Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is now a pandemic and its death toll is rocketing up. Patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are at high risk of developing COVID-19 complications and COVID-19 infection can also lead to renal dysfunction. Considering the importance of kidney function in COVID-19 patients, the present review is aimed to dig into the available evidence about kidney and COVID-19. We summarize the mechanisms underlying the renal injury in COVID-19 patients, and treatment strategies in dialysis and kidney transplant patients. We conclude, it is imperative to highlight the early monitoring of patients with AKI and carefully control kidney function during severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARSCoV-2) infection.

Sarcocystis is a common zoonotic parasite which can be transmitted through ingestion of contaminated, undercooked meat and is a major cause of economic loss in many countries. This study aimed to detect Sarcocystis parasite in processed meat products in Hamedan, Iran. A total of 20 samples of hamburger, sausage, and cocktail were collected from markets from three factories in Hamedan, Iran. The samples were examined by digestion and impression smear methods for detecting Sarcocystis parasite. The results showed that 80% of all tested samples were infected with Sarcocystis. The infection rate in hamburger, sausage, and cocktail were 87.5, 83.33, and 66.66%, respectively. The highest infestation rate was observed in hamburger. The present study shows that the rate of Sarcocystis contamination in meat products is very high. So, evaluation of raw meat quality in addition to applying hygienic programs at all stages of the production line is inevitable. Also, consumption of undercooked meat products or fast food should be avoided.

An introduction to atherosclerosis Coronary artery disease (CAD) is known major leading causes of death in developed countries over recent decades. It has been estimated that 15.5 million adults (6.2% of the adult population) are involved in CAD in the United States (1). Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular disease in arterial intima and established the major leading causes of death in the United States and Europe (2). The incidence of atherosclerosis is correlated with disorder of several biological pathways; such as angiogenesis, inflammatory response and immune response, adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and diabetes (3). In 1995, it was suggested that selective retention of lipoprotein in the artery wall is the initiating step in atherogenesis. The disease is characterized by the presence of atherosclerotic plaques consisting of lipids, immune cells, and debris in the arterial intima. Plaques develop at predisposed regions characterized by disturbed blood flow dynamics, such as curvature and branch points (4). Several risk factors can be the cause of atherosclerotic, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, age, sex, inadequate lifestyle, and cigarette smoking (5). Role of oxidative stress in atherosclerosis Imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the antioxidant causes oxidative stress. The different signals such as UV light, chemicals, cigarette smoke, microbial toxins stimulate oxidative stress process in body cells. This process is related to the pathogenesis of different cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis through different mechanisms (6). Disorders of lipid metabolism increase the level of blood low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and its aggregation in vascular wall. Endothelial cells,

Background It has been indicated that Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion (ACE I/D) polymorphism (rs4646994) could be regarded as a genetic factor that raises the risk of CAD through its impact on the activity of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) and angiotensin II level. The present study seeks to examine the relationship between ACE I/D polymorphism with the risk of atherosclerosis. Moreover, its potential effects on ACE activity and oxLDL level are investigated. Methods In this study, 145 healthy individuals and 154 patients (143 males and 156 females) were selected among the subjects referred to Shahid Madani Hospital. Atherosclerosis was determined in all subjects with gold standard angiography. Blood samples were collected, used to isolate white blood cells (WBC) and serum separation. The DNA was extracted and the polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The enzyme activity was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results This study indicated that patients with atherosclerosis had higher levels of oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein (oxLDL) and ACE activity ( P < 0.05) as compared to controls. Although we found a significant association between ACE I/D polymorphism genotype and the allele with atherosclerosis in the male group, there were no association when the entire patient group was compared to the entire control group. Conclusion Our study revealed the ACE I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene may not be an independent risk factor in the development of atherosclerosis and evaluation of ACE activity level is more important in evaluating the risk of disease. The researchers found no relation between ACE I/D polymorphism and atherosclerosis and also between types of genotype, ACE activity, and OxLDL level.

Background & Aims of the Study: Complex surface of vegetables facilitate attachment and transmission of several pathogens. No previous study has been conducted in survey of parasitic contamination of vegetables in Hamedan. This study aimed to detect the parasitic contamination in common raw vegetables in Hamedan markets. Material and Methods: For this cross sectional study, 150 grams of raw vegetables, including (Mentha, Basil, Chives, Garden cress, and Radish) were collected from 12 retail stores in Hamadan, Iran, in 2017. Each sample washed in three ways; washing by potable water (a), saline solution (b) and a commercial routine detergent (Reeka, company, Iran) (c) for five minutes. After that, the washing solutions were separated and centrifuged at 1800 RPM for 5 minutes. Results: The results showed that various parasites including: helminthic parasites (Strongyloides stercoralis eggs, Ascaris lumbricoides, Toxocara. sp, Taenia. sp, Nemadoda, and free-living larvae) and protozoan parasites (Giardia lamblia trophozoite, Giardia lamblia cyst, and Amoeba trophozoite).This study showed the contamination rate of Mentha (27.08%) and Radish (24.16%) are more than Garden cress. It was observed that Ascaris eggs and Tennia eggs are at the highest and the least Parasitic contamination in vegetables washed with potable water, respectively. Conclusion: One of the ways to eliminate parasitic contamination of vegetables is to use saline solution and detergent to reduce parasites.