simin sharifi

Technological advancements have facilitated disease management.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of mobile health training on the fatigue levels of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients in Zahedan.

This quasi-experimental study involved 80 MS patients who joined the Zahedan Multiple Sclerosis Association in 2023. Patients were selected through convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. Patients in the intervention group received mobile health education on fatigue reduction strategies using a website (www.Betterlifems.ir) created by the researcher, in addition to the standard education. The control group received only the standard education. In both groups, data were collected through a demographic information questionnaire and the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at the beginningandtwomonths after the intervention, using the interview method. The SPSS software (version 26) was used to analyze the collected data via paired t-test, independent t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level set at less than 0.05 (P < 0.05).

In the control group, the average fatigue score increased from 43.72 ± 9.04 to 44.07 ± 9.13, which did not demonstrate a significant increase (P = 0.69). Conversely, in the intervention group, the average fatigue score significantly decreased from 43.47 ± 8.15 to 30.10 ± 8.28 (P = 0.001). The ANCOVA results, which accounted for significant pretest score effects, revealed a significant difference in mean fatigue scores between the two groups after the intervention (P = 0.001).

This study confirms that mobile health training has a significantly positive effect on the fatigue experienced by patients with MS. Therefore, mobile health can be utilized to teach self-care strategies to manage and alleviate fatigue inMSpatients.

This clinical study aimed to prepare and evaluate the effect of antimicrobial nanocurcumin gel on reducing the microbial counts of gingival fluids of the implant‒abutment interface in patients referred to the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry for the placement of two dental implants.

  Fifteen patients applying for at least two dental implants were included in the study. During the uncovering session, nanocurcumin gel was placed in one implant, and no substance was placed in another (the control group). Then, in three sessions, implantation sessions (10 days after the repair abutment closure session), prosthesis delivery (15 days after the implantation session), and one month after prosthesis delivery, the patients’ gingival fluid was sampled and cultured to determine bacterial counts in the gingival fluid by colony-forming units (CFU/mL). T-test was used for statistical analysis of data, and statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

  This study showed that nanocurcumin gel significantly reduced the CFU/mL of gingival fluid in all three sampling stages compared to the control group.

  According to the results of this study, the application of antimicrobial nanocurcumin gel inside the implant fixture could reduce the microbial counts of gingival fluids.

Technological advancements and ease of communicating with and educating patients with kidney failure using various technologies have facilitated the achievement of treatment goals.

The present study aimed to examine the effect of mHealth training on treatment adherence in hemodialysis patients in Zahedan.

This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 80 hemodialysis patients admitted to teaching hospitals in Zahedan in 2022. The participants were selected using convenience sampling and were divided into two intervention and control groups by allocation with permutation blocks. In addition to routine training, the participants in the intervention group received mHealth training in five areas of treatment adherence using a smartphone application (My Dialysis) developed by the researcher. The participants in the control group received only routine training. The data were collected by a demographic information form, the Media Literacy Questionnaire, and the End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ) in both groups before and three months after the intervention. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS (version 26) using the paired and independent samples t-test, chi-square test, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at the significance level of less than 0.05 (P < 0.05).

The mean treatment adherence score for the patients in the control group increased from 1011.87 ± 150.96 before the intervention to 1110.62 ± 86.95 after the intervention, showing a significant increase (P < 0.001). Besides, the mean treatment adherence score for the patients in the intervention group increased significantly from 1067.50 ± 122.24 before the intervention to 1161.25 ± 49.98 after the intervention (P > 0.001). The results of ANCOVA to control for the significant effect of the pretest scores and the disease duration showed that the patients’ mean treatment adherence scores in the two groups significantly differed after the intervention (P < 0.05).

This study confirmed the significant positive effects of mHealth training on the treatment adherence of dialysis patients. Thus, considering the effectiveness of routine training, mHealth training can be used with routine training in treatment programs for hemodialysis patients to improve their treatment adherence.

Scaffolds are one of the key components of tissue engineering that play an important role in cell growth. The present study aimed to prepare hydroxyapatite-gelatin nanoscaffolds containing vanilla.

In this in vitro examination, the scaffolds were prepared using the precipitation method. Then, vanilla was loaded into the prepared structures. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate the size and morphology of the scaffold. The surface charge of the scaffold (zeta potential) was also assessed by employing a Zetasizer. The loading of vanilla was evaluated via ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry at 372 nm.

The results showed that the scaffold was well prepared and had good physicochemical properties, including appropriate particle size (110.23±0.42 nm), good particle distribution, high drug loading (65.03± 0.25%), and acceptable suspension stability (zeta potential equal to 36.42±0.80 mV). Descriptive statistics (mean ± SD) were used to report the results.

Based on the obtained results of the current study, we suggest that the prepared scaffolds can be used for in vitro and in vivo applications in future studies for tissue engineering. More investigations are needed to test the usefulness of these scaffolds.

In this study, a series of piperazin-2-one derivatives were prepared through bioisosteric substitution of the imidazole ring of L-778,123 (imidazole-containing FTase inhibitor) and rearrangement of groups based on the tipifarnib structure. Final compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities on cancer and normal cell lines by MTT assay.

Methyl α-bromophenylacetic acid and 1-(3-chlorophenyl) piperazin-2-one were synthesized using previously described methods. Methyl 2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-(3- chlorophenyl)-3-oxopiperazin-1-yl) acetate was prepared by reaction between these two compounds in presence of potassium carbonate. Finally, methoxy group of ester was substituted by various amines such as guanidine, thiourea, urea and hydrazide. The synthesized compounds were tested for their cytotoxicity against colon cancer (HT-29) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines as well as MRC-5 (normal fetal lung fibroblasts) cells as a healthy cell line using MTT colorimetric assay method.

Replacement of imidazole moiety with guanidine, thiourea, and hydrazide could increase cytotoxicity toward all three cell lines. Some substituents, such as amine, urea, and hydroxylamine exhibited significant cytotoxicity (<500 µM) but lower than L-778,123 as standard compound. Hydroxyl and methoxy substituents did not show significant cytotoxicity. Imidazole substituent group revealed cytotoxicity similar to L-778,123 All compounds showed lower cytotoxic activity against normal cell lines compared with cancer cell lines.

It seems the electron density of substituted groups and rearrangement of groups may significantly increase cytotoxic activity

Considering recent economic challenges, the short-term hospitalization of cancer patients for routine chemotherapy, and the lack of routine home visits for cancer patients in Iran, the quality of life of these patients after discharge can be a source of concern.

This study aimed to determine the effect of a planned discharge program on the quality of life of gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in hospitals of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences.

This clinical trial was conducted in 2018 on gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in hospitals affiliated to the Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. The sample was selected by convenience sampling, and the participants were randomly assigned into two groups of intervention (n = 45) and control (n = 45). The intervention was performed in three 45 to 60-minute sessions and sending text messages, which were based on the patients’ identified problems and needs for the intervention group. Data collection tools included the QLQ-C30 questionnaire and a demographic characteristics form. Data were analyzed by SPSS V. 21 software using descriptive and analytical statistical tests.

The mean scores of the patients’ quality of life increased on most of the functional subscales and global health/quality of life in the intervention group. In the control group (routine care), however, no significant difference was observed in most functional subscales of quality of life. There was a significant change in the mean severity of symptoms in the intervention group so that the severity of symptoms decreased after the intervention. In the control group, there was a significant difference in the mean severity of symptoms before and after the intervention so that the severity of symptoms increased in most cases.

Home visits of cancer patients are not in routine care after discharge in Iran, and they are not covered by insurance companies. Thus, home visits are expensive. However, in areas where the economic index is low, and patients have little access to smartphones, the designed discharge program can be a suitable method to increase the quality of life of cancer patients.

Periodontitis can lead to a progressive destruction of periodontal tissues supporting the tooth. Developing biomaterials for tissue engineering has noticeably improved the existing treatment options. The present study investigated the gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanofibers as promising scaffolds for guided tissue regeneration (GTR).

The scaffolds were prepared through electro-spinning technique and then the physic-chemical properties and the cytotoxic effect (on dental derived mesenchymal stem cells) were assessed.

The nano-scaffolds were successfully prepared with mono-dispersed nano-scale diameter (102 ± 0.10 nm), negative surface charge (-20 ± 0.17 mV) and uniform network-shaped morphology. The treatment of the mesenchymal stem cells was derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC) with gelatin-hydroxyapatite nanofibers showed that the prepared scaffolds revealed a great proliferative effect. Besides, the applied method can be used to prepare fiber-based structures via other polymeric materials.

Incorporating different materials to decrease the degradation rate of the fibers can match with the speed of tissue regeneration. In this case, the prepared nanofibers can be applied as a membrane biomaterial.

From patients’ perspective, pain is the most frequent complaint after surgery, which results in many complications such as sleep disorder, atelectasis, myocardial ischemia, respiratory infection, immune system disorder, and anxiety. In this context, deploying complementary and low-risk methods is extremely important in alleviating pain after orthopedic surgery.

This study explored the impact of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on pain intensity in patients after orthopedic surgery.

This clinical trial was performed on 80 individuals admitted to the orthopedic ward of Khatam al-Anbia Hospital, Zahedan, Iran, in 2017. The patients were enrolled at least 24 hours after surgery and randomized into intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. Pain was initially measured in the two groups using a visual analog scale. Then, the intervention group received TENS for 30 minutes. Finally, pain scores were re-evaluated in the both groups.

The subjects did not have any significant difference in terms of demographic variables. The mean pain intensity after the experiment was significantly different between the intervention (3.17 ± 1.75) and control (4.97 ± 1.86) groups, with the former perceiving less pain.

TENS is effective in reducing pain after orthopedic surgery and is suggested to be administered in combination with medication to enhance pain relief.

Fatigue is a debilitating complication in hemodialysis patients. Foot reflexology is one of the complementary medicine techniques with low complications that can control fatigue.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of foot reflexology massage on fatigue severity in hemodialysis patients.

In this clinical trial, 90 patients undergoing hemodialysis at Ali ibn Abi Talib hospital in Zahedan, Iran, in 2017 were randomly selected and then divided into two groups of intervention and control (n = 45 per group). The data collection tools included a demographic checklist and the fatigue severity scale developed by Krupp et al. Foot reflexology massage was performed in the intervention group for half an hour (15 minutes for each foot) by a trained researcher for three consecutive dialysis sessions. After completion of dialysis sessions, a questionnaire was completed as post-test in both groups. For data analysis, independent t-test, paired t-test, and chi-square test were run in SPSS, version 21.

There was no significant difference in the mean fatigue scores between the control and intervention groups before foot reflexology massage in the three sessions of dialysis. After the intervention, the independent t-test showed a significant difference in the mean fatigue score between the control and intervention groups (P < 0.001).

The findings of this study showed that foot reflexology massage is an uncomplicated technique for reducing fatigue severity in patients undergoing hemodialysis

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is responsible for 15–20% of all cases of community-acquired pneumonia. The aim of the present study was to compare culture، ELISA and PCR methods in detection of Mycoplasma pneumoniae at hospitals of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Between May 2009 and November 2009، 200 patients were enrolled in the study. Patients were suspected to Mycoplasma pneumonia respiratory infection based on the clinical findings. Single blood sample was collected for ELISA testing and throat swab or bronchoalveolar lavage was used for both PCR and culture.

Two hundred patients، 50. 3% males and 49. 7% females with median age of 25 years، were studied. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was diagnosed in 12 (6%) patients with PCR method، in 10 (5%) cases with ELISA IgM and in 4 (2%) cases by culture technique. Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection was most prevalent in 5-20 year old patients.

PCR method is more sensitive than ELISA and culture techniques. Results of this investigation indicate that PCR on a single throat swab specimen is a rapid، sensitive، and specific test that may greatly simplify the diagnosis of respiratory infection caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae.

Nowadays, one of the roles of all nurses is the research. Managers with their power can promote the conduct and utilization of research among practical nurses. This study aimed to identify attitudes and perceived barriers to carry out research among hospital nurse managers.

In this descriptive study, sample included nurse managersof the all levels working in hospitals of Kerman city. An instrument was designed in three parts: demographic characteristics, attitude scale and Barriers scale. The data was analyzed with measures of central tendency, dispersion, ANOVA, t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Witney test. The authors declare that they have no conflict of interests.

The mean age of managers was 39.16 years. The majority (96.4%) of managers were women and Bachelor of Science degree (84.1%). The rate of managers’ research activities in seven of twelve items was lower than 20%. The most research activity in managers was “aticipating research courses” (59.7%). Attitudes to nursing research were quietly positive (71.8%). The most agreement was with “the managers must specify time to read the latest research findings (97.8%)”. Managers evaluated the intensity of all barriers higher than 70%. The most intensity was attributed to the barrier “heavy workload in hospital as the result of lack of personnel” and “not having formal time for research activity” (96.4%). Demographic characteristics did not have any statistical significant relationship with attitudes and barriers.

These results signals a warning to body of nursing and managers, If this condition continues, practice nurses will not have any role in production of nursing science that leads to loss of true nursing identity.