Surgical Technologists’ Live Experiences of Professionalization: A Phenomenological Study

Background: The rapid advancement of science and new technologies has brought wide-range changes in all professions, leading to the emergence of new concepts, including professionalism. This study aimed to explain the concept of professionalism from the perspective of surgical technologists. Methods: The present study was a qualitative one with conventional content analysis. A total of 11 surgical technologists were selected using purposive sampling method based on data saturation. Data were then collected using in-depth interviews. Data analysis was performed using Graneheim and Lundman’s approach. Results: In data analysis, three main themes including professional attitude, professional mastery, and holistic professional care as well as seven subthemes were extracted from the data. Conclusion: According to the findings, professionalism indicates the type of attitude of the operating room nurses towards the profession as well as the degree of their mastery in providing professional care to patients

Effect of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on antibody titers to heat shock protein 27 in adolescent girls

Objective: Although vitamin D deficiency is associated with several inflammatory conditions, there have been few studies on the effects of vitamin D supplementation on markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effects of high dose vitamin D supplementation on heat shock protein 27 antibody (anti-Hsp27) titres in adolescent girls. Methods: Five hundred and fifty adolescent girls received vitamin D3 at a dose of 50,000 IU/week for 9 weeks. Demographic, clinical, biochemical markers including serum fasting blood glucose, lipid profile and anti-Hsp27 titers as well as hematological parameters including white blood cell count (WBC), and red blood cell distribution width (RDW) were determined in all the subjects at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Serum vitamin D increased significantly, from 6.4 (4.2-9.6) ng/mL to 35.6 (25.8-47.5) ng/mL (P <0.001) following the intervention. Furthermore, serum anti-Hsp27 titers were significantly lower after the 9 week vitamin D administration period [0.22(0.12-0.33) OD vs. 0.19(0.11-0.31) OD; P=0.002]. A significant correlation was found between serum anti-Hsp27 and RDW (r=0.13, p=0.037). The reduction in RDW values after intervention were particularly evident in subjects with the greatest increase in serum vitamin D levels. Conclusions: High-dose vitamin D supplementation was found to reduce antibody titers to Hsp 27. Further randomized placebo-controlled trials are warranted to determine the long time effect of vitamin D administration on the inflammatory process especially that associated with chronic disease

Multiancestry analysis of the HLA locus in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases uncovers a shared adaptive immune response mediated by HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes

Across multiancestry groups, we analyzed Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) associations in over 176,000 individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) versus controls. We demonstrate that the two diseases share the same protective association at the HLA locus. HLA-specific fine-mapping showed that hierarchical protective effects of HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes best accounted for the association, strongest with HLA-DRB1*04:04 and HLA-DRB1*04:07, and intermediary with HLA-DRB1*04:01 and HLA-DRB1*04:03. The same signal was associated with decreased neurofibrillary tangles in postmortem brains and was associated with reduced tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid and to a lower extent with increased Aβ42. Protective HLA-DRB1*04 subtypes strongly bound the aggregation-prone tau PHF6 sequence, however only when acetylated at a lysine (K311), a common posttranslational modification central to tau aggregation. An HLA-DRB1*04-mediated adaptive immune response decreases PD and AD risks, potentially by acting against tau, offering the possibility of therapeutic avenues

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Optimization of ammonium adsorption from landfill leachate using montmorillonite/hematite nanocomposite: response surface method based on central composite design

In this study, the adsorption of ammonium ions from landfill leachate (LL) was examined using montmorillonite/hematite nanocomposite (M/HNC). Parameters affecting ammonium adsorption such as pH 3-11, adsorbent dosage 0.05-0.25 g/L, mixing speed 75-175 rpm, and contact time 25-125 min were assessed. The central composite design (CCD)-based response surface methodology was employed to design the experiments and find optimal conditions. M/HNC was synthesized under green conditions and structurally investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. M/HNC was synthesized with a particle size of about 26 nm, magnetic properties, and a high specific surface area. The efficiency of ammonium adsorption from LL was increased by enhancing parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, mixing speed, and contact time. The pH of 8.05, adsorbent dosage of 0.167 g/L, mixing speed of 117.42 rpm, and contact time of 81.99 min was presented as optimal conditions according to the results of the CCD method. In addition, the efficiency of ammonium adsorption from LL using M/HNC was 80% at optimal conditions. The data of ammonium adsorption on M/HNC fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. It should be noted that the interactive effects of the parameters had an increasing impact on the ammonium adsorption efficiency. Based on the results of the present study, M/HNC had an effective potential for the adsorption of ammonium from LL

Physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats and biodiversity of mosquitoes in one of the most important metropolises of southern Iran

The present study aimed to investigate the roles of the physicochemical characteristics of larval habitats in biodiversity and other bionomic factors of mosquitoes in Shiraz.The physical parameters of all habitats were recorded separately. The collected mosquito larvae were identified based on morphological characters. The water samples of larval habitats were analyzed for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD, mg/L), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD, mg/L), pH, alkalinity, turbidity, total hardness (mg/L), Electrical Conductivity (EC, μS/cm), Total Dissolved Solids (TDS, mg/L), Cl2 (mg/L), and water temperature (°C). In addition, three main indices were used for surveying biodiversity.A total of 1229 larvae were collected from April to September 2018 and May to August 2019. Seven medically important mosquito species were identified morphologically. Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. laticinctus had the highest distribution and abundance. Ecological results showed that the richness and diversity of species were higher and more stable in natural sites than in manmade places. The optimum BOD, COD, alkalinity, TDS, EC, pH, and temperature of water for mosquitoes of the studied areas were 140 mg/L, 360 mg/L, 160 mg/L, 420 mg/L, 840 μS/cm, 8.3, and 24 °C, respectively. Most mosquitoes tended to live in manmade, temporary, and sunny larval habitats with turbid water.The results provided a better understanding of the biology and ecology of mosquitoes as the most important group of disease vectors to humans and animals. Hence, they could be used to apply some safer and more environmentally friendly methods for mosquito control

Amelioration of pain and anxiety in sleep-deprived rats by intra-amygdala injection of cinnamaldehyde

Background: Sleep disorders are accompanied by increased anxiety and somatic pain. In addition, it has been observed that anxiety and pain have a boosting effect on each other, resulting in continued sleep disturbances. Amygdala's (CeA) central nucleus plays a crucial role in these processes. Cinnamaldehyde (Cinn) is an aromatic compound with anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and sleep-promoting properties. The present study uses sleep-deprived rats to examine the effects of an intra-CeA injection of Cinn on pain and anxiety. Methods: Sleep deprivation (SD) was induced using the platform technique. 35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Anxiety state and nociception were evaluated among groups using formalin test (F.T.), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). Anxiety tests (OFT and EPM) were conducted in all groups. The first group was undergone FT without induction of SD (SD−FT+). The second group received SD without FT(SD+FT−). The third group received both SD and FT(SD+FT+). The treatment and vehicle groups have undergone both SD and FT in addition to the respectively intra-CeA injection of Cinn (SD+FT+ Cinn) and Cinn vehicle (SD+FT+ VC). The recorded behaviors were analyzed between groups using IBM SPSS 24th version. Results: SD did not lead to any significant difference in nociceptive behaviors in FT between groups SD−FT+ and SD+FT+ (P ≥ 0.05). At the same time, there was a considerable discrepancy in rearing behaviors (P < 0.006) and the number of fecal boli (P < 0.004) recorded in OFM between these groups. Treatment with Cinn led to decreased nociception (P < 0.038), decreased rearing behaviors (P < 0.01), and reduced defecation (P < 0.004) in group SD + FT+ Cinn in comparison to the group SD+FT+. There were no differences in anxiety test results between the first and second groups (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: SD can lead to elevated anxiety, while intra-CeA injection of Cinn ameliorated both perceptions of acute pain and anxiety. Besides, the conduction of FT before the anxiety test led to no disturbance in the results of anxiety tests

Amelioration of pain and anxiety in sleep-deprived rats by intra-amygdala injection of cinnamaldehyde

Sleep disorders are accompanied by increased anxiety and somatic pain. In addition, it has been observed that anxiety and pain have a boosting effect on each other, resulting in continued sleep disturbances. Amygdala's (CeA) central nucleus plays a crucial role in these processes. Cinnamaldehyde (Cinn) is an aromatic compound with anti-anxiety, antioxidant, and sleep-promoting properties. The present study uses sleep-deprived rats to examine the effects of an intra-CeA injection of Cinn on pain and anxiety. Methods: Sleep deprivation (SD) was induced using the platform technique. 35 male Wistar rats were divided into five groups. Anxiety state and nociception were evaluated among groups using formalin test (F.T.), open field test (OFT), and elevated plus maze (EPM). Anxiety tests (OFT and EPM) were conducted in all groups. The first group was undergone FT without induction of SD (SD−FT+). The second group received SD without FT(SD+FT−). The third group received both SD and FT(SD+FT+). The treatment and vehicle groups have undergone both SD and FT in addition to the respectively intra-CeA injection of Cinn (SD+FT+ Cinn) and Cinn vehicle (SD+FT+ VC). The recorded behaviors were analyzed between groups using IBM SPSS 24th version. Results: SD did not lead to any significant difference in nociceptive behaviors in FT between groups SD−FT+ and SD+FT+ (P ≥ 0.05). At the same time, there was a considerable discrepancy in rearing behaviors (P < 0.006) and the number of fecal boli (P < 0.004) recorded in OFM between these groups. Treatment with Cinn led to decreased nociception (P < 0.038), decreased rearing behaviors (P < 0.01), and reduced defecation (P < 0.004) in group SD + FT+ Cinn in comparison to the group SD+FT+. There were no differences in anxiety test results between the first and second groups (P ≥ 0.05). Conclusion: SD can lead to elevated anxiety, while intra-CeA injection of Cinn ameliorated both perceptions of acute pain and anxiety. Besides, the conduction of FT before the anxiety test led to no disturbance in the results of anxiety tests