Assessment of questionnaires measuring quality of life in infertile couples: A systematic review

Background: Infertility has potentially inappropriate effects on quality of life in infertile couples. Various general and specific questionnaires have been structured for assessing different aspects of quality of life in infertile men, women, or couples. The present systematic review was designed to assess these questionnaires and also identify different factors affecting infertile couples based on the aforesaid questionnaires. Methods: The research strategy involved general and specific terms in relation to couples's infertility and their quality of life. A review was done for studies published from 1982 to 2012 that were indexed in Medline, ISI Web of Science and Scopus as well as abstract books on this subject. We also corresponded with the authors of the references in related studies for introducing more resources and references. Results: In all reviewed studies, different aspects of the quality of life in couples were evaluated including sexual, psychological, social, communicational, environmental, occupational, medical, as well as economical ones. In total, after initial screening of all studies, 10 general and 2 specific questionnaires were retrieved. Although no meta-analysis was found in the review, infertility had a negative effect on quality of life in couples. Conclusion: This study revealed that some general questionnaires such as SF-36 and WHO-QOL were mostly used for assessing quality of life in infertile couples and some specific questionnaires such as FERTI-QoL and Fertility Problem Inventory were rarely used. Thus, it seems that the evaluation of quality of life in infertile couples needs valid instruments for measurement

Отношение членов реанимационной бригады и сопровождающих пациента лиц к присутствию родственников пациента первой степени родства во время сердечно-легочной реанимации в отделениях неотложной помощи

The presence of the patient’s family at their bedside during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the challenging issues that has been frequently taken into consideration. Considering the importance of this topic. The objective of the present study was conducted to determine the attitude of the CPR team members and the patient’s companions toward the presence of the patient’s first-degree relatives during CPR.Materials and methods. The descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 CPR team members of two University Hospitals and 120 near relatives of patients undergoing CPR in 2021. The data were collected by the researcher-made questionnaire and depression, anxiety, stress scale (DASS) during CPR. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS (version 22) statistical software.Results. From the perspective of both the CPR team members and the patient’s companions, the highest mean response was related to the fact that it would be better for the patient to agree on the presence or absence of their family before hospitalization and whether they have favorable conditions. The attitude toward the presence of the patient’s family during CPR was statistically significantly associated with the companions’ gender (p < 0.05) and with the experience of work and participation in CPR of the CPR team members (p < 0.05).Conclusion. Taking into account the different opinions of the CPR team members and the patient’s relatives about the presence of family during resuscitation, additional studies with a large sample size should be carried out.Присутствие семьи пациента у его постели во время проведения сердечно-легочной реанимации (СЛР) является одним из вопросов, привлекающих внимание. Настоящее исследование было проведено с целью определения отношения членов реанимационной бригады и сопровождающих пациента лиц к присутствию родственников пациента первой степени родства во время проведения СЛР.Материалы и методы. Описательно-аналитическое перекрестное исследование проведено в 2 университетских больницах с участием 100 членов команд, проводящих СЛР, и 120 близких родственников пациентов, которым проводили СЛР в 2021 г. Данные были собраны с помощью разработанного исследователем опросника и шкалы стресса, тревоги и депрессии (DASS) во время СЛР. Собранные данные были проанализированы с помощью статистического программного обеспечения SPSS (версия 22).Результаты. С точки зрения как членов команды, проводящей СЛР, так и близких пациента, наиболее значимым был вопрос о том, что самому пациенту было бы лучше договориться о присутствии или отсутствии своей семьи еще до момента госпитализации и выяснить, насколько для этого созданы благоприятные условия. Отношение к присутствию семьи пациента во время СЛР было статистически значимо связано с полом сопровождающего (р < 0,05) и с опытом работы и участия в СЛР членов реанимационной бригады (р < 0,05).Вывод. Учитывая различные мнения членов команды, проводящей СЛР, и близких пациента относительно присутствия семьи во время реанимации, следует провести дополнительные исследования с большим объемом выборки

Alterations in reproductive hormones during heat stress in dairy cattle

In dairy cows inseminated during the hot months of the year, there is a decrease in fertility. Different factors contribute to this situation; the most important are a consequence of increased temperature and humidity that result in a decreased expression of overt estrus and a reduction in appetite and dry matter intake. Heat stress reduces the degree of dominance of the selected follicle and this can be seen as reduced steroidogenic capacity of its theca and granulosa cells and a fall in blood estradiol concentrations. Plasma progesterone levels can be increased or decreased depending on whether the heat stress is acute or chronic, and on the metabolic state of the animal. These endocrine changes reduce follicular activity and alter the ovulatory mechanism, leading to a decrease in oocyte and embryo quality. The uterine environment is also modified, reducing the likelihood of embryo implantation. Systems activated by heat stress can influence reproduction at the hypothalamus, pituitary gland or gonads. However, the major impact is thought to be within the brain or at the pituitary gland. Measurement of plasma concentrations of the gonadotrophins provides a good indication of the effects at these higher levels, since the pulsatile secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) is a reflection of the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Both the secretion and actions of GnRH are influenced by the feedback actions of gonadal sex steroids and inhibin. Recent studies suggest that the use of gonadotropins to induce follicular development and ovulation can decrease the severity of seasonal postpartum infertility in dairy cows.Key words: Reproductive hormones, dairy cow and heat stress

Quantification of the uterine involution and dimensions, hormonal response and reproductive performance of pyometric and healthy dairy cows treated with Dinoprost

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a PGF2α analogue (Dinoprost) on involution of the puerperal uterus, especially with pyometra during 35 to 45 days postpartum in multiparous high yielding Holstein dairy cows. At days 40 ± 5 postpartum, 1250 cows were ultrasonographically examined. Fifty cows were diagnosed as pyometric. Fifty pyometric and 50 clinically healthy cows were assigned randomly to one of four groups. Groups were: 1.) Pyometric+Dinoprost cows (PD, n = 25 treated with 25 mg of Dinoprost), 2.) Pyometric+Saline cows (PS, n = 25 treated with saline), 3.) Healthy+Dinoprost cows (HD, n = 25 treated with 25 mg of Dinoprost), and 4.) Healthy+Saline cows (HS, n = 25 treated with saline). All treatments were given intramuscularly. Ultrasonography was performed at the time of examination and 7 days later to evaluate changes in uterine diameter. Treatment with Dinoprost significantly reduced gross uterine diameter in PD in comparison to the PS group in the presence or absence (P4 concentrations <1 ng/ml) of an active corpus luteum. Dinoprost treatment did not decrease gross uterine diameter in groups HD and HS. Luminal diameter was significantly smaller in the PD than in the PS group. Pregnancy rate of PD was greater than PS cows (36% vs 20%, respectively). Days to first service (110 d vs. 140 d) and open days (160 d vs. 190 d) were shorter in PD cows than PS cows. It was concluded that injection of 25 mg of Dinoprost to pyometric cows had uterotonic effects in presence or absence of functional corpus luteum. Therefore, this treatment can help uterine involution in puerperal dairy cows affected by pyometra and consequently improved reproductive performance.Keywords: Cattle, Dinoprost, pregnancy rate, pyometra, uterine healt

Modified Heider Balance on Sparse Random Networks

The lack of signed random networks in standard balance studies has prompted us to extend the Hamiltonian of the standard balance model. Random networks with tunable parameters are suitable for better understanding the behavior of standard balance as an underlying dynamics. Moreover, the standard balance model in its original form does not allow preserving tensed triads in the network. Therefore, the thermal behavior of the balance model has been investigated on a fully connected signed network recently. It has been shown that the model undergoes an abrupt phase transition with temperature. Considering these two issues together, we examine the thermal behavior of the structural balance model defined on Erd\H{o}s-R\'enyi random networks. We provide a Mean-Field solution for the model. We observe a first-order phase transition with temperature, for both the sparse and densely connected networks. We detect two transition temperatures, $T_{cold}$ and $T_{hot}$, characterizing a hysteresis loop. We find that with increasing the network sparsity, both $T_{cold}$ and $T_{hot}$ decrease. But the slope of decreasing $T_{hot}$ with sparsity is larger than the slope of decreasing $T_{cold}$. Hence, the hysteresis region gets narrower, until, in a certain sparsity, it disappears. We provide a phase diagram in the temperature-tie density plane to observe the meta-stable/coexistence region behavior more accurately. Then we justify our Mean-Field results with a series of Monte-Carlo simulations.Comment: 10 Pages, 5 Figure

An 8 bit current steering DAC for offset compensation purposes in sensor arrays

Abstract. An 8 bit segmented current steering DAC is presented for the compensation of mismatch of sensors with current output arranged in a large arrays. The DAC is implemented in a 1.8 V supply voltage 180 nm standard CMOS technology. Post layout simulations reveal that the design target concerning a sampling frequency of 2.6 MHz is exceeded, worst-case settling time equals 60.6 ns. The output current range is 0–10 μA, which translates into an LSB of 40 nA. Good linearity is achieved, INL < 0.5 LSB and DNL < 0.4 LSB, respectively. Static power consumption with the outputs operated at a voltage of 0.9 V is approximately 10 μW. Dynamic power, mainly consumed by switching activity of the digital circuit parts, amounts to 100 μW at 2.6 MHz operation frequency. Total area is 38.6 × 2933.0 μm2

Demographic Factors, Duration and Costs of Hospitalization, and Causes of Death in Patients Intoxicated with Opioids and Amphetamines

Background: Intoxications are medical emergencies and among the significant causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In recent years, prevalence of intoxication with opioids and stimulants, such as amphetamines, is increasing particularly among young people. In this study, we investigated demographic factors, duration of hospitalization, costs of hospitalization, and cause of death in patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids.Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective descriptive–analytic study. Sampling method was census, and Subjects were patients intoxicated with amphetamines and opioids, alone or combined, who referred to toxicology ward of Ali-Asghar hospital in Isfahan, from October 2009 to April 2010.Results: During 6 months, among 2325 subjects, 419 patients used opioids, 98 patients used amphetamines, and 25 patients used both of them. The mean age of patients in the three groups was not significantly different. Most patients were male in all groups. The most common route of intoxication was orally in opioid group and inhalation in amphetamine group. The most common cause of intoxication was intentional attempt. Vital signs at admission were normal in three groups, but the average of heart rate, body temperature, respiratory rate and blood pressure, was slightly higher in the amphetamine group than the opioid group. Duration and cost of hospitalization were not significantly different between groups. Four patients were died totally and the outcome was not significantly different between groups. The mean age and duration of hospitalization were significantly higher in died compared to living patients.Conclusion: Opioids and amphetamines accounted for high percentages of intoxication, especially in young single men with self-employed job. Therefore, control and prevention of opioids and amphetamines consumption are important ways to reduce this kind of intoxication in this group

The effect of combined conventional and modified ultrafiltration on mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic changes in congenital heart surgery

Background: Cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased fluid accumulation around the heart which influences pulmonary and cardiac diastolic function. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of modified ultrafiltration (MUF) versus conventional ultrafiltration (CUF) on duration of mechanical ventilation and hemodynamic status in children undergoing congenital heart surgery. Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted on 46 pediatric patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass throughout their congenital heart surgery. Arteriovenous MUF plus CUF was performed in 23 patients (intervention group) and sole CUF was performed for other 23 patients (control group). In MUF group, arterial cannula was linked to the filter inlet through the arterial line, and for 10 min, 10 ml/kg/min of blood was filtered and returned via cardioplegia line to the right atrium. Different parameters including hemodynamic variables, length of mechanical ventilation, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay, and inotrope requirement were compared between the two groups. Results: At immediate post�MUF phase, there was a statistically significant increase in the mean arterial pressure, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05) only in the study group. Furthermore, there was a significant difference in time of mechanical ventilation (P = 0.004) and ICU stay (P = 0.007) between the two groups. Inotropes including milrinone (P = 0.04), epinephrine (P = 0.001), and dobutamine (P = 0.002) were used significantly less frequently for patients in the intervention than the control group. Conclusion: Administration of MUF following surgery improves hemodynamic status of patients and also significantly decreases the duration of mechanical ventilation and inotrope requirement within 48 h after surgery. � 2016 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

The promising applications of ultrasound in emergency medicine and critical care related to in cancer: A review

The referral of critically ill cancer patients to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a matter of controversial debate. During the past decade, ultrasound imaging performed by emergency physicians and critical care providers has gained significant clinical importance. A number of researches reported the ability of emergency physicians and critical care providers to carry out and interpret bedside assessments exactly, along with a great effect on the quality of care. It is possible assessing ultrasound-mediated subjects who are very much instable to be evaluated through alternative imaging methods. Furthermore, ultrasound in the emergency medicine and critical care open a new way towards facilitate diagnosis, simplify rapid dispositions, and influence management decisions. The primarily perspective of bedside ultrasound by emergency physicians and critical care providers was limited to a few applications. However, it was observed a number of new applications due to the universal and extensive adaptation of ultrasound in emergency uses. In this review, we discussed the promising applications of ultrasound for emergency medicine and critical care that encompass telemedicine, prehospital setting, soft tissue, fractures, ocular, paracentesis, pneumothorax, foreign bodies, bladder and arthrocentesis ultrasound. © Oncology and Radiotherapy

The Effect of Training Premenstrual Coping Skills in Undergraduate Students in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan-Iran

Background: The premenstrual Syndrome is a collection of physical, mental and emotional symptoms which influence the quality of individual’s life, so it is important to control and treat it. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Training Premenstrual Coping Skills in Undergraduate Students in the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Hamadan-Iran. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study including a before and after design on 140 students of Nursing and Midwifery in Hamadan-Iran, which was conducted in 2015. 80 Eligible individuals were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The research tool which we used was a questionnaire related to stress and coping strategies before and it was completed before and two months after the intervention in two groups. The students were trained the coping skills in the intervention group over five weeks, for 60 to 90 minutes. Results: The average age between girls in intervention group is 21.71±3.21 and control group 21.94±3.16 is years old. Based on the results of Wilcoxon test average tension score’s comparison before Menstruation and also before and after intervention in each different statistical group is meaningful (p<0.01). Despite the reduction of tension score before Menstruation in the group of intervention difference, the comparison is not so meaningful (p=0.07). Conclusion: Training the Coping skills had no significant impact on reducing premenstrual stress, but contributes to improving people's coping skills. It is recommended to hold premenstrual stress coping skills training sessions with a longer time to achieve valuable result