7973 research outputs found
Sort by
Injectable hydrogels in central nervous system: Unique and novel platforms for promoting extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue engineering
No full textRepairing central nervous system (CNS) is difficult due to the inability of neurons to recover after damage. A clinically acceptable treatment to promote CNS functional recovery and regeneration is currently unavailable. According to recent studies, injectable hydrogels as biodegradable scaffolds for CNS tissue engineering and regeneration have exceptionally desirable attributes. Hydrogel has a biomimetic structure similar to extracellular matrix, hence has been considered a 3D scaffold for CNS regeneration. An interesting new type of hydrogel, injectable hydrogels, can be injected into target areas with little invasiveness and imitate several aspects of CNS. Injectable hydrogels are being researched as therapeutic agents because they may imitate numerous properties of CNS tissues and hence reduce subsequent injury and regenerate neural tissue. Because of their less adverse effects and cost, easier use and implantation with less pain, and faster regeneration capacity, injectable hydrogels, are more desirable than non-injectable hydrogels. This article discusses the pathophysiology of CNS and the use of several kinds of injectable hydrogels for brain and spinal cord tissue engineering, paying particular emphasis to recent experimental studie
Different forms of optical soliton solutions to the Kudryashov’s quintuple self-phase modulation with dual-form of generalized nonlocal nonlinearity
No full textIn this paper, the exact soliton solutions and other exact solutions for nonlinear Schrodinger's equation having Kudryashov's quintuple power law of refractive index together with dual form of generalized nonlocal nonlinearity are studied. By noticing that the system is a non-integrable one, the diverse of solitary wave solutions by using a generalized trial equation scheme are reached. In particular, four forms of the solution functions including soliton, bright soliton, singular soliton, and periodic wave solutions are investigated. To achieve this, an illustrative example of the Schrodinger's equation to demonstrate the feasibility and reliability of the used procedure in this study is provided. The effect of the free parameters on the behavior a few obtained solutions for some nonlinear exact solutions was also analyzed due to the nature of nonlinearities. The dynamic properties of the obtained results are shown and analyzed by some density, two and three-dimensional images. We believe that our results would pave a way for future research generating optical memories based on the optical solitons. The constraint conditions to the existence of constructed solutions are also provided in this article
Risk factors for ERCP-related complications and what is the specific role of ASGE grading system
No full textBackground: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is one of the main therapeutic and sometimes diagnostic methods in biliary and pancreatic diseases. A grading system for the difficulty of ERCP (grade one to four, the higher grade represents the more complexity of the procedure) has been developed by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ERCP-related complications, their common risk factors, and specifically the role of difficulty of the procedure based on ASGE grading. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 620 ERCP-operated patients over 4 years in two tertiary referral centers affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Data about the difficulty of procedures based on the ASGE grading scale, complications including pancreatitis, bleeding, infection, perforation, arrhythmia, respiratory suppression, aspiration, and major common risk factors were collected. Results: The overall prevalence of complications was 11.6% including pancreatitis 8.2%, perforation 0.8%, gastrointestinal bleeding 1.3%, cholangitis 2.4%, and cardiopulmonary problems 0.5% (arrhythmia 0.3% and respiratory depression 0.2%). Patients with pancreatic contrast injection (66.7% vs. 11.3% P = 0.04) and sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) (44.4% vs. 11.1%; P = 0.01) showed a statistically significant higher overall complication rate. The association of these risk factors remained significant in multivariable logistic regression analysis. Patients with pancreatic contrast injection also showed a statistically significant higher prevalence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (66.7% vs. 11.3% P = 0.04). Furthermore, a significantly higher prevalence of arrhythmia (3.6% vs. 0; P = 0.008) was observed among patients with difficult cannulation. Based on the ASGE difficulty grading score, most of the patients were classified as grade 2 (74.2%) and 3 and 4 (23.4%). No statistically significant difference was noted between the difficulty-based groups in terms of complications. Conclusion: The current study showed that the most critical risk factors of ERCP-induced complications were pancreatic contrast injection and SOD. ASGE grading scale for ERCP complexity did not predict the occurrence of complications in our study population
Vegetable oil-based nanoemulsions for the preservation of muscle foods: A systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textThis systematic review and meta-analysis quantified the effects of various vegetable oil-based nanoemulsion (NE) formulations on muscle foods' microbial and chemical quality by estimating the weighted overall response ratio (R*). Treatment of muscle foods with NE formulations reduced the growth rates of total mesophilic bacteria, total psychrophilic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria, and Enterobacteriaceae by 26.2% (R*=0.738), 19% (R*=0.810), 44.7% (R*=0.553), and 31.8% (R*=0.682) during the storage period, respectively. Moreover, the NE formulations retarded the increasing rates of volatile basic-nitrogen content, lipid and protein oxidation, and lipid hydrolysis by 41.4% (R*=0.586), 34% (R*=0.660), 55% (R*=0.450), and 37.1% (R*=0.629), respectively. The NE formulations prepared from safflower, olive, canola, and sunflower oil were more effective than the other vegetable oils to control microbial growth and slow down chemical changes in muscle foods. The combination of nanoemulsions (NEs) and essential oils (EOs) was more efficient than NEs to preserve muscle foods. Packaging NE-treated muscle foods under anaerobic conditions provided better control of microbial growth and chemical changes than packaging under aerobic conditions. Consequently, a combination of vegetable oil-based NEs and EOs followed by anaerobic packaging is the most effective treatment to improve the quality of muscle foods
The Iranian blood pressure measurement campaign, 2019: study protocol and preliminary results
No full textPurpose Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for premature mortality and morbidity in Iran. The objective of the Iranian blood pressure (BP) measurement campaign was to identify individuals with raised blood pressure and providing appropriate care and increase the awareness among the public and policymakers of the importance of tackling hypertension. Methods The campaign was conducted in two phases. The first (communication) phase started on May 17th (International Hypertension Day). The second phase started on June 8th, 2019, and lasted up to July 7th during which, blood pressures were measured. The target population was Iranians aged >= 30 years. Participants voluntarily referred to health houses in rural and health posts and comprehensive health centers in urban areas in the setting of the Primary Health Care network. Additionally, over 13,700 temporary stations were set up in highly visited places in urban areas. Volunteer healthcare staff interviewed the participants, measured their BP, and provided them with lifestyle advice and knowledge of the risks and consequences of high blood pressure. They referred participants to physicians in case their BP was high. Participants immediately received a text message containing the relevant advice based on their measured BP and their past history. Results Blood pressure was measured for a total of 26,678,394 participants in the campaign. A total of 13,722,148 participants (51.4%) were female. The mean age was 46 +/- 14.1 years. Among total participants, 15,012,693 adults (56.3%) with no past history of hypertension had normal BP, 7,959,288 participants had BP in the prehypertension range (29.8%), and finally, 3,706,413 participants (13.9%) had either past medical history of hypertension, used medications, or had high BP measured in the campaign. Conclusion The campaign was feasible with the objective to increase the awareness among the public and policymakers of the importance of tackling hypertension in Iran
Inverse correlation between vitamin D and CRP levels in alopecia areata: A pilot study
No full textIntroduction: Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune non-scarring hair loss. The role of micronutrients such as iron, zinc, and vitamins, especially vitamin D, on the natural hair cycle is well defined in literature. This study aims to evaluate the correlation between vitamin D and CRP levels in patients with alopecia areata. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from beginning of October 2020 until end of December 2021. Alopecia areata patients over 18 years of age gave their written consent to participate in the study. The severity of the patients' disease was assessed using the Severity of Alopecia Tool. Serum vitamin D and CRP levels were measured and CBC and LFT were also performed. Results: There were significant differences between the patients with the localized form of AA and its universal form in the following variables: Vitamin D levels, SALT score, WBC, ALKP, and CRP. There was also a significant inverse correlation between CRP and vitamin D levels (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with higher CRP levels, and patients with low serum vitamin D and high CRP levels are at a higher risk of developing the universalis form of AA; therefore, these patients should undergo more aggressive treatment
Study of Contaminants in Iranian Drinking Water and their Health Outcomes: A Review
No full textContamination of ground and surface water resources with Nitrate (NO3), Fluoride (F), Trihalomethanes (THMs), radon, and heavy metals is the most important global concern due to its possible health risks to people. This study reviews the drinking water contaminants and their health outcomes examined in Iran. A review search was conducted using Scopus, Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Embase databases for associated released articles from 2014 to 2023, resulting in 86 articles relevant to the objective of this study. According to the results of this review, different emerging contaminants were found in potable water, including THMs, NO3, F, radon and heavy elements (i.e., As, Pb, Ni, Cd, Zn, Cu, and Cr). Health outcomes of exposure to radon, F, NO3, THMs, and heavy metals in potable water have been expressed in various epidemiological research studies. More than 65 of the studies reported hazard index (HI) or hazard quotient (HQ) of heavy elements to be greater than one in potable water in Iran for infants, children, teenagers, and adults. Children and infants are at higher health risk than adults in these areas. The level of Arsenic, Cadmium, Lead, Nickel, Zinc, and Chromium, in 26, 26, 17.39, 13.04, 8.69, and 4.3 of the papers was more than the allowable limits, respectively. Various groups of emerging pollutants have been found in potable water in Iran, while epidemiological research studies on their health outcomes are still insufficient
Stress, anxiety, and depression levels among family members of patients admitted to intensive care and general units of an educational hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic
No full textBACKGROUND: Hospitalization of a family member can cause anxiety and psychological problems in other members of the family. Especially if the patient is in the Intensive Care Unit or emergency hospitalization, tense as it is, the anxiety increases. The present study aimed to evaluate the level of stress, anxiety, and depression among family member in hospital general wards (GWs) and intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Shafa Hospital affiliated with Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Using the standard DASS-21 Questionnaire, levels of stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed in family member in GWs and ICUs. (N.=342). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (mean, SD, frequency, percentage) and analytic statistics such as Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS20 (SPSSInc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The results in GWs showed that the mean and standard deviation of depression, anxiety, and stress were 6.40±2.94, 6.48±3.09 and 6.20±2.92, respectively; and also, in ICUs the results showed that the mean and standard deviation of depression, anxiety, and stress were 8.17±3.94, 8.04±4.03 and 8.15±4.16, respectively. The severity of these disorders in two groups were at a moderate level. The results of this study also demonstrate a statistically significant difference in the mean score of anxiety, depression and stress in terms of gender in family members of patients admitted to the intensive care. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of the present study, it is recommended that the principles of patient and family support, especially information care, are included in the in-service training of this work. Moreover, it is important to provide opportunities for nurses to be able to address this dimension of care along with their other care tasks
The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
No full textBackground: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. Methods: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0–24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990–2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. Findings: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15–19 years in low-SDI settings. Interpretation: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. Funding: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Effect of a care programme based on the comfort theory on physiological indicators in paediatric candidates for endoscopy: a randomised clinical trial
No full textBackground/Aims Endoscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure used in paediatrics. This invasive procedure is anxiety-inducing, a natural response that can affect physiological indicators. Today, the use of nursing theories in the form of a comprehensive nursing care model plays a significant role in improving patient health. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the comfort-based care model on the physiological indicators of children undergoing endoscopy. Methods This clinical trial study was conducted on 56 paediatric patients referred to the endoscopy unit of Hajar Hospital (affiliated with the Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Iran). Children were enrolled by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either the intervention (28 participants) or control group (28 participants). The intervention, which was based on comfort theory, was carried out 2 hours before endoscopy, encompassing four dimensions: physical, psycho-spiritual, socio-cultural and environmental. The control group received routine care. Physiological indicators were recorded in both groups before and immediately after endoscopy. Data were analysed with the Chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test. Results Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference between the intervention and control groups in terms of their mean pulse or systolic and diastolic blood pressures. After the intervention, the mean pulse and systolic blood pressure in the intervention group was significantly decreased compared to the control grou