16687 research outputs found
Sort by
Lifetime and past-month substance use and injection among street-based female sex workers in Iran
No full textBackground: Street-based female sex workers (FSWs) are highly at risk of HIV and other harms associated with sex work. We assessed the prevalence of non-injection and injection drug use and their associated factors among street-based FSWs in Iran. Methods: We recruited 898 FSWs from 414 venues across 19 major cities in Iran between October 2016 and March 2017. Correlates of lifetime and past-month non-injection and injection drug use were assessed through multivariable logistic regression models. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95 confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Results: Lifetime and past-month non-injection drug use were reported by 60.3 (95 CI 51, 84) and 47.2 (95 CI 38, 67) of FSWs, respectively. The prevalence of lifetime and past-month injection drug use were 8.6 (95 CI 6.9, 10.7) and 3.7 (95 CI 2.6, 5.2), respectively. Recent non-injection drug use was associated with divorced marital status (AOR 2.00, 95 CI 1.07, 3.74), temporary marriage (AOR 4.31 1.79, 10.40), had > 30 clients per month (AOR 2.76 1.29, 5.90), ever alcohol use (AOR 3.03 1.92, 6.79), and history of incarceration (AOR 7.65 3.89, 15.30). Similarly, lifetime injection drug use was associated with ever alcohol use (AOR 2.74 1.20�6.20), ever incarceration (AOR 5.06 2.48�10.28), and ever group sex (AOR 2.44 1.21�4.92). Conclusions: Non-injection and injection drug use are prevalent among street-based FSWs in Iran. Further prevention programs are needed to address and reduce harms associated with drug use among this vulnerable population in Iran. © 2021, The Author(s)
Lipopeptide Biosurfactant from Acinetobacter junii B6: A Promising Natural Surfactant for Promoting Angiogenesis
No full textLipopeptide biosurfactants (LPBs) display unique properties with widespread therapeutic applications. Recently, the wound healing activity of LPBs has received more attention. However, few investigations have focused on the healing mechanisms of these compounds, particularly those that are associated with the angiogenic pathways. Therefore, the current study aimed at investigating the effect of a natural LPB produced by Acinetobacter. junii B6 on the angiogenic potential of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The proliferation, migration, and three-dimensional tube forming potential of HUVECs were examined after treatment with LPB. By using western blotting, the expression of angiogenic-related genes such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were also measured. LPB demonstrated no significant proliferative or cytotoxic effect on HUVECs at the concentrations lower than 600 µg/mL. Moreover, LPB at a concentration of 300 µg/mL caused a significant increase in the rates of migration and tube formation of HUVECs. LPB also enhanced the protein expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF in HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. The present results suggest that LPB might be considered a potential wound healing agent by modifying some angiogenic factors. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V. part of Springer Nature
Electromagnetic field protects against cognitive and synaptic plasticity impairment induced by electrical kindling in rats
No full textKindling results in abnormal synaptic potentiation and significant impairment in learning and memory. Electromagnetic field (EMF) effects on learning and memory in kindled animals and its effects on hippocampal neural activity are largely unknown. In the current study, the effects of EMF on learning and memory, as well as hippocampal synaptic plasticity, in kindled rats were investigated. EMF (10 mT; 100 Hz) was applied to fully kindled animals one hour/day for a period of one week. The behavioral and electrophysiological studies were performed 24 h following the EMF application. The kindled rats showed spatial learning deficits during the training phase of the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Moreover, there were increments in escape latency and path length compared to the sham group. The kindled rats spent less time in the target-quadrant probe test, indicating spatial memory impairment. Applying EMF to the KEMF group (kindling + EMF) restored learning and memory, and decreased escape latency and path length significantly compared to the kindled group. EMF alone had no significant effects on the learning and memory parameters. Based on the open field (OF) test results, EMF alone in the EMF group, but not in the kindled or the KEMF groups, decreased the total traveled distance and increased the spent time in the peripheral zone, compared to the sham group. Based on electrophysiological results, applying EMF in the KEMF group returned the ability of synaptic potentiation to the hippocampal CA1 area and high-frequency stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP). Accordingly, EMF can be considered a potential therapy for seizure-induced deficits in learning and memory. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
Hierarchical nanostructures of MgCo2O4 on reduced graphene oxide as a high-performance catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation
No full textA flower-like binary transition metal oxide, in the form of MgCo2O4, was successfully synthesized and investigated by XRD and Raman spectroscopy as well as by SEM and TEM micrographs. A hybrid of MgCo2O4 with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was prepared to distinguish between the rGO-riched and rGO-free catalysts for potential applications in direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) anodes (methanol electro-oxidation process). The synergetic effect due to the proximity of magnesium and cobalt oxides, along with their hybridization on the rGO, makes MgCo2O4-rGO an efficient and low-cost catalyst for an anode electrode in the DMFC applications. EIS, CV, LSV tests, and cyclic stability of MgCo2O4-rGO for 2000 subsequent CV cycles confirm the pivotal role of rGO in the catalyst structure. Finally, the single-cell test indicated the suitability of our proposed catalyst for practical applications of DMFC. Indeed, the single-cell polarization diagrams show a significantly improved power density for single cells with MgCo2O4-rGO-based anode (19 mW cm�2) compared to MgCo2O4- based anode (11 mW cm�2). © 2021 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l
Chromone derivatives bearing pyridinium moiety as multi-target-directed ligands against Alzheimer's disease
No full textA new serise of 7-hydroxy-chromone derivatives bearing pyridine moiety were synthesized, and evaluated as multifunctional agents against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most of the compounds were good AChE inhibitors (IC50 = 9.8�0.71 µM) and showed remarkable BuChE inhibition activity (IC50 = 1.9�0.006 µM) compared with donepezil as the standard drug (IC50 = 0.023 and 3.4 µM). Compounds 14 and 10 showed the best inhibitory activity toward AChE (IC50 = 0.71 µM) and BuChE (IC50 = 0.006 µM), respectively. The ligand�protein docking simulations and kinetic studies revealed that compound 14 and 10 could bind effectively to the peripheral anionic binding site (PAS) of the AChE and BuChE through mixed-type inhibition. In addition, the most potent compounds showed acceptable neuroprotective activity on H2O2- and Aβ-induced.neurotoxicity in PC12 cells, more than standard drugs. The compounds could block effectively self- and AChE-induced Aβ aggregation. All the results suggest that compounds 14 and 10 could be considered as promising multi-target-directed ligands against AD. © 2021 Elsevier Inc
The work�family conflict and quality of care given by nurses: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey
No full textAim: This study aimed to assess the work�family conflict among nurses, the quality of nursing care, and the relationship between these two variables. Subjects and methods: Our cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 nurses from two hospitals in the southeast of Iran. Data were collected using the Quality Patient Care Scale (QUALPACS) and Carlson�s Work�Family Conflict Scale. Results: The findings showed that the mean score of nursing care quality was at a high level and the mean score of work�family conflict was at a moderate level. The quality of nursing care had a poor and inverse relationship with work�family conflict. Conclusion: To reduce the work�family conflict, educational courses must be provided for correct planning in both the family and the working lives of nurses. Managers can also contribute to increasing nurses� job satisfaction and ameliorating work�family conflict by reducing workloads, in turn improving the quality of nursing care. © 2019, Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature
بررسی شیوع ترومبوز شریان و ورید فمورال در روش های مختلف درمانی شکستگی های استابولوم در بیمارستان باهنر کرمان
Get PDF
