65 research outputs found
Evaluation of techniques to break seed dormancy in Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)
Get PDFIf we understand factors that trigger seed dormancy release, then we can accurately predict whether the seed will remain dormant or germinate out of the seed bank. With regards to annual weed species, detailed understanding of what breaks seed dormancy is therefore critical for determining how many weed seeds will germinate into problematic weeds. To investigate the breaking of dormancy in weed seeds, we conducted an experiment with Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Dormant seeds were treated with cold stratification (4 °C for 30 days), application of gibberellic acid (at 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 parts per million) or ultrasound (for 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes), soaking in hot water (90 °C for 3, 5, 7 and 10 minutes) or 98% sulfuric acid (for 1, 2 and 3 minutes) to determine which treatment most effectively broke dormancy. The results showed that Redroot pigweed seed dormancy was effectively broken by cold stratification, gibberellic acid, or ultrasound. Short treatments with hot water had minimal effect while longer times or treatment with sulfuric acid eliminated seed germination. In addition to germination percentage, germination rate, plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, seedling dry weight, and seed vigor index were also measured; similarly application of gibberellic acid had the most significant effect on these parameters. The results of this study add to our understanding of what processes effectively or ineffectively break Redroot pigweed seed dormancy and promote growth
The effect of solution-focused counseling on violence rate and quality of life of pregnant women at risk of domestic violence: a randomized controlled trial
Get PDFBackground: Domestic violence during pregnancy as one of the most common social problems and major challenges of health systems can affect the health of the mother and fetus. The study aimed to compare the two groups of intervention based on solution-focused counseling and control in terms of violence and quality of life amounts in women who had experienced domestic violence. Methods: A randomized controlled trial on 90 pregnant women was blocked into two intervention groups (n = 45) and a control (n = 45). The intervention group received six counseling sessions with a solution-focused approach. Study tool included conflict tactics scale (CTS- 2) and short form health survey (SF-36). The tools were completed once before the intervention and again 6 weeks after the end of the counseling sessions by the participants of both groups. The P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 82/90 pregnant women were analyzed. The results showed that median and interquartile range (IQR) of physical, psychological and sexual violence significantly decreased in the intervention group than the control group (Ps = 0.001). Moreover, quality of life scores significantly improved in the intervention group compared to the control group (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Solution-focused counseling could be an effective approach to reduce the amount of violence and increase the quality of life in women exposed to domestic violence. Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2017040628352N4. Date of registration: August 20th 2017. © 2021, The Author(s)
A Case Report of Coexistence of Cryptococcal Meningitis and COVID-19 in a Patient with Human Immunodeficiency Virus
Get PDFBackground and Objective: People who are infected with Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) are more prone to opportunistic fungal infections than other patients. The immune system of these patients becomes weaker when they are also infected with Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Involvement of the central nervous system caused by fungal infections in these patients is of concern and fatal if diagnosed late. The aim of this research is to investigate a woman with COVID-19 and HIV who was diagnosed with cryptococcal meningitis.
Case Report: The patient is a 53-year-old woman who complained of severe headache and nausea after infection with COVID-19. White blood cells, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, lymphocyte, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and blood urea nitrogen were increased compared to the standard level. Cerebrospinal fluid testing showed that glucose was lower and protein was higher than normal. Microscopic examination, staining and culture of cerebrospinal fluid deposits showed the presence of double wall yeasts similar to Cryptococcus. The patient was positive for COVID-19 and HIV. The level of CD4 (cluster of differentiation 4) was lower than the standard. The patient was treated with amphotericin B at a dose of 100 mg for two weeks and was discharged from the hospital after the conditions were stabilized.
Conclusion: Cryptococcal meningitis can often occur in immunosuppressive conditions such as HIV. Therefore, quick follow-up, diagnosis and treatment should be considered in these patients
Cesarean section rate in Iran, multidimensional approaches for behavioral change of providers: a qualitative study
Get PDF<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The cesarean section rate has been steadily rising from 35% in 2000 to 40% in 2005 in Iran. The objective of this study was to identify barriers of reduce the cesarean section rate in Iran, as perceived by obstetricians and midwives as the main behavioral change target groups.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A qualitative study with purposive sampling was designed in which data were collected through in-depth interviews and document analyses. Hospitals were selected on the bases of being public and or private and their response to the ministry's C-section reduction interventions. The hospital director, obstetricians and midwives from each hospital were included in the study. The classification of barriers suggested by Grol and Wensing was used for the thematic analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>After 26 in-depth interviews and document analyses, the barriers were identified as: financial, insurance and judicial problems at the <it>economic and political context </it>level; the type and ownership of hospitals, absence of an on call physician, absence of clear job-descriptions for obstetricians and midwives, too many interventions in the delivery process and shortage of human resources and facilities at the <it>organizational context </it>level; distrust and insufficient collaborations between obstetricians and midwives from macro to micro level at the <it>social context </it>level; attitudes toward complications of C-section, reduced capabilities of obstetricians, midwives and residents at the <it>individual professional </it>level; and finally, at the <it>innovation </it>level, vaginal delivery is time consuming, imposes high stress levels and is unpredictable.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Changing service providers' behavior is not possible through presentation of scientific evidence alone. A multi-level and multidisciplinary approach using behavior change theories is unavoidable. In future studies, the effect of the barriers should be determined to help policy makers recognize the most effective interventional package.</p
A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)
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Effects of intracutaneous injections of sterile water in patients with acute low back pain: a randomized, controlled, clinical trial
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Sexual compatibility and its associated factors among heterosexual couples: a systemic review
Get PDFDespite numerous studies on sexual behaviors, there are limited studies investigating compatibility between two partners. The objective of this study was to review the factors associated with sexual compatibility in couples. A review study was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and through searching for published English and Persian articles on factors associated with sexual compatibility with a time limit up to December 2019. International and Iranian Electronic databases including Web of Science, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Scientific Information Database (SID), Irandoc, and Magiran were searched using search terms relating to "sexual compatibility" and other equivalents. All quantitative and qualitative full-text studies that had addressed associated factors with sexual compatibility were included. Six quantitative articles and one qualitative article were selected based on the inclusion criteria. Sexual compatibility was related to self-awareness, mental body image, personality-psychological maturity, and some sexual behaviors of the subjects. Couples' sexual companionship was a necessary component for their sexual compatibility. Considering the association of sexual compatibility with variables such as positive self-awareness and mental body image, personality-psychological maturity, sexual behaviors, and sexual companionship, it seems that using these variables can help predict the sexual compatibility of couples
Analysis of the indices of the patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and positive smear test within the territory covered by the West Tehran Health Center during 2004-2008
No full textTuberculosis is one of the most important heath priorities in the world. One third of the world population is affected by this microbe. However, there is no comprehensive and updated information about the indices of the patients affected by pulmonary tuberculosis in urban centers including Tehran, capital of Iran. The data collected from the records of West Tehran Health Center during 2004 to 2008 about the patients with tuberculosis and positive Smear Test (urban regions 2, 5,6,9,18,21 and 22) were analyzed. The average of 5-year incidence of the disease in the under-study community was 2.6 per 100,000 of the covered population from which 1.5 and 1.1 per 100,000 were associated with males and females respectively. The maximum rate of having pulmonary tuberculosis is seen among the age groups over 60 (42.8) and 16-30 (27.4). In general, the findings of the present study accompanied with the results gained from similar studies can be helpful for monitoring the results of treating patients for facilitating levels. © 2010, INSInet Publication
INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF ADDING PET SCUM ON THE MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND DURABILITY OF CONCRETE BLOCK PAVEMENT
No full textOne of the biggest environmental challenges in metropolitan areas around the
world is removing or recycling waste materials. Waste management is an
important issue in every country, while the use of plastics is increasing. Obviously, the effectiveness of sustainable development depends largely on the reduction of destructive activities to the environment and today, the use of renewable energies is a hot topic. One of the ways to reduce the degradation of nature is the use of waste in the industry, which is growing in the construction and concrete industry as one of the most widely used building materials. Considering the disadvantages of asphalt pavement such as increased environmental pollution, high costs due to the price of oil, and viscoelasticity of bitumen, block pavements were put forward as an alternative. This paper examines the effect of addition of PET scum on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete pavements in traffic. Concrete paving blocks were produced with 3\%, 5\%, 10\%, 15\%, and 20\% replacement aggregates with PET. The method of production of concrete paving blocks was in the form of two-layered masonry and the test performed on concrete specimens included VB test, compressive strength, tensile strength, flexural strength, ultrasonic waves, freeze-thaw resistance, and wear resistance. The results showed that by replacing aggregate with plastic up to about 3\%, some parameters such as tensile and flexural strength were improved; however, beyond 5\%, the mechanical properties decreased gradually. Also, the results showed that the use of plastic in low percentages did not have much effect on the abrasion resistance
and the freeze-thaw resistance. This is despite the fact that the velocity of
ultrasonic pulse waves did not change significantly at low replacement levels.
Also, the results of mechanical tests and durability of concrete paving blocks
with 3\% plastic aggregates was able to meet all the requirements of the relevant standards
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