Association between gene polymorphisms of IL-12, IL-12 receptor and IL-27 and organ involvement in Iranian endometriosis patients.

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by the presence of ectopic endometrial tissue, immune cell dysfunction and abnormal cytokine secretion. In addition to immunological factors, genetic variations that influence endometriosis severity and cytokine expression levels play important roles in the pathogenesis of this disease. Interleukin-12 (IL-12), specifically its p40 subunit encoded by IL-12B gene and the interleukin-12 receptor ß1 (IL-12Rß2) chain of its receptor, as well as interleukin-27 (IL-27) are important in the establishment of endometriosis. So, in this study, we measured IL-12 and IL-27 serum levels and investigated the possible links between IL-12B rs3212227, IL-12Rß2 rs3790565 and IL-27 rs153109 polymorphisms and the risk of developing endometriosis in a group of Iranian women. In this case-control study, 162 endometriosis patients and 151 healthy women were included and tested for the aforementioned polymorphisms using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was also used to measure IL-12 and IL-27 serum levels. Although there was no statistically significant association between the genotypes and alleles of the studied polymorphisms and the development of endometriosis in general, the AA genotype of IL-12B rs3212227 showed a significant association with uterine endometriosis when compared to AC+CC genotypes (p = .04, CI = 0.270-0.988, OR = 0.517). Indeed, the AA genotype of the IL-12B rs3212227 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) may be linked with a lower risk of developing uterine endometriosis. There was no significant difference in IL-27 levels between the two studied groups (p = .49), and IL-12 levels were undetectable in both groups. In conclusion, the AA genotype of IL-12B rs3212227 might be associated with a decreased risk of uterine involvement in endometriosis patients.

The Relationship between Burnout and Intention to Leave Work among Midwives: The Long-Lasting Impacts of COVID-19.

Objective: It is important to evaluate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the intention of midwives to leave their jobs. The study examined the relationship between burnout and the intent to leave work among midwives who worked at Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital of Zanjan, one year after the COVID-19 outbreak. Method: In a descriptive-analytical study, the intention of 88 midwives to leave their jobs was evaluated, one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 disease in 2021. The midwives were selected using convenience sampling methods. Data were collected using the Maslach burnout questionnaire and the Anticipated Turnover Scale (ATS). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression model with the stepwise method at a 95% confidence level. Results: The mean intention to leave the job was 29.71 ± 6.75. Most of the midwives reported a moderate level of intention to leave the job (47.7%). There was a significant positive correlation between the intention to leave the job and all three components of burnout. The stepwise regression analyses indicated that emotional exhaustion (ß = 0.344) and working rotational shifts (ß = 0.276) were significant predictors of intent to leave the job. Conclusions: It can be concluded that the intention to leave the job of midwives was moderate. Given the relationship between emotional exhaustion and the intent to leave the job, interventions to increase the mental strength and resilience of midwives during the COVID-19 pandemic seem necessary.

Electrospun Nanofibrous Scaffolds of Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Reinforced with Layered Double Hydroxide Nanoclay for Nerve Tissue Engineering Applications.

Nerve tissue engineering (NTE) is an effective approach for repairing damaged nerve tissue. In this regard, nanoparticle-incorporated electrospun scaffolds have aroused a great deal of interest in NTE applications. In this study, layered double hydroxide (LDH)-incorporated polycaprolactone (PCL)/gelatin (Gel) nanofibrous scaffolds were fabricated by an electrospinning technique. The physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties of the scaffolds were examined. Also, the phase identification, morphology, and elemental composition were studied using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, respectively. The results revealed that the inclusion of LDH nanoparticles into the PCL/Gel scaffold has improved its mechanical strength and elongation at the break, while the degradation rate was enhanced in comparison with the pure PCL/Gel mat. The LDH-enriched electrospun PCL/Gel scaffolds exhibited a considerable impact on cell attachment and proliferation. The gene expression results showed that the neuron-specific (γγ) enolase (NSE) gene expression was significantly decreased in the scaffolds containing 1 and 10 wt % LDH compared to the scaffold without LDH, whereas in the scaffold with 0.1 wt % LDH, a slight increase in expression was observed. It can be deduced that electrospun PCL/Gel scaffolds containing LDH with optimum concentration can be a promising candidate for nerve tissue engineering applications.

Comprehensibility of selected United States Pharmacopeia pictograms by illiterate and literate Farsi speakers: The first experience in Iran - Part II.

BACKGROUND: Conveying information to patients on how to use medications at the dispensing sessions and retention of this information by the patients is essential to the good pharmaceutical care. The aim of our study was to examine the comprehensibility of the selected three potentially usable pictograms by five groups of subjects who had different levels of literacy in both before and after mini educational sessions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine experienced pharmacists selected three potentially usable pictograms in Isfahan pharmacies: Pictograms D through F representing respectively: "do not take medication during pregnancy," "keep medication in the refrigerator," and "take medication with plenty of water." Then, graduate students of two major universities (Groups 1 and 2), low-literate and illiterate individuals (Groups 3 and 4), and walk - in patients in the pharmacies affiliated to the Isfahan School of Pharmacy (Group 5) were asked about the comprehensibility of these pictograms before and after mini-education sessions. The American National Standard Institute and International Organization for Standardization standards were used for comparisons. RESULTS: In the pre-follow-up period, D and E pictograms were most understandable (87.4%, 87.2%). In the post-follow-up, E and D pictograms were understood most (98.0%, 95.3%), followed by F (92.9%). Among the improvements measured in post-follow-up, pictogram F showed the biggest improvement (P = 0.0). CONCLUSION: Pictograms depicting the use of medications during pregnancy (D) and storing medication in the refrigerator (E) was easier to understand by our study population. The groups with the high level of literacy interpreted the pictograms better than those with lower levels of literacy.

A Comparison of Early Ibuprofen and Indomethacin Administration to Prevent Intraventricular Hemorrhage Among Preterm Infants.

Intraventricularhemorrhage (IVH) is one of thecommon morbidities among preterm neonates. In thepresentstudy, we set out to evaluate the efficacy of two prophylactic modalities (ibuprofen and indomethacin prophylaxis) for prevention of IVH in our local setting. A prospective study was carried out in Akbar-Abadi Hospital, Tehran-Iran (2013-2014). Ninety-six preterm neonates who cared in closed incubator entered the study. Neonates randomly assigned into 3 groups; control, oral indomethacin (0.2 mg/kg indomethacin daily for 3 days) and oral ibuprofen (10,5,5 mg/kg ibuprofen every 24 hours during 3) administration. For all subjects brain sonography examination was performed in 3rd day, first, 2nd week of life and when infants reached to 36 and 42 weeks of postmenstrual age. The IVH prevalence and the effectiveness of the drugs among groups were statistically assessed. Of all 93 subjects; 14 cases had IVH (15.1%). IVH was significantly more frequent in the controls than in other groups (P=0.049). Prophylactic treatment could significantly decrease the incidence of grade 3 or 4 IVH in experimental groups (P=0.008). There were no significant differences between the three experimental groups with respect to theincidence of GI bleeding, Oliguria, renal dysfunction or NEC (P>0.05). This study demonstrates that low-dose prophylactic indomethacin and ibuprofen are equally associated with a reduction of IVH without any significant side effects like renal dysfunction, GI bleeding or NEC.