Nursing
Hadi Zolfegharzade; Shiva Heidari; Esfandiar Baljani; Pouya Hosseinzadeh
Volume 29, Issue 3 , September and October 2022, , Pages 357-368
Abstract
Introduction: Different beliefs and attitudes of individuals sometimes lead to different forms of stigma and discrimination against a group with different beliefs. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of stigma and discrimination and to express the discriminatory practices of nursing students ...
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Introduction: Different beliefs and attitudes of individuals sometimes lead to different forms of stigma and discrimination against a group with different beliefs. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of stigma and discrimination and to express the discriminatory practices of nursing students of Urmia Islamic Azad University in the face of HIV / AIDS patients.
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 90 nursing students of 5th and 6th semesters of Islamic Azad University of Urmia were selected by census and examined using a questionnaire of behavior and professional care of patients with AIDS. SPSS 16 software and descriptive statistical tests were used to analyze the data.
Results: 76.7% believed that they could refuse to provide services to AIDS patients in order to maintain their health and that of their families. 55.5% of students considered fear of infection as the most important concern in the care treatment of AIDS patients. 7.8% of students stated that they refused to provide care treatment to an AIDS patient.
Conclusion: Increasing the stigma and discrimination of nursing students towards AIDS patients can be due to fear of infection and lack of preventive measures.
immunology & Biochemistry
Jasmin Kharazmi-Khorassani; Ahmad Asoodeh
Volume 28, Issue 1 , January and February 2021, , Pages 69-81
Abstract
Introduction: Thymosin alpha-1 (zadaxin) a 28-amino acid peptide, which was first identified in the calf thymus. This peptide is a biological modifier which leads to activation of various cells of the immune system. In the recent years, thymosin alpha-1 has been studied in in vitro and in vitro studies ...
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Introduction: Thymosin alpha-1 (zadaxin) a 28-amino acid peptide, which was first identified in the calf thymus. This peptide is a biological modifier which leads to activation of various cells of the immune system. In the recent years, thymosin alpha-1 has been studied in in vitro and in vitro studies to evaluate its biological activities and therapeutic applications. Materials and Methods: This study was done to summarize findings from the biological and clinical applications of thymosin alpha-1 peptide. We searched at the sites of Google, Google Scholar and PubMed over 1966-2019 using Thymosin alpha-1, Immunomodulatory, Cancer, Hepatitis and AIDS as keywords. Results: The results showed that thymosin alpha-1 interacts with Tolllike receptors (TLR) and brings about to activation of some intracellular pathways that ultimately stimulate the immune system by modulating cytokine production, enhancing T-cell and dendritic cells. The peptide also shows antitumor activity and a protective role against oxidative damage by increasing the level of antioxidant enzymes. Clinical studies with thymosin alpha-1 have been shown a broad effective application against many infectious diseases, including hepatitis B and C and AIDS. In addition, thymosin alpha-1 is considered as a promising and adjunctive approach for subjects suffering from some cancers such as hepatocellular carcinoma and melanoma. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate the multiple biological properties of thymosin alpha-1. However, further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of action of thymosin alpha-1.
Seyyed Ali Naji; HeidarAli Abedi; Lida Sasani
Volume 20, Issue 4 , January and February 2014, , Pages 487-495
Abstract
Background: AIDS is one of the most challenging diseases in recent years that can influence quality of life and even survival rate of AIDS patients due to the wrong thoughts and social stigma that exists among society in relation to these patients. This study aimed to describe the social stigma experienced ...
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Background: AIDS is one of the most challenging diseases in recent years that can influence quality of life and even survival rate of AIDS patients due to the wrong thoughts and social stigma that exists among society in relation to these patients. This study aimed to describe the social stigma experienced by AIDS patients.
Materials and Methods: In this qualitative study, the phenomenological procedure was utilized. The population under study was 13 AIDS patients who were selected on a purpose-based sampling approach, and selection continued until saturation of the data occurred. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi procedure. The validity and reliability of study was based on its real value, practicality, continuity and reality.
Results: After analysis of interview transcripts, the most extracted sub-concepts were as follows: inappropriate labels, rejection, worthlessness and lack of support which all named under the main concept of stigma.
Conclusions: This study showed that AIDS patients experience a wide range of problems after the other people find out about their disease and also due to the social stigma about them. In the process of caring of AIDS patients, it should be taken into consideration not only the physical needs, but also the spiritual-mental and social needs of these patients. Being familiar with the stigma experienced by AIDS patients helps the nursing team to present necessary cares and instructions, and promote the quality of life and survival rate of AIDS patients. Raising society’s awareness and changing of the attitudes regarding AIDS patient should be taken into account as essential and undeniable issues.
MB ARDESHIR LARIJANI; SM TAVANGAR; AR SHAFAHI; A LASHKARI; M RASOULINEZHAD; R HESHMAT; M IZADI; V HAGHPANAH; SH AFHAMI; M MOHRAZ
Volume 13, Issue 4 , January and February 2007, , Pages 166-171
Abstract
Background and Purpose: A wide spectrum of endocrine abnormalities including thyroid dysfunction has been observed in HIV-infected patients with different results. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and to identify factors affecting the development of hypothyroidism ...
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Background and Purpose: A wide spectrum of endocrine abnormalities including thyroid dysfunction has been observed in HIV-infected patients with different results. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and to identify factors affecting the development of hypothyroidism in HIV-infected patients.
Methods and Materials: Free T4, FT3, TSH, and thyroglobulin levels of 88 HIV-infected patients receiving care at UT counseling center for Behavioral Disorders in Tehran, an out patient referral center, were measured and data on their age, sex, body weight, BMI, history of opium and injection addictions, duration of HIV infection, disease stage, history of opportunistic infection or malignancy, CD4 cell count, antiretroviral treatment with antiretroviral drugs (HAART), receipt of other drugs (TMP-SMX, antituberculosis drugs, and steroids), and hepatitis C virus Co-infection were collected. Inclusion of the subjects was simply random.
Results:17% of subjects had hypothyroidism; 1.1% had overt hypothyroidism; 2.3% subclinical hypothyroidism and 13.6% had low FT4 levels. The multivariate analysis showed that none of the studied factors were associated with the development of hypothyroidism.
Conclusion: As none of the above-mentioned factors are not associated with the development of hypothyroidism, hypothyroidism should be considered in HIV-infected patients.