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Background Given the observed olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions in patients with COVID-19 and recent findings on taste receptors possible important activities in the immune system, we elected to estimate the correlation between COVID-19 mortality and polymorphism of a particular type of bitter taste receptor gene called TAS2R38, in a worldwide epidemiological point of view. Methods Pooled rate of each of the rs713598, rs1726866, rs10246939, and PAV/AVI polymorphisms of the TAS2R38 gene was obtained in different countries using a systematic review methodology and its relationship with the mortality of COVID-19. Data were analyzed by the comprehensive meta-analysis software and SPSS. Results There was only a significant reverse Pearson correlation in death counts and PAV/AVI ratio, p = 0.047, r = −0.503. Also, a significant reverse correlation of PAV/AVI ratio and death rate was seen, r = −0.572 p = 0.021. rs10246939 ratio had a significant positive correlation with death rate, r = 0.851 p = 0.031. Further analysis was not significant. Our results showed that the higher presence of PAV allele than AVI, and a higher rate of G allele than A in rs10246939 polymorphism in a country, could be associated with lower COVID-19 mortality. While assessing all three polymorphisms showed a huge diversity worldwide. Conclusion Due to extraoral activities of bitter taste receptor genes, especially in mucosal immunity, this gene seems to be a good candidate for future studies on COVID-19 pathophysiology. Also, the high worldwide diversity of TAS2R38 genes polymorphism and its possible assassination with mortality raises concerns about the efficiency of vaccine projects in different ethnicities.

BackgroundMedical errors such as retained foreign bodies (RFB) during surgery are not well studied. To define risk factors associated with this type of error, we performed retrospective study.MethodsWe reviewed medical records for unintentional foreign object remaining in the body during surgery such as gender, age, surgery ward, and incident reports referred to several forensic medicine administrations as well as adverse effects of retained foreign bodies and methods for detection of them over a 3-years period from January 2008 through May 2011.ResultsThirty eight patients were involved in the study to have retained foreign bodies (73% sponges and 27% other instruments including 7 (18.42%) cases of other bandages, 2 cases (5.26%) of scissor and 1 case (2.63%) of forceps). The general surgery ward was most commonly involved (47%) followed by the gynecology surgery ward (34%). Men (58%) were more involved with RFB than women (42%).ConclusionConsidering the most frequent type of retained foreign bodies and also more frequent involved surgery wards besides detection methods for RFB, a mixed of preventing protocols such as regular counting of devices, post-operative X-ray with radiopaque markers and exact evaluation of surgery site should be employed to reduce the occurrence of retained foreign bodies and its complications.

Background: Childhood and adolescent injuries are among the most significant health system hazards, especially in developing countries including Iran. In this report, we evaluated the main characteristics of all cases of pediatric injury-related mortality in Shiraz in a 5 -year -period. Methods: This cross -sectional study comprised all injury-related deaths in children and adolescents up to 18 years of age, from September 2011 to September 2016 in Shiraz, Iran. The required information about demographic factors including age, sex, cause of death, the manner and location of death and time period between injury and death was collected for all the cases.