The effect of the collaborative infertility counseling model on coping strategies in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives: Infertility is a stressful condition influencing interpersonal and social relationships among infertile couples. Various strategies have been suggested for coping with infertility. This study examined the effect of the collaborative infertility counseling model on coping strategies in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) in an urban area of Iran. Materials and Methods: This clinical controlled trial was conducted on 60 women with primary infertility selected from Milad Infertility Center in Mashhad, Iran. They were randomly allocated to the intervention and control groups with 29 and 31 samples in each group. The intervention group received individual counseling based on the collaborative reproductive healthcare model. The counseling was provided with the collaboration of a midwife, a gynecologist and a clinical psychologist in 5 sessions during a 2-month period. The control group received only routine care. The fertility problem inventory (FPI) and general health questionnaire were used to measure perceived fertility-related stress and general health, respectively. Moreover, the ways of coping-revised questionnaire was used to collect data regarding the women’s coping strategies at the beginning of the study and at the day of the embryo transfer. The student t test, Fisher exact test, Mann-Whitney U test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for data analysis. Results: A statistically significant difference was reported between the two groups in terms of problem-focused coping strategies (P = 0.037). However, no statistically significant difference was reported between the groups with regard to emotion-focused coping strategies (P = 0.947). There were statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in the mean scores of seeking social support (P = 0.022) and planful problem-solving strategies (P = 0.045) as the subscales of problem-focused coping strategies. Conclusion: The collaborative reproductive healthcare model promoted the use of problem-focused coping strategies. Therefore, the use of collaborative counseling approaches by healthcare professionals is suggested for assisting infertile women to cope with infertility. © 2018 The Author (s)

MicroRNA-129-1 acts as tumour suppressor and induces cell cycle arrest of GBM cancer cells through targeting IGF2BP3 and MAPK1

Background MicroRNA-129-1 (miR-129-1) seems to behave as a tumour suppressor since its decreased expression is associated with different tumours such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). GBM is the most common form of brain tumours originating from glial cells. The impact of miR-129-1 downregulation on GBM pathogenesis has yet to be elucidated. Methods MiR-129-1 was overexpressed in GBM cells, and its effect on proliferation was investigated by cell cycle assay. MiR-129-1 predicted targets (CDK6, IGF1, HDAC2, IGF2BP3 and MAPK1) were also evaluated by western blot and luciferase assay. Results Restoration of miR-129-1 reduced cell proliferation and induced G1 accumulation, significantly. Several functional assays confirmed IGF2BP3, MAPK1 and CDK6 as targets of miR-129-1. Despite the fact that IGF1 expression can be suppressed by miR-129-1, through 30-untranslated region complementary sequence, we could not find any association between IGF1 expression and GBM. MiR-129-1 expression inversely correlates with CDK6, IGF2BP3 and MAPK1 in primary clinical samples. Conclusion This is the first study to propose miR129-1 as a negative regulator of IGF2BP3 and MAPK1 and also a cell cycle arrest inducer in GBM cells. Our data suggests miR-129-1 as a potential tumour suppressor and presents a rationale for the use of miR-129-1 as a novel strategy to improve treatment response in GBM

A qualitative study of the experiences of Iranian infertile couples after unsuccessful assisted reproductive technologies

Objectives: Assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) give hope to some infertile couples; however, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is expensive and not subsidized by the Iranian state. More than 75% of IVF cycles in Iranian couples are unsuccessful. The aim of this paper is to describe the experiences of Iranian infertile couples after unsuccessful treatment. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive qualitative study, 36 participants including 29 Iranian infertile couples recruited after unsuccessful ART treatments, five infertility treatment team members and 2 relatives of infertile couples were interviewed at an Infertility Center in Northeastern Iran from April 2016 to June 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured, face-to-face interviews. Data analysis was carried out following Sandelowski. Results: Iranian infertile couples’ experiences following failed ART cycles are described. The findings presented here show that Iranian infertile couples experience stressors during treatment cycles and systemic challenges which may be unique to the Iranian cultural context. Conclusions: Iranian infertile couples face particular challenges related to the cultural context in which ARTs are delivered. Further exploration of the effects of culture on the experiences of failed ARTs needs to be considered by infertility clinics in Ira

Infertile couples' perceived needs after unsuccessful fertility treatment: A qualitative study

Introduction: Infertility is a major medical issue. Investigations and treatment of infertility are the beginning of a complex, time-consuming and stressful process for couples that may fail well. The present study explored the needs of infertile couples following treatment failure with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ARTs). Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted in an Iranian infertility center, in the Northeast of the country between April 2016 and June 2017. The researchers recruited 29 individuals including 9 couples, 9 women and two men with primary infertility through purposive sampling. The data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed iteratively, using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA software. Results: The main concepts obtained from the data were classified into one theme titled: ""The need for support"" and four main categories along with their subcategories, and included the need for psychological support, the need for more useful information, the need for social support and the need to access to supplementary services. Conclusion: The findings show that following treatment failure, the infertile patients’ expressed needs and preferences were not met. Identifying and meeting their needs may help the infertile couples to deal with ARTs failure and to reach a decision about future treatment

The prevalence of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection in the oligospermic and azoospermic men

Background: Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases that affects men like women and infected cutaneous and mucosal squamous epithelium. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of HPV in the semen of oligospermic, azoospermic and normal patients. Methods: From June 2012 to June 2013, a total of 90 individuals were enrolled in this cross sectional comparative study. The participants were classified into three groups (oligospermia, azoosprmia and normal). This classification was based on a new WHO reference values for human semen characteristics published on 2010. After extraction of DNA from specimens L1 gene of HPV was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (Nested-PCR) and the PCR products of positive specimens were genotyped using INNO-LiPA HPV Genotyping Extra assay. Results: Among 50 confirmed oligospermic male, 15 were HPV DNA positive (30). In azoospemic group we had 8 HPV DNA positive (40) and in normal group just 3 of 20(15) samples were positive. Statistical assessment was done with SPSS v.15. Chi-square test showed no significant relationship between 3 groups results. Based on independent samples t-test, we found statistical significant relationship for sperm count (p<0.05) and sperm motility (slow) (p<0.05) in oligospermic group positive samples compared with negative. In the present study, 13 HPV genotypes were detected among positive samples. HPV genotypes 16, 45 in the high risk group and 6,11,42 in the low risk group were more frequent than the others. Conclusion: The current study shows that HPV infection can affect on sperm count and motility and decrease count of sperm cell and decrease motility capability of these cells

Iranian infertile couples' strategies to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatments with assisted reproductive technologies

Many infertile couples feel vulnerable after failed treatment cycles and find insensitive remarks or inappropriate support distressing. They fear that the stress of failed treatment cycles may affect their marriage and lead to marriage breakdown. This study explored the strategies a sample of infertile couples used to manage social interactions after unsuccessful treatment with assisted reproductive technologies. A descriptive qualitative study was conducted with 34 participants including nine infertile couples, nine infertile women and two infertile men with primary infertility, two relatives, and three fertility clinic staff. The participants were selected through purposive sampling at an infertility centre in Iran, between 2016 and 2017. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and analysed by qualitative content analysis approach. Participants found some social interactions after failed assisted reproductive treatment cycles to be distressing and painful. They described tolerating painful emotions which cause them sadness and sorrow as well as feeling embarrassed. As a result, they found they needed to maintain their adopting concealment strategies with their families through not permitting speculation, selective disclosure, not giving details and hiding the truth. This study showed that social interactions following failed assisted reproductive cycles can be upsetting for infertile couples. Couples use different strategies to manage potentially distressing social interactions. Healthcare providers and psychologists may provide a space for safe social interactions in order to help couples to use appropriate strategies in these circumstances

Invistigating the effects of frp bars on the seismic behavior of reinforced concrete coupling beams

Sometimes, it is necessary to install regular openings like windows or doors in the shear walls. Such openings require special reinforcement. There are several methods for reinforcing deep beams, one of which is the use of fiber reinforced polymer bars. In this study, an experimental work on a coupled shear wall has been used to mode the system by using finite element method with ABAQUS software. The finite element model was established based on part of the experimental study and verified with the other parts of the experimental results. The comparison shows good agreement. In the study, three different types of fiber reinforced polymer bars were considered in improving the mechanical and structural behavior of RC coupling beams. Results of the finite element analysis showed the superiority of the CFRP bars in improving seismic behavior of the coupled shear wall comparing to GFRP and BFRP

Nurses� hemovigilance knowledge and performance after teach-back, concept map, and lecture: A quasi-experimental study

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of teaching by three methods of teach-back, concept map, and lecture on knowledge and performance of nurses in hemovigilance process. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 108 Iranian nurses. In the lecture group, the educational intervention was conducted during a 4-hour session; and in the concept map and teach-back groups, it was performed in two 2-hour sessions. The nurses� knowledge and performance were measured by �routine blood transfusion knowledge questionnaire (RBTKQ)� and �self-reporting performance-evaluator questionnaire�. Results: After the interventions, knowledge was significantly higher in the teach-back and the concept map groups compared to the lecture group (p = 0.001), but the performance in the lecture group was higher than the other two groups (p = 0.01). No statistically significant differences were found between teach-back and concept map groups. Conclusion: Teach-back and concept map methods were effective in improving the nurses� hemovigilance knowledge, while the lecture was associated with a significant increase in their performance. Therefore, integrating the hemovigilance teaching methods is suggested. © 2021 Blood safety; Hemovigilance, Knowledge; Teaching; Nurses; Work performance. © 202