Unraveling the Exosome-miR-133a Axis: Targeting TGF-β Signaling via WJ-MSC-Derived Exosomes for Anti-Fibrotic Therapy in Liver Fibrosis.

Background: One of the primary drivers of liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of ECM, primarily caused by the over-proliferation of HSCs. The activation of HSCs by TGF-β has a critical role in initiating fibrosis. Recent studies have suggested that miRNA-133a significantly regulates the fibrogenesis process, which its downregulation is associated with the fibrosis progression.

Design and psychometrics of the family caregivers burnout inventory of older adults with chronic disease.

Background: Identifying the hidden and pervasive phenomenon of burnout among family caregivers of older adults with chronic disease requires the use of a valid and reliable tool tailored to the cultural structure of the target community. Therefore, the present study aimed to design and psychometrically evaluate the family caregivers burnout inventory (FCBI) of older adults with chronic disease.

Methods: This research is a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study focused on instrument design, conducted in Iran in 2024.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the epilepsy lifestyle questionnaire.

Epilepsy, particularly in older people, is associated with significant changes in physical activities, social and occupational functions, and diet. It is associated with significant changes in physical activities, social and occupational functions, and diet. Valid and reliable instruments are needed to assess these changes.

Cardiovascular disease risk factors and frailty syndrome in community-dwelling older adults: Results from the Amirkola Health and Aging Project Cohort Study.

Background: Early diagnosis and control of risk factors affecting frailty syndrome (FS) in older adults may lead to changes in the health/disease process, prevention of disability and dependency in the older adults, and reduction of health care costs and mortality rates. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive role of CVD risk factors and FS in community-dwelling older adults of Amirkola city in Iran.

Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross-sectional study is part of the second phase of the Amirkola Health and Aging Project (AHAP) cohort study conducted since 2011 on all individuals ≥ 60 years in the city of Amirkola in northern Iran.

Effects of Frailty Syndrome on Osteoporosis, Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Muscle Strength and Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults (≥60 years) in Iran: Results From the Amirkola Health and Aging Project Cohort Study.

Introduction: For older adults, maintaining muscle strength and balance is crucial to preserve an upright posture and independently manage their basic activities of daily living (ADL). This study aimed to examine whether muscle strength and balance mediate the relationship between frailty syndrome (FS) and osteoporosis in a large sample of community-dwelling older adults.

Material And Methods: This cross-sectional study is part of the second phase (2016-2017) of the Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), a cohort study conducted on all elderly aged 60 and over in Amirkola, Northern Iran, since 2011.

Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of the thirst distress scale and dietary sodium restriction questionnaire for the elderly with heart failure.

Background: Recognizing thirst distress and sodium intake restriction using valid and reliable tools enable evidence-based care, and improve treatment outcomes for the elderly with heart failure (HF). The present study investigated the psychometric properties of the thirst distress scale (TDS-HF) and dietary sodium restriction questionnaire for Iranian's elderly with HF (DSRQ-HF).

Methods: This crossectional study was conducted during 2021-2022.

Therapeutic Potential of Pentoxifylline in Paraquat-Induced Pulmonary Toxicity: Role of the Phosphodiesterase Enzymes.

Pentoxifylline (PTX), a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has demonstrated protective effects against lung injury in animal models. Given the significance of pulmonary toxicity resulting from paraquat (PQ) exposure, the present investigation was designed to explore the impact of PTX on PQ-induced pulmonary oxidative impairment in male mice.Following preliminary studies, thirty-six mice were divided into six groups.

Translation and validation of a lifestyle questionnaire related to prostate cancer.

Background: Valid and reliable instruments are needed to measure prostate cancer-related lifestyle changes, plan evidence-based interventions to modify lifestyle, and improve treatment outcomes. Due to the lack of appropriate instruments, this study was conducted to translate the Effects of Prostate Cancer upon Lifestyle Questionnaire (EPCLQ) into Persian and examine its psychometric properties in a sample of Iranian older adults with prostate cancer.

Methods: This methodological study was carried out between 2021 and 2022.

Development and psychometric evaluation of uncertainty about disease and treatment scale in hemodialysis patients: a sequential-exploratory mixed-method study.

Background And Objective: The need for long-term treatment and frequent visits to treatment centers for hemodialysis can lead to psychological problems such as Uncertainty about Disease and Treatment (UC about D&T) in patients with chronic kidney failure. In order to understand uncertainty about disease and treatment and to plan for preventive measures and care interventions in various dimensions, there is a need for reliable and valid tools. The present study was conducted to design and psychometrically evaluate the Uncertainty about Disease and Treatment Scale (UC about D&TS) in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Development and psychometric evaluation of the questionnaire on the contributing factors of tendency towards voluntary single-childedness and childlessness: a mixed method study.

Couples' tendency towards voluntary single-childedness and childlessness (VSCC) has turned into a major challenge in all societies and led to different problems such as population aging. A key step to VSCC management is to determine its contributing factors through valid and reliable instruments. This exploratory sequential mixed method study (qualitative-quantitative) was conducted in 2020-2021.

Evaluating and Ranking the Factors Affecting the Acute Pain Management in Older Adults with Dementia after Hip Fracture Surgery: Second-Order Confirmatory Factor Analysis.

Background: Even though nurses take various measures to decrease acute pain after surgery in older adults with dementia, it is unclear why most of them suffer from severe pain. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting acute pain management in older adults with dementia after hip fracture surgery.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study used single-stage cluster and convenience sampling to select 330 nurses working in hospitals located in Western Mazandaran, Iran, in 2020.

Effective factors on voluntary childlessness and one-child tendency from couples' perspective: Compulsory childlessness or child-avoidance?

Background: Couples' childless and one-child intention is one of the crucial challenges in all societies. Considering the aging of the world's population and the need to review birth control policies, it is necessary to take evidence-based measures. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the influencing factors on the tendency of couples to be childless and have only one child.

Aerosol assisted synthesis of a pH responsive curcumin anticancer drug nanocarrier using chitosan and alginate natural polymers.

In recent years, several nanocarrier synthesis methods have been developed. In cancer therapy, the use of smart nanocarriers is of interest. Smart nanocarriers respond to their environment and can release their cargo in a controlled manner under the action of internal or external stimuli.

The Cytotoxic Effect of Thymoquinone Enhance on HepG2 Cell Line due to Induction of Fenton Reaction by Hydrogen Peroxide: An In Vitro and In Silico Study.

Objective: Thymoquinone (TQ) is a component derived from the volatile oil of Nigella sativa. Fenton reaction induction is a well-known strategy to prevent the growth of cancer cells which can stimulate by hydrogen peroxide. This study was designed to investigate the TQ effects on hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Trend in the Incidence of Human Brucellosis in Iran from 2009 to 2017.

Background: The development of preventive measures and promotion of healthcare delivery systems for disease management is dependent on detecting the incidence rates of the diseases and important risk factors. The current study aimed to determine some epidemiological indices and trends of the human brucellosis incidence in Iran between 2009 and 2017.

Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of psychometric properties of dietary habits, lifestyle, food frequency consumption, and nutritional beliefs (KomPAN) questionnaire in Iranian adults.

Background: Adherence to unhealthy dietary patterns is a major cause of overweight and obesity in adults. Therefore, it is recommended that assessment and modification of unhealthy lifestyle should be included in prevention programs. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to evaluate the status of dietary patterns in adults with valid and reliable tools.

Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire in Patients with Epilepsy.

Background: Adult eating behavior questionnaire (AEBQ) is an age upward extension tool that measures appetite traits in individuals. This instrument was developed by Hunot in 2016. The present study aimed to determine the psychometric properties of the Persian version of AEBQ in adults with epilepsy.

Hepatic Response to the Interaction Between Thymoquinone and Iron-Dextran: an In Vitro and In Vivo Study.

Iron is one of the most important essential elements for cell function. However, iron overload can exert destructive effects on various tissues, especially the liver. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of thymoquinone (TQ) on hepatotoxicity induced by iron-overload in in vitro and mouse model.

Risk factors and the psychological impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak: perspectives and experiences of Iranian healthcare workers on the frontline.

Frontline healthcare workers (HCWs) looking after COVID-19 patients are at high risk of developing mental health problems. Both preventive and interventional initiatives are essential, therefore, to maintain and improve the mental health of HCWs and ultimately to enhance the quality of care that they provide. This qualitative content analysis study, conducted in Iran between September 2020 and February 2021, involved the gathering of data on the issue through face-to-face interviews with 22 HCWs working directly with COVID-19 patients.

Shedding light on the causes of academic procrastination among nursing students: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Academic procrastination is a complex phenomenon and a common behavior among nursing students. Due to procrastinating behaviors, students cannot show their real performances in learning processes. In order to stop this behavior, it is crucial to know the most common causes of procrastination in the first place.

Exploring COVID-19 anxiety in Iranian adult based on health literacy by moderating demographic variables: A structural equation model.

The COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is associated with far-reaching psychological consequences, such as anxiety. The incidence and severity of this anxiety depend on several individual, family and social factors that need to be identified and planned for effective interventions. One of these factors is health literacy (HL).

Structural equation model of affecting factors on elder abuse to patients under hemodialysis by family caregivers.

Background: The objectives of the present study were to determine the prevalence of older adults with hemodialysis (HD) abuse by family caregivers and the factors affecting it.

Method: This is a correlational-causal study, which is conducted in 2018 in Iran. The sample size was 367 in both groups (the older adults and their family caregivers).