Interventions in Reducing Caesarean Section in the World: A Systematic Review

@#Caesarean section without medical indication imposes many problems to families, personnel and medical equipment causing some side effects to pregnant woman and foetus, compared to natural childbirth. The present study aimed to evaluate the interventions in reducing caesarean section in the world. This study was a systematic review using Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Magiran and SID databases and grey literature. All studies conducted during 2000–2018 were reviewed and finally the studies with inclusion and exclusion criteria were selected. A total of 19 studies were selected among 5,559 studies. The interventions conducted for reducing caesarean section included training the specialists and women by using Six Sigma method, changing the guidelines, reviewing the definition of natural childbirth various stages, encouraging the natural childbirth and expanding painless childbirth. All interventions were divided into educational strategy and managerial strategy. The interventions can be implemented to change the behaviour of physicians and attitude of pregnant women in order to reduce caesarean section. In this regard, the authorities are recommended to make more efforts.

Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Their Associated Factors in Nurses: A Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

@#Background: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in nursing are regarded as an important factor for creating tension since they may often cause discontent, leave profession, and provide incorrect services to their clients. The present study aimed to determine WMSDs and their related factors among the nursing staff in university hospitals affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS). Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, 300 nurses in SUMS were selected based on systematic random sampling. To this aim, demographic information, and Nordic musculoskeletal disorder questionnaires were used for data collection. The data were analysed by descriptive and analytical tests (mean, standard deviation, independent t-test, and ANOVA) by SPSS/21 software. Results: Based on the findings of WMSDs, low back disorders (88.33%) were more prevalent. In addition, a significant relationship was observed between WMSDs in different areas of the body with age, sex, and work experience and hours (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Regarding the high prevalence of WMSDs among nurses, it is recommended to adopt interventional program for preventing WMSDs by reducing working hours and physical pressure control.

Sexual Function and Factors Affecting Menopause: A Systematic Review

The purpose of this review study is to evaluate sexual function and its effective factors in menopause. A systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The key words of “menopause,” “postmenopause,” “postmenopausal,” “premenopause,” “pre-menopausal period,” “sexual function,” “sexual health,” “sexuality,” “sexual and gender disorders,” “sexual development,” “sexual dysfunction,” “sexual disorders,” “sexual behavior and “sexual activity” were used in combination with the Boolean operators OR and AND. After reviewing the selected articles, 27 papers were selected based on the criteria for entering the study and the goals set. The results of the reviewed articles showed that, in the physical domain, the factors affecting sexual function can be mentioned, age, hormonal changes, medical problems and reproductive history. Sexual disorders in menopause can be affected by some of the individual and social characteristics and psychological problems. Considering the fact that many psychological and social injuries occur in this period following sexual disorders; therefore, policies and programs for improving the quality of life of women in menopause should be aimed at eliminating sexual dysfunction, correcting attitudes and negative emotions and help to women for more comfortable in menopause.

Comparing Quality of Life of Elderly Menopause Living in Urban and Rural Areas

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to compare the quality of life of elderly menopause living in urban/rural areas of Abadeh, Iran. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted on 312 urban and 68 rural elderly population using the two-stage (systematic random classification) and objective-based sampling methods. Data were collected by Leiden-Padua questionnaire for assessment of quality of life in elderly menopause. SPSS software (version 21) and descriptive-analytical tests were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that the overall quality of life was 37.5 and 34.2 in rural and urban areas, respectively, and no statistically significant difference was observed between them. However, there was statistically significant difference in the mean score of depression and anxiety, cognitive function, social function, life satisfaction, and sexual activity in urban and rural elderly menopause (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It seems necessary to pay more attention to the elderly menopause to improve their quality of life and consider proper planning for their empowerment and coping skills training.

Predictors of Quality of Life in Infertile Couples

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted with the aim of examines the quality of life of infertile couples and their relationship with the practical resilience of infertile couples referring to Yazd's centers of infertility. METHODS: This research is a descriptive-correlational study. The research population consisted of all infertile couples who referred to Infertility Centers in Yazd, Iran in the winter of 2016. Sampling was conducted in a non-random and accessible manner. The instrument used in the research included a) demographic information questionnaire, b) Conner and Davidson's Resilience Scale, and c) quality of life infertile couples questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 17 at a significant level of P < 0.05. To describe the data, descriptive statistics methods were used and the inferential statistics (Pearson correlation coefficient, regression, independent t test, and variance analysis) were used to test the research hypotheses. RESULTS: People (202 couples) participated in this research. Three variables of resilience (β = 0.04, P = 0.04), gender (β = −0.22, P < 0.001), and education level (β = 0.21, P < 0.001) had a prediction coefficient and there was a significant relationship with quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that resilience, gender, and education predict the quality of life of infertile couples. In the infertile couples counseling program, resilience should be considered as a coping factor.

Marek's disease vaccine activates chicken macrophages

To provide insights into the role of innate immune responses in vaccine-mediated protection, we investigated the effect of Marek's disease (MD) vaccine, CVI988/Rispens, on the expression patterns of selected genes associated with activation of macrophages in MD-resistant and MD-susceptible chicken lines. Upregulation of interferon γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, and IL-12 at different days post-inoculation (dpi) revealed activation of macrophages in both chicken lines. A strong immune response was induced in cecal tonsils of the susceptible line at 5 dpi. The highest transcriptional activities were observed in spleen tissues of the resistant line at 3 dpi. No increase in the population of CD3³ T cells was observed in duodenum of vaccinated birds at 5 dpi indicating a lack of involvement of the adaptive immune system in the transcriptional profiling of the tested genes. There was, however, an increase in the number of macrophages in the duodenum of vaccinated birds. The CVI988/Rispens antigen was detected in the duodenum and cecal tonsils of the susceptible line at 5 dpi but not in the resistant line. This study sheds light on the role of macrophages in vaccine-mediated protection against MD and on the possible development of new recombinant vaccines with enhanced innate immune system activation properties.

systems biology analysis protein-protein interaction of NASH and IBD based on comprehensive gene information

Aim: Analysis reconstruction networks from two diseases, IBD and NASH and their relationship, based on systems biology methods

Background: IBD and NASH are two complex diseases, with progressive prevalence and high cost for countries. There are some reports on co-existence of these two diseases. In addition, they have some similar risk factors such as age, obesity, and insulin resistance. Therefore, systems biology approach can help to discover their relationship

Methods: DisGeNET and STRING databases were sources of disease genes and constructing networks. Three plugins of Cytoscape software, including ClusterONE, ClueGO and CluePedia, were used to analyze and cluster networks and enrichment of pathways. Based on degree and Betweenness, hubs and bottleneck nodes were defined

Results: Common genes between IBD and NASH construct a network with 99 nodes. Common genes between IBD and NASH were extracted and imported to STRING database to construct PPI network. The resulting network contained 99 nodes and 333 edges. Five genes were selected as hubs: JAK2, TLR2, TP53, TLR4 and STAT3 and five genes were selected as bottleneck including: JAK2, TP53, AGT, CYP3A4 and TLR4. These genes were hubs in analysis network that was constructed from hubs of NASH and IBD networks

Conclusion: Systems biology methods, specifically PPI networks, can be useful for analyzing complicated related diseases. Finding Hub and bottleneck proteins should be the goal of drug designing and introducing disease markers

Prediction of Marital Satisfaction Based on Emotional Intelligence in Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVES: This study was coperinducted with the aim of prediction of marital satisfaction based on emotional intelligence for postmenopausal women. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was the descriptive-correlation and with a sample size of 134 people to predict marital satisfaction based on emotional intelligence for postmenopausal women was conducted in the Borujen city. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling. Data collection tools included an emotional intelligence questionnaire (Bar-on) and Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire. RESULTS: The results of this study showed a significant positive relationship between marital satisfaction and emotional intelligence (P < 0.05, r = 0.25). Also, regression analysis showed that emotional intelligence (β = 0.31) can predict positively and significantly marital satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the positive relationship between emotional intelligence and marital satisfaction, adequacy of emotional intelligence is improved as important structural in marital satisfaction. So it seems that can with measuring emotional intelligence in reinforced marital satisfaction during menopause, done appropriate action.

Sexual Self-concept and Its Relationship to Depression, Stress and Anxiety in Postmenopausal Women

OBJECTIVES: Women in menopause have the more mood swings than before menopause. At the same time seem to sexual self-concept and sexual aspects of self-knowledge has a great impact on their mental health. This study aimed to investigate the sexual self-concept and its relationship to depression, stress and anxiety in postmenopausal women's. METHODS: In this descriptive correlation research, 300 of postmenopausal women referred to healthcare and medical treatment centers in Abadeh city were selected by convenience sampling method. The information in this study was collected by using questionnaires of multidimensional sexual self-concept and depression anxiety stress scale 21 (DASS-21). For data analysis, SPSS/17 software was used. RESULTS: The results showed the mean score positive sexual self-concept was 41.03 ± 8.66 and the average score of negative sexual self in women's was 110.32 ± 43.05. As well as scores of depression, stress, and anxiety, 35.67%, 32.33% and 37.67% respectively were in severe level. Positive and negative sexual self-concept scores with scores of stress, anxiety, and depression, of post-menopausal women in the confidence of 0.01, is significantly correlated (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Being stress, anxiety, and depression in severe level and also a significant correlation between increased stress, anxiety and depression with negative and weak self-concept of women's, it is necessary to devote more careful attention to mental health issues of women's and have appropriate interventions.

Risk Assessment: Factors Contributing to Discomfort for Menopausal Women in Workplace

The purpose of this study was to review the Factors contributing to discomfort for menopausal women in workplace and the perceived effects of working conditions on menopausal symptoms, and to produce recommendations for managers and women. This study was a review article. We searched PubMed and Science Direct for articles related to menopause and workplace. Keywords included: menopause AND workplace OR occupational health or menopausal women AND managers. Because we aimed to update the literature following the 2011 review of menopause and workplace, only English-language articles published between 2011 and 2017 were included. This review showed that how managers could be help and awareness and what should be done for menopausal women in workplace by risk assessment. Many risk factors are contributing to discomfort for menopausal women in workplace and managers should be assessed them. Managers should be aware that menopausal transition causes difficulty for some women at work, then occupational health and safety and health promotion policies will be increasingly important. It may help inform the development of tailored occupational health policies and programs that cater for the needs of women as they transition through menopause in the workplace.

Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Female Members and Non-members of the Elderly Support Association

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in postmenopausal members and non-members of the elderly support association in Borujen city, Iran. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional descriptive study being applied to the participants were postmenopausal women of over 55 years. Thus, 40 postmenopausal members of the elderly support association of Borujen city and 40 non-members were randomly selected. The 36 item short-form health survey (SF-36), with the 4 psychological, social, physical-movement, and environmental domains, was completed. Data were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The mean total score of QOL of member of the association was significantly greater than non-members. Student's t-test showed a significant relationship between QOL and membership of the association (P < 0.05). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that the mean QOL of postmenopausal women, according to membership and marital status (P < 0.01), housing (P < 0.01), and underlying disease (P < 0.01), was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results, supportive measures, such as increasing the participation of the elderly in public life through proper preparations to join them and membership in peer groups such as support associations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can be greatly effective in improving QOL. The results showed that the QOL of the participants was at a moderate level and membership in support associations for the elderly was effected on the QOL in postmenopausal women. Moreover, considering the importance of the elderly in the community.

Quality of life of medical students in Tehran University of medical sciences

This study aims to investigate the quality of life [QOL] of Tehran University of Medical Sciences' [TUMS] medical students at different educational levels and specify the most important factors related to this quality. A sample of 242 medical students was selected randomly, given their number in three educational levels [basic sciences, physiopathology-stager and intern]. The QOL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF. The students obtained average high score in two psychological and environmental health domains, and low score in physical health and social relationship domains. As the educational level of students increased their quality of life decreased at all four domains. At social relationship domain, the female students had overall better situation as compared to males [p=0.009]. The female and male students had opposite condition at the level of basic sciences and internship, in a way that the female students earned higher marks at basic sciences level and the males at internship level [P= 0.008]. The condition of female students in terms of environmental, physical and psychological health became static while their education rose. However, only environmental health of the male students reduced as their education level increased [P= 0.05]. The students were of undesirable conditions in two domains of social relationship and physical health. Internship is a specific level in both groups which has a negative impact on the dimensions of quality of life and naturally needs more care for the students. Married status improved the students' QOL and could moderate the undesired effects of internship

Efficiency of ethanolic extract of peppermint (Mentha piperita) as an antibiotic growth promoter substitution on performance, and carcass characteristics in broiler chickens

Objective: This trial was conducted to examine the effect of usage different levels of ethanolic extract of peppermint (Mentha piperita) in drinking water in comparison with an antibiotic growth promoter (Virginiamycin) on the growth performance, and carcass traits of broiler chicks.Methods:virginiamycin, and 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % ethanolic extract of peppermint supplemented to drinking water. Body weights of broilers were determined at d 1, 21 and 42, feed intake was determined at the same periods, and feed conversion ratio was calculated accordingly. At day 42, two birds per replicate were slaughtered for the determination of carcass traits. Results: Performance indices were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments at day 42. Carcass yield increased in broilers supplemented with 0.3 % peppermint extract in drinking water, also, abdominal fat pad decreased in broilers supplemented with 0.3 % peppermint in drinking water (P>0.05).Conclusions:Birds were assigned to 5 treatments: control feed, antibiotic group receiving 5 mg/kg In conclusion, the results of this study showed that addition of 0.3 % ethanolic extract of peppermint to drinking water seem to have a positive influence on broiler performance productive via more carcass yield and decrease abdominal fat deposition.

Comparison of gastric ulcerogenicity of percolated extract of Anacardium occidentale [Cashew Nut] with indomethacin in rats

In traditional Iranian medicine, the core of the fruit of Anacardium occidentale [cashew nut] has been used in the management of the pain. In this study gastric ulcerogenicity effect of the percolated extract of A. occidentale was investigated in rats. The extract or indomethacin [200, 300, 400 and 800 mg/kg] was administrated orally. In the control group normal saline [5 ml/kg] was used. After getting extract, indomethacin or normal saline, animals were slaughtered. The stomachs were detached and 10 ml of 2% formalin injected in to the stomach for fixing the internal coat of the gastric wall. The stomachs were then slitted open near the bigger curvature and lacerations in the glandular part were evaluated. The ulcer index was determined using j-score. Data demonstrated that the oral dose of 200 mg/kg of the extract did not provoke any ulcerogenic consequence in the rat's stomach. Gastric ulcerginicity of the extract at the doses of 300, 400 and 800 mg/kg was less than the similar doses of indomethacin [p<0.01]. Therefore, A. occidentale is an appropriate plant for ongoing search for establishing an analgesic agent with low gastrointestinal side effects for clinical use

[Epidemiology of acute flaccid paralysis in Kermanshah province, 2004-2009]

The aim of this study was to determine epidemiologic features of acute flaccid paralysis [AFP] during 2004-2009 in Kermanshah province. This cross-sectional descriptive study was done based on data records from Kermanshah health care center. In total 89 patients, 0- 14 years old were enrolled study, which 36 of them were male and 53 were female. 50.6% of subjects were diagnosed as Guillain-barre, 6.7% transverse synovitis and 5.6% as arthritis. No any cases of poliomyelitis were diagnosed. The prevalence of reported of AFP during 2004-2009 in Kermanshah province was more than expected rate of 1 per 100000 according to WHO

Introducing aldolase C as a differentiation biomarker: A proteomics approach

Aldolase C as a glycolytic enzyme is associated with cellular structure at developmental stages of all cells, and this is particularly evident during the early stages of morphogenesis. It seems that expression of aldolase C can be regulated by the rate of differentiation that depends on the level of transcription or mRNA stability. There are several techniques to detect gene expression here proteomics was used for determining expression of aldolase C [as a differentiation factor] in several cell types and basal cell carcinoma [BCC] tissue. The human astrocytes were differentiated from mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblast cells were cultured as primary cell culture and BCC tissue was taken from the patient. The fibroblast cells divided into two groups including sham and exposed groups. The exposed cells are them that were exposed to continue Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields [ELF-EMF]. The analysis of 2DE gels, showed different expression of aldolase C in mentioned cells. The findings indicate that the amount of aldolase C expression decreases as differentiation process develops

effect of diabetes on induced pain of formalin and baclofen analgesia in rats

One of the side effects of diabetes epidemic today in the world is painful neuropathy, the reasons and treatments of which are un- known. Due to the importance of the problem of pain treatment as one of the harmful phenomena in life, this research studies the effect of continued diabetes on the formalin induced pain and Baclofen analgesia in rats. Moreover, the effect of Baclofen as a non-opiate, analgesic drug on the increased pains in the quiescent phase as the model of diabetic pain is investigated. The method is experimental, evaluating the pain level through conducting the formalin test in 3 groups of rats. The first group was divided to control [injection normal saline] and diabetic [injection aloxan 100 mg/kg] which were tested, after one to four weeks from the beginning of diabetes, the second one was divided to a new control and diabetic group, and before performing formalin test, the Baclofen [10 mg/kg] was injected to them. And the third one was divided to two diabetic groups that received Baclofen and normal saline and then the pain of the quiescent phase was compared in them. The results indicate that diabetes increases formalin induced pain [P<0.05] and remained with continued diabetes. It also indicates that diabetes establishes increased pain in the quiescent phase [P<0.05], yet, it has had no influence on the Baclofen analgesic effect on the first phase of formalin test but increased it on the second phase. Moreover, Baclofen can quiet the increased pain in quiescent phase [P<0.05] very well. Due to the results of this study it seems that diabetes, with the changes in the central and peripheral pathways of the pain and also pain control, increases the pain. More studies are required for determining its mechanisms. These changes are accompanied with weakening the internal anti pain systems such as Gaba ergic, which can be treated with Baclofen. Diabetes has no interaction with the Baclofen's analgesic effect, so, Baclofen may be recommended as an effective drug to comfort painful diabetic Neuropathy

Evaluation of pluripotency gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cell cultured on the human feeder layer

Embryonic stem [ES] cells are derived from the pluripotent inner cell mass [ICN] cells of blastocysts with the potential to maintain an undifferentiated state indefinitely. The derivation process involves plating of the blastocysts on mouse embryonic fibroblast [MEF] and expansion of the outgrowth in to established ES cell line. ES cell are capable of unlimited self-renewal by symmetric division and differentiated cells to all primitive embryonic germ layers. The capacity of ES cells to differentiate in to almost all the cell types of human body highlights their potential to play a promising role in cell replacement therapies for treatment of human diseases. In this study, MEFs have been replaced with human mesenchymal stem cells [hMSCs]. C4 mES cell [mouse embryonic stem cell line] colonies are cultured on inactivated hMSCs amplified >/= 600-folds during the 30 days of continuous culture. The longest continuous expansion of C4 mES cells on hMSC was 30 passages. In this study the gene expression for Oct-4, Nanog, Rex1, Brachyury, LIF, LIFR, TERT, B2M, Stat3, Sox2, Fgf4 in mES cells using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and in which genes expression for Stat3, Sox2, Fgf4 genes was negative whilst the gene expansion for Oct-4, Nanog, Rex1, Brachyury, LIF, LIFR, TERT, B2M genes was positive. There was also a karyotype analysis for ES which showed normal result. The immunocytochemical analysis of Oct4 transcriptional factor for ES cells was made which showed positive result for this factor. These genes may be novel candidates to play critical roles in the regulation of ES Cell pluripotency and self-renewal

Phenotypical analysis of vibrio cholerae 01 [Eltor and classic] biotypes by scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope

Due to repeated cholera outbreaks in Iran and neighboring countries, the present study was performed to determine the prevalence of phenotypes of Ogawa and Inaba serotypes of Vibrio cholera 01 and classic Vibrio cholera 01 biotypes. Materials and methods: Scanning and transmission electron microscopy [SEM and TEM] were applied on 4 species, of Ogawa and Inaba serotypes and two classic serotypes of Vibrio cholera 01. Membrane diameter of Eltor was wider as compared to classic biotype. Number of ribosomes, protein synthesis, length and number of flagella were quite more in comparison with classic biotype. According to our findings, genome of classic biotype is more compact. Keywords: Vibrio cholera, Ogawa serotype, Inaba serotype, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy