International Journal of Health Studies
Year:2018 | Volume:4 | Issue:1|Papers Count:8

Background: The non-melanoma skin cancer is one of the most prevalent type of skin cancers, which at least involves 2-3 million people annually. In recent decades, we have witnessed a considerable rise in the incidence of NMSC in Iran. In this paper, we studied the expression of the new lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) in cases of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Methods: The sample included 36 patients and 30 healthy subjects, of whom, we extracted the total RNA from tissues. Using the cDNA synthase, we conducted the real time PCR. Using the SPSS software, we analyzed the data and drew the graphs by PRISM software. The index of P<0. 05 was considered significant. Results: The values of CCAT2, TCF7L2 and MYC indicated a considerable expression rise in the NMSCs in comparison with the controls. In addition, the expression of CCAT2 was found to be higher in high-grade tumors than low-grade tumors. According to results, there is a relationship between CCAT2 and NMSC initiation as well as the progression. The CCAT2 functions by its downstream genes, TCF7L2 and MYC, with an impact on the Wnt signaling pathway. Conclusions: based on the results, the lncRNA CCAT2 acts as a potential biomarker for NMSC pathogenesis.

Background: The pregnant women suffering from gestational diabetes seem to face higher risks of pregnancy complications in spite of improvements in pregnancy outcomes during recent years. This study designed to define the incidence rate of gestational diabetes associated with its risk factors. Methods: This was a longitudinal study, in which, we studied the pregnant women referred to 11 different urban health care centers in the city of Shahrud (Northeast of Iran) since April to September of 2014. Out of 1300 women with available medical care records, we studied 1098 pregnant women in the mentioned timespan. According to the results of fasting blood sugar (FBS) test, 7 mothers were diagnosed with diabetes at the beginning of the study. Using 75gr glucose, we conducted a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) for all non-diabetic pregnant women (normal and pre-diabetic ones-1091 subjects) between the weeks 24 and 28 to screen the presence of gestational diabetes. The diagnosis of gestational diabetes was considered definite if one of the following criteria was met: Fasting blood sugar ≥ 92 mg/dl, 1-hour glucose ≥ 180 mg/dl or 2-hours glucose ≥ 153 mg/dl. We used the Log-binomial regression model to estimate the rate of diabetes incidence based on risk factors. Results: The mean age of subjects was equal to 28. 0 (SD=5. 1) years. The rate of gestational diabetes occurrence was 7. 8% (95% CI: 6. 3-9. 6 (Cases=85 pregnant women). In case of subject over 35 (RR=2. 9), the factors of positive family history of diabetes (RR=1. 8) and pre-diabetic condition (RR=1. 6) increased the risk of gestational diabetes. The factors of BMI, smoking, education, and the pregnancy frequency were not considered in the model. Conclusions: The incidence rate of diabetes in our population was higher compared to previous studies. However, due to variations made in the gestational diabetes screening guidelines, more studies are needed to do comparative research.

Background: The human bladder cancer progression is accompanied by the growth of side-populations of cancer stem cells (CSCs). The expression of ABCG2 and CD44, as the CSC markers, may be associated with different pathological grades of bladder cancer. This study was designed to identify the changes occurring in ABCG2 and CD44 in different types of bladder tumors at various grades. Methods: The sample included 67 patients with bladder cancer (63 males; 4 females) with a diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (urothelial cancer) using cystoscopy. Based on the tumor pathological grade, we divided the tumor biopsies into two low-grade (N=20) and high-grade (N=21) groups. The tumor samples along with 26 normal-looking bladder tissues were analyzed by techniques like immunohistochemistry (IHC) and total RNA extraction for qPCR. Results: Based on the results obtained by IHC analysis of ABCG2 and CD44 protein in bladder low-and high-grade tumors, these CSC markers showed significant elevation in malignant tissues in comparison to the normal bladder tissues. The scoring of ABCG2 expression in normal, low-grade and high-grade tissues was 28, 120, and 140 respectively. The CD44 scores in the normal bladder, low-grade and high-grade tissues were found to be 0. 6, 11. 5, and 29. 0, respectively. The IHC data showed inconsistency with the qPCR data, suggesting an overexpression of ABCG2 (4-6. 5 folds) and CD44 (15-22 folds) in the low and high-grade tumors in comparison to the normal bladder tissue. Conclusions: Finding a good relationship between ABCG2 and CD44 markers and different grades of bladder cancer demonstrated that these markers can be seen as potential and predictive indicators of bladder malignancy.

Background: Breast massage helps the mother relax, causing the secretion of oxytocin hormone. This makes the milk flow rapidly. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of breast massage training on reducing problems of breastfeeding in mothers and increasing the rate of exclusive breastfeeding. Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial performed on 132 nulliparous women after childbirth. The participants were randomly divided into breast massage and control groups. Different methods of breast massage were trained to the intervention group before each breastfeeding and to the control group (routine training in breastfeeding after delivery) as well. Then, the questionnaires on breastfeeding and breastfeeding problems were completed by both groups on the 28th dat after the childbirth. Results: The intervention group mean age was 25. 5± 4. 52 based on the results and the mean age in the control group was calculated as 26. 3± 4. 9. No significant difference was found between the groups regarding the demographic characteristics, suggesting the comparability of the two groups. However, we found a significant difference in the breastfeeding problems between the two groups (P<0. 05). The rate of exclusive breastfeeding in the intervention and control groups was measured as 54. 5% and 45. 5%, respectively. These values were not found to be statistically significant (P<0. 05). Employing descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and ANOVA and using the SPSS software, we analyzed the resulting data. Conclusions: Demonstrated by the study results, massage training can lead to reduced breastfeeding-related problems. In addition, due to limited number of studies on this topic, we suggest to do more research on the effect of breast massage on breastfeeding and its beneficial.

Background: Successful accomplishment of a task or an assignment needs academic self-efficacy. This study was designed to examine the relationship between happiness and spiritual well-being with academic self-efficacy among the students of Shahrud University of Medical Sciences. Methods: We randomly selected 500 students in this cross-sectional study by employing spiritual well-being, happiness, and academic self-efficacy questionnaires in 2018. We applied the SPSS 16 software to analyze the collected data using ANOVA, Chi-square, and Pearson Correlation tests. The significance level was considered 0. 05 in all tests. Results: The mean scores obtained for spiritual health and happiness were at a moderate level, accounting for 89. 56± 16. 11 and 39. 95± 12. 52, respectively, while the academic self-efficacy mean score was assessed to be high and equal to 109. 32± 18. 44. We found a significant relationship between spiritual well-being and happiness with academic self-efficacy (P=0. 001). The variables of happiness and gender appeared to be significant in the logistic regression final model. According to the results, women had a potential to show higher self-efficacy 1. 8 times more than men. In addition, the rate of self-efficacy increased by 5% per every 1 score increase in happiness (OR=1. 05). Conclusions: Due to the fact most of students showed a moderate level of spiritual health and happiness and over a third of students had a moderate level of academic self-efficacy, we need to further focus on spiritual health and happiness. Obviously, improving these two factors will be a key in improving the academic self-efficacy.

Background: This study was designed to examine the relationship between workplace stress and burnout and the quality of work life. Methods: This was a descriptive-surveying study with a correlational approach. The sample included managers and staff were selected by a census method based on the Morgan table and a total of 300 male and female employees were chosen through a stratified random sampling methodology using Morgan table. We used the Jagdish job stress questionnaire to measure the levels of job stress, while the burnout rate was assessed through Volfar job burnout scale. The Elena's quality of work life inventory was also applied to evaluate the quality of work life of the employees and managers. Results: We studied 352 samples. The mean age of the participants was equal to 32± 3 years. There was a positive relationship between workplace stress and job burnout (P<0. 01, r=0. 31). A negative relation was also found between the workplace stress and quality of life (P<0. 01, r=-0. 62). Accordingly, the job burnout can reduce the quality of work life (P<0. 01, r=-0. 39). The mean value of the job stress of female managers and employees (66. 69) was higher than male managers and employees (68. 14), but the difference was not significant (P>0. 05, df=350, t=2. 03). Conclusions: The results did not confirm the mediatory role of job burnout in the correlation between job stress and quality of work life; however, a significant mediatory role of the stress was found and confirmed in the relationship between burnout and quality of work life.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is one of the most common chronic liver diseases. Given the lack of definitive documentation for the effect of thyroid gland disorders on fatty liver, this study was conducted to determine the relationship between serum thyroid hormones levels and fatty liver in patients referring to Imam Hossain Hospital in Shahroud, in 2016. Methods: This case-control study was performed on 150 patients. The case group consisted of fatty liver patients whose disease was diagnosed based on laboratory and ultrasound findings, and a control group of patients with any other diseases without fatty liver. After liver ultrasonography, blood samples were taken from all patients and thyroid hormones levels were measured. Results: Of the 150 patients examined, the mean BMI of the patients was 24. 79± 6. 9 kg / m2, which was significantly higher in the case group (P<0. 012). The mean FBS level, was 131. 5± 83. 5 mg / dl, which was significantly higher (P<0. 001) in the case group. Similarly, the mean of TG was 245. 5± 128. 5 mg / dl, which was significantly higher in the case group (P<0. 047). On the other hand, the mean LDL of patients was 145. 5± 30. 5 mg / dl, which was significantly higher (P<0. 012) in patients with fatty liver. Further, the mean TSH of patients was significantly higher in the case group (P<0. 014). Finally, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding other variables. Conclusions: The results of this study suggested that thyroid gland disorders, especially hypothyroidism, were significantly higher in patients with fatty liver than in other patients. Nevertheless, they could not be influential in the incidence, exacerbation and persistence of fatty liver as a favorable factor.

Background: Patient satisfaction is one of the important indicators of quality of service measurement. This study aimed at measuring patient satisfaction and factors affecting it in hospitals in Shahroud. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 800 patients selected through random sampling were studied in public and private hospitals in 2018. The collected data were entered into SPSS 16 and analyzed using t-test and chi-square. The level of significance in all tests was 0. 05. Results: Most of the inpatients were women and married people. The average score of satisfaction in the public hospitals affiliated with the University was 22. 45± 6. 02 while in the private sector, it was 21. 56± 5, which is deemed moderate. Patients were most dissatisfied with the daily change of patient dresses and bed covers (38. 3%), hospital food quality (35. 3%), room facilities (31. 1%). In contrast, they were most satisfied with nursing behavior (87. 7%). Chi-square test revealed a significant relationship between the type of hospital (P=0. 002), age of patients (P=0. 037), education of patients (P=0. 013), as well as residence of patients (P=0. 012) and their satisfaction. Conclusions: Patients' satisfaction was moderate. Paying more attention to the areas such as daily changes of clothes and bed covers, the quality of hospital food, and the facilities of the patient's room can contribute to improving the satisfaction of the patients.