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Background Asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) is a term that encompasses patients with features of both asthma and COPD. To date, the global prevalence of ACO in the general population remains unknown. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of ACO in the general population using a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A systematic search of ISI Web of Knowledge, MEDLINE/PubMed, and Scopus was performed up to May 2019 to identify studies reporting the prevalence of ACO. Reference lists from identified studies and relevant review articles were also searched. Eligibility criteria were studies reporting the prevalence of ACO, performed in general population, and published in English language. Pooled prevalence of ACO with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated using random effects Meta-analysis. Results A total of 27 studies were included in this meta-analysis. The Cochran Q test and I 2 statistics revealed substantial heterogeneity among studies. Based on the random-effects model, the pooled prevalence of ACO was 2.0% (95% CI: 1.4–2.6%) in the general population, 26.5% (95% CI: 19.5–33.6%) among patients with asthma, and 29.6% (95% CI: 19.3–39.9%) among patients with COPD. In addition, for included studies, the global prevalence of asthma-only was 6.2% (95% CI: 5.0–7.4%) and COPD-only was 4.9% (95% CI: 4.3–5.5%). Conclusion We estimated the global prevalence of ACO based on population-based studies and found that 2.0% of the general population is affected. However, the prevalence of ACO depends on its diagnostic criteria. Therefore, there is a vital need to better define the ACO diagnostic criteria, management and treatment. It is worth noting that the limitations of the present study include lack of studies in some region of the world and small number of studies included in the subgroup analyses.

Nowadays, because of the reduction in oil resources and the passage of the first and second life period of current reservoirs, using enhanced oil recovery (EOR) methods is of great importance. In recent years, due to the developments in technology and the advent of powerful computers, using simulation methods in enhanced oil recovery processes is on the rise. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, as a branch of fluid mechanics, is a suitable method for studying and simulating EOR methods. In this study, a review was done on the application of CFD studies for simulating EOR methods. Also, potentials for future studies and the challenges researchers may face in this method were mentioned. Although using this method in enhanced oil recovery processes has recently started, different areas for more studies still exist. To optimize the usage of this method in future studies, the necessity of multiphase models and solution methods development, as well as considering all microscopic parameters such as interfacial tension and viscosity in investigating oil recovery factor is of great importance.

Naturally fractured carbonate reservoirs have very low oil recovery efficiency owing to their wettability and tightness of matrix. However, smart water can enhance oil recovery by changing the wettability of the carbonate rock surface from oil-wet to water-wet, and the addition of surfactants can also change surface wettability. In the present study, the effects of a solution of modified seawater with some surfactants, namely C 12 TAB, SDS, and TritonX-100 (TX-100), on the wettability of carbonate rock were investigated through contact angle measurements. Oil recovery was studied using spontaneous imbibition tests at 25, 70, and 90 °C, followed by thermal gravity analysis to measure the amount of adsorbed material on the carbonate surface. The results indicated that Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and SO 4 2− ions may alter the carbonate rock wettability from oil-wet to water-wet, with further water wettability obtained at higher concentrations of the ions in modified seawater. Removal of NaCl from the imbibing fluid resulted in a reduced contact angle and significantly enhanced oil recovery. Low oil recoveries were obtained with modified seawater at 25 and 70 °C, but once the temperature was increased to 90 °C, the oil recovery in the spontaneous imbibition experiment increased dramatically. Application of smart water with C 12 TAB surfactant at 0.1 wt% changed the contact angle from 161° to 52° and enhanced oil recovery to 72%, while the presence of the anionic surfactant SDS at 0.1 wt% in the smart water increased oil recovery to 64.5%. The TGA analysis results indicated that the adsorbed materials on the carbonate surface were minimal for the solution containing seawater with C 12 TAB at 0.1 wt% (SW + CTAB (0.1 wt%)). Based on the experimental results, a mechanism was proposed for wettability alteration of carbonate rocks using smart water with SDS and C 12 TAB surfactants.

Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) is one of the most common methods of dialysis performed in patients with kidney failure. This study presents the application of flexible parametric cure models, which enhance fit and interpretability by accommodating various survival distributions and allowing for the estimation of the cured fraction in diverse populations. Thus, the purpose of this study is to determine the risk and demographic factors affecting the survival of non-cured dialysis patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis, as well as to estimate the cured fraction of survival using this method. A total of 4,144 adult patients (aged 20 and above) were included in a retrospective (historical) cohort study from the Iranian PD registry, conducted between 1995 and 2018 across 20 centers nationwide. The study considered important variables such as sex, age, BMI, creatinine, calcium, cholesterol, triglycerides, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). A flexible parametric cure model was employed to assess the independent risk factors for PD technique failure. The results of the current study showed that the flexible parametric cure Model (AIC = 5735.06) has a better fit compared with another cure model (mixture cure model = 6676.25, non-mixture cure model = 6677.28). Based on the findings of this study, the estimated cure fraction of survival using the PD method was 50% (95% CI: 0.47-0.53). The flexible cure model, demonstrated in a multivariate setting, indicated that variables such as age over 60 years (HR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.35), calcium levels above 10.2 (HR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.30-1.56), LDL levels above 140 (HR = 1.23 95% CI: 1.07-1.42), ESR (HR = 1.006, 95% CI: 1.003-1.01) and DBP (HR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.16-1.31) significantly impacted the survival of non-cured patients. The presence of cured individuals in the data flattens the Kaplan-Meier curve. In such cases, employing a flexible parametric cure model is appropriate to separately investigate the effects of various factors on the cure fraction and the survival of susceptible individuals. The findings of this study indicated that age, calcium, LDL, ESR, and DBP significantly influenced the survival of non-cured individuals. Specifically, increases in these variables were associated with a higher risk of technique failure.

Background Medical research plays an important role in increasing and improving the health of society. Utilizing the results of research will enable the provision of both material and spiritual support for research centres. It is essential to establish mechanisms for effective communication between researchers and officials. It is of great importance to pay attention to tools that facilitate the process of conducting this research. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop the framework of the social impact of medical research utilization (SIMRU). Methods The study is applied in purpose and qualitative in analysis, utilizing a fuzzy Delphi approach with a panel of 25 experts. A purposeful and snowball sampling method was employed. The questionnaire consisted of two rounds of Delphi assessments, divided into three sections: Demographics, Core Variables (measured on a 5-point Likert scale) and Open-Ended Responses. It was developed using a meta-synthesis approach and expert consultations, incorporating feedback for clarity. A pilot test with 13 participants confirmed the reliability (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.987 and 0.974) and content validity through expert reviews. Results From the initial set of 147 basic themes identified during the meta-synthesis, the conceptual framework of the social impact of medical research utilization – comprising 6 contextual themes, 11 global themes, 20 organizing themes and 103 basic themes – represents the layers of the social impact of medical research utilization and was approved by experts. These contextual themes include knowledge governance and research, knowledge production and exchange, knowledge dissemination and transfer, knowledge mobilization, knowledge popularization and knowledge utilization. Conclusions The results of this research support policy-makers in higher education by improving research management and policy-making processes through consideration of the social impact of research and by informing the development of necessary strategies to enhance community health. Additionally, these finding can help universities and research centres measure research activities and knowledge popularization dissemination more effectively while strengthening the connection between researchers and their target audiences. This research fills a significant gap by introducing social impact indicators and science promotion in medical research for the first time, demonstrating innovation in both the chosen topic and research methodology.

Background: The initiation age and prevalence of cigarette smoking are two important parameters in any smoking-related policymaking domain. Methods: Dataset was extracted from STEPs survey, a population-based study conducted in Iran in 2016. A total of 27612 participants were included in the current study. We used a spatial parametric survival mixture rate cure model with doubly censoring to simultaneously assess the initiation age and prevalence of smoking. Results: The entire study population, men and women had the estimated median initiation age of 23.3 (95% CI: 22.2–24.5), 21.9 (95% CI: 21.3–22.5), and 25.5 (95% CI: 22.8–28.7) years, and the prevalence of 10.11% (95% CI: 9.3%–11.0%), 22.3% (95% CI: 21.0%–23.6%), 0.78% (95% CI: 0.62%–0.97%), respectively. The hazard of smoking initiation in men was 66% which was higher than in women (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.66, 95% CI: 1.15-2.48). The odds of smoking in men was 36.5 times greater than that of women (odds ratio [OR] = 36.5, 95% CI: 29.66-45.52). Odds of smoking decreased by 32% in the entire study population and 14% with one level increase in their education (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.65-0.72) and socioeconomic status (OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.82-0.94), respectively. The geographical distribution of smoking initiation age varied from 21.5 to 26.37 years for the entire study population, 20.2 to 24.8 years for men, and 23.53 to 28.91 years for women. The geographical distribution of smoking prevalence varied from 5.46% to 14.98% for the entire study population, 12.82% to 30.98% for men, and 0.4% to 1.2% for women. Conclusion: The geographical distribution of smoking initiation age and prevalence showed that in different parts of the country, the initiation age and rate of smoking are different which should be considered in any preventative policy making.

The programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is expressed by activated T cells that act as an immunoregulatory molecule, and are responsible for the negative regulation of T cell activation and peripheral tolerance. The PD-1 gene also encodes an inhibitory cell surface receptor involved in the regulation of T cell functions during immune responses/tolerance. Beyond potent inhibitory effects on T cells, PD-1 also has a role in regulating B cell and monocyte responses. An overexpression of PD-1 has been reported to contribute to immune system avoidance in different cancers. In particular, PD-1 over-expression influences tumor-specific T cell immunity in a cancer microenvironment. Blocking the PD-1/PD-1 ligand (PD-L1) pathway could potentially augment endogenous antitumor responses. Along these lines, the use of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors has been applied in clinical trials against diverse forms of cancer. It was believed that antibodies targeting PD-1/PD-L1 might synergize with other treatments that enhance endogenous antitumor immunity by blocking inhibitory receptor-ligand interactions. However, in all cases, the host genetic status (as well as that of the tumor) is likely to have an impact on the expected outcomes. Various investigations have evaluated the association between PD-1 polymorphisms and the risk of various types of cancer. Frequently studied PD-1 polymorphisms, PD-1.1 (rs36084323), PD-1.3 (rs11568821), PD-1.5 (rs2227981), PD-1.9 (rs2227982), and PD-1 rs7421861, and their associations in the risk of susceptibility to different types of cancer are mentioned in this review, as are studies highlighting the significance of conducting genetic association studies in different ethnic populations.

Background Infertility can cause psychological distress and has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL). There have been no studies investigating the effect of depression on QoL in infertile couples at the dyadic level. This study aimed to investigate the effects of actors’ and partners’ depression on QoL in male-female dyads experiencing infertility using an innovative dyadic analysis approach, the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model (APIM). Methods We conducted this cross-sectional study on 180 infertile couples in Tehran, Iran, during August-September 2017. Quality of life and depression were assessed using Fertility Quality of Life and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, respectively. Dyadic data were analyzed by the APIM approach. In this method, actor effect is the impact of a person’s depression on his/her own QoL. Partner effect is the impact of a person’s depression on his/her partner’s QoL. Results Results from APIM revealed that both males and females’ depression exuded an actor effect on their own QoL (β = − 0.589, p  < 0.001; β = − 0.588, p  < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, males’ depression exuded a significant partner effect on their wives’ QoL (β = − 0.128, p  = 0.030). Although the partner effect of females’ depression on males’ QoL was not statistically significant (β = − 0.108, P  = 0.070), males whose wives had higher depression were more to indicate their own QoL was poorer. Based on equality constraint test, both actor and partner effects of depression on QoL were similar between males and females. Conclusions The findings suggest that QoL in infertile patients was influenced by not only their own depression but also their spouses’ depression; therefore, interventions to improve QoL should include both males and females.

Background Stem cell therapy can be used for alleviating the neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injuries (SCIs). However, survival and differentiation of stem cells following their transplantation vary depending on the host and intrinsic factors of the cell. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the effect of stem cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSC) and umbilical cord (UC-MSC) on neuropathic pain relief. Methods A compression model was used to induce SCI in a rat model. A week after SCI, about 1 million cells were transplanted into the spinal cord. Behavioral tests, including motor function recovery, mechanical allodynia, cold allodynia, mechanical hyperalgesia, and thermal hyperalgesia, were carried out every week for 8 weeks after SCI induction. A single unit recording and histological evaluation were then performed. Results We show that BM-MSC and UC-MSC transplantations led to improving functional recovery, allodynia, and hyperalgesia. No difference was seen between the two cell groups regarding motor recovery and alleviating the allodynia and hyperalgesia. These cells survived in the tissue at least 8 weeks and prevented cavity formation due to SCI. However, survival rate of UC-MSC was significantly higher than BM-MSC. Electrophysiological evaluations showed that transplantation of UC-MSC brings about better results than BM-MSCs in wind up of wide dynamic range neurons. Conclusions The results of the present study show that BM-MSC and UC-MSC transplantations alleviated the symptoms of neuropathic pain and resulted in subsequent motor recovery after SCI. However, survival rate and electrophysiological findings of UC-MSC were significantly better than BM-MSC.

Objective The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) is a widely used instrument that measures breastfeeding self-efficacy. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Persian version of BSES-SF in Iranian mothers. Results The English version of BSES-SF was translated into Persian using the standard forward–backward translation procedure. No changes (i.e., neither delete nor rephrase the items) were made to the BSES-SF items. The mean BSES-SF total score was 50.80 ± 8.91. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for internal consistency for the BSES-SF was 0.910. The confirmatory factor analysis results provided evidence for unidimensionality of the scale (χ 2 /df = 4.42; CFI = 0.96; NFI = 0.95; IFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.095 and SRMR = 0.054). The divergent validity of the BSES-SF was proved via a significant negative correlation with scores of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (r = − 0.273, P < 0.001). In sum, the Persian version of the BSES-SF is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring breastfeeding self-efficacy in Iranian mothers. Trial registration number This was a cross-sectional study (not clinical trial).