Effect of progesterone on the release of prostaglandin F2 alpha form uterine endometrial epithelial cells in ruminants

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal

Evaluating global macroeconomic models : a case study of MULTIMOD

This paper is a contribution to the understanding of global interconnections through the evaluation and validation of the capabilities and properties of MULTIMOD, a multiregional macroeconomic model, developed and maintained at the International Monetary Fund. The author finds the model relatively small and simple in its theoretical specification, but advanced in its modeling techniques, exemplified by its"forward looking"features. This property allows faster adjustment of all prices, including exchange rates and interest rates, than do conventional macro models. A major strength of the model is the effective transmission of policy changes across countries. MULTIMOD can also be used to discuss North-South issues. Simulation examples are presented for monetary and fiscal policy scenarios in the North (with their impacts on the developing economies), oil price shocks, and debt relief schemes.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Geographical Information Systems,Educational Technology and Distance Education,Economic Stabilization

Validation of the Persian version of the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

    Evaluation of functional disability using proper instruments, like Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), is necessary not only for quality of life assessment, but also as a useful marker for disease activity. HAQ has been translated into many languages. To validate the Persian version of Stanford HAQ. Persian version of the HAQ (PE-HAQ) with culturally necessary modifications of the arising, eating, hygiene, reach and activities category questions was administered to 872 RA patients (87% female; mean age 57.5 years; mean onset age 51.5 years; mean disease duration 6.1 years). The arising, hygiene and activities scores were higher in the PE-HAQ than in the original HAQ, because futons and squat toilets are very common in Iranian culture and most of patients are bound to praying even in the standing position. Arising from a futon, squatting in a squat toilet and kneeling are generally more difficult for disabled individuals than are arising from a bed, getting on and off the toilet and doing chores, respectively. The overall disability index was higher in the PE-HAQ (0.89 ± 0.84) than in the original HAQ (0.82 ± 0.79), although the correlation coefficient was high (r=0.881). The test-retest reliability value studied at a 10-day interval, showed a strong correlation coefficient of 0.90 measured on the two occasions. PE-HAQ showed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α= 0.892). The PE-HAQ is a reliable and valid instrument that can be self-administered to Iranian RA patients to evaluate their functional disability

The Effect of Pre-Discharge Training on the Quality of Life of Burn Patients

Introduction: Many physical, psychological, social and economic complications have been reported after discharge, which have a negative impact on the quality of life of burn patients. The present research examines the effect of pre-discharge training program on the life quality of patients with burns. Methods: This is a pre and post-experimental study with control group that was conducted in 2015 in teaching hospital Sina. The control group received the typical instructions upon being discharged from hospital while the experimental group received in-person training in the form of question-answer, pamphlets and a researcher-made instruction booklet. The patients’ life quality was evaluated when they were being discharged, a month and then three months after they were discharged. Results: The result showed that the quality of life has a significant statistical difference across the three time points. And these differences are compared using Bonferroni’s adjustment multiple comparisons indicating that pre-discharge training affects the quality of life scores and this effect continues over time. Conclusion: The results show that the pre-discharge training has significantly improved the life quality among the burns patients. The improvement of life quality is also correlated with the quantitative variable of total body surface area percent (TBSA %). Thus, planning and designing in-discharge training programs based on the existing context, combined with training packages focusing on the patients’ needs could be a very significant step in more successful implementation of the follow-up programs on the burn patients and improving their quality of life

Badanie profilu laboratoryjnego u pacjentów po zatruciu fosforkiem glinu w południowo-zachodnim Iranie w latach 2010-2015 Study of laboratory profile in patients with aluminium phosphide poisoning in the southwest of Iran from 2010 to 2015

Streszczenie Wstęp: Fosforek glinu, określany w Iranie jako "tabletka ryżowa" ze względu na stosowanie w ochronie upraw ryżu, jest jednym z najczęściej stosowanych pestycydów na świecie. W kontakcie z wodą, parą lub kwasem żołądkowym uwalnia gaz -fosforowodór, co może wywoływać zatrucie. Zatrucie fosforowodorem jest często stosowaną metodą samobójstwa, a liczba takich przypadków stale rośnie. W dwóch trzecich przypadków zatrucie fosforowodorem ma skutek śmiertelny. Celem badania była ocena danych dotyczących epidemiologii klinicznej oraz zmian parametrów laboratoryjnych u pacjentów po zatruciu "tabletką ryżową". Materiały i metody: W badaniu uwzględniono łącznie 23 pacjentów z zatruciem fosforkiem glinu hospitalizowanych w szpitalu Razi w mieście Ahwaz w latach 2010-2015. Dane analizowano przy użyciu metod statystyki opisowej oraz testów statystycznych. Wyniki: Średni wiek pacjentów wynosił 27,2 ±7,3 roku. Mężczyźni stanowili 60,9% analizowanej grupy pacjentów. U 8,7% pacjentów stwierdzono hiponatremię, a u 21,7% -hipokaliemię. W większości przypadków poziom sodu i potasu mieścił się w granicach normy. U 91% pacjentów występowała kwasica. W większości przypadków stwierdzano także obniżenie poziomu wodorowęglanów w surowicy. Średni okres od zatrucia do hospitalizacji wynosił 1,48 ±0,76 godzin. Wnioski: Przebieg zmian w poziomie elektrolitów i innych parametrów laboratoryjnych może być dobrym markerem ciężkości zatrucia oraz stanu klinicznego pacjenta. Niezbędne są dodatkowe badania w celu potwierdzenia powyższej zależności. Słowa kluczowe: fosforek glinu, tabletki ryżowe, pestycydy, zatrucie. Abstract Introduction: Aluminium phosphide or rice tablet is one of the most common pesticides around the world. The substance releases phosphine gas in the presence of water, steam or stomach acid which can lead to poisoning. Phosphine poisoning is more about suicide the number of which is increasing day by day. Two-thirds of patients lose their lives. The aim of this study was to evaluate the data on the clinical epidemiology and laboratory changes in patients poisoned with rice tablets

A Multidisciplinary Work-Related Low Back Pain Predictor Questionnaire: Psychometric Evaluation of Iranian Patient-Care Workers

Study DesignPsychometric evaluation design.PurposePsychometric evaluation of a multidisciplinary work-related low back pain predictor questionnaire (MWRLBPPQ) of Iranians patient-care workers based on the social cognitive theory.Overview of LiteratureHealthcare is one of the professions in which work-related musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent. The chronic low back pain experienced by patient caregivers can negatively impact their professional performance, and patient handling in a hospital is the main cause of low back pain in this population.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study carried out in Qom, Iran from July 2014 to November 2014. A MWRLBPPQ based on nine concepts of the social cognitive theory and existing literature regarding chronic low back pain was developed. Ten patient-care workers first completed the questionnaire as a pilot test, allowing the ambiguities of the instrument to be resolved. Exploratory factor analysis was used to confirm construct validity. This questionnaire was distributed among 452 patient-care workers in hospitals located in different geographically areas in Qom, Iran. Cronbach's Alpha was calculated to assess reliability.ResultsIn all, 452 caregivers of patients with mean age of 37.71 (standard deviation=8.3) years participated in the study. An exploratory factor analysis loaded seven concepts of self-efficacy, knowledge, outcome perception, self-control, emotional coping, and self-efficacy in overcoming impediments and challenges in the environment. All concepts were jointly accounted for 50.08% of variance of behavior change. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed favorable internal consistency (alpha=0.83), and test-retest of the scale with 2-week intervals indicated an appropriate stability for the MWRLBPPQ.ConclusionsThe MWRLBPPQ is a reliable and valid theory-based instrument that can be used to predict factors influencing work-related low back pain among workers who lift and transfer patients in hospitals

An Investigation of Factors Effective on Foreign Students’ Educational Problems in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Background & Objective: Foreign students encounter educational problems which make studying in the host country difficult. Given the importance of the educational problems of foreign students, and identifying the factors which alleviate these problems, this study examined the educational problems of international students of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Methods: This was a quantitative-qualitative study with a descriptive-analytical design. In the qualitative section, interviews were conducted with 14 foreign students, and in the quantitative section, 56 students were selected through random sampling proportional to sample size. Semi-structured interviews and a researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect information. Data analysis was conducted using categorization methods, descriptive statistics, univariate t-test, ANOVA, post hoc test, and multiple regression in SPSS software. Results: In the qualitative section, the foreign students’ educational problems included weakness in understanding Persian, different educational system, the professors’ inappropriate teaching method, and dissatisfaction with textbooks. In the quantitative section, the educational problems were not significant at a 0.05 level. Moreover, the students' problems in terms of culture and the length of stay in Iran showed significant differences. Conclusion: The results of predictor factors of educational problems revealed that cultural dissimilarity and short presence in Iran are the main predictor factors. Therefore, in order to motivate learning in foreign students, and thereby, decrease their educational problems, it is necessary to familiarize them with Iranian customs and hold classes to introduce them to the Iranian educational system. Key Words: Foreign students, Host country, Educational problems, Medical sciences, Iran, Qualitative-quantitative stud

A Multidisciplinary Workplace Intervention for Chronic Low Back Pain among Nursing Assistants in Iran

Study DesignInterventional research with a 6-month follow-up period.PurposeWe aimed to establish the effectiveness of a multidisciplinary workplace intervention on reduction of work-related low back pain (WRLBP), using ergonomic posture training coupled with an educational program based on social cognitive theory.Overview of LiteratureWRLBP is a major occupational problem among healthcare workers, who are often required to lift heavy loads. Patient handling is a particular requirement of nurse aides, and has been reported as the main cause of chronic WRLBP.MethodsWe included 125 nursing assistants from two hospitals affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences from May to December 2015. There was an intervention hospital with a number of 63 nursing assistants who received four multidisciplinary educational sessions for 2 hours each plus ergonomic posture training over two days and a control hospital with a number of 62 nursing assistants who didn't receive educational intervention about low back pain. The outcomes of interest were reductions in WRLBP intensity and disability from baseline to the follow up at 6 months, which were measured using a visual analog scale and the Quebec Disability Scale. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data.ResultsThe comparison tests showed significant change from baseline in reduction of WRLBP intensity following the multidisciplinary program, with scores of 5.01±1.97 to 3.42±2.53 after 6 months on the visual analog scale in the intervention group (p<0.001) and no significant change in control groups. There was no significant difference in the disability scores between the two groups (p=0.07).ConclusionsWe showed that our multidisciplinary intervention could reduce the intensity of WRLBP among nurse aides, making them suitable for implementation in programs to improve WRLBP among nursing assistants working in hospitals

Microscale stress-geometry interactions in an additively manufactured NiTi cardiovascular stent: A synchrotron dual imaging tomography and diffraction study

This study explores cardiovascular stents fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF); an emerging method to offer patient-specific customisable parts. Here, the shape memory alloy NiTi, in a near equiatomic composition, was investigated to deconvolve the material response from macroscopic component effects. Specifically, stress-geometry interactions were revealed, in-situ, for a minaturised cardiovascular stent subjected to an externally applied cylindrical stress whilst acquiring synchrotron X-ray imaging and diffraction data. The approach enabled the collection of spatially resolved micromechanical deformation data; the formation of stress-induced martensite and R-phase was evident, occurring in locations near junctions between stent ligaments where stress concentrations exist. In the as-fabricated condition, hardness maps were obtained through nanoindentation, demonstrating that the localised deformation and deformation patterning is further controlled by porosity and microstructural heterogeneity. Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) supported these observations, showing a finer grain structure near stent junctions with higher associated lattice curvature. These features, combined with stress concentrations when loaded will initiate localised phase transformations. If the stent was subjected to repeated loading, representing in-vivo conditions, these regions would be susceptible to cyclic damage through transformation memory loss, leading to premature component failure. This study highlights the challenges that must be addressed for the post-processing treatment of LABF-processed stents for healthcare-related applications