Effect of oral vitamin C on atrial fibrillation development after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting surgery: A prospective randomized clinical trial

Background: Some evidences have shown the role of antioxidant vitamins in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery. We sought to determine the effect of oral vitamin C on the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery. Methods: One-hundred patients who underwent isolated CABG surgery were prospectively assigned into two groups: Group 1 — 50 patients received 2 g of oral vitamin C before and 500 mg twice daily lasting for 5 days after surgery; Group 2 — 50 patients as the control group did not receive any. All patients were continuously monitored after surgery in the intensive careunit (ICU), and then Holter monitoring was implemented for 72 h. Results: The mean of patients’ age was 61.31 ± 6.42 years. Postoperative AF occurred in 16 and 4 patients in control and treatment groups, respectively (32% vs. 8%, p = 0.003). The ICU stay was 1.79 ± 0.313 and 2.10 ± 0.61 days for vitamin C and control groups, respectively (p = 0.002). The hospital stay was significantly lower in vitamin C group compared with that of the control group (5.32 ± 0.59 vs. 5.74 ± 1.30 days, respectively, p = 0.041). Baseline erythrocyte sedimentation rate (OR 1.030, 95% CI 1.003–1.058, p = 0.030) and taking vitamin C (OR 8.068, 95% CI 1.783–36.517, p = 0.007) were the independent predictors of postoperative AF. Conclusions: Oral vitamin C can be safely used to decrease the incidence of postoperative AF in patients undergoing elective isolated on-pump CABG surgery.

Comparing the effects of two different educational methods on clinical skills of emergency intermediate technician: A quasi-experimental research

BACKGROUND: Assessing the clinical skills of prehospital Intermediate technician is considered to be one of the priorities in dealing with diseases, which may provide an appropriate reflection of the training programs. The purpose of this study was to compare the two methods of clinical skills training of emergency intermediate technician. METHODS: This quasi-experiment was carried out on Kerman's emergency medical technicians in 2017. Operational and clinical skills, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), triage, familiarity with the equipment, and proper patient transportation methods, were taught in both electronic and traditional methods on two groups, each consisting of 30 intermediate technicians. Finally, the personnel's satisfaction level with the two teaching methods was compared and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0. Armonk, NY: IBM Corp. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the theoretical test scores in both the electronic and traditional methods in all the participants (triage, pulmonary resuscitation, familiarity with equipment, and patient transportation). Furthermore, there were significant differences between the practical test scores in both the electronic and traditional methods, in all the participants except triage. There was a significant difference between learners' satisfaction in both electronic and traditional methods in two areas of teaching and course difficulty in CPR, equipment usage, and methods of transportation. CONCLUSION: According to the results obtained by the present study, the electronic educational systems due to their inclusive and interactive nature are recommended to be employed in courses that have more theoretical aspects such as triage. The traditional method is suggested in teaching practical courses such as CPR that need more practical and clinical skills

Autoantibodies against Central Nervous System Antigens and the Serum Levels of IL-32 in Patients with Schizophrenia

Background: Schizophrenia is a disease of the nervous system, and immune system disorders can affect its pathogenesis. Activation of microglia, proinflammatory cytokines, disruption of the blood-brain barrier due to inflammation, activation of autoreactive B cells, and consequently the production of autoantibodies against system antigens are among the immune processes involved in neurological diseases. Interleukin-32 (IL-32) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is essential in activating innate and adaptive immune responses. This study aimed to measure the serum level of IL-32 as well as the frequency of autoantibody positivity against several nervous system antigens in patients with schizophrenia. Material and Methods: This study was conducted on 40 patients with schizophrenia and 40 healthy individuals in the control group. Serum IL-32 levels were measured by ELISA. The frequency of autoantibodies against Hu, Ri, Yo, Tr, CV2, amphiphysin, SOX1, Zic4, ITPR1, CARP, glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD, recoverin, titin, and ganglioside antigens was measured by the indirect immunofluorescence method. Results: Serum IL-32 levels in patients with schizophrenia were significantly higher compared to the control group. The frequency of autoantibodies against GAD and RI antigens in patients with schizophrenia was significantly higher than in the control group. Autoantibodies were positive in 8 patients for GAD antigen and 5 patients for RI antigen. Autoantibodies were also positive in 2 patients for CV2, 1 patient for Hu, and 1 patient for CARP. Negative results were reported for other antigens. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that elevated the serum IL-32 level and autoantibodies against GAD and RI antigens may be a reflection of immune system dysregulation in patients with schizophreni

The Role of Volunteer Citizens in Response to Accidents and Disasters

Background: Many organizations, especially at the time of accidents, disasters, and critical conditions, cannot provide their services without the presence of volunteers. When accidents and disasters occur, the first persons who normally appear at the scene are citizens. Volunteer citizens with the skills and local knowledge can play important roles when accidents and disasters occur and can provide valuable assistance to the relief forces. The current article aimed at examining the role of volunteer citizens in response to accidents and disasters.   Materials and Methods: The current study examined the published articles from 2000 to 2016 based on the following keywords: informal volunteers in the disasters, challenges facing volunteer citizens in accidents and disasters, informal volunteers and disasters in local and foreign electronic databases including SID, Magiran, Iran Medex, ISC, Google Scholar, PubMed, ISI, and Scopus. Results: Based on the search strategy, 50 articles were examined and the keywords, definitions, volunteer roles, role of volunteers in accidents and disasters, various types of informal voluntary activities, and volunteer citizens’ participation were examined.  Conclusion: Studies referred to the roles, definitions, and challenges that informal volunteers face in various stages of accidents and disasters and the obvious point in the research was that more adaptive and comprehensive crisis and emergency management models are needed to utilize the capacities and flexibility of volunteers available within and between communities in disasters, and the network structure management can be helpful to manage the volunteers.&nbsp

A Study of Autoantibodies Against some Central Nervous System Antigens and the IL-35 Serum Level in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a debilitating mental disorder with various causes involving complex interactions between genetic factors and environmental agents. The immune system plays a vital role in the pathology and function of the nervous system. Interleukin 35 (IL-35) is a regulatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine that can prevent autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the role of autoantibodies against some central nervous system (CNS) antigens and IL-35 serum levels in patients with Schizophrenia. This case-control study involved 80 participants. The serum levels of IL-35 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the autoantibodies in the CNS by indirect immunofluorescence assay (TEA). The serum levels of IL-35 were decreased in patient groups compared to healthy subjects. Autoantibodies against N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) were positive in 15% (6/40) and 7.5% (3/40), respectively; however, no antibodies against myelin, aquaporin-4 (AQP4), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG), voltage-gated potassium channel (VGKC), alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPAR), gamma-butyric acid receptor type B1 gamma-butyric acid receptor type B1 (GABABR), antidipeptidyl peptidase-like protein-6 (DPPX), immunoglobulm-like cell adhesion molecule 5 (IgLON5), Glycine receptor (R) and acetylcholine receptor (Ach R) were detected (No statistics were computed). We found that decreased serum IL-35 levels and the existence autoantibodies against NMDAR antigen may contribute to the pathogenesis of SCZ