The Relationship Between Spiritual Health With Existential Anxiety and Morbid Anxiety in Female Patients With Breast Cancer

Background and Aim: Anxiety is one of the common disorders affecting the treatment process in patients with breast cancer. Regarding the importance of spiritual health on anxiety in cancer patients, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual health with existential anxiety and morbid anxiety in the female with breast cancer. Methods & Materials: The research method was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population included all female patients with breast cancer referred to Imam Reza Oncology and Radiotherapy Center in Mashhad in 2017. A total of 195 patients with breast cancer were selected through random sampling. Data collection tools included Beck Anxiety Inventory (1990), Lawrence & Good Existential Anxiety Inventory (1974), and Paulotzin & Ellison Spiritual Health Inventory (1982). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multivariate regression. Ethical Considerations: This study was registered by the Ethics Committee of Islamic Azad University E-Campu (Code: 950261902191). Results: The results showed a significant positive relationship between spiritual and existential dimensions of spiritual health with existential anxiety (P>0.01). But the relationship between two dimensions of spiritual health and patients’ anxiety was not significant (P>0.01). Conclusion: Considering the importance of spiritual health in existential anxiety and morbid anxiety, strengthening spiritual health can influence cancer patients’ anxiety.

Needlestick Injuries and Associated Psychosocial Factors Among the Students of Dental School

Background and Aim: Needlestick injury (NSJ) is a common occupational health problem among dental healthcare workers, putting them at significant risk for blood-borne infections. This study aimed to investigate occupational exposure to NSJ and the psychological factors associated with it among dentistry students. Methods & Materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on students in the Arak school of dentistry training curriculum in the last three years in 2018. The questionnaires included questions about students’ awareness of NSJ conditions, the frequency of vaccinations, and antibody titration tests. The SCL-90 (Symptom checklist-90) questionnaire assessed psychological factors after NSJ in four dimensions of anxiety, phobia, self-morbidity, and depression. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistical methods and a chi-square test. Ethical Considerations: The study was approved by the Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.269). Results: Of the eighty students surveyed, 59 students had experienced NSJ at least once. However, only 25.4% of students had reported the NSJ occurrence. The highest incidence rate of NSJ was reported in the endodontics section. In addition, 80% of students had received hepatitis B vaccinations. Based on the SCL-90 test, the anxiety dimension was more affected by NSJ than the other dimensions. Conclusion: Despite the high prevalence of NSJ in dental students, the rate of reporting after the accident is very low. Also, due to the lack of attention to vaccination in some students, there is a need for more infection control training. Based on the SCL-90 test, the occurrence of NS is effective in causing psychological problems.

The Effect of Quisinostat as the HDAC Inhibitor on Migration

Background and Aim: Cancer cannot be explained only by genetic alterations but involves epigenetic processes. Modifying histones by acetylation plays a key role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and is controlled by the balance between Histone Deacetylases (HDAC) and Histone Acetyltransferases (HAT). The HDACs expression and activity could be involved in several tumorigenesis mechanisms, so their inhibition induces cancer cell cycle arrest and migration. Methods & Materials: Quisinostat is a novel promising second-generation HDAC inhibitor class of hydroxamic acid with high cellular potency towards classes I and II HDACs. Therefore, its low IC50 (<0.5nM) and bioavailability have been chosen to carry out our studies. Cancer cells were treated with Quiznos at nM200, and cell migration was measured by fluorescent microscopy. Ethical Considerations: This study was the result of a preliminary study of Shiraz University (Code: 96GCU3M1293). Results: The data showed that treatment of cancer cells with Quiznos significantly (P<0.05) reduced cell migration. DMSO did not affect reducing cell migration. Conclusion: In this project try to explore the possible therapeutic application of this HDAC inhibitor against colon cancer. This study showed Quisinostat exerts broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity and migration.

Study of Fungal Contamination Intensive Care Units of Arak Educational Hospitals and Determining Drug Sensitivity Profiles of Isolated Species

Background and Aim: Fungal infections are among the most critical and common issues for hospitalized patients, especially in intensive care units. This study aimed to determine the fungal contamination of indoor air and surfaces in sensitive wards of the Arak University of Medical Sciences educational hospitals and determine the drug susceptibility pattern of isolated species. Methods & Materials: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 63 air samples were taken from sensitive hospital wards using the one-stage Anderson method, and 63 surfaces samples were taken using wet cotton swabs and cultured in saprodextrose agar medium containing chloramphenicol. Identification of the genus and, as far as possible, the species of fungi was performed using the culture method on the slide. Drug susceptibility testing was performed on isolated species by broth microdilution method (CLSI-M38A2 standard). Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee at Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1395.315). Results: From the total samples, 18 species of fungi were isolated. These included: Aspergillus niger (8), Aspergillus flavus (4), Aspergillus fumigatus (2), Rhizopus spp. (2), Mucor spp. (1) and Fusarium spp. (1). In the drug sensitivity assay, instances of resistance included: Partial sensitivity of Aspergillus fumigatus to Itraconazole (1), Partial sensitivity of Aspergillus niger to Ketoconazole (1), and Resistance of Aspergillus niger to Itraconazole (1). Conclusion: The pattern of nosocomial fungal infection with pathogenic fungi and the drug susceptibility pattern of these organisms in other regions of Iran and the world is relatively consistent with the present study results. And drugs listed in global guidelines for treating these infections, such as voriconazole and caspofungin in the treatment of invasive aspergillosis and amphotericin B in the treatment of invasive mucormycosis and Fusarium wilt, are now effective drugs. Keywords: Invasive fungal infections, Airborne fungi, Dru

Street Children, Thread Lost During the Pandemic Covid-19: Training an Essential Need

N/A

Observing the Anti-oxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effect of Nigella Sativa Combined With Silybum Marianum Extracts on the Acute Peritonitis Mouse Model

Background and Aim: In addition to free radicals such as Nitric Oxide (NO), inflammation is one of the most important pathophysiological causes of peritonitis. Over thousands of years, Nigella Sativa (NS) and Silybum Marianum (SM) are two plants known for their anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the effect of its compound is unclear. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the anti-inflammatory effect of NS and SM extracts and their combination on inflammatory diseases like thioglycollate peritoneal. Methods & Materials: Alcoholic extracts of SM and NS were obtained by the soxhlet method. Male Balb/C mice were divided into 5 groups and gavage orally for 14 days with SM, NS, the mixture of extracts of these two, DMSO 30% as the control group, and dexamethasone as the positive control group. The safety profile and acute toxicity in mice were assessed. On day 10, acute peritonitis was induced by thioglycollate 3%. Finally, the total anti-oxidant power and NO concentration were measured by FRAP and Griess method, respectively, in the serum of treated mice. Ethical Considerations: All experimental process was performed following the guidelines according to the Animal Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.359). Results: Acute toxicity test showed no significant changes in weight and physical appearance of the mice. However, the extract and their mixture decreased NO level significantly (P=0.000) in serum. Also, the mixture significantly increased total anti-oxidant power (P=0.015). Conclusion: Results showed that the SM and NS extract mixture demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity, inhibiting inflammatory mediators such as NO and increasing anti-oxidant power, thus supporting its therapeutic potential in slowing down inflammatory processes in inflammation disorders.

Investigation on the Efficiency of Modified Fenton on the Treatment of Leachate Generated From Oily Sludge Composting

Background: and Aim The leachate from oil sludge compost into the environment, which is resistant to decomposition, causes several environmental problems. Therefore, it needs to be treated using efficient processes. This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of the modified Fenton process for treating these oil sludge leachates. Methods & Materials: In this experimental study, leachate samples were collected, and then modified Fenton solution was prepared by adding Fe2 (SO4) 3 to H2O2. Then the effect of time parameters (15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes), modified Fenton concentration of 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg/l with pH 3, 5, 9, and three initial concentration of COD (500, 1000 and 1500 mg/l) was examined. Ethical Considerations: This study has been registered in Arak University of Medical Sciences with codes 2645 and 2765. Results: The reduction of COD and TPH in the optimal time of 60 minutes, initial COD of 500 mg/l, pH of 3, and Fenton concentration of 200 mg/l were 9.04 and 77.42%, respectively. The experiments showed that the removal efficiency of COD and TPH with increasing residence time and the concentration of modified Fenton are directly proportional and with decreasing, the initial concentration of COD and pH is inversely proportional. Conclusion: The use of modified Fenton is an efficient method for treating leachate from petroleum sludge compo

Comparison of Antimicrobial Activity of Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCI) 2.5%, Microemulsion of Myrtus 10%, Microemulsion of Thyme 0.6% on the Enterococcus Faecalis After Root Canal Filling

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.

The Effect of Exercise Timing on Elevated Postprandial Glucose in Women With Obesity

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise timing on elevated postprandial glucose and after brief interval exercises in women with obesity. Methods & Materials: Ten women with obesity (Mean±SD age = 40.41±3.97 years; weight = 86.66±7.26 kg; and BMI = 33.22±2.20 kg/m2) participated in a crossover design exercise intervention: 1) postprandial aerobic exercise, 2) pre-prandial aerobic exercise, 3) brief periodic exercise, and 4) control. Pre- and postprandial exercise included 30 min of moderate-intensity walking on the treadmill before and after each main meal (1 minute of exercise -30 seconds rest). The brief periodic exercise had three one-minute reps of activity every 30 min for 20 times during the day. Twelve-hour continuous glucose monitoring and two-hour postprandial glucose levels were calculated to examine changes in blood glucose levels. Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the institutional review board of the University of Isfahan (Ethics Code: IR.UI.REC.1397.119) and conducted in agreement with the ethical principles for biomedical research involving human subjects outlined in the declaration of Helsinki. Results: The findings of this study suggested that brief periodic exercise resulted in a significant decrease in continuous glucose monitoring levels and postprandial glucose compared to the control group as well as pre-prandial exercise (P˂0.05). However, pre- and postprandial exercise did not result in significant changes in continuous glucose monitoring (P˃0.05). In addition, postprandial exercise led to a significant decrease in postprandial glucose compared to the control group (P˂0.05). Conclusion: It seems that brief periodic exercise can have more beneficial effects on postprandial glucose levels, probably due to improved glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle.

Investigation on the Effect of Combination of Tanacetum Parthenium and Satureja Montana Methanolic Extracts on the Total Antioxidant Capacity and Serum Nitric Oxide

Background and Aim: Medicinal plants contain various biological compounds, including phenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, with anti-radical and anti-inflammatory activities that affect human health and improve life. Considering the numerous beneficial effects of Tanacetum Parthenium and Satureja Montana and the lack of full antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory effects of their combination, we decided to combine these two plants’ anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on induced acute inflammation in BALB/c mice. Methods & Materials: In the present study, mice received the extracts of T. Parthenium and S. Montana and their combination by gavage for 14 consecutive days. Then, to induce acute inflammation, thioglycollate was injected intraperitoneally to all groups. FRAP and Grease tests were used to evaluate the total antioxidant capacity and serum nitric oxide concentration, respectively. One-way ANOVA analyzed the results. Ethical Considerations: This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: REC.1398.021). Results: The results showed that the combination of the extracts (P=0.006) and Satureja Montana (P=0.021) led to a significant increase in total antioxidant activity compared to the control group. Also, according to the results of grease test, Satureja montana (P=0.04), Tanacetum parthenium (P=0.034), and their combination (P=0.003) significantly reduced serum nitric oxide production compared to the control group. Conclusion: The present study shows the synergistic effect of the combined extracts to increase their total antioxidant capacity and anti-inflammatory.