Ethical care in patients with Covid-19: A grounded theory

BACKGROUND

Providing ethical care during the Covid-19 pandemic has become an inevitable challenge due to facing limitations such as fear of contracting the disease, lack of equipment and emergence of ethical conflicts; So that there is no clear picture of how to provide ethical care for patients with Covid-19. The study aimed to explain the ethical care process of patients with Covid-19.

METHOD

This qualitative study was conducted in 2021-2023 using the grounded theory research method. Data were collected through conducting 21 semi-structured interviews with 19 participants (16 staff nurses, and 3 supervisor). Sampling was started purposively and continued theoretically. Data analysis was performed by the method proposed by Strauss and Corbin.

RESULTS

The results indicated that starting the process with a problem means a challenge of how to do the right or correct thing for the patient. This process is driven by the feeling of duty and inner commitment to do the right thing. The sense of responsibility or commitment is directly related to the degree of faith in a person. The actions that a nurse takes to fulfill her sense of commitment is called the faith-based behavior process. The process of behavior based on faith is done through two steps. Attaining the satisfaction of God and as well as the satisfaction of one's conscience is the nurses' ultimate goal of doing the right work and being committed.

CONCLUSION

The process of ethical care of patients with Covid-19 can be different according to the degree of faith and environmental conditions. A higher level of faith and more helpful environmental conditions, the greater the nurse's inner commitments in the first and second steps, as a result, the satisfaction of God and conscience will be greater.

Role of the Thalamus in Basal Forebrain Regulation of Neural Activity in the Primary Auditory Cortex

Many studies have implicated the basal forebrain (BF) as a potent regulator of sensory encoding even at the earliest stages of or cortical processing. The source of this regulation involves the well-documented corticopetal cholinergic projections from BF to primary cortical areas. However, the BF also projects to subcortical structures, including the thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN), which has abundant reciprocal connections with sensory thalamus. Here we present naturalistic auditory stimuli to the anesthetized rat while making simultaneous single-unit recordings from the ventral medial geniculate nucleus (MGN) and primary auditory cortex (A1) during electrical stimulation of the BF. Like primary visual cortex, we find that BF stimulation increases the trial-to-trial reliability of A1 neurons, and we relate these results to change in the response properties of MGN neurons. We discuss several lines of evidence that implicate the BF to thalamus pathway in the manifestation of BF-induced changes to cortical sensory processing and support our conclusions with supplementary TRN recordings, as well as studies in awake animals showing a strong relationship between endogenous BF activity and A1 reliability. Our findings suggest that the BF subcortical projections that modulate MGN play an important role in auditory processing.

Real life management of chronic urticaria: Multicenter and cross sectional study on patients and dermatologists in Iran

Recently, advances in understanding the etiology of urticaria and updates of diagnostic and therapeutic management guidelines have drawn attention to chronic urticaria (CU) morbidity. The present study aimed to evaluate Iranian dermatologists' practice and real life management of CU patients. A total of 35 dermatologists and 443 patients were included in the study. Number of female patients was 321 (72.5%). Mean (standard deviation) age of the study patients was 38 (13) years and the median (inter quartile range) of disease duration was 12 (6-48) months. Severity of patients' symptoms was mild for 32.1%, moderate for 38.7%, severe for 18.8%, and 10.4% of them had no evident signs or symptoms. The most common diagnostic methods were physical examination (96.6%), differential blood count (83.5%), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (77.4%), and C-reactive protein (62.8%). The number of dermatologists prescribed nonsedating antihistamines (nsAH) in regular dose and high dose mono therapy were 26 (74%) and 6 (17%), respectively. About 66% of dermatologists were familiar with British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) guideline. The most common first-line treatment for CU by Iranian dermatologists was nonsedating antihistamines in regular or high doses. The real-life management of patients with CU in Iran was in accordance with the available practice guidelines.

Nanostructured Lipid Carrier for Topical Application of N-Acetyl Glucosamine

Purpose: Hyperpigmentation occurs when melanin is overproduced in certain spots on the skin and is one of the most challenging skin conditions to treat. Although it is usually harmless, for cosmetic reasons, it is dreadfully bothersome to those who undergo it. It was reported that N-acetyl-glucosamine (NAGA) prevents melanin synthesis and alters the expression of numerous genes related to pigmentation. In spite of these advantages, NAGA cannot be employed in topical formulations due to its extremely polar characteristics. Nanoparticles, especially lipid-based ones, have been introduced as an efficient carrier for dermal drug delivery. Methods: The aim of the present study was to load adequate hydrophilic NAGA to the lipophilic nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) for potential dermal application.

METHODS

NAGA-loaded NLCs were formulated, using hot homogenization technique, and the characteristics of the optimized formulation were analyzed by laser light scattering, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy methods. Loading capacity percentage and in vitro release study were carried out by applying a validated HPLC method. The optimum formulation was utilized for the in vivo skin lightening evaluations in healthy volunteers. Results: NAGA-loaded NLCs demonstrated promising results (the size of 190 nm, narrow size distribution, loading capacity of 9%, and appropriate NAGA release profile) suitable for dermal delivery. XRD results exhibited a dramatic reduction in the crystalline structure of encapsulated NAGA. Dermoscopy images indicated a considerable decline in melanin distribution pattern in the majority of the cases treated with NAGA-loaded NLCs. Conclusion: Thus, this study has opened new horizons for the potential use of lipid based nanoparticles in the managing of hyperpigmentation.

Efficacy of vitamin E to prevent dermal complications of isotretinoin

Acne treatment depends on whether patents have a mild, moderate, or severe type of acne. The aim of this study was to compare the using of Isotretinoin (Rokutan) with and without oral vitamin E in treating acne. This study was performed on 60 patients on 0.5 mg/kg/day isotretinoin treatment for 6 months. The first group received 800 IU day(-1) Vit E during treatment and the second group recieved 800 Iu day(-1) cod liver oil capsules. All patients were observed for the complications at 1th, 4th and 6th weeks during treatment. Cheilitis was the most common side effect among these patients (69%). Epistaxis was the second side effect in both groups (22%). Other side effects were xerosis, pruritus, epigastric pain and nail fragility. The frequency and the severity of complications were less common at 4th and 6th weeks of treatment. Isotretinoin is a useful and effective drug in treating severe and treatment-resistance acne lesions.

Maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of iran

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of parental violence has been an area of major public concern. There are few available data detailing the ways parents and other caregivers discipline children, particularly in low and middle income countries. This study focuses on the prevalence of different types of maternal child abuse and its association with maternal anxiety in the socio-cultural context of Iran.

METHODS

Participants in this cross-sectional study consisted of 562 mothers with the last child aged from 1 month to 12 years old who attended the Amirkola Children's Referral Hospital in Mazandaran Province, Iran, seeking healthcare services for their children. Demographic characteristics of the mothers, their children and reactions to conflicts with children were evaluated by a validated version of Conflict Tactics Scale for Parent and Child. Also, the relationship between maternal anxiety and child abuse was assessed using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The association between variables was examined by Pearson correlation coefficient, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multivariate regression.

RESULTS

The prevalence of mother-to-child corporal punishment, severe physical abuse and very severe physical abuse were 436 (78%), 260 (46%) and 180 (32%), respectively. Verbal emotional abuse was reported by 506 (90%) participants and nonverbal emotional abuse was reported in 374 (67%) cases. A correlation was observed between child abuse and mothers' age (p=0.02), as well as with the number of children in the family (p=0.03), and the mothers' trait anxiety (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION

Overall, the assessment of maternal child abuse should be an important focus for evaluation in mothers with anxiety and vice versa, when child abuse is suspected, maternal psychological assessment should be essential.

IgG antibodies in patients with pemphigus vulgaris before and after diagnosing with immunofluorescence

Pemphigus is defined as a group of chronic self-immune vesicular diseases histologically recognized by inter-epidermic vesicles resulting from acantholysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the precipitant and circulative IgG antibodies in patients with pemphigus vulgaris before and after treating with immunofluorescence. Sixty-two patients (34 females and 28 males) with clinically and pathologically confirmed P.V. were studied prospectively over a one year period of time during which direct and indirect immunofluorescent tests were performed before and after treatment. They had mild or moderate forms of disease. All patients received prednisolon 1-2 mg/kg/day and Azathioprine 2-3 mg/kg/day or methylpredisolon (1 g day(-1) for 4 days) and cyclophosphamide (500 mg/first day) pulse therapy due to general condition. Thirty- four females and 28 males enrolled, the mean age were 39.5 years (SD = 12.7). Before treatment, 10 and 52 cases were positive for skin depositing + or ++) and circulatory IgG (1/20 -1/60), respectively. Two to 3 month later, 37 were IgG positive with titers 1/20 to 1/160. The correlation between circulatory IgG before and after treatment was weakly positive (p = 0.05, r = 0.415). In the present study, treatment methods used for patients suffering from pemphigus vulgaris were not successful in significantly decreasing the circulative autoantibodies levels.

Efficiency of terbinafine 1% cream in comparison with ketoconazole 2% cream and placebo in patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis

Objective: Different medicines have been used to treat seborrheic dermatitis but efficiency of most of them has not been confirmed. This study compared the efficiency of terbinafine 1% cream in comparison with ketoconazole 2% cream and placebo in patients with facial seborrheic dermatitis. Methods: Ninety patients were randomly divided into three groups (there were 30 persons in each group). The patients consumed one of the medicines twice a day and for 4 weeks. The scores were recorded at the trial beginning, and in the 4th and 12th weeks. Demographic features and disease severity of all three groups were normal at the beginning of the study. Results: Mean of total score in terbinafine, ketoconazole and placebo groups was decreased from 5.04 ± 2.02, 5.04 ± 1.50 and 4.97 ± 1.71 at the beginning of the study to 1.78 ± 2.47, 1.81 ± 2.43 and 3.73 ± 1.74 at the 12th week. As compared with the placebo group, mean total score significantly decreased in ketoconazole and terbinafine groups (p = 0.003). However, there was not any meaningful difference between ketoconazole and terbinafine groups (p > 0.05). There was not any serious side effect and the recurrence rate and side effects was not meaningfully different in all three groups. Conclusion: Terbinafine 1% and ketoconazole 2% creams are safe and effective in treating seborrheic dermatitis.

Factors leading to dermatophytosis

Tinea or dermatophytoses are of skin superficial and fungous infections affecting keratinized tissues such as hair, nail, and superficial layer of epidermis. This study aimed at evaluating some predisposing factors for tinea corporis, because elimination or treatment of them not only ceases spreading of the lesion but also prevents reinfection. In this descriptive cross-sectional study patients who were visited in Sina Hospital in Tabriz and had confirmed tinea corporis with direct fungal smear were selected. Other regarding were age, sex, occupation and predisposing factors. Of 76 confirmed cases, 46 (60.5%) were males and 30 (30.5%) were females. Tinea corporis was common in the third decade. The main predisposing factor was dry skin. Diabetes was found only in 4 (5.2%) patients. According to the results of the present research, xerosis was the most common factor leading to tinea corporis in these patients rather than diabetes or lymphoma that it's diagnosis, treatment and some simple educations may inhence improvement of tinea corporis and prevents other superficial infections too.