Perceived stress and coping strategies among emergency department nurses and emergency medical services staff during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Iran: A cross-sectional correlational study.

Background and Purpose: Emergency department (ED) nurses and emergency medical services (EMS) staff as the main parts of care on the front line of treatment during the outbreak of COVID-19 experienced great challenges in their work and life, which caused them a lot of stress. Since limited studies have investigated perceived stress and coping strategies among ED nurses and EMS staff in Iran, this study was conducted to investigate perceived stress and coping strategies among ED nurses and EMS staff during the outbreak of the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Ardabil, Iran. Materials and methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 327 ED nurses and EMS staff in 2021. The samples were selected by convenient sampling method, and data were collected by demographic and perceived stressors and coping strategies against the outbreak of COVID-19 questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 22) using descriptive (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and analytical (Pearson correlation, t-test, and ANOVA) statistical tests and multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The most stressful factors were related to the transmission of the disease to the family and seeing the death of COVID-19 patients in front of their eyes. The most commonly used coping strategies were strict personal protective measures for all hospitalized patients and the use of clothes that the hospital prepared separately to reduce the transmission of the virus. The results of multiple linear regression showed employees' emotions (ß = 0.429, p < 0.001), gender (ß = 0.225, p < 0.001), coping strategies (ß = 0.209, p < 0.001), stress-reducing factors (ß = 0.124, p = 0.014), worry (ß = -0.182, p < 0.001), and workplace (ß = -0.149, p = 0.045) were effective predictors of perceived stress. Conclusion: Coping methods such as following strict personal protective measures, using special clothes, and seeing the recovery status of patients and colleagues were effective factors in reducing the perceived stress of health workers. Therefore, it is necessary to provide health workers with training on coping strategies and psychological support in the current crisis and possible epidemics in the future.

Plasma-based one-step synthesis of tungsten oxide nanoparticles in short time.

Nanostructured tungsten oxide as a semiconductor metal oxide has attracted considerable attention due to its promising and notable properties. Tungsten oxide nanoparticles can be used in a wide range of technology and applications such as catalysts, sensors, supercapacitors, etc. In this study, nanoparticles were prepared via a simple method using an atmospheric glow discharge. This modern approach had many advantages such as high efficiency and straightforward function. Synthesis performance was done in only one step and a short time which started at 2 min and had been continued for 8 min. The X-ray diffraction pattern revealed the formation [Formula: see text] at atmospheric pressure. The synthesized particle size was characterized using scanning electron microscopy. According to the experimental results, the synthesis was greatly influenced by the applied voltage, gas type, and plasma forming side over the water surface. Increases in electrical potential difference and thermal conductivity of the gas led to a greater rate of synthesis, while this rate was reduced by decreasing the atomic weight of the gas.

A newly emerged focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in South-western Iran.

Leishmaniasis is rising in many countries, including Iran, due to climate change, refugee crises, urbanization and etc. The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology, extent and identity of Leishmania species in a newly emerged focus in Abdanan County, Ilam Province, South-western Iran. This study was performed as a descriptive cross-sectional study by a systematic house-to-house approach. The Leishmania species was identified by RFLP-PCR and sequencing. Altogether, 46799 individuals consisting of 22907 (48.9) female and 23892 (51.1%) male were interviewed and physically examined for the presence of skin lesions. Overall, the incidence rate was 0.34% (n = 160). All age groups were affected and the incidence rate was the highest in <10 years of age group (0.49%) and the lowest in >50 years old individuals (0.15%), although there was no significant difference regarding the sex and age. The majority of patients had one lesion (47.5%) on hands (56%) and most of the cases occurred in Abdanan city (%54) in summer. Based on the RFLP-PCR analysis, all the Leishmania isolates were L. major of single genotype. A newly emerged focus of zoonotic CL caused by L. major occurred in South-western of Iran. Multiple risk factors created this epidemic area. Further studies on the vector and reservoir are crucial needed to provide evidences to select the prophylactic and therapeutic measures for future control strategies.

Copro-PCR prevalence of Echinococcus granulosus infection in dogs in Kerman, south-eastern Iran.

The main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of taeniid parasites and the specific detection of Echinococcus granulosus using copro-DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis in the stray dogs of Kerman, south-eastern Iran. From September 2013 to May 2014, faecal samples of stray dogs were collected from different parts of the city of Kerman and its suburbs. Faecal samples from dogs were collected randomly within 24 h of defecation. All samples were transferred to the research lab and coprological examinations were conducted by the formalin-ether concentration method. In the microscopically positive samples, mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) specific primers were used to determine the taeniid identity of the infection. In addition, another set of primers was used for the specific diagnosis of E. granulosus sensu lato. In total, 307 faecal samples from stray dogs were examined for the presence of the parasites. Taeniidae eggs were detected in 34 dogs (11.07%). All 34 taeniid-positive specimens were PCR positive for cox1 (444 bp). Of all taeniid-positive specimens, 21 samples (6.8% of all dog specimens) were positive according to primers specific for E. granulosus. The findings of the present study revealed that canine echinococcosis is prevalent in the stray dogs in Kerman. The findings of the present study have important implications for hydatid control programmes in the area.

Molecular detection and genetic diversity of Toxoplasma gondii in different tissues of sheep and goat in Eastern Iran.

This study was designed to detect parasitic DNA in tissues from sheep and goats raised and slaughtered in the southeastern Iran as well as to genetically characterize infecting strains of T. gondii. A total of 240 tissue samples consisting of heart, brain, and diaphragm were obtained from sheep (n=40) and goats (n=40) slaughtered in abattoirs from three provinces located in southeastern Iran including Kerman, Razavi Khorasan, and South Khorasan Provinces between February to October 2015. Nested PCR amplified the B1 and GRA6 genes. To determine the genetic characterization of positive samples, all genotyped positive samples were examined by PCR-RFLP. Sequencing analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of type strains (I, II and III). A total of 68(56.66%) tissue samples of sheep and 53(44.16%) from goats were found to be positive for T. gondii B1 gene, that included 11(27.5%) diaphragm, 21(52.5%) heart, and 36(90%) brain of sheep; and 20(50%) diaphragm, 11(22%) heart and 22(55%) brain of goats. Moreover, 22(18.3%) tissue samples of sheep and 20(16.6%) tissue samples of goats were found positive with GRA6 gene for T. gondii. There are three genotypes and mix genotype using mseI enzyme among all positive samples. The results demonstrated the presence of T. gondii DNA in tissues of sheep and goats from southeast of Iran. Control of Toxoplasma infection animal products are important in consumer protection.

Intestinal microsporidiosis in Iran: infection in immune-compromised and immunocompetent patients.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gastroenteritis and the clinical profile caused by Microsporidia, an opportunistic pathogen, may be severe in immunocompromised individuals, especially in AIDS patients. Conventionally, it is necessary to detect the small infective spores in stained smears. However, due to the limitations of the microscopy-based methods, several DNA-based methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have recently been developed to enhance diagnosis sensitivity. Therefore, we sought to evaluate the rate of infection in immunocompromised patients as compared with immunocompetent patients in Kerman, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected stool samples of 199 human subjects (116 males and 83 females), aged 1 to 69 years old. They were divided into immunocompromised (i.e., AIDS [n=72] and cancer-positive patients [n=59]) and immunocompetent (n=68) groups. We comparatively examined the fecal materials using the microscopy and PCR methods. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of Microsporidia infection was 10.05% (20/199). Entrocytozoon bieneusi was the only species within the Microsporidia genus that was identified in 14.5% (19/131) of the immunocompromised patients and 1.47% (1/68) of the immunocompetent individuals. CONCLUSION: Considering the higher prevalence rate of microsporidiosis in patients with immunodeficiency (10.03%), we suggest performing sensitive and specific techniques such as PCR for the detection of these parasites in immunocompromised patients.

Essential oil constituents of the aerial parts and root of Cymbocarpum anethoides (Apiaceae) from Iran.

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from aerial parts at different growing stages and root of Cymbocarpum anethoides DC., from Iran were investigated. The oils were analysed by GC-FID and GC-MS. Forty-five, 52, 40 and 36 components were identified in the essential oils of aerial parts (vegetative, flowering and fruit) and root representing of the 99.2, 99.0, 99.8 and 99.6% of the total oils, respectively. The essential oil of the aerial parts of the plant in vegetative stage was dominated by n-decanal (36.5%) and n-dodecanal (25.3%). n-Decanal (35.8%) and 2E-decenal (25.1%) were the main constituents of the plant oil in flowering stage whereas 2E-decenal (32.1%) and 2E-dodecenal (21.5%) were characterised as the main components of the plant oil in fruit stage. In the essential oil of root, the major identified components were 2-dodecenoic acid (29.8%) and 2E-Dodecenol (12.7%).

New activation cross section data on longer lived radio-nuclei produced in proton induced nuclear reaction on zirconium.

The excitation functions of (96)Nb, (95m)Nb, (95g)Nb, (92m)Nb, (91m)Nb, (90)Nb, (95)Zr, (89)Zr, (88)Zr, (86)Zr, (88)Y, (87m)Y, (87g)Y, (86)Y were measured up to 70MeV proton energy by using the stacked foil technique and the activation method. The new data were compared with the critically analyzed experimental data in the literature and with the TALYS based model results in TENDL-2013 library. The possible role of the investigated reactions in the production of medically relevant (90)Nb, (95m)Nb, (89)Zr, and (88)Y radionuclides is discussed.

Energy spectrum of argon ions emitted from Filippov type Sahand plasma focus.

The energy and flux of the argon ions produced in Sahand plasma focus have been measured by employing a well-designed Faraday cup. The secondary electron emission effects on the ion signals are simulated and the dimensions of Faraday cup are optimized to minimize these effects. The measured ion energy spectrum is corrected for the ion energy loss and charge exchange in the background gas. The effects of the capacitor bank voltage and working gas pressure on the ion energy spectrum are also investigated. It has been shown that the emitted ion number per energy increases as the capacitor bank voltage increases. Decreasing the working gas pressure leads to the increase in the number of emitted ion per energy.

Evaluation of HPGe detector efficiency for point sources using virtual point detector model.

The concept of a virtual point detector (VPD) has been developed and validated in the past for Ge(Li) and HPGe detectors. In the present research, a new semi-empirical equation involving photon energy and source-virtual point detector distance for the efficiency of point sources by HPGe detectors is introduced , which is based on the VPD model. The calculated efficiencies for both coaxial and off-axis geometries by this equation are in good agreement with experimental data. The estimated uncertainties are less than 4%.

Nonbonded interaction potentials in methyl-substituted butanes, obtained from high-energy overtone spectra.

The observed decrease in local mode anharmonicity with increasing methyl substitution in butane is related to a change in potential energy along a methyl CH-stretching coordinate. The potential energy change is modeled by Lennard-Jones 6-12 and Morse potentials and the resultant potential parameters are discussed.