---

Background: Nickel is a toxic metal used as a pigment in ceramics industries. The purpose of this study was to assess inhalation exposure to nickel in the breathing zone of glazers and non-exposed group of workers. We also compared pulmonary function between ceramic glazers and the non-exposed group. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 49 glazers and 55 office workers were investigated. Air sampling in the breathing zone of each glazer was taken on a cellulose ester membrane filter with 37-mm diameter. The samples were then analyzed by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). All the participants were required to fill out questionnaires on descriptive information. The parameters of pulmonary function were measured for both exposed and non-exposed participants. Results: The mean nickel concentration in the breathing zone of glazers was 0.09 mg/m³. Glazers had a significantly lower parameters of pulmonary function than office workers (p<0.05). Level of nickel was significantly higher in tile glazers in comparison with pottery glazers. Conclusion: In factories where local or general control is not feasible, workers must use personal protective equipments. Workers also should not be allowed to eat or smoke in the workplaces with toxic materials.
 

---

Background: Nickel (Ni) compounds such as nickel oxide are used as pigments in ceramic industries. The toxicity of nickel can occur in the glaze preparation processes. This study aimed to ascertain whether exposure to Ni dust is associated with pulmonary response. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 49 ceramic workers (exposed group) occupationally exposed to nickel dust, as well as 55 unexposed employees (referent group). Information about smoking habits, overtime work, length of employment, skin dermatitis, job title, use of respiratory protection equipment, ventilation system, age, and BMI index were collected through questionnaires. The parameters of pulmonary function were measured. Urine samples were taken from 49 workers at both pre- and post-shift (98 samples). The referent group was examined only once (55 samples). To determine the nickel, the samples were pre-concentrated by Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) and analyzed using  inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Results: Urinary Ni value in the exposed workers was significantly higher than that in the referent group. All pulmonary function parameters in the exposed group were significantly lower than those of the referent group (P<0.001). Those using respiratory protection equipment also exhibited a significantly lower urinary Ni concentration than those not using respiratory protection equipment. Conclusion: These findings indicate that exposure to Ni in the ceramic industry is higher than the recommended biological exposure index and is associated with a significant decrement in the pulmonary function parameters

---

Background: The spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) had many psychological consequences. Nurses experience anxiety due to their professional duties. Considering the importance of mental health and caring behaviors in nurses, the present study was conducted to investigate Covid-19 anxiety in nurses and its relationship with cognitive flexibility. Method: The present study was conducted on 100 nurses of a selected hospital in 2021. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire, Corona Disease Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). Data analysis was performed through version 22 of SPSS software using Mann-Whitney, Kruskal–Wallis, independent sample t-test, one-way ANOVA and correlation tests. Results: The mean of cognitive flexibility was 96.68 (13.72). The median of Covid-19 disease anxiety was equal to 8 (9). Accordingly, the results of data analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between demographic variables and covid-19 anxiety (P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant relationship was found between cognitive flexibility and covid-19 anxiety (P>0.05). Conclusion: In this study, cognitive flexibility had no significant effect on Coronavirus disease anxiety. Considering the presentation of contradictory results in this field, authors suggest that a similar study be conducted with a larger sample size and different variables be taken into account.

---

Background: During Covid-19 pandemic, nurses are one of the most important job groups who experience high levels of stress. This study aims to compare occupational stress and resilience among nurses working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 130 nurses participated. To determine the occupational stress and resilience, Osipow Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI) questionnaire and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were used as collecting data tools, respectively. Results: The total stress score (176.63±15.86 versus 164.47±13.21, p= 0.02) was significantly higher, while the mean score of resilience was significantly lower (65.61±2.75 versus 78.76±2.61, p<0.001) in nurses working in COVID-19 wards, compared with the nurses in other wards. After adjusting for confounders, there were statistically significant associations between occupational stress and control subscale of resilience and between resilience and hospital wards (COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 wards). Conclusion: The present study's findings indicated that nurses working in COVID-19 wards have higher stress and lower resilience than nurses in other wards.