Synthesis, characterization, molecular docking, antimalarial, and antiproliferative activities of benzyloxy-4-oxopyridin benzoate derivatives.

Background and purpose: Malaria and cancer are two major health issues affecting millions of lives annually. Maltol complexes and derivatives have been extensively investigated as chemotherapeutic and antimalarial activities. In this study, the design, synthesis, biological activities, and docking study of a novel series of pyridinones derivatives were reported. Experimental approach: The chemical structures of synthesized compounds were approved by FTIR, 1HNMR, 13CNMR, and mass spectroscopies. The antimalarial activity was evaluated through ß-hematin inhibition assay and the cytotoxicity activities were evaluated against PC12 and fibroblast cell lines via MTT and cell uptake assays. To theoretically investigate the ability of compounds to inhibit hemozoin formation, the synthesized compounds were docked in a heme sheet to explore their binding mode and possible interactions. Findings/Results: ß-Hematin inhibition assay showed acceptable activity for 7f, 7c, and 7d compounds and the molecular docking study showed 7h and 7f had effective interactions with the heme sheet. The cytotoxic study revealed compound 4b (IC50 = 18 µM) was significantly more active against PC12 cells than docetaxel (IC50 = 280 µM). The observations of cell uptake images were also shown both cell penetration and monitoring potential of synthesized compounds. Conclusion and implications: The compounds showed a moderate ability to inhibition of heme polymerization and also good interaction with heme through molecular docking was observed. Additionally, some of them have a good cytotoxic effect on the study2 cell line. So further study on these compounds can lead to compounds that can be considered as anti-malarial and/or anticancer agents.

Evaluate the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Basic Reproductive Rate (R-naught) of COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 primarily affects a person's respiratory system and leads to the spread of pathogenicity in the person and therefore this study evaluated the Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Basic Reproductive Rate (R-naught) of COVID-19. METHOD: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on all people with COVID-19 from the first date of admission of positive PCR patients with SARS-CoV-2 until September 21, 2020, in the area of Markazi Province in Khomein, Iran. Information on the records of definitively discharged and deceased patients due to COVID-19 (having positive PCR) was extracted from 20/2/2020 to 21/9/2020, and Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Basic Reproductive Rate (R-naught) of COVID-19 were evaluated. The sample size was 691 people. RESULTS: The CFR of the COVID-19 in the current study is 6.65%, and the rate of disease transmission among the sensitive population of Khomein city at the beginning of the study (March) averaged BASIC REPRODUCTIVE RATE= 1.75, and in the last month (September) of the study This value was reduced to BASIC REPRODUCTIVE RATE= 1.306. CONCLUSION: According to our study on Case Fatality Rate (CFR) and Basic Reproductive Rate (R-naught) of COVID-19, showed that the prevalence of the disease was high in March, which due to lack of proper observance of health protocols, we saw this problem and in the months when people have more problems. Hygiene was reduced, and the rate of transmission and mortality was reduced.

Investigation of the Epidemiological Situation and the Incidence of Covid 19 Disease in an Area of Markazi Province in Iran Country.

INTRODUCTION: Coronavirus is an emerging virus that has caused many casualties. Therefore, the purpose of this descriptive study is to investigate the epidemiological situation of coronavirus in Khomein city in the province of Markazi in Iran. METHOD: This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on all people with coronavirus disease from the first date of admission of positive PCR of patients with coronavirus until 21 September 2020. Information on the records of definitively discharged and deceased patients due to coronavirus (having positive PCR) was extracted from 20/2/2020 to 21/9/2020 and demographic characteristics such as age, gender, area of residence, occupation, and past medical history were assessed for each patient with coronavirus disease. RESULTS: The range of age of this study was from 2 months to 95 years old and their mean age was 52.9±19.2 years old. The mean age of men and women in this study was 52.36 and 53.84 years old, respectively, which showed no significant relationship (T=0.966, N=691, P-Value=0.335, df=689). 52.1% of deaths were in rural areas and 47.9% were in urban areas. CONCLUSION: With observing the protocols by the people as well as traffic restrictions and social distance, we gradually experienced a decreasing trend in positive coronavirus cases and hospitalization cases. Then, due to the decrease in people's sensitivity and false confidence, the second outbreak of the disease began again and reached its peak in May and July.

The Effect of E-Learning on Self-Efficacy and Sense of Coherence of Cancer Caregivers: Application of the Bandura and Antonovsky Social Cognitive Theory.

AIM: Cancer is one of the most important chronic diseases which affects caregivers. Therefore, in this study, we decided to increase the self-efficacy and sense of coherence of caregivers by using virtual learning via mobile to increase the power of managing in such situations. METHODS: This study is a clinical trial performed on 60 caregivers of cancer patients. Questionnaires of demographic information, Bandura self-efficacy, and Antonovsky's sense of coherence were completed for both intervention and control groups. Then, for the intervention group, a virtual educational intervention was performed daily for 1 month using the mobile phones, and for the control group, no intervention was performed. RESULTS: The mean score of self-efficacy in the intervention group was (18.09±93.21) before and (135.12±11.14) after the intervention, which was statistically significant (P=0.001). While in the control group, this means was (84.71±18.55) before and (84.75±17.13) after the study, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.2). Also, the mean score of sense of coherence in the intervention group was (73.25±7.28) before and (89.11±7.11) after the intervention, which was statistically significant (P=0.001). While in the control group, this means was (76.42±7.45) before and (76.89±7.27) after the study, but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.31). CONCLUSION: Educational interventions, even virtually, can lead to improved self-efficacy and a sense of coherence in caregivers of cancer patients and can be used as one of the low-cost and effective methods in managing and controlling the disease.

A Study on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Iranian Mothers towards Childhood Obesity.

OBJECTIVES: In the recent decades, a dramatic increase in childhood obesity is one of the main public health problems. The aim of the study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) of Iranian mothers towards childhood obesity. METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive research was conducted on KAP of 432 mothers and their children aged 6-7 years (214 boys and 218 girls) who were referred to the Zarandieh health centers, Iran, in 2017. The participants were selected via multistage random sampling. Demographic and KAP data were obtained by self-report using standard questionnaires. The weight and height of the subjects were measured according to standard methods and body mass index was calculated. Data were analyzed by inferential statistics using SPSS18 software. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity (OB) was 11.5% in boys and 7% in girls. The mean score for attitude for mothers with normal-weight children was higher than for mothers with obese children. Food habits like consumption of breakfast, having fast food at least twice a week, and eating in front of TV were associated with OB. Physical activity habits like duration of TV watching/computer games/sleep and regular physical exercise were associated with OB. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the importance of educating Iranian mothers to change of lifestyle (eating and physical activity habits) and attitudes towards weight control in their children. Therefore, it seems that these results may be valuable in the development of educational programs and strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity.

The effect of presence of family members on the anxiety level of candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Anxiety and its control is a public health problem worldwide. This study was conducted to determine the effect of family members' presence on the anxiety level of patients who were candidates for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD). Methods: This randomized controlled trial study was performed in Shahid Chamran hospital in city of Saveh in IR Iran. In this study, 96 patients who were candidates for EGD and met the inclusion criteria were assigned into control and intervention groups by simple random sampling method. The demographic questionnaire and Spiel Berger's State and Trait Anxiety Questionnaire (STAI) were used to measure anxiety. Results: No significant difference was found between the 2 groups in the mean level of anxiety before intervention (p= 0.13). After intervention, the level of anxiety decreased significantly in the intervention group (p= 0.001). However, the mean level of anxiety was not significant in the control group after intervention (p= 0.09). Conclusion: The results of the present study showed that the presence of family members during endoscopy may reduce the patient's anxiety level, and thus it is recommended as a non-pharmaceutical, beneficial, and safe intervention.

The impact of the learning contract on self-directed learning and satisfaction in nursing students in a clinical setting.

Background: The most important responsibilities of an education system are to create self-directed learning opportunities and develop the required skills for taking the responsibility for change. The present study aimed at determining the impact of a learning contract on self-directed learning and satisfaction of nursing students. Methods: A total of 59 nursing students participated in this experimental study. They were divided into six 10-member groups. To control the communications among the groups, the first 3 groups were trained using conventional learning methods and the second 3 groups using learning contract method. In the first session, a pretest was performed based on educational objectives. At the end of the training, the students in each group completed the questionnaires of self-directed learning and satisfaction. The results of descriptive and inferential statistical methods (dependent and independent t tests) were presented using SPSS. Results: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in gender, grade point average of previous years, and interest toward nursing. However, the results revealed a significant difference between the 2 groups in the total score of self-directed learning (p= 0.019). Although the mean satisfaction score was higher in the intervention group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: This study suggested that the use of learning contract method in clinical settings enhances self-directed learning among nursing students. Because this model focuses on individual differences, the researcher highly recommends the application of this new method to educators.