Sleep Quality During Coronavirus-2019 Pandemic

Dear Editor,Since December 2019 and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, it has rapidly spread and attracted the World Health Organization’s attention and concern. COVID-19 is a new case of coronavirus that is closely related to severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), with a high transmission rate.1 The disease is usually accompanied by simple respiratory symptoms such as fever and dry cough, fatigue, and gastrointestinal symptoms. COVID-19 has specific characteristics that has led to increased anxiety in the society. Person-to-person transmission, high prevalence rates, treatment failure, rumors and misinformation about the origins and causes of the disease, emotional and exaggerated images and news, and the possibility of recurrence of the disease are among the factors causing significant anxiety compared with past pandemics.2 With the outbreak of COVID-19 and subsequent changes such as unemployment in high-risk jobs, providing an emergency level of public health, and home quarantine, social and occupational relations and people lifestyles were strongly influenced. The number of deaths increased and strict measures were taken to control the disease’s spread in different world areas. One of the measures taken to control COVID-19 was home quarantine, which in itself can have a variety of consequences, including increased anxiety, stress and reduced sleep quality for individuals.3 Patients with or suspected of COVID-19 often experience fear and anxiety about the consequences of the deadly virus. People in the quarantine may also experience fatigue, loneliness, depression, and anger. Furthermore, some common symptoms of this disease, such as fever, body aches, loss of taste and smell, hypoxia, cough and dry throat, reduce sleep quality.4The relationship between sleep quality and physical and mental health is evident to all. Sleep quality is a relatively complex and subjective concept that cannot be measured in the laboratory, and factors affecting each person’s quality of sleep can be different. In general, sleep duration, delay in falling asleep, sleep efficiency, sleep disorders, sleeping pills, and impaired daily functioning are significant factors that play a role in sleep quality.5 COVID-19 is a global pandemic that can affect the physical and mental health of individuals. Previous studies evaluating pandemic and infectious diseases such as SARS and Ebola virus have shown that pandemic diseases lead to disorders and reduced sleep quality in individuals.6 Studies in previous pandemic conditions have shown that the mental health of non-infected individuals was more affected than that of infected individuals so that those who were afraid of developing the disease reported more psychological problems

Experiencing Maze (Taste) and Namaze (Untaste)

This article used a descriptive-analytical method to investigate the introvertive and extrovertive mystical experiences of Baha Walad and Laozi, based on the views of Walter Stace. Both types of gnostic experience are found in Baha Walad’s experiences, referred to metaphorically as “taste”. In extrovertive gnostic experience, God is hidden in the instinct and the reality of hidden senses and forms the essence of the universe. Behind all the sensual, spiritual, material, and physical phenomena of the universe, Baha experiences a God who is the agent and the possessor. The mystical introvertive and extrovertive experiences of Baha are realized by denying the senses, faces, and sensual appearances and attaining the unity which is the universe without question, without condition, and placeless. The truth of Allah is existentially based on nothingness, simplicity, and nebulousness. In Laozi's mystical experience, both types of mystical experience are found, which, unlike Baha's experience, has been metaphorically named “untaste”. In the extrovertive experience of Laozi, not only are both existence and nature Dao's manifestations, but He has a permanent presence in the world and is followed by existence and nature. In the introvertive mystical experience of Lozi, Dao is an entirely unknown and non-existent matter that eluding from any cognitive experience and only Shen Jen's soul can be aware of

SiO2@FeSO4 nano composite: A recoverable nano-catalyst for eco-friendly synthesis oximes of carbonyl compounds

Various aldoximes and ketoximes synthesis of corresponding aldehydes and ketones in the presence of SiO2@FeSO4 nano composite as recoverable nano catalyst and NH2OH·HCl. The SiO2@FeSO4 nano composite system was carried out between 10 to 15 min in oil bath (70-80 °C) under solvent-free condition in excellent yields in addition this protocol can be used for industrial scales. This method offers some advantages in term of clean reaction conditions, easy work-up procedure, short reaction time, applied to convert α-diketones to α-diketoximes (as longer than other carbonyl compounds), α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and ketones to corresponding oximes and suppression of any side product. So we think that NH2OH•HCl/SiO2@FeSO4 nano composite system could be considered a new and useful addition to the present methodologies in this area. Structure of products and nano composite elucidation was carried out by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FT-IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)

Evaluation of antioxidant properties of button mushroom in different harvest and morphological stages

This study was conducted to test the impact of flush number, mushroom size and cap openness on phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant properties of button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). Results showed that all tested facrors had a significant effect on dry matter and antioxidant properties of mushroom. The first flush had the highest dry matter in comparison with second and third flushs. Antioxiant activity and flavonoid content of mushrooms in second flush was significantly more than others but for phenol content, the first flush was the best. Surprisingly, the lowest antioxidant activity, phenol, and flavonoid contents were obseved in third flush. The highest antioxidant activity, phenol, and flavonoid content were recorded in large size, medium size, and small size of mushrooms, respectively. Cap of the mushroom showed significantly more antioxidant properties and flavanoid content, however, the phenol in stipe part was more than the cap part. Closed-cap mushrooms had significantly more dry matter and total phenol content, while no significant difference was seen in antioxidant activity and flavonoid compounds. In summary, mushrooms produced in third flush have lower dietary quality than first and second flushes, cap part of button mushroom was better than stipe and total antioxidant capacity was not affected by cap opening

Synthesis, Crystal Structure and Antibacterial Activity of Cu(II) Complex with Nitrogen Donor Pyrazolyl Borate Derivatives

Background: Pyrazolyl borate derivatives are versatile ligands that can be coordinated with transition metals and formated a variety of different coordination modes. Copper complexes are highly active in biological applications and have high bioactivity. Because of the above description and applications, in the present work, synthesis and characterization of pyrazolyl borate derivative ligands and their Cu(II) complex were reported. The structure of the synthesized complex was determined by X-ray crystallography. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds along with the molecular docking of them was investigated. Methods: N-donor pyrazolyl borate derivative ligands abbreviated as K[HB(PzMe2)3] and K[H2B(PzMe2)2] and their Cu(II) complex were synthesized and characterized. The synthesized ligands and complex were evaluated for antibacterial activities against the gram-positive (B. subtilis) and the gram-negative (S. enterica) bacteria. Also, their molecular docking with B. subtilis SMC head domain (PDB ID: 5H67) as the possible targets was investigated. Results: The in vitro and in silico results showed, among the investigated compounds, complex [Cu(H2B(PzMe2)2)(HB(PzMe2)3)] indicated the highest antibacterial activity. Also, the Statistical analysis showed that the difference between the obtained data was significant. Conclusion: We have synthesized N-donor pyrazolyl borate derivatives and their copper (II) complex. Single X-ray results indicated the Cu(II) complex adopted an N5 environment around the metal center with a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The obtained binding energy of molecular docking studies is in direct correlation with the in vitro antibacterial studies. Briefly, the reported Cu(II) complex may be considered as a potential antibacterial candidate

Job Satisfaction Differences between Primary Health Care and Treatment Sectors: An Experience from Iran

Background: The aim of this study was to compare the levels of job satis¬faction and its predictors among primary health care and treatment sectors' staff in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran.Methods: This comparative study was conducted in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran in 2011. A questionnaire survey was performed on 420 staff from health care and treatment sectors using multi-stage proportional cluster sampling method. Job satisfaction was measured in five aspects namely: structural and managerial; individual; social; work-itself; environ¬mental and welfare job satisfaction factors. The job satisfaction measure¬ment score was normalized to fall into a range of zero to 100. Statistical analyses were performed using Friedman and independent sample t-tests.Results: Overall satisfaction in health and treatment sectors was moderate with a mean score above 50. Hospital General Practitioners reported sig¬nifi¬cantly higher job satisfaction score (mean ± SD=57.34 ± 17.02) com¬pared to health care center General Practitioners (mean ± SD= 31.74±14.99). The highest satisfaction scores belonged to individual factors both in health care sector staff (64.83±18.50) and treatment sector staff (63.55±17.44). The lowest job satisfaction was observed with environmental and welfare factors (38.47±19.86 and 36.83±19.86, respectively).Conclusion: The job satisfaction significantly differs between primary health care and treatment sectors. Based on the results, environmental and welfare factors may be targeted to improve the job satisfaction in public health care system

High Titers of Hemagglutination Inhibition Antibodies against 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus in Southern Iran

ABSTRACT Background: Pandemic flu had at least two waves in Iran. Knowing how many of the general population were already exposed to this infection has a major impact on national preventive measures. As of December 30, 2009, a total of 3672 confirmed cases of human infection with a novel Influenza A (2009 H1N1) virus had been reported in Iran with 140 deaths. Objective: In this study we aim to measure, as a pilot study, the seroprevalence of positive antibody titer (humoral immunity) against 2009 H1N1 virus in Iranian population in Shiraz, Southern Iran. Methods: Through cluster random sampling of families residing in Shiraz, 2553 subjects were selected and after a medical interview blood samples were taken and checked for polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 antigen using hemagglutination inhibition assay. An antibody titer of more than 1:40 dilution was considered positive. Data were analyzed considering the demographic characteristics of the population and were compared among different age groups. Results: 1504 (58.91%) samples were tested positive for the presence of polyclonal antibody against 2009 H1N1 virus. The prevalence of positive titers were significantly higher in 60 to 64 years old group and significantly lower in 20 to 24 years old group (p<0.05). Data did not differ based on other demographic characteristics or the history of flu like illnesses in the past 6 months. Conclusion: High seroprevalence of antibody against 2009 H1N1 in the sera of our subjects describes either a high level of preexisting immunity against H1N1 in Iranian population or a high rate of asymptomatic infection in our area compared to other countries

Spatial-time analysis of cardiovascular emergency medical requests: enlightening policy and practice

Background: Response time to cardiovascular emergency medical requests is an important indicator in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) -related mortality. This study aimed to visualize the spatial-time distribution of response time, scene time, and call-to-hospital time of these emergency requests. We also identified patterns of clusters of CVD-related calls. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mashhad, north-eastern Iran, between August 2017 and December 2019. The response time to every CVD-related emergency medical request call was computed using spatial and classical statistical analyses. The Anselin Local Moran's I was performed to identify potential clusters in the patterns of CVD-related calls, response time, call-to-hospital arrival time, and scene-to-hospital arrival time at small area level (neighborhood level) in Mashhad, Iran. Results: There were 84,239 CVD-related emergency request calls, 61.64% of which resulted in the transport of patients to clinical centers by EMS, while 2.62% of callers (a total of 2218 persons) died before EMS arrival. The number of CVD-related emergency calls increased by almost 7% between 2017 and 2018, and by 19% between 2017 and 2019. The peak time for calls was between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., and the lowest number of calls were recorded between 3 a.m. and 9 a.m. Saturday was the busiest day of the week in terms of call volume. There were statistically significant clusters in the pattern of CVD-related calls in the south-eastern region of Mashhad. Further, we found a large spatial variation in scene-to-hospital arrival time and call-to-hospital arrival time in the area under study. Conclusion: The use of geographical information systems and spatial analyses in modelling and quantifying EMS response time provides a new vein of knowledge for decision makers in emergency services management. Spatial as well as temporal clustering of EMS calls were present in the study area. The reasons for clustering of unfavorable time indices for EMS response requires further exploration. This approach enables policymakers to design tailored interventions to improve response time and reduce CVD-related mortality.This study was financially sponsored by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (Project grant: 980861)

Prediction of mechanical and radiation parameters of glasses with high Bi2O3 concentration

This study aims to perform multidirectional characterizations on nuclear shielding efficiencies on some bismuth-based glasses. Accordingly, the γattenuation coefficients for xBi2O3-(75-x)B2O3–25Li2O (x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 the 70 mol%) were widely evaluated using simulations and theoretical methods. Linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of the glasses was obtained by the Monte Carlo general-purpose simulation code FLUKA and compared with the XCOM database up to 15 MeV. Moreover, LAC values have been utilized to evaluate related parameters like mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), total molecular cross-section (σt), total atomic cross-section (σa), half-value layer (HVL), total electronic cross-section (σe), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff). The results noted that the XCOM and FLUKA data of the shielding parameters are in great agreement. Relatively higher density (5.818 g/cm3), greater LAC, MAC, Zeff, and lower HVL, MFP values are achieved for 70Bi2O3-5B2O3–25Li2O glass. Accordingly, this glass sample is a better gamma shield. © 2021 The AuthorsTaif University Researchers Supporting Project number (TURSP-2020/45) Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia

The neurology of COVID-19 revisited: A proposal from the environmental neurology specialty group of the world federation of neurology to implement international neurological registries

A comprehensive review of the neurological disorders reported during the current COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that infection with SARS-CoV-2 affects the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and the muscle. CNS manifestations include: headache and decreased responsiveness considered initial indicators of potential neurological involvement; anosmia, hyposmia, hypogeusia, and dysgeusia are frequent early symptoms of coronavirus infection. Respiratory failure, the lethal manifestation of COVID-19, responsible for 264,679 deaths worldwide, is probably neurogenic in origin and may result from the viral invasion of cranial nerve I, progressing into rhinencephalon and brainstem respiratory centers. Cerebrovascular disease, in particular large-vessel ischemic strokes, and less frequently cerebral venous thrombosis, intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage, usually occur as part of a thrombotic state induced by viral attachment to ACE2 receptors in endothelium causing widespread endotheliitis, coagulopathy, arterial and venous thromboses. Acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy is associated to the cytokine storm. A frontal hypoperfusion syndrome has been identified. There are isolated reports of seizures, encephalopathy, meningitis, encephalitis, and myelitis. The neurological diseases affecting the PNS and muscle in COVID-19 are less frequent and include Guillain-Barré syndrome; Miller Fisher syndrome; polyneuritis cranialis; and rare instances of viral myopathy with rhabdomyolysis. The main conclusion of this review is the pressing need to define the neurology of COVID-19, its frequency, manifestations, neuropathology and pathogenesis. On behalf of the World Federation of Neurology we invite national and regional neurological associations to create local databases to report cases with neurological manifestations observed during the on-going pandemic. International neuroepidemiological collaboration may help define the natural history of this worldwide problem