Peer interventions to improve HIV testing uptake among immigrants: A realist review.

Background: As a vulnerable group in HIV control programs, immigrants face various obstacles to HIV testing. Despite the effectiveness of peer interventions on health promotion in HIV testing, relatively little is known about how these interventions work. This realist review aims to understand why, how, and under what conditions peer interventions can improve immigrants' HIV testing uptake. Methods: We followed the steps suggested by Pawson and colleagues for conducting the realist review. To test a initial program theory, we first systematically searched databases of PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane, as well as the websites of UNAIDS, World Bank, Global Fund, WHO, and IOM. After data extraction and quality appraisal, data synthesis was conducted to explain the intervention pathways corresponding to context-mechanism-outcome configurations. Results: Seventeen studies were included in the review. Peer interventions for improving immigrants' HIV testing uptake worked through four pathways: Following the improvement of communications (as a proximal mechanism): 1) increasing awareness, 2) reduced stigma, 3) improved support, and 4) increased access to services could lead to improved HIV testing uptake among immigrants. The identified mechanisms were influenced by three groups of individual/ interpersonal, service delivery, and structural factors. Conclusion: Peer interventions with multiple strategies to be designed and implemented considering the barriers to HIV testing and also moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches can successfully improve the immigrants' HIV testing uptake. The refined program theory in this study can help the healthcare providers and policy-makers promote the immigrants' HIV testing uptake and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Comparing Auditory and Visual Distractions for Reducing Pain Severity and Pain Anxiety in Older Outpatients with Burn: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Pain and anxiety are major issues among older patients with burn injuries. Complementary medicine and non-pharmacological methods can relieve pain and anxiety in older people, but comparison of the effects of these methods needs further research. This study aimed to compare the effects of auditory and visual distractions on pain severity and pain anxiety in older outpatients referred to a burn clinic for dressing change. In this randomized controlled clinical trial, older men were randomly assigned to three groups as auditory distraction, visual distraction, and control (n = 45 in each group). The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Burn Specific Pain Anxiety Scale (BSPAS) were used to asses pain severity and pain anxiety before and immediately after the interventions, and after wound dressing. Reduction in pain severity and pain anxiety after visual distraction was reported. Auditory distraction only reduced pain anxiety. Therefore, visual distraction had a better effect on alleviating pain anxiety compared with auditory distraction. Visual distraction is suggested to be used during dressing changes for older outpatients with burn injuries in outpatient clinics in order to reduce their burn-related suffering and improve their collaboration with the therapeutic regimen.

Aromatherapy Massage vs. Foot Reflexology on the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome in Female Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis.

This study aimed to compare the effects of reflexology and aromatherapy massage on the severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 105 female patients undergoing hemodialysis. A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in a hemodialysis center with 48 beds in a high turnover hospital in an urban area of Iran. Intervention groups received reflexology (n = 35) and aromatherapy massage using lavender essential oil (n = 35) for 24 sessions, and the placebo group (n = 35) received simple foot massage. The restless legs syndrome rating scale was used to assess RLS severity in the groups before the intervention and after 4 and 8 weeks of the interventions. Results obtained by the mixed model analysis 3 * 3 (3 groups * 3 times) revealed the significant effect of time, group, and the time-group interrelationship (p = 0.001). Aromatherapy massage reduced the RLS severity, but reflexology did not appear to cause any significant reduction in it. Therefore, we suggest that aromatherapy massage be incorporated into routine care for relieving the ailment and suffering of patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Comparison of the Effects of Visual and Auditory Distractions on Fistula Cannulation Pain among Older Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Pain associated with fistula cannulation is a challenge for nurses who provide care to older patients undergoing hemodialysis. Several non-pharmacological methods have been suggested for relieving fistula cannulation pain, but the benefits of visual and auditory distraction methods among older patients undergoing hemodialysis have not been investigated yet. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of visual and auditory distractions on fistula cannulation pain among older patients undergoing hemodialysis. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 120 older patients undergoing hemodialysis. They were randomly assigned to three groups of visual distraction, auditory distraction, and the control (n = 40 in each group) using a simple random assignment method. The distraction interventions continued for three consecutive sessions and the numeric rating scale of pain severity was used for data collection. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis using SPSS. It was found that pain severity significantly reduced after the distraction interventions in either the auditory or visual distraction groups and also after all three distraction sessions (p = 0.001). However, visual distraction had a better effect on the reduction of pain severity. Therefore, while both visual and auditory distractions reduced pain severity in older patients undergoing hemodialysis, visual distraction was more effective. Nurses are encouraged to incorporate visual distraction as a safe and non-pharmacologic technique into routine nursing care for reducing older patients' suffering and improving their wellbeing when fistula cannulation is performed.

Draft Genome Sequence of Cyclic Lipopeptide Producer Pseudomonas sp. Strain SWRI103, Isolated from Wheat Rhizosphere.

The draft genome sequence of wheat rhizosphere isolate Pseudomonas sp. strain SWRI103 is reported. This strain carries several gene clusters encoding nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs), including a system for cyclic lipopeptide (CLP) production, and genes for carotenoid biosynthesis.

A novel homozygous LRRK1 stop gain mutation in a patient suspected with osteosclerotic metaphyseal dysplasia.

Osteosclerotic metaphyseal dysplasia (OSMD) is a very rare autosomal-recessive disorder and a distinctive type of osteopetrosis, characterized mainly by skeletal fractures and deformity, osteosclerosis, and sometimes hypotonia, developmental delay, and seizures. Sequence variants in the leucine-rich repeat kinase 1 (LRRK1) gene underlying OSMD have been reported previously. In the present study, we investigated a 14-year-old girl suspected with OSMD in a consanguineous family of Iranian origin segregating the disease in an autosomal-recessive manner. The patient had severe short stature, multiple sclerotic lesions, sandwich vertebrae, Erlenmeyer flask deformity, and looser zones. The multifocal active bony pathology suggested multifocal bony inflammation or multiple looser fractures. Whole-exome sequencing followed by Sanger sequencing confirmation revealed a novel homozygous stop gain mutation (c.G2785T, p.E929X) in the LRRK1 gene. This is the first mutation in the LRRK1 gene, underlying OSMD, in the Iranian population and the third case worldwide. The mutation is located in the C terminal of the Roc domain, distinct from domains affected in the previous two LRRK1 mutations. Additionally, a new group of clinical indications different from the two previous cases is discussed.

The Effect of Foot Reflexology on Hospital Anxiety and Depression in Female Older Adults: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cardiovascular diseases usually suffer from hospital anxiety and depression. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effect of foot reflexology massage on anxiety and depression in female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety older women with acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned into intervention and control groups (n=45 in each group). RESEARCH DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. INTERVENTION: The intervention and control groups received foot reflexology massage and routine care, respectively. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The levels of anxiety and depression were evaluated using the hospital's anxiety and depression scale (HADS) before and immediately after foot reflexology massage. RESULTS: Foot reflexology massage reduced both anxiety (F(1.44)=19.11, p = .001) and depression (F(1.44)=16.76, p = .001) in acute coronary patients relative to control patients. The intervention had a large effect on hospital anxiety and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Foot reflexology massage is an efficient and safe intervention for alleviating psychological responses among female older adults suffering from acute coronary syndrome during hospitalization.

The effect of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention on anxiety and depression among patients undergoing hemodialysis: A randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study examined the effect of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention on depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 90 patients were enrolled. The intervention group received six sessions of the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention. Data were collected before and 2 weeks after the intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. FINDINGS: Measured levels of anxiety and depression were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared with preintervention levels and to the control group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Nurses can use the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing intervention in clinical practice in combination with psychotropic drugs for the reduction of depression and anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Draft Genome Sequence of Pseudomonas gingeri Strain LMG 5327, the Causative Agent of Ginger Blotch in Agaricus bisporus.

The draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas gingeri LMG 5327 (NCPPB 3146), the causative agent of ginger blotch in Agaricus bisporus, is reported. Together with another mushroom pathogen, Pseudomonas agarici, it belongs to a distinct phylogenomic group.

Aromatherapy massage versus reflexology on female elderly with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue and abnormalities in cardiovascular parameters are recognized as major problems for patients with acute coronary syndrome. Non-pharmacological nursing interventions are useful for controlling this fatigue and reducing patients' suffering during hospitalization. AIM: The present study compared the effects of aromatherapy massage and reflexology on fatigue and cardiovascular parameters in older female patients with acute coronary syndrome. DESIGN: This study was a randomized clinical trial. METHODS: The study was conducted with 135 older female patients with acute coronary syndrome who were hospitalized in a cardiac care unit in 2014. They were invited to participate in the study and then were randomly divided into three groups: 'aromatherapy massage', 'reflexology' and 'control'. The fatigue severity and cardiovascular parameters were assessed using the Rhoten fatigue scale and a checklist. Measurements in the groups were performed before and immediately after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics via the SPSS software. RESULTS: Aromatherapy massage significantly decreased fatigue, systolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and O2 saturation more than the reflexology intervention. However, reflexology reduced patients' heart rates more than an aromatherapy massage (P < 0·05). Moreover, no significant changes were observed in patients' diastolic blood pressures when compared to the control group (P = 0·37). CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of both aromatherapy massage and reflexology has positive effects on the fatigue and cardiovascular parameters of patients with acute coronary syndrome. However, aromatherapy massage can be more beneficial to use as a supportive approach in coronary diseases. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The need for reducing fatigue in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients in a cardiac care unit is evident. The implementation of aromatherapy massage and reflexology had positive effects on patients' fatigue as related to both physical and mental health.

Effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with the acute coronary syndrome: A randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety, depression, and physiologic parameters in older patients with acute coronary syndrome. METHODS: This randomized controlled trial was conducted on 90 older women with acute coronary syndrome. The participants were randomly assigned into the intervention and control groups (n = 45). The intervention group received reflexology with lavender essential oil, but the control group only received routine care. Physiologic parameters, the levels of anxiety and depression in the hospital were evaluated using a checklist and the Hospital's Anxiety and Depression Scale, respectively, before and immediately after the intervention. RESULTS: Significant differences in the levels of anxiety and depression were reported between the groups after the intervention. The analysis of physiological parameters revealed a statistically significant reduction (P < .05) in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate. However, no significant difference was observed in the respiratory rate. CONCLUSIONS: Aromatherapy massage can be considered by clinical nurses an efficient therapy for alleviating psychological and physiological responses among older women suffering from acute coronary syndrome.

Psychometric properties of the Farsi version of Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire in Iranian older adults.

BACKGROUND: Attitudes to the aging process are affected by the individual's sociocultural background. The measurement of this important concept among older people in various societies requires the use of tools that are able to demonstrate both reliability and validity. OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to translate and validate the Attitudes to Aging Questionnaire (AAQ) and investigate its psychometric features among Iranian older people. METHODS: In this methodological study, the Farsi version of the AAQ was validated among 400 Iranian older adults who were members of citizen clubs in an urban area of Iran. Content, face and construct (exploratory factor analysis) validities of the AAQ were assessed. In addition, its reliability was assessed in terms of internal consistency and stability. For discriminant validity, the discriminant power of the AAQ in terms of gender and education levels was evaluated. Criterion validity showed a significant correlation between the most subscales of the AAQ and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The exploratory factor analysis confirmed the construct validity of the AAQ. The result of the test-retest reliability with a 2-week interval was satisfactory and reported as r=0.90 (p<0.001). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was reported as 0.75 for the whole instrument and 0.85-0.93 for its dimensions. There were associations between the AAQ subscales, SF-36 quality of life (r=0.56, p<0.001) and WHOQOL-BREF (r=0.78, p<0.001), indicating an appropriate convergent validity. The ability to discriminate between male and female participants and those with lower and higher education levels was demonstrated, thus lending support to claims for adequate known-group validity. CONCLUSION: The Farsi version of the AAQ showed favorable validity and reliability. Therefore, it can be used for assessing attitudes toward aging among older adults.