The effectiveness of fasting on the intraocular pressure in individuals suffering from open –angle glaucoma

زمینه و هدف: فشار داخل چشم یکی از ریسک فاکتورهای قابل درمان در گلوکوم است و کانون اصلی درمان را تشکیل می دهد. تغییر در میزان فشار داخل چشمی بویژه در افراد مبتلا به گلوکوم در اثر روزه داری از جمله سوالاتی است که هنوز پاسخ قاطعی به آن داده نشده است. این مطالعه با هدف بررسی تاثیر روزه داری در ماه مبارک رمضان بر فشار داخل چشمی در افراد مبتلا به گلوکوم زاویه باز انجام شد. روش بررسی: این مطالعه به صورت کوهورت خود شاهدی در طی ماه رمضان 1388 بر روی بیماران داوطلب بالای 45 سال مبتلا به گلوکوم زاویه باز انجام شد. فشار داخل چشم 50 چشم از بیماران که حداقل 25 روز از ماه مبارک را روزه گرفته بودند درچهار نوبت قبل از ماه رمضان، روز پنجم، پانزدهم و بیست و پنجم ماه مبارک ثبت شد. بیماران حداقل دو هفته قبل از ماه رمضان و در طول دوره مطالعه داروهای خود را به صورت معمول مصرف نمودند. اطلاعات با استفاده از آزمون آماری آنالیز واریانس مشاهدات تکراری مورد تجزیه و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته ها: میانگین سنی بیماران 31/10±16/65 سال و 65 مرد بودند. فشار چشم بیماران نسبت به قبل از ماه رمضان روند کاهش داشت و در روز بیست و پنجم نسبت به قبل از ماه رمضان (37/0±08/16 میلی متر جیوه) معنی دار بود (001/0

Investigating the bioremediation of heavy metals by Pleurotus ostratus

Heavy metal contamination (HMs) of water and soil is the most serious problem caused by industrial and mining processes and other human activities. Mycoremediation is a biotechnological method that employs fungi to remove toxic contaminants from the environment in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Pleurotus species are considered to be the most popular and widely cultivated species worldwide, and this may be due to their low production cost and high yield. It has been indicated that Pleurotus species may improve plant growth in metal-contaminated soils through enhancing nutrition uptake or by alleviating toxicity of the metals. In this experiment, the fungus was grown in vitro in liquid and solid media for 3 weeks on five different concentrations (0, 15, 30, 45, 60 ppm) of five heavy metals (Cd, Zn, Ni, Pb, Mn) as sulphate and the effect of these metal on radial growth, biomass production and metal content of fungal biomass were determined. Based on the results, this fungus showed a great variety of tolerance against the metals, as that growth parameters were increased in the case of two metals contamination (Zn and Mn) and inhibition of growth was observed even at the low concentrations of nickel, cadmium and lead (15 mg/liter). The amount of metal accumulation in the fungal mycelium also increased with the increase of the metal concentration in the culture medium. In this research, for the first time, the growth parameters and the amount of accumulation of heavy metals in axenic conditions have been investigated and described

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus in Sanandaj, Iran

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance that is detected for the first time during the most recent pregnancy. It can lead to serious complications for mother and infant. The current study aimed to determine the important risk factors for GDM in Sanandaj, Iran during 2010-2011. METHODS: This was a case-control study in which 220 people were chosen for each group from referees to the healthcare centers and diabetes center in Sanandaj. Data were collected through interviews and review of medical records. Data analysis conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: In the present study, diabetic mothers were older and more obese than non-diabetic mothers. In the logistic regression, variables such as familial history of diabetes in first-degree relatives, history of gestational diabetes, age ≥ 30 years, history of stillbirth, history of macrosomia, and body mass index above 30 were considered as the most important independent risk factors for gestational diabetes respectively. However variables such as smoking, blood pressure, and history of infant death showed no statistical significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The most important risk factors for developing GDM included history of diabetes among relatives (family history), mothers with a history of gestational diabetes, and history of macrosomia. Therefore, controlling these factors can reduce the incidence of diabetes during pregnancy.

The comparison between the attitudes of employees and clients towards organizational intelligence (case study: Isfahan General Directorate of Sports and Youth)

This study was conducted in 2013, aiming tocompare the attitudes of employees and clientstowards organizational intelligence of IsfahanGeneral Directorate of Sport and Youth. The current studyis applied in terms of goal, descriptive in terms of natureand survey in terms of data collection. Based on Krejcie &Morgan table for sample size determination from a givenpopulation, 123 samples of employees were selected.Due to the comparison between the attitudes of employeesand clients, 123 clients were also selected throughsimple random method. The measurement tool in thisresearch was standard questionnaire of organizationalmultiple intelligence (Aghahosseini, 2010). To determinethe validity of it, the experts and professors of physicaleducation and sport sciences as well as management andplanning were consulted. Hereby, the content validity ofquestionnaire was confirmed. The reliability of it was alsocalculated through Cronbach’s alpha coefficient as 0.87.The descriptive and inferential statistical methods wereutilized for data analysis using SPSS software in error levelof 0.05. The results of study indicated no significant differencebetween the attitudes of employees and clientstowards organizational intelligence of Isfahan General Directorateof Sport and Youth (P=0.651). According to theemployees, the components of systematic intelligence,emotional intelligence, cooperative intelligence and educationalintelligence were upper than average level exceptoperational intelligence which was less than mean level(P=4.473). According to clients, all components in IsfahanGeneral Directorate of Sport and Youth were upperthan average level but there was no significant differencebetween the attitudes of employees and clients in any ofcomponents of organizational intelligence (P=0.05)

High-Performance and Energy-Efficient Leaky Integrate-and-Fire Neuron and Spike Timing-Dependent Plasticity Circuits in 7nm FinFET Technology

In designing neuromorphic circuits and systems, developing compact and energy-efficient neuron and synapse circuits is essential for high-performance on-chip neural architectures. Toward that end, this work utilizes the advanced low-power and compact 7nm FinFET technology to design leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neuron and spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) circuits. In the proposed STDP circuit, only six FinFETs and three small capacitors (two 10fF and 20fF) have been utilized to realize STDP learning. Moreover, 12 transistors and two capacitors (20fF) have been employed for designing the LIF neuron circuit. The evaluation results demonstrate that besides 60% area saving, the proposed STDP circuit achieves 68% improvement in total average power consumption and 43% lower energy dissipation compared to previous works. The proposed LIF neuron circuit demonstrates 34% area saving, 46% power, and 40% energy saving compared to its counterparts. The neuron can also tune the firing frequency within 5MHz-330MHz using an external control voltage. These results emphasize the potential of the proposed neuron and STDP learning circuits for compact and energy-efficient neuromorphic computing systems

Breast cancer-preventive behaviors: exploring Iranian women’s experiences

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer-preventive behaviors are critical for community and women’s health. Although many studies have addressed women’s knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer, little information is available about their experiences of breast cancer preventive behaviors. This study aimed to explore the experiences of Iranian women regarding preventive behaviors. METHODS: This was a qualitative study. A sample of Iranian women aged 30 years and over was selected purposefully. Data collected through focus group and semi-structured audiotaped interviews and were analyzed by conventional content analysis. RESULTS: The following five main themes emerged from the analysis: attitude toward breast cancer and preventive behaviors, stress management, healthy lifestyle, perceived social support and individual/environmental barriers. The findings showed that women were highly motivated to preventive behaviors of breast cancer but faced considerable challenges. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicated that increased awareness, positive attitudes, stronger motivational factors, and fewer barriers toward preventive behaviors are most important parameters that might encourage women to practice breast cancer-preventive behaviors

Risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus in Sanandaj, Iran

BACKGROUND: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is defined as any degree of glucose intolerance that is detected for the first time during the most recent pregnancy. It can lead to serious complications for mother and infant. The current study aimed to determine the important risk factors for GDM in Sanandaj, Iran during 2010-2011. METHODS: This was a case-control study in which 220 people were chosen for each group from referees to the healthcare centers and diabetes center in Sanandaj. Data were collected through interviews and review of medical records. Data analysis conducted using chi-square test and logistic regression. RESULTS: In the present study, diabetic mothers were older and more obese than non-diabetic mothers. In the logistic regression, variables such as familial history of diabetes in first-degree relatives, history of gestational diabetes, age ≥ 30 years, history of stillbirth, history of macrosomia, and body mass index above 30 were considered as the most important independent risk factors for gestational diabetes respectively. However variables such as smoking, blood pressure, and history of infant death showed no statistical significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The most important risk factors for developing GDM included history of diabetes among relatives (family history), mothers with a history of gestational diabetes, and history of macrosomia. Therefore, controlling these factors can reduce the incidence of diabetes during pregnancy

The effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on gene expression of lipoprotein(a) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein, lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome

This study was conducted to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E cosupplementation on gene expression of lipoprotein(a) (Lp[a]) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done on 68 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria aged 18e40 years old. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 1000 mg omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil containing 400 mg a- Linolenic acid plus 400 IU vitamin E supplements (n ¼ 34) or placebo (n ¼ 34) for 12 weeks. Lp(a) and Ox-LDL mRNA levels were quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of PCOS women with RT-PCR method. Lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress were quantified at the beginning of the study and after 12-week intervention. Quantitative results of RT-PCR demonstrated that compared with the placebo, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation downregulated expressed levels of Lp(a) mRNA (P < 0.001) and Ox-LDL mRNA (P < 0.001) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of women with PCOS. In addition, compared to the placebo group, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E cosupplementation resulted in a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (�22.1 ± 22.3 vs. þ7.7 ± 23.6 mg/dL, P < 0.001), VLDL- (�4.4 ± 4.5 vs. þ1.5 ± 4.7 mg/dL, P < 0.001), total- (�20.3 ± 16.6 vs. þ12.2 ± 26.1 mg/dL, P < 0.001), LDL- (�16.7 ± 15.3 vs. þ11.9 ± 26.1 mg/dL, P < 0.001) and total-/HDLcholesterol (�0.5 ± 0.6 vs. þ0.4 ± 0.8, P < 0.001). There were a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (þ89.4 ± 108.9 vs. þ5.9 ± 116.2 mmol/L, P ¼ 0.003) and a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels (�0.3 ± 0.4 vs. -0.008 ± 0.6 mmol/L, P ¼ 0.01) by combined omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E intake compared with the placebo group. Overall, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E cosupplementation for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved gene expression of Lp(a) and Ox- LDL, lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress

Estimates, trends, and drivers of the global burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to PM2.5 air pollution, 1990-2019 : an analysis of data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background Experimental and epidemiological studies indicate an association between exposure to particulate matter (PM) air pollution and increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In view of the high and increasing prevalence of diabetes, we aimed to quantify the burden of type 2 diabetes attributable to PM2.5 originating from ambient and household air pollution.Methods We systematically compiled all relevant cohort and case-control studies assessing the effect of exposure to household and ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution on type 2 diabetes incidence and mortality. We derived an exposure-response curve from the extracted relative risk estimates using the MR-BRT (meta-regression-Bayesian, regularised, trimmed) tool. The estimated curve was linked to ambient and household PM2.5 exposures from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2019, and estimates of the attributable burden (population attributable fractions and rates per 100 000 population of deaths and disability-adjusted life-years) for 204 countries from 1990 to 2019 were calculated. We also assessed the role of changes in exposure, population size, age, and type 2 diabetes incidence in the observed trend in PM2.5-attributable type 2 diabetes burden. All estimates are presented with 95% uncertainty intervals.Findings In 2019, approximately a fifth of the global burden of type 2 diabetes was attributable to PM2.5 exposure, with an estimated 3.78 (95% uncertainty interval 2.68-4.83) deaths per 100 000 population and 167 (117-223) disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) per 100 000 population. Approximately 13.4% (9.49-17.5) of deaths and 13.6% (9.73-17.9) of DALYs due to type 2 diabetes were contributed by ambient PM2.5, and 6.50% (4.22-9.53) of deaths and 5.92% (3.81-8.64) of DALYs by household air pollution. High burdens, in terms of numbers as well as rates, were estimated in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and South America. Since 1990, the attributable burden has increased by 50%, driven largely by population growth and ageing. Globally, the impact of reductions in household air pollution was largely offset by increased ambient PM2.5.Interpretation Air pollution is a major risk factor for diabetes. We estimated that about a fifth of the global burden of type 2 diabetes is attributable PM2.5 pollution. Air pollution mitigation therefore might have an essential role in reducing the global disease burden resulting from type 2 diabetes. Copyright (C) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.Peer reviewe

The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990-2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. FINDINGS: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15-19 years in low-SDI settings. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation