Effects of preconditioning or following exercise on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF): A systematic review in animal models of multiple sclerosis‏

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a vital role in the brain. On the other hand, researchers showed that exercise may cause more release of BDNF and thus have a positive effect on the brain. Studies have reported controversial findings in multiple sclerosis, and there are no broad conclusions on this topic. This study aims to systematically investigate the effect of exercise training on BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis animal models. Searches were conducted in the electronic databases of PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar search engine to obtain the related articles about the role of exercise training on BDNF levels just in animal models of multiple sclerosis. All of the database searches were limited to the period from inception to February 2021. Two reviewers extracted study details and data. The methodological quality of the studies that used animal models was assessed using the PEDro Scale. Fourteen articles were included in this review with scores from 7/10 to 8/10 according to the PEDro scale. Five articles reported elevation, one article reported a reduction; and eight articles reported no changes in BDNF level following or preconditioning exercise training in model of multiple sclerosis. The findings of this study showed that aerobic exercise increases changes in central BDNF concentration in multiple sclerosis in animal model

Vitamin D deficiency prevalence in summer compared to winter in a city with high humidity and a sultry climate

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is high in winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight. It seems that in places with high humidity and a sultry climate, exposure to sunlight in summer can be low too. This study was designed to determine the vitamin D deficiency prevalence in Sari, a city with a high humidity climate at the end of summer, and compare it to winter. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on men and women aged 10 to 70. Clustered blood samples were received from 351 subjects who participated in this study toward the end of summer, and in winter. The levels of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and PTH were measured. T test and X2 were used for data analysis. Results: 351subjects (66.4% women, 33.6% men) aged 11 to 69 (mean age &#177; SD 37.11 &#177; 12.6) participated in the study. The mean 25-(OH) D concentration in summer was 13.41 &#177; 13, and in winter it was 11.7 &#177; 11, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). The prevalence of 25-OHvitamin D deficiency was 87.5% (307) in winter and 78.6% (276) in summer (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that although in this area with a high humidity climate, seasonal variation of vitamin D is statistically significant, the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is as high in summer as in winter. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (3): 249&#8211;251)Background: Vitamin D deficiency is high in winter because of reduced exposure to sunlight. It seems that in places with high humidity and a sultry climate, exposure to sunlight in summer can be low too. This study was designed to determine the vitamin D deficiency prevalence in Sari, a city with a high humidity climate at the end of summer, and compare it to winter. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on men and women aged 10 to 70. Clustered blood samples were received from 351 subjects who participated in this study toward the end of summer, and in winter. The levels of serum vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and PTH were measured. T test and X2 were used for data analysis. Results: 351subjects (66.4% women, 33.6% men) aged 11 to 69 (mean age &#177; SD 37.11 &#177; 12.6) participated in the study. The mean 25-(OH) D concentration in summer was 13.41 &#177; 13, and in winter it was 11.7 &#177; 11, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). The prevalence of 25-OHvitamin D deficiency was 87.5% (307) in winter and 78.6% (276) in summer (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that although in this area with a high humidity climate, seasonal variation of vitamin D is statistically significant, the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is as high in summer as in winter. (Pol J Endocrinol 2011; 62 (3): 249&#8211;251

Content Analysis of Teleconsultation Enquiries in Positive Health Club, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran

Objective: With the availability of specialists and the overflowing information in public and social networks, individuals have easy access to information about HIV and AIDS. However, medical counselling and healthcare settings still have an essential role. The aim of the present study was to analyze phone enquiries directed to the Positive Club of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran; this analysis was based on demographic features of participants.Design/Methodology/Approach: In this cross-sectional study, 5255 questions were extracted and coded from the Positive Club's counselling questionnaires; the coding procedure was based on Huber and Gilapsy's decimal classification. Data were processed by descriptive statistics and SPSS software.Findings: A majority of callers were men (59.43%), most callers were aged between 26 and 30 years, and HIV transmission and high-risk sexual behaviours were among frequently asked questions (47%).Originality/Value: Taking into account that most callers were concern about transmission via sexual contact (anal, vaginal, and oral) rather than injection and its related equipment, it seems reasonable to assume that HIV transmission flow may shift from shared injection equipment to high-risk sexual behaviors

The Cost of Internal and Neurosurgery ICUs in a Selected Teaching Hospital: A Case Study

Background & Objectives: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is the most important units in hospitals, which imposes high costs to patients. This unit is considered as one of the high-cost unit for providing End-of-Life Services. The cost analysis of the ICUs can help managers decide on how to provide the services of this unit. Methods: In this descriptive study, the total cost of Internal and Neurosurgery ICUs in a selected teaching hospital affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences in 2017, was evaluated using top-down approach. The financial records of the units and data on the cost drivers were collected from accounting and related units, respectively. Results: About 7% of the total hospital costs was related to the ICUs. The direct costs allocated to the internal and neurosurgery units were about $2261000 and$928000, respectively. Payments, medicines, and hospital consumables had the highest share of costs, respectively. By considering the total costs, the units as well as services studied were loss-making. Conclusion: Given that the hospital is a teaching one, teaching students about saving resources reduces the costs. Also, by providing home health care services for patients at the end-of-life stage hospitalized in the ICUs can also help the hospital achieve its financial goals. Key¬words: Activity-based costing, Overhead cost, Cost of End-of-Life services, Teaching hospital, Intensive care units Citation: Mehrinezhad S, Sarabi A, Rezapour A, Shokri A, Zahra Meshkani Z, Alipour V, et al. The Cost of Internal and Neurosurgery ICUs in a Selected Teaching Hospital: A Case Study. Journal of Health Based Research 2018; 4(3): 219-23. [In Persian

The Effectiveness of Group Narrative Therapy on Adjustment with Parental Divorce, Resiliency and Emotional-behavioral Problems of Divorced Parent’s Girls in Isfahan Elementary Schools

Background and Aim: The purpose was an investigation of the effectiveness of group narrative therapy on adjustment with parental divorce, resiliency and emotional-behavioral problems of divorced parent’s girls in Isfahan elementary schools. Materials and Methods: The research procedure was quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and control group. The statistical population consisted of all the girls between 7 to 12 years old whose parents were divorce and they were studied in Isfahan elementary schools. 24 girls of divorce that had entrance criteria were selected through availability and assigned into experimental and control groups randomly. Materials were included of The Divorce Adjustment Inventory-Revised Scale, Social Emotional Assets and Resiliency Scale and Child Behavior Checklist. The subjects of experimental group were exposed to group narrative therapy in nine sessions (one 90 minutes session per week). Data analyzed with covariance analysis. Results: Group narrative therapy had significantly affected on the girls’ adjustment with parental divorce, resiliency and emotional-behavioral problems (p<0.05). Conclusion: Group narrative therapy is an effective approach which could reduce children’s negative feelings and beliefs towards their parental divorce and their emotional-behavioral problems. This type of treatment also could increase children’s positive feelings and attitudes towards their parents, their resiliency and it finally lead to increase the girls’ adjustment with parental divorce

Ethical faults in cyberspace on the team-based visual art in medical netiquette: A thematic analysis in a five-years experience

Background & Objective: While there are numerous advantages to using cyberspace for students' learning, it also increases the likelihood of unethical behavior. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify and analyze ethical faults in cyberspace at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences. Materials & Methods: This study was conducted at Jahrom University of Medical Sciences over a five-year period using a qualitative approach with thematic analysis. The population included 467 students, who were divided into ten groups and had taken a medical etiquette course. The students were asked to draw their desired factors in a visual art format as tree branches while working in teams to express ethical faults and issues in cyberspace. A total of 9 focus groups and 23 teamwork documents were analyzed, and groups with comprehensive analysis of the issue were selected by purposive sampling and focus groups interview to continue until data saturation was achieved. Braun & Clark's six-phase framework was used for thematic analysis in data analysis. Results: The findings of this study identified three major themes or factors related to cyberspace, including reasons, faults, and preventive solutions that had creator-dependent 27 factors (Sub-themes) and 160 codes. These themes revealed the major ethical concepts in cyberspace from the student's viewpoint. Conclusion: As technology develops rapidly, it is crucial to ensure integrity in education for all stakeholders related to an online learning community. Therefore, educational institutions need to focus on preventing cyber faults by educating and training users

Optimization of ammonium adsorption from landfill leachate using montmorillonite/hematite nanocomposite: response surface method based on central composite design

In this study, the adsorption of ammonium ions from landfill leachate (LL) was examined using montmorillonite/hematite nanocomposite (M/HNC). Parameters affecting ammonium adsorption such as pH 3-11, adsorbent dosage 0.05-0.25 g/L, mixing speed 75-175 rpm, and contact time 25-125 min were assessed. The central composite design (CCD)-based response surface methodology was employed to design the experiments and find optimal conditions. M/HNC was synthesized under green conditions and structurally investigated using X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. M/HNC was synthesized with a particle size of about 26 nm, magnetic properties, and a high specific surface area. The efficiency of ammonium adsorption from LL was increased by enhancing parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, mixing speed, and contact time. The pH of 8.05, adsorbent dosage of 0.167 g/L, mixing speed of 117.42 rpm, and contact time of 81.99 min was presented as optimal conditions according to the results of the CCD method. In addition, the efficiency of ammonium adsorption from LL using M/HNC was 80% at optimal conditions. The data of ammonium adsorption on M/HNC fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. It should be noted that the interactive effects of the parameters had an increasing impact on the ammonium adsorption efficiency. Based on the results of the present study, M/HNC had an effective potential for the adsorption of ammonium from LL

Outcomes of near confluent laser versus combined less dense laser and bevacizumab treatment of prethreshold ROP Type 1 Zone 2: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract Background To evaluate the results of near confluent laser therapy versus combined less dense laser and intra vitreal bevacizumab in treatment of infants with type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in zone II. Methods This is a prospective double-blinded randomized clinical trial study. Infants with Type 1 ROP in Zone 2 were randomized into case and control groups. Conventional laser therapy was executed for control group and combination of IVB and laser treatment was employed for the case group. Results Eighty-six eyes from 43 infants were analyzed in this trial. The first group included 42 eyes from 21 infants receiving a combination of laser ablation and IVB. The second group contained 44 eyes from 22 infants who received only conventional laser therapy. The combined IVB and laser ablation group demonstrated the neovascularization regression (20 out of 21 infants) one week after the procedure. In the conventional laser therapy group, this regression was found in (12 out of 22 infants) within one week after laser therapy (P = 0.001). Plus disease regression was observed in 20 (20/21) of combined treatment group and 7 infants (7/22) of conventional laser treatment group after one week. Conclusion Combined less dense laser and bevacizumab treatment resulted in more rapid regression in comparison with the conventional laser treatment. Trial registration IRCT20201120049450N1, 27/12/2021

Combination of Nonionic Surfactants with Thermal-activated Persulfate for Simultaneous Removal of Phenanthrene and Pyrene from Alluvial Soil: A Kinetic Study

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have adverse effects on the organisms, plants, and soil structure. Therefore, they should be removed by an appropriate and effective method. In this study, simultaneous removal of 500 mg/kg(soil) of phenanthrene and pyrene was investigated for the individual and combined application of Tween 80, Triton X-100, and sodium persulfate from the alluvial soil. The results revealed that the maximum removal efficiencies of phenanthrene (94.06 +/- 0.30%) and pyrene (90.07 +/- 0.19%) were observed in the presence of Triton X-100 + sodium persulfate (0.5 M) within 1 hour, respectively. Also, individual application of surfactants and sodium persulfate had efficiencies of less than 80%. It should be noted that the removal of phenanthrene and pyrene followed the first-order kinetic model. Economic evaluations of combined treatment demonstrated that the application of more proportion of Triton X-100 (10000 mg/L) + less proportion of sodium persulfate (0.3 M) is more cost-effective for the remediation of soil in the field study. Based on the results, the combined application of the washing process by Triton X-100 and persulfate oxidant can significantly improve the removal efficiencies and is a promising technique in the remediation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons contaminated soil

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing in promoting hand hygiene of nursing personnel

Background: Motivational interviewing (M.I.) is an option for modifying an individual′s behavior. It is used as an educational method in recent years. The aim of our study was to indicate whether or not education, using lecture alone and lecture with M.I., would affect the performance of nursing personnel regarding their hand hygiene. If so, which of these two methods were most effective for this purpose? Methods: This was an interventional study conducted in Bahrami Pediatric Hospital in Tehran. The study population consisted of all nursing personnel in the hospital. Considering the responsibilities of different nurses and their educational status, we divided them into three classes. The participants of each class were randomly assigned to either the control or experiment groups training lecture alone or lecture with M.I., respectively. We used Independent-t, Paired-t, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed ranks tests for analysis. Results: Education using lecture alone improved the hand hygiene performance of nursing personnel only in the first and third classes ( P = 0.002 and P = 0.001, respectively). Similarly, lecture combined with M.I. improved the hand hygiene performance of personnel in the first and third classes ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). The latter method was more effective compared to lecture alone in the first and third classes ( P < 0.001 and P = 0.013, respectively). Conclusions: Education based on lecturing improves hand hygiene performance among nursing personnel. It will be more effective if combined with M.I