Implement of zoning in order to evaluate the establishment of the airports using integrating MCDM methods and noise pollution modeling softwares

Background: Finding the best location for the airport reduces the negative effects of construction and its activity on the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the establishment of the airports (Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports) in Tehran province through integration of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods and noise pollution modeling software. Methods: The criteria for zoning the airports were determined using Delphi method, and then, were weighed using analytic network process (ANP). One of the criteria was noise pollution. The computer aided noise abatement (CadnaA) software was used to map the noise level at the airports. The geographic information system (GIS) software and weighted overlay method were used to zone Tehran province for construction of the airports. The percentage of voice annoyance was defined according to the questionnaire provided by the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Noise (ICBEN). Results: Prioritization between the selected criteria using ANP and TOPSIS showed that the most important criteria are the land use (0.069) and the distance from the city (0.0598), respectively. The highest percentage of highly annoyed (%HA) persons was reported at both airports at Lden levels above 70 dB. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the location of Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports is considered 60% and 18% inappropriate, respectively. The results introduce a set of criteria that determines compatibility rate of different activities around the airports based on the noise levels. Finally, it is recommended to study the correlation between aircraft noise pollution indicators in other airports of Iran and design a local model for the whole country. Keywords: Noise, Geographic information systems, Airports, Environmental indicators, Softwar

The Direct and Indirect Effects of Macronutrients on Energy Intake in Lactating Mothers

Background: Mother’s nutrition during lactation is a factor affecting the quality and quantity of their milk. The present study aimed to investigate the direct and indirect effects of macronutrients on the amount of their energy intake.Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Khorramabad, and the target population included lactating mothers with a lactation period of 12 months or less. Using the dietary record (DR) in three days, the participants’ nutritional status and food intake were assessed. For distinguishing the importance of variables based on their direct and indirect effects on energy, non-parametric path analysis was employed.Results: The median level of energy intake was 1719.60 calories. Carbohydrates and proteins had the strongest and weakest effects on energy intake, respectively; and the strongest indirect effect was observed in fiber, MUFA, and Isoleucine.Conclusion: Considering the path coefficients related to direct and indirect effects and the effect of each macronutrient on the amount of energy intake, lactating mothers should be informed with the help of intervention programs about the importance of having proper nutrition to receive adequate nutrients and energy

Epidemiological features of brucellosis and factors affecting its treatment failure and relapse in Qom Province, Iran

Background: Brucellosis is one of the major health problems in many areas of the world, especially in the Mediterranean and the Middle East regions.Objective: To determine the epidemiological characteristics, clinical signs, and risk factors of relapse rate in patients with brucellosis, Qom Province, Iran.Methods: A descriptive-analytic study was conducted on 410 confirmed brucellosis cases in Qom Province, central Iran, from 2015 to 2019, based on epidemiological checklists and according to the Iran Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME). Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted using Stata software version 14.Results: The relapse rate of brucellosis was 6.6% until nine months after s arting the treatment, and all recurrent cases were infected by Brucella melitensis. Based on univariate logistic regression analysis, the delayed treatment and type species of Brucella were significant factors affecting the relapse of brucellosis. The relapse rates were 5.4%, 6.2%, and 20.0% in patients whose delayed treatments were <50, 51-150, and >151days, respectively. Based on the multiple logistic regression, it was observed that delayed treatment >50 days increased the rate of relapse more than four times.Conclusion: The delayed initiation of treatment was a significant factor influencing the relapse of brucellosis; therefore, it is necessary to provide enough diagnostic and laboratory facilities, and people need to be educated about the signs and symptoms of the disease

The Role of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) in Predicting Maternal Serum Leptin

Background: The key role of leptin is regulation of appetite and body lipid and pregnancy is a condition associated with overeating, reduction in heating and adaptation of lipid cells, culminating in increased body fat mass. So, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between changes in pre-pregnancy BMI and leptin. Methods: This Longitudinal study was conducted on 45 women in the first trimester of pregnancy using a longitudinal approach and convenience sampling method in Tehran city in 2015. The mothers in terms of pre-pregnancy BMI were divided into two groups: group A (n=22 with normal BMI) and group B (n=23 with high BMI), with maternal serum leptin being taken in 6-12 weeks and 15-20 weeks of pregnancy and measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical data were analyzed by SPSS V.21 using Kolmogorov Smirnov, independent t-test, two-sample Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Regression, Pearson and Landa tests with P.V<0.05. Results: The mean age of mothers in the present study was 27.47±5.55 years with a minimum age of 19 and a maximum age of 37 years. The mean plasma leptin of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was significantly higher in the high BMI group than in the normal group. The correlation showed that the first trimester leptin and changes in leptin levels of pregnancy with pre-pregnancy BMI were significantly higher in the normal group (P=0.04 and P=0.003). Conclusions: BMI before and during pregnancy can be a predictor of maternal serum leptin in pregnancy weight gain. &nbsp

The Role of Pre-Pregnancy Body Mass Index (BMI) in Predicting Maternal Serum Leptin

Background: The key role of leptin is regulation of appetite and body lipid and pregnancy is a condition associated with overeating, reduction in heating and adaptation of lipid cells, culminating in increased body fat mass. So, this study was conducted to examine the relationship between changes in pre-pregnancy BMI and leptin. Methods: This Longitudinal study was conducted on 45 women in the first trimester of pregnancy using a longitudinal approach and convenience sampling method in Tehran city in 2015. The mothers in terms of pre-pregnancy BMI were divided into two groups: group A (n=22 with normal BMI) and group B (n=23 with high BMI), with maternal serum leptin being taken in 6-12 weeks and 15-20 weeks of pregnancy and measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The statistical data were analyzed by SPSS V.21 using Kolmogorov Smirnov, independent t-test, two-sample Chi square, Mann-Whitney, Regression, Pearson and Landa tests with P.V<0.05. Results: The mean age of mothers in the present study was 27.47±5.55 years with a minimum age of 19 and a maximum age of 37 years. The mean plasma leptin of the first and second trimesters of pregnancy was significantly higher in the high BMI group than in the normal group. The correlation showed that the first trimester leptin and changes in leptin levels of pregnancy with pre-pregnancy BMI were significantly higher in the normal group (P=0.04 and P=0.003). Conclusions: BMI before and during pregnancy can be a predictor of maternal serum leptin in pregnancy weight gain. &nbsp

Study of the Attitude of Users towards Picture Archiving and Communication System Based on the Technology Acceptance Model in Teaching Hospitals of Qom, Iran

Background and Objectives: Many healthcare providers use health information technology to improve their performance. Picture Archiving and Communication System is a subsystem of the health information system that aims to facilitate the storing, archiving, and managing of digital images as well as their transmission. In this regard, measuring the level of acceptance of technology can be very helpful in the successful implementation of a system. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the level of acceptance of Picture Archiving and Communication System by users based on the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire. This study was conducted in teaching hospitals of Qom, Iran (where the Picture Archiving and Communication System are currently in operation).   Methods: The present cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on all the radiology staff of teaching hospitals in Qom, which is equipped with Picture Archiving and Communication System. The data were collected using the Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire and analyzed in SPSS (version 21)  and SmartPLS (version 21) software using descriptive statistics for the demographic characteristics and partial least square approach for the structural equation modeling and the path coefficients were calculated.   Results: Based on the findings, the attitude towards usefulness had a significant correlation with the attitude towards usage (P<0.001). Moreover, attitude towards the ease of use had a significant relationship with the attitude towards usefulness (P<0.001). The attitude towards usage also had a significant association with the actual use (P<0.001). According to the table of path coefficients, the effect of ease of use on the attitude (path coefficient: 0.599) was greater than that of the ease of use (path coefficient: 0.108). It was also concluded that age and work experience did not have a significant relationship with the attitude towards ease of use, usefulness, usage, and actual use (P<0.001).   Conclusion: According to the results, the two variables of attitude towards ease of use and usefulness influenced the acceptance of the Picture Archiving and Communication System and should be considered in evaluations and plans

Forecasting delay times in post-exposure prophylaxis to human animal bite injuries in Central Iran: A decision tree analysis

Background and Aim: Data mining in medical sciences provides countless opportunities for demonstrating hidden patterns of a data set. These patterns can help general physicians and health workers in preventing diseases. This study aimed to forecast delay times in post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to human animal bite injuries in central Iran using a decision tree analysis. Materials and Methods: The data of 2072 human animal bite cases were collected from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unit of Qom Provincial Health Center, Iran from January 2017 to December 2018. The information related to animal bite incidents, including the biting animal characteristics and data on the bitten humans, was obtained by investigating the epidemiological survey forms of human animal bites. The decision tree model was applied to forecast the delay time of receiving PEP. Results: A delay of more than 48 h in the initiation of PEP was estimated among 12.73% of animal bite victims. The most important variables to predict delay time of receiving PEP were the species of biting animal, time and cause of animal bite occurrences in 24 h a day, respectively. Hence, the model showed a delay in the initiation of PEP if the biting animal was a cattle or, a carnivore, and the time of being bitten was from 7 am to 1 pm, or if the animal was carnivore and the time of being bitten was between 1 and 7 pm, and the cause of animal bite was playing with the animal. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study on different variables affecting the initiation of PEP, the concepts related to animal bite and rabies, including the timely injection of anti-rabies vaccine to prevent rabies, it is a must to educate and train, all the people, especially housewives and students

Identification of Early Maladaptive Schemas Based on Young Questionnaire in High School Girls of Qom City, Iran

Background and Objectives: Schema is a cognitive and emotional pattern, which can affect individual behaviors. This study was performed to investigate mental health problems and personality characteristics in female students in Qom city. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 151 female students of Qom high schools in three disciplines of Mathematical Sciences, Humanities, and Experimental Sciences in 2011-2012 academic years. Sampling was performed in two steps; first cluster sampling and then stratified sampling with proportional allocation to each cluster. Participants answered a 75-question questionnaire, &ldquo;Young Early Maladaptive Schemas&rdquo;. Data were analyzed using Kruskal&ndash;Wallis, spearman correlation coefficient, and Lambda statistics. Results: The mean age of the students was 15&plusmn;1.5 years. Unrelenting standards schemas (in domain of over vigilance/inhibition), failure and dependency (in dimension of impaired autonomy), and defectiveness and shame (in dimension of disconnection and rejection) had the highest mean scores, respectively. None of the mean scores had a significant difference according to three academic groups. But the correlation between the schemas was statistically significant in the academic groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: In this study, 2 out of the 4 schemas with the highest mean belonged to impaired performance domain. Given that this schema is formed by parental behavior during childhood, therefore, one of the strategies can be training of parents to improve children&rsquo;s confidence and not over caring of them. &nbsp

Prevalence of renal complications of levetiracetam in neonates with seizures in Qom from 2015 to 2020

&nbsp;&nbsp;Introduction: Spasms or seizures during the first month of life are the most common clinical manifestations of central nervous system failure in infants and occur due to overactivity of a group of nerve cells in the brain and excessive electrical stimulation of neurons. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of renal complications of Levetiracetam in neonates with seizures. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and retrospective study was performed on creatinine level, blood urea and duration of levetiracetam use for all neonates studied and only renal ultrasound was performed for cases where their creatinine was elevated. Finally, the obtained information was used for statistical analysis. Results: According to the results, there was no statistically significant differences in neonatal subgroups,&nbsp;&nbsp; especially in infants on levetiracetam, except transient increased creatinine and urea. During 6 months follow-up, only three cases with increased creatinine above 1.4 was observed. This 3 cases had normal genitourinary ultrasound. &nbsp;Also, in neonates diagnosed with choroid cyst on ultrasound, in one case the creatinine level was more than 1.4 and in the other cases the serum creatinine level was less than 1.4. Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, no serious renal complication was observed with Levetiracetam and its use can be recommended for patients

Evaluation of Clinical Skills of Emergency Medical Technicians in Jahrom in Caring for Trauma Patients, 2018, (Iran)

Background and Objectives: Today, trauma is a major cause of disability and mortality throughout the world. Since pre-hospital care is the first line of trauma care, thus, proper and desirable care can reduce traumatic injuries. The present study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the clinical skills of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Jahrom city in the care of trauma patient.   Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, a total of 40 EMTs were selected randomly. The data collection tools were demographic questionnaire and clinical skill checklist containing 9 skills. The validity and reliability of the checklist, were confirmed by Shakeri et al. Data were collected by observing the skills of the EMTs and completing the clinical skills checklist. Data were analyzed using statistical independent t, ANOVA, and regression analysis tests at a significant level of p<0.05.   Results: In this study, 62.50% of EMTs had good clinical skills in trauma care, but obtained poor score in both skills of using traction splint and endotracheal intubation. There was also a significant relationship between variables of age, educational level, EMS station, and number of missions per 24-hour shift and clinical skills in the field of trauma (p<0.05).   Conclusion: The results of this study showed that EMTs of Jahrom city had good clinical skills in caring for trauma patients, but due to the significant difference between the obtained scores and the ideal level, further training in this field seems to be still necessary