In situ production of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in molten salt phase for thermal energy storage and heat-transfer fluid applications

In this study, TiO2 nanoparticles (average particle size 16 nm) were successfully produced in molten salt phase and were showed to significantly enhance the specific heat capacity of a binary eutectic mixture of sodium and potassium nitrate (60/40) by 5.4 % at 390 °C and 7.5 % at 445 °C for 3.0 wt% of precursors used. The objective of this research was to develop a cost-effective alternate method of production which is potentially scalable, as current techniques utilized are not economically viable for large quantities. Enhancing the specific heat capacity of molten salt would promote more competitive pricing for electricity production by concentrating solar power plant. Here, a simple precursor (TiOSO4) was added to a binary eutectic mixture of potassium and sodium nitrate, heated to 450 °C, and cooled to witness the production of nanoparticles

A review of barriers and facilitators to mammography in Asian women

Aim: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Asia and one of the major health problems in most countries in the region. Despite extensive advances in treatment, early diagnosis is one of the main methods for increasing the survival rate. It is necessary to evaluate the barriers and facilitators of screening in different societies. This study was conducted to identify the barriers and facilitators of mammography in Asia. Materials and methods: To identify the barriers and facilitators of mammography in Asia, a comprehensive search was carried out in databases such as Medline, Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus using keywords, including breast cancer, screening, mammography, barriers, facilitators and the names of each Asian country, as well as a combination of these keywords were used to help the search. Full-text, English language and original articles were included in this study. Results: In total, 71 articles were entered into the study. The findings of this study revealed various barriers to mammography in Asian women, including knowledge, sociodemo-graphic factors, cost and insurance, cultural factors, belief, attitude and feeling, fear, pain and embarrassment, self-efficacy, religious, psychological factors, time constraint, fatalism, professional recommendations, communication, social support and access. Also, knowledge, attitude and belief, perceived risk, professional and social factors were found to be facilitators of mammography. Conclusion: Knowing the barriers and facilitators to access mammography is the first step in the development of a successful screening program. Awareness and various personal, professional and social factors have emerged as the major barriers to access to mammography in most Asian countries

Ovarian cancer in the world: epidemiology and risk factors

Aim: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers that has the highest mortality rate. Considering the fact that knowledge on the incidence, mortality of ovarian cancer, as well as its risk factors is necessary for planning and preventing complications, this study was conducted with the aim of examining the epidemiology and risk factors of ovarian cancer in the world. Materials and methods: In order to access the articles, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus databases were searched from their start to the year 2018. Full-text, English observational studies that referred to various aspects of ovarian cancer were included in the study. Results: In total, 125 articles that had been published during the years 1925-2018 were entered into the study. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women. Increased risk factors of cancer have led to an upward trend in the incidence of cancer around the world. In 2018, 4.4 of entire cancer-related mortality among women was attributed to ovarian cancer. Although the incidence of cancer is higher among high Human Development Index (HDI) countries, the trend of mortality rate tends to be reversing. Various factors affect the occurrence of ovarian cancer, from which genetic factor are among the most important ones. Pregnancy, lactation, and oral contraceptive pills play a role in reducing the risk of this disease. Conclusion: This study provides significant evidence about ovarian cancer. Considering the heavy burden of ovarian cancer on women's health, preventive measures as well as health education and early detection in high risk groups of women are highly recommended. Although some risk factors cannot be changed, a focus on preventable risk factors may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. More studies are needed to explore the role of unclear risk factors in ovarian cancer occurrence

Is Pregnancy Characteristic Associated with Ovarian Cancer? A Review of the Available Evidence

Numerous epidemiological studies examining the etiology of ovarian cancer and the role of pregnancy related factors in ovarian cancer has been one of the topics of interest to many researchers. Various articles have only mentioned the link between some risk factors and ovarian cancer, but no study has addressed the various dimensions of this issue to this day. Therefore, due to the important position of ovarian cancer among gynecological cancers, this study was conducted to investigate the pregnancy-related risk factors for ovarian cancer. To determine the relationship between pregnancy characteristic and ovarian cancer, a comprehensive search was carried out in English databases such as; Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus using keywords; pregnancy, ovarian cancer (or 'carcinoma of the ovary' or 'ovarian neoplasm' or 'ovarian tumor'), risk factor, pregnancy characteristic terms and a combination of these terms. Full-text, English language, and original articles were included in this study. In total, 35 articles were entered into the study. The relationship between pregnancy related factors and ovarian cancer were studied. Although there was a weak association between some factors such as preterm birth and the risk of ovarian cancer, only the strong protective effect of parity was seen in the articles. The results of this study did not show that pregnancy related factors increase the risk of ovarian cancer. In summary, the findings are inadequate regarding some risk factors such as gender of fetus, multiple pregnancy, placental and fetal weight, parity, miscarriage, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes, and raised questions for future research

Do the Fertility Drugs Increase the Risk of Cancer? A Review Study

Aim: All over the world, many couples cannot conceive a child and have problems with pregnancy. Ovulation-inducing drugs are among the most important drugs used for the treatment of infertility. In recent years, there have been many debates about the relationship between fertility medication and cancer. Due to the lack of comprehensive study of this matter, and as understanding the relationship between the use of fertility drugs and cancer is of importance, the present study was conducted to investigate the relationship between infertility drugs and cancer in women. Materials and Methods: To determine the relationship between infertility treatment and cancer, a comprehensive search was carried out in databases such as; Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus using keywords words; "infertility," "ovulation induction," "cancer," "infertility treatment," "ART," "tumor," "controlled ovarian stimulation," "fertility agents," and "neoplasms." Full-text, English language, and original articles were included in this study. Results: In total, 81 articles were entered into the study. The relationship between fertility medications and breast, ovary, endometrial, uterus, colon, thyroid, skin, cervical, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cancers were studied. Although the relationship between fertility medications and cancer is theoretically justifiable, most studies have shown that risk of cancer will not increase after fertility treatment. Conclusion: The results of this study did not show that fertility medications increase the risk of cancer among users. In summary, the relationship between infertility treatment and cancer incidence remains an open question

Optimism, Communication Skills and Its Related Factors in Midwifery Students

Introduction: Optimism is a tendency towards life and its events. It can affect health via the promotion of social relationships. Aim: This study aimed at investigating optimism, communication skills, and its related factors in midwifery students. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was conducted during September to December, 2016. Participants were 115 midwifery students from Ilam University of Medical Sciences who were enrolled into this study through census sampling. Data were collected using demographic characteristics, communication skills, and life-orientation questionnaires. Data were analysed using descriptive and analytical statistics in SPSS version 16. Results: The mean score of communication skills and optimism was 108.9 +/- 10.9 and 13.9 +/- 3.5, respectively. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed that there was a direct correlation between communication skill and optimism scores (r=0.477, p<0.001). Analytical statistical analysis showed a direct relation between age and communication scores (p=0.01) and there was a significant relation in the mean score of communication skills in married people than in single ones (p=0.02). Also, there was a significant correlation between optimism score and the level of awareness of the field of study (p<0.001). Conclusion: In this study, the level of communication skills in midwifery students in Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Iran was moderate and comprehensive training is needed to improve these skills. The level of optimism of life in most midwifery students was relatively good, but more studies are suggested in this regard