Using Micropiles to Improve the Anzali's Saturated Loose Silty Sand

Today, with the daily advancement of geotechnical engineering on soil improvement and modification of the physical properties and shear strength of soil, it is now possible to construct structures with high-volume and high service load on loose sandy soils. One of such methods is using micropiles, which are mostly used to control asymmetrical subsidence, increase bearing capacity, and prevent soil liquefaction. This study examined the improvement of Anzali's saturated loose silty sand using 192 micropiles with a length of 8 meters and diameter of 75 mm. Bandar-e Anzali is one of Iran's coastal populated cities which are located in a high-seismicity region. The effects of the insertion of micropiles on prevention of liquefaction and improvement of subsidence were examined through comparison of the results of Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Plate Load Test (PLT) before and after implementation of the micropiles. The results show that the SPT values and the ultimate bearing capacity of silty sand increased after the implementation of the micropiles. Therefore, the installation of micropiles increases the strength of silty sand improving the resistance of soil against liquefaction

Effects of LI4 acupressure on labor pain in the first stage of labor

Introduction: Many pregnant women like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labor. Acupressure is a non-invasive method that has been suggested for labor pain relief. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LI4 acupressure on labor pain in the first stage of labor. Materials and Method: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 100 eligible women who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (3-5 cm dilatation of cervix). The case group (n=50) received LI4 acupressure at the onset active phases for duration of each uterine contraction over a period of 20 minutes, while the control group (n = 50) received a touch at this point without massage. Labor pain was measured several times using a subjective labor pain scale (Visual analogue scale) before intervention, immediately, 20, and 60 minutes after intervention and then each hour until delivery. Finally, severities of pain were compared between the two groups. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in subjective labor pain scores at immediately, 20, 60 and 120 minutes after intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: These finding showed that LI4 acupressure was effective for decreasing pain in women during labor. LI4 acupressure can be an effective nursing management for women in labor

Effects of LI4 acupressure on labor pain in the first stage of labor

Introduction: Many pregnant women like to avoid pharmacological or invasive methods of pain management in labor. Acupressure is a non-invasive method that has been suggested for labor pain relief. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LI4 acupressure on labor pain in the first stage of labor. Materials and Method: This single-blind randomized clinical trial was performed on 100 eligible women who were at the beginning of active phase of labor (3-5 cm dilatation of cervix). The case group (n=50) received LI4 acupressure at the onset active phases for duration of each uterine contraction over a period of 20 minutes, while the control group (n = 50) received a touch at this point without massage. Labor pain was measured several times using a subjective labor pain scale (Visual analogue scale) before intervention, immediately, 20, and 60 minutes after intervention and then each hour until delivery. Finally, severities of pain were compared between the two groups. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in subjective labor pain scores at immediately, 20, 60 and 120 minutes after intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: These finding showed that LI4 acupressure was effective for decreasing pain in women during labor. LI4 acupressure can be an effective nursing management for women in labor

The effect of cognitive-behavioural and solution-focused counselling on prevention of postpartum depression in nulliparous pregnant women

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cognitive-behavioural approach and solution-focused counselling on prevention of postpartum depression in nulliparous pregnant women. Background: Maternity blues is a common disorder and postpartum depression is a serious disorder. Therefore, the use of preventive measures and timely intervention is of particular importance. Methods: In this randomised clinical trial, 85 nulliparous pregnant women at 30–35 weeks were randomly divided into three groups: cognitive-behavioural counselling (n = 25), solution-focused counselling (n = 25) and control (n = 35). Counselling meetings were held on a weekly basis. The cognitive-behavioural group received four sessions of counselling and the solution-focused group received three sessions of counselling. The control group received only routine pregnancy healthcare services. Maternity blues and postpartum depression were, respectively, measured on postpartum days 5 and 15 through the Austin Inventory and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. The mean scores of the three groups were compared using one-way ANOVA. Results: The results of this study showed that the maternity blues mean scores of the three groups of cognitive-behavioural counselling, solution-focused counselling and control groups were 6.1 ± 4.6, 4.2 ± 3.6 and 6.7 ± 4.9, respectively, and the difference between the scores was significant. The mean scores of postnatal depression on the 15th postpartum day in the three groups were 6.7 ± 5.3, 4.4 ± 4.4 and 10.4 ± 5.9, respectively. The results showed that cognitive-behavioural and solution-focused counselling significantly reduced the maternity blues and postpartum depression scores compared with the control group and no difference was observed between the scores of these two counselling methods. The odds ratio of being depressed in women with maternity blues was 7.6 (95 CI: 2.1–27.5). Conclusion: Integration of solution-focused and cognitive-behavioural counselling programmes in prenatal care can be effective for improving the mental health of pregnant women. © 2016 Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology

The effects of Lavender and Chamomile essential oil inhalation aromatherapy on depression, anxiety and stress in older community-dwelling people: A randomized controlled trial

Background: Considering the prevalence of mental health problems in older adults, this study aims to investigate the effect of inhalation aromatherapy using lavender and chamomile essential oils on depression, anxiety, and stress of community-dwelling older people. Methods: A three-armed, parallel, randomized, and controlled trial design was used in this study. 183 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to three groups (n = 61): the lavender, chamomile, and control groups. The participants in the experimental groups inhaled three drops of 1.5 lavender and chamomile essential oils for 30 nights. The participants in the control group inhaled only distilled water in a similar fashion. Data were collected using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress-Scale (DASS) at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one month after the intervention. Chi-square, Fisher's exact, one-way ANOVA, and repeated measures ANOVA were used for data analysis. Results: Statistically significant improvement occurred in depression, anxiety, and stress levels immediately and one month after the intervention in lavender and chamomile groups compared to the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Inhalation aromatherapy with both lavender and chamomile essential oils helped decrease depression, anxiety, and stress levels in community-dwelling older adults. © 2021 Elsevier Inc

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a spectrum of pathological changes in the respiratory system associated with dyspnea, cough and sputum production. The main objectives of management the disease are reducing the symptoms and improving quality of life. The present study aimed to determine the impact of respiratory symptoms on health-related quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2013 with participation of 331 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in educational hospitals of Tehran city, Iran, chosen by available sampling. Data was collected using demographic variables questionnaire, St. George�s Respiratory Questionnaire (symptoms section) and SF-36 health related quality of life questionnaire. Using independent t-test, Spearman correlation ratio, ANOVA and multivariate analysis of covariance, the data were analyzed. Findings: In presence of age and duration of disease variables, the symptoms of dyspnea, acute episodes of breathlessness and wheezing were significantly associated with physical health (P = 0.049). Reduced quality of life score and increased respiratory symptoms had a direct relation with chronicity of disease, concomitant usage of two drug categories and increase in the number of admissions (P = 0.011). Conclusion: The use of appropriate approaches to health care and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is recommended. � 2015, Journal of Isfahan Medical School. All rights reserved