Strategies to reduce costs and increase revenue in hospitals: a mixed methods investigation in Iran.

Introduction: The financial stability of hospitals directly impacts their ability to fulfill their primary mission of enhancing healthcare. This study identifies and prioritizes cost reduction and revenue enhancement strategies for Iranian hospitals.

Method: This investigation employed a mixed-methods design, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches.

Expression variation of long noncoding RNAs in dopaminergic cells-derived from stem cells and their MPP+ induced PD models.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons (DA) which can be caused by environmental and genetic factors. lncRNAs have emerged as an important regulatory layer in neurodegenerative disorders, including PD. In this study, we investigated and validated lncRNAs that may serve as diagnostic or therapeutic targets for PD.

Treatment appropriateness of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with atrial fibrillation for stroke prevention: A real-world prospective study.

Introduction: Inappropriate use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is common, affecting up to 30% of atrial fibrillation (AF) population receiving treatment for stroke prevention. This study assessed appropriateness of anticoagulation in anticoagulation-naive AF patients treated with DOACs during a 12-month prospective follow-up.

Methods: This prospective cohort study included all anticoagulation-naive AF patients referred for anticoagulation for stroke prevention at a tertiary cardiovascular center.

The prevalence of hepatitis C virus genotypes and factors associated with cirrhosis, fatty liver, and viral load: A registry-based cross-sectional cohort study in Western Iran during 1999-2023.

Background And Aims: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an important infectious disease that imposes a significant burden on healthcare systems. Determining the prevalence of HCV genotypes in a area is essential for the successful implementation of HCV elimination programs and allocation of financial resources to direct-acting antiviral direct-acting antivirals (DAA) treatments against prevalent HCV genotypes. Accordingly, we conducted a registry-based cross-sectional cohort study to investigate the prevalence of HCV genotypes and factors associated with cirrhosis, fatty liver, and viral load in Kermanshah Province, Western Iran.

Larvicidal potential of Trachyspermum ammi essential oil and Delphinium speciosum extract against malaria, dengue, and filariasis mosquito vectors.

Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose major public health challenges globally, affecting millions of people. The growing resistance of mosquito populations to synthetic insecticides underscores the critical need for effective and environmentally friendly larvicides. Although chemical pesticides can initially be effective, they often lead to negative environmental consequences and health hazards for non-target species, including humans.

Determinants of survival and recurrence in patients with stage I colorectal cancer.

Background: Due to the novel advanced screening methods, the number of patients diagnosed with stage I colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing. This retrospective cohort study aimed to identify recurrence and survival risk factors of patients with stage I CRC after surgery.

Materials And Methods: Patients with stage I CRC were evaluated, and their demographic and clinicopathologic variables were recorded.

Association between follicular fluid bacteria with inflammatory markers of the complete blood count and the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology in women with endometriosis: A case-control study.

Background And Aims: Endometriosis is a common reason for infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of this disease. The presence of microorganisms in women with endometriosis may increase levels of inflammatory markers.

A study of factors affecting the length of hospital stay (LOS) of COVID-19 patients: A qualitative evidence in Iranian hospital.

Background: The present study aimed to identify the administrators' and physicians' experiences and viewpoints about the factors affecting the length of stay (LOS) of COVID-19 patients and provide valid operational evidence.

Materials And Methods: The current study was carried out qualitatively and phenomenologically on experts, officials, and administrators of hospitals in 2021. Purposeful sampling was performed with the maximum diversity.

Mobile Phone App-Based or Face-to-Face Pulmonary Rehabilitation in COVID-19 Survivors.

Background: Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) is recommended as a standard, effective, and important treatment for COVID-19 survivors who remain symptomatic after the acute phase. Therefore, we aimed to compare the effect of mobile phone-based PR application with face-to-face PR on the quality of life, anxiety, depression, and daily life activities of COVID-19 survivors.

Materials And Methods: A quasi-experimental was conducted on 65 COVID-19 survivors during 2022.

Estimating the Costs of End-of-Life Care in Patients With Advanced Cancer From the Perspective of an Insurance Organization: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran.

Objectives: Cancers are significant medical conditions that contribute to the rising costs of healthcare systems and chronic diseases. This study aimed to estimate the average costs of medical services provided to patients with advanced cancers at the end of life (EOL).

Methods: We analyzed data from the Sata insurance claim database and the Health Information System of Baqiyatallah hospital in Iran.

Social disparities and inequalities in healthcare access and expenditures among Iranians exposed to sulfur mustard: a national study using spatio-temporal analysis.

Background: Sulfur Mustard (SM) is a chemical warfare agent that has serious short-term and long-term effects on health. Thousands of Iranians were exposed to SM during the eight-year Iran-Iraq conflict and permanently injured while the socioeconomic imbalance in their healthcare utilization (HCU) and health expenditures remains. This study aims to describe the HCU of SM-exposed survivors in Iran from 2018 to 2021; identify high-risk areas; and apply an inequality analysis of utilization regarding the socioeconomic groups to reduce the gap by controlling crucial determinants.

The origin of suspended particulate matter in the Great Barrier Reef.

River run-off has long been regarded as the largest source of organic-rich suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), contributing to high turbidity, pollutant exposure and increasing vulnerability of coral reef to climate change. However, the terrestrial versus marine origin of the SPM in the GBR is uncertain. Here we provide multiple lines of evidence (C NMR, isotopic and genetic fingerprints) to unravel that a considerable proportion of the terrestrially-derived SPM is degraded in the riverine and estuarine mixing zones before it is transported further offshore.

Applying the Delphi Approach to Prioritize Social Factors Affecting the Development of Children Under Six Years.

Background: Social determinants of health have a key role in the growth and development of children, particularly in early childhood which is mentioned from infancy to the age of six years old. These factors might cause disparities in living conditions and consequently bring about inequities regarding different aspects of development such as emotional, psychological, social, psychological, and intellectual. This research aimed to provide a model for prioritizing social factors affecting the development of children under six years.

Green synthesize of nano-MOF-ethylcellulose composite fibers for efficient adsorption of Congo red from water.

Two novel MOF- ethyl cellulose (EC)- based nanocomposites have been designed and synthesized in water by electrospinning and applied for adsorption of congo red (CR) in water. Nano- Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67), and Materials of Institute Lavoisier (MIL-88A) were synthesized in aqueous solutions by a green method. To enhance the dye adsorption capacity and stability of MOFs, they have been incorporated into EC nanofiber to prepare composite adsorbents.

Effects of cryopreservation in the presence of Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) on sperm parameters.

Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADESs) are being considered as a potential alternative to traditional cryoprotective agents (CPAs) in sperm freezing. The study aimed to assess the effects of NADESs as a CPA on human sperm parameters. A total of 32 normozoospermic semen samples were collected from the Alzahra infertility treatment center (Iran) between July 2021 and September 2022.

Detecting microplastics in organic-rich materials and their potential risks to earthworms in agroecosystems.

Microplastics (MPs) are a major emerging contaminant in agroecosystems, due to their significant resistance to degradation in terrestrial environments. Although previous investigations have reported the harmful effects of MPs contamination on soil biological properties, still little is known about the characteristics and fate of MPs in biosolid-amended soils and their risks to soil biota, particularly earthworms. We determined microplastics' concentration, size distribution, and chemical composition in 3 sewage sludge biosolids and 6 biosolid-amended agricultural soils.

Design, implementation, and evaluation of a CPOE system in a cancer care setting: A case study on the gastric cancer patients.

Background: Chemotherapy is a complex, multi-disciplinary, and error-prone process. Information technology is being increasingly used in different health care settings with complex work procedures such as cancer care to enhance the quality and safety of care. In this study, we aimed to develop a computerized physician order entry (CPOE) for chemotherapy prescribing in patients with gastric cancer and to evaluate the impact of CPOE on medication errors and order problems.

General tau theory as a model to evaluate audiovisual interplay in interceptive actions.

When interacting with the environment, sensory information is essential to guide movements. Picking up the appropriate sensory information (both visual and auditory) about the progression of an event is required to reach the right place at the right time. In this study, we aimed to see if general tau theory could explain the audiovisual guidance of movement in interceptive action (an interception task).

Comparing the effects of smartphone-based and face-to-face pulmonary rehabilitation education on caregiver burden and quality of life among the family caregivers of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized controlled field trial.

Background: Functional limitation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) and their dependence on their family caregivers (FCs) can significantly increase caregiver burden (CB) and reduce the quality of life (QOL) among FCs. Education of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) to FCs is a strategy with potential positive effects on CB. This study was conducted to compare the effects of smartphone-based and face-to-face (FTF) PR education on CB and QOL among the FCs of patients with COPD.

The Association of Soluble VEGFR-1 Serum Level and Genetic (rs7993418) Polymorphism with In Vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Outcome in the Population of Northern Iran.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR) play an important role in embryo implantation. The aim of the present study was to examine the association of VEGFR1 circulating level and gene polymorphism with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcome.

Methods: In this case-control study, 120 women who had unsuccessful IVF (IVF) history and 120 women who had successful IVF outcome (IVF) as controls were included.

A Study on Chemical Characterization and Biological Abilities of Extracts Obtained by Different Techniques.

In the quest for novel therapeutic agents from plants, the choice of extraction solvent and technique plays a key role. In this study, the possible differences in the phytochemical profile and bioactivity (antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activity) of the leaves and stem bark extracted using water, ethyl acetate and methanol, and different techniques, namely infusion, maceration and Soxhlet extraction, were investigated. Data collected showed that methanol extracts of both leaves (48.

Developing the breast cancer risk prediction system using hybrid machine learning algorithms.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women globally. Currently, many machine learning (ML)-based predictive models have been established to assist clinicians in decision making for the prediction of BC. However, preventing risk factor formation even with having healthy lifestyle behaviors or preventing disease at early stages can significantly lead to optimal population-wide BC health.

Targeted Anti-Mitochondrial Therapy: The Future of Oncology.

Like living organisms, cancer cells require energy to survive and interact with their environment. Mitochondria are the main organelles for energy production and cellular metabolism. Recently, investigators demonstrated that cancer cells can hijack mitochondria from immune cells.

Location selection criteria for field hospitals: A systematic review.

Establishing field hospitals is a critical task for governments to complete following disasters, with the first step being to identify suitable locations. Although field hospitals are similar to permanent hospitals and temporary shelters, no research in English has been conducted to extract the location selection criteria for field hospitals from those for hospitals and temporary shelters. A meta-synthetic approach was used to review all related qualitative, quantitative, and mixed studies published in English between January 2010 and June 2020 to identify new field hospital site selection criteria distinct from those used to select a permanent hospital and temporary sheltering sites.