The moderating role of social support in the relationship between death anxiety and resilience among dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) who receive social support can cope with the challenges. Therefore, this study determined the moderating role of social support in the relationship between death anxiety and resilience among dialysis patients in Qazvin City. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a descriptive-analytical approach on 347 dialysis patients in Qazvin City. The data collection tools included several questionnaires. The convenience sampling method was employed. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 22 and mplus software version 7.2, employing descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and using counts and percentages for categorical/nominal variables. Regression analysis and tests were used to examine the relationships between variables. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis was employed to determine direct and indirect relationships between independent and dependent variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of death anxiety was high (48.3%) among the patients. The mean resilience score was 62.59 ± 15.69, and the mean social support score was 52.23 ± 10.21. There was a significant association between resilience and social support (P < 0.001), as well as between resilience and death anxiety (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a significant relationship was observed between social support and death anxiety (p = 0.015). In the analysis of SEM, both the direct and indirect relationships between resilience and death anxiety were significant through the mediating variable of social support. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that there is a relationship between death anxiety and resilience, and social support significantly moderates the relationship between death anxiety and resilience.

Microsphere-assisted super-resolved hyperspectral microscopy.

Hyperspectral microscopy (HSM) combines conventional microscopy with basic hyperspectral imaging and results in 3D microscopic spatio-spectral information. The combination comes along with a variety of applications, such as detection and classification of different material properties through spectral fingerprints, which otherwise cannot be detected with a color camera alone. However, similar to other microscopies, the resolution of HSM is limited by diffraction. In recent years microsphere (MS)-assisted microscopy has attracted intensive attention for resolution enhancement. Here, we extend the MS idea into HSM. We show that MS-HSM reveals extra hyperspectral information about the specimen which is lost without it. Moreover, the insertion of MS results in super-resolved images. The resolution enhancement and obtaining the extra hyperspectral information can be tuned by the MS size.

The effect of methylprednisolone pulse-therapy plus oral cyclosporine in the treatment of alopecia totalis and universalis.

The exact etiology of alopecia areata is still unknown, and no completely effective treatment has been established. The use of oral steroids for treating this disorder is controversial and may have potential side effects. Relapses are also common upon withdrawal of the medication. The objective of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic and side effects of pulse-therapy with methylprednisolone combined with oral cyclosporine in severe alopecia areata, defined as alopecia totalis and universalis. Six patients with alopecia totalis and 12 patients with alopecia universalis were referred to our center. The patients were treated with monthly intravenous methylprednisolone in doses of 500 mg for three days and oral cyclosporine (2.5 mg/kg/day) for five to eight months. Responses were categorized as: "adequate" (i.e., hair regrowth on > or =70% of the affected area) and "inadequate" (i.e., hair regrowth on <70% of the affected area). Adequate response was observed in six (33%) patients: three with alopecia totalis and 3 with alopecia universalis. Responses were better in patients with alopecia totalis, age >20 years, negative history of atopy, negative family history of alopecia areata, presence of nail pitting, and pruritus in the affected area. No cases of relapses and no severe side effects were observed. Patients with severe and resistant alopecia areata, if properly selected, may benefit from intravenous methylprednisolone pulse-therapy plus oral cyclosporine.