Publications by authors named "Grigoryan Z"

Introduction: The success of health education programs heavily depends on the individuals' ability to comprehend information and apply it when making decisions regarding health. Low health literacy can lead to poor health in the context of both chronic and infectious diseases, as it influences a range of health-related behaviors. Little is known about infectious disease-related health literacy in Armenia and countries of similar socio-economic profiles.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Since March 2022, Armenia introduced a comprehensive smoking ban on all types of tobacco products in indoor and outdoor areas of hospitality venues. We aimed to rapidly appraise the implementation of the ban in the dining areas of the capital Yerevan and explore any differences in compliance and enforcement patterns between indoor and outdoor areas of the venues.

Methods: We used a mixed-methods approach through quantitative air quality monitoring, qualitative observations, and in-depth interviews (IDIs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The worldwide increase in Crohn's disease (CD) has accelerated alongside rising urbanization and accompanying decline in air quality. Air pollution affects epithelial cell function, modulates immune responses, and changes the gut microbiome composition. In epidemiologic studies, ambient air pollution has a demonstrated relationship with incident CD and hospitalizations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The worldwide uptake of COVID-19 vaccines was suboptimal throughout the pandemic; vaccine hesitancy played a principle role in low vaccine acceptance both globally and in Armenia. In order to understand the factors behind the slow vaccine uptake in Armenia, we aimed to explore the prevailing perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers and the general public related to COVID-19 vaccines. The study applied a convergent parallel mixed-methods study design (QUAL-quant) through in-depth interviews (IDI) and a telephone survey.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Despite the availability of effective treatment, tuberculosis (TB) is still one of the leading causes of mortality around the globe. Poor adherence to treatment challenges TB management both globally and locally. Proper adherence to treatment contributes to successful outcomes and prevents the development of drug-resistant forms of TB.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The efficacy of bariatric surgery may be in part attributed to altered metabolism via new gut microbiome. Milkfat may promote the growth of microbes that are beneficial in long-term weight loss. Understanding the specific gut microbiome changes after surgery and their relationship to milkfat consumption may yield important strategies for managing obesity after bariatric procedures.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The cause of end-organ damage and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is postulated to be connected to the uncontrolled increase of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The upregulation of many cytokines is dependent on signaling through the Janus kinase 1 (JAK-1) and JAK-2 pathways. Ruxolitinib, a JAK-1 and JAK-2 inhibitor, is documented to have potent anti-inflammatory activity by targeting several cytokines and growth factors with proposed efficacy in the cytokine storm observed in severe COVID-19 patients; therefore, this study examines the efficacy and tolerability of ruxolitinib for adult COVID-19 patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: () a bacterium that infects approximately half of the world's population, is associated with various gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcers, non-ulcer dyspepsia, gastric adenocarcinoma, and gastric lymphoma. As the burden of antibiotic resistance increases, the need for new adjunct therapies designed to facilitate eradication and reduce negative distal outcomes associated with infection has become more pressing. Characterization of the interactions between , the fecal microbiome, and fecal fatty acid metabolism, as well as the mechanisms underlying these interactions, may offer new therapeutic approaches.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has rapidly grown in notoriety and popularity worldwide as a treatment for both recurrent and refractory infection (CDI), as well as for a myriad of other indications, with varying levels of evidence to justify its use. At present, FMT use in the U.S.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Smoking cessation interventions within tuberculosis (TB) care are feasible, effective and efficient for increasing smoking cessation rates. We aimed to assess TB physicians' smoking cessation knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP).

Methods: We conducted a qualitative study with 21 TB physicians and utilized directed deductive content analysis with predefined knowledge, attitude, and practice categories.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Regional variation in Helicobacter pylori resistance patterns is a significant contributing factor for the ineffectiveness of traditional treatments. To improve treatment outcomes, we sought to create an individualized, susceptibility-driven therapeutic approach among our patient population, which is one of the poorest in the nation. It is medically underserved, minority-predominant and has high incidence of H pylori infection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The study aimed to explore potential challenges that hamper utilization of adolescent friendly health services (AFHS) in primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Armenia.

Methods: A qualitative study using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was conducted with experts in adolescent health, PHC providers and facility managers from public PHC facilities and adolescents from the two largest cities in Armenia. We also collected data through observations in PHC facilities.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: The quality of care for tuberculosis (TB) is deficient in high-burden countries and urgently needs improvement. However, comprehensively identifying the required improvements is challenging. Providing high-quality TB care is an important step toward improving patients' quality of life and decreasing TB morbidity and mortality.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: The gut microbiome is believed to play a role in the susceptibility to and treatment of Clostridium difficile infections (CDIs). It is, however, unknown whether the gut microbiome is also affected by asymptomatic C difficile colonization. Our study aimed to evaluate the fecal microbiome of children based on C difficile colonization, and CDI risk factors, including antibiotic use and comorbid inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The replica technique method is applied to investigate the kinetic behavior of the coarse-grained model for the RNA molecule. A non-equilibrium phase transition of second order between the glassy phase and the ensemble of freely fluctuating structures has been observed. The non-equilibrium steady state is investigated as well and the thermodynamic characteristics of the system have been evaluated.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The mutual influence of the slow rearrangements of secondary structure and fast collapse of the long single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) in approximation of coarse-grained model is studied with analytic calculations. It is assumed that the characteristic time of the secondary structure rearrangement is much longer than that for the formation of the tertiary structure. A nonequilibrium phase transition of the 2nd order has been observed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Little data are available regarding the effectiveness and associated microbiome changes of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in children, especially in those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with presumed underlying dysbiosis.

Aim: To investigate C. difficile eradication and microbiome changes with FMT in children with and without IBD.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Limited data exist on malnutrition prevalence in Madagascar. We aimed to assess the point prevalence of childhood malnutrition in the Anivorano region, and to explore mothers' perceptions of barriers to proper nutrition.

Methods: In a mixed methods study we measured height and weight for 313 children, aged 6 months to 5 years during summer 2011 using a recumbent measuring board and calibrated scale, and simultaneously conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 mothers of malnourished (n=19) and healthy (n=41) children.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The melting transition of DNA-ligand complexes, allowing for two binding mechanisms to different DNA conformations is treated theoretically. The obtained results express the behavior of the experimentally measurable quantities, degree of denaturation, and concentrations of bound ligands on the temperature. The range of binding parameters is obtained, where denaturation curves become multiphasic.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The infant microbiome plays an essential role in human health and its assembly is determined by maternal-offspring exchanges of microbiota. This process is affected by several practices, including Cesarean section (C-section), perinatal antibiotics, and formula feeding, that have been linked to increased risks of metabolic and immune diseases. Here we review recent knowledge about the impacts on infant microbiome assembly, discuss preventive and restorative strategies to ameliorate the effects of these impacts, and highlight where research is needed to advance this field and improve the health of future generations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Conventional diagnosis of malaria has relied upon either clinical diagnosis or microscopic examination of peripheral blood smears. These methods, if not carried out exactly, easily result in the over- or under-diagnosis of malaria. The reliability and accuracy of malaria RDTs, even in extremely challenging health care settings, have made them a staple in malaria control programmes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Approximately one million persons infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) live in Ethiopia. Socio-cultural factors influence prevention and treatment adherence. We applied a qualitative descriptive approach to evaluate community perception, knowledge, and the role of spiritual factors in regard to HIV.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Effectiveness of providing health education solely via mass media and the providers' targeted training in malaria control needs further exploration. During pre-epidemic season, we conducted a qualitative study of 40 providers and community leaders using focus groups, comprehensive semi-structured interviews and consultation observations. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed for major themes.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF