This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR)-based technology on emotional response and symptoms in patients with obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). We systematically searched major electronic databases, including PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Embase, ISI Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Cochrane central, up to April 14, 2021, with no data or language limits. We performed reference, related articles, and citation searches to find additional articles. We included original articles comparing and studying VR-based technology in patients with OCD against the control group. We observed that VR significantly increases in anxiety (SMD = 2.92; 95% CI 1.89–3.94, p < 0.0001; I2 = 95%), disgust (SMD = 2.52; 95% CI 1.36–3.68, p < 0.0001; I2 = 95%), urge to wash (SMD = 3.12; 95% CI 1.92–4.32, p < 0.0001; I2 = 94%), checking time (SMD = 1.06; 95% CI 0.71–1.4, p < 0.0001; I2 = 44%), number of checking behavior (SMD = 1.45; 95% CI 0.06–2.83, p = 0.04; I2 = 93%), and uncertainty (SMD = 2.59; 95% CI 0.90–4.27, p = 0.003; I2 = 70%) in OCD patients compared with healthy controls using a random-effect model. This meta-analysis found that this environment has a moderate enhancement in emotional response and symptoms test scores of patients with OCD. However, our findings should be generalized with caution due to the lack of standardized methods and high heterogeneity among included evidence. The appropriate mode of integrating VR-based technology for patients with OCD requires more exploration.

In this study, we assessed several points related to the incidence of COVID-19 between March 2020 and March 2021 in the Petroleum Hospital of Ahvaz (Iran) by analyzing COVID-19 data from patients referred to the hospital. We found that 57.5% of infected referrals were male, 61.7% of deaths by COVID-19 occurred in subjects over 65 years of age, and only 2.4% of deaths occurred in younger subjects (< 30 years old). Analysis showed that mean PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were correlated to the incidence of COVID-19 (r = 0.547, P < 0.05, and r = 0.609, P < 0.05, respectively) and positive chest CT scans (r = 0.597, P < 0.05, and r = 0.541, P < 0.05 respectively). We observed that a high daily air temperature (30–51 °C) and a high relative humidity (60–97%) led to a significant reduction in the daily incidence of COVID-19. The highest number of positive chest CT scans were obtained in June 2020 and March 2021 for daily air temperature ranging from 38 °C and 49 °C and 11 °C and 15 °C, respectively. A negative correlation was detected between COVID-19 cases and air temperature (r =  − 0.320, P < 0.05) and relative humidity (r =  − 0.384, P < 0.05). In Ahvaz, a daily air temperature of 10–28 °C and relative humidity of 19–40% are suitable for the spread of coronavirus. The highest correlation with the number of COVID-19 cases was found at lag3 (r = 0.42) and at lag0 with a positive chest CT scan (r = 0.56). For air temperature and relative humidity, the highest correlations were found at day 0 (lag0). During lockdown (22 March to 21 April 2020), a reduction was observed for PM10 (29.6%), PM2.5 (36.9%) and the Air Quality Index (33.3%) when compared to the previous month. During the pandemic period (2020–2021), the annual mean concentrations of PM10 (27.3%) and PM2.5 (17.8%) were reduced compared to the 2015–2019 period.

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess clinical characteristics, managing and controlling, and in-hospital outcome of COVID-19 among oil refinery workers in a single referral center. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-COVID single referral center from March to August 2020. At the Naft grand Hospital, the COVID-19 specimen collection and molecular detection unit was established with staff trained to collect suitable samples (sufficiently deep swabs), storage, packaging, and transportation. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Results Overall, 500 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included, of which the most common comorbidities were hypertension (52.2%) and diabetes (45.6%). Moreover, 298 patients (59.6%) had one to three comorbidities, 148 patients (29.6%) had four to six cases, and two patients (0.4%) had seven and more comorbidities. Finally, 23 people (4.6%) have cancer and 206 people (41.2%) have other diseases. 390 (78.8%) received Kaletra, and 387 (78.02%) receive Azithromycin. Overall, PCR test result was positive in 377 (75.4%) patients, computed tomography scan (CT-scan) test was positive in 413 (82.6%) patients, and CRP test had positive result in 335 patients (67%) patients. Conclusion Most referred cases were survivors with mild to moderate symptoms, and a few of them were unfortunately non-survivor. This could be due to those people with mild COVID-19 symptoms may respond well to the treatment and institutional isolation. Thus, good and evidence-based clinical care combined with strong public health interventions will save the lives of thousands, if not millions, worldwide.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess clinical characteristics, management, and in-hospital outcomes of COVID-19 among oil refinery workers in a single referral center. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a non-COVID single referral center from March to August 2020. At the Naft Grand Hospital, a COVID-19 specimen collection and molecular detection unit was established, and staff were trained how to collect suitable samples (sufficiently deep swabs), store, pack, and transport them. The diagnosis of COVID-19 infection (SARS-CoV-2) was confirmed by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: Overall, 500 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection were included, among whom the most common comorbidities were hypertension (52.2%) and diabetes (45.6%). Moreover, 298 patients (59.6%) had one to three comorbidities; 148 patients (29.6%) had four to six comorbidities, and two patients (0.4%) suffered from seven and more comorbidities. Out of these, 23 patients (4.6%) had cancer, and 206 (41.2%) suffered from other diseases. Most of the patients (390, 78.8%) received Kaletra, and 387 (78.02%) were treated with Azithromycin. Overall, PCR results were positive in 377 (75.4%) patients; computed tomography scan (CT-scan) was positive in 413 (82.6%), and CRP test rendered positive results in 335 patients (67%). Conclusions: Most referred cases were survivors with mild to moderate symptoms, and a few of them were unfortunately non-survivors. This could be due to the appropriate responses to treatment and institutional isolation of people with mild COVID-19 symptoms. Thus, good and evidence-based clinical care combined with intense public health interventions will save the lives of thousands, if not millions, worldwide.