Showing 62 results for Majid
Shahram Nazari, Sajjad Ashkani, Hadi Yousefzadeh, Fazel Agaei, Gharib Majidi, Aziz Kamran, Payman Azghani, Ayyob Rastegar, Zohreh Nazari, Soudabeh Alizadeh Matboo,
Volume 18, Issue 12 (3-2016)
Abstract
Background: Dendrimers are macromolecules with regular three-dimensional structure that have many branches. The aim of this study was to investigate the fficiency of Nano Polyamidoamine–G5 (NPAMAM-G5) dendrimers in removal of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus from aqueous solution.
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, initially, dilution of 103 CFU/ml was prepared from each strain of bacteria. Then, different concentrations of dendrimers (0.025, 0.25, 2.5 and 25 µg/ml) in the ambient temperature (23-25°C) was added to water. In order to determine the efficiency of dendrimers in removal of bacteria, samples were taken at different times (0, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 60 min) and were cultured on nutrient agar medium. Samples were incubated for 24 hours at 37 ° C and then the number of colonies was counted.
Results: There is a direct relation between antibacterial properties of dendrimers in aqueous solution and increasing the dendrimer concentration and contact time. At a concentration of 25 μg/ml and 60 minutes, all kinds of bacteria except Staphylococcus aureus, and at 30 minutes, E. coli and Klebsiella bacteria, were removed by 100% The concentration of 2.5 μg/ml at 60 minutes of bacteria, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella and Proteus mirabilis, 100% Were removed. All concentrations of dendrimer at different times were reduced bacteria.
Conclusion: Results of this study indicated that NPAMAM–G5 dendrimer is able to remove Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus from aqueous solution.
Nader Zarinfar, Maryam Valikhani, Bahman Sadeghi, Masoumeh Soufian, Majid Akbari,
Volume 19, Issue 11 (2-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Probiotics are known as a factor for prevention of infectious diseases such as urinary tract infection(UTI). The present study aimed to investigate the positive effects of probiotics on urinery truct infection of cateterized intensive care unit patients.
Materials and Methods: In a triple blind clinical trial, 125 cateterized intensive care unit patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups, Treatment group (n = 63) was well matched with placebo group (n = 62) for age and sex and duration of admission .Case group received one lactocare capsule for 10 days and control group with a same method received placebo for 10 days. In both groups urine analysis and urine culture were measured with a same method at the first day and then twentieth day and finally data were analysed with t-test.
Results: The incidence of urinary tract infection between treatment and control group (respectively 17.4% and 22.5%) had no statistically significant difference (p=0.672). But, in terms of sex, incidence of urinary tract infections in women compared to men with the same condition was significantly different(p=0.002). In treatment group with long term cathetrization, urinary tract infections significantly were significantly different(p=0.041).
Conclusion: Administration of lactocare capsule has no statistically significant impact on the incidence of urinery truct infection of cateterized intensive care unit patients. In comparsion of cateterized men and women receiving probiotics, the reduction of urinary tract infection in women was more than in men. Probiotics had preventive effects on long term catheterization.
Majid Kermani, Mohsen Dowlati, Sevda Fallah Jokandan, Mina Aghaei, Farshad Bahrami Asl, Sima Karimzadeh,
Volume 19, Issue 12 (3-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Poor air quality has a lot of damage on the environment and humans. Awareness of the air quality situation reduces health effects of air pollution. This study was performed with the aim of the comparative investigation of Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and its application in seven major cities of Iran in 2011.
Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive–analytic one. First, the required data of four criteria pollutants were taken from Department of Environment in seven major cities of Iran. The data were validated by the World Health Organization criteria. The air quality health index was measured based on the instructions and classified into low, medium, high and very high degrees according to the air quality standard tables.
Results: The results demonstrate that according to air quality health index, the level of air pollution in seven major cities of Iran has been undesirable and air quality has exceeded the standard level in Ahvaz 85%, Arak73%, Tehran70%, Esfahan60%, Shiraz 47%, Tabriz 43% and, Mashhad 29% of days.
Conclusion: Due to poor air quality and health consequences resulting from it, importance of Air Quality Health Index is explored in planning to control and reduce air pollution and awareness of peoples from daily status of air quality and its health effects.
Majid Amiri Motlagh, Mohammad Ali Atlasi, Zeinab Vahidinia, Sayyed Alireza Talaei, Zeinab Rezazadeh Lavaf, Abolfazl Azami Tameh,
Volume 20, Issue 5 (8-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury.Glutamate transporters have a major role in glutamate removal and maintain its concentration below excitotoxic levels. Although estrogen’s and progesterone’s neuroprotective effects were well-described, the exact molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. This study has investigated estrogen and progesterone effect on glutamate transporters expression in the ischemic penumbra/peri-infarct region in rat.
Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h. Estrogen and progesterone combination was immediately injected after tMCAO subcutaneously. Sensorimotor functional tests for evaluating behavioral deficits and TTC staining for measurement of infarct volume were performed 24 h after MCAO. Real-time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3.
Results: The combination of estrogen and progesterone could significantly reduce lesion volume. Also, hormone therapy could improve ischemic neurological disorders. After hormone therapy, gene expression of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 did not show significant changes.
Conclusion: Combined estrogen–progesterone treatment significantly reduces neurological deficits and infarct volume; these effects are independent of the glutamate transporters signaling pathways.
Majid Talebi, Dariush Minai-Tehrani, Mohammad Fazilati, Arash Minai-Tehrani,
Volume 20, Issue 9 (12-2017)
Abstract
Abstract
Background: Lipases are one of the groups of enzymes which are important in medicine and industry. In gastrointestinal tract of human, lipase catalysis break down of triglyceride. Bacteria have also lipases which break down triglyceride in their culture medium and can use its fatty acids as carbon source. Dicyclomine is an antispasmodic drug that relieves smooth muscle spasm of the gastrointestinal tract. Few drugs have been determined to inhibit lipase activity, in this research; dicyclomine was introduced as an inhibitor of lipase, for the first time.
Materials and Methods: Lipase was extracted from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the effect of dicyclomine was tested on its activity. The bacterium was cultured in medium with olive oil as carbon source and the supernatant was used for enzyme assay. For monitoring the enzyme activity, Para nitrophenyl palmitate (pNPP) was used as a substrate and the induced product was measured by visible spectrophotometer. Lineweaver-Burk plot was utilized for revealing the type of binding.
Results: This research has shown that dicyclomine can inhibit lipase. Inhibition plot determined that the drug can inhibit the enzyme by competitive manner. Calculation of Ki and IC50 values showed that the drug can bind to the enzyme with high affinity. The study of enzyme activity in different pH and temperature revealed that optimum activity of enzyme, in the presence or absence of the drug, was observed in pH 8 and 60oC.
Conclusion: For the first time, dicyclomine was introduced as an inhibitor of lipase and the kinetics factors of the drug were investigated.
Shahla Shahsavandi, Mohammad Majid Ebrahimi, Mohammad Reza Samiee,
Volume 21, Issue 3 (6-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The inactivated vaccines are formulated with adjuvant to direct the host immune responses and also increase stability of the antigen. In recent years, the development of biological adjuvants and the evaluation of their ability in elicitation of immune responses against influenza virus have been considered. Hemokinin-1 (HK-1) activates T and B cells for differentiation into plasma cells, and antibody production. In this study, the effect of HK-1 for inducing humoral immune response against influenza chitosan based-nano vaccine was investigated.
Materials and Methods: Chitosan nanoparticle containing inactivated influenza antigen and chitosan nanoparticle containing the inactivated antigen formulated with HK-1 were prepared. Immune response following influenza nanoparticles vaccinations with and without the adjuvant was assessed in SPF chickens after prime and boost immunizations. Specific antibody levels against influenza were evaluated in serum samples of treatment and control groups by serological tests.
Findings: The chickens immunized with the HK-1 adjuvanted nano vaccine produced higher specific antibody titers that were sustained until the end of experiment comparable either with inactivated antigen alone or the H9N2 nanoparticles without HK-1 adjuvant. Administration of boosting had no effect on the enhancing of antibody titer.
Conclusion: The data show that the chitosan nanoparticles provide better absorption conditions and more stability and release of the influenza antigen in the presence of HK-1 biological adjuvant.
Sima Akhavan, Rokhsare Memar, Leila Dehghani, Behnaz Ansari, Majid Ghasemi,
Volume 21, Issue 6 (12-2018)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Migraine is a common disease with throbbing and unilateral quality, which is accompanied by aura symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and photophobia. The level of procalcitonin is increased in migraine, which is due to the inflammation caused by a low level of serum serotonin. This study aims to investigate the level of serum procalcitonin in patient with migraine by prescribing serotonin agonist drugs.
Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 40 migraine patients in the center of migraine patients of al-zahra university hospital in Isfahan were selected, among which 26 patients received serotonin as a treatment while the other 14 ones were treated by drugs other than sumatriptan agonist. Then, the level of procalcitonin in these patients was calculated and analyzed.
Findings: The results of the study showed that there was a difference between of the case and control groups in the level of procalcitonin in the serum of their sample blood tests. It seems that the case group patients have a lower level of procalcitonin compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Totally, the current study indicates the effect of serotonin in reducing the level of serum procalcitonin.
Farzaneh Jajarmi, Ahmad Jonidi Jafari, Majid Kermani, Mitra Gholami,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (4-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Dust was considered by researchers as one of the most important forms of air pollution. The aim of this study was to identify the physical and chemical characteristics of dust storm sources in Tehran.
Materials and methods: This study was conducted in selected air sampling stations of Tehran, in the days of dust and ordinary from January 2016 for one year. The concentration of dust particles was determined by gravimetric. Heavy metal concentrations in samples after digestion were determined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS-GF). Mineralogy and morphology of the dust fall particles were inspected using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy and sources particles using Enrichment Factor Analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed. For statistical analysis, R software was used.
Ethical Considerations: This study with research ethics code IR.IUMS.REC.1397.313 has been approved by research ethics committee at Iran University of Medical Sciences.
Findngs: The highest average particle concentration in normal days was related to the central station (122.63 µg / m3), and the lowest for the East Station (67.13 µg / m3). The highest concentrations of the elements measured in the particles are related to iron and aluminum and the lowest concentrations of chromium and nickel. Lowest amount of Enrichment Factor was obtained for iron, less than one.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that the concentration of dust in center was higher than other station. Natural and human resources both play a significant role in the release of metals. By conducting further studies on the source of dust in Tehran and using the results, effective control measures can be designed and implemented.
Saeed Changizi-Ashtiyani, Majid Ramezani, Hossein Poorcheraghi, Seyed Mohammad Afzali, Parand Pirouzi, Sina Atashi, Ali Zarei,
Volume 22, Issue 5 (11-2019)
Abstract
Background and Aim Among the plants with multiple healing properties and a long and common history of use in Iranian traditional medicine, is dog-rose plant with the scientific name of “Rosa canina” that belongs to the Rosaceae family. This study aimed to review the effectiveness of Rosa canina in treatment of different body organs and tissues and emphasizes its therapeutic mechanism.
Methods & Materials This is a review study. About 176 papers published from 2010 to 2018 were extracted from PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, Ovid, MagIran, and SID databases using related keywords and entered into study.
Ethical Considerations Ethical issues (including plagiarism, misconduct, data fabrication, falsification, double publication or submission, redundancy) have been completely observed by the authors.
Results Different studies had indicated the importance of Rosa canina as a medicinal plant protecting liver, lowering glucose and lipid levels, and having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The highest flavonoid activity in the Rosaceae family is related to Rosa canina. The use of herbal extracts in the treatment of common diseases, such as diabetes, fatty liver, urinary tract and Alzheimer's, has been recommended.
Conclusion High qualitative and quantitative diversity of effective ingredients, ease of access, absence of adverse effects of consumption and endemic nature of Rosa canina plant make it necessary to use it for the control and treatment of common human diseases.
Fatemeh Heidari Soureshjani, Majid Kheirollahi, Parichehreh Yaghmaei, Fattah Sotoodehnejadnematalahi,
Volume 23, Issue 4 (October & November 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disease that gradually destroys memory and cognitive skills. The disease is caused by the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, oxidative stress, dysfunctions in the cholinergic system, neuronal killing inflammation, and ultimately brain atrophy. Donepezil and hyoscyamoside have inhibitory effects on these pathogens; therefore, their impact on the learning process of Alzheimer’s rats in the Morris Water Maze was investigated.
Methods & Materials: In the present experimental study, 60 male rats of Wistar breed with approximately 7 weeks age within the control group (rats that received normal water and food), the PBS group (underwent surgery), PBS group (received solvent Aβ), the first Alzheimer›s group (animals that received beta-amyloid by Alzheimer’s surgery, second Alzheimer’s group (after Alzheimer’s surgery, they received 1 cc of normal saline daily, and treatment groups that treated the rats with beta-amyloid after Alzheimer. In the hyoscyamoside group, they received 10 mg/kg daily of hyoscyamoside for 28 days. The donepezil group received it 4 mg/kg daily for 28 days by gavage. The Morris Water Maze test was used to evaluate learning and memory. Data were analyzed by ANOVA statistical analysis and Post Hoc test.
Ethical Considerations: The Ethics Committee in Biomedical Research, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch approved the research (Code: IR.IAU.SRB.REC 1397.057)
Results: Beta-amyloid injection caused extensive damage to memory. The treatment groups with hyoscyamoside and donepezil spent less time and distance with a significant level (P<0.001) than the group of Alzheimer’s patients to find the hidden platform. In the reminder phase, where the previously hidden platform was located, they spent more time, with a significant level (P<0.001) in the local quarter.
Conclusion: Treatment of rats with hyoscyamoside and donepezil improved spatial memory in Alzheimer’s rats. They appear to play a significant role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Sedigheh Safaeian Titkanlou, Toktam Maleki Shahmahmood, Zahra Ghayoumi-Anaraki, Fatemeh Haresabadi, Majid Haddadi Avval, Mohaddeseh Soltani, Mohsen Rajati Haghi,
Volume 23, Issue 6 (February & March 2020)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Phonological awareness skills, as part of phonological processing abilities, can predict the extent of success in acquiring written and reading skills. Phonological awareness skills are of concern in children with severe and profound hearing loss, which has been less studied in this population. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate these skills in Cochlear-Implanted (CI) children and compare them with their healthy counterparts.
Methods & Materials: The study population included 25 CI children and 25 healthy children, aged 4-6 years, who were monolingual Persian speakers. The selected CI and healthy children were selected from the Rehabilitation Center of Naqmeh and the Kindergartens in Mashhad, City, Iran, respectively. After selecting each participant, the test of phonological awareness was administered. To compare the mean scores of each subtest, the obtained data were analyzed in SPSS v. 21 using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.MUMS.REC.1396.263).
Results: The mean scores of CI children were significantly lower than that of their healthy peers in all phonological awareness subscales (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The obtained data suggested that healthy children presented better performance than the CI children in the phonological awareness test. Poor phonological awareness skills in CI children seem to be associated with hearing deprivation before cochlear implantation; thus, it requires to speed up surgery at an early age and the implementation of an effective rehabilitation program.
Zohreh Karimi Taheri, Mohammad Hosein Aarabi, Ali Nazari Alam, Majid Nejati, Mohammad Shayestehpour, Hamid Reza Gilasi, Afshin Salehi, Mohammad Esmaeil Shahaboddin,
Volume 24, Issue 1 (April & May 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Despite the anti-cancer and antimicrobial properties of licorice extract and lavender essential oil, some factors, such as low bioavailability and biodegradable, limit their therapeutic use. Using nanoparticles is a method to overcome these restrictions. This study aimed to investigate the anti-proliferative effects of nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil on cancer cells; we also evaluated its antimicrobial properties in vitro.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, nanoemulsions, containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil were developed by the spontaneous emulsion method. The anti-proliferative effect of nanoemulsion was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric method on two cell lines HepG2 and SK-MEL-3. To measure the antimicrobial effect of 4 standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method was used.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Kashan University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.KAUMS.MEDNT.REC.1396.106).
Results: The results of MTT test on HepG2 cells indicated that the concentrations of 630, 1250, and 2500 μg/mL nanoemulsions caused toxicity to the cell and led to the death of >50% of the cells (IC50=401μg/mL; P<0.05). Evaluating SK-MEL3 cells revealed that except for 75 μg of nanoemulsion, other concentrations induced death in >50% of the cells (IC50 = 82 μg/mL; P<0.05). In addition, nanoemulsions, with antimicrobial properties, were studied in 4 strains of bacteria; the highest antimicrobial properties were observed in Staphylococcus epidermidis.
Conclusion: Nanoemulsion containing licorice extract and lavender essential oil presents antimicrobial and antiproliferative effects on the two cell lines studied. The current study results indicated that the nano emulsification of lavender essential oil and licorice extract can enhance their biological impact; thus, they can be used as a drug formulation.
Forough Khodadadnejad, Majid Akbari, Fateme Abdolalian, Mahboube Daneshvar, Behzad Ahmadi, Zahra Zahraei,
Volume 24, Issue 3 (August & September 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: The success of endodontic treatment depends on the complete elimination of pathogenic bacteria inside the root canal. Enterococcus faecalis, a gram-positive, pathogenic, and anaerobic cocci, are the primary etiology of root canal infection in treated and untreated teeth and are highly associated with endodontic treatment failure. This study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of Sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, microemulsion of Myrtus 10%, and microemulsion of Thyme 0.6% on the E. faecalis after root canal filling.
Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, 25 extracted single canal human anterior teeth were collected, and their crowns were cut. Then after washing and cleaning, and filling, the sterilization was done using an autoclave. Then, except 5 teeth (negative control group), the teeth were smeared with E. faecalis and then divided into 5 groups randomly represented the irrigation by Sodium hypochlorite 2.5%, microemulsion of Myrtus 10%, and microemulsion of Thyme 0.6%, with a positive control group and negative control group. The teeth were filled with gutta-percha and then incubated in an incubator for 90 days at a temperature of 37°C. Finally, the comparison of CFU in the groups due to abnormal data distribution was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.
Ethical Considerations: The Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences approved this study (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1398.297).
Results: According to the results of this study, the correlation between the groups of cultured teeth was not significant(P>0.05). The specimens washed with microemulsion of the Thyme 0.6% had the highest positive number of cultures; the specimens washed by Sodium hypochlorite 2.5% had the lowest number of cultures.
Conclusion: This study showed that no statistically significant difference exists in their antimicrobial activity after root canal therapy after the use of different wash solutions.
Zahra Hoseini, Naeimeh Akbari Torkestani, Abed Majidi, Azam Moslemi,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (October & November 2021)
Abstract
Background and Aim: Among the different periods of human life, adolescence is one of the most important and valuable periods of each personchrs life and anxiety is very common in this period of development and can continue into adulthood. One of the concerns is health concern so it is the best time to target the efforts of preventive behavior during adolescence. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of group-based puberty counseling on problem-solving health concerns of adolescent girls.
Methods & Materials: This study is an educational trial with a pre-test and post-test design that is performed on 60 female students aged 15-18 years in Tehran (30 in the experimental group and 30 in the control group) who meet the inclusion criteria and by sampling method. Two-stage cluster random sampling was performed. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing demographic information and a standard health concern questionnaire. The intervention was designed by group discussion during 6 sessions for the experimental group and after 2 months, information was collected from both groups and analyzed by chi-square, independent t-test and paired t-test.
Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.262), and all participants have read and signed the informed consent.
Results: According to the results of the study, before the educational intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of anxiety in: personal health were 3.90, sexual health was 3.77, communication was 3.83, emotional health was 5.43 and the total score of anxiety was 16.10. The intervention had changed to 2.53, 2.03, 2.97, 3.30 and 10.90, respectively. This change was significant in the areas of sexual health, emotional health and total anxiety score (P<0.005). Also, the experimental and control groups, after the educational intervention, had significant differences in the areas of personal health, emotional health and total anxiety score (P<0.005).
Conclusion The results of the intervention showed that group discussion can reduce the health concerns of adolescent girls.
Mis Freshteh Shahidi, Mr Majid Kashef, Mis Zohreh Delfani,
Volume 24, Issue 6 (February & March 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim : Despite progressive improvement in medical therapy and standard care, Exercisebased rehabilitation programs have been shown to to have beneficial cardiovascular effects in patients with myocardial infarction through a multifactorial effect. This review study aimed to evaluate exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation strategies in patients with myocardial infarction with special focus on high intensity interval training, as a growing field of research was conducted.
Material and Methods: This is a systematic review study on articles published, without limitation Year, by searching in reputable databases such as PabMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer. Also in the process of searching for articles on the keywords microRNAs (miRNA) and myocardial infarction "," cardiac rehabilitation and myocardial infarction "," cardiac rehabilitation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) ", high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and Myocardial infarction was used.
Ethical considerations: All Ethical principles in writing this article have been observed according to the instructions of the National Ethics Committee and the COPE regulations.
Results: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is a safe and effective exercise strategy to improve cardiac function in MI, and to prevent abnormal changes in mass, size, geometry, and cardiac function after MI, and Applies significant changes in molecular targets and cell pathway.
Conclusion: Therefore, HIIT targets myocardial necroptosis due to oxidative stress, protects the heart against adverse left ventricular regeneration after MI, and can be considered an integral part of post-MI cardiac rehabilitation programs.
Zeynab Beiranvand, Mahbobeh Sajadi, Majid Taheri, Soheila Shamsikhani,
Volume 25, Issue 1 (April & May- 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Moral stress happens when a person makes a moral decision but cannot accomplish it, mainly due to internal and external organizational limitations. Problem-solving skills training as one of the principles of stress management may be effective in controlling nurses’ moral stress. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of problem-solving skills training on the moral stress of novice nurses.
Methods & Materials This study was a clinical trial performed on 70 novice nurses working in Shohaday Khorramabad Hospital, Khorramabad City, Iran. The samples were selected by convenience sampling and randomly divided into intervention (n=36) and control (n=35) groups. The study data were collected by demographic questionnaire and Corley’s moral distress scale. Before the intervention, participants of both groups completed those questionnaires. Then for the intervention group, a problem-solving skills workshop was held in six 2-hour sessions. After training, the Corley moral distress scale was completed again by participants of both groups. Finally, the data were analyzed by the Chi-square test, paired, and independent t tests in SPSS software v. 16.
Ethical Considerations This study has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences with the ethical code IR.ARAKMU.REC.1395.449. Informed consent was taken from all participants, and they were assured of keeping their information confidential.
Results In this study, most participants were around 25 years old. Also, 98.5% had Bachler’s degrees, and 1.5% had Master’s degrees. The study results showed that the mean of moral distress in the intervention was significantly different from before the intervention (P<0.05).
Conclusion This study showed that applying problem-solving skills has a significant effect in decreasing the moral distress of novice nurses in the clinical setting.
Majid Mehrad, Majid Nojavan, Sedigh Raissi, Mehrdad Javadi,
Volume 25, Issue 2 (June & July 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim Most heart diseases show symptoms on ECG, but diagnosing heart disease with ECG requires the knowledge and experience of medical specialized. Because these specialists may not always be available, it is necessary to design tools to diagnose heart disease in these situations. In this paper, a two-stage approach based on artificial neural networks is designed to diagnose heart disease using ECG information.In this study, we aim to propose a two-stage approach using artificial neural network (ANN) to diagnose heart disease based ECG data.
Methods & Materials To design the proposed approach, first the ECG data of 861 patients referred to medical centers in Arak, Iran were collected. The data were examined based on the opinions of specialists. Then, 154 features from ECG were used as inputs to the proposed model. In the first stage, an ANN was used to detect the ECG status (usable and unusable). In the second stage, using the usable ECG data, an ANN was used to diagnose the presence or absence of heart disease. Finally, the performance of the two-stage approach was evaluated and its accuracy and precision in determining the ECG quality and heart disease diagnosis were determined.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the ethics committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1400.138).
Results In the proposed approach, the ANN used for the determining the ECG status had a precision of 97.1% and an accuracy of 97.3%. The ANN used for the diagnosis of heart disease had a precision of 95.8% and an accuracy of 95.4%.
Conclusion Considering the high efficiency of the proposed approach in determining of ECG status and diagnosing heart disease, it is possible to use this approach to help the treatment staff.
Ahmad Sahabzamani, Dr. Maryam Sadrnia, Dr. Majid Akbari, Dr. Sasan Saki,
Volume 25, Issue 3 (August & September 2022)
Abstract
Background and Aim The efflux pump in Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhibits the effect of ciprofloxacin by releasing quinolones out of the cell. It is important to find compounds to inactivate or inhibit its activity to continue using the antibiotics. The present study was done to investigate using sertraline as an efflux pump inhibitor in P. aeruginosa to reduce antibiotic resistance.
Methods & Materials P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from clinical sources and identified by routine microbiological methods. Resistance of the isolates to ciprofloxacin was evaluated by Kirby–Bauer test. Resistance breakdown was investigated by adding sertraline to the Moller Hinton agar medium and determining the zone of inhibition of ciprofloxacin. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by microplate dilution method and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) by culture and MTT method were done for the isolates and ATCC 27853. The presence of the efflux pump was evaluated by the phenotypic method using sertraline and serial dilution method of the liquid medium in a microplate, on ciprofloxacin-resistant strains. The presence of the producing gene of this pump was determined by the genotyping method in resistant strains by performing PCR. The standard PAO1 strain of P. aeruginosa was used as a positive control.
Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medical Sciences of Islamic Azad University, Brojerd Branch (Code: IR.IAU.B.REC.1401.011).
Results Based on Kirby–Bauer test results, three strains were considered resistant to ciprofloxacin. MIC of drug-resistant strains was between 32 and 64 mg/ml and MBC was between 16 and 32 mg/ml. By performing electrophoresis on the PCR products, it was determined that the tested strains contained the mexA gene encoding the efflux pump. In the agar medium without sertraline, the zone of inhibition around the ciprofloxacin disc was zero, but after adding sertraline, the diameter of the halo increased to 25 mm. The minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin in the isolates before adding 25 µg of sertraline was 128 µg/ml and after adding sertraline, it was 4 µg/ml.
Conclusion It was concluded that sertraline inhibited the efficiency of the efflux pump in resistant P. aeruginosa isolates and reduced ciprofloxacin resistance.
Dr Majid Gholami-Ahangaran, Dr Maryam Karimi-Dehkordi,
Volume 26, Issue 1 (April & May 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Coronaviruses are mainly the cause of respiratory disease in humans, and among the known species, the coronaviruses that cause SARS, MERS, and Covid 19 cause severe respiratory disease. So far, no specific treatment has been found for these diseases. Considering the beneficial effects of medicinal plants as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, the use of herbal compounds can be effective in mild infection of coronaviruses.
Methods: PubMed database was used to search for articles containing the terms coronavirus, SARS, MERS, as well as human and herbal medicine. The inclusion criteria were all full articles with the mentioned keywords and the exclusion criteria were summary articles and articles presented in conferences. A total of 36 articles on human coronaviruses were found. Most of the studies were about SARS (SARS-CoV) with 26 articles (72.22%). Two articles (5.55%) were found about Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and only one article (2.77%) about MERS (MERS-CoV). It should be noted that one study included SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV and six studies (16.66%) also investigated SARS, MERS and Covid-19 at the same time. Ethical principles have been respected in writing the article, according to the instructions of the National Ethics Committee and COPE regulations.
Results: Some medicinal plants have been identified with effective antiviral activity against SARS, MERS, and Covid-19 coronaviruses, including green tea, cinnamon, licorice, cure, sage, chives, rhubarb, nettle, and blackberry. Considering that these medicinal plants have already been used with different therapeutic effects in the human medicinal pharmacopoeia, it is recommended to conduct clinical trials on humans in order to achieve an effective dose against common human coronaviruses.
Conclusions: Although some medicinal plants have been recommended for use in the treatment of coronavirus respiratory syndrome in humans, the effects of these plants on other biological factors have not been studied, until now. It is necessary to evaluate their side effects simoultaneous with clinical trials and confirming the effectiveness of these compounds.
Hamid Akhavein Mohammadi, Majid Baradaran,
Volume 26, Issue 2 (June & July 2023)
Abstract
Introduction: Generalized anxiety disorder can be described as a debilitating disorder characterized by negative evaluation by others, internal shame, negative self-concept, as well as high levels of anxiety and avoidance in specific social and functional situations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effective of hypnotherapy in promotion subjective well-being and sleep quality in people with generalized anxiety disorder.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with pretest-posttest and a control group design and conducted on 40 persons who had generalized anxiety disorder in Rasht, Iran in 2023 and were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups (20 persons in each group). The hypnotherapy was conducted during 6 sessions in the experimental group, while the control group did not receive any treatment. The data were collected through the subjective well-being and sleep quality Inventory. Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data. This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Payame Noor University (Code: IR.PNU.REC.1402.070).
Results: The results indicated that hypnotherapy was effective on subjective well-being (F= 33.38, P=0.001) and sleep quality (F= 5.10, P=0.03) in people with generalized anxiety disorder; this method also increased their subjective well-being and sleep quality.
Conclusions: The based on the results of the present study, hypnotherapy is effective in promotion subjective well-being and sleep quality in people with generalized anxiety disorder. It suggests that these method are used along with other psychological and pharmaceutical therapies for people with generalized anxiety disorder as a clinical intervention.
