Prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections and high-risk behaviors among women referred to drop-in centers in Lorestan Province, western Iran.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are known as the most common blood-borne viral infections worldwide. Individuals referring to drop-in centers (DICs) are considered high-risk people exposed to infection with blood-borne viruses. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of HIV, HBV, and HCV infections among women referred to DICs in Lorestan Province, western Iran.

Antimicrobial activity and cytotoxic and epigenetic effects of tannic acid-loaded chitosan nanoparticles.

Tannic acid (TA) is a potent antitumor agent, but its low bioavailability and absorption limit its use. In this study, it was loaded into chitosan-based nanoparticles (Chi-NPs) to overcome these limitations and to improve its antimicrobial and anticancer activities. TA-loaded Chi-NPs (Chi-TA-NPs) were synthesized using the ionic gelation method and physicochemically characterized by FE-SEM, FTIR, XRD, PDI, DLS, and zeta potential analysis.

MicroRNA-34a and promoter methylation contribute to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma gene expression in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the roles of DNA methylation and miR-34a in the regulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: We investigated the methylation status of four regions of the PPARγ promoter and PPARγ expression in a panel of 84 T2D patients using methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and RT-qPCR, respectively. Moreover, we quantified DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) expression and global DNA methylation levels by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively.

Protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the survival zone of the perforator flaps in rats.

Background: Perforator flaps have recently been used in the field of plastic surgery. Skin defects can be reconstructed to reach functional and cosmetic goals. With the development of reconstructive approaches, utilizing stem cells is a hopeful approach to enhance wound healing and tissue recovery.

Associations between cognitive function and lifestyle in community-living older people: a correlational study.

Background: Previous studies have examined relationship between cognitive function and lifestyle; however, the nature of this relationship is expected to vary in diverse cultural and low-income setting where lifestyle practices differ from those in high-income countries.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the correlation between lifestyle factors and cognitive function among individuals aged 60 years and older in 2021.

Methods: This cross-sectional, Community-based study involved 300 older adults from comprehensive urban health centers in Khorramabad, Iran, selected through stratified cluster sampling.

Association between dietary phytochemical index and risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a case-control study.

Background: Dietary intake of phytochemicals has been associated with a reduced risk of chronic diseases, but research on their relationship with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is limited. This case-control study aimed to investigate the association between a Dietary Phytochemical Index (DPI) and BPH risk in a Middle-Eastern population.

Methods: The study recruited 112 BPH patients and 112 age-matched healthy controls (40-75 years) from Al-Zahra Hospital Clinic in Isfahan, Iran between 2021 and 2022.

The effect of rosemary hydroalcoholic extract on cognitive function and activities of daily living of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A clinical trial.

Background: In patients living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cognitive impairment and reduced activities of daily living (ADLs) are associated with poor clinical outcomes.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of rosemary hydroalcoholic extract on cognitive function and ADLs in patients with COPD.

Methods: A total of 77 COPD patients aged 40-80 years were assigned to two intervention and control groups by random stratified block method in the current tripleblind clinical trial.

The effect of Aromatherapy with Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) on the fatigue and sleep quality of critical care nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: Measures to reduce nurses' fatigue are necessary to improve the patient's care and the nurse's health and well-being. This study investigated the effectiveness of aromatherapy with Pelargonium graveolens (P. graveolens) essential oil on fatigue and sleep quality of nurses working in intensive care units (ICU).

The Effect of Education and Telephone Follow-up on the Burden of Family Caregivers of Patients With Cancer.

Introduction: Family caregivers of patients with cancer face a care burden due to the responsibilities and problems of providing care to the patients. Applying appropriate strategies to reduce the burden is essential.

Objective: The study aimed to determine the effect of education and telephone follow-up on family caregivers' burden on patients with cancer.

Rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2 in nasopharyngeal swab samples of suspected patients using a novel one-step loop-mediated isothermal amplification (one-step LAMP) technique.

Background: In the absence of effective antiviral drugs or vaccines, early and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is essential to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study developed and evaluated a novel rapid One-Step LAMP assay to directly detect the SARS-CoV-2 RNA from nasopharyngeal (NP) swab samples of patients with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection living in deprived areas in comparison to One-Step Real-time PCR.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-four NP swab samples from patients suspected of COVID-19 infection living in deprived western areas of Iran were tested by TaqMan One-Step RT-qPCR and fast One-Step LAMP assays.

The impact of training chemotherapy safety standards with a smartphone application on the knowledge, attitude, and performance of nurses.

Background: Nurses who play the leading role in caring for patients, especially nurses in the chemotherapy department who are constantly exposed to high-risk drugs and their side effects, should pay more attention to occupational safety. This study was performed to determine the effect of training chemotherapy safety standards using a smartphone application on nurses' knowledge, attitude, and performance.

Methods: The whole enumeration of fifty oncology nurses was recruited who they worked in 3 hospitals affiliated with Lorestan University of Medical Sciences (west of Iran).

Effects of a multidisciplinary management program on symptom burden and medication adherence in heart failure patients with comorbidities: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Comorbidities in heart failure (HF) are a complex clinical challenge. There is little data on the benefits of multidisciplinary postdischarge management programs in such patients. This study aimed to examine the effects of a multidisciplinary management program (MMP) on symptom burden and medication adherence in HF patients with comorbidities.

Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) of vancomycin: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: Evaluating the use of antibiotics leads to identifying drug problems, preventing antibiotic resistance, and controlling the cost of medication. The aim of this study was to Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) of vancomycin.

Methods: This study was a descriptive retrospective cross-sectional study.

Diagnostic power of one-step and two-step RT-qPCR methods to SARS‑CoV‑2 detection.

Background: Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-2019) is a novel coronavirus known as Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The premier standard test for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis is a one-step RT-qPCR method, which requires specific probes and reagents. Therefore, detection on a large scale is expensive and cannot be very accurate.

Prevalence of KPC-producing bacteria in negative gram of clinical samples obtained from patients.

Objective: Carbapenems are beta-lactam antibiotics that can play an important role in infections with multiple and severe resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of carbapenem-producing bacteria in gram-negative isolates of clinical samples obtained from patients

Methods: 291 g-negative bacilli were isolated from the samples of hospitalized patients using gram staining method, conventional methods and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of the isolates was determined using the agar disk diffusion method for 5 different antibiotics.

Evaluation of exposure to secondhand smoke and serum level of interleukin 18 in non-smokers.

Objective: Smoking is one significant global health care problems, that not only affects the users but also endangers the health of people inhaling the smoke (passive smoking/secondhand smoke). The serum level of IL-18, an important regulator of inherent and acquired immune response, is affected by cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on IL-18 serum level in non-smoker adults.

Impact of poetry-based ethics education on the moral sensitivity of nurses: A semi-experimental study.

Background: The nurses' moral sensitivity is the first step to make right decisions in difficult moral situations. Therefore, its education and promotion is highly important.

Research Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of poetry-based ethics education on the nurses' moral sensitivity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Susceptibility Is Associated with the of Killer-Cell Immunoglobulin-Like Receptor Genes in the Lur Population of Iran.

Background: The pathophysiology underlying the progression and development of autoimmune conditions, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), is a result of dysregulations of the immune system. Research has explored the genetic alterations present in RA; however, limited studies have examined the role of Killer cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors () and Human Leukocyte Antigen () molecules in RA. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine genes, their ligands, and compounds in patients with RA.

Effect of aromatherapy with Melissa essential oil on stress and hemodynamic parameters in acute coronary syndrome patients: A clinical trial in the emergency department.

Unlabelled: Stress and hemodynamic changes are among the most significant symptoms and signs that could be observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) upon admission to the emergency department. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of the fragrance of lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis) essential oil on stress level and hemodynamic parameters in patients with ACS in the emergency department.

Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 72 patients were allocated to two groups of Melissa and placebo based on stratified block random sampling.

Effects of multiepisode case-based learning (CBL) on problem-solving ability and learning motivation of nursing students in an emergency care course.

Background: Meeting the learning needs and developing the thinking skills of nursing students in caring for injured patients with complex, emergency, and unpredictable conditions is essential.

Purpose: The present study aimed to compare the effects of case-based learning (CBL) with multi-episode case studies and lecture-based learning (LBL) on the perceived problem-solving ability and learning motivation of undergraduate nursing students in an emergency care course.

Methods: This study was conducted with a quasi-experimental, within-subjects, pretest-posttest design.

The prevalence of positive rapid diagnostic test of hepatitis C virus infection in Ghana.

Introduction: hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is one of the most common viral hepatitis in Africa. Rapid diagnostic test (RDT) is a useful tool to identify antibody anti-HCV in point of care. In this study, we decided to determine prevalence of cases with positive rapid diagnostic test of HCV infection.

Association of gene polymorphisms and serum E-Selectin level with risk of coronary artery disease in lur population of Iran.

Background: Adhesion molecules like E-selectin have important role in pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. and polymorphisms of gene and E-selectin serum level may affect the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: A total of 145 normal individuals and 154 patients diagnosed with CAD from the Lur population of Iran undergoing coronary angiography were enrolled.

Association between the FABP2 Ala54Thr and CRP+1059C/G polymorphisms and small dense LDL level in patients with atherosclerosis: a case-control study.

Background: The polymorphisms of fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2) and C-reactive protein (CRP) might act as genetic risk factors for atherosclerosis. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between FABP2 Ala54Thr and CRP+1059C/G polymorphisms and atherosclerosis as well as the association of Small dense-LDL (sd-LDL).

Methods: A total of 255 subjects (125 controls and 130 patients) were included.

Ameliorative effects of histidine on oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and renal histological alterations in streptozotocin/nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Objectives: The present study sought to evaluate the beneficial effects of histidine (His) on oxidative stress, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), renal histological alterations and anti-oxidant enzymes gene expressions in type 2 diabetic rats.

Materials And Methods: Streptozotocin/nicotinamide (STZ/NA) induced diabetic rats were used as an animal model of type 2 diabetes. One group of rats received daily His (1000 mg/l) in drinking water for 8 weeks, whereas other groups (control and untreated diabetic groups) received only water.