Iranian Journal of Public Health最新文献

Background: The use of benzoic acid (BA) and its derivatives as food preservatives raises significant food safety concerns, as they may have potential adverse health effects.

Method: In this systematic review, BA content was examined in different types of Iranian food with classification of dairy, acidic, beverage, and bakery products. Furthermore, the levels of this preservative compared with Iranian National Standards Organization (INSO) and the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) value. Databases like PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were used to extract published studies until Feb 2024.

Results: The limit defined by INSO was stricter than the CAC regarding BA in food. Consequently, the results demonstrated a relatively high level of impermissibility of BA with the INSO limit. However, the food products within the permitted range of BA content included a more significant portion according to the CAC limit. The majority of BA levels found in various Iranian studies exceeded the permissible limits set by the INSO, raising health concerns.

Conclusion: The study's findings suggest that Iranian food authorities should regularly monitor and analyse food products for BA and its derivatives to mitigate potential future health risks and ensure food safety.

Background: This scoping review explores the key demographic and psychosocial factors impacting organ donation, with a focus on studies utilizing online or digital platforms. We aimed to understand the existing facts that influence to effects of the organ donation decision.

Methods: This review followed the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A comprehensive search of PubMed, CINAHL, and Medline was conducted using MeSH terms and logical operators to identify relevant studies published in English 2018 to 2023. Studies focusing on the demographics and influencing factors for organ donors of any age were included. Abstract concepts, conference proceedings, and non-English studies were excluded. Data extraction and quality assessment were independently conducted by two reviewers using standardized tools, including the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, Cochrane Risk of Bias tool, and Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.

Results: Out of 270 records identified, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria. The synthesis of results revealed three major themes: 1) demographic characteristics of organ donors, 2) psychosocial and digital factors influencing organ donation, and 3) interventions promoting awareness and engagement in organ donation. Online and digital platforms play a significant role in shaping attitudes, intentions, and awareness of organ donation. Quality assessment indicated a moderate-to-high level of methodological rigor across the included studies.

Conclusion: This review highlights the key factors influencing organ donation, particularly the role of digital platforms in enhancing awareness and engagement. Future research should focus on leveraging these insights to develop targeted interventions aimed at increasing organ donation rates globally.

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Microbiota and their metabolites, including toxins, have been shown to possess anti-tumor properties. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) from Escherichia coli may trigger inflammation in intestinal cells. We aimed to explore the anti-cancer effects of E. coli-derived OMVs on colorectal cancer cells by promoting apoptosis and pyroptosis, particularly through the over-expression of GSDMD in the CT-26 cell line.

Methods: In 2022, five non-replicating probiotic strains of E. coli were obtained from the Histogenotech Company in Tehran, and their OMVs were isolated and characterized. The CT-26 cell line was used to assess cell toxicity and the apoptotic effects of E. coli-derived OMVs. Real-time PCR and western blotting were performed to measure the expression of apoptosis and pyroptosis markers (GSDMD, NLRP3, and ROCK).

Results: The E. coli strains produced nanovesicles (5-200 nm in diameter). OMVs significantly reduced the viability of CT-26 cells and induced apoptosis at a concentration of 10 µg. The expression of GSDMD and NLRP3 was increased, while ROCK expression was downregulated in treated colorectal cells.

Conclusion: E. coli-derived OMVs can trigger inflammatory processes and induce negative effects on colorectal cancer cells. Further research is needed to evaluate their potential for colorectal cancer treatment.

Background: Cancer is a major public health challenge in Kazakhstan, with significant regional disparities in incidence and access to care. The Akmola Region faces socioeconomic and healthcare barriers affecting oncology outcomes. We examined the role of state policy in addressing cancer trends and proposed evidence-based interventions.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive and analytical study was conducted using cancer incidence data from 2009 to 2023, obtained from the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) were calculated using the WHO guidelines. Joinpoint regression analysis was applied to assess trends. Social factors, including income and access to care, influenced cancer rates. Rural areas faced notable disparities in oncology services.

Results: Over 15 years, 26,625 new cancer cases were recorded, with 48.9% in men and 51.1% in women. The most prevalent cancers were breast (11.8%), colorectal (9.5%), and gastric (8.8%). A decline in cancer incidence occurred in 2020, likely due to healthcare service disruptions during COVID-19. Social factors like income and care access shaped cancer rates. Rural areas faced notable disparities.

Conclusion: Strengthening state policies is crucial for reducing the cancer burden. Recommendations include expanding screening programs, improving healthcare infrastructure, and addressing regional inequalities through intersectoral collaboration. Implementing evidence-based strategies and integrating global best practices can enhance oncology care and reduce disparities.

Background: The cause of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is unclear. In this original study, we examined OAT patients' sperm using RNA-sequencing and studied the impact of curcumin on gene expression during sperm cryopreservation and freeze-thawing.

Methods: RNA-seq was performed using the Galaxy Europe server in IKHC (Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex), Tehran, Iran in 2023. Sperm samples were collected from 30 OAT patients and 30 healthy volunteers. Sperm parameters were analyzed, and samples were frozen with 20 μM curcumin at -196 °C for one week. Thawed samples were assessed for sperm parameters, and the expression levels of bax, bak, bcl-2, bclw, casp9, apaf-1, SOD, cat, and GPX4 genes were measured using RT-PCR.

Result: RNA-seq analysis showed increased expression of NANOS1, HSPA6, and ALOXE3 genes, while BHLHE41, Hey1, and PPM1D genes were down-regulated in OAT patients' sperm. Curcumin (20 μM) effectively preserves sperm parameters and motility during cryopreservation in healthy subjects and in OAT patients in particular. Cryopreserved sperm from both OAT patients and healthy individuals exhibited reduced expression of pro-apoptotic genes, increased expression of anti-apoptotic genes, and elevated levels of SOD and GPX4 genes.

Conclusion: Altered expressions of NANOS1, HSPA6, ALOXE3, BHLHE41, Hey1, and PPM1D genes likely contribute to OAT development. Additionally, curcumin protects sperm parameters during cryopreservation for both healthy individuals and OAT patients.

Background: This study was conducted to perform deep learning-based body shape cluster analysis using 3D Body Scanner.

Methods: For this study, 54 variables were measured using 3D Body Scanner on 366 adult men and women at Korea National Sport University in 2022. Transformer learning and dimensionality reduction models were used to perform cluster analysis on the measured data. Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied to compare the principal component differences of new scale characteristics, and all statistical significance levels were set at .05.

Results: First, among the two methods for classifying body types, the transformer algorithm had a higher performance in body type classification. Second, in the classification of body type clusters, two clusters, endomorphic body type and ectomorphic body type, were divided into six clusters, two for cluster 1 and four for cluster 2.

Conclusion: The six clusters provide more granular information than previous body type classifications, and we believe that they can be used as basic information for predicting health and disease.

Background: Older adults are the most hypertensive population compared to other age groups. The purpose of this study was to determine an education model involving the family and the outcomes of the program.

Methods: Studies conducted in 2023. The search terms "Aged or Older Adult or Elderly and Family-centered or Family Nursing and Hypertension or High Blood Pressure" were used to conduct a scoping review in the journals PROQUEST, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, COCHRANE, and PubMed until 2022. The flowchart for the PRISMA Scoping review shows the search and selection procedure. Tools from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) for Randomized Controlled Trials and Quasi-Experimental Studies are used to critically evaluate a few chosen papers.

Results: There were 11 articles found out of 2,355 articles in the search results. To increase perceived threat, self-efficacy, and self-confidence, the family-involved education intervention is implemented in phases. Knowledge, family involvement, blood pressure, cholesterol, uric acid, quality of life, and behavioral changes were among the outcomes that were evaluated.

Conclusion: Education involving families of the elderly with hypertension can affect a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in self-efficacy and good behavioral change, an increase in self-esteem, improved life quality, and family empowerment.

Background: Breastfeeding self-efficacy (BSE) is a modifiable factor that can enhance breastfeeding rates. Telemedicine constitutes safe and low-cost health services that can be developed for the interaction between professionals and clients. Therefore, this study aimed to review the effectiveness of telemedicine-based intervention on BSE in Iranian women.

Methods: This systematic and meta-analysis review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. English databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Persian databases including SID, Magiran, and IranMedex was searched until Aug 1, 2023 to identify randomized control trials about telemedicine-based interventions on BSE in Iran. The search strategy was focused on terms and eligibility criteria. Data analysis was done using CMA V.2 software. The risk of bias in the included studies was assessed.

Results: Out of 385 articles, eight articles that met the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The overall result demonstrated that telemedicine-based interventions have a positive impact on BSE compared with the control, especially in the long-term intervention (pooled SMD= 1.27; 95% CI= 1.01-1.53, P-value<0/001); heterogeneity (Cochrane's Q-value=51.94, P<0/001, I2=76.90%). In addition, twelve weeks of postpartum had more effect on BSE than the others. Also, breastfeeding intervention in the postpartum period was more effective compared with pregnancy. The publication bias among included studies was assessed by funnel plot.

Conclusion: This review could give insight to healthcare providers into the effect of telemedicine on BSE. Therefore, by strengthening BSE through telemedicine interventions, especially for women who do not have the conditions for face-to-face counseling, we can expect positive results.

Background: Depression is a common psychological problem among the elderly. It undermines the elderly's quality of life and imposes a heavy economic burden on society and families. Depression in this group must be addressed, but effective intervention therapies remain absent in existing studies. Strength-based cognitive behavior theory was combined with narrative therapy in this study. Its effect on depression in the elderly was verified through an intervention experiment.

Methods: From April to June 2024, 319 elderly people were recruited from Huoju Community in Changsha, Hunan Province, China to examine the factors influencing depression. A total of 85 of them with depression symptoms were included in a randomized intervention experiment and divided into two groups: 42 in the experiment group and 43 in the control group. The experiment group was intervened with strength-based narrative therapy, whereas the control group was given no targeted intervention.

Results: After the intervention, 1) the total depression score of the experiment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.001); 2) the mental state score of the control group decreased more significantly than that of the experiment group (P<0.05); and 3) the quality-of-life score of the experiment group was significantly higher than that of the control group at different time points (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Strength-based narrative therapy can effectively alleviate depression symptoms in the elderly, improve their mental state, delay their cognitive decline, and enhance their quality of life. It is an effective option to promote the elderly's mental health.

Background: Electronic medical records (EMRs) can minimize mistakes, enhance the comprehensiveness, legibility, and overall comprehension of medical records. However, nurses' limited familiarity with advanced technology lowers their confidence in utilizing EMRs. We aimed to collect and synthesize the most credible evidence on nurses' perception of EMRs, along with the barriers and facilitators that influence their acceptance.

Methods: Searching for relevant studies was carried out across three electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus and ProQuest in Dec 2023. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) was followed in this study report. The selected studies were then analyzed narratively and organized thematically for presentation.

Results: Out of the 4,382 articles identified through comprehensive database searches, only 19 met the criteria for inclusion and reviewed. Through the synthesis of findings, two primary themes emerged, including nurses' perceptions and experiences with EMRs and facilitators & barriers for nurses' in utilizing EMRs.

Conclusion: Nurses' perspectives are shaped by their computer skills, confidence in their abilities, and training. Despite obstacles such as nurse stress, EMRs present advantages such as enhanced patient care and decreased errors. Augmenting computer competency, delivering training, and guaranteeing support are essential for effective EMRs integration, leading to enhanced healthcare provision and better patient results.