Zahra Kamiab

Abstract Aim The current study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical competence and subscale of professional quality of life (ProQOL). Methods This cross‐sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to May 2019 on 291 nurses working in public hospitals in south Iran (Rafsanjan). The nurses were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the ProQOL questionnaire that included three subscales: compassion satisfaction, secondary traumatic stress and burnout and the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurse (CIRN) that measured clinical competence. Results A significant positive relationship was observed between compassion satisfaction and clinical competence. A significant negative association was found between compassion satisfaction and secondary traumatic stress/burnout and also between secondary traumatic stress and clinical competence. The results of regression analysis indicated that compassion satisfaction was the best predictor of secondary traumatic stress ( R 2 = 65%), burnout ( R 2 = 40%) and clinical competence ( R 2 = 12%). Moreover, secondary traumatic stress was found to be the best predictor of compassion satisfaction ( R 2 = 53%).

Introduction: Identification of factors associated with blood pressure (BP), including hemoglobin, can be used in diagnosing, controlling, and predicting the prognosis of patients. This study aims to investigate the cross-sectional association between hemoglobin concentration and BP in people aged 35-70 years in a cohort study of Rafsanjan, Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 9398 urban and rural population of Rafsanjan adult cohort study as a part of the prospective epidemiological research studies in Iran (PERSIAN). Demographic information, medical history, history of smoking and alcohol intake, systolic and diastolic BP, and hemoglobin concentration were collected. A logistic regression test was performed to evaluate the relationship between hemoglobin concentration and BP in 4 unadjusted and adjusted models based on demographic indicators, clinical and laboratory findings using SPSS.24 software and SAS software version 9.2. Results: The mean age of the participants was 49.78 ± 9.53 years, and 53.2% (5002 people) were women. Adjusted models 3 and 4 showed a positive association between BP and hemoglobin. For each unit increase in hemoglobin, the odds ratio (OR) of BP in the adjusted model 3 was 1.062 (95% CI: 1.005-1.121), and in the adjusted model 4, it was 1.090 (95% CI: 1.031-1.153). Conclusion: Based on the results, the positive trend of BP and hemoglobin levels may indicate the need to pay more attention to these people as higher-risk groups for hypertension.

Globally, breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. Hence, developing a therapeutic plan to overcome the disease is crucial. Numerous factors such as endogenous hormones and environmental factors may play a role in the pathophysiology of BC. Regarding the multi-modality treatment of BC, natural compounds like ellagic acid (EA) received has received increased interest in antitumor efficacy with lower adverse effects. Based on the results of this comprehensive review, EA has multiple effects on BC cells including (1) suppresses the growth of BC cells by arresting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase, (2) suppresses migration, invasion, and metastatic, (3) stimulates apoptosis in MCF-7 cells via TGF-β/Smad3 signaling axis, (4) inhibits CDK6 that is important in cell cycle regulation, (5) binds to ACTN4 and induces its degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, inducing decreased cell motility and invasion in BC cells, (6) inhibits the PI3K/AKT pathway, and (7) inhibits angiogenesis-associated activities including proliferation (reduces VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase activity). In conclusion, EA exhibits anticancer activity through various molecular mechanisms that influence key cellular processes like apoptosis, cell cycle, angiogenesis, and metastasis in BC. However, further researches are essential to fully elucidate its molecular targets and implications for clinical applications.

BACKGROUND: The available approaches for reducing mental problems, particularly for elderlies, include physical activities and exercise. Pilates is a sport that has received much attention during the past few years. The present study was conducted to explore the influence of Pilates on depression and happiness levels of elderly women. METHODS: This randomized trial work was conducted on 60 elderly women referred to the health center of Rafsanjan city, southern Iran. The participants were randomly assigned into two intervention (Pilates) and control groups, each with 30 members. In the intervention group, participants did Pilates three sessions each week for 8 weeks. The control group did not receive any intervention similar to the intervention group. The happiness level of the participants was measured using the Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) and their depression was measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) before, one month after, and two months after the intervention. A mixed ANOVA was applied for data analysis. RESULTS: The majority of the participants were married housewives with primary education and age range of above 62 years. Based on the findings of this study, the mean happiness and depression scores of the participants at the end of months one and two in the intervention groups increased significantly compared to those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Doing Pilates for 8 weeks may positively affect the depression and happiness levels of the elderly. Thus, it is recommended as a healthy exercise for elderlies.