The Effectiveness of Group Logotherapy in Increasing Resilience and Decreasing Depression among Individuals Affected by Substance Abuse in Tehran

Introduction: Substance use disorder is one of the chronic and often recurrent disorders that predispose a person to serious problems, such as AIDS, hepatitis and other chronic disorders. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of group logotherapy in increasing resilience and decreasing depression among individuals with addiction in Tehran. Method: Semi-experimental research method with pre-test, post-test design and control group was utilized in this study. The statistical population of this study included all individuals affected by substance abuse referred to drug rehabilitation clinic in Tehran. The sample consisted of 36 individuals with substance abuse; whose depression and resilience scores were as much as two standard deviations lower than the mean. Subjects were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Beck Depression Inventory and Caner-Davidson’s Resilience Questionnaire were adopted. Ten 90-minute group logotherapy sessions were held for the experimental group. Data were analyzed using multivariate covariance method. Results: The findings of this study indicated that group logotherapy, increased resilience and decreased depression in the experimental group. Conclusion: Logotherapy can be considered as a new way of introducing purposefulness and meaningfulness in life. It increases the level of resilience and increase happiness for patients with substance abuse through assisting them in discovering their real self, selecting individual values, and finding the meaning of life. Declaration of Interest: None

Exploring breast cancer preventive lifestyle and social support of Iranian women : a study protocol for a mixed-methods approach

Abstract Background It is widely accepted that a healthy lifestyle may decrease the probability of developing cancer. This study aimed to describe a study protocol that makes it possible to explore preventive health lifestyles of Iranian women and their received social support for the purpose of developing cultural strategies to increase breast cancer prevention. Methods A mixed-methods study will be accomplished in two sequential parts. First, a cross-sectional study will be conducted in which 2,250 Iranian women are recruited by using a random multistage cluster sampling of 20 health care centers. Structured face-to-face interviews will be conducted to obtain information on the participants’ health lifestyle and perceived social support. Data will be analyzed using both multivariate regression and structural equation modeling techniques. Then, a qualitative study will be conducted among employed women using a purposive sampling design. Data will be collected by means of focus groups and semi-structured interviews and will be analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach. The results of the quantitative and qualitative study will be used to develop breast cancer preventive strategies. Discussion Researchers need to acquire knowledge regarding the lifestyle and perceived social support of Iranian women that will foster culturally competent approaches to promote healthy lifestyles to develop breast cancer preventive strategies. Examining breast cancer preventive lifestyles provides valuable information for designing applicable intervention programs for improving women’s health

Prevalence and Resistance Pattern of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection

Background and Aim: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common infectious diseases. Although UTI is mostly associated with several members of the family of Enterobacteriaceae, Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most common pathogen among them. This study aims to determine the prevalence and resistance pattern of ESBL producing E. coli isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in Sari, Iran. Methods: From December-2016 to June-2017, a hospital-based cross-sectional work was accompanied, and a total of 200 urine samples were cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar for the identification of etiologic agents. After detection and confirmation of E. coli isolates, susceptibility testing was assessed using the following antibiotics: cefotaxime, ceftazidime, imipenem, nalidixic acid, cefixime, amikacin, ofloxacin, ceftriaxone, cefepime, gentamicin, tobramycin, meropenem, piracetam, and ciprofloxacin with Kirby–Bauer disk-diffusion technique according to the CLSI guidelines. Double-disk synergy (DDS) methods were used for the detection of ESBL-producing strains. Results: In the current study, 120 urinary isolates of E. coli were detected, which ESBL-producing phenotypes were detected in 55% (n = 66) of the isolates. ESBL producing strains of E. coli showed the highest susceptibility to meropenem (100%) and ofloxacin (96%); and showed the highest rates of resistance to ceftazidime (91%), cefepime (87%), cefotaxime, and ceftriaxone (84%). Conclusion: Markedly high resistance to third-generation cephalosporins among E. coli strains was found in the current study. Considering the high prevalence of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins in infections caused by organisms producing ESBL, performing comprehensive tests before prescribing antibiotics is essential for the management of infections caused by these strains in community/hospital-acquired UTIs. Furthermore accompanying molecular-based works on ESBL variants will assistance to achieve better results. *Corresponding Author: Mehrdad Gholami; Email: [email protected] Please cite this article as: Ahanjan M, Salehian M, Gholami M. Prevalence and Resistance Pattern of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase Producing Escherichia coli Isolated from Patients with Urinary Tract Infection. Arch Med Lab Sci. 2020;6:1-7 (e13). https://doi.org/10.22037/amls.v6.3308

INVESTIGATION OF PERIPHYTONS OF ZARIVAR LAKE IN KURDISTAN PROVINCE

Zarivar lake is one of the most unique fresh water lakes in the world . A lake with delicate and complex ecosystem that is unparalleled in its own . This lake is located at 2 km from north west of Marivan city and altitude of 1285 m higher than sea surface . Periphytons is a kind of single-celled algae adhered to bed which based on bed type are divided to various cases. In this research , two types of epilithic periphytons and epiphytic periphyton were investigated and identified as well as physio-chemical parameters during the one-year course within 5 stations were investigated Considering the results, was shown that periphyton products was led to a richness in the initial products of Zarivar lake . Keywords: Zarivar lake , Periphytons, Physio-chemical parameter

Development and psychometric testing of a new instrument to measure factors influencing women's breast cancer prevention behaviors (ASSISTS)

Background: Breast cancer preventive behaviors have an extreme effect on women's health. Despite the benefits of preventive behaviors regarding breast cancer, they have not been implemented as routine care for healthy women. To assess this health issue, a reliable and valid scale is needed. The aim of the present study is to develop and examine the psychometric properties of a new scale, called the ASSISTS, in order to identify factors that affect women's breast cancer prevention behaviors. Methods: A multi-phase instrument development method was performed to develop the questionnaire from February 2012 to September 2014. The item pool was generated based on secondary analyses of previous qualitative data. Then, content and face validity were applied to provide a pre-final version of the scale. The scale validation was conducted with a sample of women recruited from health centers affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The construct validity (both exploratory and confirmatory), convergent validity, discriminate validity, internal consistency reliability and test-retest analysis of the questionnaire were tested. Results: Fifty-eight items were initially extracted from the secondary analysis of previous qualitative data. After content validity, this was reduced to 49 items. The exploratory factor analysis revealed seven factors (Attitude, supportive systems, self-efficacy, information seeking, stress management, stimulant and self-care) containing 33 items that jointly accounted for 60.62 % of the observed variance. The confirmatory factor analysis showed a model with appropriate fitness for the data. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the subscales ranged from 0.68 to 0.85, and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.71 to 0.98; which is well above the acceptable thresholds. Conclusion: The findings showed that the designed questionnaire was a valid and reliable instrument for assessing factors affecting women's breast cancer prevention behaviors that can be used both in practice and in future studies

Effects of Root Debridement With Hand Curettes and Er:YAG Laser on Chemical Properties and Ultrastructure of Periodontally-Diseased Root Surfaces Using Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy

Introduction: The efficacy of erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser for root debridement in comparison with curettes has been the subject of many recent investigations. Considering the possibility of chemical and ultra-structural changes in root surfaces following laser irradiation, this study sought to assess the effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) with curettes and Er:YAG laser on chemical properties and ultrastructure of root surfaces using spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, extracted sound human single-rooted teeth (n = 50) were randomly scaled using manual curettes alone or in conjunction with Er:YAG laser at 100 and 150 mJ/pulse output energies. The weight percentages of carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium remaining on the root surfaces were calculated using spectroscopy and the surface morphology of specimens was assessed under SEM. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).Results: No significant differences (P > 0.05) were noted in the mean carbon, oxygen, phosphorous and calcium weight percentages on root surfaces following SRP using manual curettes with and without laser irradiation at both output energies. Laser irradiation after SRP with curettes yielded rougher surfaces compared to the use of curettes alone.Conclusion: Although laser irradiation yielded rougher surfaces, root surfaces were not significantly different in terms of chemical composition following SRP using manual curettes with and without Er:YAG laser irradiation. Er:YAG laser can be safely used as an adjunct to curettes for SRP

Mesoscale mapping of sediment source hotspots for dam sediment management in data-sparse semi-arid catchments

Land degradation and water availability in semi-arid regions are interdependent challenges for management that are influenced by climatic and anthropogenic changes. Erosion and high sediment loads in rivers cause reservoir siltation and decrease storage capacity, which pose risk on water security for citizens, agriculture, and industry. In regions where resources for management are limited, identifying spatial-temporal variability of sediment sources is crucial to decrease siltation. Despite widespread availability of rigorous methods, approaches simplifying spatial and temporal variability of erosion are often inappropriately applied to very data sparse semi-arid regions. In this work, we review existing approaches for mapping erosional hotspots, and provide an example of spatial-temporal mapping approach in two case study regions. The barriers limiting data availability and their effects on erosion mapping methods, their validation, and resulting prioritization of leverage management areas are discussed.BMBF, 02WGR1421A-I, GROW - Verbundprojekt SaWaM: Saisonales Wasserressourcen-Management in Trockenregionen: Praxistransfer regionalisierter globaler Informationen, Teilprojekt 1DFG, 414044773, Open Access Publizieren 2019 - 2020 / Technische Universität Berli

The Right to Access The Vaccine as a Human Right

This article aims to address the human rights obligations of pharma companies regarding access to vaccines and other drugs that are produced for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. It seems that the UN Guidelines on Trade and Human Rights are among the most important documents and organizations which give pharma and vaccine companies some responsibility and fair access to vaccines and special medicines, in case of emergency. Since the right of access to vaccines is a fundamental human right, access must be provided fairly in the emergency conditions of a pandemic virus. Besides, discrimination, monopolies and nationalism must be avoided as much as possible. The results illustrate that public access to the COVID-19 vaccine is justified under the heading of social contract and it persuades human rights to support the idea of corporate social responsibility more broadly. Other results of this article indicate that there are many challenges to achieving universal access to vaccines, including nationalism, monopolies, exorbitant pricing, and the spread of corruption. It is hoped that, with proper monitoring by international organizations and the World Health Organization, these challenges can be reduced to pave the way for fair access to vaccines as a fundamental human right