Explaining sexual self-care status and its predictor factors in women referring to healthcare centers of Sari, Iran, 2021.

INTRODUCTION: With the increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and chronic health problems along with population growth, one of the definitions that is expanding is the ability to adapt and self-manage against diseases and self-care. Although there are several studies to examine self-care in medical conditions, there are not enough concepts and data related to sexual self-care. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of explaining the status of sexual self-care and its predictor factors in women of reproductive age referring to healthcare centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This research was a cross-sectional study that was conducted on 400 women of reproductive age that referring to healthcare centers affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari in 2021. Data were collected using personal-obstetric characteristics and sexual self-care questionnaires in women of reproductive age. Pearson correlation coefficients, independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance and multiple linear regression model were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The average total score of sexual self-care in reproductive age women participating in the research was 70.66% ± 12.52%. In addition, the prevention of women's cancers and the prevention of unintended pregnancies obtained the lowest and highest scores, respectively. Factors such as age, education, education related to medical sciences, history of HIV testing, history of HPV vaccination, source of sexual information, method of contraception and infection-related action in a person can affect the level of sexual self-care in women. Based on the final regression model, education related to medical sciences (B = 5.46, P = 0.035), family income (B = 5.58, P = 0.025), prevention method (B = 10.127, P = 0.000) and action related to infection in the person (B = 12.27, P = 0.047) were the final predictors of sexual self-care score in reproductive age women. CONCLUSION: Based on the findings of the study, development of self-care promotion programs for reproductive aged women are necessary in all areas of reproductive health, with a priority for women's cancer prevention, and focusing on promoting education and related economic assistance. The results of this study can be available to experts and policy makers to design programs to promote sexual self-care in women.

Evaluating the effect of garlic extract on serum inflammatory markers of peritoneal dialysis patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial study.

BACKGROUND: Garlic can be considered as a useful natural herb in inhibition of inflammation. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of garlic extract in lowering inflammatory markers in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: In this parallel-designed double blind randomized clinical trial, 42 PD patients at the Shafa dialysis center, Tehran in 2017 were included. The primary outcome in this study was systemic inflammation which was evaluated by measuring the concentrations of IL-6 and CRP and ESR in serum. RESULTS: Baseline versus after-intervention median (IQR) of IL-6 (pg/ml), CRP (mg/L) and mean ± SD of ESR (mm) in garlic and placebo groups was 2.2 (0.8, 6.4) versus 0.7 (0.6, 1.2) (p <  0.001) and 2.0 (0.8, 2.1) versus 0.6 (0.6, 0.8) (p = 0.002), 13.0 (5.0, 14.0) versus 2.0 (1.0, 9.0) (p <  0.001) and 7.0 (2.0, 10.0) versus 6.0 (3.7, 7.5) (p = 0.547) and 35.4 ± 21.7 versus 50.7 ± 28.5 (p = 0.021) and 46.0 ± 26.0 versus 45.3 ± 22.3 (p = 0.797). Median (IQR) of Percentage Before-After change in CRP was - 71.4%(- 85.7, - 42.9%) and - 20.0%(- 30.0, 114.3%) in garlic and placebo group respectively. The Mann-Whitney U test indicated this difference is statistically significant (p <  0.001). CONCLUSION: The results imply that administrating 400 mg of standardized garlic extract twice a day for 8 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in IL-6, CRP and ESR. Since inflammatory state can be a serious life threatening condition in PD patients, we suggest prescribing this safe and well-tolerated natural substance to attenuate the inflammatory state in these patients. However, assessment of these effects in a larger randomized trial is strongly recommended (IRCTID: IRCT2017072535305N1, 2017-10-16).

Optically active poly(amide-imide)/TiO2 nanocomposites containing amino acid moieties: synthesis and properties.

The novel optically active poly(amide-imide) (PAI)/TiO2 nanocomposites containing fluorene moieties have been successfully synthesized through ultrasonic irradiation. The surface of nanoparticles was chemically modified with γ-aminopropyltriethoxyl silane to enhance the compatibility with polymeric matrix and to avoid the aggregation of nanoparticles. The dispersion of surface-modified TiO2 in PAI film was confirmed by the transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis showing the well-dispersed nanosized TiO2 nanoparticles. The thermal stabilities and optical properties of PAI/surface-modified TiO2 nanocomposite films were also investigated. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed an improvement of thermal stability of novel nanocomposite films as compared to the pure polymer.

Adolescent mental health during covid-19 pandemics: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had wide-ranging outcomes on adolescents' well-being. However, less attention has been paid to the adolescent's mental health during the pandemic. The pandemic may impair adolescents' mental health through stress spillover from other family members, contextual and policy changes, and the disruption of everyday life routines. Therefore, our research is motivated by a need to address the relative scarcity of research examining adolescent mental health during the pandemic. CONTENT: This systematic review was conducted through the medical database, Web of Science, Scopus, Medline, Embase, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases for peer-reviewed, cross-sectional, cohort studies assessing the mental health status of adolescents during the Covid-19 virus pandemic from May 2020 till Dec 2022 without language restriction. Keywords were selected based on the Mesh terms and Emtree. SUMMARY: Studies on coronavirus have revealed many significant psychological effects on teens of all ages. The most commom problems were on the stress and anxiety, sleep disorders, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder. Risk factors were concidered as prior mental health problem, female sexuality, fear of covid-19, nutrition, physical activity and listening the covid 19 news. OUTLOOK: Considering the critical age of teenagers, the role of parents is vital. Health policy maker should support parents as a key factors to approprate care for adolescent. Parents should be educated on parenting methods during the covid pandemic to avoid irreparable damage of adolescent's mental health.

Comment on "Computational study of H[Formula: see text]S adsorption on the pristine and transitional metal-doped phosphorene".

In a recent paper, Molaei et al. (J Mol Model 27:181-188, 2021) studied the H[Formula: see text]S gas adsorption on transition metal (TM) doped phosphorene monolayer using the density functional theory. They claimed that Ti-, V-, Fe- and Sc-doped phosphorene systems are more favorable than the other doped systems. Their electronic calculations showed that they did not consider spin-polarized calculations for TM doped structures. Here, we present all spin-polarized electronic calculations based on generalized gradient approximation (GGA) and GGA plus Hubbard correction (GGA+U). Our results reveal that doped systems are magnetic and thus spin-polarized effect must be considered in these structures.

The effect of backup midwife on maternal experience after vaginal childbirth - a qualitative study.

One of the goals of reproductive health enhancement is to ensure the desired experience of safe childbirth by reducing possible complications, fears, and worries about delivery by ongoing midwife backup care. This study explains women's experiences with a backup midwife during labor and childbirth. This was a qualitative study involving 19 women who had natural childbirth in Hamadan, 2020. Purposeful sampling and data collection were performed using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed by conventional content analysis using MAXQDA software version 10. Data analysis showed three themes and six main categories. The themes included security, high-quality care, and respectful care, consisting of two main categories of perceived empowerment and support, physiological approach and reassuring care, and respect for the mother's privacy and optimal accountability. The presence of a backup midwife during labor caused a sense of security, control, and perceived empowerment, thus a positive childbirth experience. Therefore, it is necessary to train and employ midwifery in the healthcare system. It is recommended to train and employ midwifery graduates for this purpose and include it as one of the basic principles in the current planning to promote natural childbirth.

The status of adolescent health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus is a life-threatening disease with many devastating psychological, emotional, social, and sexual implications, especially for vulnerable people. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess adolescent health and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic. 1300 male adolescents filled out the Male Adolescent Health Need Assessment Scale (MAHNAS) and corona-related anxiety scale (CRAS) from January to May 2021. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 22. The mean age of adolescents was 15.5±2.25, and most of them (65%) were studying in high school. The mean scores for physical health were 78±7.55, psychological health 48.8±5.55, social health 48.21±8.61, sexual health 50.35±9.05, and anxiety scores were severe (46.76) in this study. There was a significant negative relationship between anxiety and health needs. The COVID-19 pandemic greatly affected the health needs of adolescents. Effective approaches and policies in this crisis, especially for adolescents, can alleviate the anxious reactions and be a way to meet their health needs appropriately.

COVID-19 and Kidney Disease: Update on Epidemiology, Clinical Manifestations, Pathophysiology and Management.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is relatively common in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients and it increases mortality and prolongs hospital stay. This article aimed to investigate the history, virology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and management of COVID-19 disease, in general, and the pathogenetic mechanisms of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2)-induced kidney damage, in particular. Keywords like SARS-CoV2, COVID-19, renal impairment, sepsis, viremia, etc. were used to find relevant publications from PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and clinical trials registry websites. According to different studies, kidney involvement in COVID-19 typically occurs in patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) or multiorgan failure. The kidney damage in COVID-19 has been shown to be multifactorial, involving direct viral infection, indirect injury by sepsis, hemodynamic alterations, cytokine storm, disseminated intravascular coagulation and other unknown mechanisms. The presence in kidney of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), a receptor for the virus, has been proven, but few cases of direct viral presence in kidney tissue have been published. Therefore, further studies are needed to investigate the exact mechanisms underlying kidney impairment. Since the development of AKI is one of the important risk factors for mortality in COVID-19 patients, optimal management of AKI may improve the outcomes. Key Words: Acute kidney injury, Angiotensin-converting enzyme, Sepsis, Cytokine storm, Kidney replacement therapy, Coronavirus disease 2019.

A questionnaire to assess women's perception of respectful maternity care (WP-RMC): Development and psychometric properties.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and assess the psychometric properties of Women's Perspection-Respectful Maternity Care (WP-RMC) Questionnaire. DESIGN: An exploratory sequential mixed method study was carried out from March to August 2018 in Tehran, Iran. The questionaire items were generated from the literature review and qualitatatve study. The revised items of questionnaire were assessed for validity via testing for face, content and construct validity and relibility. SETTING: Public and semi-public hospitals, and public primary health care centers. PARTICIPANTS: Postpartum women who had a low risk pregnancy, normal vaginal childbirth and gave birth to a healthy baby with normal birth weight. FINDINGS: The WP-RMC has 19 items that loaded in three factors: Providing comfort, Participatory care and Mistreatment. Exploratory factor analysis jointly accounted for 53.05% of observed variance. The CVI was 0.97 and the CVR in all items was more than 0.79. Cronbach's alpha for all items was 0.91 and ICC was 0.9. KEY CONCLUSIONS: 'The WP-RMCquestionnaire is a valid and reliable tool to measure women's experiences of Respectful Maternity Care. This questionnaire could assess subjective features of quality of childbirth care. It can be used in maternity services trying to evaluate and improve women's care experiences during labour and childbirth. The use of the translation of WP-RMC questionnaire in other countries is recommended.

Social health needs of Iranian male adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Adequate attention to adolescents' health is considered an investment for the future of any country. Adolescents face many social and cultural challenges when they enter a new stage of social life. The advancement of adolescent social health depends on the recognition of their needs. This study aimed to explain the concept of social health needs from the perspectives of male adolescents to improve the health of both adolescents and the society. METHOD: In this qualitative study with a content analysis approach, 52 male adolescents aged 13-18 years participated in 10 semi-structured individual interviews and seven focus group discussions. They expressed their experiences and opinions regarding social health needs. Purposive sampling was performed to recruit the adolescents in different areas of Tehran in 2017. Collected data was analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. RESULTS: The findings were divided into four main themes and eight sub-themes including "need to have a healthy family (healthy family relationships and family responsibility)", "need to have a healthy society (favorable social status and favorable economic situation)", "need to have educational facilities (promoting productivity in schools and public education facilities)", "need to have communication with peers (healthy communication with peers and setting up for communication with peers of the opposite gender)". CONCLUSION: To promote social health in adolescents, it is necessary to plan for the empowerment of community, family, schools and mass media by health authorities and devise appropriate health policies.

Adolescent's psychological health in Iran.

AIM: Adolescence is characterized by dynamic brain development in which the interaction with the social environment shapes the capabilities an individual takes forward into adult life. Improvement of adolescent psychological health depends on the recognition of their needs during this critical transition period. This study aimed to explain the concept of psychological health needs from the perspectives of male adolescents to improve the health of both adolescents and society. METHOD: In this qualitative study with a content analysis approach, 52 male adolescents aged 13-18 years participated in 10 semi-structured individual interviews and seven focus group discussions. They expressed their experiences and opinions regarding psychological health needs. Purposive sampling was performed to recruit the adolescents in different areas of Tehran in 2017. Collected data was analyzed using the conventional content analysis method. RESULTS: The findings were divided into two main themes and five sub-themes including 'self-esteem (self-cognition and Suitable relationship between teen and family)', 'Well-being and calmness (Intellectual affinity, Rich leisure time, Religious beliefs)'. CONCLUSION: To promote emotional health in adolescents, it is necessary to plan for the empowerment of community, family, schools by health authorities and devise appropriate health policies.

The Priorities of Iranian Male Adolescents Health Needs.

Health in the adolescence period guarantees the next generation's health. The assessment of health needs is the first stage for the implementation of health promotion interventions. This study aimed to assess the priorities of male adolescent's health needs in Tehran, Iran, in year 2015. This cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 1,200 male adolescents aged between 13 and 18 years. Single male adolescents studying in public guidance and high schools in Tehran, Iran, in year 2015 were chosen using a random multistage sampling method. Data were collected using the male adolescent health need assessment scale. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. It was found that while the lowest score was for the domain of sexual health, other domains had average or higher than average scores. More attention should be paid to the sexual health needs of male adolescents. Policy makers need to design strategies that help meet the health needs of male adolescents.

Design and Psychometric Properties of Male Adolescent Health Needs-Assessment Scale.

BACKGROUND: Given the importance of adolescents' health in establishing health in the newly thriving generation of every society, the first step for adolescents' health promotion is health needs assessment. The present study was, therefore, conducted to design a valid and reliable scale for health needs assessment of male adolescents. METHODS: This is an exploratory sequential mixed method study (2014-2015). The qualitative part was performed using content analysis approach and aimed to generate items pool. Data collection was performed by 7 focus group discussions with 51 male adolescents, and 10 semi-structured in-depth interviews with 10 other adolescents. Nine further in-depth interviews were also performed with 9 key informants. Purposive sampling was used and continued until data saturation. In the quantitative part, the designed scale was psychometrically assessed through the examination of the face and content validities using qualitative and quantitative methods and also the construct validity using the exploratory factor analysis along with the tool's internal consistency and stability. RESULTS: The content analysis of the data from the qualitative part led to the extraction of 4 main themes and 103 items, which moved to the quantitative stage. The mean content validity index of the scale was estimated 0.91 and content validity ratio was 0.89. The exploratory factor analysis showed 4 factors for the designed scale (49 items), including physical, psychological, social and sexual health needs. The internal consistency and the stability assessment of the scale showed 0.79 and 0.89, respectively. (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: According to the psychometric assessment, MAHNAS is a valid and reliable scale compatible with the Iranian culture that can be used in the health needs assessment of male adolescents.

Patterns of antimicrobial resistance in the causative organisms of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a single centre, six-year experience of 1981 samples.

Background/Aims. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. This study aims to determine the microbial agents of SBP and the pattern of antibiotic resistance, in a large number of ascitic samples. Methodology. In a cross-sectional, single center, hospital based study, 1981 consecutive ascitic fluid samples were recruited from 2005 to 2011. Samples were dichotomized into three-year periods, in order to assess the trend of resistance to the first-line empirical antibiotics. Results. SBP was found in 482 (24.33%) of samples, of which 314 (65.15%) were culture positive. The most prevalent isolated pathogen was E. coli (33.8%), followed by staphylococcus aureus (8.9%) and Enterococcus (8.6%). No significant changes in the proportion of gram-negative/gram-positive infections occurred during this period. A percentage of resistant strains to cefotaxime (62.5%, 85.7%), ceftazidim (73%, 82.1%), ciprofloxacin (30, 59.8%), ofloxacin (36.8%, 50%), and oxacilin (35%, 51.6%) were significantly increased. E. coli was most sensitive to imipenem, piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin, ceftizoxime, and gentamicin. Conclusions. The microbial aetiology of SBP remains relatively constant. However, the resistance rate especially to the first-line recommended antibiotics was significantly increased. This pattern must be watched closely and taken into account in empirical antibiotic treatment.

Effects of licorice on relief and recurrence of menopausal hot flashes.

Vasomotor hot flash is the most common and distressful complication of menopausal women. Its treatment is the most frequent clinical challenge. As a result, an effective and harmless therapy is needed. This double-blind controlled clinical trial was conducted to determine the effects of licorice roots on the relief and recurrence of hot flash in menopausal women referring to the healthcare centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti Medical University in 2010. Ninety menopausal women complaining of hot flash were selected by reviewing their records in healthcare centers and randomly divided into 2 licorices (3 capsules daily containing 330 mg licorice abstract) and placebo (3 capsules daily containing 330 mg starch) groups over the 8 weeks of intervention and 4 weeks of follow-up. Two weeks prior to the intervention, the severity as well as frequency of hot flashes and the foods taken were asked and documented with questionnaires and data sheets. Data within and between the groups were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measurements and t-test respectively. Means of age and body mass index (BMI) of the subjects in licorice and placebo groups were 53 ± 3.2, 52.69 ± 2.8, 24.71 ± 3.2 and 23.61 ± 3.3, respectively. The groups were similar in terms of intervening variables. The frequency of hot flash decreased significantly in the experimental (than the placebo group) and this lasted for 2 weeks after the administration of the capsules. The severity of hot flash decreased in the licorice group as well. This decrease was also seen in the placebo group in the first week of the intervention. Decreased hot flash in the placebo group was only significant after the 1(st) week of intervention compared to the previous period. Recurrence of frequency and severity of hot flashes occurred 2 weeks after the termination of therapy. The significant decrease in the placebo group after the 1(st) week of the intervention may be attributed to the psychological effects of placebo. Licorice roots decreased the frequency and severity of hot flashes. The administration of this harmless, inexpensive herb well accepted by the menopausal women together with the appropriate and continuous physical activities and consumption of dairy products are recommended for relieving this complication.