Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy caused by increased pressure of median nerve in the wrist area. The results of electronic searches in several studies have shown different prevalence rates of this syndrome in Iran in different populations. So, the purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran using meta-analysis. Materials and methods: Relevant keywords were searched in national and international databases. The articles were then selected based on inclusion/ exclusion criteria and quality assessment. Data including author names, year of publication, sample size, sample descriptions, assessment criteria, and the prevalence rate of carpal tunnel syndrome were entered in Excel. The standard error of the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in each study was calculated based on the formula for binomial distribution. According to the I-squared heterogeneity and Q indices, the random or fixed effect model were used to estimate the overall prevalence. Also, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and survey of publication bias were carried out. Results: A systematic search was completed and 10 articles met the inclusion criteria with 11 evidence of the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran. A total of 14525 people had been studied in whom the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome varied from 1.82 to 64.6. The overall prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome with physical examination based on the random effect model was estimated to be 17.53 (95 CI, 13.74-21.31). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed a relatively high prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran. But, the frequency of this syndrome in different target groups requires further investigations. © 2018, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background and purpose: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy caused by increased pressure of median nerve in the wrist area. The results of electronic searches in several studies have shown different prevalence rates of this syndrome in Iran in different populations. So, the purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran using meta-analysis. Materials and methods: Relevant keywords were searched in national and international databases. The articles were then selected based on inclusion/ exclusion criteria and quality assessment. Data including author names, year of publication, sample size, sample descriptions, assessment criteria, and the prevalence rate of carpal tunnel syndrome were entered in Excel. The standard error of the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in each study was calculated based on the formula for binomial distribution. According to the I-squared heterogeneity and Q indices, the random or fixed effect model were used to estimate the overall prevalence. Also, sensitivity analysis, meta-regression, and survey of publication bias were carried out. Results: A systematic search was completed and 10 articles met the inclusion criteria with 11 evidence of the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran. A total of 14525 people had been studied in whom the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome varied from 1.82 to 64.6. The overall prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome with physical examination based on the random effect model was estimated to be 17.53 (95 CI, 13.74-21.31). Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed a relatively high prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in Iran. But, the frequency of this syndrome in different target groups requires further investigations. © 2018, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The relationship between a plant-based diet and mental health: Evidence from a cross-sectional multicentric community trial (LIPOKAP study)

BACKGROUND: Dietary patterns emphasizing plant foods might be neuroprotective and exert health benefits on mental health. However, there is a paucity of evidence on the association between a plant-based dietary index and mental health measures. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to examine the association between plant-based dietary indices, depression and anxiety in a large multicentric sample of Iranian adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 2,033 participants. A validated food frequency questionnaire was used to evaluate dietary intakes of participants. Three versions of PDI including an overall PDI, a healthy PDI (hPDI), and an unhealthy PDI (uPDI) were created. The presence of anxiety and depression was examined via a validated Iranian version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). RESULTS: PDI and hPDI were not associated to depression and anxiety after adjustment for potential covariates (age, sex, energy, marital status, physical activity level and smoking). However, in the crude model, the highest consumption of uPDI approximately doubled the risk of depression (OR= 2.07, 95% CI: 1.49, 2.87; P<0.0001) and increased the risk of anxiety by almost 50% (OR= 1.56, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.14; P= 0.001). Adjustment for potential confounders just slightly changed the associations (OR for depression in the fourth quartile= 1.96; 95% CI: 1.34, 2.85, and OR for anxiety in the fourth quartile= 1.53; 95% CI: 1.07, 2.19). CONCLUSIONS: An unhealthy plant-based dietary index is associated with a higher risk of depression and anxiety, while plant-based dietary index and healthy plant-based dietary index were not associated to depression and anxiety

Development of an Empirical-Mechanistic Model of Overlay Crack Progression using Data from the Washington State PMS Database

This is the second of two reports that present fatigue cracking performance models for asphalt concrete overlays placed on existing asphalt concrete pavement. The models were developed from the pavement management system (PMS) database of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The database included existing pavement structure, overlay thickness and type, truck traffic, and observed percent of the wheelpath cracked from annual condition surveys. Climate data was developed by the UCPRC to augment the WSDOT data. This report presents a model for crack propagation, starting from crack initiation, which was defined as 5 percent of the wheelpath with longitudinal cracking. The combined initiation and propagation models were included in a spreadsheet calculator which was used to perform an analysis of the sensitivity of crack initiation and propagation to the input variables. The models are extremely useful for predicting pavement performance. For use in California they will need recalibration of the coefficients to reflect differences in WSDOT and California practice, primarily the use of thicker overlays in California, placement of overlays at much more advanced states of cracking in the existing pavement, and possible differences in routine maintenance activities

Warm-Mix Asphalt Study: Evaluation of Rubberized Hot- and Warm-Mix Asphalt with Respect to Emissions

In recent years, warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies have been used to modify asphalt binders, with the aims of decreasing production and construction temperatures, reducing fumes and emissions, retaining the properties of the mix during long haul distances, and improving workability. Reduced production temperatures at the plant and during paving and compaction are believed to reduce emissions from the asphalt. The objective of this research study was to quantify the potential environmental benefits during paving operations with respect to the reduction of volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to confirm or refute this hypothesis. Asphalt plant stack emissions were not assessed as part of this study. A portable “flux” chamber was designed and fabricated to capture and directly measure emissions during paving operations. An analytical method was developed to identify and quantify alkane emissions using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A separate method was developed for identification and characterization of trace level polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds in the asphalt fumes. The results demonstrated that the warm-mix asphalt technology type, plant mixing temperature, and level of compaction significantly influence emissions characteristics throughout paving operations. Depending on these variables, most warm-mix technologies appear to have potential for reducing emissions during transport and paving operations. Key findings from the study include: The majority of the reactive organic gases are volatilized in the first hour after sampling initiation. There is a significant difference between emissions concentrations from loose mix and those recorded immediately after compaction. Gaseous phase PAH compounds in asphalt fumes are mainly low molecular weight compounds and are present at trace levels. The concentrations vary depending on the temperature of the mix at the time of sampling. Particulate phase PAHs were below the detection limit of this study for all the mixes. The results confirmed that typical asphalt production temperatures are not high enough to initiate significant PAH formation. The total alkane emissions from the warm-mixes were, in most instances, significantly lower than those measured from the hot-mixes (e.g., 117 µg/m3 from one of the warm-mixes compared to 2,516 µg/m3 from the hot-mix control). In some instances, specific warm-mixes had higher alkane concentrations than the hot-mix controls. Consequently, any generalization with regard to emissions reduction through the use of warm-mix asphalt is inappropriate. PAH concentrations correlated with initial mix production temperature, with those warm-mixes produced at the lowest temperatures showing the lowest PAH concentrations

Development of an Empirical-Mechanistic Model of Overlay Crack Progression using Data from the Washington State PMS Database

This is the second of two reports that present fatigue cracking performance models for asphalt concrete overlays placed on existing asphalt concrete pavement. The models were developed from the pavement management system (PMS) database of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). The database included existing pavement structure, overlay thickness and type, truck traffic, and observed percent of the wheelpath cracked from annual condition surveys. Climate data was developed by the UCPRC to augment the WSDOT data. This report presents a model for crack propagation, starting from crack initiation, which was defined as 5 percent of the wheelpath with longitudinal cracking. The combined initiation and propagation models were included in a spreadsheet calculator which was used to perform an analysis of the sensitivity of crack initiation and propagation to the input variables. The models are extremely useful for predicting pavement performance. For use in California they will need recalibration of the coefficients to reflect differences in WSDOT and California practice, primarily the use of thicker overlays in California, placement of overlays at much more advanced states of cracking in the existing pavement, and possible differences in routine maintenance activities

A Decision Support System for Pattern-Driven Software Architecture

The selection process of architectural patterns is challenging for software architects, as knowledge about patterns is scattered among a wide range of literature. Knowledge about architectural patterns must be collected, organized, stored, and quickly retrieved when it needs to be employed. In this tool paper, we introduce a decision support system that uses a decision model for supporting software architects with the pattern selection problem according to their requirements, including functional and quality requirements. The decision model is built based on a technology selection framework for modeling multi-criteria decision-making problems in software production. Twenty-four software architects in the Netherlands have evaluated the tool. They confirm that the tool supports them with their daily decision-making process

Investigation of Wet-Process Asphalt Rubber Binder Testing with Modified Dynamic Shear Rheometer: Interim Report on Screening Tests

In the United States, the Superpave Asphalt Binder Performance Grading (PG) system proposed by the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) is the most common method used to characterize the performance-related properties of conventional and polymer-modified asphalt binders. Dynamic modulus (G*) and phase angle (δ) are the two main binder properties and they are measured using a dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) with parallel plate geometry and either a 1 mm or 2 mm gap between the plates. Since these Superpave parameters were developed for binders that do not contain additives or particulates, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) does not use them as asphalt rubber binder specification criteria. Instead, penetration and viscosity are used as acceptance of quality control; however, these parameters do not necessarily provide a satisfactory link between the measured binder properties and potential performance in the field over a range of operating temperatures. In California, current specifications require that crumb rubber particles used to produce asphalt rubber binder in the “wet process” must be smaller than 2.36 mm (i.e., 100 percent passing the #8 sieve), and typically these particles vary in size between 1 mm and 2 mm. As a consequence, when the parallel plate geometry is used to test this type of binder, the larger rubber particles can contact the plates; if this occurs, the rubber particle rheology can potentially dominate the results, which in turn may not be representative of the modified binder as a whole. To address this problem, a potentially more appropriate DSR testing protocol using concentric cylinder geometry was investigated in this study to explore an alternative means of determining the performance properties of asphalt rubber binders. In the first phase of the study, documented in this technical memorandum, a series of tests were undertaken to compare the two geometries and to assess which binder properties influence the results from the testing approaches. The interim results indicate that there is no significant difference between the concentric cylinder and parallel plate geometries in terms of the G*/sinδ after testing on a range of different binders and asphalt rubber binders with finer crumb rubber particle sizes (i.e.  &lt;250 μm). However, the correlations between results from the geometries were increasingly weaker with increasing crumb rubber particle size, indicating some potential influence of larger sizes on the results of the testing using parallel plates. The concentric cylinder geometry resulted in relatively lower values of G*/sinδ compared to samples tested with the parallel plate geometry. This difference is provisionally attributed to large rubber particles touching both plates, and to edge effects issues. The proposed alternative approach to measuring the rheological properties of asphalt rubber binder is considered feasible, and that with its use the edge effect and trimming issues can be eliminated. However, the concentric cylinder method requires a longer testing time and a larger binder sample than the parallel plate test method. The testing will be continued to develop proposed revised quality control procedures for testing asphalt rubber binders used on Caltrans projects.