The effect of positive psychotherapy in test anxiety among Zahedan students with hemophilia

Hemophilia is a chronic disease which due to several reasons, including frequent absences from school and reduced motivation, leads to the incident of test anxiety among patients. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of positive psychotherapy in test anxiety among students with hemophilia. The current study followed a pretest, posttest, and two-month followup quasi-experimental design with an experimental group and a control group. This study had a statistical population including all senior elementary and junior high school students with hemophilia who had medical records in Zahedan Hemophilia Society. After screening them, 60 students were selected and randomly assigned to two 30-person groups of experimental and control. Since some patients refused to continue taking part in this study, the sample decreased to 57 people. Measurement tool used in this study was Sarason Test Anxiety Scale. Positive psychotherapy was held in 8 sessions (two 120-minute sessions per week) and a follow-up was conducted two months after completing the psychotherapy. Data were analyzed using a repeated measure analysis of variance. Results showed that positive psychotherapy significantly reduced test anxiety among the students with hemophilia. Moreover, the stability of the effects of this therapy in the follow-up was confirmed. The obtained results indicated that policymakers should pay a lot of attention to this new positive psychological training and its effects on reducing test anxiety

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Micro-Silica and Zeolite on Repair Mortar of Concrete Pavements

In the recent years, by replacing a part of our country’s asphalt pavements with concrete pavements, it is necessary to perform appropriate actions in order to preserve and repair destructions (due to executive weaknesses, loading and environmental conditions) during pavement lifetime. In order to increase mechanical properties and durability of repair mortars, micro-silica and zeolite were used as pozzolan, polypropylene fibers for controlling crack (due to fluctuations in concrete and temperature change) and the cement type 3 for obtaining high resistivity in short-term. In this study, 11mixing designs were investigated, and the composition of polypropylene fibers with micro-scale thickness with cement complements can be considered as the most optimal mixing design in 0.2% of fibers with 10% micro-silica and 15% zeolite in order to promote effective parameters of elasticity modulus, modulus of rupture and decrease of contraction in repair mortars of concrete pavements. By adding polypropylene fibers, the samples were not completely ruptured in the tension of primary strength that they showed. The samples containing 0.4% fibers with deformation from spherical state to elliptical state with splay value in rupture surface showed individual characteristic which caused minimizing rupture and crunch in the repaired area.In the recent years, by replacing a part of our country's asphalt pavements with concrete pavements, it is necessary to perform appropriate actions in order to preserve and repair destructions (due to executive weaknesses, loading and environmental conditions) during pavement lifetime. In order to increase mechanical properties and durability of repair mortars, micro-silica and zeolite were used as pozzolan, polypropylene fibers for controlling crack (due to fluctuations in concrete and temperature change) and the cement type 3 for obtaining high resistivity in short-term. In this study, 11 mixing designs were investigated, and the composition of polypropylene fibers with micro-scale thickness with cement complements can be considered as the most optimal mixing design in 0.2% of fibers with 10% micro-silica and 15% zeolite in order to promote effective parameters of elasticity modulus, modulus of rupture and decrease of contraction in repair mortars of concrete pavements. By adding polypropylene fibers, the samples were not completely ruptured in the tension of primary strength that they showed. The samples containing 0.4% fibers with deformation from spherical state to elliptical state with splay value in rupture surface showed individual characteristic which caused minimizing rupture and crunch in the repaired area

The prevalence of smoking among the population in the city of Mashhad (north east of Iran) and pulmonary function tests among smokers

Introduction: Smoking is known as a major cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study the prevalence of smoking in the population of Mashhad city was evaluated as well as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) of smokers. Material and methods: The prevalence of smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the FVC (MEF75,50,25), were measured in all smokers. Results: In total, 1435 individuals were interviewed including 999 males and 436 females. The number of smokers among the interviewed individuals was 183 (12.7%) including 172 male (17.2%) and 11 female (2.5%). The results showed that all values of PFTs in smokers were reduced. There were significant negative correlations between smoking duration and rate as pack/year and values of PFT (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study the prevalence of smoking in the population of Mashhad city was shown for the first time. The effect of smoking on PFTs showed that smoking leads to constriction of large and medium airways, which is due to duration and rate of smoking. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 21-25Wstęp: Palenie tytoniu jest główną przyczyną przewlekłej obturacyjnej choroby płuc. Celem niniejszego badania było określenie rozpowszechnienia palenia tytoniu w populacji miasta Mashhad oraz przeprowadzenie testów czynnościowych płuc u osób palących. Materiał i metody: Rozpowszechnienie palenia tytoniu określono za pomocą standardowego kwestionariusza. U wszystkich osób palących wykonano badania czynnościowe płuc obejmujące pomiar natężonej pojemności życiowej (FVC), natężonej objętości wydechowej pierwszosekundowej (FEV1), przepływu środkowowydechowego (MMEF), szczytowego przepływu wydechowego (PEF) i maksymalnego przepływu wydechowego przy FVC równej 75, 50 i 25% (MEF75, 50, 25). Wyniki: W badaniu wzięło udział 1435 osób, 999 mężczyzn i 436 kobiet. Palenie tytoniu zadeklarowały 183 (12,7%) osoby spośród respondentów - 172 mężczyzn (17,2%) i 11 kobiet (2,5%). Wszystkie wyniki badań czynnościowych płuc u osób palący były obniżone. Zaobserwowano istotą ujemną korelację między czasem palenia tytoniu i liczbą paczek papierosów wypalanych w ciągu roku a parametrami ocenianymi w badaniach czynnościowych (p < 0,05). Wnioski: W niniejszym badaniu po raz pierwszy oceniono odsetek osób palących w populacji Mashhadu. Ocena parametrów czynnościowych płuc wykazała, że palenie tytoniu prowadzi do zwężenia dużych i średnich oskrzeli, a efekt ten zależy od długości okresu palenia i od liczby wypalanych papierosów. Pneumonol. Alergol. Pol. 2011; 79, 1: 21-2

The acute effects of Water-pipe smoking on Ankle Brachial Index: A cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Numerous studies have shown that waterpipe smokers as well as cigarette smokers are at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. In this study we sought to evaluate the acute effects of waterpipe smoking (WPS) on ankle brachial index (ABI), an indicator of atherosclerosis and an independent predictor of mortality.Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in October 2017. Twenty nine healthy male volunteers who had a history of WPS were enrolled. Demographic data and cigarette and WPS status were recorded via self-reporting questionnaire. Resting heart rate and brachial systolic and diastolic blood pressures of participants were recorded first and ABI measurements were done. Then subjects smoked waterpipe for about 20 minutes and ABI was measured immediately after WPS.Results: A total of 29 male adults with a mean age of 32 ± 9 years were included. The right-sided ABI was 1.05 ± 0.11 before WPS and significantly decreased to 0.98 ± 0.13 after WPS (P value = 0.006). The left-sided ABI before and after WPS were 1.09 ± 0.20 and 0.95 ± 0.18 respectively and the decrease was statistically significant (P value = 0.037). Vital signs before and after one session of WPS showed significant changes in heart rate (P &lt; 0.001) and no significant changes in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (P = 0.09, and P = 0.14, respectively).Conclusion: WPS has an acute effect on ABI as well as heart rate so it should be considered as a potential risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Evaluation of concurrent use of tobacco products (water pipe and cigarettes) and associated factors in adults in Tehran

Background Dual use of tobacco products such as cigarettes and water pipe may be associated with increased risk of nicotine dependence and smoking-related complications. Accurate statistics are not available in this regard in Iran. Thus, this study sought to assess the prevalence of dual cigarette/water pipe smoking and its related factors in Iran. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on Tehran residents over 15 years of age selected via cluster, multi-stage randomized sampling from different geographical districts of Tehran in November and December 2014. The data were collected using the water pipe section of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) questionnaire. Results A total of 1,830 individuals participated in this study; of which, 243 (13.3%) were exclusive water pipe smokers, 76 (4.2%) were dual smokers of cigarettes and water pipe and 120 (6.6%) were exclusive cigarette smokers. Of dual smokers, 86.8% were males and 13.2% were females (P< 0.001). The mean age was 28.01±8.7 yearsin exclusive water pipe smokers and 33.1±1.1 yearsin dual smokers (P< 0.001). Male sex (adj. OR: 3.8) and older age (adj. OR: 1.06) increased the odds of dual smoking. Conclusions The prevalence of dual smoking and exclusive water pipe smoking was 4.2% and 13.3%, respectively. Exclusive cigarette smoking had a prevalence of 6.1%. The frequency of dual smoking of cigarettes and water pipe was considerably high. Dual smokers had a higher mean age than exclusive water pipe smokers and they were mostly males. The mean age at initiation of water pipe smoking in dual smokers was lower than the mean age at the onset of cigarette smoking. In other words, dual smokers started water pipe smoking sooner than cigarette smoking. Future studies with different methodologies are required to further scrutinize the relationship of water pipe and cigarette smoking

Prevalence of water pipe smoking in the city of Mashhad (North East of Iran) and its effect on respiratory symptoms and pulmonary function tests

Background: The prevalence of water pipe (WP) smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests were also compared between WP smokers and non-smokers. Materials and Methods: The prevalence of WP smoking was studied using a standard questionnaire. Pulmonary function tests including forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), peak expiratory flow (PEF), maximal expiratory flow at 75%, 50%, and 25% of the FVC (MEF75,50,25) were compared between WP smokers and non-smokers. Results: A total of 673 individuals including 372 males and 301 females were interviewed. The number of WP smokers was 58 (8.6%) including 24 males (6.5%) and 34 females (11.3%). All pulmonary functional test (PFT) values in WP smokers were lower as compared to the non-smokers (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The prevalence and severity of respiratory symptoms (RS) in WP smokers were higher than non-smokers (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). There were negative correlations between PFT values and positive correlation between RS and duration, rate, as well as total smoking (duration X rate) (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Conclusion: In this study the prevalence of WP smoking in Mashhad city was evaluated for the first time. The results also showed a significant effect of WP smoking on PFT values and respiratory symptoms

Generation of hematopoietic lineage cells from embryonic like cells

Background: Epigenetic reprogramming of somatic cells into embryonic stem cells has attracted much attention, because of the potential for stem cell transplantation and compatibility with recipient. However, the therapeutic application of either nuclear transfer or nuclear fusion of somatic cell has been hindered by technical complications as well as ethical objections. Recently, a new method is reported whereby ectopic expression of embryonic specific transcription factors was shown to induce fibroblasts to become embryonic like SCs (induced pluripotent stem cells). A major limitation of this method is the use of potentially harmful genome integrating viruses such as reto- or lentivirus. The main aim of this investigation was generation of human hematopoietic stem cells from induced fibroblasts by safe adenovectors carrying embryonically active genes. Material and Methods: Isolated fibroblasts from foreskin were expanded and recombinant adenoviruses carrying human Sox2, Oct4, Klf4, cMyc genes were added to culture. After formation of embryonic like colonies and cell expansion, they were transferred to embryonic media without bFGF, and embryoid bodies were cultured on stromal and non-stromal differentiation media for 14 days. Results: Expression of CD34 gene and antigenic markers, CD34, CD38 & CD133 in stromal culture showed significant difference with non-differentiation and non-stromal media. Conclusion: These findings show high hematopoietic differentiation rate of Adeno-iPS cells in stromal culture and no need to use growth factors. While, there was no difference between non-differentiation and non-stromal media

Effect of ethosucximide on the reduction of neuropathic pain due to chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve in rats

Background and Aim: Neuropathic pain is caused by a lesion or disease of the peripheral or central nervous system. Since, treatment of neuropathic pains remains a challenge, the purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of ethosuximide, an anti-epileptic and relatively selective T-type calcium blocker, on the behavioral responses following chronic constriction pain (CCI) induced in rats. Materials and Methods: Experiments were performed on six groups (n=8) of male Sprague-Dawley rats (230-280g). The groups consisted of the control group, induced chronic constriction of the sciatic nerve (CCI), 3 groups receiving ethosuximide with concentrations 100, 200, 300mg/kg, and one group which received normal saline. The cold-and mechano-allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were measured prior to surgery (the day 0) and 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days postsurgery. Statistical analysis of repeated ANOVA was used to compare the results of behavioral tests by means of SPSS software (V: 16). Results: It was found that the CCI group significantly produced mechanical and cold allodynia and a hypersensitivity to noxious stimulations. Ethosuximide significantly decreased cold and mechano-allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. Conclusion: Results suggested that the CCI model significantly influences behavioral responses to both the thermal and mechanical stimulations. Besides, systemic administration of ethosuximide significantly decreases behavioral responses of neuropathic pain induces through CCI. Thus, ethosuximide can be taken as a new potential therapeutic drug used against neuropathic pain