4265 research outputs found
Sort by
Social and medical determinants of burn-related mortality in Isfahan, Iran
Get PDFBackground: Burns and heat-related injuries often lead to mortality and great financial and social costs. This study aimed at investigating the social determinants of burn-related mortality in a burn specialized hospital in Isfahan, Iran. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional data secondary analysis study was conducted through the data related to burn patients hospitalized to burn specialized Imam Musa Kazem hospital, Isfahan, Iran, in a 4-year period. The data were extracted using Hospital's Information System, and analyzed descriptively and inferentially. Results: Among 3290 burn patients, 740 (22.49) had passed away. The highest mortality percentage was observed in women (31.1), aged higher than 60 years old (35.8), in patients with low-financial status (27.4), patients come from cities other than Isfahan (25.4), and in Total Burn Surface Area (TBSA) of higher than 71 (86.6). The results of logistic regression test showed that burn-related mortality is 50 lower in men compared to women (odds ratio OR = 0.50), 16% lower in 41-60 years of age group compared to over 60 years of age group (OR = 0.16), 41% higher in people with low financial status compared to those with high financial status (OR = 1.41) and 4% lower in people with 31-70 TBSA compared to those with TBCA higher than 71% (OR = 0.04). Conclusion: Burn-related mortality could be associated with treatment and health care as well as social factors. Therefore, parallel to hospital care and physical conditions of the burn patients, social factors including gender, age, income level, and place residence need to be addressed in burn policies to reduce burn-related mortalities
Autophagy-related MicroRNAs in chronic lung diseases and lung cancer
No full textChronic lung disease has become a leading cause of death in recent years. Despite several attempts to discover and develop new therapeutic approaches, patients often suffer a poor quality of life, and are faced with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer often occurs as an end-stage after years of chronic lung disease. An increased understanding of the pathophysiology of chronic lung disease may be obtained from studying the role of autophagy in its initiation and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the modulation of autophagy, and their deregulation could be associated with the initiation and progression of several chronic lung diseases. Herein, we documented that up/down regulation of miRNAs can activate or inhibit autophagy in chronic lung diseases including lung cancer. Therefore, theses miRNAs could be a promising therapeutic tool for lung cancer specially in drug-resistance lung cancer cells. © 2020 Elsevier B.V
The therapeutic potential of quercetin in parkinson’s disease: Insights into its molecular and cellular regulation
No full textParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). PD is a multifactorial disorder, with several different factors being suggested to play a synergistic pathophysiological role, including oxidative stress, autophagy, underlying pro-inflammatory events and neurotransmitters abnormalities. Overall, PD can be viewed as the product of a complex interaction of environmental factors acting on a given genetic background. The importance of this subject has gained more attention to discover novel therapies to prevent as well as treat PD. According to previous research, drugs used to treat PD have indicated significant limitations. Therefore, the role of flavonoids has been extensively studied in PD treatment. Quercetin, a plant flavonol from the flavonoid group, has been considered as a supplemental therapy for PD. Quercetin has pharmacological functions in PD by controlling different molecular pathways. Although few studies intended to evaluate the basis for the use of quercetin in the context of PD have been conducted so far, at present, there is very little evidence available addressing the underlying mechanisms of action. Various principal aspects of these treatment procedures remain unknown. Here, currently existing knowledge supporting the use of quercetin for the clinical management of PD has been reviewed. © 2020 Bentham Science Publishers
Combination Therapy with Nanomicellar-Curcumin and Temozolomide for In Vitro Therapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme via Wnt Signaling Pathways
Get PDFGlioblastoma (GBM) is the most serious brain tumor and shows a high rate of drug resistance. Wnt signaling is a very important pathway in GBM that can activate/inhibit other pathways, such as apoptosis and autophagy. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a combination of temozolomide (TMZ) plus curcumin or nanomicellar-curcumin on the inhibition of GBM growth in vitro, via effects on autophagy, apoptosis, and the Wnt signaling pathway. Two concentrations of curcumin and nanomicellar-curcumin (i.e., 20 μM and 50 μM) alone, and in combination with TMZ (50 μM) were used to induce cytotoxicity in the U87 GBM cell line. Wnt signaling–, autophagy-, and apoptosis-related genes were assessed by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blots. All treatments (except 20 μM curcumin alone) significantly decreased the viability of U87 cells compared to controls. Curcumin (50 μM), nanomicellar-curcumin alone and in combination with TMZ significantly decreased the invasion and migration of U87 cells. Autophagy-related proteins (Beclin 1, LC3-I, LC3-II) were significantly increased. Apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2 and caspase 8) were also significantly increased, while Bax protein was significantly decreased. The expression levels of Wnt pathway–associated genes (β-catenin, cyclin D1, Twist, and ZEB1) were significantly reduced. © 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature
Protective effects of combined Losartan and Nilotinib on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver fibrosis in rats
No full textTyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have been developed as therapeutic compounds for inhibiting the progression of liver fibrosis. In the present study, the simultaneous treatment of Nilotinib (TKIs) and Losartan was studied. Forty rats were divided into eight groups of fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and therapeutics (Nilotinib, Losartan, and combination therapy). In the end, serum parameters of the liver and gene expression analysis of transforming growth factor-β1, its receptors (TβRII), platelet-derived growth factor, its receptors (PDGFRβ), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), tumor necrosis factor-α, cytochrome P450 2E1, and collagen1 type 1 were performed. The oxidant/antioxidant factors were also analyzed. Histopathology analysis along with α-SMA immunohistochemistry and hydroxyproline evaluation was also conducted for a more in-depth study. The overall results indicated a better therapeutic effect of co-treatment of Nilotinib–Losartan in comparison with the treatment of each of them alone. Interestingly, some gene and protein factors and fibrotic indices were reduced even to the normal levels of the control group. The results of this study suggest that co-administration of these two combinations, strengthens their anti-fibrotic properties and, due to the routine use of these compounds against AML and blood pressure, these compounds can be used with caution against human liver fibrosis. © 2018, © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group
Corrigendum to �Cauda equine syndrome due to Brucella spondylodiscitis and epidural abscess formation: A case report� (Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery: Advanced Techniques and Case Management (2019) 17 (42�44), (S2214751918302676), (10.1016/j.inat.2019.01.011))
Get PDFThe authors' regret: Acknowledgements must be deleted because it is not related to our manuscript. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused. © 201
The relationship between personality characteristics and adherence to professional values among nursing students
Get PDFBackground: Professional values are the core of developing professional identity and among the determining factors behind nurses' professional practice. Adherence to professional values seems to be affected by personality characteristics.Objectives: This study aimed to assess the relationship between personality characteristics and adherence to professional values among nursing students. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted on 200 nursing students recruited from Urmia Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia, Iran. Study data were collected using the Holland's Personality Questionnaire and the Nurses Professional Values Scale-Revised and were analyzed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the Pearson's correlation analysis. Results: Participants' closest adherence to professional values was related to the dimensions of trust (particularly the item "Maintain competency in area of practice") and caring (particularly the item "Maintain confidentiality of patient"). Their poorest adherence was to the dimensions of professionalism (particularly the item "Participate in peer review") and activism (particularly the item "Participate in nursing research and/or implement research findings appropriate to practice"). The social personality type had significant relationships with all dimensions of adherence to professional values, while the investigative personality type had significant relationships only with the caring (P = 0.021) and the justice (P = 0.013) dimensions. Moreover, the artistic personality type had significant relationships with the trust (P < 0.001), professionalism (P = 0.004), and caring (P = 0.001) dimensions.Conclusion: Personality characteristics have significant relationships with adherence to professional values among nursing students. Therefore, personality characteristics is suggested to be considered as a main criterion for the recruitment of new students to nursing.
Keywords: Nursing, Personality, Professional values, Studen
Assessment of photon energy and dose rate dependence of U-NIPAM polymer gel dosimeter
No full textOne of the main drawbacks of NPAM gel dosimeter is its relatively low R2-dose sensitivity. Recently, the sensitivity of NIPAM gel dosimeter has been improved by adding urea and this new formula gel dosimeter was named U-NIPAM (Urea and NIPAM). In the current project, photon energy and dose rate dependence of optimized U-NIPAM gel dosimeter (with 3 urea) was assessed by MRI technique. The gel samples were fabricated under normal atmospheric conditions and after 1 day, they were exposed to photon energies of 6 and 15 MV and dose rates of 300, 400, and 500 cGy/min. Then, MRI responses (R2) of the U-NIPAM gel samples were analyzed at 12, 36, 72, 168 h after the irradiation process. The dosimetric evaluation of optimized U-NIPAM gel dosimeter characteristics at 12 h after the irradiation process resulted to following findings: 1) different photon energies (6 and 15 MV) have significant effect on the R2-dose sensitivity of gel dosimeter in 0�7 Gy dose range (P < 0.05), 2) the R2-dose sensitivity of gel dosimeter does not significantly change with different dose rate (300�500 cGy/min) in 0�7 Gy dose range (P�0.05), 3) the obtained dose resolution for evaluated various photon energies and dose rates ranges from 0.06 Gy to 0.20 Gy. Moreover, it was found that the R2-dose sensitivity dependence of gel dosimeter on photon energy can vary over post irradiation; nevertheless, the R2-dose sensitivity dependence of dosimeter on dose rate dose not vary over post irradiation time. © 2020 Elsevier Lt
Oxidative stress, glycemic control, inflammation, and lipid profiles in substance abuse disorders: Current knowledge and future perspectives
No full textDrug abuse is associated with significant health risk. Previous evidence have demonstrated many illicit substance such as opioids, amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis affect immune system functions, inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress mechanisms, and reactive oxygen species production. Therefore, measures to prevent the manifestation, and treatments to improve the symptoms, of these disorder are in high demand. The relationship between substance abuse disorders and the metabolic syndrome is emerging as a public health question of importance to both primary care practitioners and mental health. Although, many studies have indicated a link between metabolic syndrome (e.g., oxidative stress, glycemic control, inflammation, and lipid profiles) with substance abuse disorders. Another critical aspect that needs much attention and effort is our understanding of the association between metabolic syndrome parameters and opioid use disorder. This review includes relevant articles export between 1980 and 2020. The aim of this review article is to investigate the current knowledge and future perspectives associated with the role of metabolic disorder including oxidative stress, glycemic control, inflammation, and lipid profiles) in patients with substance abuse disorders. So, preventive measures and clinical routine screening should be recommended to prevent metabolic syndrome in patients with substance abuse disorders. © 2020, Advanced Scientific Research. All rights reserved
Effects of Dialectical Behavior Therapy on Executive Functions, Emotion Regulation, and Mindfulness in Bipolar Disorder
Get PDFBipolar disorder (BD) is a debilitating psychiatric disorder characterized by recurrent depression, manic, and hypomanic episodes. Patients with BD are also likely to experience difficulties with executive functions and emotion regulation. The literature review states that little research has been done on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for BD, and there has not been an examination of this therapy on BD patients� executive functions and emotion regulation. The present study addresses this absence of research with a pilot study on 60 BD patients. Participants in the intervention group received twelve 90-min sessions adapted from a standard DBT protocol for BD and the control group was on a wait-list for treatment. Participants completed measures of mental wellbeing and executive functioning at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and 3 months later as a follow-up. Results showed that the intervention group improved over time, having lower scores in mania, depression, and emotion disregulation than the control group post-treatment. Further, the intervention group had higher scores in mindfulness, planning, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility than the control group. The findings highlight that DBT, alongside prescription medication, can be an effective therapy for BD as well as leading to reduced manic and depression symptoms and improved executive functions, emotion regulation, and mindfulness. © 2019, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature