Hepatoprotective effect of Holothuria leucospilota methanolic extract on dimethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Background:Complementary medicine is an interesting field for extracting bio-active compounds from various plant and animal sources.The hepatoprotective effect of the methanolic extract of a species of sea cucumber called Holothuria leu-cospilota in an animal model of liver cancer caused by dimethyl nitrosamine(DMN)was studied.Methods:Wistar female rats were randomly divided into five groups(n=12):control(intact),positive control(received 1%DMN[10 mg/kg/week,intraperitoneally]for 12 weeks),and three treatment groups(received 50,100,and 200 mg/kg/day H.leu-cospilota extract orally for 12 weeks along with intraperitoneal administration of 1%DMN[10 mg/kg/week]).In all groups,ultrasound was performed on the liver every week to check its density.Blood sampling and liver isolation were performed on three occasions,at 4,8,and 12 weeks,to check liver enzymes and the histopathological condition of the liver tissue(every week,four animals from each group were randomly selected).Results:Liver density changes were evident from the eighth week onward in the positive control group.Histopathological results indicated pathologic changes in the positive control group after 4 weeks.The increase in liver enzymes in the posi-tive control group was significantly different from that in the treatment and control groups.Conclusions:We demonstrated the hepatoprotective effect of H.leucospilota on DMN-induced liver damage in rats using biochemical and histological parameters and ultrasonography.More additional research(in silico or in vitro)is needed to find the exact mechanism and the main biological compound in H.leucospilota.

Neuroprotective potential of traditional Ayurvedic Kadha:age-related neurological disorders:a comprehensive literature review

Despite modern medicine’s advancements,age-related neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease remain challenging due to high costs,side effects,and limited accessibility.Ayurveda,a traditional Indian medicine system,offers Kadha tea as a potential herbal option.This review explores Kadha’s components(basil(Ocimum basilicum L.),black pepper(Piper nigrum L.),Cinnamon(Cinnamomum verum J.Presl),ginger(Zingiber officinale Roscoe),and raisin(Vitis vinifera L.))and their interaction with various neurological disorders.Studies suggest Kadha exhibits anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and antiviral properties,potentially impacting Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,neurotoxicity,neuroinflammation,and brain trauma.By focusing on specific disease mechanisms and Kadha’s intergrade effects,this review aims to elucidate its potential role in managing age-related neurological disorders.

Evaluation of clinical competence and its related factors among ICU nurses in Kermanshah-Iran: A cross-sectional study

Objectives:The present study was conducted to evaluate the clinical competence and its related demographic factors among critical care nurses in Kermanshah,Iran.Methods:In this cross-sectional study,155 Iranian nurses were selected by stratified random sampling.The data collection tools included a personal information form and the"Nurse Competence Scale".Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistics.Results:The mean score of nurses'clinical competence was equal to 76.14±1.59 out of 100,which was at a"very good level".The mean score of using clinical competence in practice was equal to 70.38±15.25 out of 100,which was at a"good level".Among the subscales of clinical competence,the highest mean score was related to"managing situation".The mean score of"using clinical competence in practice"was related to the subscale of"therapeutic interventions".There was no statistically significant difference among the score of clinical competence of nurses varying with different gender,age,academic degree,and work experience.Conclusions:The clinical competence of critical care nurses in Kermanshah was at a"very good"level,and the use of clinical competence in practice was at a"good level."Given the importance of clinical competencies in practice,nurses'clinical competence should be evaluated objectively and positive measures should be taken to promote the application of their clinical competence.

Concerns, performance, and awareness of people when experiencing haze and dust storms in Kermanshah

This study investigated the concerns and awareness of people in Kermanshah when haze and dust storms occur and also discussed the people’s performance during occurring and diffusion of this phenomenon. This descriptive-analytic study was done by component questionnaire and its sustainability and validity have been verified. The sample size of the statistical population of Kermanshah was selected as 400 people while it was considered that the population of the city was approximately 1 million people. The results showed that 77% of the participants in the study suffered from respiratory problems when the haze occurred. A total of 85.5% of the respondents in the present study believed that the precipitation rate had a direct effect to reduce haze. Also, 85% of the people with heart disorder had health problems during the haze. 63.3% of all participants had to use medical services when the haze occurred. However, 77.3% of participants were unaware of the necessary actions of the authorities when the haze occurred. Most of the studied people acknowledged that they obtained information about the negative effects of dust storms and the methods of reducing the effects to their health through broadcasting.

Study of non-revenue water status and enforcement measures to reduce water loss:case study in villages of Kermanshah Province of Iran

In this study, the volume and the cash value of water loss, and reduction of water loss as a result of enforcement action during 2011-2013 in the drinking water network of villages in Kermanshah Province, tran, have been investigated. Date collected by referring to the different parts of rural water and waste water company of Kermanshah Province and checklist were completed. The study showed the volume of produced water and sold water has increased and the water loss percentage has decreased. High cost of water production compared to revenue of sold water and water loss resulted in significant detriments in terms of the water production costs. Water loss level decreased from 33% to 30% as result of measures taken to reduce water loss but, it is still 15% higher than the world average level. Also the reduction in number of water resources and increase in the number and volume of reservoirs indicates a lack of water and a growing need. As result of high water loss, waste of costs in the contrast of water production cost and also because physical water loss accounts for most of the water loss of villages, necessary measures can be effective in reducing loss and have economic justification.

Prevalence of Hydatid Cyst in Slaughtered Livestock in Kermanshah (West Iran)

Background: Hydatidosis or echinococcosis is one of the most important economic and public health problems in many regions of the world that livestock are kept such as Iran. This study was to determine the prevalence of hydatid cyst in slaughtered livestock in Kermanshah (west Iran) (2012). Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on all slaughtered livestock during 24 months period, from March 2012 until February 2013. 70,020 carcasses were observed and inspected (including: 24,507 cattle, 35,010 sheep and 10,503 goats). All cysts were examined under direct microscopy for determine the kind of cysts (fertile and infertile cyst). Results: The prevalence of hydatid cyst was 2.20% in cattle, 2.78% in sheep and 0.19% in goat. Liver in cattle with 1.42%, in sheep with 2.25%, and in goat with 0.13% was contaminated. Also lung in cattle with 0.76%, in sheep with 0.53%, and in goat with 0.06% was contaminated. Heart was contaminated only in cattle with 0.024%. Sheep with 45% and goat with 90.47% had highest fertile cyst and infertile cyst, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of hydatid cyst in slaughtered livestock in Kermanshah was lowest, as compared with other regions of Iran. Despite this, hygienic programs should be done in order to decrease, control and prevent of parasitic infection.

Role of Cannabinoid CB1 Receptor in Object Recognition Memory Impairment in Chronically Rapid Eye Movement Sleep-deprived Rats

Objective We aimed to investigate whether antagonism of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor(CB1R)could affect novel object recognition(NOR)memory in chronically rapid eye movement sleep-deprived(RSD)rats.Methods The animals were examined for recognition memory following a 7-day chronic partial RSD paradigm using the multiple platform technique.The CB1R antagonist rimonabant(1 or 3 mg/kg,i.p.)was administered either at one hour prior to the sample phase for acquisition,or immediately after the sample phase for consolidation,or at one hour before the test phase for retrieval of NOR memory.For the reconsolidation task,rimonabant was administered immediately after the second sample phase.Results The RSD episode impaired acquisition,consolidation,and retrieval,but it did not affect the reconsolidation of NOR memory.Rimonabant administration did not affect acquisition,consolidation,and reconsolidation;however,it attenuated impairment of the retrieval of NOR memory induced by chronic RSD.Conclusions These findings,along with our previous report,would seem to suggest that RSD may affect different phases of recognition memory based on its duration.Importantly,it seems that the CB1R may,at least in part,be involved in the adverse effects of chronic RSD on the retrieval,but not in the acquisition,consolidation,and reconsolidation,of NOR memory.

Investigation of litigation in trauma orthopaedic surgery

BACKGROUND It has been said that the number of orthopaedic claims has increased in the last few years. Investigation through the most prevalent cause would help to prevent further cases.AIM To review the cases of medical complaints in orthopedic patients who had been involved in a traumatic accident.METHODS A retrospective multi-center review of trauma orthopaedic-related malpractice lawsuits from 2010 to 2021 was conducted utilizing the regional medicolegal database. Defendant and plaintiff characteristics along with fracture location, allegations, and litigation outcomes were investigated.RESULTS A total of 228 claims referred to trauma-related conditions with a mean age of 31.29 ± 12.56 were enrolled. The most common injuries were at hand, thigh, elbow, and forearm, respectively.Likewise, the most common alleged complication was related to malunion or nonunion. In 47% of the cases, the main problem that led to the complaint was the inappropriate or insufficient explanation to the patient, and in 53%, there was a problem in the surgery. Eventually, 76% of the complaints resulted in a defense verdict, and 24% resulted in a plaintiff verdict.CONCLUSION Surgical treatment of hand injuries and surgery in non-educational hospitals received the most complaints. The majority of litigation outcomes were caused by a physician’s failure to fully explain and educate the traumatic orthopedic patients and technological errors.

Grifola frondosa polysaccharides alleviate Alzheimer's disease in rats

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Grifola frondosa polysaccharides(GFP)in a rat model of Alzheimer’s disease(AD).Methods:Seventy-five rats were divided into five groups:the normal control group and the AD group treated with or without GFP(100,200,and 400 mg/kg).Behavioral responses in the open field test and elevated plus maze test were assessed.Additionally,the levels of malondialdehyde and ferric-reducing ability of plasma,and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βin the hippocampus were measured.Results:Treatment with GFP significantly improved AD-induced behavioral changes in the open field test and elevated plus maze test(P<0.05).In addition,the level of malondialdehyde and the mRNA expressions of TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1βwere decreased by GFP treatment in a dose-dependent manner in AD rats(P<0.05),while the level of ferric-reducing ability of plasma was significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusions:Oral administration of GFP can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress,as well as improve behavioral responses associated with AD,suggesting its potential use in AD treatment.However,additional studies are needed to elucidate its underlying mechanisms and efficacy.

Role of dietary polyphenols in the management of peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcer disease is a multifactorial and complex disease involving gastric and duodenal ulcers.Despite medical advances,the management of peptic ulcer and its complications remains a challenge,with high morbidity and death rates for the disease.An accumulating body of evidence suggests that,among a broad reach of natural molecules,dietary polyphenols with multiple biological mechanisms of action play a pivotal part in the management of gastric and duodenal ulcers.The current review confirmed that dietary polyphenols possess protective and therapeutic potential in peptic ulcer mediated by:improving cytoprotection,re-epithelialization,neovascularization,and angiogenesis; up-regulating tissue growth factors and prostaglandins; down-regulating anti-angiogenic factors; enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthasederived NO; suppressing oxidative mucosal damage; amplifying antioxidant performance,antacid,and antisecretory activity; increasing endogenous mucosal defensive agents; and blocking Helicobacter pylori colonization associated gastric morphological changes and gastroduodenal inflammation and ulceration.In addition,anti-inflammatory activity due to downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines and cellular and int e r c e llular adhe s ion age nt s,s uppr e s s ing leukocyte-endothelium interaction,inhibiting nuclear signaling pathways of inflammatory process,and modulating intracellular transduction and transcription pathways have key roles in the anti-ulcer action of dietary polyphenols.In conclusion,administration of a significant amount of dietary polyphenols in the human diet or as part of dietary supplementation along with conventional treatment can result in perfect security and treatment of peptic ulcer.Further welldesigned preclinical and clinical tests are recommended in order to recognize higher levels of evidence for the confirmation of bioefficacy and safety of dietary polyphenols in the management of peptic ulcer.

Effect of tranexamic acid on the treatment of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding: A double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial

Objective:To determine the efficacy of tranexamic acid(TXA)in the management of acute upper gastrointestinal(GI)bleeding.Methods:A total of 70 patients with acute upper GI bleeding were included in this double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial from September 2018 to December 2018.Patients were divided into the control group(received fluid therapy and intravenous infusion of pantoprazole,35 cases)and the TXA group(received intravenous TXA besides the treatment of control group,35 cases).Rebleeding,admission duration,and need for blood transfusion were compared between the two groups.Results:Fifteen patients(42.9%)in the TXA group and 10 patients(28.6%)in the control group stayed in hospital for more than 3 days during their admission(P=0.21).Rebleeding occurred in 8 patients(22.9%)and 5 patients(14.3%)of the TXA group and the control group,respectively(P=0.35).More patients in the TXA group(21 cases,60%)received blood transfusion than the control group(8 cases,22.9%)(P=0.02).Conclusions:TXA did not improve the outcome of patients with acute upper GI bleeding.

Omeprazole-based triple therapy with low-versus high-dose of clarithromycin plus amoxicillin for H pylori eradication in Iranian population

AIM： To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of H pylori eradication in an omeprazole-based triple therapy with high and low dose of clarithromycin and amoxicillin. METHODS： One hundred and sixty H pylori positive patients were randomly assigned to two groups based on the following 2 wk investigation; （1） group A or low-dose regimen received omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d, clarithromycin 250 mg b.i.d and amoxicillin 500 mg b.i.d; and （2） group B or high-dose regimen received omeprazole 20 mg b.i.d, clarithromycin 500 mg b.i.d and amoxicillin 1000 mg b.i.d. During the study Hpylori status was assessed by histology and rapid urease test prior and by 13C-urea breath test 6 wk after the therapy. Standard questionnaires were administered to determine the compliance to treatment and possible adverse events of therapy. Data were subject to x^2 to compare the eradication rates in the two groups. The significant level of 95% （P ≤ 0.05） was considered statistically different. RESULTS： We found that the per-protocol eradication rate was 88% （68/77） in group A, and 89% （67/75） in group B. The intension-to-treat eradication rate was 85% （68/80） in group A and 83.75% （67180） in group B. Overall adverse events were 26% in group A and 31% in group B. The adverse events were generally mild in nature and tolerated well in both groups with a compliance of 98% in group A vs 96% in group B. CONCLUSION： The omeprazole-based low dose regimen of darithromycin and amoxicillin for two weeks in Hpylori eradication is as effective as high dose regimen in Iranian population.

Single intratesticular injection of blood-serum-derived exosomes can potentially alleviate testopathy following testicular torsion

Background:Testicular torsion(TT)is an acute inflammatory process leading to male infertility.Today,anti-i nflammatory effects of exosomes derived from blood serum are used in various laboratory procedures.In the present study,the anti-i nflammatory effects of blood-serum-derived exosomes in treatment of acute inflammation following TT in mice were evaluated.Materials and Methods:Eighteen male mice were grouped as healthy control,TT,and TT+exosome.TT was induced surgically,and exosomes were extracted from blood serum and administrated by a single intratesticular injection(10 IU).Malondialdehyde(MDA)and Griess assays were used to evaluate the level of oxidative stress.Sperm indices,testosterone(Tes),and apoptotic gene expression(p-53,Bcl2,and Caspase-3)were also assessed.H&E and immunohistochemistry(IHC)stainings were used for histopathological investigations.Data analysis was applied by SPSS(v.19)software.Results:Oxidative stress and apoptotic genes expression were increased significantly(p<0.05)in TT group compared with control.Sperm parameters and Tes were significantly increased,and expression of apoptotic genes was significantly reduced in TT+exosome group(p<0.05).Conclusion:Since the blood-serum-derived exosomes have anti-i nflammatory features,the intratesticular application of blood-serum-derived exosomes can be used clinically in acute phase of orchitis following TT to inhibit testicular inflammation.

New Exact Solutions to the (2+1)-Dimensional Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur Equation: Modification of the Extended Homoclinic Test Approach

By means of modification of the extended homoclinic test approach (mEHTA),we obtain some new exact soliton solutions for the (2+1)-dimensional Ablowitz-Kaup-Newell-Segur (AKNS) equation by obtaining a bilinear closed form for it.

New rat to mouse xenograft transplantation of endometrium as a model of human endometriosis

Background:Endometriosis can lead to infertility.Since there is no definitive treat-ment for endometriosis,animal modelling seems necessary to examine the possible treatments.Mouse endometrium cannot be separated for endometriosis induc-tion.In addition,transplantation of uterus into the abdominal viscera to induce endometriosis causes organ damage.In this study,we defined a new model of en-dometriosis leading to separability of endometrium and a safe anatomical region for transplantation.Methods:Forty female mice were allocated to 5 groups:1,sham;2,allograft uterus transplantation of mice to anterior abdominal wall of mice;3,allograft uterus trans-plantation of mice to mesentery of mice;4,xenograft endometrial transplantation of rat to anterior abdominal wall of mice;5,xenograft endometrial transplantation of rat to mesentery of mice.Adult female rats with a previous pregnancy experience were selected and placed in the vicinity of male rats for 2 weeks to induce estrogen secre-tion and increase endometrial thickness.Results:In the 4th group of animals,compared to sham,the peritoneal concentrations of VEGF-A,TNF-α,NO,MDA,and serum levels of CA-125 and IL-37 were increased and total body weight was decreased,while weight and size of endometrial lesions were increased significantly(P<.05).Genes expression of HOXA10 and HOXA11 were decreased significantly(P<.05)in groups 2 and 4 compared to sham.Conclusions:Xenograft transplantation of endometrium from rat to anterior abdomi-nal wall of mice can potentially mimic human endometriosis morphologically,histo-logically,and genetically.

Analysis of dynamic wave model for flood routing in natural rivers

Flooding is a common natural disaster that causes enormous economic, social, and human losses. Of various flood routing methods, the dynamic wave model is one of the best approaches for the prediction of the characteristics of floods during their propagations in natural rivers because all of the terms of the momentum equation are considered in the model. However, no significant research has been conducted on how the model sensitivity affects the accuracy of the downstream hydrograph. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the input parameters 9f the dynamic wave model was performed through field applications in natural rivers and routing experiments in artificial channels using the graphical multi-parametric sensitivity analysis （GMPSA）. The results indicate that the effects of input parameter errors on the output results are more significant in special situations, such as lower values of Manning＇s roughness coefficient and/or a steeper bed slope on the characteristics of a design hydrograph, larger values of the skewness factor and/or time to peak on the channel characteristics, larger values of Manning＇s roughness coefficient and/or the bed slope on the space step, and lower values of Manning＇s roughness coefficient and/or a steeper bed slope on the time step and weighting factor.

Psychological problems as the major cause of fatigue in clients undergoing hemodialysis: A qualitative study

Background:It is obvious that hemodialysis is a stressful process,leading to numerous social and psychological problems,and may cause fatigue and helplessness.Objective:This study aimed to explain the experiences of hemodialysis clients regarding the effect of psychological problems on fatigue.Methods:This article was extracted from a qualitative study conducted on clients undergoing hemodialysis in Khorramabad.To this end,a total of 15 participants were purposefully selected using the snowball sampling method and the required data was collected using individual,face to face,detailed and semi-structured interviews.There were 12 client interviewees and one doctor,one nurse and one hemodialysis client's spouse.Content analysis was used to analyze the data.Results:Continuous analysis of data and documents obtained from the interviews on the hemodialysis clients'experiences and comments regarding the main causes of fatigue revealed two main categories:1)Psychological effects with subcategories of psychological stress and exhaustion;2)Needs and constraints with subcategories of individual and social needs and constraints.Conclusion:According to the clients'speech and expression analysis,psychological impacts and disease-induced needs and constraints were the most important cause of fatigue and its continuation among these clients.

Analytical study of care quality and moral distress in clinical situations and patient care

Objective: Nursing profession conventionally meets a high standard of ethical behavior and action. One of the ethical challenges in nursing profession is moral distress. Nurses frequently expose to this phenomenon which leads to different consequences such as being bored by delivering patient care that decline care quality and make it challenging to achieve health purposes. This study was conducted to investigate the association between the aspects of moral distress and care quality.Methods: In this descriptive–analytical study, 545 nurses of intensive and cardiac care units and dialysis and psychiatric wards were recruited by census sampling. Three questionnaires, Sociodemographics, Moral Distress Scale, and Quality Patient Care Scale, were distributed among the participants and collected within 9 months. Data analysis was conducted by descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and the least significant difference in SPSS 13.Results: Investigating moral distress domains(ignoring patient, decision-making power, and professional competence) and care quality domains(psychosocial, physical, and communicational) demonstrated that in being exposed to moral distress, ignoring patient had no effect on psychosocial domain(P=0.056), but decision-making and professional competence of moral distress had positive effect on psychosocial, physical(bodily), and communication domains of care quality.Conclusions: Because moral distress domains are effective on patient care quality, it is recommended to enhance the knowledge of nurses, especially beginners, about moral distress, increase their strength alongside standardizing nursing services in decisionmaking domains, improve the professional competence, and pay attention to patients.

Disinfection of dairy wastewater effluent through solar photocatalysis processes

Due to the strict regulations and reuse policies that govern wastewater's use as an irrigation water resource for agricultural purposes, especially in dry climates, optimization of the disinfection process is of the utmost importance. The effects of solar radiation along with Titanium dioxide(TiO_2) nanoparticles applied to optimization of the photolysis and photocatalysis processes for inactivating heterotrophic bacteria were investigated. Temperature, p H, and dissolved oxygen fluctuations in the dairy wastewater effluent treated by activated sludge were examined. In addition,different dosages of TiO_2 were tested in the solar photocatalysis(ph-C S) and concentrated solar photocatalysis(ph-C CS) processes. The results show that the disinfection efficiencies of the solar photolysis(ph-L S) and concentrated solar photolysis(ph-L CS) processes after 30 min were about 10.5% and 68.9%, respectively, and that the ph-C S and ph-C CS processes inactivated 41% and 97% of the heterotrophic bacteria after 30 min, respectively. The p H variation in these processes was negligible. Using the ph-L CS and ph-C CS processes, the synergistic effect between the optical and thermal inactivation caused complete disinfection after three hours. However, disinfection was faster in the ph-C CS process than in the ph-L CS process. Significant correlations were found between the disinfection efficiency and the variation of the dissolved oxygen concentration in the ph-C S and ph-C CS processes, while the correlations between the disinfection efficiency and temperature variation were not significant in the ph-L S and ph-C S processes. Moreover, the oxygen consumption rate was greatest(3.2 mg··L^(-1)) in the ph-C CS process. Hence,it could be concluded that the ph-C CS process is an efficient photocatalysis process for disinfection of dairy wastewater effluent.