Predictors of happiness among Iranian nurses

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess happiness and its predictors among a group of Iranian hospital nurses. Methods This cross-sectional study was done in 2016 on 620 hospital nurses who worked in five teaching hospitals affiliated to Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran. Nurses were recruited through the census method. Data collection instruments were a researcher-made demographic and occupational characteristics questionnaire, the Oxford Happiness Inventory, and the Minnesota Job Satisfaction Questionnaire. Data analysis was done through stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Results Among 620 recruited nurses, 422 returned their questionnaires completely filled. The mean of their happiness was 123.4 ± 18.4 in the possible score range of 29–174. The significant predictors of happiness were satisfaction with mental health, monthly salary, satisfaction with salary, quality of life, current hospital ward, the length of working in the current ward, work shift, age, job satisfaction, and satisfaction with physicians' conduct and performance. These variables explained 50.3% of the total variance of happiness. Satisfaction with mental health had the greatest proportion in explaining the variance of happiness. Conclusion Nurses in teaching hospitals in Kashan, Iran, have moderate happiness. Their happiness is affected by different factors, particularly by satisfaction with their mental health. Health policy-makers and authorities, in developing workforce-related plans and programs, need to pay special attention to nurses' happiness and its contributing factors. Keywords Happiness Iran Job satisfaction Mental health Nurses Personal satisfaction Surveys and questionnaire

Multi-facets of neutrophil extracellular trap in infectious diseases: Moving beyond immunity

peer reviewedNeutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of extracellular chromosomal DNA fibers, histones, and cytoplasmic granule proteins. The release of NET components from neutrophils is involved in the suppression of pathogen diffusion. Development of NETs around target microbes leads to disruption of the cell membrane, eventuating in kind of cell death that is called as NETosis. The very first step in the process of NETosis is activation of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase upon signaling by innate immune receptors. Afterwards, produced Reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger protein-arginine deiminase type 4, neutrophil elastase, and myeloperoxidase to generate decondensed chromatin and disrupted integrity of nuclear membrane. Subsequently, decondensed chromatin is mixed with several enzymes in the cytoplasm released from granules, leading to release of DNA and histones, and finally formation of NET. Several reports have indicated that NETosis might contribute to the immune responses through limiting the dissemination of microbial organisms. In this review, we discuss recent advances on the role of neutrophils, NETs, and their implications in the pathogenesis of microbial infections. Additionally, the prospective of the NET modulation as a therapeutic strategy to treat infectious diseases are clarified. © 2021 Elsevier Lt