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The present study aimed to develop an analytic assessment rubric for the consecutive interpreting course in the educational setting in the Iranian academic context. To this end, the general procedure of rubric development, including data preparation, selection, and refinement, was applied. The performance criteria were categorized into content, form, and delivery. Two groups of participants, experts, and students were recruited to establish the rubric's validity and reliability. Based on the statistical analysis, the developed analytic rubric was established as a valid tool for use in the Iranian academic context of consecutive interpreting assessment. The proposed rubric may provide novice trainers with a more objective and systematic tool for consecutive interpreting assessments.

The existing performance evaluation methods in robot-assisted surgery (RAS) are mainly subjective, costly, and affected by shortcomings such as the inconsistency of results and dependency on the raters' opinions. The aim of this study was to develop models for an objective evaluation of performance and rate of learning RAS skills while practicing surgical simulator tasks. The electroencephalogram (EEG) and eye-tracking data were recorded from 26 subjects while performing Tubes, Suture Sponge, and Dots and Needles tasks. Performance scores were generated by the simulator program. The functional brain networks were extracted using EEG data and coherence analysis. Then these networks, along with community detection analysis, facilitated the extraction of average search information and average temporal flexibility features at 21 Brodmann areas (BA) and four band frequencies. Twelve eye-tracking features were extracted and used to develop linear random intercept models for performance evaluation and multivariate linear regression models for the evaluation of the learning rate. Results showed that subject-wise standardization of features improved the R[superscript 2] of the models. Average pupil diameter and rate of saccade were associated with performance in the Tubes task (multivariate analysis; p-value = 0.01 and p-value = 0.04, respectively). Entropy of pupil diameter was associated with performance in Dots and Needles task (multivariate analysis; p-value = 0.01). Average temporal flexibility and search information in several BAs and band frequencies were associated with performance and rate of learning. The models may be used to objectify performance and learning rate evaluation in RAS once validated with a broader sample size and tasks.

Background: The basic requirements for monitoring anesthetized patients during surgery are assessing cardiac and respiratory function. Esophageal stethoscopes have been developed for this purpose, but these devices may not provide clear heart and lung sound due to existence of various noises in operating rooms. In addition, the stethoscope is not applicable for continues monitoring, and it is unsuitable for observing inaccessible patients in some conditions such as during CT scan. Objective: A wireless electronic esophageal stethoscope is designed for continues auscultation of heart and lung sounds in anesthetized patients. The system consists of a transmitter and a receiver. The former acquires, amplifies and transmits the acquired sound signals to the latter via a frequency modulation transmitter. The receiver demodulates, amplifies, and delivers the received signal to a headphone to be heard by anesthesiologist. Results: The usability and effectiveness of the designed system was qualitatively evaluated by 5 anesthesiologists in Namazi Hospital and Shahid Chamran Hospital, Shiraz, Iran on 30 patients in several operating rooms in different conditions; e.g., when electro surgery instruments are working. Fortunately, the experts on average ranked good quality for the heard heart and lung sounds and very good on the user friendly being of the instrument. Conclusion: Evaluation results demonstrate that the developed system is capable of capturing and transmitting heart and lung sounds successfully. Therefore, it can be used to continuously monitor anesthetized patients’ cardiac and respiratory function. Since via the instrument wireless auscultation is possible, it could be suitable for observing inaccessible patients in several conditions such as during CT scan.

This research aims to determine and quantify the radiation shielding characteristics of high-density polyethylene/ tungsten oxide (HDPE/WO3) nanocomposites including the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), half-value layer (HVL) and tenth-value layer (TVL) for photons at various energies using Geant4, XCOM, and experiment. Thus, HDPE was chosen as the polymer matrix. Then, the samples at various concentrations of WO3 nanoparticles (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9.5 wt.%), different graphene oxide (GO) weight percentages (0, 0.25, 0.5, and 1 wt.%), and 10 and 20 wt.% linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) were fabricated. An NaI (Tl) scintillation detector was used to measure the shielding quantities using the 201Tl, and 99mTc sources at three energies of 135, 140, and 167 keV. The experimental results demonstrated that the addition of GO and LLDPE to the HDPE matrix resulted in a more uniform sample. Incorporating 20% LLDPE into the HDPE polymer matrix for the 99mTc resulted in an 18% rise in μ compared to pure HDPE. Finally, the experimental results revealed a comparatively good agreement with the Geant4 and XCOM simulations.

Abstract Introduction Hospitals as the main providers of healthcare services play an essential role in the management of disasters and emergencies. Nurses are one of the important and influential elements in increasing the surge capacity of hospitals. Accordingly, the present study aimed to assess the effect of surge capacity enhancement training for nursing managers on hospital disaster preparedness and response. Methods All nursing managers employed at Motahari Hospital in Tehran took part in this interventional pre- and post-test action research study. Ultimately, a total of 20 nursing managers were chosen through a census method and underwent training in hospital capacity fluctuations. The Iranian version of the “Hospital Emergency Response Checklist” was used to measure hospital disaster preparedness and response before and after the intervention. Results The overall hospital disaster preparedness and response score was 184 (medium level) before the intervention and 216 (high level) after the intervention. The intervention was effective in improving the dimensions of hospital disaster preparedness, including “command and control”, “triage”, “human resources”, “communication”, “surge capacity”, “logistics and supply”, “safety and security”, and “recovery”, but had not much impact on the “continuity of essential services” component. Conclusion The research demonstrated that enhancing the disaster preparedness of hospitals can be achieved by training nursing managers using an action research approach. Encouraging their active participation in identifying deficiencies, problems, and weaknesses related to surge capacity, and promoting the adoption and implementation of suitable strategies, can enhance overall hospital disaster preparedness.

Abstract There is a significant focus on the role of the host microbiome in different outcomes of human parasitic diseases, including cystic echinococcosis (CE). This study was conducted to identify the intestinal microbiome of patients with CE at different stages of hydatid cyst compared to healthy individuals. Stool samples from CE patients as well as healthy individuals were collected. The samples were divided into three groups representing various stages of hepatic hydatid cyst: active (CE1 and CE2), transitional (CE3), and inactive (CE4 and CE5). One family member from each group was selected to serve as a control. The gut microbiome of patients with different stages of hydatid cysts was investigated using metagenomic next-generation amplicon sequencing of the V3–V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. In this study, we identified 4862 Operational Taxonomic Units from three stages of hydatid cysts in CE patients and healthy individuals with a combined frequency of 2,955,291. The most abundant genera observed in all the subjects were Blautia, Agathobacter, Faecalibacterium, Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Prevotella. The highest microbial frequency was related to inactive forms of CE, and the lowest frequency was observed in the group with active forms. However, the lowest OTU diversity was found in patients with inactive cysts compared with those with active and transitional cyst stages. The genus Agatobacter had the highest OTU frequency. Pseudomonas, Gemella, and Ligilactobacillus showed significant differences among the patients with different stages of hydatid cysts. Additionally, Anaerostipes and Candidatus showed significantly different reads in CE patients compared to healthy individuals. Our findings indicate that several bacterial genera can play a role in the fate of hydatid cysts in patients at different stages of the disease.

Abstract Elderly individuals face an increased likelihood of developing chronic diseases such as diabetes. Self-care practices and medication adherence play crucial roles in preventing complications and adverse effects of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to determine self-care behaviors, medication adherence status, and related factors among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 374 elderly patients with type 2 diabetes who visited educational healthcare centers in Qazvin, Iran, during 2023 (March–September). Sampling was performed using the convenience method. Data collection instruments included a demographic characteristics checklist, the summary of diabetes self-care activities questionnaire, and the Morisky medication adherence scale. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS-22 software, employing the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, mean, standard deviation, univariate and multivariate regression analyses. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. The mean age of participants was 67.56 ± 5.93 years. In the self-care questionnaire, the highest score pertained to adherence to the diet recommended by the treating physician (3.16 ± 1.87). In contrast, the lowest scores were related to the frequency of checking inside shoes (0.17 ± 0.93) and foot examination (0.31 ± 1.07), respectively. Furthermore, results in self-care behaviors indicated that with increasing education levels, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) significantly decreased (P = 0.048). This variable was considerably higher in rural residents than in urban dwellers (P = 0.016). Additionally, the frequency of blood glucose measurements was significantly higher in urban residents than in rural inhabitants (p = 0.006). Based on the results, the mean score for medication adherence among patients was 5.53 ± 1.65. Based on our findings, the level of self-care in physical activity, SMBG, and foot care among the elderly is below average. Furthermore, medication adherence in these patients is poor. We expect that managers and policymakers take steps to reduce complications and improve these two variables by developing educational programs on self-care and emphasizing the importance of treatment adherence for these patients.

Objective(s): Our study aimed to formulate a niosomal system for enhancing tannic acid’s antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against vancomycin-intermediate staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Materials and Methods: Niosomal tannic acid was formulated by the thin-film hydration technique, which their physicochemical attributes, including drug loading, particle size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), polydispersity index (PDI), release profile, were evaluated. To investigate the cell viability of the prepared niosomes, the cytotoxicity effect was analyzed against the human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell line. Finally, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of niosomal formulation were examined against VISA strains and compared tothe free drug.Results: Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the niosomal formulation incorporated tannic acid was homogeneous, spherical, and identical in size (151.9 nm). EE% and surface charge of the synthesized niosomes were 68.90% and -60 mV, respectively. The tannic acid-encapsulated niosomes showed a significant antibacterial potential in comparison with the free drug. Furthermore, niosomal tannic acid reduced the biofilm formation ability in all VISA strains and efficiently eradicated the formed bacterial biofilms at the same concentrations of the free drug.Conclusion: Niosomes, as vesicular-based nanoparticles, are known to be potent drug delivery vehicles due to numerous features such as non-toxicity, small size, sustained-release profile, and protection from pharmaceutical degradation. Niosomes have a high capacity to deliver wide range of antimicrobial agents, including natural compounds, which could be presented as a novel approach against bacterial infections, particularly VISA strains.Objective(s): Our study aimed to formulate a niosomal system for enhancing tannic acid’s antibacterial and antibiofilm activities against vancomycin-intermediate staphylococcus aureus (VISA). Materials and Methods: Niosomal tannic acid was formulated by the thin-film hydration technique, which their physicochemical attributes, including drug loading, particle size, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency (EE%), polydispersity index (PDI), release profile, were evaluated. To investigate the cell viability of the prepared niosomes, the cytotoxicity effect was analyzed against the human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell line. Finally, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities of niosomal formulation were examined against VISA strains and compared tothe free drug.Results: Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the niosomal formulation incorporated tannic acid was homogeneous, spherical, and identical in size (151.9 nm). EE% and surface charge of the synthesized niosomes were 68.90% and -60 mV, respectively. The tannic acid-encapsulated niosomes showed a significant antibacterial potential in comparison with the free drug. Furthermore, niosomal tannic acid reduced the biofilm formation ability in all VISA strains and efficiently eradicated the formed bacterial biofilms at the same concentrations of the free drug.Conclusion: Niosomes, as vesicular-based nanoparticles, are known to be potent drug delivery vehicles due to numerous features such as non-toxicity, small size, sustained-release profile, and protection from pharmaceutical degradation. Niosomes have a high capacity to deliver wide range of antimicrobial agents, including natural compounds, which could be presented as a novel approach against bacterial infections, particularly VISA strains.

Background: The rapid distribution of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to an increased prevalence of mental problems. Also, patients with epilepsy (PWE) are more prone to mental illnesses, and approximately 25% of them have psychopathological comorbidities. On the other hand, cancellation of the patient’s appointment, decreased medical care services and strict isolation affect both the mental health and epilepsy care of the patients. Objectives: This study aimed to compare depression, psychopathological distress, and sleep disturbances between PWE and a normal group during COVID-19 pandemic. Materials & Methods: A total of 76 PWE, who were consecutively referred to the Neurology Clinics of 22 Bahman Hospital, Khorasan Razavi, Iran, were recruited. Also, 76 age- and gender-matched healthy persons were included as the normal group. Demographic and epilepsy-related information was collected from the 6-item Kessler questionnaire, Beck depression inventory, and Pittsburgh sleep quality index questionnaire. The obtained data were used to assess psychopathological distress, depression, and sleep quality, respectively. Results: PWE had significantly higher levels of psychopathological distress (P=0.04), depression (P=0.02), and sleep disorders (P=0.01) than healthy individuals. Results showed that duration of disease was significantly associated with depression level and sleep disorders (P

Abstract The threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing worldwide, making it significantly necessary to discover a novel way of dealing with related infections. The quick spread of MRSA isolates among infected individuals has heightened public health concerns and significantly limited treatment options. Vancomycin (VAN) can be applied to treat severe MRSA infections, and the indiscriminate administration of this antimicrobial agent has caused several concerns in medical settings. Owing to several advantageous characteristics, a niosomal drug delivery system may increase the potential of loaded antimicrobial agents. This work aims to examine the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of VAN-niosome against MRSA clinical isolates with emphasis on cytotoxicity and stability studies. Furthermore, we aim to suggest an effective approach against MRSA infections by investigating the inhibitory effect of formulated niosome on the expression of the biofilm-associated gene (icaR). The thin-film hydration approach was used to prepare the niosome (Tween 60, Span 60, and cholesterol), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), an in vitro drug release, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and entrapment efficiency (EE%) were used to investigate the physicochemical properties. The physical stability of VAN-niosome, including hydrodynamic size, polydispersity index (PDI), and EE%, was analyzed for a 30-day storage time at 4 °C and 25 °C. In addition, the human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cell line was used to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of synthesized niosome. Moreover, minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MICs/MBCs) were applied to assess the antibacterial properties of niosomal VAN formulation. Also, the antibiofilm potential of VAN-niosome was investigated by microtiter plate (MTP) and real-time PCR methods. The FE-SEM result revealed that synthesized VAN-niosome had a spherical morphology. The hydrodynamic size and PDI of VAN-niosome reported by the DLS method were 201.2 nm and 0.301, respectively. Also, the surface zeta charge of the prepared niosome was − 35.4 mV, and the EE% ranged between 58.9 and 62.5%. Moreover, in vitro release study revealed a sustained-release profile for synthesized niosomal formulation. Our study showed that VAN-niosome had acceptable stability during a 30-day storage time. Additionally, the VAN-niosome had stronger antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties against MRSA clinical isolates compared with free VAN. In conclusion, the result of our study demonstrated that niosomal VAN could be promising as a successful drug delivery system due to sustained drug release, negligible toxicity, and high encapsulation capacity. Also, the antibacterial and anti-biofilm studies showed the high capacity of VAN-niosome against MRSA clinical isolates. Furthermore, the results of real-time PCR exhibited that VAN-niosome could be proposed as a powerful strategy against MRSA biofilm via down-regulation of icaR gene expression.

Ca2+ entry via Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) channels is a predominant mechanism of intracellular Ca2+ elevation in immune cells. Here we show the immunoregulatory role of CRAC channel components Orai1 and Orai2 in Group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s), that play crucial roles in the induction of type 2 inflammation. We find that blocking or genetic ablation of Orai1 and Orai2 downregulates ILC2 effector function and cytokine production, consequently ameliorating the development of ILC2-mediated airway inflammation in multiple murine models. Mechanistically, ILC2 metabolic and mitochondrial homeostasis are inhibited and lead to the upregulation of reactive oxygen species production. We confirm our findings in human ILC2s, as blocking Orai1 and Orai2 prevents the development of airway hyperreactivity in humanized mice. Our findings have a broad impact on the basic understanding of Ca2+ signaling in ILC2 biology, providing potential insights into the development of therapies for the treatment of allergic and atopic inflammatory diseases.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are severe clinical disorders that mainly develop from viral respiratory infections, sepsis, and chest injury. Antigen-presenting cells play a pivotal role in propagating uncontrolled inflammation and injury through the excess secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and recruitment of immune cells. Autophagy, a homeostatic process that involves the degradation of cellular components, is involved in many processes including lung inflammation. Here, we use a polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C))-induced lung injury mouse model to mimic viral-induced ALI/ARDS and show that disruption of autophagy in macrophages exacerbates lung inflammation and injury, whereas autophagy induction attenuates this process. Therefore, induction of autophagy in macrophages can be a promising therapeutic strategy in ALI/ARDS.