Journal of Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences
Year:2024 | Volume:12 | Issue:2|Papers Count:8

Background & Aim:Virulence factors play a crucial role in the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to cause urinary tract infections. This study aimed to identify virulence genes in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa from two hospitals in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this study, 200 P. aeruginosa isolates were collected from urinary tract infections in two general hospitals in Tehran, Iran. The isolates were confirmed using standard laboratory tests. Biofilm formation ability was assessed using a phenotypic method. Furthermore, genes encoding selected virulence factors were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: 53% of the collected isolates exhibited strong biofilm production. The presence of algD, lasB, pcrV, aprA, plcN, toxA, exoS, pilB, plcH and exoU genes was observed in 90%, 88%, 85%, 84%, 80%, 77%, 66%, 62%, 58%, and 45% of the isolates, respectively. A significant association was observed between the presence of the exoS virulence gene and patient age (P=0.04). Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the presence of all investigated genes (except plcN and toxA) and the type of hospital. When investigating the relationship between virulence gene type and biofilm formation intensity, a significant association was observed between the presence of the exoS gene and biofilm formation capacity (p=0.03). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that P. aeruginosa isolated from urinary tract infections possess virulence genes and a high capacity for biofilm formation. This finding suggests that P. aeruginosa could pose significant challenges in treatment and increase the risk of infection and mortality in patients.

Background & Aim: The dark tetrad traits of personality as a new and integrated model is formed by the combination of different theories of personality. The present study was conducted with the aim of examining the pathological and dark tetrad dimensions of personality with the mediation of psychological flexibility in college students. Methods: The research was the structural equations type. Its statistical population was all students of Islamic Azad University of Borujerd branch in the academic year of 2023-2024 which 230 students were selected by available sampling method. Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II), Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire-IV (PDQ-4) were used. SPSS version 24 software was used to analyze the data, and path analysis with Amos versin 24 software was used to examine the mediator variable. Results: The research observed a significant relationship between the total score of the pathological dimensions of personality with antisociality (r=0.35) and sadism (r=0.49) (p<0.05). Psychological flexibility was related to antisociality (r=0.34) and sadism (r=0.37). Also, the direct effect of the pathological dimensions of personality on the three dark traits of narcissism, antisociality and sadism was confirmed. In addition, the mediating role of psychological flexibility was confirmed in the relationship between the pathological dimensions of personality and the dark trait of antisociality (p<0.05). Conclusion: The severity of the influence of the pathological dimensions of personality on the mediating variable of psychological flexibility was strong. Pathological dimensions of personality and psychological flexibility had the biggest role in explaining sadism and antisociality.

Background & Aim: suicide as an important social phenomenon plays a fundamental role in endangering the mental health of individuals. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to this phenomenon and its related factors during adolescence. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between rumination and emotion regulation with suicide attempt among adolescents (13 - 18 years old) in Bandar Abbas City. Methods: in this correlational study, 100 adolescents (boys and girls) who attempted suicide in Bandar Abbas were selected by convenience sampling method. The research instruments were cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire, Nallen and Hoxma rumination questionnaire and suicide attempt questionnaire among adolescents. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and simultaneous regression using SPSS version 26 software. Results: Statistically, there was a direct and significant correlation between rumination and suicide attempt (p < 0.001). Also, there was a statistically inverse and significant correlation between emotion regulation and its dimensions with suicide attempts (p < 0.001). Finally, the results of regression coefficients showed that among the regression input variables, both rumination variables (β= 0.49) and emotion regulation (β= 0.39) were statistically significant (p < 0.001) and they were able to predict the suicide attempt of the clients. Important point is that among the input variables, rumination variable was a positive predictor and emotion regulation variable was a negative predictor for suicide attempt variable Conclusion: In suicide attempts it is important to investigate rumination, emotional experiences and their adjustment based on cognitive processes. Also, the use of adaptive emotion regulation strategies helps adolescents in controlling suicide attempts

Background & Aim: Mupirocin is used to decolonize Staphylococcus aureus using inhibiting protein synthesis. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the pattern of antibiotic resistance and determine the phenotypic and genotypic resistance to mupirocin in S. aureus isolated from nasal carriers. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 121 nasal swabs were collected from healthcare workers. Methicillin-resistant strains were tested using cefoxitin disk in the antibiogram test and mecA gene amplification in PCR method. E-test method was performed to check high and low level resistance to mupirocin and finally the genes encoding resistance to mupirocin including ileS-1, mupA and mupB were identified using PCR. Results: 68 isolates (56.2%) of S. aureus were isolated, of which 42 isolates (61.8%) were MRSA. Also, the highest and lowest levels of resistance were related to tetracycline (70.1%) and gentamicin (16.2%). Only, 7 isolates (16.7%) of MRSA and 2 isolates (7.6%) of S. aureus sensitive to methicillin were resistant to mupirocin. MIC E-test results showed that 7 and 2 strains had high and low level resistance to mupirocin, respectively. Also, one strain (11.1%) had iles-1 gene and 5 strains (55.5%) had mupA gene. Conclusion: The results showed a relatively high prevalence of colonization and antibiotic resistance in S. aureus strains isolated from healthcare workers; therefore, it is essential to carry out further studies and necessary measures to reduce the amount of carriers.

Background & Aim: Adolescents face significant changes in social adaptation and resilience due to facing various physical and psychological changes. This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the impact of the intervention based on acceptance and commitment on the social adaptation and resilience of adolescent girls in Arak City in 2023. Methods: This research was practical and experimental method of pre-test-post-test with a control group. Its statistical population included all adolescent girls who referred to health centers in 2023, who were selected by multistage cluster random sampling in two groups of 17 people. The intervention was performed in the form of 8 sessions of 90 minutes in the experimental group and the control group did not receive any intervention. The research tools included social adaptation (Bell) and resilience (Connor) questionnaires, and both groups completed the questionnaires before and after the intervention. The obtained data were analyzed with the help of SPSS version 26 software with covariance analysis at a significance level of 95%. Results: 11 (33%) adolescent girls participating in the research were 17 years old, and most of them (76%) were in the second year of high school. The results showed that after the therapeutic intervention in the experimental group, the mean scores of resilience and social adaptation were significantly different compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Considering the effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and commitment on the resilience and social adaptation of adolescent girls, the use of this treatment is recommended to health professionals and consultants.

Background & Aim: During the COVID-19 pandemic, nursing students were at risk of corona anxiety due to their close relationship with COVID-19 patients. On the other hand, premenstrual syndrome (PMS) has a significant impact on the academic progress and efficiency of students. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between Corona anxiety and PMS symptoms in nursing students of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a descriptive- correlational study. Sampling was done in the form of a census from female students of the school of Nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data was collected using the demographic characteristics form, the anxiety scale of corona disease and premenstrual symptoms screening questionnaire. The date was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 25 software.‎ Results: A total of 416 nursing students with an average age of 21.59 ± 2.46 participated in the study. Among them (42%) 176 people had PMS with an average age of 20.9±8.7. The average anxiety of Corona was 9.05 ± 7.33. The result of Spearman's correlation test showed a direct and weak correlation between Corona anxiety and the severity of PMS (r=0.238, p<0.001). Conclusion: A significant relationship was observed between Corona anxiety and the severity of PMS symptoms. So, with increasing anxiety, PMS symptoms were also higher. Due to its impact on students' learning in this period, it is necessary to apply suitable interventions and further investigations for this group regarding the specific factors affecting the severity of the symptoms of this syndrome.

Background & Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease that weakens the body's immune system. The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of the positive psychology approach on the tolerance of distress and feeling trapped in women with multiple sclerosis. Methods: The research method was semi-experimental, with a pre-test and post-test design, and with a control group. The statistical population included all MS patients who were members of the MS Association of Arak in 2023. 30 people were selected by a targeted method and randomly assigned in to two experimental and control groups (15 people). The positive intervention approach Seligman was held during 8 sessions of 60 minutes and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were collected from the Distress Tolerance Scale and the Feeling of Distress scale and analyzed using the analysis of covariance test with SPSS version 26 software. Results: The positive psychological approach in the experimental group has been effective and significant for improving distress tolerance (P<0.05) and the feeling of distress (P<0.01). Also, the eta coefficient of the positive psychological approach to reduce the feeling of distress in women with MS was equal to 48.7%. Conclusion: In this research with considering the effectiveness of the positive psychology approach, this approach is suggested to be used in the centers of providing psychological services to people with MS.

Background & Aim: Exercise along with taking herbal supplement is recommended as an important way to control and prevent obesity and blood pressure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the combination of exercise and drinking green tea on body composition and blood pressure in overweight and obese adults. Methods: In this meta-analysis study, articles in English and persian languages were searched without time limit until June 2024, in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Google scholar, Sid and Magiran databases -using keywords exercise training, physical activity, green tea extract, body composition, blood pressure, adults and obesity. Mean difference and 95% confidence interval were calculated using random effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I2 test, and diffusion bias was evaluated by visual analysis of funnel plot and Egger's test.‎ Results: A total of 13 randomized clinical trial studies and 283 adult subjects were analyzed. The results showed that the combination of exercise and drinking green tea caused a significant decrease in body mass index (P=0.001), systolic blood pressure (P=0.024), and diastolic blood pressure (P=0.039). However, there was no significant change in waist-to-hip ratio (P=0.298) and body fat percentage (P=0.806) in overweight and obese adults compared to the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that the combination of exercise and drinking green tea improves body composition and lowers blood pressure in overweight and obese adults. Therefore, these two interventions can be suggested as a practical and non-pharmacological solution to reduce cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.