Journal of Ilam University of Medical Sciences
Year:2023 | Volume:31 | Issue:4|Papers Count:10

Introduction: One of the major problems presented to the mental health of substance users is the presence of suicidal thoughts and beliefs. Paying attention to metacognitive beliefs and schemas predict suicidal thoughts can be considered very important in counseling and psychotherapy. The present study aimed to predict suicidal thoughts based on metacognitive beliefs and emotional schemas in male substance users in Ilam, Iran. Material & Methods: This descriptive-analytical study investigated the relationship of suicidal thoughts with metacognitive beliefs and emotional schemas in male substance abusers in Ilam, in 2021-2022. A total of 170 male substance users were selected via the convenience sampling method. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire form, the Beck Suicidal Thought Questionnaire (BSSI), the Wells Metacognitive Belief Questionnaire (MCQ30), and the Leahy Emotional Schema Questionnaire (ESS-P). The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 21) using Pearson's correlation test and multiple regressions. Findings: The results pointed to a significant negative relationship between positive schema and tendency to suicidal thoughts (P=0. 001,r=-0. 430). Moreover, there was a significant positive relationship between negative schema and a tendency to suicidal thoughts (P=0. 001,r=0. 621). Furthermore, a tendency to suicidal thoughts showed a significant positive relationship with anxiety (r=0. 334), negative belief (r=0. 432), low cognition (r=0. 376), negative metacognition(r=0. 329), and low self-awareness (r=0. 334) (P=0. 001). Discussion & Conclusion: Metacognitive beliefs and emotional schemas can be useful predictors of suicidal thoughts in substance users. Paying attention to these factors can be effective in reducing and preventing suicidal thoughts and creating a model for improving the educational system and preventing suicide in male substance users.

Introduction: The nursing profession is one of the most challenging jobs in health care, and many of these challenges can lead to a decrease in efficiency and burnout among nurses. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the structural model of organizational commitment, job stress, psychological capital, and job burnout among nurses in Kermanshah, Iran, in 2021. Material & Methods: This descriptive correlational study was conducted using structural equation modeling. The statistical population of the research included nurses who worked in public and private hospitals in Kermanshah in 2021. The sample size was calculated at 300 cases who were selected via random and stratified sampling methods. Data were analyzed in SPSS (version 19) and AMOS software packages using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and structural equations. The significance level was P<0. 05. Findings: The mean scores of job burnout, organizational commitment, psychological capital, and job stress were reported as 63. 17±17. 72, 78. 09±17. 26, 115. 452±22. 28, and 38. 63±12. 89, respectively. Data analysis indicated a good fit of the model. The research results pinpointed that that organizational commitment (β=-0. 35, P=0. 02), job stress (β=-0. 39, P=0. 02), and psychological capital (β=-0. 64, P=0. 001) had a significant direct effect on job burnout. Moreover, organizational commitment (β=0. 31, P=0. 001) and job stress (β=0. 75, P=0. 001) had a significant direct effect on psychological capital. Psychological capital had a significant indirect effect on job burnout through organizational commitment and job stress (β=0. 18, P=0. 001). That is, the results of the Sobel test for organizational commitment (1. 9) and burnout (3. 56) were significant at the P<0. 05 level. Job stress exerted a more marked effect on the relationship between psychological capital and job burnout. Discussion & Conclusion: Nursing managers can implement interventions to improve nurses' organizational commitment and psychological capital. Furthermore, effective steps can be taken to reduce the stress and burnout of the nursing community by strengthening the components of organizational commitment and psychological capital.

Introduction: The aim of anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programs is to correct or eliminate risk factors and ultimately reduce injury. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of neuromuscular exercises on knee and ankle joint proprioception in male soccer player students prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury. Material & Methods: In this quasi-experimental research, 24 male soccer players prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury at Khorazmi University of Tehran in 2018 were purposefully selected and randomly assigned to two experimental groups (n=12) and control groups (n=12). Two days before the commencement of neuromuscular training, knee and ankle proprioception assessment was performed on all subjects. The members of the experimental group participated in the neuromuscular training program for six weeks (3 sessions per week). Two days after finishing the training, all subjects were re-evaluated. Data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 22) using Shapiro-Wilk, covariance, and paired t-tests. Findings: In this study, among 24 students prone to anterior cruciate ligament injury, 12 cases performed neuromuscular training for six weeks. The results demonstrated that knee proprioception (P=0. 013) and ankle proprioception (in inversion movement p=0. 032, in eversion movement P=0. 047) in the experimental group improved significantly after six weeks of neuromuscular training compared to the control group (P≤0. 05). Discussion & Conclusion: As evidenced by the obtained results, the use of neuromuscular training can be recommended to improve the proprioception of the knee and ankle joints and ultimately prevent anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Introduction: Injuries caused by sharp tools are one of the most important biological risks for hospital employees, leading to dangerous physical and psychological consequences. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of needle sticks and investigate their related factors among the staff of Kowsar Hospital in Semnan. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all hospital employees who suffered from needle sticks during 2014-2018 were examined. The data collection tool was a checklist, including demographic variables, occupation, type of accident, and measures taken after the needle stick, part of which was collected from the personnel file in the infection control office, and another part was collected through interviews. After collecting the relevant data, they were entered into SPSS software (version 26) and subjected to statistical analysis. Findings: A total of 194 cases of needle sticks occurred, with a prevalence of 23. 7%. The mean age of the investigated subjects was 34. 57±9. 41 years, and 41. 2% of cases were in the age group of above 35 years. Moreover, 68% of them were women, 60. 3% of subjects worked the morning shift, and most cases of needle sticks occurred in employees with less than five years of work experience (47. 9%). Most cases of needle stick (60. 3%) were related to employees with bachelor's education and nursing jobs (38. 7%). In addition, the highest rate of needle sticks was related to the operating room (28. 9%), and insertion of the injection needle into the hand (76. 8%) was the most common incident of needle stick, and washing with soap and water (95. 4%) was the most common procedure performed after needle stick. Discussion & Conclusion: Considering the relatively high prevalence of needle sticks among the medical staff, hospital officials should take into consideration vaccination and reporting systems while teaching proper prevention methods by creating a safe environment and trying to improve it.

Introduction: Any defect and abnormal growth in brain cells in an uncontrolled manner leads to the creation of a tumor and disruption of its normal functional capabilities. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of aerobic exercise along with nano curcumin supplementation in behavioral-motor disorders in rats with brain tumors. Material & Methods: A total of 35 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to seven groups of 5: basic healthy control, four weeks healthy, basic cancer control, four weeks cancer, cancer-nano curcumin, cancer-exercise, and cancer-exercise-nano curcumin groups. One week after the injection of cancer cells in the frontal cortex, the animals entered the main training program on the treadmill (4 weeks, with a speed of 18 meters per minute, 25-40 minutes, three days a week). The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) using the statistical test of one-way analysis of variance. Findings: The results pointed out that behavioral-motor disorders in the training group, nano curcumin, and the training group-nano curcumin were significantly less than in the 4-week cancer control group (P=0. 001). Discussion & Conclusion: It seems that aerobic exercise, along with a suitable dose of nano curcumin as a therapeutic supplement along with other methods, can reduce behavioral-motor disorders in cancerous rats, possibly by increasing brain blood flow, neurogenesis, and nerve synapses.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of obesity has affected millions of people across the globe, leading to various diseases, such as prediabetes, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and muscle disorders. One of the therapeutic interventions in the prevention of diabetes is the use of herbal supplements, such as green coffee and its phenolic compounds, including chlorogenic acid, due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitive properties. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of green coffee and chlorogenic acid on glycogen content in the muscles of prediabetic mice. Material & Methods: A total of 20 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to two groups: normal diet mice (5 mice) and high-fat diet mice (15 mice), which were fed for 12 weeks. After the induction of prediabetes by Fasting blood sugar (FBS) and Glucose tolerance test (GTT) tests, this group was divided into three subgroups: prediabetes mice (5 cases), prediabetes mice with diabetes with green coffee consumption (Prediabetes-Green Coffee, 5 cases) and prediabetes with chlorogenic acid consumption (Prediabetes-Chlorogenic Acid, 5 cases) which were treated for 10 weeks. In the end, the mice were sacrificed, and the relative level of expression of genes involved in the glycogen content of the Gastrocnemius muscle, including PI3K, AKT, GSK3, GYS1, as well as the LRRC8A gene, was measured through the Real-Time PCR technique. The data were analyzed using the one-way analysis of variance test by GraphPad Prism software (version 8). Findings: The results pointed to a significant increase in the blood glucose level in the HFD group (129. 9±5. 4 mg/dL) compared to ND (95±3. 3 mg/dL) and a significant decrease in the PD-GC group (103. 5±8. 16 mg/dL) and PD-CA (99±8 mg/dL) compared to the PD group (129. 5±9. 4 mg/dL) (P<0. 001). The periodic acid-Schiff ( PAS) staining technique demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of glycogen content in the rats of the PD group compared to the ND group. While in the treatment groups, a significant increase was observed in muscle glycogen accumulation compared to the PD group (P<0. 001). The expression level of PI3K, AKT, LRRC8A, and GYS1 genes decreased, and GSK3 significantly increased in the PD group compared to the ND group (P<0. 001), indicating a disturbance in the signaling pathway of glycogen content in the PD group. Nonetheless, in the treated groups, a significant increase was observed in the expression level of PI3K, AKT, LRRC8A, and GYS1 genes compared to the PD group (P<0. 001). Discussion & Conclusion: Considering the complications caused by prediabetes disease, in addition to early diagnosis of prediabetes, it seems to control weight and increase insulin sensitivity, the consumption of green coffee and chlorogenic acid can improve the prediabetic condition caused by the signaling pathway of glycogen synthesis in the muscle tissue of prediabetic rats.

Introduction: Assisted reproductive techniques and Preimplantation Genetic Test (PGT) are performed to detect aneuploidy to achieve a euploid baby's birth in infertile or low-fertility couples. miRNAs are single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules and essential regulators of gene expression in various biological and physiological processes. The present study aimed to investigate some miRNAs damaged in the culture media of human embryos (as diagnostic biomarkers) and their relationship with the degree of aneuploidy of the embryo and assisted reproductive methods. Material & Methods: The PGT cycles derived sperm intracytoplasmic injection (April 2021 to June 2021) were evaluated using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Following that, the culture medium of three euploids and three aneuploid embryos with an X sex chromosome (Turner) was collected and the expression of has-miR-199a-5p, has-miR-199b-3p has-miR-379-5p, has-miR-483-5p, has-miR-99a-5p, and has-miR-432-5p were investigated using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Findings: In the culture medium of euploid embryos, a significant increase was observed in the expression of three miRNAs, including hsa-miR-379-5p, hsa-miR-199a-5p, hsa-miR-199b-3p. Moreover, a decrease was detected in the expression of three miRNAs, including hsa-miR-432-5p, hsa-miR-483-5p, and hsa-miR-99a-5p, with a significant difference (P<0. 0001). The expression of these miRNAs in the culture medium of Turner embryos with the model was the opposite. Discussion & Conclusion: In examining the expression level of miRNAs investigated in this project, the increase in the expression of three miRNAs and the decrease in the expression of three other miRNAs in euploid embryos demonstrated the opposite expression pattern of the same miRNAs in Turner embryos. These results can be considered promising for using non-invasive methods instead of fetal biopsy in the diagnostic studies of the number of sex chromosomes.

Introduction: Ciprofloxacin antibiotic is used in the treatment of retinal toxicity or retinopathy. The present study aimed to assess the effect of ciprofloxacin on rhodopsin protein structure and the stability or instability of this protein in the presence of this medicine. The type of drug and protein binding is effective in the elimination or interaction of the medicine with the target tissues. Material & Methods: Thermodynamic components can be obtained in the interactions between rhodopsin protein and ciprofloxacin using docking software. Docking studies were performed by AutoDock 4. 2 software. Pymol, Ligplot, and VMD graphic software packeages were used to observe the docking performed. Findings: Based on the results obtained from docking studies, the most important bond involved in the binding of ciprofloxacin drug with rhodopsin protein is hydrophobic bonds and hydrogen bonds. The estimate of Gibbs free energies (kcal/mol) for the best docking model is equal to-6. 5. This model with the lowest level of binding energy has the greatest tendency to bind to rhodopsin amino acids, and negative values of ΔG° are indicative of a spontaneous process. Discussion & Conclusion: Based on the docking results, the A position of the rhodopsin protein is a suitable place for ciprofloxacin to bind to this protein, and the complex of ciprofloxacin with the rhodopsin protein can cause rhodopsin to regenerate so that it can start the process of seeing normally. In fact, the strong hydrogen bond between the nitrogen atom in the ciprofloxacin structure and the amino acid arginine plays a key role in stabilizing the complex.

Introduction: The infant mortality rate is one of the most important parameters for evaluating the health index in societies. The present study aimed to investigate the mortality rate of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) (Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital, Ilam) from 2018-2019. Material & Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on infants hospitalized in the NICU department of Ayatollah Taleghani Hospital in Ilam, from April 2018 to March 2019. The sampling was performed using the census method. The data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 26) using chi-square and independent t-tests at a significance level (P<0. 05). Findings: In the current study, the total number of infants hospitalized in the NICU was 83, and 28 infants died, of whom 11 (30. 6%) cases were girls and 17 (36. 2%) neonates were boys. The mean age of deceased infants was 32. 67 weeks. The most common type of disease at the time of death in these infants was asphyxia, with a frequency of 35. 7% (n=10). Age and gender showed no significant relationship with mortality (P>0. 05). Discussion & Conclusion: Due to the high mortality rate in premature neonates with less than 32 weeks of gestation, effective measures should be put on the agenda to prevent premature birth and respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction: Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of hydatid cysts, which are distributed worldwide. Nowadays, much research is being done to inactivate hydatid cyst protoscoleces. This study was conducted with the aim to compare the scolicidal effect of two chemical compounds 12 and 2 on hydatid cyst protoscoleces in vitro. Material & Methods: The scolicidal activity of two amini-hydrox-phenylcoumarin and amini-bromo-phenylcoumarin at concentrations of 1. 2, 1. 5, 1. 10 and 1. 100 after 15, 30 and 60 minutes of incubation was tested separately and each of the experiments was repeated three times. The viability of protoscoleces was checked with 0. 1% eosin dye under a light microscope. Subsequently data were analyzed using GraphPad version 5 software and two-way repeated measures ANOVA and values (P > 0. 05) was considered a significant level. Findings: The results of this study showed that the chemical compound amini-bromophenylcoumarin at a concentration of 1. 10 destroyed 100% of protoscoleces after 60 minutes of exposure compared to the control group, but amini-hydroxophenyl-coumarin, at a concentration of 1. 100 could destroy 98% of protoscolecia after 60 minutes of exposure. Discussion & Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that amini-bromophenylcoumarin had stronger protoscolicidal effects than amini-hydroxophenyl-coumarin. However, further studies and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these chemical compounds.