Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)-based cell therapy for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) therapy.

Recently, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) therapy has become an emerging therapeutic modality for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), given their immunoregulatory and pro-survival attributes. MSCs alleviate dysregulated inflammatory responses through the secretion of a myriad of anti-inflammatory mediators, such as interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor-ß (TGFß), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6), etc. Indeed, MSC treatment of IBD is largely carried out through local microcirculation construction, colonization and repair, and immunomodulation, thus alleviating diseases severity. The clinical therapeutic efficacy relies on to the marked secretion of various secretory molecules from viable MSCs via paracrine mechanisms that are required for gut immuno-microbiota regulation and the proliferation and differentiation of surrounding cells like intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) and intestinal stem cells (ISCs). For example, MSCs can induce IECs proliferation and upregulate the expression of tight junction (TJs)-associated protein, ensuring intestinal barrier integrity. Concerning the encouraging results derived from animal studies, various clinical trials are conducted or ongoing to address the safety and efficacy of MSCs administration in IBD patients. Although the safety and short-term efficacy of MSCs administration have been evinced, the long-term efficacy of MSCs transplantation has not yet been verified. Herein, we have emphasized the illumination of the therapeutic capacity of MSCs therapy, including naïve MSCs, preconditioned MSCs, and also MSCs-derived exosomes, to alleviate IBD severity in experimental models. Also, a brief overview of published clinical trials in IBD patients has been delivered.

Different applications of telemedicine - assessing the challenges, barriers, and opportunities- a narrative review.

Telemedicine (TLM) is a technique of telecommunication used to create, promote, or accelerate health services. Because of its societal significance, the current study attempted to demonstrate its essential applications in the health sector and the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities that lie ahead. Various studies and reports were received based on the subject of the current study, first using MeSH terms related to the subject in authentic and available international databases. After that, 30-related articles were selected based on the study criteria, and then the required results were extracted from the selected studies. The study results showed that TLM has a significant role in more than 13 major areas of health and treatment, and in most of these areas, it has made the relevant affairs easier for both patients and medical staff. Although TLM has many advantages, it still has obstacles and challenges requiring further studies to manage this technology better. Given the high importance of the TLM in the health sector in most countries worldwide, efforts are needed to promote this technology and remove the obstacles in front of it. Therefore, further evaluations of TLM efficiency in terms of economics, speed of action, effectiveness, and the provision of infrastructure are necessary to overcome the obstacles highlighted based on the results of these studies and improve the efficiency of using this technology.

The effect of learning management system on ICU nurses' sustained learning about safe blood transfusion: A quasi-experimental study.

Background and Aims: Transfusion of blood products is an important part of the health care system. Since one of the significant challenges in nursing education is using an effective method that provides depth and stability of learning, this study aimed to assess using a learning management system (LMS) for intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' sustained learning about safe blood transfusion in southeast Iran. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study in southeast of Iran in 2021 in two groups, control and intervention. Two ICUs received lecture training and two ICUs received LMS. The samples 80 nurses were selected by random convenience sampling. In the LMS group, the educational content was presented using Edmodo software. The control group received no intervention except for traditional education (lecture). The questionnaires were completed immediately, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. Results: The mean score of knowledge immediately, 1 month and 3 months after the intervention were 9.53 ± 1.82, 9.46 ± 1.85, and 8 ± 2.94, in the lecture group and 8.91 ± 1.59, 9.47 ± 2.46, and 8.09 ± 1.94 in the LMS group, respectively. The mean score of practice immediately, 1 and 3 months after the intervention were 59.69 ± 39.6, 70.63 ± 7.4, and 83.70 ± 43.6 in the lecture group and 45.68 ± 55.5, 67.69 ± 4.56, and 35.70 ± 46.4 in the LMS group, respectively. The mean score of knowledge and practice in the two groups significantly increased immediately and 1 month and 3 months after intervention (p < 0.001). No significant difference was observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: LMS method has a significant effect on improving the sustained learning of ICU nurses, and no significant difference was observed between the two educational methods. Hence, considering the busy work schedule of nurses, lack of staff, and the impossibility of physical attendance in lecture classes, it seems that LMS-based methods are appropriate alternatives to traditional learning methods.

Are olfactory and gustatory symptoms useful at predicting disease severity markers in COVID-19 infection?

Context: The relationship between olfactory and gustatory dysfunction (OGD) and COVID-19 infection severity is still unclear. Aim: To investigate the correlation between OGD in COVID-19-infected individuals and RT-PCR results, chest CT scan abnormality, lymphocyte counts, hospital admission units, age, body temperature, and blood oxygen saturation. Setting and Design: Case-control study. Materials and Methods: The sample was composed of laboratory and chest X-ray confirmed COVID-19-infected patients from four hospitals. The patients were divided into case and control groups based on the presence of OGD symptoms. The predictor variable was OGD. The outcome variable was gender, hospital admission unit, chest CT scan abnormality, PCR, lymphocyte counts, age, body temperature, and blood oxygen saturation. Statistical Analysis Used: Bivariate statistics were computed and the P value was set at 0.05. Results: The sample consisted of 189 patients. Smell and taste disorders were found in 31.7% and 24.3% of patients, respectively. OGD was significantly correlated with positive PCR results (P < 0.001) and general unit admission (P < 0.05) during hospitalization. Additionally, patients with OGD had significantly lower mean age (P < 0.001), higher body temperature (P < 0.01), and blood oxygen saturation (P < 0.01). However, OGD was not correlated with gender, chest CT scan abnormality, or lymphocyte counts (P > 0.05). Conclusions: OGD symptoms can be used to detect COVID-19-infected patients. OGD can be used to predict less severe disease mainly by its correlation with the less amount of hospital care, more negative PCR results, higher body temperature, and higher blood oxygen saturation.