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Using Kern model to design, implement, and evaluate an infection control program for improving knowledge and performance among undergraduate nursing students: a mixed methods study
No full textBackground: Nurses and Nursing students are the front line of care in managing the care of infectious patients then they have more contact with patients than other students. Therefore, the aim of this study was designing, implementing and evaluating the infection control program among undergraduate nursing students using a mixed study. Method: The mixed method approach with sequential exploratory (qualitative-quantitative) method was used. Kern model was applied in six steps included: 1-Needs assessment 2- Initial design 3- Goals and specific objectives 4- Educational strategy 5- Program implementation 6- Program evaluation. Thirty nursing students and 3 nursing faculty members were selected through purposive sampling for focus group in need assessment. Single-group semi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design was used in partnership with all eighth semester nursing students in program evaluation. Result: Data analysis of focus group obtained two categories including: Need to improve knowledge in infection control and need to improve performance in infection control. With need assessment and literature review, educational content developed according to nursing students learning needs. Then, 3 faculty members prepared a course plan including goals, specific objectives, educational strategy for student assignments. One-way analysis of variance to compare the average score of knowledge, performance and its categories before, 2 weeks after the intervention and 2 months after the intervention shows a statistically significant difference (p > 0.001). Pearson's correlation coefficient shows that there is a negative linear relationship between work experience and knowledge score 2 weeks after and 2 months after the intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, it is recommended the need to revise the curriculum for the integration of the infection control program in the undergraduate nursing education. Of course, it is necessary to conduct more studies in the field by dividing this program into internship and field internshi
PD-1/PD-L1 Interaction Regulates BCL2, KI67, BAX, and CASP3, Altering Proliferation, Survival, and Apoptosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
No full textProgrammed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) is a pivotal inhibitory checkpoint ligand known to induce T-cell exhaustion via interaction with the programmed death‑1 (PD‑1) receptor. Beyond this, PDL1’s intrinsic signaling pathways within cancer cells warrant further exploration. This study aims to elucidate the effect of PD-L1 stimulation on the proliferation, survival, and apoptosis of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines. Two human AML cell lines, HL-60 and THP-1 were cultured and treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) to induce PD-L1overexpression. Post-treatment PD-L1 expression was confirmed via flow cytometry. Subsequently, cell surface PD-L1 was stimulated using a recombinant PD-1, 24 hours post-PMA treatment. The expression alterations in pivotal genes including BCL2, MKI67, BAX, and CASP3 were monitored using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction 24 and 48 hours post-treatment. Additionally, annexin-V through flow cytometry. Findings reveal that PD-L1 stimulation augments AML cell proliferation and survival by enhancing MKI67 and BCL2 expressions while concurrently inhibiting cell apoptosis due to decreased BAX and CASP3 expression following PD-L1 stimulation. Notably, stimulated cells expressed exhibited reduced annexin-V compared to control cells. This study underscores that PD-L1 stimulation fosters AML cell proliferation and survival while impeding cell apoptosis. The results hold potential implications for targeting PD-L1 in AML treatment strategies
Possible role of NO/NMDA pathway in the autistic-like behaviors induced by maternal separation stress in mice
No full textAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder. Maternal separation (MS) stress is an established model of early-life stress associated with autistic-like behaviors. Altered glutamatergic and nitrergic neurotransmissions may contribute to the pathophysiology of ASD. However, the specific mechanisms underlying these alterations and their relationship to MS-induced autistic-like behaviors remain unclear. Addressing this knowledge gap, this study aims to elucidate the involvement of the nitric oxide (NO)/ N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) pathway in MS-induced autistic-like behaviors in mice. This knowledge has the potential to guide future research, potentially leading to the development of targeted interventions or treatments aimed at modulating the NO/NMDA pathway to ameliorate ASD symptoms. Ninety male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice were assigned to six groups (n = 15) comprising a control group (treated with saline) and five groups subjected to MS and treated with saline, ketamine, NMDA, L-NAME, and L-arginine. Behavioral tests were conducted, including the three-chamber test, shuttle box, elevated plus-maze, and marble burying test. Gene expression of iNOS, nNOS, and NMDA-R subunits (NR2A and NR2B), along with nitrite levels, was evaluated in the hippocampus. The findings demonstrated that MS induced autistic-like behaviors, accompanied by increased gene expression of iNOS, nNOS, NR2B, NR2A, and elevated nitrite levels in the hippocampus. Modulation of the NO/NMDA pathway with activators and inhibitors altered the effects of MS. These results suggest that the NO/NMDA pathway plays a role in mediating the negative effects of MS and potentially contributes to the development of autistic-like behaviors in maternally separated mice
Effects of bromodomain and extra-terminal inhibitor JQ1 and interleukin-6 on breast cancer cells
No full textBackground: Bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins are recognized acetylated lysine of histone 4 and act as scaffolds to recruit many other proteins to promoters and enhancers of active genes, especially at the super-enhancers of key genes, driving the transcription process and have been identified as potential therapeutic targets in breast cancer. However, the efficacy of BET inhibitors such as JQ1 in breast cancer therapy is impeded by interleukin-6 (IL-6) through an as-yet-defined mechanism. Methods and results: We investigated the interplay between IL-6 and JQ1 in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of JQ1 on the inhibition of cell growth and apoptosis was stronger in MDA-MB-231 cells than in MCF-7 cells. Further, MCF-7 cells, but not MDA-MB-231 cells, exhibited increased expression of CXCR4 following IL-6 treatment. JQ1 significantly reduced CXCR4 surface expression in both cell lines and diminished the effects of IL-6 pre-treatment on MCF-7 cells. While IL-6 suppressed the extension of breast cancer stem cells in MCF-7 cells, JQ1 impeded its inhibitory effect. In MCF-7 cells JQ1 increased the number of senescent cells in a time-dependent manner. Conclusion: Analysis of gene expression indicated that JQ1 and IL-6 synergistically increase SNAIL expression and decrease c-MYC expression in MCF-7 cells. So, the BET proteins are promising, novel therapeutic targets in late-stage breast cancers. BET inhibitors similar to JQ1 show promise as therapeutic candidates for breast cancers, especially when triple-negative breast cancer cells are increased and/or tumor-promoting factors like IL-6 exist in the tumor microenvironment
A Critical Ethnographic Study of Families of Brain‑Dead Patients: Their Experiences and Attitudes to Organ Donation
No full textBackground: Despite the difficulty of making decisions providing facilitating mediators and removing barriers to making decisions about choosing the right path to donate the organs of brain‑dead patients by families can assist in improving the services and help the lives of fellow human beings. This study aimed to explain the decision‑making mediator for organ donation in families with brain‑dead patients in a cultural context. Materials and Methods: This qualitative study with a critical ethnographic approach was conducted based on Carspecken’s stages from August 2021 to March 2022. In this regard, 22 participants were selected through the purposive sampling method and considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Sampling was continued until data saturation. After obtaining the required ethical approval, data collection was performed through observation, semi‑structured interviews, and document review. All data were recorded and managed using MAXQDA 18 software. Results: Based on the results, the main themes and subthemes of this study included “inefficient decision‑making mediator” (the shadow of the socioeconomic situation on the medical status of organ recipients, as well as pessimistic influential individuals, social accountability, dialect difference, and ethnic beliefs) and “efficient decision‑making mediator” (social learning, material, and spiritual motivation, mother role, and divine reward). Conclusions: The results of this study, derived from a cultural context, can be applied to carrying out future applied and empirical research. Moreover, they can be used in the field of various nursing roles, especially management, care, and education
Effects of Hirudotherapy in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Male Rats: Histopathological and Biochemical Changes
No full textBackground: Hirudotherapy is very common in traditional Iranian medicine for treating various diseases, including hyperglycemia. However, there is no scientific research to evaluate its effect on diabetes mellitus and the possible side effects. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological changes in healthy and diabetic male rats treated with leeches. Methods: This experimental study was performed on 28 male Albino Wistar rats randomly divided into control, diabetic, and two treatment groups (control and diabetic rats treated with Hirudo medicinalis). Hirudotherapy was done in 3 to 5 minutes every 5 days for 28 consecutive days. At the end of the study, blood glucose, biochemical activity of the liver, kidney, and serum lipid enzymes were evaluated by enzymatic methods. Pathological changes in liver, kidney, and pancreas tissues were studied in the experimental groups. Results: The levels of blood glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine (Cr), urea, and phosphorus significantly increased in diabetic rats treated with leeches compared to the control group (P < 0.05). In addition, liver tissue changes, such as hyperemia, degeneration, inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrous tissue formation in the portal area, were observed in diabetic rats treated with leeches. Furthermore, renal tissue changes, including renal tubular degeneration and infiltration of inflammatory cells between renal tubules, were also observed in these rats. Conclusions: Leech therapy is not beneficial for alloxan-induced diabetic rats and further may cause hepatotoxicity and acute renal failure
Relation between sexual function, perceived social support, and adherence to treatment with infertility factor in women: A cross-sectional study
No full textBackground: In some societies, childbearing is a part of women’s identity and infertile women are under a great amount of pressure from others. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between infertility factors and sexual functioning, perceived social support, and adherence to treatment in infertile women. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 230 infertile women who referred to the infertility center of Shahrekord, Iran in 2022 were enrolled. Data were collected using demographic characteristics checklist, female sexual function index, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and general adherence scale. Results: No significant relation was observed between the infertility factor and the mean score of sexual function, the mean score of perceived social support, and the mean score of adherence to treatment (p > 0.05). Among the aspects of sexual functioning, only the mean score of lubrication in the group of male factors was significantly higher than the common factors for men and women (p = 0.07). A linear positive relation was observed between sexual functioning (r = 0.189), perceived social support (r = 0.200), and adherence to treatment (r = 0.146) in infertile women. Conclusion: By providing proper training and counseling to infertile couples, we can improve their social support and sexual function so that they can complete their infertility treatment as a result
Inhibition of miR-96 and miR-183 expression in treatment with fisetin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles in breast cancer cell lines
No full textObjective(s): Several efforts have been made to improve the treatment of breast cancer. Nanotechnology has been proposed as a promising strategy for the formulation of pharmaceutical compounds and increasing their efficiency. Fisetin is a natural flavonoid with anti-cancer properties. This study was conducted with the aim of improving the anti-cancer effect of fisetin with the chitosan nanoparticles delivery system and investigating some molecular pathways after treating breast cancer cell lines (MCF7 and MDA-MB231). Methods: After the synthesis of chitosan nanoparticles, the shape, size and surface charge of nanoparticles were measured by SEM, DLS and zeta sizer. Drug loading in nanoparticles was confirmed by FTIR. The drug release rate was evaluated in acidic and neutral environments. Also, the cell cytotoxicity of fisetin and nanofisetin was investigated using MTT assay. The expression level of miR- 183 and miR-96 investigated in both cell lines using real-time PCR. Results: Our results showed that fisetin was successfully loaded into nanoparticles. The pH-dependent release of this nanosystem facilitated the release of fisetin in the acidic environment of the tumor. Chitosan nanoparticles containing fisetin with a size of 60 nm with significant efficiency exhibited higher toxicity to the viability of cells than free fisetin, and this decrease in survival was more pronounced for the triple negative MDA-MB-231. Fisetin also significantly decreased the expression of miR-96 and miR-183 in both cell lines. Conclusions: The nanoformulation of this herbal compound and its effect can present nanofisetin as a potential candidate for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer
Comparison of Multiplex Quantitative Real-Time PCR and Culture Methods for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Meningitis in Patients with Suspected Meningitis
No full textBackground: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of standard culture method with multiplex quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in examining cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples collected from patients with suspected meningitis. Materials & Methods: A retrospective evaluation was conducted on 166 patients with suspected meningitis, who were treated in Vali-Asr hospital in Birjand, Iran between 2011 and 2020. Diagnosis of bacterial meningitis was based on CSF culture and multiplex qPCR results. Findings: Among 166 patients, conventional methods identified causative pathogens in only 10.3% of cases, while multiplex qPCR detected pathogens in eight out of 25 culture-negative cases as well. The most common pathogens identified were enterovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Conclusion: Multiplex qPCR appears to be a more effective method than conventional culture in identifying bacterial and viral pathogens that most commonly cause meningitis. The incorporation of qPCR as a routine diagnostic method for meningitis in clinical practice could significantly enhance clinical decision-making and patient care
The Therapeutic Effect of Silymarin and Silibinin on Depression and Anxiety Disorders and Possible Mechanism in the Brain: A Systematic Review
No full textBackground: Depression and anxiety are the most common mental disorders world-wide. Objective: We aimed to review silymarin and silibinin effects and underlying mechanisms in the central nervous system (CNS) for depression and anxiety treatment. Methods: The research protocol was prepared based on following the PRISMA statement. An ex-tensive search was done in essential databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science (ISI), Embase, and Scopus. Considering the study inclusion and exclusion criteria, 17 studies were finally included. The desired information was extracted from the studies and recorded in Ex-cel, and the consequences and mechanisms were reviewed. Results: Silymarin and silibinin upregulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and improved neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation in the cortex and hippocampus. They also increased neurochemical serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE) levels. Silymarin and silibinin reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) formation and increased glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities. In addition, silymarin and silibinin reduced inter-leukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-12β, reducing tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) induced neuroinflam-mation. Conclusion: Silymarin and silibinin exert anti-depression and anxiolytic effects by regulating neu-rotransmitters, endocrine, neurogenesis, and immunologic systems. Therefore, as natural and complementary medicines, they can be used to reduce the symptoms of depression and anxiety; How-ever, more clinical studies are needed in this field