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Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) is a vital industrial and medicinal plant widely utilized in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic industries due to its rich bioactive metabolites, including terpenoids and phenolic compounds, as well as its diverse therapeutic properties. This study examined the effects of silicon nanoparticles (Si-NPs; 300 mg/L foliar spray), superabsorbent polymer (SAP; 1 g/kg soil), and drought stress (75% field capacity) on the phytochemical, physiological, and growth parameters of lemon balm under greenhouse conditions. Conducted over 2023–2024 at Arak University’s medicinal plants department, the experiment followed a randomized complete block design with eight treatments and three replicates. Drought stress significantly reduced chlorophyll *a* (0.74 mg/gFW) and total chlorophyll content (1.00 mg/gFW), while Si-NPs and SAP mitigated these effects by enhancing chlorophyll levels, stem height, and diameter while reducing electrolyte leakage and proline accumulation. Conversely, drought stress elevated electrolyte leakage (32.45%) and proline (1.26 µmol/gFW). The combined Si-NP and SAP treatment yielded the highest flavonoid concentrations (6.76 mg QE/g DW) and antioxidant activity (59.37%). Notably, Si-NPs and SAP alleviated drought-induced morphological and physiological impairments. Essential oil content peaked (0.29%) under drought stress, with geranial and neral identified as primary constituents. The control and SAP treatments produced the highest geranial content (51.53%), whereas SAP alone maximized neral (34.95%). Si-NPs elevated linalool acetate (5.71%), and drought stress increased isopulegol (11.16%). These findings demonstrate the efficacy of Si-NPs and SAP in enhancing lemon balm’s drought tolerance and phytochemical yield.

Background None of the evaluation methods can identify all the usability problems of information systems. So far, no study has sufficiently investigated the potential of a combination of these methods to identify usability problems. The present study aimed at examining the potential for combining two commonly utilized user-based and expert-based methods to evaluate the usability of a hospital information system. Methods Think aloud (TA) and Heuristic evaluation (HE) methods were used to identify the usability problems of two subsystems of the Social Security Electronic System in Iran. To this end, the problems were categorized into five groups based on ISO-Nielsen usability attributes. The Chi-square test was applied to compare the intended methods based on the total number of problems and the number of problems within each group, followed by utilizing the Mann-Whitney U test to compare the mean severity scores of these methods. Results The evaluation by combining these methods yielded 423 problems of which 75% varied between the methods. The two methods were significantly different in terms of the total number of problems, the number of problems in each usability group, and the mean severity of two satisfaction and efficiency attributes ( P  < 0.05). However, no significant difference was observed between the two methods based on the mean severity of problems and severity scores related to three usability attributes i.e., effectiveness, learnability, and error prevention ( P  > 0.05). In addition, the mean severity of problems identified by each method was at the “Major” level. Conclusion Based on the results, although the mean severity scores of the identified problems were not significantly different, these methods identify heterogeneous problems. HE mainly identifies problems related to satisfaction, learnability, and error prevention while TA detects problems related to effectiveness and efficiency attributes. Therefore, using a combination of these two methods can identify a wider range of usability problems.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to acute respiratory disease; cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and coagulation complications; and even death. One of the major complications is cardiovascular disorders, including arrhythmias, myocarditis, pericarditis, and acute coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of cardiovascular complications and to determine its association with the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. In a prospective analytic study, 137 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were enrolled. During hospitalization, an electrocardiogram (ECG) was performed every other day, and laboratory tests such as cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were done 0, 6, and 12 hours after admission. These tests were repeated for patients with chest pain or ECG changes. Patients were categorized into three groups (improved, complicated, and expired patients) and assessed for the rate and type of arrhythmias, cardiac complications, lab tests, and outcomes of treatments. There was no significant relationship among the three groups related to primary arrhythmia and arrhythmias during treatment. The most common arrhythmia during hospitalization and after treatment was ST-T fragment changes. There was a significant age difference between the three groups (P=0.001). There was a significant difference among the three groups for some underlying diseases, including diabetes mellitus (P=0.003) and hyperlipidemia (P=0.004). In our study, different types of arrhythmias had no association with patients’ outcomes but age over 60 years, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia played an important role in the prognosis of COVID-19 cases.

Introduction: Risk-taking has an important role in human life, either positive or negative. Finding a method to control or drive this in a particular way can affect the health of individuals and communities by discouraging negative risks, such as reckless driving, or encouraging positive risks. It has been shown that emotion induction can enhance risk-taking behavior. Nonetheless, studies are mainly conducted on adults and a gap to focus on adolescents group as the peak age of risk-taking is required. Therefore, a new risk-taking task is introduced and development of risk-taking behavior in children is compared with a group male adults. In addition, influence of positive and negative emotional images on the risk-taking behavior is also evaluated. Methods: A total of 21 children and 20 adults participated in this experiment. Their risk taking behavior is obtained using a new version of the dice game task with emotional stimuli. Subsequently, performances of two groups before and after emotional priming are statistically compared. Results: The results showed that children have a higher tendency to choose riskier options when they are affected by positive emotion, while adults are more risk-averse after being primed by negative emotion. Conclusion: These findings can be helpful for policymakers and tutoring planners to control risk-taking behavior at different ages using the priming effect of positive and negative emotions.

Intact functioning of the locus coeruleus-noradrenergic (LC-NA) system is pivotal in the control of numerous central processes, and damage to these systems leads to a wide range of nervous system disorders. The LC, as the main source of noradrenaline (NA) in the mammalian brain, was the first central nervous system (CNS) modulatory structure to be anatomically and biochemically characterized. LC-NA release exerts both excitatory and inhibitory effects on target areas. Over the past few decades, LC damage has been causatively identified as a common factor in CNS diseases, notably neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, LC damage is the likely manifestation of common pathophysiological processes, thus elevating the LC as a diagnostic and therapeutic target, especially in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases (PD & AD). This review also addresses why LC neurons, compared to other areas in particular, are highly vulnerable and sensitive to damage-such as specific anatomical features, tau phosphorylation, and high neuronal energy requirements-will be described in this review article. Finally, we explore whether these known LC vulnerabilities might be leveraged towards improved early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for AD.

Assessing users’ satisfaction with the user interface of Healthcare Information System in order to determine their acceptance rate should be highlighted, especially at the early stages of its implementation. This study aimed to evaluate the users’ satisfaction with Social Security Electronic System (SSES) , as a widely used HIS in Iran. The population of this study composed of 327 users among whom 176 were randomly selected. An adapted version of Computer System Usability Questionnaire (CSUQ) was used for collecting data. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Spearman, Man Whitney U, and Kruskal-Wallis. In general, 140 subjects answered the questionnaire. The users’ mean scores of satisfaction with different aspects of usability and their overall satisfaction were 56.00 ± 13.00 and 3.01 ± 1.15, respectively, indicating a medium satisfaction. Overall satisfaction and satisfaction with different aspects of usability had no significant relationship with gender, age, education degree, and working experience with computers ( p  > 0.05). No significant relationship was observed between overall satisfaction and working experience with SSES (p > 0.05). However, the users’ satisfaction with different aspects of usability was significantly related to experience with HISs and SSES ( p  < 0.05). In addition, the overall satisfaction was significantly related to experience with HISs (p < 0.05). Based on the results, the users were relatively satisfied with the system. Thus, a user centered design is recommended to improve satisfaction by addressing several modifications such as providing an easier documentation process, using lower keystrockes and fewer screens, displaying appropriate messages, providing pop-ups, guiding the users, correcting the errors, and adding search functionalities.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles of endocytic origin released by various cell types. They consist of lipid bilayers containing macromolecules such as lipids, proteins, microRNAs, growth factors, cytokines, and carbohydrates. Exosomes play a critical role in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. For instance, exosome contents have been utilized as biomarkers in body fluids (urine, saliva, serum) to identify cancers, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory conditions such as sepsis. Due to their small size and ability to reach tumor microenvironments, exosomes are also used as carriers for chemotherapeutic drugs in drug delivery systems. Furthermore, evidence indicates that malignant cells release exosomes into the tumor microenvironment, influencing immune cells in a paracrine manner. Additionally, immune cell-derived exosomes, such as those from Natural Killer (NK) cells or cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), show potential as therapeutic agents in treating malignancies like leukemia. This review discusses the diagnostic role of exosomes in various hematological malignancies and explores the therapeutic potential of immune cell-derived exosomes in these diseases.

To determine the relationship between empathy and emotional intelligence among Iranian nursing students. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational study that was conducted on three hundred and twenty eligible students, selected using stratified random sampling. Participants were mainly nursing students at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data gathering was done using The Jefferson Scale of Empathy and The Schutte Self Report Emotional Intelligence Test. Data were analyzed using SPSS. The results showed a strong positive correlation between empathy and emotional intelligence (r=0.499, p <.001). Students in their fourth year had the highest score for empathy (M=109.16, SD=10.16), while first-year students had the highest scores for emotional intelligence (M= 151.68, SD= 17.47). Female students got higher empathy scores than male students (t = 2.524, p= .012). Age had a strong inverse correlation with emotional intelligence (r= 0.143, p= .010). The results of this study show a correlation between emotional intelligence and empathy among nursing students. Nurses with higher emotional intelligence tend to be better in establishing productive relationships with patients and their families, and if nurses possess empathetic skills, they manage their emotions more effectively. In addition to imparting knowledge and clinical experience, nursing curricula should provide students with opportunities to develop their communication and emotional skills.

Background Infertility affects different aspects of couples’ lives, so it may cause problems in couples’ emotional relationships by increasing marital conflicts. This study aimed to determine Infertility-related stress and its relationship with emotional divorce among Iranian infertile people. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional observational study on 200 infertile people. The research environment was one of the well-equipped infertility centers in Tehran, Iran. Continuous sampling was employed. The data collection tools included a general information form, the Fertility Problem Inventory (FPI), and the Emotional Divorce Scale (EDS). Results The findings revealed a significant direct relationship between infertility-related stress and all its subscales with emotional divorce in both infertile women and men. In infertile women, the most concern was the need for parenthood, while the lowest concerns were the relationship and sexual concerns. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that social and relationship concerns predicted 44% of emotional divorce, with social concern being the more influential factor. In infertile men, the need for parenthood was the most significant concern, while relationship and social concerns were less prominent. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that relationship concern predicted 50% of emotional divorce in infertile men. In both infertile men and women, social and relationship concerns explained 45% of the variance in emotional divorce. Among these two variables, relationship concern had a more impact in predicting emotional divorce. Also, there was no statistically significant difference between women and men regarding infertility-related stress and its subscales, except for sexual concern. Conclusion The study highlights the importance of the need for parenthood as a main concern among infertile individuals. Increased infertility-related stress and its subscales contribute to higher levels of emotional divorce among this population. Additionally, relationship concern was the lowest concern in infertile people. But it significantly predicts emotional divorce among infertile individuals.

Background The high burden of care associated with older stroke patients is a factor that threatens the health of family caregivers. Identifying the needs of family caregivers in this group of patients can help provide effective solutions. The present study aimed to determine the needs of family caregivers of older stroke patients. Methods The sample size of this longitudinal study included 200 family caregivers of older stroke patients from two hospitals in Iran. Data collection included demographics, responses to family caregivers’ needs questionnaires, and the Barthel Index which was taken in four stages including admission time, pre-discharge, two weeks and 12 weeks post-discharge. Results The results showed that all participants at all stages of the study identified “respect for the patient when providing education, treatment, or rehabilitation” as one of their needs. There was a statistically significant relationship between the older adult survivor’s age and the number of family caregivers’ needs two weeks post-discharge ( p  = 0.012) and 12 weeks post-discharge ( p  = 0.008). There was a significant relationship between the patient’s hospitalization period and the number of caregivers’ needs three months after the patient’s discharge ( p  = 0.028), and a significant statistical relationship between the pre-discharge physiotherapy of the patients and the number of their caregivers’ needs during the two weeks post-discharge ( p  = 0.018). There was also a statistically significant relationship between the patient’s level of dependence and the number of caregivers’ needs ( p  = 0.0001). On the contrary, there was no significant relationship between the sex, place of living, and underlying disease history of the patient and the number of caregivers’ needs ( p  > 0.05). Conclusion The results of the present research indicate that the total number of caregivers’ needs decreases with increasing duration of the disease. However, respite and care provision planning by other family members, seeking assistance from professional caregivers, and the search for community support resources can help reduce the burden of care of caregivers and give them the opportunity to meet their needs in different dimensions of patient care provided.