61 research outputs found
Mapping research trends of universal health coverage from 1990 to 2019: Bibliometric analysis
Get PDFBackground: Universal health coverage (UHC) is one of many ambitious, health-related, sustainable development goals. Sharing various experiences of achieving UHC, in terms of challenges, pitfalls, and future prospects, can help policy and decision-makers reduce the likelihood of committing errors. As such, scholarly articles and technical reports are of paramount importance in shedding light on the determinants that make it possible to achieve UHC. Objective: The purpose of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of UHC-related scientific literature from 1990 to 2019. Methods: We carried out a bibliometric analysis of papers related to UHC published from January 1990 to September 2019 and indexed in Scopus via VOSviewer (version 1.6.13; CWTS). Relevant information was extracted: the number of papers published, the 20 authors with the highest number of publications in the field of UHC, the 20 journals with the highest number of publications related to UHC, the 20 most active funding sources for UHC-related research, the 20 institutes and research centers that have produced the highest number of UHC-related research papers, the 20 countries that contributed the most to the research field of UHC, the 20 most cited papers, and the latest available impact factors of journals in 2018 that included the UHC-related items under investigation. Results: In our analysis, 7224 articles were included. The publication trend was increasing, showing high interest in the scientific community. Most researchers were from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with Thailand being a notable exception. The Lancet accounted for 3.95 of published UHC-related research. Among the top 20 funding sources, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) accounted for 1.41, 1.34, and 1.02 of published UHC-related research, respectively. The highest number of citations was found for articles published in The Lancet, the American Journal of Psychiatry, and the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The top keywords were �health insurance,� �insurance,� �healthcare policy,� �healthcare delivery,� �economics,� �priority,� �healthcare cost,� �organization and management,� �health services accessibility,� �reform,� �public health,� and �health policy.� Conclusions: The findings of our study showed an increasing scholarly interest in UHC and related issues. However, most research concentrated in middle- and high-income regions and countries. Therefore, research in low-income countries should be promoted and supported, as this could enable a better understanding of the determinants of the barriers and obstacles to UHC achievement and improve global health. © Mahboubeh Khaton Ghanbari, Masoud Behzadifar, Leila Doshmangir, Mariano Martini, Ahad Bakhtiari, Mahtab Alikhani, Nicola Luigi Bragazz
Chitosan nanofibrous wound dressing accelerates wound healing via reduction of CD68+/CD163+ ratio and increase of angiogenesis and collagen deposition
No full textChitosan nanofibrous wound dressing accelerates wound healing via reduction of CD68+/CD163+ ratio and increase of angiogenesis and collagen deposition
Mahboubeh Ghanbari1, Mark A. Carlson2, Carlos P. Jara2, Yury Salkovskiy1
1Department of Biomechanics, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
2Department of Surgery, University of Nebraska Medical Center, NE, USA
email: [email protected]
Background: Chitosan-based materials hold significant potential for wound healing treatments due to their antibacterial properties, compatibility with living tissues, biodegradability, and low cost. Despite extensive research into chitosan applications for wound healing, the cellular and molecular mechanisms through which chitosan facilitates wound repair are not fully understood. This research aims to evaluate these mechanisms in a comparative study with commercial dressings using an acute excisional wound model in rats. Methods: Sprague Dawley rats (n=39) were divided into three main groups based on the type of dressings used. Two treatment groups received PriMatrix Dermal Repair Scaffold and chitosan nanofibrous dressings as the primary dressing, with a 3M Tegaderm transparent film applied as the secondary dressing; the third (control) group was treated solely with the Tegaderm dressing. Histological changes and collagen content were assessed using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson\u27s trichrome (MTC) staining, respectively. The tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were measured in the wound tissue. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining for CD31, CD68, CD163, and vimentin was conducted on day 21 post-wounding. Results: The rate of epithelialization was significantly higher in rats treated with chitosan nanofibrous dressings (87.5% compared to 42.04%, p = 0.03) than in those treated with PriMatrix Scaffold. While TNF-α protein levels substantially decreased in rats treated with both chitosan nanofibrous dressings and PriMatrix Scaffold compared to the control group, iNOS levels increased only in the rats treated with chitosan nanofibrous dressings. The CD68+/CD163+ ratio was lower in the chitosan-treated rats (0.28 ± 0.04 vs. 0.58 ± 0.09, p = 0.02) than in those treated with PriMatrix Scaffold. Furthermore, collagen deposition and angiogenesis were higher in the chitosan nanofibrous-treated rats compared to the control group. Conclusion: Chitosan nanofibrous dressing significantly enhances cutaneous wound healing and is associated with pronounced neovascularization, increased collagen content, and the modulation of iNOS and TNF-α levels at the wound site
A policy analysis of agenda-setting of Brucellosis in Iran using multiple streams framework: health policy and historical implications
Get PDFBackground: Brucellosis, a major zoonotic disease, is highly present in Iran, especially in Lorestan province. The aim of this study was to understand the issues related to Brucellosis utilizing the multiple streams framework.
Methods: A two-step method was adopted: i) assessment of brucellosis-related documents and ii) interviews with stakeholders.
Results: The problem stream was characterized by: 1) high prevalence of the disease, 2) traditional livestock production, 3) unsafe animal slaughtering, 4) centers for the sale and distribution of non-authorized dairy products, 5) raw milk and 6) traditional unsafe dairy products consumption, 7) incomplete livestock vaccination, 8) lack of knowledge of Brucellosis, 9) neighboring countries with high prevalence of Brucellosis, 10) lack of livestock quarantine, and 10) nomadic immigration. The policy stream was characterized by 1) primary healthcare networks, 2) guidelines, 3) medicines, insurance, and 4) diagnostic services. Finally, the political stream was characterized by: 1) support of the University of Medical Sciences, 2) sponsorship by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, 3) Health transformation plan, and 4) Working Group on Health and Food Security in Lorestan.
Conclusion: This study examined the brucellosis-related agenda setting: if different issues are taken into consideration, it can be perceived as a health priority
The effect of graphitic target density on carbon nanotube synthesis by pulsed laser ablation method
No full textEffects of Nitrate Intake on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats
No full textAbstract Background: Coronary artery disease is 2-3 times more common in diabetic individuals. Dietary nitrate/nitrite has beneficial effects in both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also has protective effects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in healthy animals. However, the effects of nitrate on myocardial IR injury in diabetic rats have not yet been investigated. Objective: We examined the effects of dietary nitrate on myocardial IR injury in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. Method: Rats were divided into four groups (n=7 in each group): control, control+nitrate, diabetes, and diabetes+nitrate. Type 2 diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Nitrate (sodium nitrate) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) for 2 months. The hearts were perfused in a Langendorff apparatus at 2 months and assessed before (baseline) and after myocardial IR for the following parameters: left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), minimum and maximum rates of pressure change in the left ventricle (±dP/dt), endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO metabolites (NOx). Results: Recovery of LVDP and ±dP/dt was lower in diabetic rats versus controls, but almost normalized after nitrate intake. Diabetic rats had lower eNOS and higher iNOS expression both at baseline and after IR, and dietary nitrate restored these parameters to normal values after IR. Compared with controls, heart NOx level was lower in diabetic rats at baseline but was higher after IR. Diabetic rats had higher MDA levels both at baseline and after IR, which along with heart NOx levels decreased following nitrate intake. Conclusion: Dietary nitrate in diabetic rats provides cardioprotection against IR injury by regulating eNOS and iNOS expression and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in the heart
Effects of Nitrate Intake on Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Diabetic Rats
No full textAbstract Background: Coronary artery disease is 2-3 times more common in diabetic individuals. Dietary nitrate/nitrite has beneficial effects in both diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also has protective effects against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in healthy animals. However, the effects of nitrate on myocardial IR injury in diabetic rats have not yet been investigated. Objective: We examined the effects of dietary nitrate on myocardial IR injury in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced diabetic rats. Method: Rats were divided into four groups (n=7 in each group): control, control+nitrate, diabetes, and diabetes+nitrate. Type 2 diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Nitrate (sodium nitrate) was added to drinking water (100 mg/L) for 2 months. The hearts were perfused in a Langendorff apparatus at 2 months and assessed before (baseline) and after myocardial IR for the following parameters: left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), minimum and maximum rates of pressure change in the left ventricle (±dP/dt), endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO metabolites (NOx). Results: Recovery of LVDP and ±dP/dt was lower in diabetic rats versus controls, but almost normalized after nitrate intake. Diabetic rats had lower eNOS and higher iNOS expression both at baseline and after IR, and dietary nitrate restored these parameters to normal values after IR. Compared with controls, heart NOx level was lower in diabetic rats at baseline but was higher after IR. Diabetic rats had higher MDA levels both at baseline and after IR, which along with heart NOx levels decreased following nitrate intake. Conclusion: Dietary nitrate in diabetic rats provides cardioprotection against IR injury by regulating eNOS and iNOS expression and inhibiting lipid peroxidation in the heart
Ameliorative Effects of Zataria Multiflora Hydro-Alcoholic extract on Gentamicin Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats
No full textAbstract
Background Nephrotoxicity is the major side effects of aminoglycoside antibiotics such as gentamicin. The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of Z.multiflora (ZM) hydroalcoholic extract on gentamicin-induced nephrotoxicity.
Methods Twenty-eight male Wistar rats categorized into four groups: 1) the control group without injection, 2) the gentamicin treated group (100 mg/kg, i.p) 3) the gentamicin and Z. Multiflora treated group; Z. Multiflora extract(0.8 mg/ml in the drinking water) administered after gentamicin (100 mg/kg, i.p) 4) the normal saline and Z. Multiflora treated group; Z. Multiflora extract (0.8 mg/ml in the drinking water) administered after normal saline injection (2 ml/kg,i.p ).
Results Post-treatment with ZM extract caused a significant reduction in the levels of plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), absolute and fractional excretion of sodium, malondialdehyed (MDA) level in comparison to gentamicin group. In addition, ZM extract significantly increased creatinine clearance, urine osmolarity, and Renal blood flow (RBF) and the Ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) level which had decreased compared to the control group as a result of treatment with gentamicin.
Conclusion The above result indicated that ZM extract improved renal toxicity of gentamicin via reducing oxidative stress, oxygen-free radicals, and lipid peroxidation.</jats:p
Effects of fetal hypothyroidism on uterine smooth muscle contraction and structure of offspring rats
No full textWearing your destination: Making tourism experience accessible for people with travel hesitation by using smart glasses
No full textAbstract
This quantitative study is probably one of the primary efforts for offering a potential solution for people with short- and long-term travel hesitation through the lense of Self-Efficacy and Learned Helplessness Theories as well as Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). In this study, travel hesitation is divided to two segments of permanent and temporary. Permanent travel hesitation includes age restrictions, visual, hearing, body impairment, Autism, and any types of disabilities. Furthermore, temporary travel hesitation includes traveling cost, having a new-born, having any types of phobias, being afraid of COVID-19 or any other COVID variants, and having no desires and interest for travel.
The purpose of this study is to offer a solution for people with travel hesitations, and it includes three research questions. The data were collected from 344 sample size through Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk) in December 2021. The collected data were analysed through SmartPlS 3.0 software using PLS algorithm and bootstrapping techniques. This research findings verified that people with travel hesitation had willingness to use smart glasses for their travel purposes and also people’s intention to travel physically to a destination after trying smart glasses was increased.Embargo status: Restricted until 09/2027. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left
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