Mohammad Fathi

Expression of Glucose Transporter 4 (GLUT4) is Increased by Cinnamaldehyde in C2C12 Mouse Muscle Cells

Background: In diabetes mellitus because of the absence or insufficient sensitivity to insulin, glucose transporter protein in cell membrane, glucose transporter 4, is decreased. GLUT4 is the major glucose transporter in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, which is under control of insulin. It remains, however, unclear whether cinnamaldehyde plays a regulatory role(s) or not. Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of cinnamaldehyde on GLUT4 gene expression. Materials and Methods: This study was an experimental trial. Tests were performed in triplicates. This study examined effects of cinnamaldehyde on Glut4 gene expression in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells by using Real Time PCR. C2C12 myoblasts were cultured in DMEM + 10 % FBS. After differentiation of myoblasts to myotubes, the cells were serum deprived for 5 hours and then treated with 10, 20, or 50 µM of cinnamaldehyde for 1 hour. Results: Our data revealed a significant increase in the expression of Glut4 in cinnamaldehyde treated cells. In addition, GLUT4 mRNA level was increased in a dose dependent manner. Analyses were performed using the SPSS 16 for Windows software. Differences between the groups were determined by one-way ANOVA. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that cinnamaldehyde up regulates the expression of mouse skeletal muscle GLUT4 gene expression.

Stress Among Iranian Nurses in Critical Wards

Background: Stress has been recognized as a significant psychosocial and physiologic component in educational and practical processes. Objectives: The purpose of present study was to survey stress among Iranian nurses in critical wards. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 3643 anonymous questionnaires were disseminated among nurses in different hospitals in Tehran, Iran, by utilizing multistage random sampling. The questionnaire consisted of two sections: demographic characteristics and a 22-item list on a five-point Likert scale. The association of variables with stress was evaluated using hierarchical logistic regression. Results: A total of 3043 completed questionnaires were completed and returned (response rate, 83.53%). Age (> 33 years, 1571 (51.63%); < 33 years old, 1472 (48.37%)), marital status (single, 188 (6.18%); married, 2685 (88.24%); and widow, 170 (5.59%)), working shift (morning, 605 (19.88%); evening, 631 (20.74%); night, 603 (19.82%); and rotation, 1204 (39.57%)), and the years of experience of nurses (1 - 5 years, 413 (13.57%); 6 - 10 years, 589 (19.36%); 11 - 15 years, 832 (27.34%); 16 - 20 years, 758 (24.91%); and 21-25 years, 451 (14.82%)) had significant association with the level of stress (P < 0.05 for all parameters). However, sex (male, 937 (30.79%); and female, 2106 (69.21%)), education (associate, 444 (14.59%); baccalaureate, 2250 (73.94%); and master, 349 (11.47%)), and body mass index (> 24.6 kg/m2, 2514 (49.75%); and < 24.6 kg/m2, 1529 (50.25%)) showed no significant association with the level of stress (P > 0.05 for all parameters). Conclusions: Considering the personal and background characteristics of personnel and understanding their association with stress and stressful situations encompasses the ability to persevere and adapt to contextual stressors.

A New Horizon in Life: Experiences of Patients Receiving Chemotherapy

Introduction: The treatment quality of diseases can affect the patients experience. Due to its different complications among cancer patients, the experience of chemotherapy is unique. The present study was conducted to explore the lived experience among cancer patients who had received chemotherapy. Methods: The study was conducted by a qualitative approach and a phenomenological method. In so doing, 12 cancer patients who had received chemotherapy were purposefully selected were interviewed using an in-depth method. After the required data were collected, they were analyzed by Tanner, Allen, Diekelmann method. Results: Analysis of the collected data indicated that the experience of chemotherapy appeared as “a new horizon in life” for the patients. Secondary themes of the new horizon in life included rebirth, understanding of life values, dependence, and need. Conclusion: According to the results of the study, it was concluded that in addition to taking into providing mental-spiritual support and reducing the complications of the treatment, nurses in chemotherapy wards should pay attention to the experiences of the patients receiving chemotherapy and enhance hope and positive attitude among them.

The Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Molecular Markers of Cholesterol Homeostasis in THP-1 Macrophages

Background Macrophages derived foam cells are key factors in the maladaptive immune and inflammatory response. Objectives The study of the cholesterol homeostasis and the molecular factor involved in these cells is very important in understanding the process of atherosclerosis and the mechanisms that prevent its occurrence. Materials and Methods This experimental study investigated the effects of c9, t11-Conjugated Linoleic Acid (c9, t11-CLA). Alpha Linolenic Acid (LA), and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) on the PPARα and ACAT1 mRNA expression by Real time PCR and cholesterol homeostasis in THP-1 macrophages derived foam cells. Results Incubation of CLA, LA, EPA, and synthetic ligands did not prevent increasing the cellular total cholesterol (TC). Free cholesterol (FC) is increased by Sandoz58-035 (P = 0.024) and decreased by fatty acids and Wy14643 (Pirinixic acid) (P = 0.035). The pattern of distribution of %EC is similar to the EC pattern distribution. The ACAT1 mRNA expression was significantly increased by EPA (P = 0.009), but c9, t11- CLA, LA, Wy14643, and Sandoz58-035 had no significant effect on the mRNA level of ACAT1 expression compared to DMSO(Dimethyl sulfoxide). Discussions In comparison to the control of Wy14643, Sandoz58-035, c9 and t11-CLA, EPA increased the PPARα mRNA levels (P = 0.024, P = 0.041, P = 0.043, and P = 0.004, respectively), even though, LA had no significant effect on the PPARα mRNA expression (P = 0.489). Conclusions Variations in the chemical structure of fatty acids can affect their physiological function.

The effect of multimedia-based nursing visit on preoperative anxiety and vital signs in patients undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery: A randomised clinical trial:

This study was a randomised clinical trial on 60 candidates undergoing lumbar disc herniation surgery. Anxiety rate and vital signs were measured before and after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of the preoperative anxiety, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate (P = 0.0001). Neurosurgery perioperative nurses can make use of multimedia in preoperative nursing visit based on the needs of patients.

Status of Violence in a Selected Faculty: The Students’ Experience

Abstract The present study is aimed at examining the status of violence among the students of nursing, midwifery, and operating room. A self-reporting questionnaire with two sections of demographic characteristics and experience of violence was used. The data obtained were analyzed, using SPSS software. 58.7 percent of the students had a history of violence in the previous year. The maximum percentage of violence exposure belonged to the students of operating room (76.9%). The highest incidence of violence was verbal (76.4%), happened in patients’ rooms (32.9%) and was in the form of insult (75.1%). Accordingly, preventive actions are required to prevent and control violence and support students. Informing students about violence, communicative skills, reaction, and coping with violence during studying is necessary. Therefore, educational authorities and theoretical and clinical instructors should take appropriate measures in order to prevent violence and create supportive mechanisms for the students.

The Effect of Intraoperative Alkali Treatment on Recovery from Atracurium-Induced Neuromuscular Blockade in Renal Transplantation: A Randomized Trial

Background Intraoperative care and anesthesia method in patients undergoing allograft renal transplantation surgery are very necessary. Acid-base imbalance can alter neuromuscular blockade and recovery time. Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of acid-base balance on atracurium blockade in renal transplantation. Methods In this randomized-controlled trial, 31 end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing renal transplantation were randomly assigned into two equal groups. The case group received intravenous sodium bicarbonate based on base excess in the first ABG sample, while the control group received sterile water for injection during the interval between anesthesia and beginning of surgery. Arterial blood gas (ABG) sample was drawn first prior to surgery and again at declamping time. Train-of-four (TOF) was measured before anesthesia and repeatedly after declamping time until acceptable recovery (TOF 3 of 4). The time of achieving TOF 3 was recorded and compared between the groups. Results There was no significant difference in blood pH between the groups in the first evaluation (P = 0.649). The pH and base excess (BE) in the case group significantly increased after the intervention. There was a significant decrease in after-surgery measurement of pH in the control group (P = 0.011). The mean time to achieve TOF = 3 was 23.75 ± 5.32 and 41.80 ± 5.2 minutes after declamping in the case and control groups, respectively. Patients in the sodium bicarbonate group achieved TOF = 3 significantly faster than the control group. Conclusions Based on our results, intraoperative alkali and acid-base imbalance treatment can reduce neuromuscular blockade and recovery time, and it can be regarded as a potential casual factor to enhance transplantation outcome.

Intensive Care at Home: An Opportunity or Threat

Although efficient hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) throughput depends upon the expeditious admission and discharge of ICU patients (1), health care systems are facing ethical challenges of caring for complex patients that are known as multimorbidity (2-8). A vast majority of patients need ICU admission; furthermore, when hospital occupancy is near its full capacity, prompt discharge of ICU patients to ward beds may not be feasible.

Combination of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Insertion/Deletion (I/D) (rs4646994) and VEGF Polymorphism (+405G/C; rs2010963) Synergistically Associated With the Development, of Albuminuria in Iranian Patients With Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion (I/D) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) polymorphisms have been shown to associate with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Objectives: We examined the hypothesis that ACE-D and VEGF-G alleles act synergistically in association with DN, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients and Methods: The VEGF (rs2010963) and ACE (rs4646994) genotypes were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 490 T2DM patients. Diabetic patients were classified as T2DM patients with and without albuminuria (control). The PCR and RFLP were used to detect the VEGF and ACE alleles. Results: A total of 255 consecutive patients with T2DM and microalbuminuria (Group A) and 235 patients with T2DM and normoalbuminuria (Group B) were included in the study. In univariate analysis, the groups were statistically similar for all variables, except for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (P = 0.034), and the frequency of ACE (P = 0.015) and VEGF (P = 0.006) genotypes. Our study showed that the VEGF-G and ACE-D alleles are independently associated with the development of nephropathy. According to our data, the combination of these two risk factors had a significant synergistic effect on the risk of microalbuminuria development. Conclusions: Our study indicated that ACE-D and VEGF-G alleles can be an independent risk factor for microalbominuria in T2DM patients.

The Effects of Body Position on Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Chemotherapy is the cornerstone of cancer treatment; however, alongside therapeutic effects, nausea and vomiting are two common complications of chemotherapy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of body position on chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Materials and Methods: This was a single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. We recruited a convenience sample of 79 patients and randomly allocated them to either experimental or control groups. Patients in the control group received chemotherapy in supine position while the experimental group received chemotherapy in semi-Fowler’s position. All patients were assessed for the severity, duration, and frequency of nausea and vomiting episodes every three hours up to 24 hours, ie, in nine time-points. Study data was analyzed by SPSS v. 16. Results: The severity, duration, and frequency of nausea and the severity and frequency of vomiting episodes in the control group differed significantly across the nine measurement time-points (P < 0.001). In the experimental group, the severity (P = 0.254) and frequency of nausea (P = 0.002) episodes as well as the frequency of vomiting (P = 0.008) episodes differed significantly across the measurement time-points. Moreover, the study groups differed significantly across the measurement time-point in terms of the severity (P < 0.001), duration (P < 0.001), and frequency of nausea (P = 0.002) and the severity (P < 0.001) and frequency (P < 0.001) of vomiting episodes. Conclusions: Compared to supine position, semi-Fowler’s position is more effective in relieving chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.