Mother-infant attachment behaviors and related psychological factors in covid-19 pandemic: a review study

Introduction: Covid-19 epidemic and the fear of its infection in infants as a global threat is a challenge for mother-infant attachment behaviors. Methods: The present study was a review study conducted based on the information collected from searches in SID, PubMed, Science Direct, Elsevier, Scopus databases and Google Scholar search engine using the conjunctions of “AND” and “OR” between the keywords. The articles were searched using systematic search with the keywords of attachment behaviors, mother-infant bonding, maternal attachment, Covid-19, and neonates, with all possible combination of important words from December 2019 to April 2021. The initial search for relevant sources related to mother-infant attachment and Covid-19 led to 65 articles. Then, by applying the time filter, this number was reduced to 31 articles. In the final stage, by excluding duplicate articles and examining the relationship of articles with the subject of study, 7 articles were selected as relevant and final sources. Results: The results of reviewing of the studies showed low to moderate level of mother-infant attachment behaviors during Covid-19 crisis. Mothers with lower levels of attachment to their infants were more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and peritraumatic distress. Women who gave birth during quarantine had lower levels of attachment to their infants compared to other women. Conclusion: Covid 19 epidemic caused a high prevalence and a wide range of psychological disorders and a reduction in the level of attachment in mothers of infants under 12 months. Providing timely psychological support is essential to improve the level of attachment of mothers to their infants

Bacteria Isolated from Urinary Tract Infection among Patients and Determination of the Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of the Gram Negative Bacteria in Iran

Background: Escherichia coli (E. coli) is the most frequent infecting organism in acute infection. So, knowledge about the frequency and distribution of urinary tract infection (UTI) is important to improve infection control measures. The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of bacteria isolated from urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients and determination of the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the gram negative bacteria.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed in Imam Reza hospital, Tabriz (northwest of Iran) during March 2012 to February 2013. We surveyed 8153 patients, who had clinical manifestations of UTI. 5093 (62.47%) of them were female and 3060 (37.53%) of them male. Urine specimens were cultured for isolation of the microbial agents of UTI. The isolated bacteria were identified using biochemical tests. Disk diffusion susceptibility test was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility.Results: E. coli (55.38%) was the most common isolated pathogen, followed by Enterobacter spp. (29.61%), Pseudomonas spp. (4.9%), S. aureus (3.21%), Enterococcus spp. (2.3%),  fungi (1.5%) and Klebsiella (0.48%). The sensitivity rates of isolated gram negative bacteria were for Amikacin (95.7%), Nitrofurantoin (91.5%), Gentamicin (64.1%), Ceftizoxim (56.8%), Ciprofloxacin (37.6%), Cotrimoxazole (31.4%) and Nalidixic acid (23.5%).Conclusion: This study showed that the frequency of E. coli and  Enterobacter spp. increases the probability of urinary tract infection. Also this survey indicates the emergence of antibiotic resistant infections in the studied hospital. So, there is a need to improve the effectiveness of integrated infection control programs to control and manage nosocomial infections caused by highly resistant organisms

Secure Simultaneous Information and Power Transfer for Downlink Multi-User Massive MIMO

In this article, downlink secure transmission in simultaneous information and power transfer (SWIPT) system enabled with massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is studied. A base station (BS) with a large number of antennas transmits energy and information signals to its intended users, but these signals are also received by an active eavesdropper. The users and eavesdropper employ a power splitting technique to simultaneously decode information and harvest energy. Massive MIMO helps the BS to focus energy to the users and prevent information leakage to the eavesdropper. The harvested energy by each user is employed for decoding information and transmitting uplink pilot signals for channel estimation. It is assumed that the active eavesdropper also harvests energy in the downlink and then contributes during the uplink training phase. Achievable secrecy rate is considered as the performance criterion and a closed-form lower bound for it is derived. To provide secure transmission, the achievable secrecy rate is then maximized through an optimization problem with constraints on the minimum harvested energy by the user and the maximum harvested energy by the eavesdropper. Numerical results show the effectiveness of using massive MIMO in providing physical layer security in SWIPT systems and also show that our closed-form expressions for the secrecy rate are accurate

Secure Simultaneous Information and Power Transfer for Downlink Multi-user Massive MIMO

In this paper, downlink secure transmission in simultaneous information and power transfer (SWIPT) system enabled with massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is studied. A base station (BS) with a large number of antennas transmits energy and information signals to its intended users, but these signals are also received by an active eavesdropper. The users and eavesdropper employ a power splitting technique to simultaneously decode information and harvest energy. Massive MIMO helps the BS to focus energy to the users and prevent information leakage to the eavesdropper. The harvested energy by each user is employed for decoding information and transmitting uplink pilot signals for channel estimation. It is assumed that the active eavesdropper also harvests energy in the downlink and then contributes during the uplink training phase. Achievable secrecy rate is considered as the performance criterion and a closed-form lower bound for it is derived. To provide secure transmission, the achievable secrecy rate is then maximized through an optimization problem with constraints on the minimum harvested energy by the user and the maximum harvested energy by the eavesdropper. Numerical results show the effectiveness of using massive MIMO in providing physical layer security in SWIPT systems and also show that our closed-form expressions for the secrecy rate are accurate

Evaluar los factores relacionados con el estilo de mejora de la salud y el valor de la salud entre las mujeres de mediana edad que se refieren a los centros de salud integrales de Isfahan en 2016

Introducction. The present study was conducted to evaluate the related factors to health-improvement lifestyle and value of health among middle aged women. Material and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-correlational research that was conducted with participation of 278 middle aged women who referred to the health centers of Isfahan and were selected randomly in 2016. Data were collected using demographic characteristics questionnaire, Walker's Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) and a researcher-made questionnaire for the value of health that were completed by the participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with Pearson correlation coefficient test, linear regression analysis, Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon test. Results: According to the results of the present study there was a direct relation between the score of value of health and the total score of lifestyle and the scores all of its domains (p < 0.05). There was a significant relation between the employment of middle aged women and the domains of personal relationships and spiritual growth lifestyle and also between background diseases and physical stress and stress management of the health-improvement lifestyle (p < 0.05). Also a significant relation was observed between the age of the middle aged women and the value of health and the domain of responsibility of the heath-improvement lifestyle (p < 0.05). Conclusions: To enhance the level of the health-improvement and value of health lifestyles among this group of women it is necessary to pay attention to matters such as support, facilitation and personal-social factors in the healthcare programs for these women.Introducción. El presente estudio se realizó para evaluar los factores relacionados con el estilo de vida de mejora de la salud y el valor de la salud entre las mujeres de mediana edad. Material y Métodos: El presente estudio fue una investigación descriptiva-correlacional que se realizó con la participación de 278 mujeres de mediana edad que remitieron a los centros de salud de Isfahan y fueron seleccionadas al azar en 2016. Los datos se recopilaron mediante el cuestionario de características demográficas, Walker's Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) y un cuestionario realizado por un investigador para el valor de la salud que fueron completados por los participantes. Los datos se analizaron utilizando el software SPSS con prueba de coeficiente de correlación de Pearson, análisis de regresión lineal, prueba de Mann-Whitney y prueba de Wilcoxon. Resultados: De acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio, hubo una relación directa entre la puntuación del valor de la salud y la puntuación total del estilo de vida y las puntuaciones de todos sus dominios (p <0,05). Hubo una relación significativa entre el empleo de mujeres de mediana edad y los dominios de las relaciones personales y el estilo de vida de crecimiento espiritual y también entre las enfermedades de fondo y el estrés físico y el manejo del estrés del estilo de vida para mejorar la salud (p <0,05). También se observó una relación significativa entre la edad de las mujeres de mediana edad y el valor de la salud y el dominio de la responsabilidad del estilo de vida de mejora de la salud (p <0,05). Conclusiones: Para mejorar el nivel de mejora de la salud y el valor de los estilos de vida de salud entre este grupo de mujeres, es necesario prestar atención a cuestiones tales como el apoyo, la facilitación y los factores personales y sociales en los programas de atención médica para estas mujeres

Expression of Integrin β1, Focal Adhesion Kinase, and PDZ-Binding Motif in Human Liver Cirrhosis and Simple Steatosis

Background: Integrins are transmembrane mechanosensitive proteins that negatively contribute to the pathogenesis of different types of chronic liver disease and can activate focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Objectives: This study aimed to determine the hepatic integrin β1 and FAK mRNA as well as the transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) protein expressions in cirrhotic patients and simple steatosis. Methods: In this case–control study, liver tissues were collected from 30 cirrhotic patients with various etiologies (i.e., nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-, primary sclerosing cholangitis-, alcoholic-, autoimmune hepatitis [AIH]- and hepatitis B virus [HBV]/hepatitis C virus [HCV]-related cirrhosis [six per group]), liver samples with simple steatosis (n=6), and control liver tissues (n=9). Results: Integrin β1 gene expression was significantly up-regulated in all cirrhotic groups compared to control group (P<0.05), with the exception of AIH cirrhosis. However, hepatic FAK gene expression and TAZ protein level in the cirrhotic groups were not significantly different than those in the control group. Furthermore, hepatic integrin β1 and FAK gene expressions as well as TAZ protein level in simple steatosis were significantly lower than those in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) cirrhosis and control (P<0.05). Conclusion: Integrin β1 was up-regulated in cirrhotic liver tissues. In addition, FAK, integrin β1, and TAZ were concordantly down-regulated in simple steatosis, and may have been involve in the steatosis development

The study of Health Literacy of adults in Karaj

Background and objective: Health literacy represents the cognitive and social skills that determine the motivation and ability of individuals to acquire, access and understand the information to maintain and promote health. This study aimed to assess the health literacy of adults in Karaj. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, 525 subjects aged 18-65 years old were selected using multistage sampling in Karaj. Relevant information was obtained using demographic questionnaire and HELIA questionnaire (18-65 years-old), respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS and appropriate tests. Results: The mean age of participants was 33.48 ± 11.39 years old. 48.8% (n=250) the participants were male and 51.2% (n=262) were female. 24.2% (n=124) of the participants had inadequate health literacy, 23.4 % (n=120) not so inadequate health literacy, 37.9 % (n=194) adequate health literacy and 14.5 (n = 74) had higher health literacy. Health literacy was significantly associated with age, gender, marital status, education, BMI, smoking and physical activity (

Human physiologically based pharmacokinetic model for ACE inhibitors: ramipril and ramiprilat

BACKGROUND: The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have complicated and poorly characterized pharmacokinetics. There are two binding sites per ACE (high affinity "C", lower affinity "N") that have sub-nanomolar affinities and dissociation rates of hours. Most inhibitors are given orally in a prodrug form that is systemically converted to the active form. This paper describes the first human physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of this drug class. METHODS: The model was applied to the experimental data of van Griensven et. al for the pharmacokinetics of ramiprilat and its prodrug ramipril. It describes the time course of the inhibition of the N and C ACE sites in plasma and the different tissues. The model includes: 1) two independent ACE binding sites; 2) non-equilibrium time dependent binding; 3) liver and kidney ramipril intracellular uptake, conversion to ramiprilat and extrusion from the cell; 4) intestinal ramipril absorption. The experimental in vitro ramiprilat/ACE binding kinetics at 4°C and 300 mM NaCl were assumed for most of the PBPK calculations. The model was incorporated into the freely distributed PBPK program PKQuest. RESULTS: The PBPK model provides an accurate description of the individual variation of the plasma ramipril and ramiprilat and the ramiprilat renal clearance following IV ramiprilat and IV and oral ramipril. Summary of model features: Less than 2% of total body ACE is in plasma; 35% of the oral dose is absorbed; 75% of the ramipril metabolism is hepatic and 25% of this is converted to systemic ramiprilat; 100% of renal ramipril metabolism is converted to systemic ramiprilat. The inhibition was long lasting, with 80% of the C site and 33% of the N site inhibited 24 hours following a 2.5 mg oral ramipril dose. The plasma ACE inhibition determined by the standard assay is significantly less than the true in vivo inhibition because of assay dilution. CONCLUSION: If the in vitro plasma binding kinetics of the ACE inhibitor for the two binding sites are known, a unique PBPK model description of the Griensven et. al. experimental data can be obtained

Mapping local patterns of childhood overweight and wasting in low- and middle-income countries between 2000 and 2017

A double burden of malnutrition occurs when individuals, household members or communities experience both undernutrition and overweight. Here, we show geospatial estimates of overweight and wasting prevalence among children under 5 years of age in 105 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) from 2000 to 2017 and aggregate these to policy-relevant administrative units. Wasting decreased overall across LMICs between 2000 and 2017, from 8.4% (62.3 (55.1–70.8) million) to 6.4% (58.3 (47.6–70.7) million), but is predicted to remain above the World Health Organization’s Global Nutrition Target of <5% in over half of LMICs by 2025. Prevalence of overweight increased from 5.2% (30 (22.8–38.5) million) in 2000 to 6.0% (55.5 (44.8–67.9) million) children aged under 5 years in 2017. Areas most affected by double burden of malnutrition were located in Indonesia, Thailand, southeastern China, Botswana, Cameroon and central Nigeria. Our estimates provide a new perspective to researchers, policy makers and public health agencies in their efforts to address this global childhood syndemic