The association between diabetes and cognitive function in later life

Introduction Although diabetes through several possible mechanisms such as increased microvascular pathology and inefficiency of glucose utilization during cognitive tasks can be associated with cognitive impairment, there is inconclusive evidence that shows elderly diabetic patients under therapy have higher cognitive function compared to their non-diabetics counterparts. The present study was conducted to elucidate the association between diabetes and cognitive function in later life. Methods Data for this study, consisting 2202 older adults aged 60 years and above, were taken from a population-based survey entitled “Identifying Psychosocial and Identifying Economic Risk Factor of Cognitive Impairment among Elderly. Data analysis was conducted using the IBM SPSS Version 23.0. Results The mean of MMSE was found to be 22.67 (SD=4.93). The overall prevalence of self-reported diabetes was found to be 23.6% (CI95%: 21.8% - 25.4%). The result of independent t-test showed diabetic subjects had a higher mean score of MMSE (M=23.05, SD=4.55) than their counterparts without diabetes (M=22.55, SD=5.04) (t=-2.13 p<.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed diabetes was not significantly associated with cognitive function, after controlling for possible confounding factors Conclusions The findings from the current study revealed that diabetes is not associated with cognitive decline. This study supports the findings that long-term treatment of diabetes may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. This finding may provide new opportunities for prevention and management of cognitive decline

The effect of peer-led education on the life quality of mastectomy patients referred to breast cancer-clinics in Shiraz, Iran 2009

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Breast cancer among women is a relatively common with a more favorable expected survival rates than other forms of cancers. This study aimed to determine the improved quality of life for post-mastectomy women through peer education.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using pre and post test follow up and control design approach, 99 women with stage I and II of breast cancer diagnosis were followed one year after modified radical mastectomy. To measure the quality of life an instrument designed by the European organization for research and treatment of cancer, known as the Quality of Life Question (QLQ-30) and it's breast cancer supplementary measure (QLQ-BR23) at three points in time (before, immediately and two months after intervention) for both groups were used. The participant selection was a convenient sampling method and women were randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups. The experimental group was randomly assigned to five groups and peer educators conducted weekly educational programs for one month. Tabulated data were analyzed using chi square, t test, and repeated measurement multivariate to compare the quality of life differences over time.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For the experimental group, the results showed statistically significant improvement in all performance aspects of life quality and symptom reduction (P < 0.001), while the control group had no significant differences in all aspects of life quality.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The findings of this study suggest that peer led education is a useful intervention for post-mastectomy women to improves their quality of life.</p

Catalytic decomposition of 2-chlorophenol using an ultrasonicassisted Fe3O4–TiO2@MWCNT system: influence factors, pathway and mechanism study

As a reusable sonocatalyst, magnetically separable Fe3O4–TiO2@MWCNT (FMT) was synthesized by an ultrasound-assisted wet impregnation method and was evaluated in the removal of 2-chlorophenol (2CP). Physical and chemical properties of the catalyst composite materials were investigated by All catalysts were systematically characterized using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDX), Dynamic light scattering (DLS), and N2-physisorption. The efficiency and kinetics of 2CP removal by FMT-assisted sonocatalysis (FMT-US) was systematically investigated under various operational parameters i.e. pH, FMT and 2CP concentration, temperature and ultrasonic power. The results indicated that 0.4 g L-1 FMT dosage, pH 5, temperature of 35℃ as well as 50 w ultrasound power are the most favorable conditions for the degradation of the 2CP. Furthermore, both of the superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were produced in the reaction, however, superoxide radicals were assumed to be the dominating reactive species for the 2CP degradation, according to the scavenging tests and electron paramagnetic resonance tests. Moreover, the FMT catalyst exhibited a high reusability and stability in the US/FMT system during the five repetitive experiments. The intermediate products were identified by GC–MS, thereby a possible degradation pathway is proposed. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and corresponding total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiencies were 64.9% and 56.7%, respectively. Finally, toxicity tests showed that the toxicity of the solution increased during the first 5 min and then decreased significantly with the progress of the oxidation. The mechanisms of ultrasound irritation enhanced FMT activation were also proposed

A brief review on DNA vaccines in the era of COVID-19

This article provides a brief overview of DNA vaccines. First, the basic DNA vaccine design strategies are described, then specific issues related to the industrial production of DNA vaccines are discussed, including the production and purification of DNA products such as plasmid DNA, minicircle DNA, minimalistic, immunologically defined gene expression (MIDGE) and Doggybone (TM). The use of adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines is then discussed. In addition, different delivery routes and several physical and chemical methods to increase the efficacy of DNA delivery into cells are explained. Recent preclinical and clinical trials of DNA vaccines for COVID-19 are then summarized. Lastly, the advantages and obstacles of DNA vaccines are discussed

Investigating the status of successful aging based on selection, optimization and compensation model and its relationship with some demographic variables in elderly population of Shiraz, southwest of Iran, 2018

Introduction and Objectives: Increasing growth of the elderly population in many developed countries has drawn attention of researchers to this age group. Thus, one of the goals of community-based health studies has always been maintaining high quality of life at old age and helping the elderly people to have a successful aging, and this will not be possible without a proper understanding of the status of the elderly people in community. The objective of this study was to investigate the status of successful aging based on Selection, Optimization and Compensation Model and its relationship with some demographic variables in the elderly population in Shiraz-Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 197 eligible elderly people were selected by multistage cluster sampling from four districts of Shiraz in 2018. To collect the data, the short version (12 items) of the&nbsp;Baltes &amp; Baltes (1999) Selection, Optimization and Compensation Questionnaire (SOC) and Demographic Questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed through SPSS 16 software and Spearman, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: a total of 99 males (55.3%) and 80 females (44.7%) aged 60 to 97 years with a mean age of 72.4 &plusmn; 8.70 years participated in this study. Mean and standard deviation of successful aging score was 6.58 &plusmn; 3.42 [Min = 0 and Max = 12]. Based on the results, gender had no significant correlation with the mean score of successful aging and its dimensions (P value &gt;0.05). Discussion: However, the age variable was inversely correlated with the compensation strategy (P value = 0.048). Level of education showed a direct and significant correlation with the mean scores of all three dimensions of successful aging (selection, optimization and compensation strategies) (P value = 0.0001). Based on the results, there was an inverse and significant correlation between marital status and mean score of optimization and compensation (P value = 0.008). The number of children was also significantly correlated with change-based selection and overall successful aging (P value = 0.007 and P value = 0.043; respectively). Conclusion: Based on the results, the studied elderly people accounted for more than half of the score of successful aging. Successful aging scores were significantly correlated with variables such as age, level of education, marital status, and number of children. Hence, it is recommended to pay more attention to these variables in future research and planning

The Effect of Problem Solving Skills Training on Emotional Intelligence of Nursing Students of Shiraz (2008)

Introduction: Problem solving is an important skill for living in nowadays world. Due to their professional responsibility and occupation in a complicated therapeutic environment, nurses should be skillful enough for problem solving in order to handle them. Therefore, this study was performed to determine the effect of problem solving course on nursing students' emotional intelligence of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in year 2008. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 43 senior nursing students of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Primarily students were asked to complete questionnaires of demographic data and “BarOn" standard test for emotional intelligence evaluation. Then, the participants were randomly divided into two groups of experimental (N=20) and control (N=23). Then, 6 sessions of problem solving course based on D'zurilla and Goldfride social problem solving protocol, was performed for students of experimental group. Data was analyzed through statistical tests of Mann Whitney, Wilcoxon, Friedman’s test, and Pearson correlation Coefficient. Results: Standardization of emotional intelligence scores among students of experiment group showed a statistically significant difference for these scores achieved immediately (105.87±9.82) and 2 months after intervention (109.44±9.56) compared to the one before intervention (101.22±10.93) (p<0.01). The mean score of problem solving skill among students of experiment group showed also a statistically significant difference comparing the scores achieved immediately after intervention (8.31±77.75) and 2 months after that (8.00±78.75) to that of before intervention (11.95±71.35) (p<0.01). This is while control group showed no statistically significant difference considering these variables. Only 20 percent of students enjoyed a high emotional intelligence before intervention, while this increased to 40 percent of high intelligence and 10 percent of very high emotional intelligence 2 months after intervention. Conclusion: Problem solving skills lead to promotion of emotional intelligence among students of experiment group compared to control group. This result was stable not only immediately after intervention but also after two months. Therefore problem solving education in various nursing domains such as education, research, management and clinic, is recommended

The Relationship Between Spiritual Well-being and Anxiety of Aged People Admitted in Coronary Care Units

Objectives Spiritual distress and anxiety are the most common problems of the elderly patients admitted in coronary care units. The elder patients are more vulnerable due to the weakening of adaptation mechanisms. Given that earlier studies on spiritual health revealed that it was related to the physical and mental health, but the relationship between spiritual health and state-trait anxiety was not clear yet. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between spiritual health and state-trait anxiety among the elderly patients admitted in coronary care units. Methods & Materials &nbsp;This study was a correlational cross-sectional study. Sixty-six elderly cardiac patients hospitalized in coronary care unit were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were collected by using Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Palutzian and Ellison Spiritual Well-being questionnaires. Analysis of data including descriptive statistics, Pearson, ANOVA t-test, and correlation coefficient was carried out using SPSS version 21. P level of less than 00.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Most participants (69.7%) aged between 60 to 70 years, 59.1% were female and 63.6% were married. The majority of them (57.6%) were illiterate. The mean score of spiritual well-being was 79.55. The mean of trait anxiety was in the mid-range of 45.18&plusmn;9.21, and the mean and standard deviation of anxiety state was in the high range of 58.44&plusmn;29.9. The results revealed a significant negative relationship between spiritual religious health, and state-trait anxiety (P<0.05). The highest correlation was found between spiritual health and trait anxiety (P<0.003). Conclusion Because of the significant relationship between spiritual health and anxiety, identifying and addressing the elderly patients' spiritual needs can lead to reducing the patients' anxiety

Frequency and genetic diversity of Acanthamoeba spp. free living Amoeba in water sources of Urmia, North west Iran

Background & Aims:  Free living amoeba that they can cause important diseases such as keratitis and meningoencephalitis, being studied more precisely in the world. In Iran, many studies have been carried out in most parts of the country or are under investigation. Becaus previously no study performed about this parasite in West Azerbaijan (North West Iran), the aim of this study was determination of frequency and genotype of Acanthamoeba spp. in water sources. Materials and Methods:  A total of 60 water samples were collected from surface and plumbing waters from five regions of Urmia. Samples after filtration cultured in non-nutrient medium in 30ₒ C. and amoeba harvested and DNA extracted. PCR in 18SrDNA fragment performed using primers JDP2 and JDP1, and 11 pruducts sent to sequencing. Results analyzed by bioinformatics software’s and submmited in Genbank. Results: Of the 60 superficial and plumbed water samples, 21 samples were positive, of which four were plumbed water and 17 of them were surface water. Out of the twenty-one positive cases, 10 cases were confirmed in validated centers in terms of gene sequencing. Of the ten cases, one was a T2 genotype and nine were T4. Discussion: Studies in other parts of the country show that the dominant genotype in Iran is T4, and the frequency and of genotypes of Acanthamoeba. Spp in Urmia also partially relates to the parts of country