A Scoping Review on the Effects of Kinesio Taping on Oropharyngeal Function Related to Swallowing and Feeding

Following the expansion of interdisciplinary communication among rehabilitative service providers, new techniques have been introduced for treating swallowing disorders. Kinesio taping (KT) is one of the recently noticed techniques in the rehabilitation of swallowing and feeding disorders. Given the novelty of this technique in research and practice, the present scoping review aimed to summarize the available evidence on the effects of KT on the oropharyngeal function related to swallowing, and to identify current knowledge gaps to guide future studies. The initial comprehensive search was conducted in the six databases in November 2022 and then was updated in June 2023. Studies were independently reviewed by two authors to exclude all types of reviews and study protocols, studies published only in an abstract form and also studies that used KT for improving voice and dysarthria symptoms. The methodology of the included studies was also critically appraised using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) standard tools by two authors. The results of the studies were categorized and reported based on their overall objectives. In final analysis, 21 articles were described. Study designs ranged from randomized control trials (RCTs) to the case reports. The effects of KT had been investigated on drooling, oral feeding skills of infants, immediate activation of swallowing muscles, and management of dysphagia in patients with stroke or cerebral palsy (CP). Although innovative approaches to use KT as a therapeutic method in swallowing disorders have been investigated in the studies, there are many methodological limitations that affected validity of the results. In general, it seems there is not enough evidence to add KT to the usual management of feeding and swallowing disorders yet. Further studies, therefore, are required to achieve more accurate conclusions in each of the objectives summarized in this study

Investigation of the mutated antimicrobial peptides to inhibit ACE2, TMPRSS2 and GRP78 receptors of SARS-CoV-2 and angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) as well as controlling COVID-19 disease

SARS-CoV-2 is a global problem nowadays. Based on studies, some human receptors are involved in binding to SARS-CoV-2. Thus, the inhibition of these receptors can be effective in the treatment of Covid-19. Because of the proven benefits of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and the side effects of chemical drugs, they can be known as an alternative to recent medicines. RCSB PDB to obtain PDB id, StraPep and PhytAMP to acquire Bio-AMPs information and 3-D structure, and AlgPred, Toxinpred, TargetAntiAngio, IL-4pred, IL-6pred, ACPred and Hemopred databases were used to find the best score peptide features. HADDOCK 2.2 was used for molecular docking analysis, and UCSF Chimera software version 1.15, SWISS-MODEL and BIOVIA Discovery Studio Visualizer4.5 were used for mutation and structure modeling. Furthermore, MD simulation results were achieved from GROMACS 4.6.5. Based on the obtained results, the Moricin peptide was found to have the best affinity for ACE2. Moreover, Bacteriocin leucocin-A had the highest affinity for GRP78, Cathelicidin-6 had the best affinity for AT1R, and Bacteriocin PlnK had the best binding affinity for TMPRSS2. Additionally, Bacteriocin glycocin F, Bacteriocin lactococcin-G subunit beta and Cathelicidin-6 peptides were the most common compounds among the four receptors. However, these peptides also have some side effects. Consequently, the mutation eliminated the side effects, and MD simulation results indicated that the mutation proved the result of the docking analysis. The effect of AMPs on ACE2, GRP78, TMPRSS2 and AT1R receptors can be a novel treatment for Covid-19.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Nutritional Strategies in Major Depression Disorder: From Ketogenic Diet to Modulation of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. While traditional pharmacological treatments are effective for many cases, a significant proportion of patients do not achieve full remission or experience side effects. Nutritional interventions hold promise as an alternative or adjunctive approach, especially for treatment-resistant depression. This review examines the potential role of nutrition in managing MDD through addressing biological deficits and modulating pathways relevant to its pathophysiology. Specifically, it explores the ketogenic diet and gut microbiome modulation through various methods, including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Numerous studies link dietary inadequacies to increased MDD risk and deficiencies in nutrients like omega-3 s, vitamins D and B, magnesium, and zinc. These deficiencies impact neurotransmitters, inflammation, and other biological factors in MDD. The gut-brain axis also regulates mood, stress response, and immunity, and disruptions are implicated in MDD. While medications aid acute symptoms, nutritional strategies may improve long-term outcomes by preventing relapse and promoting sustained remission. This comprehensive review aims to provide insights into nutrition's multifaceted relationship with MDD and its potential for developing more effective integrated treatment approaches

Is the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs (WISN) method rigorous enough to tell us how many nurses we need in a general hospital?

This study aimed to evaluate the practical use of the Workload Indicators of Staffing Needs (WISN) method in a general hospital in Iran. This method was used to determine the staffing needs of nurses in various hospital units, and the study examined the gap between the theoretical calculations and the actual use of the data in the hospital. Data was collected through a mixed-method approach including observations, interviews, and document analysis. The results showed that the WISN method indicated a surplus of nursing staff and no work pressure on nurses. However, the method did not account for the complexity of nurses managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and the low bed occupancy and low hospital revenue raised concerns about the excess of nurses obtained by the WISN method. The study suggests that decision-making on staff arrangements should not be solely based on WISN's numbers, and modalities of nursing care should also be considered. While the WISN method is important in determining nurse workload, it must be used with other factors to ensure the standard of patient care is not compromised. This study contributes to the understanding of the practical use of the WISN method in the context of Iran's healthcare system. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group

Comparison of Macrophage Frequency in Common Oral Cavity Reactive Lesions

Background and Objective: Oral reactive lesions are the most common oral disease. Recent studies have insisted on the presence of macrophages as a crucial component of oral reactive lesions’ microenvironment. The aim of the present study was to compare the macrophages frequency in three common oral reactive lesions by marker CD68 in order to determine the relationship between the frequency of macrophages and the type of the lesion. Methods: In this cross-sectional analytic study, 20 samples of each of the three groups of pyogenic granuloma (PG), irritation fibroma (IF), and peripheral ossifying fibroma (POF), which were prepared by excisional biopsy, were retrieved from the Department of Oral Pathology of Isfahan Dental School. Clinical information including age, gender, and location of the lesions was extracted. In order to determine the frequency of macrophages, immunohistochemical staining for CD68 was performed and the expression level was determined by two oral pathologists with a light microscope blindly and simultaneously based on the SID (Staining intensity distribution) index. Findings: The mean SID±SD indices for PG, IF and POF were 9.15±3.86, 2.2±3.69 and 6.4±4.55, which showed a statistically significant difference regarding the type of the lesions (p<0.001). Furthermore, there was a significant difference between CD68 expression of PG with IF, PG with POF and POF with (p<0.001, p=0.027, p<0.001). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, macrophages are present as an important part of PG, POF and IF microenvironments in different levels. Therefore, they might be associated with the development of the disease, as well as being used in identifying the type of oral lesion. © 2024 Babol University of Medical Sciences

The Effect of Intranasal Administration of Remifentanil at Different Doses on Electroconvulsive Therapy-Induced Hemodynamic Changes in Adults

Background: Remifentanil seems to play an important role in reducing heart rate (HR) and blood pressure during electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)-induced seizures. The majority of studies have focused on the role of the intravenous administration of this drug in combination with other anesthetics; however, the effect of intranasal administration of this drug has received less attention so far. We evaluated the effect of the intranasal administration of remifentanil at different doses on ECT-induced hemodynamic changes. Methods: This double-masked clinical trial was conducted on 80 ECT candidates divided into four groups. Before starting the ECT, the four study groups, namely REM-25, REM-50, REM-75, and control, intranasally received remifentanil at 25, 50, and 75 μg and placebo, respectively. Anesthesia induction drugs were injected 1 minute after the intranasal administration of remifentanil or placebo. Patient’s HR, diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO2) were evaluated and recorded before and 1, 5, 10, and 20 minutes after the end of convulsive movements. Results: The patients’ SBP and MAP with 137.30 ± 14.37 mm Hg and 100.50 ± 11.06 mm Hg, respectively, had the highest mean in the control group as compared to three remifentanil groups 5 minutes after ECT (P value = 0.042). In addition, the increase in patients’ HR in the REM-75 group, with an average of 7.70 ± 12.54 bpm, was significantly lower than that of the REM-25 and REM-50 groups, with means of 16.15 ± 13.80 bpm and 13.15 ± 8.03 bpm, respectively. Moreover, the controls, with an average of 23.00 ± 11.74 bpm, had the greatest increase in HR (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The intranasal administration of remifentanil at different doses did not affect the length of ECT-induced seizures; however, its maximum dose (75 μg) showed the greatest decrease in patients’ SBP, MAP, and HR five minutes after administration. © 2025 The Author(s);

Medication errors in prescription of chemotherapy regimens: A prospective observational study among cancer patients at Iranian referral hospital

Background: Medication errors are a significant cause of adverse events in cancer patients. The study aimed to investigate unintentional medication errors during chemotherapy regimen prescription. Methods: During the six months’ follow-ups, 201 adult patients admitted to outpatients’ chemotherapy ward of Omid Hospital, Isfahan, Iran were examined. An information checklist by the aim of data gathering including patients' demographic information, laboratory data, medications history, chemotherapy drug doses and protocol of administration, pre-medications drugs, and supportive treatment was prepared. The data was compared by standard guidelines and data were presented in percent and frequency. Results: Among the enrolled patients, 327 errors were identified. Sixty-five percent of patients were females and the mean age of patients was 49.2±2.8 years old. Gastrointestinal and breast cancers were among the most frequently reported cancers. The highest frequency of errors (67.27) was attributed to the prescription of premedication drug administration primarily in the management of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Medication errors in selection and volume of infused serums (20.18) and in adjusting the dosage of chemotherapy regimens (10.39) were the most observed errors. Conclusion: This study highlighted the important areas to improve cancer management at the medical center. By addressing these challenges and implementing necessary changes, the center can enhance the quality of care provided to cancer patients, ensure adherence to international standards, and improve patient outcomes. © The Author(s

Challenges of Disaster Assessment of Readiness and Training Guideline (DART) in Iran's Primary Health Care

BACKGROUND: DART (Disaster Assessment of Readiness and Training program) is one of the five Disaster Risk Reduction Management Programs (DRRMP) in Primary Health Care (PHC) of Iran. The guidelines for this program have not been revised in more than 10 years. The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the current guideline. METHODS: This was A qualitative research by Focus Group Discussion (FGD) using the Eisner's educational connoisseurship and criticism model performed in Isfahan Medical Sciences University, Iran during 2024. The study population included seven experts who are familiar with the DRRMP and Eisner's model. Sampling method was purposeful and the FGD group members were selected by the researcher. Data collection was done through 1) WHO handbook for guideline development, 2) WHO Health Emergency, Disaster Risk Management Framework (H-EDRM), 3) A new framework of Primary Health Care (PHC) disaster preparedness and 4) Comparison of DART guideline with Stanford, FEMA and British Columbia household preparedness guidelines. RESULTS: In this study, four main categories were found in the educational criticism of the DART guideline: simplicity in design and development, lack of layout in pages and lack of user-friendly features (descriptions), sharp visual and content criticism for the minimum essential context of a guideline (interpretation), Little conformity of visual criteria and relative conformity of content criteria with global samples (evaluation).Finally, Thematic phase indicated that current guidelines do not meet the expectations of health care providers (HCPs), effective educational promotion of guidelines is needed, and adaptation to lifestyle and cultural customs and actual educational needs were also issues that could be considered. CONCLUSIONS: Visual and content criticism based on Eisner's model showed some of the basic components of the formulation and implementation of a guideline. Modifying and revising the DART guideline based on this information and scientific processes and continuous needs assessment can create an effective result in the development of improved guidelines

Potential role of thymoquinone to treat gastrointestinal cancers: insights into its molecular mechanisms

Gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies, including esophageal cancer, gastric cancer, and colon cancer, are associated with high mortality rates worldwide. Thymoquinone is one of the main bioactive components of Nigella sativa, and it has been documented to have anticancer effects including GI cancer. Thymoquinone inhibits GI cancer progression by inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and oxidative stress and inhibiting inflammation, migration, invasion, metastasis, histone deacetylases, STAT3, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathways. Although the beneficial effects of thymoquinone have been documented, some limitations, including poor bioavailability and hydrophobicity, have hindered its clinical application. Nanotechnology approaches bypass these limitations. In this review article, we outline the different cellular and molecular pathways influenced by thymoquinone and its nanoformulations in GI cancer

The effect of a comprehensive intervention on anthropometric indices, dietary intake, and physical activity of adolescent boys with overweight

Background Non-communicable diseases in adulthood are reported to be strongly associated with adolescent obesity. The present study aimed to assess the effect of a comprehensive lifestyle modification intervention on the anthropometric indices, dietary intake, and physical activity of adolescent boys with overweight. Methods This pragmatic trial was conducted on 126 adolescent boys with overweight. A comprehensive school-based intervention was carried out at two levels for four months: at the school level based on the Ottawa Charter framework and at the personal level including individualized diet and physical activity. Results The percentage of mean difference of BMI and BF loss in the intervention group were 1.20 (P < 0.05) and 6.41 (P < 0.01), respectively. The intervention group had a lower intake of calorie (2350 +/- 861 vs. 2634 +/- 917 kcal/d), carbohydrate (255.68 +/- 41 vs. 286.97 + 47 g/d), and fat (112.67 +/- 78 vs. 217.72 +/- 86 g/d) after the intervention compared to the control group (All P < 0.05). The intervention resulted in a significant increase in physical activity parameters including distance (3501 +/- 287 vs. 614 +/- 56 m/d), duration (203 +/- 35 vs. 72 +/- 10 min/d), and calorie expenditure (359.24 +/- 62.4 vs. 46.74 +/- 7.5 kcal/d) in the intervention group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Conclusion A comprehensive lifestyle modification intervention which covers both school and individual levels may positively influence BMI, body fat, calorie intake, and distance and duration of physical activity in adolescents. Thus, adopting multifaceted strategies using the Ottawa Charter framework may be considered as an effective approach to managing obesity in adolescents