The Effect of Working Memory Tra

Working memory plays an important role in learning since it serves as the buffer between past sensations and future behavior, making it essential to understand not only how we encode and recall sensory information in memory but also how we plan for its upcoming use. This study examined the effect of working memory training on vocabulary recall and retention of Iranian EFL learners using the dual N-back task technique. N-back requires the individual to remember an item that was presented a certain number of items previously. To this end, 50 EFL learners were randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 25) and control (n = 25) groups. The participants were taught 100 English words in 20 sessions. In each session, the experimental group also received a dual n-back task. After the treatment, immediate and delayed vocabulary posttests were administered. The obtained data were analyzed through two-way repeated-measures ANOVA and independent samples t-tests. The results showed that the experimental group outperformed the control group in target words’ recall and retention

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. Methods: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. Findings: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. Interpretation: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic

Global age-sex-specific mortality, life expectancy, and population estimates in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1950–2021, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic: a comprehensive demographic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND: Estimates of demographic metrics are crucial to assess levels and trends of population health outcomes. The profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on populations worldwide has underscored the need for timely estimates to understand this unprecedented event within the context of long-term population health trends. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 provides new demographic estimates for 204 countries and territories and 811 additional subnational locations from 1950 to 2021, with a particular emphasis on changes in mortality and life expectancy that occurred during the 2020–21 COVID-19 pandemic period. METHODS: 22 223 data sources from vital registration, sample registration, surveys, censuses, and other sources were used to estimate mortality, with a subset of these sources used exclusively to estimate excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2026 data sources were used for population estimation. Additional sources were used to estimate migration; the effects of the HIV epidemic; and demographic discontinuities due to conflicts, famines, natural disasters, and pandemics, which are used as inputs for estimating mortality and population. Spatiotemporal Gaussian process regression (ST-GPR) was used to generate under-5 mortality rates, which synthesised 30 763 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 1365 surveys and censuses, and 80 other sources. ST-GPR was also used to estimate adult mortality (between ages 15 and 59 years) based on information from 31 642 location-years of vital registration and sample registration data, 355 surveys and censuses, and 24 other sources. Estimates of child and adult mortality rates were then used to generate life tables with a relational model life table system. For countries with large HIV epidemics, life tables were adjusted using independent estimates of HIV-specific mortality generated via an epidemiological analysis of HIV prevalence surveys, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, and other data sources. Excess mortality due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021 was determined by subtracting observed all-cause mortality (adjusted for late registration and mortality anomalies) from the mortality expected in the absence of the pandemic. Expected mortality was calculated based on historical trends using an ensemble of models. In location-years where all-cause mortality data were unavailable, we estimated excess mortality rates using a regression model with covariates pertaining to the pandemic. Population size was computed using a Bayesian hierarchical cohort component model. Life expectancy was calculated using age-specific mortality rates and standard demographic methods. Uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for every metric using the 25th and 975th ordered values from a 1000-draw posterior distribution. FINDINGS: Global all-cause mortality followed two distinct patterns over the study period: age-standardised mortality rates declined between 1950 and 2019 (a 62·8% [95% UI 60·5–65·1] decline), and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period (2020–21; 5·1% [0·9–9·6] increase). In contrast with the overall reverse in mortality trends during the pandemic period, child mortality continued to decline, with 4·66 million (3·98–5·50) global deaths in children younger than 5 years in 2021 compared with 5·21 million (4·50–6·01) in 2019. An estimated 131 million (126–137) people died globally from all causes in 2020 and 2021 combined, of which 15·9 million (14·7–17·2) were due to the COVID-19 pandemic (measured by excess mortality, which includes deaths directly due to SARS-CoV-2 infection and those indirectly due to other social, economic, or behavioural changes associated with the pandemic). Excess mortality rates exceeded 150 deaths per 100 000 population during at least one year of the pandemic in 80 countries and territories, whereas 20 nations had a negative excess mortality rate in 2020 or 2021, indicating that all-cause mortality in these countries was lower during the pandemic than expected based on historical trends. Between 1950 and 2021, global life expectancy at birth increased by 22·7 years (20·8–24·8), from 49·0 years (46·7–51·3) to 71·7 years (70·9–72·5). Global life expectancy at birth declined by 1·6 years (1·0–2·2) between 2019 and 2021, reversing historical trends. An increase in life expectancy was only observed in 32 (15·7%) of 204 countries and territories between 2019 and 2021. The global population reached 7·89 billion (7·67–8·13) people in 2021, by which time 56 of 204 countries and territories had peaked and subsequently populations have declined. The largest proportion of population growth between 2020 and 2021 was in sub-Saharan Africa (39·5% [28·4–52·7]) and south Asia (26·3% [9·0–44·7]). From 2000 to 2021, the ratio of the population aged 65 years and older to the population aged younger than 15 years increased in 188 (92·2%) of 204 nations. INTERPRETATION: Global adult mortality rates markedly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, reversing past decreasing trends, while child mortality rates continued to decline, albeit more slowly than in earlier years. Although COVID-19 had a substantial impact on many demographic indicators during the first 2 years of the pandemic, overall global health progress over the 72 years evaluated has been profound, with considerable improvements in mortality and life expectancy. Additionally, we observed a deceleration of global population growth since 2017, despite steady or increasing growth in lower-income countries, combined with a continued global shift of population age structures towards older ages. These demographic changes will likely present future challenges to health systems, economies, and societies. The comprehensive demographic estimates reported here will enable researchers, policy makers, health practitioners, and other key stakeholders to better understand and address the profound changes that have occurred in the global health landscape following the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic, and longer-term trends beyond the pandemic. FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Viewpoints of Supervisors about the Problems in the Process of Dissertations for General Medicine Program Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction. To improve the quality of dissertations (as a mandatory course) in general medicine (MD) program, it is useful to know the viewpoints of supervisors about different issues and problems in their supervision process, i.e. the objectives of the course, facilitation methods for learning, problems of the practical phase, and their ideas about the course efficacy. This study explores supervisors' views concerning the thesis process and its related problems in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. 106 supervisors from Medical School participated in this cross sectional descriptive study. A self-administered questionnaire, which proved to be valid and reliable was used for data collection. The questionnaires were completed individually in the participants' office or School. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results were analyzed according to the frequency distribution of variables and compared by t- test and ANOVA. Results. According to the supervisors, the most important problems were allocating appropriate budget, approving the research proposal by the department and school councils, instructing students about literature review and article writing, and not being informed about national research priorities. They considered "learning research methodology" as the main objective of dissertation. Most of them agreed on it as a necessary course for MD program, but believed that students usually faced shortage of time. They claimed that offering thesis as an elective course would improve the quality of the projects. Conclusion. Dissertations in general medicine program are facing some problems. It seems that shortage of time brings about limitations in doing and supervising the projects. It is recommended to revise the approval process of thesis proposals. Moreover, involving students in the preplanned researches, improving the supervisors knowledge in research methodology and statistical analysis, announcing research priorities, and revising the course plan may improve the quality of dissertations

مدل شخصیت کلونینجر در سندرم فیبرومیالژیا: یک مرور سیستماتیک و متاآنالیز

مقدمه: سندرم فیبرومیالژیا (FMS) یک اختلال درد مزمن اسکلتی-عضلانی است. اگرچه درمان­های زیادی برای فیبرومیالژیا در دسترس است، مدیریت آن همچنان یک چالش است. شواهد اخیر نشان می­دهد که ویژگی­های شخصیتی ممکن است بر فیبرومیالژیا تأثیر بگذارد.روش‌ کار: بر اساس دستورالعمل‌های PRISMA، این مرور سیستماتیک و متاآنالیز به بررسی آسیب اجتنابی و خودراهبری در بیماران فیبرومیالژیا با استفاده از مدل شخصیتی کلونینگر پرداخت. متاآنالیز شامل 14 مطالعه برای ارزیابی اجتناب از آسیب و 11 مطالعه ارزیابی خودراهبری در بیماران مبتلا به فیبرومیالژیا در مقایسه با افراد سالم بود. داده­های گزارش شده از مطالعات اولیه در یک مدل اثرات تصادفی با استفاده از رویکرد هجز ادغام شدند.نتایج: بیماران مبتلا به فیبرومیالژیا در مقایسه با افراد سالم، اجتناب از آسیب بالا (Hedges' g = 1.31؛ 95% CI: 0.97 تا 1.65) و خودراهبری پایین (Hedges' g = 0.71؛ 95% CI: -1.00 تا -0.42) را در مقایسه با افراد سالم نشان دادند. علاوه بر این، نتایج نشان داد که اجتناب از آسیب بالا به طور قابل توجهی با افزایش خطر FMS مرتبط است، اگرچه خودهدایتی بالا، نقش محافظتی در برابر آن ایفا می­کند.نتیجه­گیری: نتایج نشان داد که آسیب اجتنابی بالا و خودراهبری پایین، از ویژگی­های شخصیتی متمایز بیماران مبتلا به فیبرومیالژیا هستند. شناسایی و ارزیابی زودهنگام آسیب اجتنابی بالا و خودراهبری پایین، ممکن است به مفهوم­سازی مکانیسمهای پیچیده زمینه­ای فیبرومیالژیا کمک کند. علاوه بر این، می‌تواند بیماران مستعد به ورود در یک چرخه معیوب ناتوانی و درد را شناسایی کند. تحقیقات بیشتری برای درک بهتر نقش ویژگی­های شخصیتی مورد نیاز است

Cognitive emotion regulation strategies in patients with functional dyspepsia and healthy controls - A comparative study

Background: Patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) may use specific coping strategies. Hence, the aim of the present study was to compare cognitive emotion regulation strategies in FD patients and healthy controls. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive observational study. The sample consisted of 86 individuals, 43 of whom were patients diagnosed with FD. The patients referred to the psychosomatic disorders clinic, Isfahan, Iran. The comparative sample included 43 healthy controls (without digestive diagnoses) matched with the patients by age and gender. Subjects completed data on demographic factors and cognitive emotion regulation questionnaire. Results: The results indicated that there are significant differences between patients with FD and healthy controls according to using cognitive strategies. Scores of healthy controls in positive reappraisal and acceptance were significantly more than FD patients, and inversely, scores of FD patients in rumination and other-blame were meaningfully more than healthy controls. Conclusion: FD patients apply less adaptive strategies and more maladaptive strategies. It is seemed psychological interventions that focus on reducing maladaptive strategies and increasing adaptive strategies could be effective for FD patients

Vortex-assisted ionic liquid microextraction coupled to flame atomic absorption spectrometry for determination of trace levels of cadmium in real samples

A simple and rapid vortex assisted ionic liquid based liquid–liquid microextraction technique (VALLME) was proposed for preconcentration of trace levels of cadmium. According to this method, the extraction solvent was dispersed into the aqueous samples by the assistance of vortex agitator. Cadmium preconcentration was mediated by chelation with the 8-hydroxyquinoline (oxine) reagent and an IL, 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Omim][PF6]) was chosen as the extraction solvent to extract the hydrophobic complex. Several variables such as sample pH, concentration of oxine, volume of [Omim][PF6] and extraction time were investigated in details and optimum conditions were selected. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) was 2.9 μg L−1 for Cd (ІІ) and relative standard deviation (RSD%) for five replicate determinations of 125 μg L−1 was 4.1%. The method was successfully applied to the determination of cadmium in tap water, apple and rice samples

The prevalence of hypertension among the elderly in patients in Al-Zahra Hospital, Isfahan, Iran

   BACKGROUND: In this study, we discussed aging and common diseases associated with it which can lead to hospitalization. Hypertension was also evaluated as one of the factors affecting morbidity and mortality in elderly people.      METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, data was collected using checklists and extracting information from medical records in Al-Zahra Hospital (Isfahan, Iran). Data was then analyzed using descriptive statistics according to the research questions in SPSS.    RESULTS: A total number of 11,018 people aged 60-99 years were studied. Cardiovascular diseases were the most common cause of hospitalization (2063 patients (18.7%)). In patients with cardiovascular diseases, 84 were suffering from hypertension, 76 had primary hypertension, 7 had hypertensive heart disease with or without congestive heart failure, and 1 had secondary hypertension. Among all hypertensive patients, there were 37 males (44.05%) and 47 females (55.95%). Moreover, 34 people aged 60-69, 30 aged 70-79, 18 aged 80-89 and 2 aged 90-99 years. Duration of hospitalization was less than 1 day for 12 people, 1-2 days for 27, 3-5 days for 25, 6-10 days for 14, 15-11 days for 6, and more than 15 days for 1 person.      CONCLUSION: Prevention and treatment of hypertension is important in order to control this disease. Untreated or poorly/untimely controlled hypertension would thus leave permanent side effects. It may thus leave sustained side effects if remain untreated or poorly/untimely controlled. However, people with hypertension were in minority in our study. Therefore, more research in this field with larger sample size is necessary for further identification of factors affecting quality of life in elderly people.   Keywords: Elderly, Hypertension, Cardiovascular Disease, Hospitalize

Association of Serum Alanine Aminotransferase Levels with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Normal-Weight and Overweight Children

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT), defined by a gender-specific cutoff value, among normal weight and overweight children; and to assess the relationship of increasing ALT levels with cardiometabolic risk factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among school students, aged 6-18 years in Isfahan, Iran. Based on the body mass index (BMI) percentiles, a group of normal-weight was compared with a group of overweight and obese students. Gender differences were considered for increased levels of ALT, i.e. 19U/L and 30U/L for girls and boys respectively. Findings: The study participants consisted of 1172 students (56.2% girls), with a mean (SD) age of 12.57 (3.3) years. Among overweight/obese students the mean triglycerides (TG) and diastolic blood pressure was significantly higher in those with increased ALT than in those with normal ALT levels. The logistic regression analysis showed that among overweight/obese boys, for each 1 unit increase in ALT, the odds ratio (OR) of TG, total cholesterol and systolic blood pressure increased significantly. After adjusting for age, these associations remained significant, and the OR of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) decreased significantly. In the model adjusting for age and BMI, the ORs of TG and HDL-c remained significant. After adjusting for age and waist circumference, HDL-c was the only parameter with significant OR. Among overweight/obese girls, in all models applied, the OR was significant for TG and total cholesterol. A significant independent association was documented for waist circumference and increase in ALT after adjustment for BMI. Conclusion: This study documented significant relationship of increased ALT levels, defined by a gender-specific cutoff point, with cardiometabolic risk factors and hypertriglyceridemic-waist phenotype in Iranian children and adolescents

The Association of Psychological Comorbidity with the Number of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders

Background: The overlap of functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) has been reported in literature. Hence, this study aimed to examine psychological comorbidity with the number of FGIDs.Methods: A total of 4763 individuals in 20 cities across Isfahan Province, Iran, were selected through cluster random sampling. The Rome III questionnaire in its complete form was used to investigate gastrointestinal symptoms. The other data collection tools consisted of the Stressful Life Events (SLE) Questionnaire, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). To analyze the data, t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression analyses were used.Results: The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the number of functional gastrointestinal disorders was the risk factor for stress level, anxiety, and depression and increased the odds ratio (OR) of these disturbances.Conclusion: Increase in the number of functional gastrointestinal disorders was associated with more psychological comorbidity. Therefore, overlap of functional gastrointestinal disorders functional gastrointestinal disorders to be carefully considered and physicians should pay more attention to psychological factors when FGIDs overlap