Abstract Introduction Finding biomarkers for highly lethal cancers is a priority. Objective The current study was designed to understand the clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression as the biomarkers, and evaluate their correlation with each other, in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the province of Guilan, North of Iran. Methods Gene expression was evaluated in 25 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks from cases of confirmed NPC and 20 FFPE samples of non-NPC by quantifying messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein levels, using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods, respectively. Furthermore, the correlations among the protein levels of different genes, along with the patients’ demographic characteristics were assessed. Results Our findings on mRNA and protein levels demonstrated that the expression of the LMP1 gene in the NPC group was significantly elevated compared with that of the non-NPC group. In addition, the protein levels in the NPC group indicated a positive and significant correlation between LMP1 and VEGF expression. It was noted that both protein and mRNA levels showed no significant differences in the expression of TNF-α and VEGF genes between the NPC and control groups. Furthermore, there was no significant relationship between the expression of these proteins and the demographic characteristics of NPC patients. Conclusion Overall, a significant increase in LMP1 expression was observed in NPC patients, which may serve as a diagnostic biomarker for NPC. Also, LMP1 might be involved in NPC progression by inducing VEGF gene expression.

ABSTRACT Splenectomy is necessary in beta thalassemia major patients when the spleen becomes hyperactive, leading to extreme destruction of erythrocytes. This study assessed the ferritin effect on serum pneumococcal antibody response following pneumococcal vaccination, in patients with beta thalassemia major after splenectomy. In this case series study, convenience sampling was used to recruit 347 splenectomised beta thalassemia patients under the auspices of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Demographic data such as age, sex, and time after splenectomy were recorded by a questionnaire. All participants had been splenectomised and received a dose of Pneumovax1 23 vaccine 14 days before surgery. The IgG antibody responses to pneumococcal vaccine and levels of serum specific ferritin were determine by commercial enzyme immunoassay kits. For the analysis, SPSS software version 16 was used. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Most of the participants (63.4%) were hypo-responders to pneumococcal vaccine. Also, serum anti-pneumococcal IgG antibody was related to post splenectomy duration and serum ferritin (p< 0.001), but not to gender (p> 0.05). An important result was a relation of serum anti-pneumococcal IgG antibody to serum ferritin according to post splenectomy duration groups. Therefore, in three groups of post splenectomy duration, the serum ferritin was higher in hypo-responder than in good responder subjects. Our results indicate that serum anti-pneumococcal IgG antibody decreased with increment of serum ferritin and post splenectomy duration. Thus, there is a need to re-address the approach towards revaccination in this immune-compromised group of patients by administering a booster pneumococcal vaccination in an attempt to recover immunity and reduce morbidity.

RESUMEN La esplenectomía es necesaria en pacientes con beta talasemia mayor cuando el bazo se vuelve hiperactivo, lo que lleva a una destrucción extrema de los eritrocitos. Este estudio evaluó el efecto de la ferritina sobre la respuesta de anticuerpos antineumocócicos en suero después de la vacunación antineumocócica, en pacientes con talasemia beta mayor a los que se les realizó esplenectomía. En este estudio de serie de casos, se utilizó un muestreo de conveniencia para reclutar a 347 pacientes con beta talasemia esplenectomizados bajo los auspicios de la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Jahrom. Los datos demográficos como la edad, el sexo y el tiempo después de la esplenectomía se registraron mediante un cuestionario. Todos los participantes fueron esplenectomizados y recibieron una dosis de la vacuna Pneumovax® 23, 14 días antes de la cirugía. Las respuestas de anticuerpos IgG a la vacuna neumocócica y los niveles de ferritina sérica específica se determinaron mediante estuches comerciales de inmunoensayo enzimático. Para el análisis se utilizó el programa SPSS versión 16. Un valor de p inferior a 0,05 se consideró estadísticamente significativo. La mayoría de los participantes (63,4%) resultaron hiporrespondedores a la vacuna antineumocócica. Además, el anticuerpo sérico antineumocócico IgG se relacionó con la duración de la esplenectomía y la ferritina sérica (p<0,001), pero no con el género (p>0,05). Un resultado importante fue la relación del anticuerpo sérico IgG antineumocócico con la ferritina sérica según los grupos de duración postesplenectomía. Por lo tanto, en tres grupos de duración posterior a la esplenectomía, la ferritina sérica fue mayor en los sujetos con hiporrespuesta que en los sujetos con buena respuesta. Nuestros resultados indican que el anticuerpo sérico IgG antineumocócico disminuyó con el incremento de la ferritina sérica y la duración posterior a la esplenectomía. Por lo tanto, existe la necesidad de volver a abordar el enfoque hacia la revacunación en este grupo de pacientes inmunocomprometidos mediante la administración de una vacunación antineumocócica de refuerzo en un intento por recuperar la inmunidad y reducir la morbilidad.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito de um dentifrício contendo arginina a 8% no Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) da placa bacteriana ao redor de braquetes ortodônticos, e compará-lo a um dentifrício fluoretado convencional. Desenho do estudo: Foi conduzido um estudo unicêntrico, com braços paralelos, triplo-cego, controlado e randomizado. Métodos: O ensaio clínico foi conduzido na Clínica de Ortodontia da Faculdade de Odontologia da Universidade de Ciências Médicas de Shiraz, no Irã. Setenta e dois pacientes (com idades variando de 15 a 30 anos) que necessitavam de tratamento ortodôntico com aparelho fixo foram recrutados e alocados aleatoriamente nos grupos arginina ou flúor. A randomização foi feita usando o programa on-line RANDOM.ORG, e os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos paralelos, com proporção de alocação de 1:1. Solicitou-se aos pacientes que escovassem os dentes duas vezes ao dia com a pasta experimental, durante 30 dias. Amostras da placa bacteriana foram coletadas em dois intervalos: ao começo do estudo (T0) e após 30 dias (T1). Um PCR em tempo real foi usado para avaliar as amostras de placa, em termos de números de S. mutans ao redor dos braquetes de aço inoxidável nos pacientes ortodônticos. Um desenho de estudo triplo-cego foi usado. Resultados: As características iniciais (idade, sexo e quantidade relativa de S. mutans) foram semelhantes entre os grupos (p>0,05). Apenas o grupo arginina mostrou uma redução significativa na quantidade de bactérias entre T0 e T1 (p=0,02). Conclusão: A arginina é um agente prebiótico importante na manutenção de biofilmes bucais saudáveis, e previne as cáries dentárias durante o tratamento ortodôntico com aparelho fixo. Registro do ensaio: O ensaio foi registrado no Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20181121041713N2), https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/42409/view.

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess the effect of toothpaste containing 8% arginine on Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) in dental plaque around orthodontic brackets, and to draw a comparison with a regular fluoride toothpaste. Trial design: A single-center, parallel-arm, triple-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Methods: The clinical trial was conducted at the Orthodontic Clinic, School of Dentistry, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Seventy-two patients (age range: 15-30 years) who required fixed orthodontic treatment were recruited and randomly assigned to arginine and fluoride groups. Randomization was performed using RANDOM.ORG online software, and the participants were divided into two parallel groups, with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Patients were requested to brush their teeth twice daily for 30 days with an experimental toothpaste. Plaque sampling was performed at two intervals, namely at the beginning of the study (T0) and 30 days later (T1). Real-time PCR was used to assess plaque samples in terms of the number of S. mutans surrounding stainless steel brackets in orthodontic patients. A triple-blind design was employed. Results: The baseline characteristics (age, sex, and the relative number of S. mutans) between the groups were similar (p>0.05). Only the arginine group showed a significant decrease in the relative number of bacteria between T0 and T1 (p=0.02). Conclusion: Arginine is an important prebiotic agent in maintaining healthy oral biofilms, and prevent dental caries during fixed orthodontic treatments. Trial registration: The trial was registered at the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT20181121041713N2), https://en.irct.ir/user/trial/42409/view.

Abstract Despite decades of research, wound healing remains a significant public health problem. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a topical sodium alginate gel containing vancomycin (Van) loaded MMT NPs for wound healing applications. Van was loaded in MMT at different conditions (pHs of 6, 7 and temperatures of 40, 50 °C) (Van/MMT NPs). The optimum formulation (with the smallest particle size and a high value of zeta potential; 270.8 ± 77.35 nm and -35.96 ± 2.73, respectively) showed a high drug-loading capacity (entrapment efficacy of 96%) and a sustained release pattern of Van (95%) over 480 min. The optimum Van/MMT NPs were embedded into the sodium alginate (SA) gel (Van/MMT NPs/SA gel). The Van/ MMT NPs/SA gel showed a sustained and slow release pattern of Van (95%) over 50 h. FTIR tests revealed the electrostatic interaction between MMT and Van. The broth macrodilution tube method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Van, Van/ MMT NPs, and Van/MMT NPs/SA gel against Staphylococcus aureus. The results showed the promising antibacterial activity of Van/MMT NPs/SA gel, thus, this gel can be a promising formulation for the management of infected wounds.

Resumo Objetivo O objetivo desta revisão sistemática-metanálise é avaliar o efeito da estimulação olfatória na redução da dismenorreia. Métodos Pesquisa sistemática foi realizada em várias bases de dados, como PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane e Scopus para identificar pesquisas relevantes até 26 de outubro de 2019. Os estudos identificados foram avaliados com base em uma escala de Jadadmodificada. A intervenção envolvearomaterapiasozinhaouem combinação com óleos essenciais. Não houve restrição para o grupo de controle, como um grupo de placebo ou outros tratamentos comuns. O Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 (Bio stat, Englewood, NJ, EUA) foi usado para meta-análise. Os testes Q e I2 de Cochran foram utilizados. Resultados Os resultados da nossa meta-análise, que continha 13 ensaios (15 dados), mostraram que a dismenorreia diminuiu significativamente no grupo que recebeu aromaterapia com ervas em comparação com o grupo de controle (diferença média padronizada [DMP] = -0,795; intervalo de confiança [IC] de 95%: -0,922 a- 0,667; 17 ensaios O <0,001); heterogeneidade; I2 = 19,47%; p = 0,236). Além disso, quatro estudos com dados insuficientes não foram incluídos em nossa meta-análise. Os resultados de todos os estudos sugeriram que a aromaterapia com o grupo de fitoterápicos em comparação com o grupo de controle é eficaz. Conclusão A aromaterapia com fitoterapia diminuiu a dismenorreia. Este tratamento foi particularmente eficaz quando o óleo aromático foi combinado com massagem ou quando uma mistura de óleo aromático foi usada para o tratamento da dismenorreia.

Abstract Objective The aim of the present systematic review meta-analysis is to assess the effect of olfactory stimulation on reducing dysmenorrhea. Methods Systematic search was conducted in several databases, such as PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus, to identify relevant research up to October 26, 2019. The identified studies were evaluated based on a modified Jadad scale. The intervention involves aromatherapy alone or in combination with essential oils. There was no restriction for the control group such as a placebo group or other common treatments. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 (Bio stat, Englewood, NJ, USA) was used for meta-analysis. Cochran’s Q and I2 tests were utilized. Results The findings of our meta-analysis, which contained 13 trials (15 data), showed that dysmenorrhea decreased significantly in the group receiving aromatherapy with herbal compared with the control group (standardized mean difference [SMD] =-0.795; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.922 to- 0.667; 17 trials O < 0.001); heterogeneity; I2 = 19.47%; p = 0.236). In addition, four studies with insufficient data were not included in our meta-analysis. The results of all studies suggested that aromatherapy with herbal medicine group compared with control group is effective. Conclusion Aromatherapy with herbal medicine decreased dysmenorrhea. This treatment was particularly effective when aroma oil was combined with massage or when a mixture of aroma oil was used for the treatment of dysmenorrhea.

Resumo Objetivo Determinar a associação entre o uso de telefone celular pela mãe e os resultados adversos em recém-nascidos crianças e mães. Método Em março de 2020 realizou-se uma pesquisa nas bases de dados MEDLINE, Embase e Scopus. A extração de dados e avaliação da qualidade dos estudos foram realizadas por dois autores. A qualidade dos estudos foi avaliada por meio da lista de verificação da escala Newcastle-Ottawa. Resultados Estudos que avaliavam problemas comportamentais em recém-nascidos de 6 a 18 meses relataram resultados nulos. No entanto um risco aumentado de transtornos emocionais e comportamentais foi observado em crianças de 7 a 11 anos de idade cujas mães foram expostas a telefones celulares. Os resultados relacionados à associação entre a exposição materna a celulares e resultados adversos em crianças de 3 a 5 anos são controversos. Um estudo encontrou associação significativa entre o tempo de ligação (p=0.002) ou o histórico de uso de celular (emmeses) e distúrbios de fala nas crianças (p=0.003). No entanto outro estudo descobriu que o uso de telefone celular pela mãe durante a gravidez não estava significativamente associado ao desenvolvimento psicomotor e mental da criança. Resultados inconclusivos foram observados com relação aos resultados adversos de fetos como restrição de crescimento intrauterino ou valores de t para peso ao nascer em usuárias de telefone celular em oposição a não usuárias. Pelo contrário os filhos de mães usuárias de telefone celular apresentaram menor risco de pontuação baixa em habilidades motoras. Resultados semelhantes foram observados com relação a resultados adversos em recém-nascidos como restrição de crescimento intrauterino ou valores de peso ao nascere o risco de pré-eclâmpsia foimenor em indivíduos comexposição média e alta a celulares em oposição àqueles com baixa exposição. Conclusão Estudos sobre problemas comportamentais relataram resultados diferentes no pós-natal como achados nulos em recém-nascidos e associação positiva emcrianças.

Abstract Objective To determine the association between maternal mobile phone use and adverse outcomes in infants, children, and mothers. Method In March 202, we conducted a search on the MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases. Data extraction and an assessment of the quality of the studies were performed by two authors. The quality of the studies was assessed using the checklist of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Results Studies assessing behavioral problems in infants aged 6 to 18 months reported null findings. However, an increased risk of emotional and behavioral disorders was observed in children aged between 7 and 11 years whose mothers had been exposed to cell phones. The findings regarding the association between maternal cell phone exposure and adverse outcomes in children aged 3 to 5 are controversial. A study found a significant association between the call time (p=0.002) or the history of mobile phone use (in months) and speech disorders in the children (p=0.003). However, another study found that maternal cell phone use during pregnancy was not significantly associated with child psychomotor and mental developments. Inconclusive results were observed about the adverse outcomes in fetuses, such as fetal growth restriction or t scores for birth weight in cell phone users as opposed to non-users. On the contrary, the children ofmothers who were cell phone users had a lower risk of scoring low on motor skills. Similar results were observed regarding the adverse outcomes of cell phone use in infants, such as fetal growth restriction or low birth weight, and the risk of preeclampsia was lower among subjects with medium and high cell phone exposure, as opposed to those with low exposure. Conclusion Studies on behavioral problems have reported different postnatal results, such as null findings among infants and a positive association in children.

Abstract This paper employs a systematic mapping study for analysing publications on library performance evaluation with data envelopment analysis (DEA). The review is based on an extensive search through academic literature including the scientific data bases of Scopus and Web of Science. 44 articles published between 1997- 2018 were selected as core study. The results show that the published studies are mostly conducted by specialists in economics, management and engineering, but hardly by library and information science specialists. Interestingly, a large number of the studies were conducted in Taiwan and the United States with a specific focus on performance evaluation of university libraries. Findings of this study identify gaps in terms of the techniques, methods, and processes used for evaluating the performance of libraries. Identifying these gaps however, might help library science researches to pay further attention over Library Science and Information performance library evaluation. The study, further, identifies the key evaluation input and output variables for assessing libraries’ performance.

Resumen Este estudio emplea un estudio de mapeo sistemático para analizar publicaciones sobre evaluación del desempeño de la biblioteca con análisis por envoltura de datos (DEA, por sus siglas en inglés). La revisión se basa en una búsqueda exhaustiva en la literatura académica que incluye bases de datos científicas de Scopus y Web of Science. Se seleccionaron 44 artículos publicados entre 1997 y 2018 como el núcleo del estudio. Los resultados muestran que los estudios publicados son realizados principalmente por especialistas en economía, administración, ingeniería y apenas por especialistas en bibliotecología y ciencias de la información. Curiosamente, una gran cantidad de los estudios se llevan a cabo en Taiwán y los Estados Unidos con un enfoque específico en la evaluación del desempeño de las bibliotecas universitarias. Los resultados de este estudio identifican lagunas en términos de técnicas, métodos y procesos utilizados para evaluar el rendimiento de las bibliotecas. Identificar estas brechas puede ayudar a los investigadores de las Ciencias de la Información y Bibliotecología a prestar más atención a la investigación sobre la evaluación del desempeño de las bibliotecas. Además, el estudio identifica las variables clave de entrada y salida en la evaluación del desempeño de las bibliotecas.

Lead is environmental pollutant that even in low trace is harmful for human health and wildlife. In this study we presented a colorimetric method for determination of Pb2+ in water by aggregation of silver nanoparticles capped citrate in the presence of deferoxamine as chelating agent. Silver nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of AgNO3 with NaBH4. In the presence of Pb2+, mixture of silver nanoparticles capped citrate and deferoxamine aggregated and color of solution changed from light yellow to violet that depends on Pb2+ concentration. As a result of aggregation, local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band of silver nanoparticles around 440 nm decreases and a new band appears at 580 nm that depend on Pb2+ concentration. Under optimized conditions, linear relation of concentration of Pb2+ and absorbance ratio (A580/A440), was from 0.19 to 1.29 µmol L-1 and limit of detection of 0.056 µmol L-1 was found. Control experiments with the addition of 10 other metal ions (Ni2+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Al3+, Co2+, K+, Ba2+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Hg2+) did not result in a distinct change in the color or in the absorption spectra. This approach was successfully tested for determination of Pb2+ in well and tap water.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a common mood disorder in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH) and is associated with risk-taking sexual behaviourOBJECTIVES: This study examines depression, sleep quality and condom usage amongst PLWH in Tehran, IranMETHOD: This cross-sectional study was undertaken between October and November 2019 on 298 PLWH referred to voluntary counselling and testing centres (VCTs) in Tehran. Participants provided information as per the following questionnaires: the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire that evaluated condom useRESULTS: A total of 298 PLWH, of whom 202 (67.8%) were men with a mean age of 39.81 years, were enrolled in the study. The DASS classified 57% with depression. Fewer than 20% of these used condoms regularly. The majority of depressed patients were men (68.6%) and 31.4% were women. The depressed patients were more likely not to use condoms than those who were not depressed (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.70-11.42). The adjusted OR for not using a condom amongst the depressed was 7.12 times greater (95% CI, 5.85-10.11) than in those without depressionCONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that depression is common amongst PLWH in Tehran and is associated with risk-taking sexual behaviour. Appropriate interventions are needed to address mental disorders in PLWH. It is recommended that patients be screened regularly for symptoms of depression and, where indicated, counselled and managed

Abstract: Special tubular fiberboard with a density of 550 kg/m3 was manufactured using the round rods for creation of the holes. Physicomechanical properties of tubular fiberboard (6, 8, 10, 12 (mm)) with various hole diameters and number of hole (0, 1, 2 and 3 in a constant cross section) were evaluated. The surface layers density, especially on top of the holes, considerably elevated with increasing the hole diameter. This did create higher bending properties as well as higher internal bond and surface soundness. The structure of webs between the holes, when the holes’ number increases, were predominant factor influencing the panel properties. Weak and loose web structure were obtained by increasing the holes’ number from 1 to 3 within a constant cross section (50 mm × 16 mm) that was due to the less transferred fiber during pressing in the webs’ sections. A corresponding comparison of panel properties with those in American and European standards presents that the minimum requirements according to most of the standards were obtained.

Abstract. Salicylic acid (mod)-Ag/TiO2NTs/Ti photocatalyst plates were prepared using chemical modification process of TiO2-nanotubes/Ti plates with salicylic acid and silver nanoparticles. Morphology studies exhibit that esterification between salicylic acid and -OH groups on TiO2 surface as well as deposition of Ag has been led to formation of uniform deposits on the walls of TiO2-nanotubes/Ti plates. The photocatalytic activity of the plates was tested on the degradation of Methylene Orange (MO) dye. The activity tests showed that the photodegradation efficiency for salicylic acid(mod)-Ag/TiO2NTs/Ti is higher than for Ag/TiO2NTs/Ti, salicylic acid(mod)/TiO2NTs/Ti and TiO2NTs/Ti plates, showing the integration the photocatalytic advantages of both Ag-TiO2 and salicylic acid-Mod-TiO2 composites. The modified plates can eliminate 96.6% of MO under UV light irradiation after 1 h, while can be recycled 4 times with 72.9% degradation ratio. Improved surface adsorption of MO, fast charge separation and slow electron-hole recombination are the main factors being responsible for the increase the photocatalytic activity of salicylic acid (mod)-Ag/TiO2-nanotubes/Ti plate.

Resumen. Se prepararon placas de fotocatalizador de ácido salicílico (mod)-Ag/TiO2NTs/Ti, utilizando un proceso de modificación química de placas de nanotubos/TiO2-TiO2, con ácido salicílico y nanopartículas de plata. Los estudios morfológicos muestran que la esterificación entre el ácido salicílico y los grupos -OH en la superficie de TiO2, así como la deposición de Ag, ha llevado a la formación de depósitos uniformes en las paredes de las placas de nanotubos de TiO2/ Ti. La actividad fotocatalítica de las placas se probó en la degradación del colorante naranja de metileno (MO). Las pruebas de actividad mostraron que la eficiencia de fotodegradación para el ácido salicílico (mod)-Ag /TiO2NTs/Ti es mayor que para las placas Ag/TiO2NTs/Ti, ácido salicílico (mod)/TiO2NTs/Ti y TiO2NTs/Ti, mostrando la integración de las ventajas fotocatalíticas de los compuestos de Ag-TiO2 y ácido salicílico-Mod-TiO2. Las placas modificadas pueden eliminar el 96.6% del MO bajo la irradiación con luz UV después de 1 h, mientras que pueden reciclarse 4 veces con una relación de degradación del 72.9%. La mejora de la adsorción superficial de MO, la rápida separación de la carga y la lenta recombinación del hueco de electrones son los principales factores responsables del aumento de la actividad fotocatalítica del ácido salicílico (mod)-Ag/TiO2-nanotubos/placa de Ti.

Resumen Objetivo. Examinar los desafíos para la cooperación entre los servicios de emergencias prehospitalarias y hospitalarias en la entrega de víctimas de accidentes de tránsito. Métodos. Estudio cualitativo con análisis de contenido. Se utilizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas para la recopilación de los datos. Se seleccionaron y entrevistaron quince personas de los equipos de atención prehospitalaria y del servicio de emergencias de un hospital a partir del muestreo intencional. Los participantes expresaron sus experiencias de cooperación entre estos dos grupos en la entrega de víctimas de accidentes de tráfico. Las entrevistas se transcribieron textualmente y se utilizó el análisis de contenido para explicar e interpretar el contenido de las entrevistas. Resultados. Emergieron tres categorías principales: Escasez de recursos de infraestructura (equipos, espacio físico y de personal); Gestión ineficiente y no científica (responsabilidad inestable, actividades basadas en información desactualizada, motivación deficiente, y baja productividad de personal); y Lenguaje no común (diferencia en comprensión y empatía, y diferencia en capacitación y experiencia). Conclusión. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio muestran dificultades con la planificación de los recursos y la promoción de las prácticas de gestión, así como la necesidad de un programa de empoderamiento del personal. Se deben formular políticas para poder avanzar en el mejoramiento de la coordinación de los servicios en la atención a víctimas de accidentes de tráfico.

Abstract Objective. To take a deep look at the challenges of cooperation between the pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency services in the handover of victims of road traffic accidents. Methods. This is a qualitative study and the method used is of content analysis type. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Through purposive sampling, fifteen employees from ambulance personnel and hospital emergency staff were selected and interviewed. They expressed their experiences of cooperation between these two teams in the handover of traffic accident casualties. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysis method was used to explain and interpret the content of the interviews. Results. Three major categories were derived from the analysis of interviews: Shortage of infrastructure resources (Shortage of equipment, Shortage of physical space, and Shortage of manpower); Inefficient and unscientific management (Shaky accountability, Out-of-date information based activities, Poor motivation, and Manpower low productivity); and Non-common language (Difference in understanding and empathy, and Difference in training and experience). Conclusion. The obtained results of this study suggest that the careful planning of resources, the promotion of managerial practices as well as empowerment program of the staff, healthcare managers and policymakers can take a pace forward in order to enter into a hearty coordination between these two services for the attention of victims of road traffic accidents.

Resumo Objetivo. Examinar os desafios para a cooperação entre os serviços de emergências pré-hospitalar e hospitalar na entrega de vítimas de acidentes de trânsito. Métodos. Estudo qualitativo com análise de conteúdo. Se utilizaram entrevistas semiestruturadas para a recopilação dos dados. Através da amostra intencional se selecionaram e entrevistaram quinze pessoas das equipes de atenção pré-hospitalar e do serviço de emergências de um hospital. Os participantes expressaram suas experiências de cooperação entre estes dois grupos na entrega de vítimas de acidentes de trânsito. As entrevistas se transcreveram textualmente e se utilizou a análise de conteúdo para explicar e interpretar o conteúdo das entrevistas. Resultados. Emergiram três categorias principais: Escassez de recursos de infraestrutura (equipamentos, espaço físico e de pessoal); Gestão ineficiente e não científica (responsabilidade instável, atividades baseadas em informação desatualizada, motivação deficiente, e baixa produtividade de pessoal); e Linguagem não comum (diferença em compreensão e empatia, e diferença em capacitação e experiência). Conclusão. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostram dificuldades com a planificação dos recursos e a promoção das práticas de gestão, assim como a necessidade de um programa de empoderamento do pessoal. Se devem formular políticas para poder avançar no melhoramento da coordenação dos serviços na atenção as vítimas de acidentes de trânsito.

Resumen Objetivo. Investigar cómo la reflexión grupal sobre el cuidado espiritual afecta el bienestar espiritual y la actitud de los estudiantes de enfermería hacia la espiritualidad y el cuidado espiritual. Métodos. Este fue un ensayo controlado aleatorio realizado en 63 estudiantes de segundo año de dos escuelas de enfermería y partería en Irán. Los estudiantes se dividieron aleatoriamente en los grupos de intervención (n=30) y de control (n=33). Los datos del estudio se recopilaron utilizando la Escala de Bienestar Espiritual y la Escala de Calificación de Espiritualidad y Cuidado Espiritual antes y después de la intervención. La intervención consistió en cuatro sesiones de reflexión grupal basadas en escenarios relacionados con el cuidado espiritual. El grupo de control recibió solamente una conferencia relacionada con el tema. Resultados. Se encontró una diferencia significativa entre las medias de los dos grupos en cuanto a las puntuaciones de bienestar espiritual después de la intervención en comparación con la de la preintervención. Asimismo, se observó una diferencia significativa en las puntuaciones totales de actitud de los estudiantes del grupo de intervención antes y después de la intervención. Conclusión. La reflexión grupal mejoró el bienestar espiritual de los estudiantes de enfermería y su actitud hacia la espiritualidad y el cuidado espiritual en comparación con el grupo de control.

Abstract Objective. To investigate how group reflection about spiritual care affects nursing students' spiritual well-being and attitude toward spirituality and spiritual care. Methods. This was a randomized controlled trial conducted on 63 second-year nursing students who were studying at Nursing and Midwifery Colleges in Shiraz and Jahrom, both located in south of Iran. The students were randomly divided into an intervention (n=30) and a control (n=33) group. The study data were collected using the Spiritual Well-Being Scale and Spirituality and Spiritual Care Rating Scale before and after the intervention. The intervention consisted in four sessions of group reflection based on the scenarios related to spiritual care. The control group was given a related lecture in one session. Results. A significant difference was found between the two groups' means in spiritual well-being scores after the intervention compared to before that. Likewise, a significant difference was observed in the intervention group students' total scores of attitude before and after the intervention. Conclusion. Group reflection improved the nursing students' spiritual well-being and their attitude toward spirituality and spiritual care compared with control group.

Resumo Objetivo. Investigar como a reflexão grupal sobre o cuidado espiritual afeta o bem-estar espiritual e a atitude dos estudantes de enfermagem para a espiritualidade e o cuidado espiritual. Métodos. Este foi um ensaio controlado aleatório realizado em 63 estudantes de segundo ano de duas escolas de enfermagem e de parteiras no Irã. Os estudantes se dividiram aleatoriamente nos grupos de intervenção (n=30) e de controle (n=33). Os dados do estudo se recopilaram utilizando a Escala de Bem-estar Espiritual e a Escala de Qualificação de Espiritualidade e Cuidado Espiritual antes e depois da intervenção. A intervenção consistiu em quatro sessões de reflexão grupal baseadas em cenários relacionados com o cuidado espiritual. O grupo de controle recebeu somente uma conferência relacionada com o assunto. Resultados. Se encontrou uma diferença significativa entre as médias dos dois grupos em quanto às pontuações de bem-estar espiritual depois da intervenção em comparação com a da pré-intervenção. Assim mesmo, se observou uma diferença significativa nas pontuações totais de atitude dos estudantes do grupo de intervenção antes e depois da intervenção. Conclusão. A reflexão grupal melhorou o bem-estar espiritual dos estudantes de enfermagem e sua atitude à espiritualidade e o cuidado espiritual em comparação com o grupo de controle.

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent event after cardiac surgery with increased mortality and morbidity. We explored frequency, risk factors, and associated morbidity and mortality of AKI after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery at a single institution. Methods: All consecutive adults undergoing CABG surgery from March 2013 to October 2016 were assessed for development and severity of AKI based on Acute Kidney Injury Network (AKIN) criteria. The patients were also investigated regarding their need for renal replacement therapy (RRT), predictive risk factors, and associated outcomes, including duration of mechanical ventilation, mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay. Results: Of 1737 patients in the study, 275 (15.8%) developed AKI. Twenty-five (12.8%) cases required RRT. Patients with AKI had longer ventilation time, ICU and hospital length of stay (P<0.001). Mortality rates were 28 (10.2%) and 22 (1.5%) in patients with and without AKI, respectively (P<0.001). There was a strong association between advanced age (aOR=1.016, 95% CI=1.002-1.030, P=0.028), diabetes (aOR=1.36, 95% CI=1.022-1.809, P=0.035), on-pump surgery (aOR=2.63, 95% CI=1.543-4.483, P<0.001), transfusion of more than 1 unit of red blood cells (aOR=2.154, 95% CI=1.237-3.753, P=0.007), and prolonged mechanical ventilation and development of AKI (aOR=2.697, 95% CI=1.02407.071, P<0.001). AKI was seen less frequently in those with opium abuse (aOR=0.613, 95% CI=0.409-0.921, P=0.018). Conclusion: We demonstrated that advanced age, diabetes, on-pump surgery, red blood cell transfusion, and prolonged mechanical ventilation were independent positive risk factors for the development of AKI after isolated CABG while opium abuse was a protective factor.

Abstract Objective: To compare gingival and dental health indices between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women during the first 6-month period after childbirth. Material and Methods: In this longitudinal study, 25 lactating mothers and 25 non-lactating mothers who had delivered a month ago were examined. The groups were identical in terms of educational level, age, income, and delivery time. Periodontal and dental indices including Pocket Depth (PD), Gingival Index (GI), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Bleeding on Probing (BOP) and DMFT were checked initially and after 2-4-6 months. Data were presented with the use of descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and frequencies). The gingival health parameters were compared between the two groups with the use of Chi-square, Wilcoxon, and Kruskal-Wallis tests Results: Evaluation of PD showed that in the breastfeeding mothers increased from 1.97 mm at baseline to 2.44 mm after six months, while in the non-breastfeeding mother, the PDs increased from 2.03 mm at baseline to 2.11 mm after six months and at the 6-month interval, the PDs were significantly higher in the breastfeeding mothers (p>0.001). In breastfeeding mothers, the rate of dental caries was 12.68, with 11.52 in non-breastfeeding mothers (p>0.05). The rates of white spots in breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding mothers were 1.64 and 0.88, respectively. The degree of CAL and the rate of GI were similar between the two groups of mothers Conclusion: Some periodontal indices (Pocket Depth and Bleeding on Probing) in lactating mothers were significantly higher than non-lactating mothers others (Clinical Attachment Level and Gingival Index) were similar. There were no significant differences in dental indices between lactating and non-lactating mothers. However, the rate of the white spot was more in the lactating group. Breastfeeding can be one of the risk factors in gingival inflammation and dental caries.