Qualitative Study of Spiritual Experiences in Nurses of Psychiatry Wards

Seeking meaning and purpose can affect the quality of the nurses’ caring for patients. The process of this meaning seeking is rooted in the value system of nurses. The present study aims to investigate the lived experience of spirituality among nurses working in Razi psychiatric Hospital, Tehran, in 2017. Methods: The present study is a qualitative study which is conducted by content analysis method. The study population consisted of the, nurses working in Razi Psychiatric Hospital. The participants were selected based on purposeful sampling... Thee sampling continued until the data were saturated (13 individuals). The data collection was conducted by in-depth semi-structured interviews which were recorded and all the contents were written down word by word. For analyzing the data, the qualitative content analysis method was used, in which similar data were organized and coded in similar categories. Results: Approximately 1000 statements and sentences were obtained as meaning units, Finally, 4 main codes and 16 open codes were extracted. The main themes included: “sacred profession, worship services, humanitarian tendencies, mission and purpose (meaning) in life. Conclusion: Participants of the study, e.g. nurses, considered spirituality as an inseparable part of their profession. In terms of their spiritual experience, respectively, holy profession, worship services, humanitarian tendencies, mission and purposefulness (meaning) in life,were considered as five most important experiences

Review: Autism and KIR genes of the human genome: A brief meta-analysis

Background: Killer cell immunoglobin-like receptors (KIR) are the  transmembrane glycoproteins on natural killer (NK) cells that regulate their functions. Studies show that immune system plays roles in  neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, and NK cell abnormality can be a risk factor in autism spectrum disorders.Aim: This study aims to investigate the role of KIR genes diversity in autism.Methods: In order to find the relevant literature, we used PubMed, Google Scholar and other search engines. Association of each gene was analyzed through chi-square with Yate’s correction (or Fisher’s exact test if necessary). Software comprehensive meta-analysis was used. Both fixed and random effect models were reported.Results: Among fourteen genes of KIR, the risk role of KIR2DS1 and  KIR3DS1 were statistically significant based on fixed effect model. Among these two genes, KIR2DS1 needed random effect model because of its heterogeneity. After applying random effect, its role was not significant. The funnel plot showed no publication bias for KIR3DS1, and its role was  significant based on fixed effect model (P = .028; OR = 1.31).Conclusions: Autism spectrum disorders are accompanied by KIR3DS1 which is an activating gene of KIR. It seems that hyper-activity of NK cells results in inflammation in neuroimmune system that in turn can be associated with autism. The legend of 3DS1 receptor is unknown, and suggested to be investigated. This meta-analysis should be updated in future.Keywords: Autism Neuroimmunology KIR NK cell

Investigating Predictive Factors of Power of the Theory Planned Behavior (TPB) on the Prevention of Urinary Tract Infection in Mothers Under 2 Years of Age

Introduction: One of the most important problems in childhood is urinary tract infections, which can lead to permanent damage to the kidneys. The purpose of this study was to measure the constructs of the theory of planned behavior regarding the preventive behaviors of urinary tract infection in mothers with a dughter under two years of age. Methods: This is a cross-sectional and analytical study that was carried out on 280 mothers of girls under the age of two years who referred to health centers and were randomly selected. The data was collected by a researcher-made questionnaire validity and reliability of which were confirmed. The questionnaire included demographic characteristics of the mother, dimensions of the planned behavioral model and maternal duty checklist. Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS 20, Pearson correlation and linear regression tests. Results: Mean and standard deviation of attitude score (3.87±0.37), subjective norm (4.09±0.49), perceived behavior control (4.32±0.47), behavioral intention (4.59±0.47) performance (2.78±0.58) and knowledge (0.62±0.1) was observed. In regression analysis, variables of knowledge and intention to behave, predicted a total of 15% (R2=0.16, B=1.342, P=0.001) of behavioral change. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, in designing educational interventions, the awareness and structure of behavioral intention should be considered as the most important predictor of mothers’ behavior

Ultrasonographic Thicknesses of Ruminal and Abdominal Wall in High Yielding Holstein Dairy Cows

Abstract: Ultrasonography has been used as a non invasive method for examination of gastrointestinal tract of cattle. Rumen status and rumen health are importance in high producing dairy herds. In this study the normal values of abdominal and ruminal wall thickness in mid lactation cows were measured and abnormal cases were evaluated with ultrasonography. On ultrasonogram, ruminal wall in all of the cases were constituted by two layers but in some cases such as fluid accumulation or ascite were imaged as three layers. The mean ± standard deviation of abdominal and ruminal wall thickness (two layers) were 17.31 ± 3.08 and 8.01 ± 1.36 milimeters respectively. So, ultrasonographic investigation of left abdomen and their values of the thicknesses could be a part of rumen health evaluation in dairy herds but more researchs should be done for this matter in high producing dairy herds

Autism and KIR genes of the human genome: A brief meta-analysis

Background: Killer cell immunoglobin-like receptors (KIR) are the transmembrane glycoproteins on natural killer (NK) cells that regulate their functions. Studies show that immune system plays roles in neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, and NK cell abnormality can be a risk factor in autism spectrum disorders. Aim: This study aims to investigate the role of KIR genes diversity in autism. Methods: In order to find the relevant literature, we used PubMed, Google Scholar and other search engines. Association of each gene was analyzed through chi-square with Yate's correction (or Fisher's exact test if necessary). Software comprehensive meta-analysis was used. Both fixed and random effect models were reported. Results: Among fourteen genes of KIR, the risk role of KIR2DS1 and KIR3DS1 were statistically significant based on fixed effect model. Among these two genes, KIR2DS1 needed random effect model because of its heterogeneity. After applying random effect, its role was not significant. The funnel plot showed no publication bias for KIR3DS1, and its role was significant based on fixed effect model (P = .028; OR = 1.31). Conclusions: Autism spectrum disorders are accompanied by KIR3DS1 which is an activating gene of KIR. It seems that hyper-activity of NK cells results in inflammation in neuroimmune system that in turn can be associated with autism. The legend of 3DS1 receptor is unknown, and suggested to be investigated. This meta-analysis should be updated in future. Keywords: Autism, Neuroimmunology, KIR, NK cel

Development of neoantigens: from identification in cancer cells to application in cancer vaccines

Introduction: The discovery of neoantigens as mutated proteins specifically expressed in tumor cells but not in normal cells has led to improved cancer vaccines. Targeting neoantigens can induce anti-tumor T-cell responses to destroy tumors without damaging healthy cells. Extensive advances in genome sequencing technology and bioinformatics analysis have made it possible to discover and design effective neoantigens for use in therapeutic cancer vaccines. Neoantigens-based therapeutic personalized vaccines have shown promising results in cancer immunotherapy. Areas covered: We discuss the types of cancer neoantigens that can be recognized by the immune system in this review. We also summarize the detection, identification, and design of neoantigens and their appliction in developing cancer vaccines. Finally, clinical trials of neoantigen-based vaccines, their advantages, and their limitations are reviewed. From 2015 to 2020, the authors conducted a literature search of controlled randomized trials and laboratory investigations that that focused on neoantigens, their use in the design of various types of cancer vaccines. Expert opinion: Neoantigens are cancer cell-specific antigens, which their expression leads to the immune stimulation against tumor cells. The identification and delivery of specific neoantigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with the help of anti-cancer vaccines promise novel and more effective cancer treatments