaction) (p < .01) were significantly observed in the groups receiving TSE and Thymol (Groups 4–9) compared to Group 2. Additionally, antioxidant activity in these groups was improved compared to Group 2. Nitric oxide significantly decreased in Groups 4 and 6 compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p < .01). Superoxide dismutase increased dramatically in Groups 5, 8, and 9 compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p < .01). Groups 5–9 were significantly different from Group 2 in terms of malondialdehyde levels (p < .01). Certain doses of TSE and Thymol were found to alleviate the narcotics withdrawal symptoms. This similar effect to clonidine can pave the way for their administration in humans.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common public health problem, accompanied by complications for the mother and fetus. So, introducing new biomarkers to identify early diabetes is essential. As serum miRNAs are potentially appropriate markers, we investigated miR‐26a and miR‐26b expression levels in pregnant women with and without gestational diabetes.Method: Demographic and clinical characteristics of 40 gestational diabetic patients and 40 healthy controls were assessed. The expression level of miR‐26a and miR‐26b microRNAs was measured by real‐time PCR. Statistical analysis was done with GraphPad Prism software (version 8.4.3).Result: The findings of this study showed that the expression level of miR‐26a and miR‐26b increased in women with gestational diabetes compared with healthy pregnant women, but the increase in expression was only significant for miR‐26a (p < 0.05).Conclusion: According to the statistical and ROC curves, we suggest miR‐26a as a potential biomarker for the early diagnosis of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background and Aims: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a severe parasitic disease affecting people, mostly in underdeveloped nations. As a zoonotic infection yearly incidence of CL depends on several parameters such as demographic, epidemiological, and environmental factors as well as prevention and control measures. The sudden outbreak of pandemics such as SARS‐Corona‐Virus‐2 pandemic, can probably affect the incidence or reporting of other diseases, especially infectious diseases, in various ways such as pressure on health systems, providing sanitary services and its components, lockdowns and changes in people's living habits.Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the COVID‐19 impact on the incidence and other epidemiological aspects as well as control measures of CL in Ilam Province‐Iran.Methods: Required data was extracted from the CL registration system in Ilam from 2014 to 2021 to demonstrate the trend of CL incidence before and after COVID‐19 pandemic.Results: Based on our results, a declining pattern of CL incidence was observed, accompanied by the advent and intensification of the viral pandemic in Iran and Ilam province. Although, this decreasing pattern was not integral in all areas, and even increase in CL detection was emphasized in some regions.Conclusion: It may be inferred that the COVID‐19 pandemic may disrupt treatment programs of CL cases, rodent nest destruction, and fighting vector insects.

Objective. Reactivation of latent toxoplasmosis is the main cause of severe infection among immunocompromised patients, including patients with cancer. Hence, this study is aimed at screening the status of Toxoplasma gondii infection among breast cancer patients by serological and molecular methods and determining their associated risk factors in Jahrom County, Fars Province, south of Iran. Methods. One hundred and seven women with breast cancer (aged 34 to 80 years) were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies (IgG and IgM) during 2019–2020. A questionnaire regarding demographic factors was filled out by participants. Molecular detection was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the primer pair targeting the repetitive element (RE) gene of T. gondii. The risk factors and demographic data were analyzed by SPSS software (ver. 20, Chicago, IL, USA) using the Chi-squared test. Results. Anti-T. gondii IgG was detected in 45.8% (49/107) of the patients, which indicates latent infection, but anti-T. gondii IgM and PCR were negative in all samples. Demographic factors revealed a statistically significant increased T. gondii seropositivity among nonmenopause cancer patients ( ), patients without previous breast cancer ( ), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2- (HER2-) negative patients ( ). As such, patients with a history of previous abortions and who were at stages II, III, and IIII of cancer had higher seropositivity rates than patients without a history of previous abortions or who were at stage I cancer, but the statistical analysis was not significant. We did not find a statistically significant association between T. gondii seropositivity and other risk factors of toxoplasmosis (e.g., education level, type of water source, washing raw fruits and vegetables, consumption of raw or undercooked meat, and contact with soil, cats, and domestic animal). Conclusion. A high seroprevalence rate of latent T. gondii infection was detected among patients with breast cancer; hence, these patients may be at high risk for reactivation of latent infection. Screening of T. gondii infection is recommended to detect active infection among patients with malignancies.