The Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Participatory Decision-making and Performance of Educational Managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background: Due to the importance of university management, special attention to the managers' personality characteristics and providing suitable solutions in this area are necessary. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and participatory decision-making, and performance of educational managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study, all managers of Kerman University of Medical Sciences were enrolled. The NEO Five-factor Inventory (NEO-FFI) was used to assess personality characteristics, participatory decision-making questionnaire was used to assess the participatory decision-making, and the academic score evaluation checklist was used to evaluate the performance of faculty members. Pearson correlation coefficient and multivariate linear regression was used for data analysis. Results: There was a positive and significant relationship between personality characteristics and performance of managers (r=0.76, P<0.001) and also between participatory decision-making and performance of managers (R=0.498, P<0.001). The components of personality characteristics such as excitation, conscience, and independent thinking and components of participatory decision- making such as inviting employees to comment, sharing knowledge, and consulting could predict the managers’ performance. Conclusion: Paying more attention to the personality characteristics of managers and providing an appropriate basis for participatory decision-making makes managers more committed to the organization and creates a suitable environment for their better performance in the organization

The rate of hand-held mobile phone use while driving in Kerman, Iran

Background: The use of mobile phones during driving is a known road accident risk factor. However, little research has been done in Iran to determine the actual rates of mobile phone use while driving. In the current study we try to estimate the rate in one major Iranian city. Methods: This cross sectional study was done in the fall of 2010. In nine streets in Kerman including three central city streets, three suburban main streets and three highways sites, both in the morning and afternoon, on two separate days; data was collected. In this study, all drivers passing from one side of the street were observed in terms of mobile phone use while driving; and gender, age range, type of the streets and hours were recorded. Results: Among the 30,733 drivers who were screened, 1118 cases (3.63%) used a mobile phone. There was no significant difference between men (3.67%) and women (3.16%) mobile phone usage (p=0.25). However there was a significant difference between use in youth ages (4.85%), middle ages (3.56%) and the elderly (1.92%) (p< 0.001). In the main downtown streets 3.34%, suburban main streets 2.18% and the ring road 4.79% of drivers used mobile phones. Mobile phone use was significantly higher in the central city streets and the ring road (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Comparing this study with similar statistics from other countries shows that the rate of mobile phone use in Kerman car drivers (as an example of the situation in Iran) is higher than some other countries. Tougher laws and more intense public education should be imposed to decrease the use of mobile phones among drivers.Keywords: mobile phone, car driving, Kerman

Epidemiologic Study of Tuberculosis in Kerman City during 2011 – 2015

Background: Tuberculosis is one of the most important infectious diseases causing numerous social and economic problems. Understanding the epidemiology of tuberculosis and its related indices is one of the most important strategies for the prevention of this disease and accelerating the process of achieving sustainable development goals. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study, data were collected by a researcher-made check list and using the recorded data in the Tuberculosis surveillance system during 2011 to 2015. Data analysis was done through SPSS20 and using descriptive statistics, frequency distribution and Chi-square test. Results: A total number of 674 cases were studied of which, 87% were pulmonary and the rest were extra-pulmonary. The disease showed a decreasing trend during the years of study. The incidence rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis was about 10 per ten thousand. Approximately, 4% of patients had recurrent disease during the years of study. In pulmonary tuberculosis, the risk of recurrence and resistance was significantly higher compared to extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (P= 0.001). From all patients, about 4% had previous treatment for TB and 2.5% were HIV-positive. Conclusion: Indicators of tuberculosis in the city of Kerman in comparison with the indicators set by the World Health Organization were acceptable; however, due to the geographical location of Kerman that its closeness to eastern borders a stronger surveillance system is required

Vitamin D and calcium deficiency and its relationship with cardiac function in patients with beta thalassemia

Introduction: Heart disease is the main cause of mortality and morbidity in patients with beta thalassemia. Vitamin D and calcium deficiency also is common in these patients. We studied and compared vitamin D and calcium levels and other parameters with echocardiographic findings in patients with beta thalassemia. Method: A cross-sectional study in patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia was conducted. 169 patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia were enrolled. Ejection fraction, valvular insufficiency and aortic diameter were determined. The aortic diameter of patients was measured using Mindray DC60 echo model. All of these patients were tested for levels of vitamin D, calcium (Ca), parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), platelet (PLT), and ferritin, Finally, the effect of these factors on aortic root (AR), aortic valve area (AVA) and ejection fraction (EF) was evaluated. One-way ANOVA was used to compare quantitative variables, and chi-square test with 95% confidence level was used to estimate relationships and compare ratios in groups. Results: There was a statistically significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and Serum Ca (P-value = 0.009). Our results showed that with the increase in the level of vitamin D, the EF also increased and the probability that the aortic root will have a normal size will be higher. Furthermore, disorder in PTH and PLT level causes a decrease in the EF. Conclusion: This study did show an association between Vitamin D deficiency and cardiac function in patients with Transfusion-dependent thalassemia. Vitamin D can be considered as a supplement in thalassemia patients

Predicting the necessity of oxygen therapy in the early stage of COVID-19 using machine learning

Medical oxygen is a critical element in the treatment process of COVID-19 patients which its shortage impacts the treatment process adversely. This study aims to apply machine learning (ML) to predict the requirement for oxygen-based treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In the first phase, demographic information, symptoms, and patient’s background were extracted from the databases of two local hospitals in Iran, and preprocessing actions were applied. In the second step, the related features were selected. Lastly, five ML models including logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), XGBoost, C5.0, and neural networks (NNs) were implemented and compared based on their accuracy and capability. Among the vari- ables related to the patient’s background, consuming opium due to the high rate of opium users in Iran was considered in the models. Of the 398 patients included in the study, 112 (28.14%) received oxygen-based treatment. Shortness of breath (71.42%), fever (62.5%), and cough (59.82%) had the highest frequency in patients with oxygen requirements. The most important variables for prediction were shortness of breath, cough, age, and fever. For opioid-addicted patients, in addition to the high mortality rate (23.07%), the rate of oxygen-based treatment was twice as high as non-addicted patients. XGBoost and LR obtained the highest area under the curve with values of 88.7% and 88.3%, respectively. For accuracy, LR and NNs achieved the best and same accuracy (86.42%). This approach provides a tool that accurately predicts the need for oxygen in the treatment process of COVID-19 patients and helps hospital resource management. Keywords COVID-19 · Opioid addiction · Oxygen treatment · Prediction · Machine learning · XGBoos

The Effects of Citicoline on Cerebrovascular Hemodynamic Status in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Introduction: Some recent studies have shown that citicoline improves clinical symptoms in patients with stroke. Citicoline's mechanism of action in improving the clinical symptoms is not recognized yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebrovascular hemodynamic status in patients with ischemic stroke treated with citicoline compared with the control group. Methods: In this study, 64 patients (20 male, 44 female) with supratentorial ischemic stroke were included. Patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography within 24 hours of admission and were divided into two equal groups (32 patients per group). One group was treated with citicoline (500 mg/day) and the second group was treated with placebo for one week. Then, patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography again. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In this study, no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, cardiovascular factors and NIHSS was observed. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) in RCCA, RICA, RVA, LVA, and mean flow velocity (MFV) in RICA and LACA were significantly different between two groups. As there was no significant difference in confounding variables between the two groups, therefore, the difference in PSV and MFV between the groups may be due to citicoline. Conclusion: Prescription of citicoline for treatment of acute ischemic stroke is associated with hemodynamic changes in cerebral arteries. This finding can be one of the citicoline's mechanisms of action in ischemic stroke process

The Effects of Citicoline on Cerebrovascular Hemodynamic Status in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Introduction: Some recent studies have shown that citicoline improves clinical symptoms in patients with stroke. Citicoline's mechanism of action in improving the clinical symptoms is not recognized yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cerebrovascular hemodynamic status in patients with ischemic stroke treated with citicoline compared with the control group. Methods: In this study, 64 patients (20 male, 44 female) with supratentorial ischemic stroke were included. Patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography within 24 hours of admission and were divided into two equal groups (32 patients per group). One group was treated with citicoline (500 mg/day) and the second group was treated with placebo for one week. Then, patients underwent transcranial and extra cranial ultrasonography again. Data were analyzed by paired t-test and independent t-test. Results: In this study, no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, gender, cardiovascular factors and NIHSS was observed. Peak systolic velocity (PSV) in RCCA, RICA, RVA, LVA, and mean flow velocity (MFV) in RICA and LACA were significantly different between two groups. As there was no significant difference in confounding variables between the two groups, therefore, the difference in PSV and MFV between the groups may be due to citicoline. Conclusion: Prescription of citicoline for treatment of acute ischemic stroke is associated with hemodynamic changes in cerebral arteries. This finding can be one of the citicoline's mechanisms of action in ischemic stroke process

Prevalence of HIV/AIDS among Iranian Prisoners: A Review Article

Background: Worldwide, prisoners are more at risk of being infected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as well as hepatitis C and B in comparison with other risk groups. The combination of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), addiction and prison are factors that threaten the health of our society. Influence of risky behaviors is so common on transmission of AIDS into prisoners’ bodies. This study used available information and reports to investigate the prevalence of HIV in Iranian prisons.Methods: The following review of documents available in national and foreign databases, a total of 26 studies were investigated and required information was extracted from both the full papers and abstracts.Findings: The selected studies differed methodologically in their sampling method and data collection tools. Within the 26 studies analyzed, there was a combined study cohort of 39707 people in whom HIV prevalence varied between 0% and 24.40%.Conclusion: In this study, HIV prevalence ranged widely among the prisoners, and in most of these studies, the rate in Iran was higher than that of other countries. The prevalence of disease was highest among intravenous drug users. Unless proper preventive and control plans among risk groups such as prisoners are not implemented in a timely and suitable manner, the risk of infection in the broader society will increase