Background and Aims: As one of the most important physical detrimental factors, purple noise can be considered similar to sounds that a wide range of people are exposed to in their workplaces. Also, cochlear tissue samples are the best tissue samples to evaluate gene expression and pathologic studies following noise exposure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of purple noise on the expression of SLC26A4 gene in cochlear tissue. Methods & material: Totally, 10 male Wistar rats were used in this experimental study. Both N1 and N2 exposure groups were exposed to purple noise with sound pressure level of 115-120 dB and frequency range of 4-20 kHz. Histological tests were performed for pathological studies. Finally, the relative expression of SLC26A4 gene was determined by qRT-PCR technique. All experiments were conducted according to ethical standards of working with laboratory animals. Results: The results showed that the expression of SLC26A4 gene decreased significantly compared to the normal level in both N1 and N2 groups. The results of cochlear tissue pathology showed that the group exposed to purple noise for 6 days had more mechanical damage 7 days after cessation of exposure. Conclusion: Significant decreased expression in SLC26A4 gene and permanent damage to the Reissner and Basal lamina membranes in the cochlear tissue and the auditory nerve ganglion leads to strengthening the incidence of advancing sensorineural hearing impairment and increases the likelihood of metastasis in cochlear tissue.

Background and Aims: Considering the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health of first-line treatment staff, especially nurses, we aimed to compare fear of COVID-19, sleep disorders and sexual satisfaction of nurses working in COVID wards with nurses in non-hospitalized wards of these patients. Materials and Methods: In this comparative study, Pittsburgh sleep disorders, Larson sexual satisfaction and Covid-19 fear questionnaires were completed by 160 nurses working in six hospitals in Tehran (80 nurses in Covid-19 and 80 nurses in non-Covid-19 wards). Data were analyzed by SPSS v. 25 software using Chi-square, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney test and regression analyses. Ethics in research and confidentiality of information have been observed in this study. Results: Among nurses working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards, 83.8% and 76.3% had sleep disorders, respectively. Out of a total of 79 married participants in the control and case groups, 88.1% and 94.6% reported high sexual satisfaction, respectively. The mean fear score of COVID-19 in the two groups of COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 nurses was 20.01 ± 5.91 and 19.55 ± 6.29, respectively. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of sleep disorder, sexual satisfaction and fear of COVID-19 in the two groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The lack of significant differences between nurses working in COVID wards and nurses working in non- COVID wards shows that both groups of nurses are at high risk of sleep disorders and fear of COVID-19. Based on these findings, timely intervention is necessary to promote the nurses’ mental health and prevent their dysfunction during the pandemic.

Background and Aims: Vaginismus is one of the most common sexual disorders among women. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between sexual self-concept and sexual function and self-esteem in women with vaginismus disorder. Materials and Methods: In this study, 124 women with vaginismus referred to Family Health Clinic, and Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic in Tehran were studied by random sampling method. Data gathering tool included Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire (MSSQ), Female Sexual Performance Index (FSFI), and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSE). Ethics and confidentiality of answers were observed and all stages of the present study were performed according to ethical standards. Results: Findings revealed that some components of sexual self-concept including sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, motivation to avoid high-risk sexual intercourse and sexual depression (at the level of a = 0.01) and sexual optimism, self-blame - sexual problem, sexual satisfaction (at the level of a = 0.05) were significantly correlated with sexual function. Indeed, sexual anxiety, sexual problem management, sexual self-esteem, sexual schemas, fear of sex (a = 0.01) and sexual self-efficacy, sexual motivation, sexual satisfaction, sexual depression (a = 0.05) were appreciably associated with self-esteem. Conclusion: Findings indicate the relationship between some components of sexual self-concept and sexual function and self-esteem. Also components of sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, sexual awareness, motivation to prevent high-risk sexual intercourse, sexual anxiety, sexual control, sexual motivation, sexual self-esteem, other sexual control power, and sexual problem prevention have the largest share in explaining sexual function. Also sexual anxiety has the largest role in explaining self-esteem.