Cranial nerve involvement among COVID-19 survivors

IntroductionCOVID-19 was first reported in November 2019 in China and rapidly spread across the globe. COVID-19 causes neurologic symptoms and complications, which may persist even after recovery in patients. The objective of this research was to determine the involvement of cranial nerves in COVID-19 survivors.MethodThis was a retrospective study. The study was conducted between March and July of 2022. The analysis included 98 patients with a certain positive polymerase chain reaction. SPSS software version 19 was utilized for data analysis.ResultsThe average age of the participants was 40.47 years (8.81). The olfactory nerve was found to be the most frequently involved cranial nerve (36.7%). Over 20% of participants had a taste disorder. The findings from the regression analysis indicated that lung involvement and age have a direct and significant relationship with cranial nerve involvement and can serve as its predictors (p = 0.001).ConclusionIt seems that cranial nerve involvement was sustained in COVID-19 patients who survived. In addition, elderly patients and patients with severe illnesses were more likely to show cranial symptoms. It is necessary to monitor COVID-19 survivors for neurological symptoms

Identifying the Talent Management Components of Faculty Members

Background: Since employing talent management as a system to identify, recruit, train, promote, and retain talented faculty members to optimize the capabilities of the university to achieve goals seems necessary, the current study aimed to identify the talent management components of faculty members. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on the directors and faculty members of Isfahan University, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, and Isfahan University of Technology, Iran. A purposive sampling method was used and semi-structured interviews conducted to collect data. All interviews were recorded, transcribed, and transferred to a computer using MAXQDA software. Following this, the data were coded, categorized, and interpreted, and then analyzed using a content analysis method. Results: After interviewing 18 university directors and faculty members, data pooling, data saturation, and data replication were performed. Accordingly, 107 codes were extracted from the obtained data and categorized into seven major classes. These were Defining and identifying talent needs, discovering talent sources, Attracting talents, Developing the potential abilities of talents, Strategically deploying talents, Retaining talents, and evaluation and alignment of talent management activities. Conclusions: Based on the results, 7 main classes and 20 subclasses of talent management components of faculty members were identified. These components are provided in a conceptual model. The evaluation and alignment of talent management activities are the main factors supporting talent management. Furthermore, dynamic coherence and integrity in identifying, discovering, attracting, developing, retaining, and effectively using talent, and the alignment of such features with the general strategy of the university were considered the strengths of the suggested conceptual model. Keywords: Talent Management, Competencies, Faculty Member

Estimation of the prevalence of chronic kidney disease: The results of a model based estimation in Kerman, Iran

Background: Chronic kidney disease is asymptomatic until its last stages and though it is increasing globally, we are faced with paucity of a population-based model to assess this disease, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and trends of CKD according to a new estimation method. Methods: Using multiplier method, we estimated the numbers of different stages of CKD based on the number of patients with end stage renal failure from 2006 to 2016. The required multipliers were extracted from a simulation of the disease in Kerman following a dynamic model. The 95% uncertainty interval was computed using Monte-Carlo technique with 10,000 iterations. Results: The prevalence of CKDA (GFR<=90mL/min/1.73m2) and CKDB (GFR less than 60mL/min/1.73m2) patients were estimated to be 7.6% (95% uncertainty interval (UI), 5.7-9.1%) and 1.1% (95% UI, 0.8-1.3%), respectively in 2011. The method revealed that the prevalence may rise up to 25.7% (95% UI, 18.2-32.5%) and 3.7% (95% UI, 2.7-4.5%) for CKDA and CKDB, respectively in 2016, indicating approximately 3.3 times increase for both figures. Conclusion: This study predicted an increase in the prevalence of CKD in the future. This may be due to the increasing life expectancy of the population, the increase in the prevalence of non- communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, or patients’ survival due to receiving better support. Therefore, the policymakers should be concerned and well informed about this increase

Prevalence of depression and anxiety among myasthenia gravis (MG) patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract Objective Myasthenia gravis (MG) people experience adverse psychiatric outcomes, which may impact on their life and disturb their daily activity. Depression and anxiety are identified as significant psychiatric problems that MG people face. However, there is no sufficient epidemiological information about depression and anxiety‐based publication. Due to this limitation, the aim of this study was to review the prevalence of depression and anxiety in MG patients. Methods Original and international databases were searched to find papers about the estimation of anxiety and depression. Random‐effects analysis was used for calculating the proportions of anxiety and depression. For estimating anxiety and depression based the severity, instruments, type of studies, and study regions, subgroup analysis was performed. Results 38 studies met inclusion criteria and entered study. The pooling of the prevalence of depression was found at 36%, (95% CI 28% to 45%). Also, prevalence of anxiety was found at 33%, (95% CI 25% to 42%). Prevalence of depression based on mild, moderate, and severe level was 27%, 14%, and 9%, respectively. Conclusions Anxiety and depression are a major concern among MG individuals. The estimation of both anxiety and depression are high even when compared to other autoimmune diseases. It seems depression and anxiety are important issues and more attention needs to be paid to these psychiatric disorders