Educational need assessment of infertile women admitted to yazd reproductive sciences institute

The purpose of this study was to assess the educational need of infertile women admitted to Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Yazd, Iran. The statistical population included 200 infertile women who were selected through convenience sampling method. The data collection instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire with statistical validity and reliability. Data were collected through interviews and self-reports and then analyzed using SPSS v.16 along with descriptive and analytical statistics. Results: The mean awareness scores of factors related to infertility, sexual satisfaction and nutritional needs were 4.36, 4.03, and 5.02, respectively. There was a significant relationship between awareness of infertility factors and variables such as level of education, spouse’s level of education and place of residence. Moreover, there was a non-significant relationship between awareness of infertility factors and variables such as age, spouse’s age, profession, spouse’s profession, number of referrals to the institute, and insurance type. There was also a significant relationship between awareness of nutritional needs and profession; whereas a non-significant relationship was seen between the specified awareness and variables such as age, spouse’s age, spouse’s profession, level of education, spouse’s level of education, number of referrals to the institute, place of residence and insurance type. Conclusion: Since the studied participants exhibited limited awareness of related factors to infertility, it appears that developing a proper training program to raise awareness of infertility followed by its implementation and evaluation is necessary

The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010-19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk-outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4.45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4.01-4.94) deaths and 105 million (95.0-116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44.4% (41.3-48.4) of all cancer deaths and 42.0% (39.1-45.6) of all DALYs. There were 2.88 million (2.60-3.18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50.6% [47.8-54.1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1.58 million (1.36-1.84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36.3% [32.5-41.3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20.4% (12.6-28.4) and DALYs by 16.8% (8.8-25.0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34.7% [27.9-42.8] and 33.3% [25.8-42.0]). Interpretation The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license.Peer reviewe

Comparison of the Attitudes of Second and Fourth Year Nursing Students towards Hospitalized Elderly

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the attitude of second and fourth year nursing students towards the elderly hospitalized in training hospitals of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. With regard to the change of attitude from second year to fourth year, strategies for health promotion, better service for the hospitalized elderly, and different trainings for nursing students were offered. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The subjects were selected by census and included 57 second-year nursing students and 33 fourth-year students of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. Data collection tool consisted of a questionnaire including two parts. The first part included questions about general and demographical characteristics, and the second part contained McLafferty’s attitude towards the elderly questionnaire. Results: Despite the more positive attitude of the fourth year students toward caring for the elderly compared with the second year students, there was no significant difference between the two groups. Based on the findings and in examining the effects of multiple variables on the attitude of students, multiple regression model was used. The final model showed that education site (P < 0.039), gender (P < 0.052), age (P < 0.057), and experience in working with elderly (P < 0.057) (close to the significance level) can be predictors of the attitudes of students towards the elderly. Conclusion: The results confirmed that the formal education struggled to make changes in the students’ attitude towards the elderly during their second year to fourth year. Due to the existence of a neutral attitude in the second and fourth year students and the lack of difference in attitude between the two groups, to improve and create a positive attitude towards the elderly, more educational opportunities for nursing students should be created. Professors and students, while increasing their knowledge about aging processes, should define appropriate care models for the elderly and help them along with the students

A Review of Postural Balance and its Related Factors in the Elderly

Objective: The slowing down of the nervous system function and changes in the musculoskeletal system (including joint changes and instability) during old age have resulted in imbalance and lack of postural control becoming common problems during this age period. Using balancing tests and identifying those at risk can be an important step in the prevention of falls and its consequences in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the balance status of the elderly according to some demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 194 elderly retired from public institutions were selected using systematic random sampling method and studied. To gather information, tinetti gait and balance evaluation tests were performed which included 16 items in 2 sections of dynamic balance and static balance. After collecting the data, they were analyzed using SPSS software, and Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results: Results showed that regarding static balance, 82% of participants had natural balance and 18% had abnormal balance. Regarding dynamic balance, 95.4% of participants had natural balance and 4.6% had abnormal balance. Among the demographic characteristics (age, gender, and disease), age had a significant relationship with balance (dynamic and static). Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between dynamic balance and disease. Therefore, the possibility of imbalance in the elderly increased with age and history of a disease. Conclusion: Imbalance has been introduced as one of the most common risk factors for falls in the elderly. Therefore, using balance tests and identifying elderly with balance disorders, and using multilateral interventions (including balance rehabilitation programs), regular exercise programs, suitable living environment (safer furniture, installing rails and handles, and showers with no tub), and specialist counseling if needed, can prevent unwanted falls and injuries in the elderly

Comparing the Immunoregulatory Effects of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth and Bone Marrow-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) have been introduced recently and  possess characteristics similar to  mesenchymal stem  cells (MSCs). Because of  their convenient accessibility and safety of harvest, SHED can be a preferable source for the ever- increasing MSCs’ applications. While they are new, their immunoproperties have not been adequately studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the effect of SHED on T lymphocytes and compare it to conventional MSCs (BMMSCs). At first the isolated T lymphocytes were activated specifically/nonspecifically in vitro and cocultured  with  SHED   or  BMMSCs under  the  same  conditions,  subsequently  their proliferation and cytokine secretion (IL-2 and IFN-γ) were measured. In   our   experiment,  BMMSCs  and  SHED   inhibit  the  proliferation  and  cytokine production  of both  PHA  and alloantigen stimulated T lymphocytes in a dose-dependent manner. In direct and indirect contact to T lymphocytes, the inhibition of BMMSCs (but not of SHED)  was significantly different The cytokine production  from activated T cells was affected differently by two types of MSCs. The inhibition decreased by the separation of lymphocytes and MSCs by a semipermeable membrane, but it was not abolished. This study showed that SHED suppress the activation of human T lymphocytes in vitro like other  MSCs. Compared  to  BMMSCs, this suppression  was alleviated. In  the  equal conditions,  the  pattern  of  immune-modulation  of  BMMSCs and  SHED  was different, suggesting that SHED do not exert the exact mechanisms of BMMSCs' immunosuppression. This finding should be verified by further studies focused on the detailed mechanisms of the immunomodulation of SHED and also BMMSCs

Indoleamine 2,3-Dioxygenase Is Dispensable for The Immunomodulatory Function of Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth

Objective: In this study, we sought to better understand the immunoregulatory function of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED). We studied the role of the interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO)-axis in immunoregulation of SHED compared to bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) under the same conditions. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, recently isolated human T cells were stimulated either by mitogen or inactivated allogeneic peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). These T cells were subsequently co-cultured with, either SHED or BMMSCs in the presence or absence of 1-methyl-tryptophan (1-MT) or neutralizing antihuman- IFN-γ antibodies. In all co-cultures we evaluated lymphocyte activation as well as IDO activity. Results: SHED, similar to conventional BMMSCs, had anti-proliferative effects on stimulated T cells and reduced their cytokine production. This property of SHED and BMMSCs was changed by IFN-γ neutralization. We detected IDO in the immunosuppressive supernatant of all co-cultures. Removal of IDO decreased the immunosuppression of BMMSCs. Conclusion: SHED, like BMMSCs, produced the IDO enzyme. Although IFN-γ is one of inducer of IDO production in SHED, these cells were not affected by IFN-γ in the same manner as BMMSCs. Unlike BMMSCs, the IDO enzyme did not contribute to their immunosuppression and might have other cell-type specific roles

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy on Intrusive Thoughts of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: According to WHO statistics, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the tenth most disabling condition. Thus, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of metacognitive therapy (MCT) against Cognitive-Behavior Therapy(CBT)&nbsp; on intrusive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods:&nbsp;In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used with pre-tests, post-test, and a control group. The study population was all patients who attended psychological clinics in Tehran, Iran, between August to September 2019. Using a purposeful sampling method, 24 OCD patients were selected from the study population, eight in every two experimental groups and eight in the control group. The experimental groups received 8, 120-minute sessions of therapy once a week. The study instruments were a questionnaire on demographic features and the Thought-Action fusion scale (TAFS). To analyze the data, inferential statistics (Multivariate Analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) by SPSS24. Results:&nbsp;The results revealed that MCT and CBT treatments had a significant effect on variables (Pvalue&lt;0.05). As observed, there is a significant difference in all subscales between the two groups of experiment and control in pre-test and post-test, after removing the pre-test effect (Pvalue&lt;0.05). Moreover, findings showed that both approaches significantly differ from the control group when comparing variables between the two treatments. However, MCT treatment had the greatest effect. Conclusions: Both MCT and CBT were found to be effective in reducing intrusive thoughts, though MCT had a greater reduction than CBT. Keywords: Metacognitive therapy, Cognitive-behavior therapy, Intrusive thoughts obsessive-compulsive disorde

Comparison of the Effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy and Cognitive-Behavior Therapy on Intrusive Thoughts of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Background: According to WHO statistics, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is the tenth most disabling condition. Thus, this study aimed to compare the efficacy of metacognitive therapy (MCT) against Cognitive-Behavior Therapy(CBT)&nbsp; on intrusive thoughts in obsessive-compulsive disorder. Methods:&nbsp;In this study, a quasi-experimental design was used with pre-tests, post-test, and a control group. The study population was all patients who attended psychological clinics in Tehran, Iran, between August to September 2019. Using a purposeful sampling method, 24 OCD patients were selected from the study population, eight in every two experimental groups and eight in the control group. The experimental groups received 8, 120-minute sessions of therapy once a week. The study instruments were a questionnaire on demographic features and the Thought-Action fusion scale (TAFS). To analyze the data, inferential statistics (Multivariate Analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) by SPSS24. Results:&nbsp;The results revealed that MCT and CBT treatments had a significant effect on variables (Pvalue&lt;0.05). As observed, there is a significant difference in all subscales between the two groups of experiment and control in pre-test and post-test, after removing the pre-test effect (Pvalue&lt;0.05). Moreover, findings showed that both approaches significantly differ from the control group when comparing variables between the two treatments. However, MCT treatment had the greatest effect. Conclusions: Both MCT and CBT were found to be effective in reducing intrusive thoughts, though MCT had a greater reduction than CBT. Keywords: Metacognitive therapy, Cognitive-behavior therapy, Intrusive thoughts obsessive-compulsive disorde

Prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends in anaemia burden by severity and cause, 1990–2021: findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Anaemia is a major health problem worldwide. Global estimates of anaemia burden are crucial for developing appropriate interventions to meet current international targets for disease mitigation. We describe the prevalence, years lived with disability, and trends of anaemia and its underlying causes in 204 countries and territories. Methods: We estimated population-level distributions of haemoglobin concentration by age and sex for each location from 1990 to 2021. We then calculated anaemia burden by severity and associated years lived with disability (YLDs). With data on prevalence of the causes of anaemia and associated cause-specific shifts in haemoglobin concentrations, we modelled the proportion of anaemia attributed to 37 underlying causes for all locations, years, and demographics in the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. Findings: In 2021, the global prevalence of anaemia across all ages was 24·3% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 23·9–24·7), corresponding to 1·92 billion (1·89–1·95) prevalent cases, compared with a prevalence of 28·2% (27·8–28·5) and 1·50 billion (1·48–1·52) prevalent cases in 1990. Large variations were observed in anaemia burden by age, sex, and geography, with children younger than 5 years, women, and countries in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia being particularly affected. Anaemia caused 52·0 million (35·1–75·1) YLDs in 2021, and the YLD rate due to anaemia declined with increasing Socio-demographic Index. The most common causes of anaemia YLDs in 2021 were dietary iron deficiency (cause-specific anaemia YLD rate per 100 000 population: 422·4 [95% UI 286·1–612·9]), haemoglobinopathies and haemolytic anaemias (89·0 [58·2–123·7]), and other neglected tropical diseases (36·3 [24·4–52·8]), collectively accounting for 84·7% (84·1–85·2) of anaemia YLDs. Interpretation: Anaemia remains a substantial global health challenge, with persistent disparities according to age, sex, and geography. Estimates of cause-specific anaemia burden can be used to design locally relevant health interventions aimed at improving anaemia management and prevention. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation