Journal of Inflammatory Diseases
Volume:24 Issue: 6, 2021

 Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNF-α) gene, as an inflammatory factor, plays an important role in reproductive physiology, especially in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).

 This study aims to investigate the relationship between the -1031 T/C polymorphism of TNF-α gene and biochemical factors in women with PCOS.

 In this case-control study, participants were 106 women with PCOS and 114 healthy women referred to Kosar Hospital in Qazvin, Iran. The TNF-α gene’s polymorphism was determined using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique and PCR-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Biochemical factors of serum levels were also measured in two groups. Logistic regression analysis examined the relationship between the frequency of alleles in different states and the risk of PCOS.

 There were statistically significant difference in the mean levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, testosterone, two-hour blood glucose and body mass index between the groups, whose values were higher in women with PCOS compared to healthy women (P<0.001). In women with PCOS, the mean serum levels of triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein were significantly different between the three TT, CC, TC genotypes of TNF-α gene polymorphism (P<0.05). The results of regression analysis showed that the TT genotype had significant association with the risk of PCOS (OR=2.43, P=0.006, 95%CI: 1.28-2.62).

 It seems that there is a relationship between the -1301 (T/C) polymorphism of TNF-α gene and the risk of PCOS in women.

 The use of communication technologies enables the older people to deal with limitations and problems of modern life.

 This study aims to determine the socio-demographic factors predicting the use of common communication technologies (computers, internet, ATMs, and mobile phones) by the elderly in Iran.

 In this descriptive analytical study conducted in 2017, participants were 165 older adults from Qazvin, Iran who were selected using a cluster sampling method. Data collection tools were a demographic checklist and researcher-made questionnaire for assessing the use of communication technologies. Descriptive tests and multivariate regression analysis were used for data analysis.

 The mean age of participants was 68.38±7.89 years. Majority of them reported that they do not use computer (n=127, 77%) and internet services (n=112, 67.9%). The results of multivariate regression analysis showed that age (β=-0.209, P=0.002), gender (β=-0.142, P=0.029), educational level (β=0.501, P=0.000), and financial status (β=0.142, P=0.023) were the predictors of the use of common communication technologies by the older adults. 

 A small percentage of the elderly in Iran use computer and internet. Therefore, it is very important to hold educational programs for the elderly to get familiar with and use new communication technologies.

 Correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment measures of pre-hospital Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are very important in improving the quality of patient care and reducing mortality and costs. 

 This study aims to investigate the accuracy of diagnosis and treatment made by pre-hospital EMTs in patients admitted to hospitals in Qazvin, Iran.

 In this descriptive study conducted in 2018, the medical records of 600 patients who were transferred to Bu-Ali Sina and Velayat hospitals in Qazvin by ambulance during March-June 2018 were examined. Diagnosis and treatment measures were extracted from the emergency sheet. Education, work experience, and amount of in-service training of pre-hospital EMTs were also collected. Data were analyzed in SPSS V. 23 software using ANOVA, Chi-square test, and t-test.

 Out of 600 cases, 71.7% of the initial diagnoses made by EMTs were correct, 8.5% were incorrect, and 19.8% were without initial diagnosis. Regarding the treatment measures, 65.8% were correct and 3.5% were incorrect. 

 Prompt help and correct diagnostic and treatment measures of pre-hospital EMTs can significantly reduce mortality and potential injuries.

 Some people experience positive psychological changes in various aspects after a stressful event. These positive changes, known as Post-Traumatic Growth (PTG), are often due to people’s need to adapt to the challenges ahead.

 This study aims to determine the predictors of PTG in patients with myocardial infarction.

 This is a descriptive-correlational study. Participants were 191 patients with myocardial infarction referred to the cardiac clinic of Bu-Ali Sina Hospital in Qazvin, Iran. They were selected using a convenience sampling method and based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. The research instruments were the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS), and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ). Collected data were analyzed in SPSS V. 25 software using Pearson correlation test and linear regression analysis.

 There was a significant positive relationship between PTG with perceived social support (r=0.47 and P<0.001) and meaning in life (r=0.71 and P<0.001). Based on the results of linear regression analysis, an increase in the scores of MSPSS and MLQ can increase the PTGI score by 0.978 and 1.376, respectively.

 This study provided important insights into the phenomenon of PTG in patients with myocardial infarction and its predictors, which can help improve PTG in them.

 Emotional self-regulation can play an important role in reducing the symptoms of coronary heart disease which is a psychosomatic disorder.

 This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and positive psychotherapy on emotional self-regulation of women with coronary heart disease.

 This is a randomized clinical trial. Study population consists of all women with coronary heart disease referred to Pasteur Hospital in Qazvin, Iran during 2019-2020. Using a convenience sampling method, 45 women were selected and divided into three groups (two experimental groups and one control group). The intervention program was provided at 8 sessions for each experimental group. Data collection tools were a demographic form, and Ibanez’s Self-regulation Inventory. Participants were followed up for one month after intervention. Collected data were analyzed by ANCOVA and paired t-test.

 ACT was effective in increasing emotional self-regulation ability of patients in the post-test and follow-up phases, but the positive psychotherapy had no significant effect on their emotional self-regulation and no significant difference was observed.

 ACT is an appropriate and effective method for women with coronary heart disease and can be used as a complementary therapy in related medical centers.

 Critical care nurses play an important role in the organ donation process, and their attitudes towards it and willingness to register as an organ donor are related to various factors, including empathy.

This study aims to compare the attitudes of nurses in Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Emergency Department (ED), and Dialysis Unit (DU) towards organ donation and its relationship with empathy.

 This descriptive study with cross-sectional design that was conducted in 2019 in hospitals affiliated to Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in Qazvin, Iran on 222 nurses from the three critical care units who were selected by stratified random sampling method. Data collection tools were Chakradhar’s Organ Donation Questionnaire (ODQ) and Davis’s Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI), completed by nurses were completed. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical tests.

 The mean ODQ score was higher in DU and ICU nurses than in ED nurses (P=0.23), where the nurses of ICU-General had the highest score (51±6.07) and the nurses of ED-Trauma had the lowest score. The highest and lowest IRI scores were related to DU and ICU-General nurses, respectively. The total IRI score (r=0.13, P=0.04) and its dimensions of perspective taking ( r=0.152, P=0.02) and fantasy (r=0.14, P=0.03) had a positive correlation with the nurses’ attitudes.

 Critical care nurses have greater than the average score in ODQ. There is a significant relationship between empathy and their attitudes towards organ donation. Their empathy with patients has a significant effect on increasing their attitudes towards accepting organ donation. Therefore, it is necessary to implement educational interventions for changing the critical care nurses’ attitudes in order to increase their empathy.

 Due to the importance of investigating the causes of trauma and functional indicators of pre-hospital emergency care. 

 This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of trauma and their relationship with pre-hospital time intervals in patients admitted to Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Qazvin, Iran.

 In this descriptive study conducted in 2018, the medical records of 700 patients transported to Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Qazvin by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ambulances were examined which were selected from 3200 cases using a systematic sampling method. We used a two-part questionnaire surveying demographic/clinical information of patients and their clinical outcomes. 

 Mean age of patients was 33.8 years and 62% were male. Median of on-scene time, transport time, and total prehospital time were 7, 29.3 and 37 minutes, respectively. In overall, 72.4% of transferred patients were discharged from the emergency department, 19.7% admitted to other wards, and 4.4% discharged voluntarily.

 Time intervals of EMS in Qazvin city are suitable, and their provided pre-hospital services have acceptable quality.

Despite the high prevalence of cyclic mastalgia, there is much disagreement and uncertainties about its treatment methods. The present study aims to review studies conducted on cyclic mastalgia over the past two decades in Iran. In this regard, a search was conducted in Scopus, SID, PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and IranMedex databases on articles published in Persian and English from 1998 to 2018 using the following keywords: “Mastalgia”, “cyclic mastalgia”, “breast pain”, and “Mastodynia”. Initial search yielded 975 articles. Of these, 29 were selected for review based on inclusion criteria; 19 interventional and 10 non-interventional. Based on the results, most studies reported a mastalgia prevalence of about 30% in Iran. The most common age for cyclic mastalgia was 30 years. In most studies, a significant relationship between premenstrual syndrome and cyclic mastalgia was reported. The use of vitamins and herbal plants were the most common interventions for cyclic mastalgia, while counseling was the least common type. It seems that cyclic mastalgia affects the sleep quality and physical and sexual activities. Due to the high prevalence of cyclic mastalgia reported in various studies in Iran, and the lack a same treatment protocol, further study on cyclic mastalgia is recommended.

Repeated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (RTMS) therapy is one of the modern treatment methods for various neurological and psychiatric diseases. With the clinical advancement of new therapies, there is a need to increase nursing knowledge, various practical skills, and new ways of organizing care. This study aims to review the rTMS, and the role of psychiatric nurses before, during and after rTMS. The search was conducted in IranMedex, PubMed, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Ovid, and SID databases using the keywords: Repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation, long-term potential, mental nerve, psychiatric nursing both in English and Persian. Initial search yielded 42 articles, of which 24 were selected for the review. Treatment with rTMS can cause significant treatment effects. It has low complications, and is non-invasive and painless. The patient is conscious during the treatment process and is safe from the effects of anesthetic drugs. This method is also effective for people who are resistant to treatment. The psychiatric nurses play an important role in rTMS and teach patients on the formation of realistic expectations and the establishment of systems that ensure the continuity of safety and care. Moreover, they can assess clinical problems and work with the patients to create a therapeutic environment.

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by a coronavirus named SARS-CoV-2 from the family Coronaviridae, was first reported in December 2019 in China. The disease have mild or severe symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, body aches, and gastrointestinal symptoms, followed by severe inflammation, cytokine storm, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and dysfunction of other organs. In this narrative review study, the search was conducted on related studies published during January- October 2020 in Google Scholar, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases using the keywords Covid-19, Immunology, and Immunopathogenesis. Among abundant and mostly repetitive information, the immunological aspects were selected. The SARS-CoV-2 can enter the cell by binding to the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor and Trans-Membrane Protease Serine 2 (TMPRSS2) on the surface of lung epithelial cells. The main pathogenic mechanism of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is the stimulation of inflammatory response followed by damage to the alveoli of lung tissue. In uncontrolled immune responses, the infiltration of macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, and inflammatory T cells into the alveoli increases which leads to tissue damage in the lungs and other organs by overproduction of inflammatory cytokines such as Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF), Interleukin 6 (IL-8), Interferon gamma (IFNγ), etc. The Natural Killer (NK) and T cell dysfunction, lymphopenia, and infection of immune cells such as monocytes with ADE mechanism are factors causing the body’s failure in resistance to SARS-CoV-2 virus. Diagnosis of COVID-19 is based on the clinical symptoms and the results of molecular tests (e.g. Polymerase Chain Reaction test), or computerized tomography scan followed by serological tests and measuring biochemical factors in the blood (e.g. lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, dimerized plasmin fragment D, etc.). Due to the association of the severity of COVID-19 with the uncontrolled immune response of the host, targeting any of the immunopathological pathways to inhibit inflammatory responses can be considered as potential therapeutic goals. The use of immune system regulators such as chloroquine, corticosteroids, inflammatory cytokine blockers such as anti-IL-6, anti-IL-1, and cell therapy at the right time have an enhanced effect on the recovery of the disease or inhibit the disease progression.