Adjustment and Completion of BASNEF Model to Provide a New Model for Educating Large Populations in Relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Background: Educational models that have been created for educating small populations do not have enough efficacy for educating large populations, so based on this premise and also high prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) in the Islamic Republic of Iran and lack of efficient methods for CL control, this study was designed and done with the aim of applying BASNEF model to provide a new model for educating large populations in relation to Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. Methods: In a quasi-experimental study, 60 Volunteer Health Workers (VHWS) and 120 households that were resident in endemic areas of CL in Yazd were selected through census and multi-stage sampling method, respectively. Then, educational intervention was designed and implemented on the basis of BASNEF model. After educating VHWS based on BASNEF model, they were asked to educate households on the basis of BASNEF model. Before and after 3 months of VHWS training activities, data were collected in intervention and control groups via valid and reliable questionnaires and were analyzed with the SPSS software. Results: The mean score of knowledge, attitude, behavioral intention, enabling factors, behaviors and influence of subjective norms after educational intervention in households in experimental were significantly increased (P<0.05) while the changes in control group were not significant. Conclusions: This educational program led to empowering of VHWS and a change in their educational behavior which in turn led to preventive measures in households under study region. It can be concluded that the new educational model presented in this research, formed based on the BASNEF model, is able to educate a large population. Keywords: BASNEF Model, Volunteer Health Workers, Health Education, Cutaneous Leishmaniasi

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the larynx: A case report

Introduction: Inflammatory myofibroblastic pseudotumors are initially described in the lung and various extrapulmonary sites such as the orbits, palatine tonsils, ears, gingiva, pterygomaxillary space, and periodontal tissues. These tumors rarely involve the larynx and predilection to the glottis occurs in an indolent manner. Case Report: This case describes a laryngeal myofibroblastic tumor in a 46-year-old woman who presented with an aggressive tumor that extended to the floor of the mouth and the base of the tongue. Extended supraglottic laryngectomy was undertaken for the patient. The diagnosis was spindle cell proliferation with dense lymphoplasma cell infiltration compatible with inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (Inflammatory pseudotumor or plasma cell granuloma). Definitive diagnosis was achieved with immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Conclusion: We believe that further IHC studies are required to define the true nature of these tumors especially for those that behave in an aggressive pattern

Decreased expression of fecal miR-4478 and miR-1295b-3p in early-stage colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide. Detection of molecular markers in stool samples is a promising strategy for CRC screening. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules that are commonly dysregulated in neoplasia. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the fecal miRNAs differentiation between early-stage CRC patients and healthy subjects. METHODS: Stool samples were collected from 40 patients with early stage (I, II) CRC and 16 healthy controls. RNA was extracted from all samples using miRNAeasy Mini Kits. MiRNA microarray expression profiling was performed with Agilent's miRNA Microarray system on 12 CRC and 8 normal stool samples. The expression levels of miR-4478 and miR-1295b-3p were determined by the SYBR Green miScript PCR system. RESULTS: In profiling study, we found 215 down-regulated miRNAs in CRC group. Furthermore, in validation study we found that the expression levels of fecal miR-4487 and miR-1295b-3p were significantly decreased in CRC patients compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The expression of miR-4478 and miR-1295b-3p were significantly diminished in stool samples of CRC patients with early stage (I, II) in comparison with normal group. These miRNAs maybe use as potential non-invasive molecular markers for CRC diagnosis, but further studies are needed. © 2015 - IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved

Groundwater Lowering in Deep Excavation (Case Study: Foundation Excavation of Shahid Madani Dam)

In many big civil constructions, deep excavation is an essential part of project and groundwater control in excavation process is the prominent tasks. In this paper while mentioning the risks of deep excavation, the solutions of underground water control have been explained and different methods of groundwater control in regard to financial conditions, different soil condition and various depths have been investigated. Groundwater control in foundation excavation of Shahid Madani Dam as a case study is presented. Depth of foundation excavation was about 50 meters in tight valley and excavation was performed under groundwater table. This excavation is one of the deepest excavations in Iran and it has some specific problems related to topographical and geotechnical condition in dam site. Finally the proper methods for groundwater control are presented and recommended. Measurements in excavation period and in the middle of dam body construction have shown that this design method had a good performance

Gaussian mixture model-based contrast enhancement

In this study, a method for enhancing low-contrast images is proposed. This method, called Gaussian mixture model-based contrast enhancement (GMMCE), brings into play the Gaussian mixture modelling of histograms to model the content of the images. On the basis of the fact that each homogeneous area in natural images has a Gaussian-shaped histogram, it decomposes the narrow histogram of low-contrast images into a set of scaled and shifted Gaussians. The individual histograms are then stretched by increasing their variance parameters, and are diffused on the entire histogram by scattering their mean parameters, to build a broad version of the histogram. The number of Gaussians as well as their parameters are optimised to set up a Gaussian mixture modelling with lowest approximation error and highest similarity to the original histogram. Compared with the existing histogram-based methods, the experimental results show that the quality of GMMCE enhanced pictures are mostly consistent and outperform other benchmark methods. Additionally, the computational complexity analysis shows that GMMCE is a low-complexity method

Assessment of human errors in driving accidents; Analysis of the causes based on aberrant behaviors

Introduction: Today, mortalities and injuries due to traffic accidents have been confirmed as a global phenomenon. Meanwhile, mistakes and high risk behaviors by drivers, is the most important intervening factor in traffic accidents. This study is to analyze the causes of traffic accidents according to drivers' aberrant behaviors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 540 taxi drivers using Manchester Driving Behaviour Questinnaire in 0-5 Likert scale. After being gathered, the data were analyzed by SPSS 11.5 using Pearson Correlation and Logistic Regression. Findings: The mean score of aberrant driving behaviors was obtained 2.06 (± 0.47) and lapse obtained the highest score and driving mistakes did the lowest. As age advanced, the rate of aberrant behaviours declined (P = 0.006). Commitment of mistakes and offences was more prevalent in ages under 30 years compared to other age ranges and lapse in the individuals over 50 years was more prevalent compared to other items. The results of logistic regression indicated that all variables of DBQ are important in predicting Iranian drivers' aberrant behaviors (P < 0.001), but intentional offences had the highest correlation. There was an inverse correlation between driving history and intentional offences and mistakes (P < 0.001). Conclusion: According to the results, it could be said that intentional offences and lapse in driving behaviors are more predictive of self-reported accidents compared to other variables. The drivers in low ages are more willing to practice aberrant behaviors due to lack of adequate skill and experience and having intrinsic excitements. By contrast, as age advances, intentional offenses declines and the rate of lapses ascends. It seems that through provision of regular, periodic training for the drivers by occupation and creating awareness, aberrant behaviors and, by extension, traffic accidents could be effectively decreased

The effect of HESA-A (natural drug) on visual acuity in age related macular degeneration: a randomized double blind controlled clinical trial

We investigated the clinical efficacy and safety of HESA-A (a drug of herbal-marine origin) in the treatment of age related macular degeneration (AMD). In a randomized double blind clinical trial 280 eyes of 280 (157 F, 123 M) patients with wet and dry AMD were randomly assigned in treatment or placebo groups. Patients in treatment group received HESA-A tablet 25 mg/Kg twice a day orally and controls received placebo with the same method for 4 weeks. Visual acuity at baseline and after one month of treatment was measured and compared between two groups. All patients were followed up for 5 months after treatment. Mean patients’ age was 69.06±8.49 years. At the end of study visual acuity improved significantly from 1.69±0.65 LogMar to 1.03± 0.40 LogMar in treatment group but not in controls (P: 0.000 and P: 0.67 in treatment and control groups respectively). No drug reaction or recurrence was reported during the study and 5-month post treatment follow up period in HESA-A treated group. This study showed significant efficacy and safety of HESA-A in improvement of visual acuity in AMD patients in short term.Key words: age related macular degeneration, HESA-A

Methodology for artificial microswimming using magnetic actuation

We propose a methodology for swimming at low-Reynolds-number flows based on ciliary motion of a microswimmer using magnetic actuation of artificial cilia.By solving the coupled magnetic-elastic-hydrodynamic problem, we demonstrate nonreciprocal effective and recovery strokes for cilia that nicely mimic natural cilia beating. Cilia drag forces, microswimmer net displacement, velocity, and efficiency are calculated, and we show the model can swim using a prespecified magnetic actuation. The proposed methodology can be used for devising biomedical microdevices that swim in viscous flows inside the human body

Downregulation of plasma MiR-142-3p and MiR-26a-5p in patients with colorectal carcinoma

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and cancer- related death worldwide. Identification of new specific biomarkers could be helpful to detection of this malignancy. Altered plasma microRNA expression has been identified in many cancers, including colorectal cancer. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to identify the circulating microRNAs with the most expression changes in colorectal cancer patients compared with neoplasm free healthy individuals. Materials and Methods: MicroRNA expression profiling was performed on plasma samples of 37 colorectal cancer patients and 8 normal subjects using microRNA microarray. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to validate the two selected altered microR NAs. Plasma samples from 61 colorectal cancer patients and 24 normal subjects were used in our validation study. Results: In profiling study we found a panel of six plasma microRNAs with significant downregulation. MicroRNA-142-3p and microRNA-26a-5p were selected and validated by polymerase chain reaction. Our results demonstrated that expression levels of plasma microRNA-142-3p and microRNA-26a-5p were significantly downregulated in patients with colorectal cancer when compared to control group. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that downregulation of plasma microRNA-142-3p and microRNA-26a-5p might serve as novel noninvasive biomarkers in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer, although more studies are needed to highlight the theoretical strengths. © 2015, Iranian Journal of Cancer Prevention