The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Depression, Alexithymia and Hypertension in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

   Background: According to recent studies, cardiovascular diseases have been the most prevalent cause of death and disability worldwide, one of the most hidden types of which is coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease is mainly psychosomatic in nature and the role of psychological (especially personality) and social factors in its occurrence is very important. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression, alexithymia, and hypertension in patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The was a quasi-experimental study with a pretest-posttest design, with a control group and baseline assessment after intervention and three-month follow-up. The statistical population included all patients with cardiovascular diseases referred to Imam Reza hospital in Amol city from July to December 2020. 24 patients were selected as the sample using purposeful sampling and assigned to equal experimental and control groups randomly. The study tools were a researcher-made demographic questionnaire (2019), Toronto Alexithymia Scale (1994), Beck Depression Inventory (1990), and acceptance and commitment treatment protocol (Hayes, 2012). Data were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: We found that ACT had a significant effect on reducing depression, alexithymia, and hypertension. Conclusion: Patients who participated in ACT sessions had lower rates of depression, alexithymia, and hypertension

Anthropometric outcome in low birth weight infants treated with erythropoietin; a randomized clinical trial

Introduction: Erythropoietin (EPO) is a glycoprotein hormone, which has a key role in the number of red blood cells in mammalian blood. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether EPO is associated with anthropometric outcomes in low birth weight infants. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 90 premature neonates aged under 35 gestational weeks, with the weight of less than 2000 g, and selected through convenience sampling. The subjects were assigned to EPO (n=45) and control groups (n=45) by random allocation with the aim of evaluating the relationship between EPO and anthropometric outcome, hemoglobin, and hematocrit in low birth weight infants. The weight and head circumstance of the infants were measured on their birthdays, and days 14, 28, and 42. Additionally, hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured on days 7 and 42. From day 14, EPO injection was given to the EPO group three times a week for one month (12 times). The dosage for each baby was 100 U/kg of 2000 unit ampules which was given as a subcutaneous injection in the baby’s arm. Results: The mean weights on birthday and day 42 in the EPO group were 1397 ± 270 g and 2614 ± 739 g, respectively, while in the placebo group they were 1280 ± 281 g and 1486 ± 208 g, respectively. In addition, the mean head circumstance on birthday and day 42 in the EPO group was 28.6±1.7 cm and 33 ± 2.5 cm, respectively, while in the placebo group it was 27.8 ± 2.3 cm and 29.8 ± 2.2 cm, respectively. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, weight gain and head circumstance gain rose significantly in the EPO group compared with the placebo group (P<0.001). Trial Registration: The trial protocol was approved by the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials website (identifier: IRCT20160511027853N2, https://en.irct.ir/trial/47069, ethical code; IR.QUMS.REC.1398.133)

Toxicological Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

The wide use of nano-sized metallic materials could result in the release of these particles into the environment. In addition, due to the dissolution of these nano-materials, some of the adverse effects could result from the dissolved metals. On the other hand, dietary supplements play a key role in improving the immunity of consumers; hence, the use of immune stimulants such as mushroom seems to be very necessary. In this study, the dietary effect of Pleurotus ostreatus mushroom was investigated on serum immunity and liver histopathological indices of Oreochromis niloticus exposed to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Serum total protein level enhanced with increasing prebiotic concentration. Serum immunoglobulin and albumin levels increased in the group treated with Pleurotus ostreatus. The amount of these indices significantly increased at the concentration of 0.2 mg/kg; however, glucose value decreased in both of the experimental groups. Serum ALT and ALP levels significantly reduced in the combined treatment group (AgNPs and mushroom) at the concentration of 0.2 mg/kg, in contrast with the control group. In the combination treatment group (AgNPs and mushroom), the serum AST level significantly reduced at concentrations of 0.1 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg; however, it increased at the concentration of 0.05 mg/kg compared with the control group, indicating that immunological indices could improve due to the combined use of AgNPs and mushroom. The overall conclusion of this study shows that the use of mushroom at 0.2 mg/kg in combination with AgNPs could partially improve the effect of AgNPs on tilapia