Research articles
Parisa Heydari; Mojgan Noroozi-Karimabad Noroozi-Karimabad; Zahra Sheikh rezaee; Ali Darekordi; Maryam Fekri Soofi Aadi; Ahmad Fatemi; Gholamhossein Hasanshahi
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Heterocyclic compounds are generally introduced as important valuable sources of pharmacologically active compounds. Amongst these compounds, the indole is largely distributed within the bioactive molecules, containing antitumor agents. Due to their unique physiochemical and biological properties, ...
Read More
Background: Heterocyclic compounds are generally introduced as important valuable sources of pharmacologically active compounds. Amongst these compounds, the indole is largely distributed within the bioactive molecules, containing antitumor agents. Due to their unique physiochemical and biological properties, indole and its derivatives have been used as privileged scaffolds for designing antitumor agents.
Objectives: The current experimental study aimed to evaluate the anti-cancer effects of a novel compound with indole-core-base on acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells.
Methods: Following being cultured, AML cells that had been multiplicities were treated by the demonstrated concentration of novel indole compounds (at doses of 100-300µg/mL) for 24 h. The percentage of living and dead cells was subsequently determined by trypan bluedye (MERK, Germany). The survival rate of treated cells was also examined by MTT assay. The calculated fold changes of the studied genes expression against ?-actin were determined by the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The collected data were statistically analyzed by student t-test and repeated measure test.
Results: Results showed that the intended novel indole-core-based derivative (C18H10N2F6O) followed both dose-dependent cytotoxic and anti-proliferative patterns on the AML cell line. The compound was able to induce apoptosis in 50% of the cells at the dose of 250µg/mL. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that in compound-treated cells the gene expression level of Bcl-2 has been downregulated, while Bax was upregulated, compared to untreated control cells.
Conclusion: Despite the lack of knowledge in this regard, in this study, results of this leading mechanism(s) that may run by the compound indicated that indole3carbaldehyde derivative has cytotoxic effects on AML cells in a dose-dependent fashion.
Short articles
Seyed Hamid Falaki; Maryam Safaeikoshkak; Jaber Abedi; Milad Ahmadi Marzaleh
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
The first report of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was presented in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019 (1). COVID-19 is an infectious virus with a high level of spread. According to its fast pandemic condition in the world, it has been announced as an emergency of public health by the ...
Read More
The first report of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was presented in Wuhan, Hubei province, China, in December 2019 (1). COVID-19 is an infectious virus with a high level of spread. According to its fast pandemic condition in the world, it has been announced as an emergency of public health by the World Health Organization (WHO) related to its fast pandemic condition (1-3). Movements of population, communication among humans, and environmental factors cause the transfer of this virus. The most prevalent clinical symptoms include fever, cough, headache, muscle cramps, and fatigue (4). Different industries in different countries have faced many problems and even there were many days off in the world after the COVID-19 pandemic. The pharmaceutical industry, among all industries, has a unique and exclusive sensitivity according to the necessity in the production of pharmaceutical products. The pharmaceutical industry has been important since the past years as a complementary part of the primary process in the treatment of the patients that shows the significance of development in this industry.
In the COVID-19 pandemic situation, pharmaceutical companies try to respond to the challenges in the supply chain, change the business process, and protect the health of the staff. If the epidemic of COVID-19 continues for a medium/long time, this will affect active supplies, necessary materials, and medication export/import. Moreover, it causes adverse effects on research and development (R&D) activities, production, and developmental projects related to improving the industry. Although the effect of global expansion has not been apparent yet, pharmaceutical companies should respond, improve, and develop. Therefore, during the COVID-19 pandemic situation, pharmaceutical companies should continue their activities and even develop it while facing many challenges. Moreover, it will help them detect the challenges and approaches of development in safety and health in pharmaceutical companies during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
Challenges of pharmaceutical companies in the COVID-19 pandemic situation include: 1) Hiding or lack of reports in COVID-19 affection; 2) Lack of appropriate monitoring of distribution vehicles in the prevention of infection; 3) Continual contacts with documents and internal permissions of products leading to the lack of supervision of health principles; 4) Production in closed and limited space; 5) Continual production line and necessity of team working; 6) Commotion of the personnel with public transportation and lack of knowledge in family health; 7) The physical presence of staff in administrative positions (R&D, marketing, IT, and planning); 8) Serving food in the restaurant of the company (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack); 9) Closing of air conditioning system in departments; 10) Lack of correct extrusion of produced wastes; 11) Lack of the attention of personnel on their health; and 12) The entrance of infected products and raw materials to the COVID-19.
Solutions in safety and health improvement of pharmaceutical company in facing COVID-19 pandemic include: 1) Disinfection of the external surface of the vehicles which contain materials and raw materials barrels at the entrance; 2) Use of electronic forms for documentation, product permissions, other production processes, quality control, and Health and Safety Executive ; 3) Use of distancing between the personnel with separator and fresh air injection into the rooms with building management system equipment; 4) Supply of mask and shield for all staff in sufficient number, and control of the use, extirpation, and protection of documents; 5) Use of masks with cartridge and N95 pad in administrative departments in exposure to chemical materials and changing them according to standard; 6) Assignment of the dedicated vehicles to the staff communication and their disinfection; 7) The necessity of using masks by the staff during transportation; 8) Provision of the opportunity for administrative staff to work from long distance; 9) Installation of the bags and buckets for sanitary wastes (mask, gloves, and tissue); 10) Disinfection of air conditioning system based on WHO rules; 11) Disinfection of all spaces and surfaces per hour or after use; 12) Installation of automatic disinfection equipment at the entrance of all buildings and busy places; 13) Introduction of COVID-19 as a job sickness to fast identification and self-declaration of the staff and elimination of transferring chain; 14) Assignment of subvention to treatment and leave of absence with salary for COVID-19 patients; 15) Psychological consultation and call contact with COVID-19 patients; 16) Online monitoring of the personnel and their families with an online questionnaire; 17) Transfer and management of waste by mechanizing systems and trained executive team with personal protection equipment; 18) Arrangement of all internal and external meetings online; 19) Presentation of all training courses in online classes (sky-room webinar); 20) Risk assessment in facing COVID-19 patients based on age, background illness, facing jobs, and a team of colleagues; 21) Non-public quarantine of the staff according to the importance of medicine production; 22) Specialization in COVID-19 tests for a suspicious person; 23) Distribution of self-protect equipment and disinfectants among the staffs families; 24) Quarantine of suffering, suspicious people or those who were in contact with suffering patients; 25) Quarantine of the products in the warehouse to eliminate the transporting chain of the infected products.
Conclusion
The pharmaceutical stability of industry and permanent presence is an inseparable part of treatment teams in the world. Therefore, the necessity of continual observation of environmental health in pharmaceutical companies and the staff health could develop the efficiency, health protection of the personnel, and consumers in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Controlling the challenges, as the next step, helps the presence of pharmaceutical companies in the current condition. Therefore, international, national, and local organizations should emphasize the revision of health and safety standards in the workplace. In addition, the self-declaration of industries and physical observation is necessary to conduct the suggested solutions for the personnel health as a staff in the health area.
Case reports
Ruifeng Yang; Shuhua Lan; Quanzhou Wu; Fang Ye; Jifei Ye; Shuming Huang; Panpan Xie; Hailin Xing; Chong Wang
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Intrathoracic displacement of a humeral head fracture is extremely rare. Only slightly more than 30 cases have been reported in this regard. Since few cases have been reported, there is no consensus on how to treat this injury. The etiology, injury mechanism, related lesions, and treatment ...
Read More
Background: Intrathoracic displacement of a humeral head fracture is extremely rare. Only slightly more than 30 cases have been reported in this regard. Since few cases have been reported, there is no consensus on how to treat this injury. The etiology, injury mechanism, related lesions, and treatment of the injury are diverse.
Case presentation: A 73-year-old female presented with multiple fractures of the left ribs, bilateral lung contusions, extensive emphysema of the anterior and posterior chest wall, massive left hemopneumothorax, fracture-dislocation of the proximal humerus, and intrathoracic displacement of the humeral head. The patient was sent to the operating room for emergency thoracotomy surgery. The head of the humerus was confirmed to be completely removed from the thoracic cavity during the operation. After discussion with the orthopedic surgeon, the humeral head was discarded considering avascular necrosis; moreover, open reduction and internal fixation were not performed. The orthopedic surgery team performed reverse shoulder arthroplasty three weeks later. During follow-up, the patients shoulder was free from pain, and its range of movement included 110° flexion, 70° abduction, 35° external rotation, and 50° internal rotation.
Conclusion: Intrathoracic displacement of the humeral head due to proximal humeral fracture is a very rare and serious trauma that requires multidisciplinary treatment. Considering the extremely high risk of humeral head necrosis, actively removing broken bone fragments of the humeral head in the early stage is recommended, and we advocate for shoulder arthroplasty for elderly patients. Detailed preoperative evaluations and individualized operation plans should be made to achieve the best effect.
Research articles
Elham Rajaei; Nehzat Akiash; Karim Mowla; Nasibeh Akiash; Shirin Azizidoost
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Heart problems are one of the main causes of death in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, such as polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are non-invasive, accurate, repeatable, and angle-independent ...
Read More
Background: Heart problems are one of the main causes of death in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, such as polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM). Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) are non-invasive, accurate, repeatable, and angle-independent imaging techniques that facilitate a full global and regional evaluation of the left ventricular (LV) function.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate myocardial dysfunction in DM and PM patients using STE and GLS methods.
Methods: The present control-case study was conducted on 30 polymyositis and dermatomyositis patients and 40 healthy individuals as the control group. Both groups showed no symptoms of cardiovascular diseases and underwent two-dimensional STE and GLS evaluation. The GLS value was taken as a marker of LV systolic dysfunction.
Results: The 2D GLS value of LV was significantly lower in the DM and PM patients, compared to the control group. A mild diastolic dysfunction was observed in seven (23.3%) patients, and 23 (76.7%) patients had a normal state. The patients age and duration of the disease were found to be significantly correlated with the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. No significant difference was observed between the DM and PM patients with the control group in terms of pulmonary artery pressure level.
Conclusion: Although the DM and PM patients had normal left ventricular ejection fraction values, there was a significant difference between them and individuals in the control group in terms of LV dysfunction using GLS. Therefore, GLS is a useful variable that can be used to diagnose sustained and subclinical disorders in LV systolic function of DM and PM patients.
Research articles
Isa Mohammadi Zeidi; Banafsheh Mohammadi Zeidi
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Dentists are more at risk of respiratory infectious diseases, compared to other Health Care Workers (HCWs).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship of knowledge, attitude, and fear with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures amongst Iranian dentists.
Methods: ...
Read More
Background: Dentists are more at risk of respiratory infectious diseases, compared to other Health Care Workers (HCWs).
Objectives: This study aimed to determine the relationship of knowledge, attitude, and fear with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures amongst Iranian dentists.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the northern provinces of Iran. In total, 340 dentists were selected using a multi-stage sampling method, and they were requested to complete the data collection tools, such as demographic characteristics form, knowledge scale, fear scale, attitude scale, and COVID-19 preventive measures scale. The obtained data were then analyzed by independent t-test, chi-square test, one-way ANOVA, correlation coefficient, and stepwise regression.
Results: Dentists' knowledge about issues, such as incubation period, laboratory test, virus survival time on surfaces, and method disinfection was weak. Nearly, 60% of the dentists had a favorable attitude towards the prevention of COVID-19, while their belief was not good on issues, such as adequacy of routine protocols, vulnerability towards COVID-19, suppressed immune system, patient's responsibility, and stigma. Moreover, 82.1% of dentists were fearful of being infected by patients, providing treatment to the suspected ones, the possibility of transmitting the infection to family members, post-infection quarantine, and treatment costs. Additionally, the total score of practice toward COVID-19 preventive measures in dentists was relatively high (21.88±3.8), whereas their practice in criteria, such as presenting a special disinfectant solution or mask for patients, disinfecting surfaces, air conditioning, and examining patients' symptoms was not satisfactory. Regression analysis demonstrated that job history, knowledge, attitude, and fear were significant predictors of dentists' practice describing 62.7% of the variance in practice towards COVID-19 preventive measures.
Conclusion: The findings revealed that dentists had a comparatively good level of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 preventive measures. The current study suggests that dentists' anxiety, fear, and attitude could be remarkably reduced through providing adequate Personal Protective Equipment and subsequently enhancing preventive practice, raising awareness via online training regarding new guidelines, and presenting real-time statistics on the number of HCWS infected with COVID-19.
Research articles
Nayereh Reiss Dana; Rahmat Shafiepour Sadati; Majid MirMohammadkhani; Mehrdad Zahmatkesh; Mehrdad Saravi; Mohammad Reza Asgari
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Anxiety following acute myocardial infarction is a particularly important issue. Prayer is one of the basic human needs that is related to mental health. Objectives: In this regard, this study aimed to determine the effect of recitation of Tawassul prayer on anxiety and physiological parameters ...
Read More
Background: Anxiety following acute myocardial infarction is a particularly important issue. Prayer is one of the basic human needs that is related to mental health. Objectives: In this regard, this study aimed to determine the effect of recitation of Tawassul prayer on anxiety and physiological parameters of patients with myocardial infarction.
Methods: This clinical trial was performed on 80 patients for 6 months from August 2017 to March 2018. They were selected by the targeted sampling method and randomly assigned to two groups with gender and age block randomization. The subjects were asked to complete the anxiety subscale of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Physiologic parameters were measured and participants in the intervention group listened to the recitation of the Tawassul Prayer with headphones.
Results: In the intervention group, the mean of anxiety scores before and after intervention were 11.17±3.06 and 5.81±3.16, respectively, which had a significant difference (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean scores of anxiety before and after intervention (P<0.001) and the respiratory rate before and after intervention (P=0.025).
Conclusion: Prayer affected the level of anxiety and respiratory rate. This prayer is useful for reducing anxiety and improving the respiratory rate in patients with myocardial infarction.
Research articles
Ercument Ozturk; Zeynel Abidin Ozturk
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, palliative care units and nursing homes became risky in terms of infection transmission. The measures that are taken in the general population have also been strictly applied for caregivers. However, to achieve success, the personal ...
Read More
Background: During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, palliative care units and nursing homes became risky in terms of infection transmission. The measures that are taken in the general population have also been strictly applied for caregivers. However, to achieve success, the personal compliance of the caregivers is as important as setting the rules.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic characteristics, knowledge levels, and attitudes towards the measures taken for pandemics of the caregivers who were caring for their patients in the palliative care unit. It was also attempted to evaluate the relationship between these parameters and their quality of life (QOL).
Methods: The level of knowledge and the level of agreement with the measures with questions prepared by three physicians working in the palliative care unit were assessed in this study. The QOL was also evaluated using the 3-level version of EQ-5D (EQ-5D-3L).
Results: Education, employment, smoking, as well as parental and marital status, were found to be related to a high level of knowledge. It has been shown that the level of knowledge is higher in female caregivers and those who were caregiving for less than three years. The caregivers of Alzheimer's disease patients were also revealed to know more about the COVID-19 pandemic. Single, male, employed, smoking, and experienced less than three years caregivers were seemed to have a higher level of agreement with the measures. In addition, it was concluded that the QOL was positively correlated with the level of knowledge and negatively correlated with the compliance of the measures.
Conclusion: It is essential to know the characteristics and beliefs of the caregivers in pandemic management in palliative care; accordingly, more studies should be conducted on this issue.
Research articles
Mehrnoush Toufan; Zahra Jabbary
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Mitral valve area (MVA) is technically measured using both two-dimensional (2D) planimetry and three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction (3D-MPR) techniques; however, studies have always overestimated MVA using the former method.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the correlation between ...
Read More
Background: Mitral valve area (MVA) is technically measured using both two-dimensional (2D) planimetry and three-dimensional multiplanar reconstruction (3D-MPR) techniques; however, studies have always overestimated MVA using the former method.
Objectives: This study aimed to assess the correlation between MVA assessed by 2D and 3D techniques and the impact of left atrial volume index (LAVI) on the discrepancy between MVA assessed by two echocardiography techniques.
Methods: The data of 75 patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis assessed by both 2D planimetry and 3D-MPR techniques were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and echocardiographic variables were evaluated. Left atrial (LA) volume was determined using the biplane area-length method.
Results: The mean±SD MVA assessed by the 2D and 3D techniques was 1.03±0.24 cm2 and 0.99±0.25 cm2 with a mean discrepancy of 0.04±0.15 cm2, respectively. A strong association was observed between the MVA values assessed by 2D planimetry and 3D-MPR methods (r coefficient =0.817, P<0.001) indicating a slight discrepancy between the two techniques in assessing MVA. The pointed discrepancy was affected by none of the baseline characteristics and LAVI value. There was an adverse association between LAVI value and MVA measured by both 2D planimetry (r coefficient=-0.291, P=0.011) and 3D-MPR (r coefficient=-0.260, P=0.024) techniques.
Conclusion: In contrast to the left atrial dimension, the discrepancy in MVA values assessed by 2D planimetry and 3D-MPR techniques is not influenced by LAVI adjusted for baseline parameters.
Research articles
Zhonghua Fang; Zhangzhu Li; Guangzhi Ma; Xiangsen Jiang; Yanyan Zhu; Zudong Yin
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Lateral Humeral condyle fracture is the most common intra-articular fracture in pediatric elbow.
Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze the differences between X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of the stability of pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture ...
Read More
Background: Lateral Humeral condyle fracture is the most common intra-articular fracture in pediatric elbow.
Objectives: The present study aimed to analyze the differences between X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of the stability of pediatric lateral humeral condyle fracture and the degree of fracture displacement.
Methods: A total of 78 patients with acute elbow trauma were selected and hospitalized in our orthopedic department from July 2018-July 2019. All patients were examined with X-ray and MRI. The sensitivity and specificity of X-ray and MRI in the diagnosis of lateral humeral condyle fracture and the integrity of the trochlear cartilage chain fracture were calculated. The X-ray and MRI were examined respectively to check the value of lateral and posterior fracture space of lateral humeral condyle fracture.
Results: Callus repair was observed according to the observation of fracture line during operation or the follow-up imaging examination of conservative treatment. It was confirmed that out of 78 patients with elbow joint trauma, 72 cases were diagnosed with the fracture of lateral condyle of humerus, and the other 6 patients were cured without fracture signs. The sensitivity of MRI in the diagnosis of pediatric lateral condylar fracture was 100%, which was significantly higher than that of X-ray (88.89%) (P
Research articles
Mohsen Soleimani; Ahmad Jalilvand; Roghayeh Soleimani; Koorosh Kamali
Volume 23, Issue 8 , 2021
Abstract
Background: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is one of the most important cardiovascular diseases and the leading cause of 39% of deaths in Iran. Due to the different geographical diversity in Zanjan province, Iran, this study aimed to investigate the incidence, age-specific, and regional distribution of myocardial ...
Read More
Background: Myocardial Infarction (MI) is one of the most important cardiovascular diseases and the leading cause of 39% of deaths in Iran. Due to the different geographical diversity in Zanjan province, Iran, this study aimed to investigate the incidence, age-specific, and regional distribution of myocardial infarction in Zanjan province, Iran.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran, in 2020. Data were collected from nine hospital information systems. The incidence rate, age-specific, and regional distribution of MI were calculated for each county. Chi-square test, independent sample t-test, and binary logistic regression methods were used to investigate significant relationships between variables. All statistical analyses were performed using RStudio and R software.
Results: In total, 3,723 MI patients were hospitalized in ZUMS hospitals during 2014-2019. The overall incidence rate of MI was 348 cases (95% CI, 337-359) per 100,000 population. Moreover, the prevalence of this condition was higher in males compared to females and at age 80 and over. The incidence rates of MI increased by 84% from 49 cases (95% CI: 47-55) in 2014 to 90 cases (95% CI: 88-99) in 2019 (P<0001). Moreover, the highest incidence rate of MI was observed in Khorramdareh and Ijrood counties.
Conclusion: This study provided an overview of the current status of MI incidence in Zanjan province, Iran. The highest incidence of MI was observed in males and at the southeast of the studied area. This study can help health authorities and policymakers prioritize resource allocation and employ prevention programs to reduce the incidence rate of MI.
