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Background: Accumulation of triglycerides in the liver i.e. steatosis, is a well-known side-effect of tamoxifen administration to patients suffering from breast cancer. Cichoriumintybus (chicory) is a plant used as traditional medicine for curing liver disorders. In this study, the effects of extract prepared from chicory roots on tamoxifen-induced liver steatosis and related biochemical factors in animal model using rats has been investigated. Methods: Female rats of Wistar strain were divided into four groups and treated as follows; 1-Control: received vehicle; 2- Chicory root-extract treated: rats were given by gavage the aqueous chicory root extract (1 g/kg body weight/day for 14 days).3- Tamoxifen-treated: rats received tamoxifen (1 mg/kg body weight/day, for 7 days). 4- Tamoxifen+chicory-group: animals received tamoxifen (1 mg/kg body weight/day for 7 days) followed by chicory extract given by gavage (1 g/kg body weight/day for 14 days). After treatment, blood was collected by cardiac puncher, plasma was separated and plasma levels of glucose, total protein, triglyceride, cholesterol,LDL-C, HDL-C and activities of ALT, AST and ALP were measured. Liver tissues were homogenized used for measuring tissue triglyceride and histological examinations. Results: The data show that tamoxifen treatment caused a significant decrease in the level of serum cholesterol, HDL-C and total protein. However, serum ALT level was increased in tamoxifen-treated rats compared to controls. Increased serum ALT in tamoxifen-treated rats was recovered in rats treated with plant extract (tamoxifen+chicory-group). HDL-C and total protein levels were unaffected in rats fed chicory extracts. Tamaxifen-treated animals showed signs of liver steatosis as shown by histological examination and accumulation liver triglyceride. The steatosis markers such as accumulated triglyceride in liver was significantly reduced due to the plant extract treatments when compared to tamoxifen-group. Conclusions: Dietary extract prepared from chicory roots is effective in modulation of  tamoxifen-induced liver damage and steatosis.

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Aim: Most scientists are trying to treat cancer, and in this regard were produced numerous anticancer drugs, that adverse effects on non-target tissue. To overcome this, drugs freight to magnetic nanoparticles Chitosan and its carboxymethyl secondary coumpands are biopolymers that are non-toxic, biodegradable therefore found applications in biomedical field. We explain here that glycerol monooleate covered magnetic nanoparticles (GMO-MNPs) capable of transporting hydrophobic anticancer drugs. Method: In the present study, we have expanded 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) that loaded on chitosan MNPs for targeted cancer therapy. Results: The modified nano-adsorbent was then characterized by Fourier Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), elemental analysis of CHN (9) and thermal weighing analysis (TGA). Lab conditions such as pH, contact time were optimized. To analyze the structure of the sample, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy was used to investigate the magnetic properties of the nanosized particles synthesized by the magnetometer and to detect the phase type formed on the monolayer glycerol matrix network using a polarizing light microscope. Also, the study showed essential oil release in the external environment of 90% for 30 hours. Conclusion: The optimized magnetic nanoparticles according to SEM image, exhibited segregated nanoparticles with sub-spherical smooth morphology and also the high thermal stability of 5-Fluorouracil nanoparticles which indicated a well-established structure of nanoparticles.

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Background: Addiction is considered as a social disease causes economic loss in family shared financial resources, increase in health care costs, and sexual dysfunctions in sexual relations. Due to the high prevalence rate and reduced age of addiction beginning, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of comorbidities (psychiatric disorders, liver and neuromuscular diseases) in patients with substance abuse problems.
Methods and Material: In this descriptive study, 200 drug abusers referred to Borzouyeh clinic in Tehran, Iran were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected with the help of a questionnaire, liver function tests, and clinical records of the patients during 2010-2016. Data were analyzed through the analysis of Chi-square test at the significance level of P < .05.
Results: Data analysis was performed using chi-square test in SPSS software version 23. The results showed that there was a significant relationship between addiction and liver diseases, psychiatric disorders, and neuromuscular pains (p < .05). According to the results, 44.9% of the patients consuming crack had psychiatric disorders, and also 49.1% of the patients consuming opium had liver diseases. Also, neuromuscular pains were found in drug users (opium, sap, heroin and crack) and not found in hallucinogenic and stimulant drug users.
Conclusions: The correlations between opium and liver diseases, drug users and neuromuscular pains, and also crack using and psychiatric disorders were determined.
 

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The effects of pyrene on gill, liver and kidney of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were examined by exposing 30 fish (140 ±10 g to pyrene at sublethal concentrations of 10, 50 and 100 µg/l for 35 days. Samples were taken from the organs and fixed in bouin fixative; then, dehydrated, cleared, parafinated and cut by microtome according to the standard method. Afterwards, all sections were studied by light microscope. In gill tissue, lamella hyperemia, hyperplasia, S shaped, and clubbing were observed, while lamella fusion and necrosis were observed in higher concentration of pyrene. Hepatocytes vacculation, congestion of sinusoids, macrophages loaded with hemosiderin were seen in the liver, while in higher concentrations of pyrene, picnotic and kariolized nuclei, and tissue necrosis were seen. Tubule casts, hyperemia, degenerating tubules were seen in kidney exposed to lower concentrations of pyrene, while hemosiderin-laden macrophages, degenerating tubules with greater intensity as well as necrosis was observed in higher concentrations. The results indicated that pyrene may have negative effects on homeostasis, fish health and vital organs in short time exposure due to histological changes, while it could have greater impacts in long term exposure and higher concentrations.

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Background: Parasitic infections can cause different chemical changes in human body. This study was designed to determine the liver aminotransferase changes in Iranian people infected by parasite.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, blood samples were collected from 183 parasite-infected patients. After serum isolation in laboratory, Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) rates of all samples were measured according to IFCC standard method, and after recording in the information form, the results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: The results of this study showed that patients were infected by 19 different types of parasites. Also, the results showed that the average value ​​of ALT and AST in patients were equal to 32.30 ±23.40 and 38.60±34.80, respectively. The ANOVA test showed remarkable statistical differences between these values ​​and various infections. There was positive and significant correlation between ALT and AST.
Conclusion: The abnormality in liver function in patients with eosinophilia can be caused by parasitic infections in endemic areas; therefore, it can be the cause of a differential diagnosis for physicians.  Generally, non-significant changes in transaminase levels can also be attributed to the infection low intensity in patients tested.

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The toxicity of cypermethrin at 0.02 μg L^-1 concentration in relation to salinity (0 and 14 ppt) and temperature (16±1 and 25 ± 1°C) was studied on the liver tissue of zebra fish (Aphanius sophiae) exposed to cypermethrin for 14 days under labratory condition. The liver tissue changed significantly with changes in salinity and temperature. The major changes were overlapped hepatocytes, nucleous irregularity, cloudy swelling, atrophy, fat degeneration, pyknosis, focal necrosis, karyolysis, accumulation of kupffer cell, necrosis and bile stagnation. The results showed that sensitivity to cypermethrin increased with decrease in salinity and increase in temperature.This fish is, therefore, not a suitable indicator for cypermethrin assessment in aquatic ecosystems, and if considered as an indicator, the temperature and salinity should also be considered.

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This study reports the incidence of histological alterations in morphometric changes in the liver and ovary of Acanthopagrus latus collected from an urban stream impaired by anthropogenic activities and from a clean site (reference). Mercury concentration was determined using a standard cold vapor atomic absorption. The results showed that mercury concentration at the creek waters, and specially sediments along Mahshahr coast, was higher than in the other marine environment, and in Zangi was lower than in the other sites of sampling. Several liver lesions were identified, including enlarged and lateral nuclei, nuclear degeneration and vacuolation, oncotic, apoptic, focal, massive, centrilobular and periportal  necrosis, atrophy, lipidosis, hydropic and cloudy swelling, oval cell proliferation, cirrhosis, hemorrhage, macrophage aggregates, bile stagnation, dilation of sinusoid, intracellular edema, and dark granules. Ovary histology revealed some changes in higher concentrations such as increase in the number of pre-vitellogenic oocytes, oocyte atresia, and adhesion in the ovaries of females that were sampled from the sites with high concentration of mercury. In this study, existence of mercury in Mahshahr coast is demonstrated and high incidence of histological alterations in the liver and ovary of A. latus is an evidence of the poor environmental quality of creek waters. Hence, histopathological changes were induced by the mercury adversely affected the proper functioning of these organs in these fish.

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Metformin enhances insulin's effect and increases cells’ sensitivity to insulin. In this paper, nanocomposite was designed and used in the metformin release system, which was able to release the required drug in a controlled manner. In this research, nanoparticles of zinc oxide (ZnO) were prepared via the sol-gel method. The experimental design central composite response surface method was applied for the optimization of the nanoparticles based on varied variables such as the weight of zinc acetate (gr) (X ₁) and the volume of triethanolamine (ml) (X₂). The particle size of the optimized nanoparticle was reported to be 28 ± 21.27 nm; zeta potential and PdI were 25.54 ± 1.64 mV, 0.168 ± 0.05 respectively. The chitosan polymer was used to improve environmental compatibility and increase drug release control; finally, metformin was loaded on the optimized nanocomposite. Structural properties were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The SEM images showed that the average nanocomposite size was 40 nm. The results of XRD patterns and SEM images were also consistent with each other and the average particle size was the same. Infrared spectrophotometry showed the presence of chitosan used to coat nanoparticles on their surfaces and confirmed the loading of metformin. An in-vitro metformin release from the nanocomposite was conducted in PBS (pH=7.4) and analyzed by a spectrophotometer at 233 nm. Metformin has a high solubility in water, and since it is difficult to prepare a slow release form of high-solubility drugs, the aim of this study was to design a slow-release formulation of metformin with a suitable profile that could control release without explosive release for up to 120 hours.

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Uncertainties and risks underpinning environmental complexities have undermined lots of assumptions and delivery methods of large industrial projects and have lessened their efficiency and effectiveness. In the literature, selecting proper project delivery method in complex situations still lacks attention, and existing relevant studies have been also conducted based on “the first order of project management”, in which the degree and extent of uncertainties and environmental complexities are considered normal and prevalent. Based on the recent scientific and managerial paradigms such as “the second order of project management”, it is necessary to fulfil required revisions in existing models and solutions, utilizing a novel comprehension and vision to the environment. The main aim of this article is proposing an appropriate method for industrial projects delivery which are planned and conducted in environmental complex situations (and especially high uncertainties as subsequent of situations). This study shows that usual Design and Build method (EPC/TK) – with maximum transferring of risks to contractor – does not satisfy executing large industrial projects, and it should be improved through correction of basics and application of innovative tools and techniques. Flexibility Increasing, sharing risk among parties, supporting problem solving approach, etc. in delivery method form the basis and ground for proposed Design and Build method in this article. This research has utilized a qualitative research methodology, incorporating the Grounded Theory method (of Glitzer’s emerging design type) to identify uncertainties, risks, and the proposed mechanisms for flexible Design and Build delivery method.

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       In this study, 270 samples of liver, muscle and kidney of broiler were collected from 90 farms in Tehran province during a year and analyzed for enrofloxacin residue by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC).      Results showed that all the samples are contained enrofloxacin and in 22(24.44%) of farms enrofloxacin residue was higher than maximum residue level. The enrofloxacin residue in 8 samples of muscle (8.88%), 12 samples of liver (13.33%) and 22 samples of kidney (24.44%) was higher than maximum residue level. The mean value of enrofloxacin concentration in muscle, liver and kidney were respectively:      In conclusion, this study confirmed widespread misuse of enrofloxacin in farms and lack of implementation of recommended withdrawal times. Moreover this  study  stresses,  the  need  for  stricter  regulation  for  the  use  of  antimicrobial  drugs  in  the  poultry  industry  as  well  as  the  inspection  of  chicken  for  residues  prior  to  marketing.

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Aim: Caesarean section is dramatically increasing across the world. Pregnant women have an increasing tendency for caesarean section without acceptable medical indications. In general, 50 to 60% of childbirths in Iran are cesarean section. Despite the high complications of cesarean section, they are not caused by medical problems. Therefore, the current survey aims to screen the effect of education on choosing delivery mode based on BASNEF model.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was done on 160 nulliparous women in the third trimester of pregnancy who were assigned randomly to the intervention (80 subjects) and control (80 samples) groups. A researcher-made questionnaire was utilized to collect the required data. Education and its content were developed according to the BASNEF model and the pregnant women's educational requirements. Numerous education methods were implemented in all target groups of intervention including pregnant women, their family and the health staffs. To analyze the data, paired and McNemar tests through SPSS version 18 were utilized. Significant level was also considered <0.05.
Findings: The majority of women were in the age range of 24-20 years. Only 1.2% of the women were illiterate in both groups. Knowledge, attitude, enabling factors, subjective norms and intention were significantly different between the two arms before and 2 months after the intervention (p=0.001) except for intention. In addition, in the intervention group, they get information significantly from friends, families, printed materials, educational films, educational sessions in the Health Centers, and the health personnel after the intervention (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Designing educational programs about delivery mode based on BASNEF model appeared to be beneficial due to the model‟s emphasis on subjective norms and enabling factors; therefore, educational programs based on change behavior model can notably decrease the unnecessary cesarean section in the country.

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Abstract
Research Subject: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer in the world with the highest mortality rate in women. Chemotherapy is the typical therapy for the cancer. However, it has side effects due to damage to healthy cells. Targeted drug delivery by nano carriers to the cancerous cells reduces the toxic side effects on normal cells. Serum albumin is a widely used drug carrier because of its availability, ease of preparation, and binding ability to various ligands. Attachment of iron oxide nanoparticles to albumin can control their distribution by applying an external magnetic field.
Research Approach: In this study, albumin nanoparticles attached to superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) were synthesized and loaded with 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) anticancer drug by using the desolvation technique. The produced nanoparticles were characterized in terms of size, surface charge, and drug entrapment, by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The cytotoxic effects of 5FU-loaded magnetic albumin nanoparticles and free 5FU on MCF7 cells were evaluated with the MTT assay. The internalization of nanoparticles in MCF-7 cells was confirmed by Prussian blue staining. In the end, the effects of nanoparticles on cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry using propidium iodide.
Main Results: The mean particle size and zeta potential of 5FU loaded albumin nanoparticles and albumin magnetic nanoparticles were 220 nm, -25.8 mV, and 221 nm, -28 mV respectively. Drug entrapment efficiency and drug loading efficiency were also, 20%, 1%, and 15.8%, and 0.06% for albumin nanoparticles and magnetic albumin nanoparticles in turn. The drug-loaded magnetic albumin nanoparticles showed higher cytotoxicity than the free drug on MCF-7 cells. The flow cytometry cell cycle analysis showed more cytotoxicity of albumin nanoparticles in comparison with other groups. According to these results, it can be said that 5-FU loaded magnetic albumin nanoparticles were more effective and deserve further studies in the cancer treatment.
Keywords: Albumin magnetic nanoparticles, 5-fluorouracil, targeted drug delivery, MCF-7 cell line

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The effect of ovulation inducing LHRH-A₂ on sex steroids levels, stress indices and plasma biochemical parameters of the female sterlet, Acipencer ruthenus, were determined. The fish were injected intramuscularly with 10 μg/kg of LHRH-A₂ in two phases of in 10 and 90% at 12 hours interval. Blood samples were collected before injection (control), 12 hours after the first injection, and after the ovulation. Significant differences in the levels of testosterone (T), glucose and aspartate amino transferase (AST) concentrations were observed at the three samplings (P<0.05), but the levels of progesterone (P), 17β estradiol (E2), cortisol, alanine amino transferase (ALT), and total lipid did not change significantly (P>0.05). This study demonstrated that the injection of LHRH-A₂ has influence on liver enzymes activities and some hormones involved in final oocyte maturation. The results revealed that injection of LHRH-A₂ had  little impact on stress indicators, but some sex steroids such as T and blood biochemical parameters particularly AST were affected by hormonal induction.

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In this study, anti Alternaria solani effects of essential oils of 11 medicinal and aromatic plant species belonging to four families collected from the west of Iran were investigated based on agar dilution method with five replications at concentration of 1.0 µl/ml. The results showed that the highest inhibitory effect belonged to Oliveria decumbens, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Carum copticum and Thymus kotschyanus which completely inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungus. Therefore, their activity was examined in lower concentrations, too. The essential oil of O. decumbens at concentration of 0.50 and 0.25 µl/ml completely suppressed the mycelial growth of the fungus. The major constituents of its essential oil were carvacrol (46.53%), thymol (23.75%), p-Cymene (13.70%), γ-terpinene (7.66%) and myristicin (3.65%), respectively. Thus, the essential oil of this species with the highest anti-Alternaria activity could be selected for further studies on in vivo application as natural fungicide.

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Objectives: Despite the benefits of antibiotics, their residues in foodstuffs prepared for human consumption could be cancerous and mutagenic and cause allergic reactions with toxic side effects, disorders in intestinal wall, adverse effects on microbial intestinal flora, and the emergence of resistant strains of bacteria. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the residual antibiotics in liver and muscle tissues of poultry samples using the four-plate test (FPT) method in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.
Materials & Methods: A total of 6406 samples were randomly collected from liver and muscle tissues of 3203 poultry samples from June 2016 to March 2017. Antibiotic residues were detected in liver and muscle samples using the four-plate test (FPT) method.
Findings: During a two-year study period, from a total of 6406 samples collected, 3203 (50%) samples were collected from liver tissues, and 3203 (50) samples were collected from muscle tissues of poultry samples, respectively. Among the liver and muscle samples, 12 (384/3203) and 6.4% (206/3203) were positive for the presence of antibiotic residues, respectively. According to the seasonal distribution of muscle samples, the highest rate of antibiotic residues was detected in the autumn with 3 % (95/3203), while the lowest rate was observed in the winter with 0.25% (8/3203) for both bacteria under study (Bacillus subtilis and Micrococcus luteus). According to the seasonal distribution of liver samples, the highest rate of antibiotic residues was detected in the autumn with 5% (159/3203), while the lowest rate was observed in the spring with 1.1% (35/3203).
Conclusion: In conclusion, a large number of liver tissues collected from poultry samples were contaminated with antibiotic residues, especially at pH=6 and in the autumn season. Therefore, it is recommended to implement appropriate strategies for managing and controlling the use of antibacterial agents in the veterinary industry. Also, it is necessary to monitor the withdrawal time of antibiotics and screen the maximum residue limits (MRLs) in poultry products including liver, egg, and meat.

 

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In this study, nano drug delivery system based on graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide- polyglycerol hybrids were constructed. Functionalization of nano graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide was accomplished through noncovalent interaction between the π conjugated system of graphene materials and the aromatic segment in the focal point of polyglycerol polymer. Polyglycerol is a hydrophilic and biocompatible polymer that its conjugation with graphene materials was increased the colloidal stability and decreased the nonspecific interaction of graphene materials. Curcumin as an anticancer hydrophobic natural drug with low systemic bioavailability was simply loaded on these nanohybrids via π-π stacking force between the π conjugated systems of graphene materials and curcumin. Result showed that loading capacity of curcumin for reduced graphene oxide hybrid (49%) is higher than graphene oxide hybrid due to restored of π conjugated system in reduced graphene oxide. Anticancer efficiency of these drug hybrids was investigated by MTT assay. Results showed that these drug carriers have sufficient biocompatibility. Also these nano drug delivery systems showed a cytotoxic effect that was comparable to that of free curcumin. The reduced graphene oxide hybrid is preferred for delivery of curcumin due to its higher loading capacity that can provide efficient dose of drug in low level of carrier

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Marxism is one of the most influential and yet controversial intellectual and philosophical movements in the twentieth century. Some critics have viewed Marx’s theory of history as unscientific and rather religious, mythic, and literary. Following that, we can understand his philosophy of history as a narrative text and therefore analyze it with the tools of literary criticism. In Iran, socialist realism style was introduced in the mid-1320 sand arose to extend the teachings of Marx and socialism. Drawing on the structuralism of Tzvetan Todorov and Marxist historicism, this paper studies the structural similarities of some of the most famous novels of Persian socialist realism, namely, Dokhtar-e Ra’yat,[1] Chashmhayash,[2] and Hamsayeha.[3] According to Todorov’sGrammar of Narrative, all the actions in these Iranian socialist-realist novels and their Marxist narrative of history can be reduced to three fundamental and recurring propositions: (1) establishing of a new authoritarian order or capitalism (equilibrium); (2) the emergence of class consciousness (lack of equilibrium); (3) repression of the opponents in the Persian novels, or realization of a classless society in Marx’s approach (equilibrium).   [1]. The Daughter of the Common  Man [2]. Her Eyes [3]. The Neighbors

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Backgrounds: Green synthesis of nanoparticles (NPs) is a simple, fast, and eco-friendly method which could be performed by various microorganisms or plant extracts. Silver NPs are well-known as antimicrobial and anti-fungal materials. They play an essential role in the control of tumors via their cytotoxic effects. Therefore, they have attracted significant attention for developing an effective treatment solution for cancer cells. This study aimed to investigate the potential of Penicillium chrysogenum for the synthesis of silver NPs and to evaluate their toxicity on liver cancer cell line (HepG2).
Materials & Methods: After synthesis of NPs usingP. chrysogenum, characterization of the synthesized NPs was performed by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out to detect biomolecules that may be responsible for the synthesis and stabilization of NPs. The cytotoxic activity of the synthesized AgclNPs on HepG2 cell line was evaluated using MTT assay.
Findings: UV–Vis spectroscopy and XRD analysis confirmed the synthesis of AgclNPs using P. chrysogenum. TEM analysis revealed the spherical shape of AgclNPs with an average crystalline size of 15 to 45 nm. FTIR spectroscopy indicated the possible functional groups that could be responsible for the reduction of metal ions and the capping process. These nanoparticles showed a dose-dependent anticancer activity against HepG2 cells.
Conclusion: The results suggest that biosynthesized silver chloride nanoparticles could offer potential applications in cancer therapy.
 

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Backgrounds: Infection is one of the major threats to liver transplant patients and significantly affects associated mortality and morbidity. Serious infections are likely to occur a few months after transplantation, and most of them are bacterial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia in liver transplant patients.
Materials & Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, Preferred Reporting Items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines were used. International databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Embase, and Cochrane were searched by related MeSH terms and keywords for studies published until July 26, 2020. The current study was registered by a pre-defined protocol in PROSPRO.
Findings: After a comprehensive literature search, 11 articles were selected for inclusion in the analysis. The prevalence of MRSA in liver transplant patients was 75% (95% CI: 58% - 89%); however, an evident heterogeneity was observed between the studies (I²= 87.84%, p< .001).
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study results demonstrate that the prevalence of post-transplant MRSA colonization bacteremia is high among liver transplant patients. This should be considered seriously, and efforts should be made to prevent mortality in this group of patients.