مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی ایلام
سال سی‌ام شماره 6 (پیاپی 137، بهمن 1401)

 Due to the presence of causes of fire in the operating room,  that these kinds of accidents likely take place in these places. Therefore, it is necessary for the operating room staff, including the anesthesia team and the operating room, to have sufficient information in order to prevent the accident and function properly during the accident. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge and performance of anesthesia and operating room staff regarding fire sources and ways to prevent and control them.

 A total of 60 anesthesiologists and operating room staff of hospitals affiliated with Ilam University of Medical Sciences participated in this descriptive study by census method. Data collection tools were demographic characteristics form and researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16).

 The results showed that the mean score of staff knowledge was 48.67±10.14, and the knowledge of the majority of the staff was almost at the average level (83.3%). Moreover, the mean performance score of the staff was 12.85± 3.89, and the performance of the majority of the staff was almost at the average level (n=34, 56.7%). The level of performance of the majority of anesthesia personnel regarding the prevention of fire and safety (58.6%) and training to get acquainted with the formation of fire and its control (68.9%) has been relatively high. However, their performance in terms of familiarity with fire extinguishers in the operating room (72.4%), as well as the location and use of the fire alarm system in the operating room was at the average level (44.8%).

 Based on the research findings, the level of knowledge and performance of the staff about the sources and conditions of fire formation in the operating room was not desirable. Therefore, holding training sessions and courses to improve the performance of these staff during a fire is recommended.

 The unique properties of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) produced using plant extract make them attractive for use in medical and industrial applications. Bunium persicum from the Apiaceae family is native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and some Central Asian countries, which is locally known as "Kermanin Black Cumin" in Iran. In this study, Ag-NPs were synthesized using methanol extract of B. persicum as the regenerating and stabilizing agent for the first time and were followed by the characterization and evaluation of its biological potency.

 Synthesis of Ag-NPs was conducted using the B. persicum extract. Ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectroscopy was used to detect the presence of nanoparticles. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was also employed to visualize the surface morphology, shape, and size distribution of nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is very sensitive to the chemical surface of nanoparticles and was utilized to identify functional groups in the nanoparticles. Cytotoxicity against cancer cell lines and antileishmanial activities were investigated using MTT assay, and the well diffusion method was used to detect the antibacterial property of the synthesized nanoparticles.

 UV-VIS spectrum exhibits an absorption band at around 400-450 nm suggesting the formation of biological Ag-NPs. The size and morphological properties of nanoparticles were assessed by SEM which showed that particles have spherical shapes with a diameter of about 20-70 nm. Ag-NPs showed cytotoxicity against human glioblastoma cancer cell line A-172 (IC50:7.2 µg/ml) and breast cancer cell line MCF-7 (IC50:7.6 µg/ml) after 48 h treatment. Ag-NPs presented antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The present study confirmed good antileishmanial activity against the promastigote and amastigote stages of Leishmania major. The IC50 values of Ag-NPs and Glucantime® were 73.89 and 16.17μg/mL for promastigote, as well as 171.02 and 398.21 μg/mL for amastigotes assays, respectively.

 The extract of B. persicum has the ability to reduce Ag+ ions to Ag nanoparticles. Moreover, the fabricated Ag-NPs have good cytotoxicity, antibacterial, and antileishmanial activities.

 Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. It is also the second leading cause of cancer death among women after lung cancer. Considering the relationship among plasma folate levels, the level of uracil, and DNA damage in cell division, methyl tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a suitable candidate for studies on the susceptibility to cancer, including breast cancer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between two polymorphisms in the MTHFR gene and the risk of breast cancer among women in Markazi Province, Iran.

 This case-control study investigated the rs1801131 and rs1801133 polymorphisms of the MTHFR gene and breast cancer risk in a large population including 80 patients and 80 healthy women in Markazi Province, Iran, using the PCR-RFLP technique. The specimens were genotyped by agarose gel electrophoresis. Finally, the data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26).

 There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients and controls regarding three genotypes of the rs1801133 locus (P=0.006). Moreover, the CT genotype (P=0.001, OR=2.471, 95% CI=1.229-4.965) and total TT and CC genotypes (P=0.000, OR=3.375, 95% CI=1.716-6.637) were significantly associated with the risk of breast cancer. However, the TT genotype (P=0.538) showed a protective role against breast cancer. In contrast, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients and controls in terms of three genotypes of the rs1801131 locus (P=0.149), which is consistent with the results of some studies.

 The rs1801133 polymorphism of the MTHFR gene can be used as a marker in clinical prognostic studies related to the risk of breast cancer.

 Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease for which there is no adequate treatment. Mesenchymal stem cells have already been used to treat inflammatory diseases.  The present study investigated the effect of the administration of human mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium (MSC-CM) on the AD model and its relationship with central pain, the level of oxidative, and inflammatory stress factors in the skin.

 The AD model was established by topical administration of a 2% 4,2-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) solution on the dorsal and ear skin of mice. Mice received topical MSC-CM and betamethasone ointment as a positive control three times a day for 2 weeks. Skin interleukin-4 (IL-4) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured by the ELISA method in all groups. Changes in nociception were assessed by the tail flick test. Histological changes in the body and ear skins were evaluated after hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, and mast cells number in toluidine blue-stained sections were counted in this study.

 Topical administration of MSC-CM and betamethasone was able to reduce pain, inflammation, and changes of dermis thickness in the dorsal and ear skins, as well as the infiltration of mast cells in the skin of groups treated with DNCB. Moreover, MSC-CM, similar to betamethasone, decreased the level of IL-4 and MDA levels in the skin of DNCB receiving groups.

 The increase in IL-4 levels and lipid peroxidation play an important role in inducing AD-like lesions in the skin of the mouse in the DNCB model; in addition, the topical application of the MSC-CM is a potential therapeutic agent for AD.

 There is inconsistent data regarding COVID-19 prognosis in patients with background hypothyroid disorder. The present study aimed to evaluate the severity of symptoms and blood parameters in COVID-19 patients with hypothyroidism.

 This study investigated 100 COVID-19 patients (50 individuals with a history of hypothyroidism and 50 patients without thyroid disorder [euthyroid]). Demographic and clinical characteristics were collected from the COVID-19 registry database in Shahid Mustafa Khomeini Hospital. All patients were admitted and treated between March and December 2020. Hospitalization duration, the ICU admissions rate, and blood laboratory tests were evaluated in this study.

 Hospitalization period was significantly longer in the hypothyroid group, compared to the euthyroid group (P=0.009). The number of red blood cells (RBCs), hemoglobin level, and hematocrit percentage were lower in the hypothyroid group (P=0.001, P=0.003, and P=0.003, respectively). Nevertheless, the number of white blood cells (WBCs) and inflammatory indicators, including erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were the same in both groups.

 Although background hypothyroidism had no significant effect on inflammation severity caused by COVID-19; however; it extended hospital stay in these patients. Anemia, a common problem in hypothyroidism, may explain longer hospitalization in hypothyroid COVID-19 patients.

 A decrease in cell size and an increase in nuclear dimension due to changes in the amount of DNA could be an indicator of early detection of malignant changes. This study aimed to compare the nuclear and cytoplasmic diameters of buccal mucosa cells in cigarette smokers and nonsmokers in a cytomorphometric study using Feulgen and Papanicolaou stains.

 In this case-control study, cytological smears of human buccal mucosa cells stained with Feulgen and Papanicolaou of 30 smokers and 15 controls who had never smoked were compared regarding the cytoplasm size and nucleus diameter. Moreover, the difference among the mean values of the cytoplasm size, nucleus diameter, and nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio in the case and control samples regarding the Feulgen and Papanicolaou stained slides were analyzed using the Independent Samples t-Test.

 The mean cytoplasm size of smokers stained with Feulgen was significantly higher than that of Papanicolaou-stained samples in smokers (P=0.01). There was no significant difference between the mean diameter of the nucleus and the nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio of smokers stained with Feulgen and Papanicolaou (P=0.2 and P=0.1, respectively).

 In buccal mucosa cells of cigarette smokers, Feulgen and Papanicolaou staining methods had the same outcomes in demonstrating the morphometric changes of the nucleus; however, there were no differences in revealing cytoplasm diameter.

 The bacterium Burkholderia Pseudomallei is the cause of melioidosis disease. BLF1 plays an important role in the pathogenesis and infection of B. Pseudomallei. STxB has an adjuvant and carrier role and can be produced by mixing vaccine-candidate antigens with this adjuvant to produce a suitable vaccine. This study aimed to construct and evaluate the immunogenicity of trimethyl chitosan nanoparticles containing BLF1-stxB protein by subcutaneous injection.

 In this study, the expression of recombinant BLF1-stxB protein was induced in the expression host, and the protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Then, nanoparticles were fabricated by ion gelation method and the size and shape of nanoparticles were assessed by electron microscopy and injected subcutaneously into mice four times. Antibody titration was evaluated by indirect ELISA. BLF1 toxin was used for immunogenicity.

 The results of this study showed that protein-containing nanoparticles have higher size and PDI, and lower zeta potential than protein-free nanoparticles. The protein charge in nanoparticles was about 65%. The highest antibody titer belonged to the group receiving protein without nanoparticles. The results showed a 75% conservation challenge of the nanoparticle-free protein group.

 This study showed that the nanoparticle form containing this recombinant protein leads to a weaker immune response, compared to the non-nanoparticle form by injection. The results of the challenge showed that this recombinant chimeric protein provides better protection when subcutaneously injected with an adjuvant.

 Despite numerous studies in the field of home care, the role of unmarried girls in caring for their parents and the problems caused by this care for them, is still neglected or lost due to the study of other caregivers. In this regard, the present study aimed to investigate the care pressure resulting from the care of elderly parents among single girls in Ilam, Iran.

 This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019. The statistical population included all single girls over 30 years old in Ilam (n=5134 cases), and the sample size was determined at 370 people. The data were collected using a 24-item Novak & Guest Care Burden Questionnaire by cluster sampling. The obtained data were entered into SPSS statistical software (version 20) and analyzed at two levels of descriptive (median, mean, standard deviation, and frequency percentage distribution) and inferential statistics (analysis of variance).

 The findings indicated the existence of weak care pressure (26.91±21.13) among respondents. In comparison to the dimensions of care pressure, the time dimension (8.8±5.68) was more intense than other dimensions. Moreover, the girls who were government employees and had university degrees, in all respects, tolerated lower care pressures than their peers. The analysis of variance of the dependent variable considering the independent variables showed a significant difference in the care pressure of girls regarding age, employment status, education level, and mental class affiliation (P<0.001).

 Based on the results of the study, it is inferred that the low care pressure of the studied girls is due to the low pressure of care.

 Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) and perfectionism are the main mental concerns of adolescent students who are the future makers of the country. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on perfectionism and BDD in students with these concerns.

 The quasi-experimental research design was pretest-posttest with a control group. From 360 high school female students from 4 high schools in the 14th district of Tehran (2016), 34 people with high scores on the cut line (score 93) were selected regarding the BDD scale and as a research sample were randomly divided into two groups of 17 cases per group. Due to the lack of collaboration and sample attrition, 11 and 13 cases in the experimental and control groups completed the perfectionism questionnaire, respectively. The experimental group participated in eight CBT sessions based on the treatment guide of Wright et al. in cyberspace; however, the control group did not receive any intervention. Finally, the post-test was administered. The research instruments were the Physical Appearance Perfectionism Scale and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Symptom Scale. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) using ANCOVA, MANCOVA, and multivariate covariance analysis.

 The effectiveness of CBT in BDD was not significant at P≤0.01 and the perfectionism variable. The CBT explained 39.9% of the variance of predictor variables.

 Considering the effectiveness and efficiency of CBT to reduce students' mental concerns, prevent related disorders, and improve their quality of life, this piece of training can be included in the school curriculum.

 Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a performance appraisal method that offers a broad perspective in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the organization's activities and is a prerequisite for strategic management. Performance evaluation as a control tool has always been considered by managers. Therefore, this study was conducted to apply the BSC approach to evaluate the performance of Rasoul Akram Hospital in Abdanan, Iran.

 The statistical population of this survey study included all staff of Rasoul Akram Hospital, Abdanan, Iran, in 2021. According to Cochran's formula and sample size of 204, the collected data were obtained from both documentary and field methods. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to assess each component of the research. The confirmatory factor analysis was used as the statistical method for data analysis, followed by SEM structural equations and t-test in SPSS software (version 22).

 The examination of hypotheses indicates a direct relationship of performance with the implementation of BSC, factors related to internal processes, and the customer-oriented dimension (P<0.05). However, organizational performance showed no significant relationship with the dimensions of growth, learning, and finance. The hospital under study obtained the highest BSC scores in terms of internal processes (3.41±0.44). On the other hand, the lowest scores were obtained regarding financial (02.85±0.23), growth and learning (02.85±0.23), as well as customer dimensions (0.09±1.05) in descending order.

 The results show that the implementation of the BSC model is directly related to organizational performance, and there is a significant and effective relationship between the four dimensions of the scorecard on organizational performance. The results also revealed that the most important aspect of the BSC is the process. Accordingly, four dimensions of financial, customer, internal processes, as well as growth and learning have been upgraded from the dimensions of Rasoul Akram Hospital BSC