مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 662 (هفته دوم اردیبهشت 1401)

Psychological variables play a major role in adaptation and quality of life among heart patients. This study was conducted to investigate the mediating role of illness perception in the relationship between psychological flexibility and quality of life in patients with coronary artery disease.

In the present cross-sectional study, 220 patients with coronary artery disease referred to Isfahan's Shahid Chamran Specialist Hospital were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. For data collection, demographic information questionnaire, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IP), quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), Bond acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II), Gillanders Cognitive defusion Questionnaire (CFQ), and the Cluster Value-Driven Life Questionnaire (VLQ) were used. The gathered data was analysed using structural equation modeling method.

The results of study revealed a direct relationship between PF and QOL (r = -0.505), also significant negative relationship was found between IP and QOL (r = 0.285). In addition, the intensity of general relationship between QOL and PF through mediating role of IP was estimated at (r < 0.603). IP significantly mediates the relationship between acceptance and practice, values, fusion, on illness duration (0.028, 0.56, -0.094, and 0.50).

It seems that, Illness perception as a mediacing variable between psychological flexibility and quality of life plays a significant role. Thus, considering this for treatment and rehabilitation purposes has been emphasized.

Production of plasmid-dependent quinolone resistant proteins is a major problem in treating infections, but the effect of these proteins on antibiotic resistance has not been explored enough. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the frequency of these genes in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Al-Zahra Hospital of Isfahan.

This cross-sectional study performed in Alzahra Hospital in Isfahan during 2019-2020. Cultures from 100 samples, positive for Pseudomonas aeruginosa were examined for the presence of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes by PCR and the frequency of this gene was assessed based on the ward and the source of the sample.

Out of 100 Pseudomonas aeruginosa samples, 56 (56%) had at least one qnr gene. Thirteen of these samples contained two genes and one contained three qnr females. The frequency of gene based on hospital wards was significantly different (P < 0.001) but the number of genes based on hospital wards was not significantly different (P = 0.57). The frequency of qnrA in all samples was higher than qnrB and qnrS, but the type of gene did not differ significantly in terms of the sampling location (P = 0.36). Also, the frequency of the number of genes observed based on the sample source was not significantly different (P = 0.98).

The findings of the present study indicate that the frequency of qnr genes in fluoroquinolone resistant (PMQR) samples in Pseudomodonas aeruginosa is high and this factor can lead to progressive antimicrobial resistance in different hospital wards. Therefore, it seems that the development of suitable antibiotic administration in hospitalized patients is an effective measure in controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections around the world. Given the importance of this infection in public health, extensive efforts have been made to develop vaccines. Previous research has been limited to the inactivated vaccine or using an adhesion protein as a vaccine candidate, and no effective vaccine for the disease has been suggested until now.  This study aimed to design a vaccine based on epitopes of parasite adhesion proteins to be used as an immunogenic protein using immune-informatics tools.

First, AP33, AP51 and AP65 protein sequences were retrieved. Epitopes of B and T lymphocytes were then predicted. Antigenicity, non-allergenicity and non-toxicity of epitopes were evaluated and vaccine structure was designed. Then the physical, chemical and structural properties of the vaccine were determined and finally, the ability of the vaccine to bind to TLRs was investigated.

A total of 9 lymphocytes B and T epitopes were selected and a vaccine construct was designed based on them. Immuno-informatics evaluations showed that the designed vaccine is safe, hydrophilic and stable at different temperatures and conditions, that can bind to TLRs and activate innate immunity.

Based on the results, the polypeptide construct can be a suitable candidate for Trichomoniasis vaccine.