Barriers and facilitators affecting vasectomy acceptability (a multi stages study in a sample from north eastern of Iran), 2005-2007

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In this study we aimed to find factors affecting vasectomy acceptability in Shahroud (north eastern Iran).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This study was carried out in three stages. The first stage was a survey of couples that had the vasectomy procedure during 2004-2007 in the Shahroud area. In the second stage of the study we compared characteristics of the cases (the couples who had the vasectomy procedure during the study period) and controls (including couples with at least one child that choose other contraceptive methods excluding a vasectomy) using χ² and T student tests. In the third stage of the study we aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of those who did not choose to have a vasectomy as there contraception method by filling out questionnaires in personal interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An increasing trend toward the vasectomy procedure was observed during 2005 to 2007. We found positive associations between male and female educational levels and choosing to have a vasectomy (p < 0.05). Majority of women (88.44%) thought that their husbands would prefer to have a tubectomy to a vasectomy.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The study results show a necessity for both couples to participate in educational programs about the vasectomy procedure.</p

Torus actions on Alexandrov 4-spaces

We obtain an equivariant classification for orientable, closed, four-dimensional Alexandrov spaces admitting an isometric torus action. This generalizes the equivariant classification of Orlik and Raymond of closed four-dimensional manifolds with torus actions. Moreover, we show that such Alexandrov spaces are equivariantly homeomorphic to $4$-dimensional Riemannian orbifolds with isometric $T^2$-actions. We also obtain a partial homeomorphism classification.Comment: 30 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables. We added subsections 2.4 and 2.5 for convenience of the reader, and modified sections 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, to improve the clarity of the proof of the main result

Torus Actions on Alexandrov 4-Spaces

We obtain an equivariant classification for orientable, closed, four-dimensional Alexandrov spaces admitting an isometric torus action. This generalizes the equivariant classification of Orlik and Raymond of closed four-dimensional manifolds with torus actions. Moreover, we show that such Alexandrov spaces are equivariantly homeomorphic to 4-dimensional Riemannian orbifolds with isometric $T^2$-actions. We also obtain a partial homeomorphism classification

Paradoxical effect of minocycline on established neuropathic pain in rat

Neuropathic pain occurs after peripheral nerve damage, inflammation or infection. In this situation, microglial cells become activated and play a key role in producing pain. Minocycline (microglia inhibitor), was reported to reduce pain when used preventively. However, it seems that, when used after nerve injury, results in its pain reducing effects are different. In this regard, to assess the pain reducing differences of minocycline, neuropathic pain was induced by the ligation of the sciatic nerve in the rat which is recognized as chronic constriction injury (CCI) and minocycline was administered before and after sciatic nerve injury. Wistar male rats (200-250 g, n=6) were used in these experiments. Rats were distributed in various groups: vehicle-treated CCI (control), sham- operated and minocycline-treated CCI groups. In the first part of the experiment (pre-injury study), minocycline (10, 20, 30 and 40 mg/kg,) was injected one hour before surgery and then daily for two weeks. In the second part (post injury study), minocycline was administered: 1: at day one after nerve damage once a day to day 14, 2: at day seven after surgery and continued daily until day 14. Analgesimeter for thermal hyperalgesia and von Frey hairs for mechanical allodynia were used to evaluate pain behavior. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allo- dynia were attenuated significantly, when minocycline used before surgery, while it was not able to reduce pain behavior administered after surgery. It seems that, in spite of what some previous studies have reported, here, minocycline is not able to attenuate established neuropathic pain

Factors Affecting the Hospital Brand Identity Based on the Kapferer Model: a case study in Tehran

Background & Objectives: One of the most valuable assets of any organization is its brand because it causes more profit margins, better cooperation channels and other benefits for the organization. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting brand identity of hospitals in a semi- governmental hospital in Tehran/ Iran. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 403 hospitalized patients in a semi-governmental hospital were selected by available sampling method in 2016. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the Kapferer model (including 30 questions in 6 domains of brand personality, brand physique, brand culture, relationship, self-image and reflection). Data were analyzed using one-sample t-test in SPSS 16 software. Results: The highest mean scores were attributed to the importance of service quality (4.21), known cases (4.15) and easy access (4.02). The least mean scores belonged to patients' mental and psychological needs (2.31), the distinctive character (2.45) and happy and motivated staff (2.63). There was a significant relationship between total mean score (3.51) and brand personality, brand physique and brand culture (P<0.05). Conclusion: Hospitals cannot survive without attention to the patients' demands. Therefore, by implementing any of the factors affecting the hospital brand identity, it is possible to improve the hospital brand status in the minds of the patients as a superior and valuable brand. Key¬words: Hospital brand, Kapferer Model, Semi-Governmental Hospital, Patients Citation: Zarei E, Sadat Madani Donyani M. Factors Affecting the Hospital Brand Identity Based on the Kapferer Model: a case study in Tehran. Journal of Health Based Research 2018; 3(4): 357-366

Effect of levamisole on treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the effect of levamisole on treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS). METHODS: An electronic search was executed in PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus after determining the research question using the appropriate Medical Subject Heading (MeSH) term covering the period from 1975 to 2015. Additional publications from hand searching and the reference section of each relevant article enriched the article list. Finally, 9 articles that have assessed the effect of levamisole on the treatment of RAS and had suitable qualifications for the accomplishment of systematic review and meta-analysis were included. RESULTS: The results showed that the chance of improvement in patients taking levamisole was 6 [odds ratio (OR) = 5.67, 95% confidence interval (CI)] times more than in patients not taking this drug. CONCLUSION: It appears that levamisole is an effective drug for the treatment of RAS, but further appropriate studies should carryout in this context. KEYWORDS: Levamisole; Treatment; Aphthous; Recurrent; Stomatiti

Synthesis of biological based hennotannic acid-based salts over porous bismuth coordination polymer with phosphorous acid tags

In this paper, a novel porous polymer capable of coordinating to bismuth (PCPs-Bi) was synthesized. The Bi-PCPs was then reacted with phosphorous acid to produce a novel polymer PCPs(Bi)N(CH(2)PO(3)H(2))(2) which is shown to act as an efficient and recyclable catalyst. The mentioned catalyst was applied for the efficient synthesis of new mono and bis naphthoquinone-based salts of piperidine and/or piperazine via the reaction of hennotannic acid with various aldehydes, piperidine and/or piperazine, respectively. The structure of the resulting mono and bis substituted piperazine or piperidine-based naphthoquinone salts was thoroughly characterized spectroscopically. The electrochemical behavior of the products was also investigated. The presented protocol has the advantages of excellent yields (82–95%), short reaction times (4–30 min) and simple work-up

Novel uric acid-based nano organocatalyst with phosphorous acid tags:Application for synthesis of new biologically-interest pyridines with indole moieties via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation

In this study, we have designed, synthesized and full characterized a novel biological based acidic nano organocatalyst via condensations reaction of uric acid and phosphorous acid. The obtained compound was named theacrine tetrakis(phosphonic acid) (TTPA) and prepared under refluxing ethanol. This new nano organocatalyst was applied as an efficient and recyclable catalyst for the preparation of novel pyridines with indole moieties via a cooperative vinylogous anomeric based oxidation with good to excellent yields