A Pattern to Evaluation of Motivational Factors Affecting Knowledge Sharing

This study aimed to identify the motivational factors affecting the willingness of employees to share knowledge and examine intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors and influences on attitudes toward knowledge sharing and explicit and implicit knowledge sharing intention. Planned behavior pattern is used as a theoretical framework. This research was conducted in two phases. First, factors were identified according to the literature review and exploratory interviews. Then the impact of each factor was evaluated in terms of structural equation modeling. This is an empirical research and the research method is descriptive survey. Data was collected using a questionnaire and interview. The study was on the staff working in administrative units of Tehran Municipality and the number of staff at the time of study was 2230. Cluster sampling method and sample size based on population and using Cochran formula of 328 people determined that 35 persons were not held accountable. To determine the reliability of questionnaires, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated to 0.824 which was found at a high level. Data was analyzed by SPSS and LISREL software. Finally, the proposed pattern was confirmed. The results showed that the intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors influence on the attitude of employees and the attitude influence on tacit and explicit knowledge sharing intention. Also, extrinsic motivational factors influence on tacit knowledge sharing intention and intrinsic motivational factors influence on explicit knowledge sharing intention. Extrinsic motivational factors influence on explicit knowledge sharing intention and intrinsic motivational factors influence on tacit knowledge sharing intention by the attitude and tacit knowledge sharing intention influence on explicit knowledge sharing intention

Associated factors of diabetic retinopathy in patients that referred to teaching hospitals in Babol

Background: Information regarding the frequency and severity of eye involvement in diabetic patients and its risk factors can be useful for prevention and treatment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and its associated risk factors in diabetic patients who referred to teaching hospitals in Babol, Mazandaran.  Methods: In this study a total of 1562 patients with the definite diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were chosen and referred to the eye clinic of Shahid Beheshti and Ayatollah Rouhani Hospitals of Babol during 2006-2010. Information about age, duration of diabetes, hypertension family history of diabetes, history of other organs involvement, BMI and laboratory findings were recorded. Retinopathy was classified according to early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study. Data were collected and analyzed.  Results: Of the 1562 patients, 357 (22.9%) were males and 1205 (77.1%) were females. The mean age was 54.6±10.6 years, diabetic retinopathy was found in 990 (64.1%) patients, the frequency of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy was 37.3% and proliferative was 26.8%.Age, duration of diabetes, FBS, HbA1C, BUN, Cr, Hb were  significantly different between the patient’s with diabetic retinopathy and no diabetic retinopathy (p<0.05). No relationship was found between smoking, gender, hypertension and serum lipid profile.  Conclusion: Poor diabetes control anemia and nephropathy were the most associated factors of diabetic retinopathy but hypertension BMI smoking, dyslipidemia and gender showed no association

Is ABO blood group a possible risk factor for periodontal disease?

Introduction: Periodontal disease is a chronic immune inflammatory response associated with both the genetic makeup and the environmental influence. The aim of this study was to determine the association of different types of blood group with periodontal disease in a defined group of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty-six persons participated in this case-control study in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Dental School, International Branch, Tehran, Iran. The patients were divided into three groups including periodontally healthy, gingivitis, and periodontitis according to approved criteria. Patients′ blood groups were determined, and the relationship between periodontal status and ABO antigens was assessed. Data was analyzed on the basis of analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square test, and logistic regression. Results: Logistic regression showed that people with blood group B (compared to blood group O) was at 3.94 times greater risk for developing gingivitis. On the other hand, there was no relationship between periodontitis and ABO blood groups, sex, and types of Rh factor. It was noted that 1 year of aging is associated with a 5% rise in likelihood of periodontitis. Conclusions: People with blood group B are at a greater risk to develop gingivitis, whereas periodontitis did not show any relationship with blood groups

Effect of sevelamer on serum phosphorus levels in chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis patients; a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Hyperphosphatemia is an independent risk factor for mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Objectives: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the effect of Sevelamer on serum phosphorus levels in CKD and hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: The data were obtained after searching the international databases of Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Google Scholar search engine until February 28, 2023. The heterogeneity of articles was assessed using the I2 index. The data were analyzed in STATA 14, and P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Findings: A total of 22 articles were assessed with a total sample size of 3221. Sevelamer reduced calcium levels in CKD and hemodialysis patients compared with those in the comparison group (standardized mean difference [SMD]: -0.67; 95% CI: -1.23, -0.11); however, sevelamer had no significant effect on serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels (SMD: 0.07; 95% CI: -0.39, 0.54) and Ca × P product (SMD: -0.20; 95% CI: -0.41, 0). A significant decrease in serum phosphorus level was observed in patients who had taken sevelamer for a maximum of 12 weeks compared with the comparison group (SMD: -0.27; 95% CI: -0.54, -0.01); however, no significant decrease in serum phosphorus level was observed in patients who had taken sevelamer for more than 12 weeks. A significant decrease in serum phosphorus level was observed in sevelamer users compared to placebo group members (SMD: -0.36; 95% CI: -0.68, -0.05). Conclusion: The administration of sevelamer reduced serum phosphorus levels in CKD and hemodialysis patients compared with those in the placebo group in the short term. Therefore, physicians are recommended to prescribe sevelamer for a maximum period of three months. Registration: This study has been compiled based on the PRISMA checklist, and its protocol was registered on the PROSPERO website (ID: CRD42023406804)