The Effect of Group Counseling Based on Spirituality on the Development of Positive Relations with Others and Self-acceptance in Girls of Divorced Families: An Experimental Study

For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Background and Objective: Parents getting divorced is a stressful situation for the children that may expose them to many psychological problems. However, spiritual intervention can lead to adaptability, improved interpersonal relationships and, finally, empowerment of female children of divorce. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of group counseling model based on spirituality on the development of positive relations with others and self-acceptance in girls of divorce.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study involving two groups. The sample population included all girls whose parents had got divorced and were school students in Karaj, Iran, in the educational year 2017-2018. Out of the sample population, a total 20 girls were selected via accessible sampling method. Ten girls were assigned to the experimental and 10 to the control group. The experimental group received the treatment in eight (two-hour) sessions while the control group received no treatment. Immediately after the last treatment session, posttests were administered to the participants. Ryff’s Psychological Wellbeing Questionnaire was applied for collecting data. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and MANCOVA. In this study, all the ethical considerations have been observed and the authors reported no conflict of interest.Results: The results showed that group counseling model based on spirituality had a significant effect on the development of positive relationships with others and self-acceptance in girls of divorce (P<0.05).Conclusion: According to the findings, it seems that spiritual intervention is effective in increased positive relations with others and self-acceptance in girls after their parents’ divorce. Therefore, practical measures can be taken through group counseling based on spirituality to improve and promote their psychological wellbeing. For downloading the full-text of this article please click here.Please cite this article as: Safara M, Khanbabaee M, Khanbabaee M. The Effect of Group Counseling Based on Spirituality on the Development of Positive Relations with Others and Self-acceptance in Girls of Divorced Families: An Experimental Study. Journal of Pizhūhish dar dīn va salāmat. 2020;6(2):49-61. https://doi.org/10.22037/jrrh.v6i2.2305

The Effect of Roaccutane on Development of Ovarian Follicles and Uterine Changes in Adult NMRI Mice Strain

Introduction: Roaccutane, Acuten, and Isotretinoin are derivatives of the vitamin A naturally found in human body. Since vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin, it is prescribed through controlling the amount of skin oil by forcing low-secreted sebaceous glands to treat severe skin acne with the risk of permanent scarring. Thus, we aimed to investigate the effects of Roaccutane on evolution of ovarian follicles and uterine, and possible attendant liver changes in adult NMRI mice.  Materials and Methods: Roaccutane was orally administered by gavage at the doses of 0.5, 10, and 20 mg/kg for 21 days. Then, the mice were dissected, and the uterine, ovarian, and liver tissues were separated. The levels of Estradiol (E2), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Aspartate transaminase (AST), and Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were examined by ELISA test and chlorometric biochemical method. Results: Increase in the Roaccutane dose led to the damage to endometrium layers, and there were no significant changes in myometrium and perimetrium. Observations of the tissue of ovaries indicated the maturity of them. Significant reduction in the number of hepatocytes and rise of glands and blood vessels were the results of the liver damage. High level of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP) was the important reason for the liver damage. Hormonal findings through the increase of E2 and FSH also showed tissue damage. Conclusion: The results revealed the harmful effect of Roaccutane on evolution of ovarian follicles and uterine and liver changes of adult laboratory NMRI mice (either tissue or hormone). &nbsp

Improving the Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid on the In Vitro Maturation of Oocytes

This research was conducted in order to determine the effects of omega-3 on oocyte in vitro maturation and the level of expression of tribbles (TRIB1, TRIB2 and TRIB3 genes) in cumulus cells. Eight-ten weeks old NMRI mice were super-ovulated using 7.5 IU pregnant mare’s serum gonadotropin (PMSG, Intraperitoneal) and they were killed after 44 hours and their ovaries were removed. The oocytes were used for in vitro maturation and the cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were released. Cumulus cells and oocytes were assigned into control, ethanol-treated and groups exposed to 10 and 100 μg/ml of omega-3. The cells were prepared to assess the maturation stage in order to evaluate the gene expression level. The data were statistically analyzed. Exposing oocytes to low dose (10 μg/ml) and high dose (100 μg/ml) of omega-3 resulted in a reduced rate of GV-stage oocytes, decreased MI-oocytes and increased MII-oocytes. The enhanced maturity of COCs was also detected in response to a high dose of omega-3 (100 μg/ml). Exposure of cumulus cells to omega-3 (10 and 100 μg/ml) induced TRIB2 and inhibited TRIB3 gene expression level; however, TRIB1 gene expression level increased and decreased in response to low (10 μg/ml) and high (100 μg/ml) concentrations of omega-3, respectively. The addition of omega-3 to the environment of oocytes or cumulus cells affected the maturation of oocytes and cumulus cells, which was followed by the differential expression of TRIB genes, suggesting that there was a role of fatty acid metabolism in the differentiation and maturation of cumulus cells

Association between Red Cell Distribution Width and Mortality in Pediatric Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Units

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a routine laboratory measure that could be used as a predictor of mortality in critically ill patients. Identification of patients at risk for mortality early in the course of PICU admission is an important step in improving the outcome. We aimed to assess the use of RDW as an early biomarker for outcome in pediatric critical illnesses. Methods: A retrospective study by extracting administrative and laboratory data from patients admitted to PICU of an academic pediatric teaching hospital was accomplished. After exclusion of 64 patients according to our exclusion criteria, 304 pediatric patients with PICU admissions over the 6 months of study period were included in the study. Results: The mean RDW for all patients was 14.9%±2.5%. PICU mortality was 13.3%. The rate of mortality in the quartile of RDW>15.7% was 20.1%. Elevated RDW was associated with longer duration of PICU admission (P<0.001). Tracheal intubation and ventilator support was needed in 34.2% of the patients. This was also correlated with elevated RDW (P=0.043). Conclusion: We observed that higher RDW was strongly linked to higher mortality risk in pediatric patients admitted in PICU. Higher RDW was associated with longer duration of PICU admission

Tannin-Based Copolymer Resins: Synthesis and Characterization by Solid State 13C NMR and FT-IR Spectroscopy

In recent years, the interest for bio-sources is rising exponentially and tannins extracts are one of the most interesting, easily-available, phenolic building blocks. The condensed tannins or proanthocyanidins are already known for their polymerization chemistry, which is the basis for several natural-based materials (e.g., adhesives, foams). In the present work we aim to observe the behavior of the extract of Acacia Mimosa (Acacia mearnsii) when reacted with several possible co-monomers at different relative amount, pH and temperature conditions. The more insoluble copolymers obtained with formaldehyde, hexamine, glyoxal, maleic anhydride, furfural and furfuryl alcohol were analyzed through solid state 13C NMR (Nuclear magnetic resonance) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform-Infrared) spectroscopy. The 13C NMR afforded the opportunity to detect: (i) aromatic substitutions and consequent poly-condensations for the majority of the hardeners studied; (ii) acylation for the maleic anhydride and also some; (iii) Diels–Alder arrangements for the furanic co-monomers; the FT-IR spectroscopy suggested that the formaldehyde and hexamine copolymers present a higher cross-linking degree

Red cell distribution width elevation and sepsis in pediatric critically ill patients

Background: Recently, a relationship has been demonstrated between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mortality risk in critically ill patients although the exact mechanism of this association is still vague. However, the impact of changes in RDW on sepsis and its outcome in critically ill patients has not been widely studied. Therefore, we studied the prognostic impact of changes in RDW in critically ill pediatric patients with sepsis. Methods: A total of 304 patients who were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit were selected to participate in this study. The changes in RDW on the day of admission and 4 and 8 days after admission in PICU were documented and their relationship with SIRS positivity, sepsis, and mortality were analyzed. Results: The mortality rate in our patients was 10.5. In total, 39.8 of patients were SIRS positive and 50.4 fulfilled the criteria of sepsis. The mean of RDW at the time of admission, on Day 4 and on Day 8 of admission was 14.8, 16.1, and 16.6, respectively. At the time of admission, RDW had a significant correlation with mortality and SIRS positivity, but RDW measured on Days 4 and 8 of admission did not correlate with neither of them. Neither of RDW0, RDW4, nor RDW8 did correlate with sepsis criteria fulfillment. �RDW day 4-adm &gt; 0.2, �RDW day 8-adm &gt; 0.2, �RDW day 8-day 4 &gt; 0.2 exhibited no correlation with SIRS positivity, sepsis, and mortality. Conclusions:We found that an increase in RDW from baseline during the first 4 and 8 days after admission of critically ill pediatric patients did not correlate with their mortality, SIRS positivity, and sepsis. However, elevated baseline RDW is a valuable prognostic marker in patients with sepsis. © 2018, Archives of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Red cell distribution width elevation and sepsis in pediatric critically ill patients

Background: Recently, a relationship has been demonstrated between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and mortality risk in critically ill patients although the exact mechanism of this association is still vague. However, the impact of changes in RDW on sepsis and its outcome in critically ill patients has not been widely studied. Therefore, we studied the prognostic impact of changes in RDW in critically ill pediatric patients with sepsis. Methods: A total of 304 patients who were admitted to pediatric intensive care unit were selected to participate in this study. The changes in RDW on the day of admission and 4 and 8 days after admission in PICU were documented and their relationship with SIRS positivity, sepsis, and mortality were analyzed. Results: The mortality rate in our patients was 10.5. In total, 39.8 of patients were SIRS positive and 50.4 fulfilled the criteria of sepsis. The mean of RDW at the time of admission, on Day 4 and on Day 8 of admission was 14.8, 16.1, and 16.6, respectively. At the time of admission, RDW had a significant correlation with mortality and SIRS positivity, but RDW measured on Days 4 and 8 of admission did not correlate with neither of them. Neither of RDW0, RDW4, nor RDW8 did correlate with sepsis criteria fulfillment. �RDW day 4-adm &gt; 0.2, �RDW day 8-adm &gt; 0.2, �RDW day 8-day 4 &gt; 0.2 exhibited no correlation with SIRS positivity, sepsis, and mortality. Conclusions:We found that an increase in RDW from baseline during the first 4 and 8 days after admission of critically ill pediatric patients did not correlate with their mortality, SIRS positivity, and sepsis. However, elevated baseline RDW is a valuable prognostic marker in patients with sepsis. © 2018, Archives of Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Sars coronavirus 2, severe acute respiratory syndrome, and middle east respiratory syndrome in children: A review on epidemiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis

Context: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused irreparable damage to society. The pediatric population may be asymptomatic but has positive viral nucleic acid test results and plays an important role in spreading the infection in populations. However, there is a substantial information gap on the epidemiology, pathology, and clinical presentations of COVID-19 in pediatric patients. Evidence Acquisition: English research articles published before April 18, 2020, were reviewed to understand the clinical characteristics of SARS coronavirus 2, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in children. The WHO (https://www.who. int/) and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/) websites were also reviewed to find eligible studies, besides articles extracted from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Results: In comparison with SARS and MERS, COVID-19 seems to have wider clinical symptoms and routes of transmission. Multisystem inflammatory syndrome is a unique clinical feature of this novel virus. The low prevalence of COVID-19 in children may be due to lower contacts or incomplete identification rather than resistance to the virus. Conclusions: As this virus is novel, we believe that lessons learned from SARS and MERS outbreaks are very valuable in handling the current pandemic. The aim of this paper was to provide the updated summary of clinical manifestation, diagnostic, molecular, and genetic aspects of the novel coronavirus in comparison with SARS and MERS coronaviruses in children. © 2020, Author(s)