ABSTRACT
Objectives Given the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and its adverse effects on social psychological health, especially nurses, psychological empowerment of nurses can increase their psychological security and improve their clinical performance during critical situations. This study aims to investigate the relationship between nurses' psychology capital and their clinical performance, with a focus on the intermediary role of psychological security while facing COVID-19 patients.Methods This was a descriptive-analytical study. A total of 100 nurses (from 114 nurses) employed in the COVID-19 section of Amir-Al-Momenin Hospital in Arak City, Iran, were selected via the convenience sampling method. The data collection was done using three questionnaires: Luthan's psychological capital questionnaire, perceived psychological questionnaire, and evidence-based questionnaire. To analyze the data and confirm the fitness of the tools, we used the confirmatory factor analysis with partial least square via the Smart PLS3 softwareResults The findings indicated significant relationships based on the theoretical model among the studied variables. The standard beta for the relationship between psychological capital and clinical performance decreased from 0.684 to 0.507 which given its statistical significance shows the insignificant intermediary role of psychological security.Conclusion Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that nurses who benefit from higher psychological capital are more aware of their psychological capabilities. The positive effects of this awareness lead to better performance in challenging and critical situations.
ABSTRACT
The Coronavirus will induce a rapid change in nephrology. Nephrology will be stronger and better if we display the same solidarity we did while we fought the virus. Malnutrition and electrolyte imbalance can make dysfunction in the immune system and impairment of the immune system causes increasing the risk of infection. Dietary management is considered a strategy to minimize the potential risk of viral infections (COVID-19). Potassium: It has shown that COVID-19 patient's loss of potassium from urine so it causes hypokalemia in these patients. Sodium: The hyponatremia that mostly due to the SIADH, up to 12% of coronavirus patients have a low sodium level. Calcium: Coronavirus membrane fusion is associated with extracellular conditions. It has been observed that cellular ion conditions involve in the entrance of the virus. Magnesium: The role of magnesium in immune function is mediated by several mechanisms including immune cell adherence, antibody-dependent cytolysis, and IgM lymphocyte binding. Zinc: Zinc is an important trace element that has critical roles in the body, proliferation and function of NK cells, macrophages, neutrophils, T and B cells, and also the production of cytokines can be controlled by zinc. Selenium: In the structure of some enzymes and as well as Vitamin E prohibits producing free radicals. Iron: Viral replication needs iron, a high level of iron may increase viral infections. Folic Acid: has an inhibitory function, it might be useful for the treatment of new coronavirus. Copper: Copper is an essential trace element in the body and the need for protecting DNA from oxidative stress.
ABSTRACT
The pressing global challenges, including global warming and climate change, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Covid-19 pandemic, all are indicative of the necessity of a transition from fossil-based systems toward bioenergy and bioproduct to ensure our plans for sustainable development. Such a transition, however, should be thoroughly engineered, considering the sustainability of the different elements of these systems. Advanced sustainability tools are instrumental in realizing this important objective. The present work critically reviews these tools, including techno-economic, life cycle assessment, emergy, energy, and exergy analyses, within the context of the bioenergy and bioproduct systems. The principles behind these methods are briefly explained, and then their pros and cons in designing, analyzing, and optimizing bioenergy and bioproduct systems are highlighted. Overall, it can be concluded that despite the promises held by these tools, they cannot be regarded as perfect solutions to address all the issues involved in realizing bioenergy and bioproduct systems, and integration of these tools can provide more reliable and accurate results than single approaches. © 2022 BRTeam. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression is high in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. As RA patients tend to be immunodeficient, they are at greater risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to their scheduled hospital appointments. Therefore, they have become more anxious and worried during COVID-19 pandemic, and some patients recently have canceled or postponed their treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of stress, anxiety, and depression due to COVID-19 outbreak on non-compliance to treatment among RA patients.
ABSTRACT
Myositis is not a common finding in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Up to now, a few cases of COVID-19 associated with myositis have been reported. A 26-year-old man was referred to the hematology clinic due to leukocytosis and bicytopenia in his lab tests. The patient had no symptoms at the visit session. Following the evaluation, he was hospitalized with the diagnosis of pre-B cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and was considered a chemotherapy regimen consisting of vincristine, methotrexate, cytarabine, and prednisolone. Prior to initiating the treatment, he was diagnosed with COVID-19 with manifestations of fever and dyspnea on the 20th day of hospitalization. The positive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test confirmed the diagnosis. On the 8th day of COVID-19 related clinical and paraclinical manifestations, the patient was complaining about a vague severe pain in the pelvic region predominantly around his hips. A pelvic MRI was performed to rule out critical etiologies and perimuscular and intramuscular edema was revealed. Creatine Phosphokinase (CPK) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were elevated in the lab tests. His pain was diminished in few days spontaneously and diagnosis of myositis was confirmed. Myositis can be one of the extra-pulmonary manifestations of COVID-19. Therefore, finding out the association between myositis and COVID-19 can be beneficial for the early diagnosis and prevention of misleading. Copyright 2022, Journal of Iranian Medical Council. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Background: The prevalence of anxiety and depression is high in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. As RA patients tend to be immunodeficient, they are at greater risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection due to their scheduled hospital appoint-ments. Therefore, they have become more anxious and worried during COVID-19 pandemic, and some patients recently have can-celed or postponed their treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the effect of stress, anxiety, and depression due to COVID-19 outbreak on non-compliance to treatment among RA patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included 149 RA patients (male/female = 12: 137). Four questionnaires, including the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), 14-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), 18-item Health Anxiety Inventory (HAI-18), and 8-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8) were employed. The questionnaires were filled by the researchers on behalf of the participants using telephone interviews due to social distancing protocol. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between stress (P = 0.001), anxiety (P < 0.001), health anxiety (P = 0.014), and depression (P = 0.001) and compliance to treatment among RA patients. However, anxiety was the only predictor for non-compliance to treatment. Conclusions: Therapists should be aware of the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression among their RA patients, especially during stressful life events, and carefully monitor their compliance to treatment to prevent exacerbation of RA.
ABSTRACT
Background: The coronavirus pandemic has caused fear and anxiety worldwide, especially amongst nurses. Examining the psychological effects of this disease on the mental health of nurses involved in the care of patients with this infection is critically important. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the nurses’ psychology capital and their views on mental security, job satisfaction and clinical performance. Methods: One hundred consenting nurses from a university general hospital in Arak, Iran, completed three well-established questionnaires that asked about their psychology knowledge, views on mental security and clinical performance. The data were analyzed statistically, using confirmatory factor analysis and partial least squares method. Also, the path analysis test, t-test and regression beta coefficient were used to test the study’s four hypotheses on psychological capital and security. Results: The findings indicated that there were significant relationships, based on the theoretical model, amongst the nurses’ views on their psychology knowledge (or capital) and that it had a positive and significant effect on nurses' psychological security for working with COVID-19 patients. Also, the knowledge positively impacted their clinical performance and professional efficacy, while improving their sense of optimism, patience and hope for future. Conclusions: There were positive interactions between the nurses’ psychological capital and the clinical performance, mental security, optimism and hope. Nurses with psychology capital had less worries on these subjects than those who lacked it. Such nurses believed they were more resourceful and able to provide better care to patients with coronavirus infection than those who lacked the knowledge. © 2021, Iran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.