12014 research outputs found
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Development of quality indicators to measure pre-hospital emergency medical services for road traffic injury
Full text linkBackground: Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (PEC) is a fundamental property of prevention of Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs). Thus, this sector requires a system for evaluation and performance improvement. This study aimed to develop quality indicators to measure PEC for RTIs. Methods: Following the related literature review, 14 experts were interviewed through semi-structured interviews to identify Quality Measurement Indicators (QMIs). The extracted indicators were then categorized into three domains: structure, performance, and management. Finally, the identified QMIs were confirmed through two rounds of the Delphi technique. Results: Using literature review 11 structural, 13 performance, and four managerial indicators (A total of 28 indicators) were identified. Also, four structural, four performance, and three managerial indicators (A total of 11indicators) were extracted from interviews with experts. Two indicators were excluded after two rounds of Delphi�s technics. Finally, 14 structural, 16 performance and, seven managerial indicators (A total of 37indicators) were finalized. Conclusion: Due to the importance and high proportion of RTIs compared to other types of injuries, this study set out to design and evaluate the QMIs of PEC delivered for RTIs. The findings of this research contribute to measuring and planning aimed at improving the performance of PEC. © 2021, The Author(s)
Qualitative exploration of sexual life among breast cancer survivors at reproductive age
Full text linkBackground: Our understanding of the experiences of women at reproductive age regarding sexual life and issues they may face after starting the treatment of breast cancer is limited. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to explore sexual life and its related issues among breast cancer survivors at reproductive age in Iran. Methods: A qualitative research was conducted. Participants were 21 breast cancer survivors who were under 51 years of age that were chosen using purposeful sampling. In-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out for data collection and the content analysis method was used for data analysis. Results: The data analysis led to the development of main theme of �unfulfilled sexual life�. Also, four subthemes were: �undesirable sexual function�, �context-based beliefs�, �unmet information and supportive needs�, and �emotional crisis�. Conclusions: Our research findings inform healthcare providers about the experiences of breast cancer survivors and related changes in their sexual and marriage life at reproductive age. Nurses and other healthcare providers in the multidisciplinary team should proactively identify health-related problems and design appropriate caring strategies to mitigate sexual and marriage issues among breast cancer survivors. Also, the establishment of sexual health counseling units for breast cancer survivors can help this vulnerable group of women with the improvement of their long-term sexual satisfaction. © 2021, The Author(s)
Differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells into functional motor neuron: In vitro and ex vivo study
No full textThere are several therapeutic options for spinal cord injury (SCI), among these strategies stem cell therapy is a potential treatment. The stem cells based therapies have been investigating in acute phase of clinical trials for promoting spinal repair in humans through replacement of functional neuronal and glial cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) into functional motor neuron like cells (MNLCs) and promote neuroregeneration by stimulating local neurogenesis in the adult spinal cord slice culture. The immunocytochemistry analysis demonstrated that hDPSCs were positive for mesenchymal stem cell markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105) and negative for the hematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45). hDPSCs were induced to neurospheres (via implementing B27, EGF, and bFGF) and then neural stem cells (NSC). The NSC differentiated into MNLCs in two steps: first by Shh and RA and; then with GDNF and BDNF administration. The NS and the NSC were assessed for Oct4, nestin, Nanog, Sox2 expression while the MNLCs were evaluated by ISLET1, Olig2, and HB9 genes. Our results showed that hDPSC can be differentiated into motor neuron phenotype with expression of the motor neuron genes. The functionality of MNLCs was demonstrated by FM1-43, intracellular calcium ion shift and co- culture with C2C12. We co-cultivated hDPSCs with adult rat spinal slices in vitro. Immunostaining and hoechst assay showed that hDPSCs were able to migrate, proliferate and integrate in both the anterolateral zone and the edges of the spinal slices. © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Comparison of LSSVM and RSM in simulating the removal of ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions using magnetization of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes: Process optimization using GA and RSM techniques
No full textThis inquiry focuses on acquiring empirical models to predict ciprofloxacin removal using magnetization of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (FMWCNTs-Fe3O4) from an aqueous solution. The response surface methodology (RSM) and support vector regression (SVR) as data mining techniques were adopted to develop models. Critical parameter effects comprising pH (3-10), adsorbent dose (0.2-1 g/L), contact time (5-60 min) and ciprofloxacin concentrations (30-100 mg/L) were analysed. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich isothermal models were utilized to fit the empirical data. FMWCNTs-Fe3O4 prepared by chemical co-precipitation method was loaded by Fe3O4 nanoparticles (using sonication) to synthesize functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes to remove ciprofloxacin (CIP). FMWCNTs-Fe3O4 were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) methods. The Langmuir model was utilized to precisely describe the maximum adsorption capacity(qmax) of 107.66 mg/g with R2 = 0.998. In this study, the pseudo-second-order model exactly described the adsorption process(R2 = 0.99). The results illustrated that the LSSVM (least squares support vector machine) model efficiently predicted the CIP removal percentage with very high accuracy in the training phase (R2 = 0.975) and the test phase (R2 =0.970). Moreover, the highest removal percentages in optimized step were achieved for RSM (pH 5.4, dose 0.78 g/L, time of 24.5 min, and CIP concentrations of 59 mg/L) and GA (genetic algorithm) (pH 4.4, dose 0.74 g/L, time of 42 min, and CIP concentrations of 38 mg/L) techniques by 88 and 99.1, respectively. The FMCNTs-Fe3O4 efficiency has decreased by 12 even after five used cycles relative to the optimal conditions (regeneration). Therefore, FMWCNTs-Fe3O4 adsorption was considered to be an effective technique for CIP removal in the aqueous environment. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd
Folate receptor-targeted nanoprobes for molecular imaging of cancer: Friend or foe?
No full textMolecular imaging (MI) of cancer is an emerging field in diagnostic imaging that provides means for visualization, characterization, and quantification of cancer biology in vivo. Various targeted nanoprobes (NPs) have been introduced to enhance signal and/or contrast, binding avidity, and targeting specificity for early detection of cancer. The overexpressed pattern of folate receptors (FRs) on the surface of cancer cells is overall distinct from normal cells. Therefore, folic acid (FA) or folate-conjugated NPs have gained much interest as diagnostic agents, therapeutics, and their combined use as theranostics for targeting FR-overexpressing tumor cells. A major advantage of FR-specific MI approaches is the high affinity of the ligand and its receptor. NPs can be designed for various clinical imaging modalities, including magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, optical and nuclear imaging, and ultrasonography. However, aside from the presence of high FR numbers in the normal kidney, a major challenge is the high non-specific uptake of both FA-targeted and non-targeted NPs in the liver and spleen, as evidenced by the lack of clinical trials using FA-NPs. This article summarizes the recent advancements that have been made with FR-specific MI methods and discusses the challenges for future clinical translation of FA-conjugated NPs. © 2021 Elsevier Lt
Acute and post-acute phase of COVID-19: Analyzing expression patterns of miRNA-29a-3p, 146a-3p, 155-5p, and let-7b-3p in PBMC
Full text linkBackground: When a new pathogen, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, appears all novel information can aid in the process of monitoring and in the diagnosis of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The aim of the current study is to elucidate the specific miRNA profile which can act as new biomarkers for distinguishing acute COVID-19 disease from the healthy group and those in the post-acute phase of the COVID-19 disease. Methods: The expression level of selected miRNAs including let-7b-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-146a-3p and miR-155-5p were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of COVID-19 patients, in both the acute and post-acute COVID-19 phase of the disease and healthy groups, by real-time PCR assays. Specificity and sensitivity of miRNAs was tested by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis in COVID-19 patients. Results: The expression level of all miRNAs in COVID-19 patients was significantly higher than in the healthy group. Therefore, the expression pattern of miR-29a-3p, miR-146a-3p and let-7b-3p in the post-acute COVID-19 phase was significantly different from the acute COVID-19 phase. ROC analyses demonstrated that miR-29a-3p, -155-5p and -146a-3p may serve as the novel biomarker for COVID-19 diagnosis with high specificity and sensitivity. In addition, miR-29a-3p, and -146a-3p can maybe act as novel biomarkers for distinguishing acute from post-acute phase of COVID-19 disease. Discussion: The difference in miRNA expression pattern between COVID-19 patients and those in the healthy group, and between acute COVID-19 with post-acute COVID-19, suggested that cellular miRNAs could be used as promising biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19. © 2021 Elsevier B.V
Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
No full textSeveral studies have noted that vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms are involved in the susceptibility to Coronary artery disease (CAD). Nonetheless, the results have been inconclusive. Here, we performed the most up-to-date analysis of the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of CAD. We conducted a comprehensive systematic search in the major electronic database, including Scopus and PubMed to look up for relevant studies evaluating the association between the VDR gene FokI (rs2228570), TaqI (rs731236), BsmI (rs1544410), and ApaI (rs7975232) polymorphisms and susceptibility to CAD published before December 2019. The level of association between VDR gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to CAD in the polled analysis was calculated by odds ratio (OR) and the corresponding 95 confidence interval (CI). We found 14 articles containing 20,398 cases and 9371 controls. The analysis revealed that all genetic models in the FokI SNP were associated with increased risk of CAD. Furthermore, for the ApaI SNP, except recessive model, all other genetic models significantly increased the risk of CAD in the overall analysis. In addition, it was divulged that both FokI and ApaI SNPs were involved in increasing the risk of CAD in Asians and Europeans in a number of models. FokI and ApaI polymorphisms may confer a susceptibility genetic risk factor for development of CAD, particularly in the Asian population. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature
Chitosan-based blends for biomedical applications
No full textPolysaccharides are the most abundant naturally available carbohydrate polymers; composed of monosaccharide units covalently connected together. Chitosan is the most widely used polysaccharides because of its exceptional biocompatibility, mucoadhesion, and chemical versatility. However, it suffers from a few drawbacks, e.g. poor mechanical properties and antibacterial activity for biomedical applications. Blending chitosan with natural or synthetic polymers may not merely improve its physicochemical and mechanical properties, but may also improve its bioactivity-induced properties. This review paper summarizes progress in chitosan blends with biodegradable polymers and polysaccharides and their biomedical applications. Blends of chitosan with alginate, starch, cellulose, pectin and dextran and their applications were particularly addressed. The critical and challenging aspects as well as the future ahead of the use of chitosan-based blends were eventually enlightened. © 202
Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Patients with Primary Immunodeficiency
Full text linkAlthough it is estimated that COVID-19 life-threatening conditions may be diagnosed in less than 1:1000 infected individuals below the age of 50, but the real impact of this pandemic on pediatric patients with different types of primary immunodeficiency (PID) is not elucidated. The current prospective study on a national registry of PID patients showed that with only 1.23 folds higher incidence of infections, these patients present a 10-folds higher mortality rate compared to population mainly in patients with combined immunodeficiency and immune dysregulation. Therefore, further management modalities against COVID-19 should be considered to improve the survival rate in these two PID entities using hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and immunomodulatory agents. © 2020, The Author(s)
The relationship between depression and academic satisfaction in medical science students
No full textPurpose: Students� academic achievement is a multifaceted phenomenon. While depression can suppress academic performance, academic satisfaction can promote it. This study aims to investigate the relationship between depression and academic satisfaction among students studying at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Design/methodology/approach: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 312 undergraduate students of Shahroud University of Medical Sciences. Data collection tools included demographic data form, University Student Depression Inventory and academic satisfaction scale. Data were collected by a simple random sampling method and self-reporting by the participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (multivariate multiple regression analysis and multivariate linear regression). Findings: The participants� mean depression and academic satisfaction scores were 71.92 ± 22.94 and 53.70 ± 9.69, respectively. In addition, the depression score was significantly and inversely correlated with students' academic satisfaction (r = �0.122, p-value = 0.031). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between students� depression with marital status, level of the semester, interest in the field of study and study topic. Research limitations/implications: This study emphasizes improving education, spiritual and social support and strengthens strategies to deal with depression and medical science students� related factors. Originality/value: Students of medical sciences are exposed to depression during their college years, which is related to their academic satisfaction. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited