Prevalence of depression among infertile couples in Iran: A meta-analysis study

Background: Several studies have been conducted in Iran in order to investigate the prevalence of depression among infertile couples. However, there is a remarkable diversity among the results. This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate an overall prevalence rate of depression among infertile couples in Iran. Methods: International and national electronic databases were searched up to June 2011 including MEDLINE, Science Citation Index Expanded, Scopus, SID, MagIran, and IranMedex as well as conference databases. Furthermore, reference lists of articles were screened and the studies' authors were contacted for additional references. Cross-sectional studies addressing the prevalence of depression among infertile couples were included in this meta-analysis. We assessed 12 separate studies involving overall 2818 participants of which 1251 had depression. Results: Overall prevalence rate of depression among infertile couples was 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.55). The prevalence rate of depression was 0.44 (95% CI: 0.32, 0.56) during 2000 to 2005 and 0.50 (95% CI: 0.43, 0.57 during 2006 to 2011. The prevalence rate of depression was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.39, 0.53) among women and 0.47 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.54) among men. Conclusion: Not only the prevalence of depression in infertile couples was high but also had increasing growth in recent years. Furthermore, despite many studies conducted addressing the prevalence of depression in infertile couples, there is however a remarkable diversity between the results. Thus, one can hardly give a precise estimation of the prevalence rate of depression among infertile couples in Iran now

Assessment of questionnaires measuring quality of life in infertile couples: A systematic review

Background: Infertility has potentially inappropriate effects on quality of life in infertile couples. Various general and specific questionnaires have been structured for assessing different aspects of quality of life in infertile men, women, or couples. The present systematic review was designed to assess these questionnaires and also identify different factors affecting infertile couples based on the aforesaid questionnaires. Methods: The research strategy involved general and specific terms in relation to couples's infertility and their quality of life. A review was done for studies published from 1982 to 2012 that were indexed in Medline, ISI Web of Science and Scopus as well as abstract books on this subject. We also corresponded with the authors of the references in related studies for introducing more resources and references. Results: In all reviewed studies, different aspects of the quality of life in couples were evaluated including sexual, psychological, social, communicational, environmental, occupational, medical, as well as economical ones. In total, after initial screening of all studies, 10 general and 2 specific questionnaires were retrieved. Although no meta-analysis was found in the review, infertility had a negative effect on quality of life in couples. Conclusion: This study revealed that some general questionnaires such as SF-36 and WHO-QOL were mostly used for assessing quality of life in infertile couples and some specific questionnaires such as FERTI-QoL and Fertility Problem Inventory were rarely used. Thus, it seems that the evaluation of quality of life in infertile couples needs valid instruments for measurement

Effects on the CMB from Compactification Before Inflation

Many theories beyond the Standard Model include extra dimensions, though these have yet to be directly observed. In this work we consider the possibility of a compactification mechanism which both allows extra dimensions and is compatible with current observations. This compactification is predicted to leave a signature on the CMB by altering the amplitude of the low l multipoles, dependent on the amount of inflation. Recently discovered CMB anomalies at low multipoles may be evidence for this. In our model we assume the spacetime is the product of a four-dimensional spacetime and flat extra dimensions. Before the compactification, both the four-dimensional space- time and the extra dimensions can either be expanding or contracting independently. Taking into account physical constraints, we explore the observational consequences and the plausibility of these different models

Progress on Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common life threatening hereditary disease of the kidney. It is a systemic disease characterized by multiple, bilateral renal cysts that result in massive renal enlargement and progressive functional impairment. This review discusses the current understanding of the epidemiology, genetics, clinical manifestations, natural history of the disease, the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic approaches, renal replacement therapy and emerging therapeutic strategies that are being evaluated in ADPKD. Review: ADPKD is a genetically heterogeneous disease with significant inter-familial and intra-familial variability. The responsible genes were localized to separate loci on chromosome 16 (PKD1 gene) accounting for the majority of ADPKD cases, and chromosome 4 (PKD2 gene) accounting for the remainder. Each child of an affected parent has a 50% chance of inheriting the mutated gene, which is completely penetrant. Clinical manifestations include renal and cyst enlargement, impaired urine concentration capacity, hematuria, nephrolithiasis, proteinuria, hypertension, polycystic liver disease, abdominal wall hernia and intracranial aneurysms. The diagnosis of ADPKD usually relies on renal imaging. Ongoing research has engendered crucial insight into the disease’s underlying genetic, cellular and pathogenetic mechanisms and made possible the design and implementation of clinical trials testing promising treatments. Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS) blockade, vasopressin antagonists, somatostatin, rapamycin, sirolimus and everolimus are currently being evaluated for a potential therapeutic role in the management of ADPKD. Conclusion: Current clinical trials investigating multiple therapeutic targets bring hope for treatments that may impede the progression of ADPKD. Keywords: ADPKD, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, kidney failur

Effect of melt conditioning on heat treatment and mechanical properties of AZ31 alloy strips produced by twin roll casting

In the present investigation, magnesium strips were produced by twin roll casting (TRC) and melt conditioned twin roll casting (MC-TRC) processes. Detailed optical microscopy studies were carried out on as-cast and homogenized TRC and MC-TRC strips. The results showed uniform, fine and equiaxed grain structure was observed for MC-TRC samples in as-cast condition. Whereas, coarse columnar grains with centreline segregation were observed in the case of as-cast TRC samples. The solidification mechanisms for TRC and MC-TRC have been found completely divergent. The homogenized TRC and MC-TRC samples were subjected to tensile test at elevated temperature (250-400 °C). At 250 °C, MC-TRC sample showed significant improvement in strength and ductility. However, at higher temperatures the tensile properties were almost comparable, despite of TRC samples having larger grains compared to MC-TRC samples. The mechanism of deformation has been explained by detailed fractures surface and sub-surface analysis carried out by scanning electron and optical microscopy. Homogenized MC-TRC samples were formed (hot stamping) into engineering component without any trace of crack on its surface. Whereas, TRC samples cracked in several places during hot stamping process.EPSRC – LiME, UK and Towards Affordable, Closed-Loop Recyclable Future Low Carbon Vehicle Structures – TARF-LCV(EP/I038616/1), Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK, Mr. Steve Cook, Mr. Peter Lloyd, Mr. Graham Mitchell and Mr. Carmelo and BCAST, Brunel University London

Widespread occurrence of Tomato ring spot virus in deciduous fruit trees in Iran

Despite a long tradition of fruit-tree growing in all provinces of Iran, information on tree viruses in this country is scant. In the present study, presence of Tomato ring spot virus (ToRSV) was surveyed in various woody plants in this country by mechanical inoculation to herbaceous hosts, ELISA using a commercial antiserum, and PCR with specific primers. ToRSV was identified in the following plant-symptom combinations: Walnut with mottling, deformation, necrosis, and yellowing of main veins from Tehran Province; plum with yellowing of main veins, peach with yellowing of major veins and marginal necrosis, and hazelnut with interveinal chlorosis and marginal necrosis from Ardabil Province; apple with yellowing of main veins, mosaic and necrotic lesions, quince with large necrotic spots, and almond with leaf deformation and rosetting from Khorasan Province; and raspberry with marginal necrosis of leaf and necrotic lesions from Mazandaran Province. Mechanical inoculation from walnut, plum, peach, hazelnut, apple, quince, almond, and raspberry to Nicotiana tabacum cv. Samsun resulted in systemic infection. The virus isolates induced local lesions, leaf deformation, and necrosis in N. rustica, chlorotic local lesions on Chenopodium quinoa, and large local lesions on Gomphrena globosa. All samples were ELISA positive. PCR with specific primers resulted in the amplification of the expected fragment (490 bp). This study shows extensive occurrence of ToRSV in Iran.Keywords: Tomato ringspot virus, fruit tree viruses, Ira

The length of fracture process zone deciphers variations of rock tensile strength

Tensile strength is one of the most critical design factors in many rock engineering projects. However, despite many available testing techniques, an accurate estimation of the true tensile strength of quasi-brittle rock-like materials is yet a controversial problem since it can vary by the shape and size of a test specimen, the adopted test method, and applied loading conditions. Different studies have tried to address this issue by providing (mainly empirical) laws for determining variations of rock tensile strength as a function of a particular test parameter such as specimen size. In this study, however, a new general approach is presented that can decipher the tensile strength variations of rock under various testing conditions. Using coupled Finite Fracture Mechanics (FFM), it is first proved that the length of the Fracture Process Zone (FPZ) can be determined with accuracy and ease using the energy criterion of coupled FFM. Then, the length of FPZ is used in the stress criterion of coupled FFM to determine rock tensile strength. The failure stress of a material is then proved to be mainly a function of the FPZ length following a power law originated from the Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics (LEFM). The results assist in deciphering variations of rock tensile strength related to the sample size and test method. © 2024 The Author

Numerical and Experimental Investigation of Residual Stress and Bond Strength in Friction Surface Cladding Process

The bond strength is an essential property of cladded products, which are produced by deposition processes such as friction surface cladding (FSC). Friction and severe plastic deformation of the deposited material cause the process to take place at elevated temperatures, and inhomogeneous cooling after the deposition process can lead to the formation of residual stresses that influence the remaining bond strength. A novel simulation method for the evaluation of the residual stress distribution in clad layer and substrate after the cladding of AA6060 onto an AA2024 substrate is proposed in this study. The effect of residual stresses on the bond strength was correlated with data gathered from 3-point bending tests aimed at the determination of the mechanical properties at the clad layer–substrate interface. The results show that on the one side, the occurrence of a higher compressive residual stress magnitude increases the bond strength, but on the other side, this relationship is not always true for average tool temperature, tool rotating speed, normal force, and tool tilt angle. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the effect of average tool temperature, tool rotating speed, normal force, and tool tilt angle parameters on the residual stress to find the best process window for carrying out the process to have optimal bond strength.</p