Iranian Individuals Research Articles

It's all not negative: a cross-section study on the impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on Iranian population.

Covid-19 has had significant effects on the quality of life of individuals around the world. Research highlights many negative impacts related to Covid-19; however, there are also potential positive impacts. The current study aimed to identify both the perceived negative and positive effects of Covid-19 among the residents of Tabriz, Iran. The descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 health centers in Tabriz city in 2021. Cluster random sampling was used to select the 861 study participants. A questionnaire was developed to collect demographic and Covid-19 impacts. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics using SPSS 16 software. The mean (SD) of negative and positive impacts of Covid-19 was 37.7 (5.10) and 36.35 (5.31), respectively. Significant negative impacts included restriction in participation in cultural (90.4%) and religious (88.9%) activities. Positive impacts were increased attention to personal hygiene (88.7%) and attention to elders (87.6%). Gender (p = 0.006), work status (p = 0.004) and age (p = 0. 01) had significant association with the mean of negative impacts and work status (p = 0.01), age (p < 0.001), history of Covid-19 (p = 0.01) and family history of Covid-19 (p < 0.001) had the significant association with the mean of positive impacts of Covid-19. The findings revealed that the general population experienced many negative impacts of Covid-19. This may be related to the priority of religious gatherings in Iranian culture. Despite the unfavorable effects of Covid-19, its positive effects and post-traumatic growth should not be ignored. Covid-19 may be used as an opportunity to develop personal growth and a positive outlook on life. Healthcare workers should reinforce the positive impacts of Covid-19 while taking into consideration the importance of spirituality among Iranian individuals during times of community lockdowns.

Evaluation of sacral bone parameters in Sex determination by three – dimensional CT images

Introduction: Gender determination in forensic medicine plays an important role in determining the identity which is very important for both the present time and in the future. (Aim)Background: To improve sex determination using skeletal remains, morphometrical study of some bones can be helpful. The aim of this study is to assess the application of five parameters of sacral bone by means of Three – Dimensional (3D) images reconstructed by multi-slice Computed Tomography (CT) in sex determination of Iranian individuals. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on one hundred of Iranian people with equal number of men and women who have undergone Pelvic CT in radiology department of Hazrat Rasoul-Akram Hospital were included. Five anthropometric indices including S1 Perimeter, S1 Area, Anterior-posterior diameter (APD), Maximum transverse diameter (MTD) and Maximum breadth of sacral alae (MBA) of their sacral bone were measured using computed tomography (CT) three dimensional images with an accuracy of 0.01º and 0.01 mm and then the association of the measurements with the gender of individuals was studied. Conclusion: No significant difference was observed between two gender groups in terms of age (P=0.678).

Distribution of Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Herpesvirus 8 Co-Infections among Human Immunodeficiency Virus -1 Positive Patients

Background and Aims: Among Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and Human Herpesvirus (HHV)-8 could cause significant illness as opportunistic infections. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of EBV andHHV-8 in saliva specimens obtained from HIV-1 infected Iranian individuals under the Highly Active Antiviral Therapy (HAART) regimen compared with naïve patients.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 103 HIV-1 positive patients who attended the hospitals affiliated with the Iran University of Medical Sciences, in Tehran, Iran, from 2018 to 2019. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test was performed to evaluate HHV-8 and EBV antibodies. A conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out on saliva samples to detect EBV infection and a nested-PCR assay for HHV-8 infection. SPSS (version 20) was used for statistical analysis.&#x0D; Results: Patients' mean age ± SD was 43.9 ± 16 (range 18-82 years), and from among 103 participants, 59 (57.3%) were male. The results of PCR showed that HHV-8 infection was found in 19 (18.4%), and EBV infection was found in 61 (59.2%) participants. Also, HHV-8 antibody was detected in 73 (70.9%), and EBV antibody in 97 (94.2%) patients. A significant association was observed between patients under treatment with HAART and HHV-8 DNA or EBV DNA infection in saliva.&#x0D; Conclusions: HIV-infected patients demonstrated a remarkable rate of EBV and HHV-8 in saliva, which could have a great role in the shedding of viruses. Also, they may contribute to the establishment of further opportunistic infections and devastating complications.

A (GCC) repeat in SBF1 reveals a novel biological phenomenon in human and links to late onset neurocognitive disorder

The human SBF1 (SET binding factor 1) gene, alternatively known as MTMR5, is predominantly expressed in the brain, and its epigenetic dysregulation is linked to late-onset neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease. This gene contains a (GCC)-repeat at the interval between + 1 and + 60 of the transcription start site (SBF1-202 ENST00000380817.8). We sequenced the SBF1 (GCC)-repeat in a sample of 542 Iranian individuals, consisting of late-onset NCDs (N = 260) and controls (N = 282). While multiple alleles were detected at this locus, the 8 and 9 repeats were predominantly abundant, forming > 95% of the allele pool across the two groups. Among a number of anomalies, the allele distribution was significantly different in the NCD group versus controls (Fisher’s exact p = 0.006), primarily as a result of enrichment of the 8-repeat in the former. The genotype distribution departed from the Hardy–Weinberg principle in both groups (p < 0.001), and was significantly different between the two groups (Fisher’s exact p = 0.001). We detected significantly low frequency of the 8/9 genotype in both groups, higher frequency of this genotype in the NCD group, and reverse order of 8/8 versus 9/9 genotypes in the NCD group versus controls. Biased heterozygous/heterozygous ratios were also detected for the 6/8 versus 6/9 genotypes (in favor of 6/8) across the human samples studied (Fisher’s exact p = 0.0001). Bioinformatics studies revealed that the number of (GCC)-repeats may change the RNA secondary structure and interaction sites at least across human exon 1. This STR was specifically expanded beyond 2-repeats in primates. In conclusion, we report indication of a novel biological phenomenon, in which there is selection against certain heterozygous genotypes at a STR locus in human. We also report different allele and genotype distribution at this STR locus in late-onset NCD versus controls. In view of the location of this STR in the 5′ untranslated region, RNA/RNA or RNA/DNA heterodimer formation of the involved genotypes and alternative RNA processing and/or translation should be considered.

A review of Iranian Eucharitidae (Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea), with description of four new species and discussion on Western Palaearctic species

Abstract Nine species of Eucharitidae belonging to three genera, namely Eucharis (Eucharis) adscendens (Fabricius, 1787); E. (E.) carinifera Gussakovskij, 1940; E. (E.) caspicus Lotfalizadeh &amp; Rasplus sp. nov.; E. (E.) shajariani Lotfalizadeh &amp; Ghafouri Moghaddam sp. nov.; Eucharis (E.) vashicus Lotfalizadeh &amp; Ghafouri Moghaddam, sp. nov.; E. (Psilogastrellus) acuminata Ruschka, 1924 rec. nov.; E. (P.) punctata Förster, 1859; Hydrorhoa johnheratyi Lotfalizadeh &amp; Rasplus, sp. nov. and Stilbula cf. cyniformis (Rossi, 1792) are described and illustrated from Iran. Types of all related species have been examined and compared to the Iranian individuals. To stabilize existing nomenclature, we designated lectotypes and paralectotypes for E. (E.) adscendens and E. (E.) carinifera. The genus Hydrorhoa Kieffer, 1904 is confirmed to occur in the Palaearctic region. A key to the genera and species of Eucharitidae occurring in Iran, as well as their distribution maps, are provided.

The association between low-density and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol with incident cardiovascular disease among low-risk Iranians during 2 decades follow-up

IntroductionTo examine the associations between low-density and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C and non-HDL-C, respectively) with incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low-risk subjects. Materials and methodsFrom a total of 2467 non-diabetic aged 40–70 years, free of CVD with LDL-C range 1.81 ≤ LDL-C < 4.91 mmol/L with 10-year atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk < 7.5 %, the associations of LDL-C and non-HDL-C with incident CVD were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, HDL-C, triglycerides, chronic kidney disease, current smoking, hypertension, and family history of CVD. ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 18 years, 559 CVD events occurred. Compared to the LDL-C < 2.59 mmol/L as reference, the categories of 2.59 ≤ LDL-C < 3.36, 3.36 ≤ LDL-C < 4.14, and ≥ 4.14 mmol/L were associated with hazard ratios (95 % confidence intervals) of 1.39(0.89–2.18), 1.72(1.11–2.68), and 2.19(1.36–3.51) for incident CVD (P for trend <0.0001), respectively. Compared to the non-HDL-C < 3.36 as reference, the categories of 3.36 ≤ non-HDL-C < 4.14, 4.14 ≤ non-HDL-C < 4.91, and ≥ 4.91 mmol/L were associated with 1.48(0.96–2.30), 1.37(0.89–2.16), and 2.15(1.36–3.39) higher risk for incident CVD (P for trend = 0.001), respectively. Among those with ASCVD score <5 % (n = 2070), even the 2.59 ≤ LDL-C < 3.36 mmol/L increased the risk for CVD [1.73(1.01–2.97)]. Results for non-HDL-C categories remained unchanged compared to those with ASCVD risk < 7.5%. ConclusionsAmong Iranian individuals with ASCVD risk as little as < 5 %, LDL-C ≥ 2.59 mmol/L and non-HDL-C ≥ 3.36 mmol/L, independent of traditional risk factors, were associated with a significantly higher risk of incident CVD, individuals that might potentially benefit from pharmacological therapy.

Comparison of Online Sexual Activity Among Iranian Individuals With and Without Substance Use Disorder: A Case-Control Study.

The most important practical concerns in addiction medicine are the non-substance addiction and related addictive behaviors among individuals with substance use disorder. On the other hand, technological advances, and easy access have increased the frequency of online sexual activities (OSAs) as one of these behaviors. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of OSAs, based on the Internet Sex Screening Test (ISST) scores, among 60 patients with substance use disorder referred to Iran Psychiatric Hospital and 60 non-dependent individuals. The results showed significant negative correlations between the ISST scores and age, age at the onset of substance use, and substance use duration. There was a significant difference between the ISST scores of the case and control groups (P = 0.001). Patients who start using substances at an early age and have a great duration of substance use are more likely to engage in other addictive behaviors such as OSAs. Therefore, it is critical to consider OSAs and other addictive behaviors in patients with substance use disorder to provide better care for this vulnerable community.

Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis Fusion Degree as an Age Estimation Tool: A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography Study

Background: Considering the late ossification potential of spheno-occipital synchondrosis (SOS), it can be used as a tool to estimate age in adolescents. The time of SOS fusion is known to vary in different populations. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the degree of SOS fusion in Iranian individuals, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan. Patients and Methods: The CBCT images of 240 patients (126 females and 114 males), aged 6 - 25 years, were assessed regarding the degree of SOS fusion, based on a four-stage scoring system. Spearman’s correlation coefficient test and regression analysis were performed to assess the correlation between age and fusion stage. Mann-Whitney test was also applied to determine differences between males and females. Besides, Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess differences in the median values. Results: The SOS was completely open at the mean age of 7.63 years in females and 8.85 years in males. The mean age of partially fused SOS (stage 1) was 8 years in females and 10 years in males. Besides, the mean age of completely fused SOS (stage 3) was 12 years in females and 16 years in males. The results of Spearman’s correlation coefficient test showed a significant positive relationship between age and the degree of SOS fusion in males and females (rs = 0.783, P &lt; 0.001 in females and rs = 0.911, P &lt; 0.001 in males). Conclusion: The SOS closure degree can be applied for age estimation in the Iranian population. This study presented a method which is highly accurate for age estimation.

Gender differences in sexual risk behaviors among population with substance use disorders, Iran

ABSTRACT Objective We examined gender differences in Sexual Risk Behaviors (SRBs) in Iranian individuals with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). Methods A cross-sectional study conducted from late 2018 to the end of 2019 in Tehran province, Iran. Six outpatient drug-free (ODF) and methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) centers were selected. A total of 600 eligible participants (300 men; 300 women) were included in the study. Participants were investigated by trained interviewers using a questionnaire to collect information on SRBs. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 24. Results Nearly 75% of participants (64% men and 84.3% women) reported at least one lifetime experience of SRBs. Men were 62% less likely than women to have SRBs. Also, 34.7% women and 3% men had reported sexual violence. Twenty-eight percent of women and 22% of men had a history of group sex. Sixty-nine women (23%) and 20 men (6.7%) reported having had sex with intravenous drug use (IDU) partner. During the past year, the majority of participants never consistently used condoms (83%) in their sexual encounters. Conclusions Iranian women with SUDs are more likely to be involved in SRBs than their men counterparts. The differences highlighted in this study should inform treatment centers to include “safer sex” interventions in their treatment programs.

Association between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) VNTR, gene polymorphism and breast cancer susceptibility in Iranian population: Experimental and web-based analysis.

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer mortality. Growing evidence indicates that interleukins and its polymorphisms are involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) polymorphism can affect transcription rate, mRNA stability and also the resulting protein expression and activity. Hence, present study aimed to assess the possible association between interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) VNTR polymorphism, and breast cancer susceptibility in Iranian population. A total of 300 Iranian individuals, 150 breast cancer patients and 150 age-matched healthy women, were included in this study. DNA extracted by salting out method and genotyping was done using the polymerase chain reaction. The frequency of the allele 2(5% vs. 22%) and the 2/2 genotype (22% vs. 46%) of IL-1Ra VNTR polymorphism was significantly higher in healthy control compared to breast cancer patient: therefore, A2 allele may play a protective role against breast cancer and its progression (p = .0001 and OR = 0.105, 95% CI: [0.044-0.248]). The allele 2 and 2/2 genotype of the IL-Ra VNTR polymorphism can be a protective factor against breast cancer susceptibility.

Influence of diverse kinds of persuasive messages on intention to stay home during COVID-19 pandemic: Moderating role of media type

This study highlights the influence of diverse kinds of persuasive messages on intention to stay home during COVID-19 pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is believed to be the top modern societal challenge necessitating extensive collective action and collaboration. The statistical population included Iranian individuals by answering our online survey questionnaires at diverse phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. 406 completed questionnaires were gathered and analyzed. Note that, according to the official reports, Iran encountered COVID-19 disease since February 19, 2020. Data collection was started on July 18, 2020 (at the beginning of second wave of COVID-19 in Iran) and lasted until October 30, 2020. Various social network platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, Facebook and Telegram were used for distribution of the questionnaires. According to the results, perceived severity and perceived self-efficacy had an insignificant direct influence on intention to stay home. From another perspective, perceived vulnerability (β = 0.261, CI = 0.059; 0.242]) and perceived response efficacy (β = 0.502, CI = 0.347; 0.656]) positively and significantly affected the intention to stay home. Moreover, no significant difference was found between these two kinds of media messages in research sample. Our findings showed that “perceived response efficacy” has the highest importance score of 0.502; if the perceived response efficacy performance is boosted by one unit point by individuals during COVID-19 pandemic, its overall intention to stay home will increase by 0.502. Besides, our results showed that lowest performance (78.104) is associated with perceived vulnerability highlighting an excellent opportunity for improvement in this area.

The effectiveness of caffeinated chewing gum in ameliorating cognitive functions affected by sleep deprivation.

ObjectivesThis investigation aimed to compare caffeinated gums with two different dosages of caffeine (200mg vs. 300mg) by assessing their effectiveness on the improvement of cognitive functions among Iranian individuals voluntarily suffering from 30 hours of sleep deprivation.Material and MethodsThirty-four healthy male volunteers with ages from 28 to 35 years old were randomly assigned to either 200 or 300mg caffeine intake. Each participant completed CANTAB subtests to assess their core cognitive functions including MOT, RTI, RVP, and SWM before and after sleep deprivation, as well as after being treated with caffeinated gum.ResultsThe 300mg caffeine intake group indicated higher levels of enhancement of core cognitive functions compared with those in the 200mg caffeine intake group.ConclusionThis study suggests that the dose of 300mg of caffeine could effectively enhance the cognitive functions of Iranian individuals suffering from sleep deprivation.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Towards COVID-19 in Iran: A Population-Based Study

Background and aims: The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic has far been the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. Protective measures are still one of the most effective methods for controlling COVID-19. Practicing hygiene and control measures are largely influenced by knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of Iranians towards COVID-19 as well as the demographic factors related to it in April and May, 2020. Methods: The study population in this cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical, and web-based study included 3736 Iranian individuals who were collected via convenience sampling method. A validated Iranian knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) Questionnaire about COVID-19 was used for collecting the required data. Ordinal multivariate generalized estimating equations (GEEs) were applied to analyze data. Results: The majority of participants (88.1%) had considerable knowledge, the right attitude (91%), and good practices (90.3%). In the multivariate models, factors related to greater knowledge were age&gt;20 years (P&lt;0.001), living in the urban area (P=0.030), holding a master’s or doctoral degree (P=0.044), and a moderate financial status (P=0.001). Females displayed mor positive attitude (P=0.035). Variables related to more favorable practices were age&gt;20 years (P&lt;0.001), and having a good (P=0.003) or moderate (P=0.038) financial status. Conclusion: It was concluded that the participants had good knowledge and a positive attitude, as well as adopted sound practices regarding COVID-19. However, this conclusion might not have been generalizable to entire Iranian community; therefore, it was recommended that preventive measures against COVID-19 should receive continued monitoring and emphasis.

Psychometric Properties of Coronavirus Infection Risk Perception Questionnaire with a Working Life Approach

Background: Coronavirus is a viral disease with a fast-spreading rate. It has become a pandemic. For preventing the covid-19 infection, respect for health protocols is necessary. The level of adherence to the protocols depends on one’s risk perception. To measure the level of risk perception, a valid and reliable measurement tool is needed. The present study is an attempt to evaluate the psychometric properties of the coronavirus infection risk perception (CIRP) questionnaire, with a working life approach. Methods: The article concentrated on the generation, translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and psychometric properties of the CIRP questionnaire. In this cross-sectional study, authors generated an item pool, extracted from the literature relating to risk perception in COVID-19 disease. 228 people participated in the study. The initial scale, consisting of 41 Items, was produced from literature. A scale, containing 26 Items, appeared as a result of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Cronbach’s alpha was used to measure the internal consistency. Data analysis was conducted at a 95% confidence level. Data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical version (V. 21). Results: Exploratory factor analysis of the scale, explained 45.3% of the variance observed. In addition to the analyses indicated, satisfactory results for internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha ranging from 0.72 to 0.87) and intra-class correlation (ranging from 0.79 to 0.94) were obtained. Conclusion: This study generated the Persian-language version of the CIRP, for Iranian individuals through psychometric testing, to measure risk perception. This questionnaire is reliable for measuring people's CIRP.

Iranian emotional face database: Acquisition and validation of a stimulus set of basic facial expressions.

Facial expressions play an essential role in social interactions. Databases of face images have furnished theories of emotion perception, as well as having applications in other disciplines such as facial recognition technology. However, the faces of many ethnicities remain largely underrepresented in the existing face databases, which can impact the generalizability of the theories and technologies developed based on them. Here, we present the first survey-validated database of Iranian faces. It consists of 248 images from 40 Iranian individuals portraying six emotional expressions-anger, sadness, fear, disgust, happiness, and surprise-as well as the neutral state. The photos were taken in a studio setting, following the common scenarios of emotion induction, and controlling for conditions of lighting, camera setup, and the model's head posture. An evaluation survey confirmed high agreement between the models' intended expressions and the raters' perception of them. The database is freely available online for academic research purposes.

Association between dietary acid load and clinical features of migraine headaches among Iranian individuals

There is limited evidence regarding the possible role of dietary acid load (DAL) in the pathophysiology of migraine headaches. Therefore, we sought to examine DAL in relation to the clinical features of migraine including headache frequency, severity and duration, headache impact test-6 (HIT-6), and serum levels of nitric oxide (NO). In the present cross-sectional study, 262 patients (38 men and 224 women aged 20–50 years) were recruited through a simple random sampling method. Dietary intakes were obtained by using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). DAL was then calculated by two different methods; potential renal acid load (PRAL) and net endogenous acid production (NEAP). In total, 262 patients with a mean (SE) age of 36.1 (0.53) and a BMI of 25.55 (0.21) were included in the current study. After controlling for potential confounders, a higher DAL was positively associated with headache frequency in those with the highest DAL score compared to the lowest (PRAL; β = 2.33; 95% CI 0.78, 3.88; NEAP; β = 1.74; 95% CI 0.13, 3.34). Increasing NEAP from 28.96 to 35.89 resulted in a 3.43 and 2.74 increment in HIT-6 scores in the crude (95% CI 1.35, 5.52) and fully-adjusted models (95% CI 0.40, 5.07), respectively. Moreover, a higher dietary PRAL was significantly associated with migraine-related disability, as shown by HIT-6, in subjects of the third tertile compared to those in the first tertile after controlling for confounders (β = 2.42; 95% CI 0.13, 4.70). In conclusion, our study highlighted the importance of the acid–base properties of a diet in the pathophysiology of migraine headaches. However, further well-designed studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Association of Interleukin-28B Polymorphisms (rs12979860 C/T, rs12980275 A/G, rs8099917 T/G) and Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in an Iranian Population.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer in the world. The association of interleukin 28B (IL-28B) polymorphisms and HCC has been investigated in several populations. However, the findings are controversial. This study aimed to address the association between IL-28B polymorphisms (rs 8099917 T/G, rs12979860 C/T, rs12980275 A/G) and the risk of HCC in an Iranian population. METHODS: We have evaluated the association between IL-28B polymorphisms (rs 8099917 T/G, rs12979860 C/T, rs12980275 A/G) and HCC in 180 Iranian individuals (60 patients with HCC and 120 healthy matched controls) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphisms (PCR-RFLP) method. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association analysis and also haplotypes were estimated using the SNPstats online software. RESULTS: There was no significant association between these three polymorphisms of IL-28B and HCC (P>0.05). Moreover, haplotype analysis showed no significant association between the haplotypes and HCC. CONCLUSION: There was no association between IL-28B polymorphisms and HCC in an Iranian population.

Psychometric properties of the Persian COVID-19 phobia scale

Context: The COVID-19 pandemic had consequences such as fear and anxiety in humans.Aims: The present study aimed to adapt the COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19P-S) into Persian and test the psychometric properties of the adapted scale.Settings and Design: This study was conducted in Iran during December 2020.Materials and Methods: The C19P-S was used to obtain data from 600 Iranian individuals aged 16–65 years.Statistical Analysis Used: Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to evaluate the construct validity. The average variance extracted and construct reliability were used to assess the convergent validity and the maximum shared squared variance and average shared squared variance were used to assess discriminant validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate the internal consistency.Results: The results of EFA indicated that Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value (0.831) approved sampling adequacy. The communality of Psy6 and factor loading of Soc5 were lower than 0.4; therefore, they were removed. The cumulative variance explained with 4 factors and 18 items was 69%. The results of the CFA indicated that the measurement model fits the data well (Goodness of Fit Index = 0.891, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.901, Comparative Fit Index = 0.920, Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.922, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = 0.065, and χ2/df = 1.807), suggesting construct validity. Further, the results confirmed the convergent and discriminant validity. Cronbach's alpha coefficients of the four dimensions ranged between 0.760 and 0.878, suggesting that the Persian C19P-S is a reliable scale.Conclusions: Persian C19P-S with 4 dimensions and 18 items is reliable and valid in measuring the COVID-19 phobia among the Iranian general population.

Cardiovascular Events in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Performance of Framingham, UKPDS, and ADVANCE Risk Equations

The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the Framingham, UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), and the Action in Diabetes and Vascular disease: Preterax and Diamicron-MR Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) risk equations in the prediction of 4-year cardiovascular disease CVD) in Iranian people with type 2 diabetes. The 4-year risks of CVD were estimated using the three equations in a community of 557 patients with type 2 diabetes and free of CVD at baseline. A trained physician evaluated all of the participants regarding the occurrence of CVD events during follow-up. CVD was defined as major events including fatal/non-fatal myocardial infarction as well as fatal/non-fatal stroke, minor events including treated coronary heart disease (CHD), and established peripheral arterial disease (PAD). During four years of follow-up, 64 CVD events were observed (66% minor CVD events). Despite having a good calibration (estimated to observed ratio ranging from 91.37 to 98.2 percent, Hosmer–Lemeshow χ2 (HLχ2) values &lt;15), both general (Framingham) and diabetes-specific (UKPDS and ADVANCE) equations did not have adequate discriminative ability (Area Under the Curve (AUC) ranging from 0.48 to 0.56). Framingham, UKPDS, and ADVANCE risk equations, regardless of being general or diabetes-specific, could not precisely predict 4-year risk of CVD in Iranian individuals with type 2 diabetes.

The Correlation between Impacted Third Molar and Blood Group.

Background Blood type is among the most important genetical characteristics of any individual and is shown to be correlated with the development of a variety of illnesses including dental diseases. Finding the association of ABO and Rh blood groups and impacted tooth is important in order to predict which population is more vulnerable to grow impacted third molars that could lead to making better intervention. The present investigation tried to take a small step in that regard, by evaluating the correlation between ABO and Rh blood groups and the most commonly impacted tooth, bony impacted third molars among Iranian individuals. Methods The investigation was done retrospectively on patients who were referred to the Department of Oral Radiology, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran. The patients were classified according to their blood groups, and 40 patients were randomly selected for each blood type. Therefore, the impaction of their third molars was evaluated, and statistical analyses were done in order to find any association. Results A total of 320 participants contributed to the study; 136 (42%) were males and 184 (57%) were females. The mean age was 29 ± 6 years. Among all participants, 205 (64%) had no impacted third molar, 26 (8%) had one impacted third molar, 43 (13%) had 2 impacted third molars, 5 (1%) had 3 impacted third molars, and 41 (12%) had 4 impacted molars. Conclusion According to the results of the present study, nearly one out of three individuals has at least an impacted third molar in the Iranian population, being more prevalent in individuals between 20 and 30 years old. The evaluation of the relationship between the blood group and impacted third molar revealed that blood groups have no association with the impacted third molars. However, more studies with higher and diversified participants should be done to find comprehensive results.