Modeling of influential predictors of gastric cancer incidence rates in Golestan Province, North Iran

Golestan province has a reputation for relatively high incidence rates of gastric cancer in Iran. Along with dietary, lifestyle and environmental influential factors, soil selenium and high levels of pesticide used may exert influence in this region. The present study was designed for modeling the influential predictors on incidence of gastric cancer in Golestan. All registered cases of gastric cancer from March 2009 to March 2010 (49 females and 107 males) were investigated. Data were gathered by both check list and researcher made questionnaire (demographic, clinical and lifestyle characteristics) and analysed using logistic regression. Mean (±SD) age at diagnosis was 62.9±13.8 years. CIR and ASR of gastric cancer showed 9.16 and 13.9 per 100,000 people, respectively. Based on univariate logistic regression, a history of smoking (OR= 2.076), unwashed hands after defecation (OR= 2.612), history of cancer in relatives (OR= 2.473), history of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives (OR= 2.278), numbers of gastric cancers in first-degree relatives (OR= 2.078), history of X-ray and dye exposure (OR= 2.395), history of CT scan encounter (OR= 2.915), improper food habits (OR= 3.320), specific eating behavior (OR= 0.740), consumption of probable high risk foods (OR= 2.942), charred flesh (OR= 1.945), and animal fat (OR= 2.716) were confirmed as a risk factors. Changes in lifestyle may be expected to increase gastric cancer incidence dramatically in the near future. Therefore, appropriate educational interventions should be designed and implemented by competent authorities

Determinants of lifestyle behavior in Iranian adults with prediabetes: Applying the theory of planned behavior

© 2017, Academy of Medical Sciences of I.R. Iran. All rights reserved. OBJECTIVE: Prediabetic condition can lead to development of type 2 diabetes, especially in individuals who do not adhere to a healthy lifestyle. The aim of the present study was to investigate the socio-cognitive factors using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) that may be associated with the choice of lifestyle in prediabetic patients. METHODS: A prospective study with one-month follow up was designed to collect data from 350 individuals with prediabetic conditions. A questionnaire was used to collect the information, including demographic variables, exercise behavior, food consumption, as well as the constructs of the TPB (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and behavioral intention) regarding physical activity and dietary choice. The correlations between TPB variables and the dependent variables (dietary choice, physical activity) were assessed using Spearman correlation and multiple regression models. RESULT: In total, 303 people participated. The mean age of the participants was 53.0 (SD 11.5) years and 42% were males. Significant correlations were found between all TPB constructs and both dependent variables (healthy eating and exercise behaviors) both at baseline and after one month (P < 0.01). The predictive validity of the TPB over time was proved for both dependent variables where past and future behaviors were significantly correlated with the constructs. Nearly 87% of the variance in exercise behavior and 72% of the variance in healthy eating behavior were explainable by TPB constructs. CONCLUSION: The TPB may be a useful model to predict behaviors of physical activity and dietary choice among prediabetic people. Therefore, it may be used to monitor lifestyle modification to prevent development of diabetes among people with prediabetic conditions

Induced spermiation of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, using a GnRh analogue

In this study, the benefits of using the first Iranian made GnRHa[D-Ala6 des Gly10] mGnRH ethylamide, to induce spermiation in male rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were evaluated, In addition, its effect on acceleration and synchronization, quality and quantity of milt and the plasma Testosterone (T) fluctuations were examined. For these purposes, 40 non-spermiating male rainbow trouts were injected with a mammalian gonadotropin releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) preparations of 0 (control), 30, 40 and 80 μg/kg B.W. or vehicle (propylene glycol). Spermiation was very synchronous and accelerated in treated groups. Six days after first injection, the cumulative spermiation rates reached respectively 40, 49 and 79% in injected groups (i.e. 30 to 80 μg/kg B.W.) while none of the control fish was spermiated. GnRHa injections advanced spermiation and reduced the average time to spermiation from 16 3.67 days for control group to 14.3± 2.2, 9.2 ±0.75 and 6.6± 0.29 days for treated groups, respectively (p0.05). Circulating levels of testosterone (T) prior to the GnRHa treatment were relatively low in all groups. Treatment with GnRHa induced significant increase in plasma T after 12 h, increasing it to 43.43±5.82, 38.66±5.63, 39.72±5.07 ng/ml in groups 2 to 4, respectively, which were higher than T levels for control (i.e. 24.58±7.13 ng/ml) p<0.05. These levels remained high up until 48 h in treated groups; but after this time, T levels reduced to the basal levels of time 0, except in 4 which had received its second GnRHa injection at time 48

Theoretical study of fMet-tRNA and fAla-tRNA structures by using quantum calculation

AbstractIn the prokaryotes, protein synthesis always starts with N-formylmethionine amino acid. Comparison of this amino acid with other amino acids is attempted and that is why formylmethionine is always the first amino acid to begin protein synthesis, in this paper we added a formyl group to alanine amino acid and then studied it when attached to the tRNA molecule and compared this structure with formylmethionine-tRNA structure. The quantum chemical calculations have performed using Gaussian 03 suite of programs. The fAla-tRNA and fMet-tRNA structures have fully optimized at the HF and B3LYP levels with 3–21G∗ and 6–31G∗ basis sets as well as MP2/3–21G∗ level and theoretically solvent effects on the structures were investigated. Then we studied electronic structures of the compounds using Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis and calculated NMR parameters at the gas-phase. Frequency analysis was also calculated at the HF and B3LYP/3-21G∗ levels in the different solvents in 298.15K, 310.15K temperatures and 1.00 atmosphere pressure

Aggregation response of Orius niger (Hem.: Anthocoridae) to different densities of Thrips tabaci (Thys.: Thripidae) under laboratory conditions

Aggregation response of the predatory bug Orius niger (Wolff) at different densities (5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50) of the second instar nymphs of Thrips tabaci Lind. was examined on a cucumber leaf disc as a patch. The number of predatory bugs and their allocated time per patch was recorded. The index (µ), in Hassell & May, at all densities of the predator (1, 2, 4, 8, 16 and 32) appeared greater than zero and, was indicative of its tendency to aggregate in the patches where a higher density of prey occurred. The percentage time spent by the predatory bug at different patch densities of T. tabaci showed that it allocated more time in patches with higher densities of prey

Prediction of Coronary Artery Restenosis in Patients Undergoing Angioplasty

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Coronary artery restenosis following angioplasty may lead to major unwanted cardiac events. This is one of the most important concerns of cardiologists. This study was performed to evaluate the predictors of coronary artery restenosis in patients undergoing angioplasty. METHODS: In this cohort study, all 2159 patients who referred to Madani Hospital in Khorramabad, Iran for angioplasty between 2004 and 2015 were followed up regarding the incidence of coronary artery restenosis for one or two years (at least 50% stenosis in the place of the previous angioplasty) depending on the type of stent, and clinical variables related to the lesion and procedure were recorded in an information form. Then, agents for predicting coronary artery restenosis were identified based on CART (Classification and Regression Tree). FINDINGS: Cumulative incidence of coronary artery restenosis was 12.9% (279 patients) in subcategories: non-drug-eluting stent (25.8%, 114 patients), comorbidity of diabetes and hyperlipidemia (under the subcategory of drug-eluting stents, 19%, 32 patients), multiple drug-eluting stents (under the subcategory of non-diabetic patients, 14.6%, 25 patients), comorbidity of hyperlipidemia and drug abuse (under the subcategory of non-diabetic group who use one drug-eluting stent, 12.8%, 16 patients). CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, stent type, history of diabetes, number of stents, hyperlipidemia and drug abuse are among the most important predictors of coronary artery restenosis

Psychometric properties of the adherence questionnaire in patients with chronic disease: A mix method study

Introduction: Non-compliance is a concern to all healthcare disciplines especially in patients with chronic illness that is caused by social factors. For determining the factors affect on patients' health, it is essentialto understand the meaning of compliance and its measurement which lead to improve compliance. However, there is not any instrument to assess compliance of all dimensions of treatment in patients with chronic disease in Iranian context. The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometric properties of compliance questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by triangulation approach in two concept analysis and methodological research sequential phases. In first part, Hybrid Model concept analysis was used to explore the meaning of compliance and to generate questionnaire items, and in second part psychometric properties was used to evaluate the validity and reliability of a compliance instrument.First, in theoretical phase of Hybrid Model concept analysis, data was collected by using literature reviews to develop a working definition. Second in field work phase qualitative data obtained through semi-structure interviews withparticipatingof 6 patients diagnosed with chronic disease. Third, in analytical phase, integration and reanalysis of the data gained during two former phases of concept analysis was conductedusing directed qualitative content analysis. In second part, a primary questionnaire was created by using the results of research. In the third part, the psychometric properties including face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was measured. Results: The process of concept analysis in theoretical phase resulted in extracting 11 categories,in field work phase seven categories and in third phaseeight themes emerged. 127 items was extracted.The psychometric property was carried out as a result the 127-item questionnaire was modified and the items decreased to 48. The result of exploratory factor analysis showed that this questionnaire contains 7 factors including making effort for treatment, intention to take the treatment, adaptability, integrating illness into life, stick to the treatment, commitment to treatment and indecisiveness for applying treatment and the items decreased to 40. The 7 factors explained nearly 48.514 of the variance of the questionnaire. The reliability was carried out by using test-retest reliability andCronbach'salpha 0.92. Conclusion: These findings offer helpful insights into the meaning of compliance and provide an instrument to assess the adherence of patients with chronic disease. The Adherence Questionnaire appears to be an appropriate tool for providing reliable and valid data to determine compliance in adult patients with chronic disease in Iranian context. © 2018, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Psychometric properties of the adherence questionnaire in patients with chronic disease: A mix method study

Introduction: Non-compliance is a concern to all healthcare disciplines especially in patients with chronic illness that is caused by social factors. For determining the factors affect on patients' health, it is essentialto understand the meaning of compliance and its measurement which lead to improve compliance. However, there is not any instrument to assess compliance of all dimensions of treatment in patients with chronic disease in Iranian context. The purpose of this study was to develop and psychometric properties of compliance questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted by triangulation approach in two concept analysis and methodological research sequential phases. In first part, Hybrid Model concept analysis was used to explore the meaning of compliance and to generate questionnaire items, and in second part psychometric properties was used to evaluate the validity and reliability of a compliance instrument.First, in theoretical phase of Hybrid Model concept analysis, data was collected by using literature reviews to develop a working definition. Second in field work phase qualitative data obtained through semi-structure interviews withparticipatingof 6 patients diagnosed with chronic disease. Third, in analytical phase, integration and reanalysis of the data gained during two former phases of concept analysis was conductedusing directed qualitative content analysis. In second part, a primary questionnaire was created by using the results of research. In the third part, the psychometric properties including face validity, content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability was measured. Results: The process of concept analysis in theoretical phase resulted in extracting 11 categories,in field work phase seven categories and in third phaseeight themes emerged. 127 items was extracted.The psychometric property was carried out as a result the 127-item questionnaire was modified and the items decreased to 48. The result of exploratory factor analysis showed that this questionnaire contains 7 factors including making effort for treatment, intention to take the treatment, adaptability, integrating illness into life, stick to the treatment, commitment to treatment and indecisiveness for applying treatment and the items decreased to 40. The 7 factors explained nearly 48.514 of the variance of the questionnaire. The reliability was carried out by using test-retest reliability andCronbach'salpha 0.92. Conclusion: These findings offer helpful insights into the meaning of compliance and provide an instrument to assess the adherence of patients with chronic disease. The Adherence Questionnaire appears to be an appropriate tool for providing reliable and valid data to determine compliance in adult patients with chronic disease in Iranian context. © 2018, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The effect of green tea on prostate specific antigen (PSA): A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Prostate cancer is a major malignancy, affecting men, worldwide. The protective effect of green tea consumption on prostate cancer has been reported in several studies; however, the findings are equivocal. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of green tea on PSA level, by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Methods: We searched online databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to 11 Aug 2020, to obtain relevant publications. The publication search was not limited by language or date. Results: A total of 2488 records were identified in the systematic search; from these, seven were included in the meta-analysis. The overall analysis showed no significant changes in PSA levels in subjects treated with green tea, (WMD: �0.60 ng/mL; 95 CI: �1.32, 0.12 ng/mL; P = 0.104, I2 = 93.80 , P heterogeneity&lt;0.001). Subgroup analysis based on geographical location showed that green tea significantly reduced PSA level in the USA population (WMD: �1.02 pg/mL, 95 CI: �1.30, �0.73, P &lt; 0.001) compared to non-USA populations (WMD: �0.22 pg/mL, 95 CI: �0.95, 0.50, P = 0.539) (P &lt; 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this review show that green tea has no significant effect on PSA level. However, due to the heterogeneity among studies more consistent clinical trials, with larger sample sizes are required. © 2020 The Author(s