issa layali

Background and Objective Nursing is a stressful occupation. The quality of nursing care plays an important role in improving patients’ conditions. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between occupational stress and sleep disorders in nurses working in a hospital in Sari, Iran. 
Materials & Methods This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 196 nurses of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Sari, who were selected by random sampling method method. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 20. The significance level was set at 0.05. 
Results The results showed a significant relationship between sleep disorders and occupational stress (R=0.43; P<0.05). Occupational stressors had a significant role in predicting the sleep disorders (P<0.05). Sleep disorders of nurses were significantly different in terms of work shifts (P<0.05), where nurses working the night shift had higher sleep disorders than those with other work shifts. 
Conclusion There is a significant relationship between occupational stress and sleep disorders of nurses in the study hospital in Sari. Sleep disorders of nurses are significantly different based on the work shifts. The role of occupational stressors in predicting the sleep disorders of nurses are significantly different.

Recent studies have demonstrated that Hiwi has a crucial role in stem cell self-renewal in various organisms, and it is associated with some cancers.

In the present study, Hiwi expression was examined in different grades of primary human colorectal cancer (CRC), colorectal cancer stem cells (CRCSCs), and HT-29 CRC cell line.

The CRC tissue samples were collected from 20 patients with CRC. Furthermore, the HT-29 cell line, CRCSC, and 13 normal colorectal tissue samples were prepared. The expression of Hiwi at mRNA and protein levels was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR), flow cytometry, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.

The overexpression of Hiwi was detected in 40% (3.351±2.94, P<0.05) of clinical CRC tissue specimens. We also observed a significant increase in the expression of Hiwi in CRCSCs (5.94±0.05, P<0.005). Hiwi expression was significantly higher in CRCSC compared to that in the colorectal cancer tissue and HT-29 cells (P<0.01). Hiwi mRNA level was significantly correlated to tumor grade (P< 0.01) and stage (P< 0.01).

As evidenced by the obtained results, Hiwi can be considered an oncogene in progressive cancer and, therefore, can be a valuable biomarker and target in therapeutic procedures.

Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic alterations are critical for normal function and development of spermatozoa during the fertilization process. This review will focus on the latest advances in epigenome profiling of the chromatin modifications during sperm development, as well as the potential roles of epigenetic mechanisms in the context of male infertility. In this review, all data were collected from published studies that considered the effect of epigenetic abnormalities on human spermatogenesis, sperm parameters quality, fertilization process, embryo development and live births. The database PubMed was searched for all experimental and clinical studies using the Keywords “epigenetic modifications”, “male infertility”, “spermatogenesis”, “embryo development” and “reproductive function”. Post-translational modifications of histone, DNA methylations and chromatin remodeling are among the most common forms of epigenetic modifications that regulate all stages of spermatogenesis and fertilization process. Incorrect epigenetic modifications of certain genes involved in the spermatogenesis and sperm maturation may be a main reason of male reproductive disorder and infertility. Most importantly, abnormal patterns of epigenetic modifications or transgenerational phenotypes and miRNAs expression may be transmitted from one generation to the next through assisted reproductive techniques (ART) and cause an increased risk of birth defects, infertility and congenital anomalies in children. Epigenetic modifications must be considered as a one of the main factors of unexplained male infertility etiology. Due to high risk of transmitting incorrect primary imprints to offspring, there is a need for more research into epigenetic alterations in couples who benefit of ART support.

Job stress is one of the main factors that reduce productivity in organizations and leads to physical and psychological complications in personnel. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between job stressors and quality of life in nurses.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in all nurses (n=394) working in Sari Imam Khomini Hospital. In this study, 196 individuals (155 females and 41 males) were selected by stratified random sampling. Expanded Nursing Stress Scale (ENSS) and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire were used to collect the data. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS V20.

According to findings, 79% of changes in quality of life were predicted by occupational stressors. There was a significant relationship between quality of life variables and job stressors (P =0.001). Also, the total mean score for quality of life was more favourable in morning shifts (37.77, P<0.001). The results showed that high levels of work-related stress would decrease quality of life and its reduction improves quality of life. 

Job stress in respondents had negative effects on some aspects of their quality of life. Therefore, nurse managers should build appropriate relationships with nurses and support them to reduce their physical needs and psychological pressures. Staff participation in making decisions could also be of great benefit in reducing job stress and improve the quality of life of nurses.

Regarding the possible role of Diazinon (DZN) to induce free radicals production, it is assumed that it can lead to increased level of lipid peroxidation and then poor sperm quality. In this research, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of DZN on sperm parameters quality as well as lipid peroxidation level in sera and seminal plasma of male rats. In this experimental research, 24 male rats (Balb/c) were randomly divided into four groups including: controls (n=6), treatment group A (n=6), treatment group B (n=6) and treatment group C (n=6). Commercial DZN was injected orally in a single dose (A=5mg/kg, B=10mg/kg and C=25mg/kg per day). After 5 weeks, animals were sacrificed for Malondialdehyde (MDA) and parameters quality examinations using Thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) and microscopic techniques, respectively.  There was a significant reduction in sperm parameters quality in treatment groups, especially in group C and group B, when compared with controls (p<0.001). There was a significant difference for serum and seminal plasma MDA mean levels between study groups of A, B, C and control groups (p<0.001).  DZN leads to poor sperm quality via increasing of serum and seminal lipid peroxidation levels in a dose dependent manner.

According to the harmful effects of silver nanoparticles induced by free radicals production, it is assumed that it can lead to reduced level of seminal total antioxidant capacity and then poor sperm quality. In this research, we aimed to investigate the toxic effects of silver nanoparticles on sperm parameters quality as well as total antioxidant capacity and nitric oxide (NO) in seminal plasma of male rats. In this experimental research, 24 male rats (Balb/c) were randomly divided into four groups including: controls (n=6), treatment group A (n=6), treatment group B (n=6) and treatment group C (n=6). Commercial silver nanoparticle was injected orally in a single dose (A=0.007μg, B=0.14μg and C=0.28μg per day) for 4 consecutive weeks. After that seminal total antioxidant capacity and NO values were measured using Ferric reducing antioxidant of power (FRAP) and microscopic techniques, respectively. Sperm parameters quality was considered by microscopic methods. There was a significant reduction in sperm parameters quality in treatment groups, especially in group C and group B, when compared with controls (p

Semen hyperviscosity (SHV) is one of the factors involved in deficiency in sperm function. This research aimed to evaluate seminal plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in infertile patients with hyperviscous and non-hyperviscous semen samples to understand whether hyperviscous semen is associated with oxidative damage in infertile subjects. In this cross sectional study, 59 semen samples were provided by fertile (n=12) individuals as control, infertile patients with normal viscosity (n=25) and infertile patients with hyperviscosity (n=22). After semen parameters examination, semen viscosity was studied by glass pipettes. Seminal plasma TAC and MDA levels were measured by ferric reducing of antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid reaction (TBAR) methods, respectively. A probability less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant throughout the article. The mean of sperm parameters including: counts, motility and normal morphology in patients with hyperviscosity were significantly lower than those in non-hyperviscosity patients (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively). The mean of seminal plasma TAC value in seminal plasma of non-hyperviscosity patients (1710.31 ± 458.67 μmol/l) was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of hyperviscosity group (1230.25 ± 352 μmol/l). A trend toward a higher mean of seminal plasma MDA value was estimated for hyperviscous group compared with non-hyperviscous (1.01 ± 0.41 nmol/ml vs. 0.94 ± 0.28 nmol/l); however, it was nonsignificant. Hyperviscous semen impairs seminal plasma TAC which is eventually associated with sperm membrane lipid peroxidation.