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The Agglutinin of Common Nettle (Urtica dioica L.) Plant Effects on Gene Expression Related to Apoptosis of Human Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cell Line
No full textTreatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) requires new drugs as result of a rise in new cases and high disease relapse. Plant lectins with the ability to bind carbohydrates on the cell surface have the potential to treat cancer. Urticadioica L. agglutinin (UDA) is a low weight lectin with anti-benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) impact. Here, we examine the impact of UDA on HL-60 cell line. Cytotoxicity and cytostatic effects were assessed in HL-60 cells treated with UDA and vincristine (positive control). The effects of the lectin on cell cycle phases and cell death mechanism were surveyed by propidium iodide (PI) staining and annexin V/PI, respectively. The activation status of the apoptosis pathway was determined by western blotting. Finally, the expression levels of 84 genes were examined by the Human cancer drug target gene PCR array kit. The results indicated that the increase in UDA concentration inhibited the proliferation of HL-60 cells as well as apoptosis induction. Cell cycle analysis showed that the number of sub G1 cells increased essentially. Experimental observations showed that UDA can induce cell apoptosis through a caspase 9-dependent pathway. The expression changes of 21 genes confirmed the apoptotic events in HL-60 cells treated with UDA. In this, we have presented the first investigation on the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of a lectin isolated from rhizomes and roots of Urticadioica L. on human AML cells. Generally, the results suggest that UDA may have therapeutic value for leukemia and would be studied further as a new drug for AML later on. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer Nature
Assessment of laboratory test requests from three hospital emergency departments
No full textBackground: Laboratory requests can be justified and trimmed to what patients necessarily need. Reducing unnecessary laboratory requests can improve patient safety and both patient and provider satisfaction. Methods: In this study, the current status of laboratory requests was assessed in emergency departments of three multidisciplinary university hospitals based on ten most expensive and most requested laboratory tests and categorised by the ordering physicians and patients� chief complaints in a 6-month period. These hospitals had annual visits to the emergency departments of between 20, 000-72.000 patients. Results: The most requested tests were as follows: complete blood count, biochemistry profile including sodium, potassium, urea, and creatinine. Moreover, the cumulating most expensive tests were coagulation profile, cardiac troponin, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, liver enzymes, alkaline phosphatase, and blood gases corresponding to the frequency of requests in the emergency department. Among the services, other than emergency medicine, requesting laboratory work in the emergency departments, internal medicine, neurology and surgery services had requested more laboratory tests comprising 44.0, 24.4, and 20.8 of all specialties respectively. Moreover, the most frequent laboratory requests were from patients complaining of abdominal pain, chest pain, and penetrating or blunttraumatic injuries. Conclusions: It should be considered to rationally request the most frequent laboratory tests as many of them can be canceled by physicians and do not change the diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and disposition in the emergency department. © 2021 The authors
Exploring COVID-19 anxiety in Iranian adult based on health literacy by moderating demographic variables: A structural equation model
No full textThe COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is associated with far-reaching psychological consequences, such as anxiety. The incidence and severity of this anxiety depend on several individual, family and social factors that need to be identified and planned for effective interventions. One of these factors is health literacy (HL). The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between HL and demographic characteristics with COVID-19 anxiety in adults living in Iran at the time of coronavirus outbreak. This is a descriptive and correlational study conducted in Iran in 2021. Convenience and snowball sampling methods were used, and as the result, the number of samples reached to 560. Data were collected online through the demographic questionnaire, COVID-19 anxiety scale (CAS) and health literacy questionnaire for adults (HLQ for adults). Data were analyzed using Amos 26, SPSS 26 software and structural equational modeling (SEM) based on covariance. Significance level in this study was considered 0.05. The results of this study showed that the fit of the modify model is confirmed and HL explains 54 of the changes in anxiety in the model (β = -0.709). The variables of gender, history of chronic disease, positive history of COVID 19 and receiving social support have a moderating role in the relationship between HL and COVID-19 anxiety. Due to the great predicting role of HL in COVID-19 anxiety, it is recommended that programs be developed and implemented during the outbreak of the disease by experts and the public health policy makers to increase HL in physical and mental dimensions. © 202
Evaluating the depression, anxiety, stress, and predictors of psychological morbidity among COVID-19 Survivors in Mashhad, Iran
No full textBackground: The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to public panic and psychological problems. In this regard, few studies have reported the post-discharge mental health status of COVID-19 survivors. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the mental health status of COVID-19 survivors and determine the risk factors of adverse psychological outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study consisted of 188 COVID-19 survivors discharged from hospital. Data were recorded using social media applications. To evaluate the mental health status, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Depressive Anxiety and Stress Scale 42 (DASS-42) were used. Ordinal regression with a logit link was used to assess the simultaneous effect of variables. Results: The mean age of participants was 56.4 ± 9.6 years, and the majority of patients were male (62.2). According to HADS, 81 (43.1) and 24 (12.8) patients suffered from anxiety and depression, respectively. Using DASS-42, we reported at least a mild degree of depression 23 (12.2%), anxiety 20 (10.6%), and stress 74 (39.4%) among the discharged patients. Depression, anxiety, and stress were significantly associated with length of hospital stay (P < 0.05). In addition, there was a direct association between stress and patients' number of children (β = 0.38, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Depression, anxiety, and stress are relatively high among COVID-19 survivors. Length of hospital stay and number of children were identified as the predisposing factors for adverse psychological outcomes. © 2021 Kowsar Medical Publishing Company. All rights reserved
Enhancement of technological functionality of white wheat bread using wheat germ sourdough along with dehydrated spinach puree
No full textBread enrichment with fiber-rich leafy vegetables and fermented by-products of milling has gained more attention in recent years. In the present study, the antifungal lactic acid bacterium isolated from Tarkhineh was used as starter culture in controlled wheat germ sourdough in order to improve quality and safety of the white wheat bread containing wheat germ sourdough along with dehydrated spinach puree. The optimized formulation (10 wheat germ sourdough and 20 dehydrated spinach puree, which were replaced by wheat flour) was determined based on the crumb softness of the enriched breads. Then, the quality characteristics of the supplemented breads were studied in terms of textural properties, antioxidant activity, surface moldiness, phytic acid content and organoleptic acceptability. The sequencing of polymerase chain reaction products led to the identification of Lactococcus lactis as the selected antifungal lactic acid bacterium isolate. Texture profile analysis revealed the significant effect (P< 0.05) of wheat germ sourdough and dehydrated spinach puree on crumb hardness and loaf specific volume of the produced breads. Bread containing wheat germ sourdough along with dehydrated spinach puree had the highest radical scavenging activity. Green zone of Asprgillus flavus growth on wheat germ sourdough supplemented bread and phytic acid content of the aforementioned sample were also remarkably lower than the others. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between bread enriched with wheat germ sourdough and wheat germ sourdough along with dehydrated spinach puree in terms of sensory acceptability compared to the control sample. © 2021, Tarbiat Modares University. All rights reserved
Modeling and simulation of external electric field application for diisopropyl methylphosphonate sensing through B12N12 fullerene
No full textThe external electric field can effectually enhance the electronic and optical features of low dimensional systems. Hence, the corresponding atomic structure and adsorption feature changes of a B12N12 fullerene under different applied external electric fields for dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) detection were evaluated. The adsorption of DMMP on the B12N12 surface has been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) by the PBE (Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof) functional to study the effects of the parallel (EX) and transverse (EY) external electric fields on the structural and optoelectronic features of the pure fullerene. Through the analysis of the binding energy it is found that B12N12 fullerenes, in the presence of a parallel external electric field (EX = 0.15 a.u.), are energetically favored when compared to B12N12 fullerenes in the presence of a transverse external electric field (EY = 0.15 a.u.). The results demonstrate that a transverse external electric field ranging from 0.005 a.u. to 0.015 a.u. could enhance the DMMP sensitivity of the B12N12 fullerene (with a significant reduction of energy band gap), which potentially could aid in the development of a room temperature DMMP gas sensor. The adsorption and desorption of DMMP could be controlled by external electric field too, which has the potential for applications in itself, relative to DMMP collection and storage. © 2021 Elsevier B.V
Contextual barriers of respectful workplace in nursing: A focused ethnography
No full textBackground: Respectful relationship among nurses is an important influencing factor of positive work environment and nursing outcomes. Disrespectful interpersonal behaviors set the scene for an unpleasant and unhealthy workplace in nursing. This can be harmful to persons and their organization and affect health care outcomes. This study was designed in order to search for contextual barriers to respectful behaviors in the context of nursing. Materials and Methods: This study was a focused ethnography that was carried out in medical-surgical wards of Shahid Chamran Hospital in Isfahan in 2018-2019. The data collection method consisted of 140 h of participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 34 informants. The nformants comprised 29 nurses, 2 assistant nurses, a physician, and 2 patients who were selected by purposive sampling. The first author of the study made direct observations as an outsider. The data were analyzed by Spradley's method. Results: Three main categories and eight subcategories were obtained from data analysis that are as follows: 1) Personal self: challenges of perceived respect (negative self-concept, unpleasant feelings, and ineffective communication), 2) Organizational-based perceived disrespect (poor organizational climate, inadequate job condition, restrictive organizational structure), 3) Social self: challenges of showed respect (implicit social norms, cultural gap). Conclusions: Individual and social attitudes, interactive communication, and organizational factors are the contextual determinants of a respectful workplace in nursing. Consequently, improving self-concept and effective communication skills as well as adjust organizational conditions and value conceptualization in society may effect a respectful workplace in nursing. © 2021 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow
Letter to the Editor: Can the seasonal influenza vaccine for 2019/2020 have cross reactivity with some of the SARS-CoV-2 proteins?
No full textPsychometric Validation of the Farsi Version of the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) in a Sample of Iranian Students in the USA
No full textThe Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) has been widely used to evaluate for assessing mindfulness. The purpose of this research was psychometric validation of the Farsi version of the MAAS among a sample of Iranian students in the USA. The sample included 181 Iranian students attending universities in San Diego, CA. The MAAS was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch analysis. Results of the CFA indicated a single factor structure with an acceptable fit to the data: sbX2 = 169.53 (P < 0.001); RMR = 0.084; CFI = 0.92; and RMSEA = 0.068. All of the items displayed significant factor loadings. The results indicated a significant negative relationship between MAAS and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) (r = � 0.51; P < 0.01) and Beck Depression Inventory � Second Edition (BDI�II) (r = � 0.407; P < 0.01). These findings demonstrated acceptable levels of discriminant validity. Consequently, the Farsi version of MAAS was a valid and reliable instrument for assessing Iranian students� mindfulness outside Iran. This study indicated directions for future researches. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Kisspeptin levels in relation to sex hormone profile among PCOS patients
No full textIntroduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease among women in the reproductive age that is associated with consequences such as insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia. This study was aimed to assess the association of sex hormone profile and kisspeptin levels in PCOS women in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, 43 women with diagnosed PCOS between the ages of 15 and 37 years and 40 healthy demographically matched controls were recruited. Sex hormone profile and kisspeptin levels were measured in these subjects using ELISA assay kits. Results: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), and kisspeptin levels were significantly lower in cases than in controls. Luteinizing hormone (LH), free-testosterone (FT), 17-OH-progesterone (17-OH-P), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), estradiol (E2), and free androgen index (FAI) were higher in PCOS significantly. There was a significant positive correlation between kisspeptin levels and LH and E2 in cases (p = 0.037 and p = 0.024, respectively). The results of the regression analysis have shown a significant association between the LH and kisspeptin concentrations in PCOS group (r = 0.275, p = 0.037). Conclusion: PCOS patients had lower plasma kisspeptin level that was positively correlated with LH and estradiol levels. Also, higher levels of free androgens were demonstrated in these patients. It is suggested that kisspeptin may be involved in complex interactions of the sex hormone endocrine system of PCOS. © 2021, Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland