The Clinical Efficacy of Infrared Photocoagulation Versus Closed Hemorrhoidectomy in Treatment of Hemorrhoid

Introduction: Infrared photocoagulation (IRC) was introduced as a mainstay procedure for treatment of hemorrhoids. The present study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of IRC compared to closed hemorrhoidectomy.Methods: Forty patients suffering grade-3 hemorrhoid that referred to the surgery clinic at Imam Hossein hospital in Tehran in 2013 were randomly assigned to groups treated with the IRC modality or Ferguson’s closed hemorrhoidectomy method. The patients in the 2 groups were followed-up for the first 24 hours after surgery and 8 weeks later. Postoperative pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) at three time points of 24 hours, 2 weeks and 8 weeks after operation.Results: Regarding bleeding, its overall prevalence was 5.0% in the IRC group and 30.0% in the hemorrhoidectomy group, which was significantly less prevalent in the IRC group. Notably, the IRC group had a lower mean postoperative pain score compared to the hemorrhoidectomy group. Time of return to work was significantly shorter in the IRC group; no difference was found in the mean duration of hospital stay, and recurrence rate across 2 groups.Conclusion: IRC procedure is safer than closed hemorrhoidectomy with lower postoperative pain severity, less secondary bleeding, and leads to earlier return to work in patients with hemorrhoid

Comparison of clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings in pregnant and non-pregnant women with COVID-19: a case-control study

Background: Clinical, radiological, and laboratory findings characteristic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection have already been investigated and identified; however, data on pregnant women infected with COVID-19 are limited. This study aims to examine the clinical, radiological, and laboratory characteristics of pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women with COVID-19 disease. Method: This hospital-based retrospective age-matched case-control study included two groups, pregnant and non-pregnant women, each consisting of 51 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Bushehr, Iran.  Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information was extracted from medical records using a predefined checklist. Results: Except for cough, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical signs and symptoms between pregnant and non-pregnant women. Although hemoglobin oxygen saturations are statistically significant among the two groups, this difference is not clinically significant (95% vs 93%). There were no statistically significant differences between pregnant and non-pregnant women in the pattern of pulmonary involvement in chest CT findings. Laboratory factors such as serum hemoglobin, red blood cell count, absolute lymphocyte count, prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time, serum creatinine, serum potassium, and lactate dehydrogenase had statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, these differences were not clinically significant. Conclusion: In a few aspects, the clinical characteristics and laboratory test results of COVID-19 in pregnant patients seem to be distinctive from their nonpregnant controls. We believe our findings can guide the prenatal and postnatal considerations for COVID-19 pregnant patients

Cost-effectiveness analysis of topiramate versus phenobarbital in the treatment of children with febrile seizure in Shiraz

Background: Febrile seizure is the most common disorder in childhood, with a prevalence of 2% to 5%. There are many drugs for treatment of this disease; however, the most common prescribed medication in Iran is phenobarbital that is cheap, but it has many side effects. Topiramate is a medication with fewer side effects that is currently prescribed in Iran only for patients with epilepsy; also, it has recently been prescribed and tested for children with febrile seizure. The aim of this study was to compare the cost-effectiveness of topiramate versus phenobarbital in patients with febrile seizure in the south of Iran in 2017.Methods: This econometric cost-effectiveness and cost-utility study was conducted on 91 patients with febrile seizure to assess two strategies of oral drug therapy including phenobarbital and topiramate in 2016-2017. Of all, 51 patients were treated with phenobarbital and 40 patients received topiramate. In order to collect the required data, we followed up the patients for six months, using a randomized and single-blinded approach. In this study, a decision tree model was used. The outcomes of the model included febrile seizure and utility. The study was conducted from the perspective of the community; therefore, direct and indirect costs were included in the study. Excel and TreeAge software (2011) were used to analyze the results.Results: The results showed that topiramate was cheaper and more effective than phenobarbital. In patients in the phenobarbital and topiramate groups, the mean costs were $740 and$674 per ppp, utility scores were 0.72 and 0.82, and febrile seizure without side effects were 0.3 and 0.6, respectively. Moreover, one-way sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results of the study.Conclusion: According to the results, topiramate in patients with febrile seizure is a fully cost-effective and cost-efficient strategy that can be suggested as a better alternative for children with febrile seizure

ISPIRANJE ŽELJEZA IZ SIROMAŠNE RUDE BOKSITA U CILJU NJEZINE UPORABE U VATROSTALNOJ INDUSTRIJI

Iron-bearing minerals are the most important interfering compounds that are found with bauxite reserves. The element iron has adverse effects on bauxite applications, including the use of bauxite in refractory soils. The purpose of this research is to investigate the possibility of iron removal from low-grade bauxite ores to utilize them in refractory industries. For achieving this purpose, iron removal tests were performed on bauxite samples with an alumina to silica modulus of 0.73. After determining the appropriate iron removal method among the magnetic separation, calcination, and leaching (with H2SO4 and HCl) processes, optimal separation conditions were determined by tests that were designed using the Taguchi method. According to leaching results, using HCl for raw feed (un-calcined) provided the best result for iron removal. During this test, Fe2O3 grade decreased from 5.14% to 0.08%, and the alumina to silica modulus increased to 0.75. Calcination of the concentrate obtained from this test has led to favorable results in reducing the Fe2O3 grade (0.04%) and increasing the Al2O3 grade. Afterwards, in tests designed by the Taguchi method, the effect of parameters such as time, process temperature, HCl concentration, and feed grain size on iron removal from bauxite by HCl leaching processes are discussed. According to the results, the best efficiency of iron removal for a feed grain size of 250 µm is achieved in the following conditions: 30% HCl, process temperature of 25°C, and process time of 120 minutes. In this case, iron removal efficiency and Fe2O3 grade in process concentrate are 92.78% and 0.56%, respectively.Minerali nosioci željeza najvažnije su nečistoće koje se nalaze u rezervama boksita. Željezo ima štetne učinke na primjenu boksita, uključujući korištenje boksita u vatrostalnim tlima. Svrha je ovoga rada istražiti mogućnost uklanjanja željeza iz ruda boksita niske kvalitete radi iskorištavanja u vatrostalnoj industriji. U tu svrhu provedena su ispitivanja izdvajanja željeza na uzorcima boksita s modulom aluminijeva oksida i silicija od 0,73. Nakon utvrđivanja odgovarajuće metode za izdvajanje željeza, uključujući magnetsku separaciju, kalcinaciju i luženje (s H2SO4 i HCl), određeni su optimalni uvjeti izdvajanja uz upotrebu Taguchijeve metode. Rezultati luženja HCl-om rovne sirovine (nekalcinirane) dali su najbolji rezultat izdvajanja željeza. Tijekom ovoga ispitivanja udio Fe2O3 smanjio se s 5,14 % na 0,08 %, a modul aluminijeva oksida i silicija povećao se na 0,75. Kalciniranje koncentrata dobivenoga ovim ispitivanjem dovelo je do povoljnih rezultata u smanjenju nekorisne komponente Fe2O3 (0,04 %) i povećanju korisne komponente Al2O3 . Nakon toga u ispitivanjima dizajniranim Taguchijevom metodom određen je utjecaj parametara kao što su vrijeme, temperatura procesa, koncentracija HCl i veličina zrna sirovine, na uklanjanje željeza iz boksita procesima luženja HCl. Prema dobivenim rezultatima najbolja učinkovitost uklanjanja željeza za veličinu ulaznoga zrna od 250 µm postiže se u sljedećim uvjetima: 30 % HCl, temperatura procesa od 25°C i vrijeme procesa 120 minuta. U ovome slučaju učinkovitost uklanjanja željeza i sadržaj Fe2O3 u procesnome koncentratu iznosi 92,78 % odnosno 0,56 %

Effects of Eight Weeks of Combined Yoga Exercises, Almond Consumption and Diet on Sexual Function of Diabetic Women

Type two diabetes is one of the most common endocrine diseases, and the lesser-known complication of diabetes is sexual dysfunction, which leads to, vaginal dryness in females and erectile problems in males. Therefore, it is necessary to study the influencing factors on the complication reduction of treatment. The main purpose of this present study was to examine the effects of 8 weeks of combined yoga exercises, almond consumption and diet on the sexual function of diabetic females in Damghan city. For this purpose, fifty diabetic women aged between 30 to 50 years old in Damghan were selected and matched based on their age, height, and weight into five groups (number in each groups=10 subject). The subjects randomly named 1.yoga exercises; 2. Almonds consumption; 3. Diet (doing all three items); and 4. Control group. Before and after the intervention period, blood pressure, blood sugar, waist, and hip size were measured and the subjects completed a dietary recall questionnaire. The first group subjects performed 10-minute breathing exercises, 20-minute stretching, and 15-minute concentration of yoga exercises in each session. The second group replaced 1 ounce (equivalent to 28.34 gr) of almonds with a 10% calorie intake per day. The third group implemented any of the diet programs set by the nutritionist, and the fourth group performed all of the above 3 conditions (yoga, almonds consumption & diet). The control group did not implement any of the above. TDEo analyses of the data, descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used. The results showed that eight weeks of yoga exercises, almond consumption, and diet significantly affect sexual function among diabetic women. However, no significant effect was observed on the sexual function after the intervention in the control group. Thus yoga exercises, almond consumption, and diet improved sexual function of diabetic women

Scanning Microwave Microscopy of Vital Mitochondria in Respiration Buffer

We demonstrate imaging using scanning microwave microscopy (SMM) of vital mitochondria in respiration buffer. The mitochondria are isolated from cultured HeLa cells and tethered to a solid graphene support. The mitochondria are kept vital (alive) using a respiration buffer, which provides nutrients to sustain the Krebs cycle. We verify that the mitochondria are "alive" by measuring the membrane potential using a voltage sensitive fluorescent dye (TMRE). The organelles are measured capacitively at 7 GHz. Several technical advances are demonstrated which enable this work: 1) The SMM operates in an electrophysiologically relevant liquid (hence conducting) environment; 2) The SMM operates in tapping mode, averaging the microwave reflection measurement over many tapping periods; 3) A tuned reflectometer enables increased sensitivity; 4) Variable frequencies up to 18 GHz are used; 5) In contrast with traditional matching/resonant methods that exhibit high quality factor that fail in the presence of liquids, interferometric/tuned reflectometer gives the possibility to adjust the quality factor or sensitivity even in the presence of the liquid.Comment: Accepted for publication in IMS 201

Water Quality Zonation of Beshar River in Yasuj City

AbstractThis study was conducted to monitor the current water quality of Beshar River by the Iranian Surface Water Quality Index (IRWQIsc). Monitoring of the river water quality was done based on sampling 12 stations along the river in October of 2021 as the period of water shortage and January of 2022 as the period of high water flow simultaneously with sampling two other stations (fish farm effluent and Yasuj wastewater treatment plant effluent) as the point source pollution entries. The results of zoning Beshar River based on IRWQIsc in the period of water scarcity showed a decrease in river water quality from the upstream to the downstream part. 41.66% of the upstream part of the river (Tang-e Tizab to Dehno) was in a relatively good condition, 8.34% of the river (entrance of Yasuj City) was in a good condition, 8.33% (middle part of the river in Shah Mokhtar Area) was in a relatively bad condition and 41.66% (downstream of the river) was in a moderate condition. Despite the increase in discharge and rainfall, no significant increase in water quality was observed in the high water flow period. In this period, 25% of the river (Tang-e Tizab, Tang-e Sorkh, and downstream of Qalat) was in a moderate condition and 75% of the river was in a relatively good condition based on IRWQIsc. Comparison of the flow rates and IRWQIsc indices showed that only during the high water flow period in the lower reaches of the river, the increased river discharge enhanced the river water quality , but no relationship between the river flow and the IRWQIsc was found at the upstream part of the river and in the period of water scarcity.Keywords: Beshar River, IRWQIsc index, biological oxygen demand  IntroductionWater quantity and quality are of the most vital parts of each ecosystem that affect other parts. Therefore, evaluation of the quantity and quality of river water can indicate the status of water resources management in a watershed. Beshar River is one of the most important and water-rich rivers in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. It provides most of the water needed for drinking, industry, and agriculture, while being exposed to various pollutions. This study was conducted to monitor the current water quality of Beshar River by the Iranian Surface Water Quality Index (IRWQIsc).  MethodologyMonitoring of river water quality was done based on sampling 12 stations along the river from the upstream (Tang-e Tizab) to the downstream (Pataveh) parts in October of 2021 as the period of water shortage and January of 2022 as the period of high water flow simultaneously with sampling two other stations (fish farm effluent and Yasuj wastewater treatment plant effluent) as the point source pollution entries.  DiscussionThe results of zoning Beshar River based on IRWQIsc in the period of water scarcity showed a decrease in the river water quality from the upstream to the downstream part. 41.66% of the river (upstream part of the river, Tang-e Tizab to Dehno) was in a relatively good condition, 8.34% of the river (entrance of Yasuj City) was in a good condition, 8.33% (middle part of the river in Shah Mokhtar Area) was in a relatively bad condition, and 41.66% (downstream of the river, Tange-Seriz to Pataveh) was in a moderate condition. Despite the increase in discharge and rainfall, no significant increase in water quality was observed in the high water flow period. In this period, 25% of the river (Tang-e Tizab, Tang-e Sorkh, and downstream part of Qalat) was in a moderate condition and 75% of it (Qalat, Dehno, entrance of Yasuj City, Shah Mokhtar to Pataveh) was in a relatively good condition based on IRWQIsc. ConclusionComparison of the flow rates and IRWQIsc indices showed that the increased river discharge in the lower reaches of the river increased the river water quality only during the high water flow period, but at the upstream part of the river and in the period of water scarcity, no relationship was seen between the river flow and IRWQIsc. Proper exploitation of Tang-e Sorkh Dam upstream of Bashar River in the near future and determining and supplying the environmental flows of the river with regard to water quality, especially at its upstream part should be taken into consideration to keep the self-purification ability of the river. References- Abdullah, N. and Jain, S. (2020). Multi-index summer flow regime characterization to inform environmental flow contexts, A New England case study. Ecological Indicators (111):15-1.- Kareem, S., Jaber, W., Al-Maliki, L., Al-Husseiny, R., Al-Mamoori, S. and Alansari, N. (2021). Water quality assessment and phosphorus effect using water quality indices: Euphrates River- Iraq as a case study. Groundwater for Sustainable Development (14): 1-10.- Marselina, M.; Wibowo, F. and Mushfiroh, A. 2022. Water quality index assessment methods for surface water: A case study of the Citarum River in Indonesia. Heliyon (8): 1-10.- Matta, G.; Nayak, A.; and Kumar, A. (2020). Water quality assessment using NSFWQI, OIP and multivariate techniques of Ganga River system, Uttarakhand, India. Applied Water Science 10: 1-12.- Murali, K.; Meenakshi, M. and Uma, R. N. (2020). Surface water (wetlands) quality assessment in Coimbatore (India) based on national sanitation foundation water quality index (NSF WQI). 1st International Conference on Science, Engineering and Technology: 1-7.- Nemati Varnosfaderany, M., Mirghaffary, N., Ebrahimi, E., and Sofyanian, A.R. (2009). Water quality assessment in an arid region using a water quality index. Journal of Water Science & Technology (60.9): 2319-2327. Figures and Tables- Fig. 1: Study area of Beshar River with locations of the point sources of pollution- Fig. 2: Study area and locations of the sample stations along Beshar River- Table 2: IRWQIsc indices and their weights (Water Resources Quality Index, 2013)- Table 4: Classification of surface water qualities of Iran based on IRWQIsc (Water Resources Quality)- Table 5: The measured variables of water quality for the sample stations along Beshar River during the low water flow period- Table 6: The measured variables of water quality in the sample stations along Beshar River during the high water flow period- Fig. 3: IRWQIsc index of the sample stations along Beshar River and effluents of the major sources of pollutants- Fig. 4: Changes of IRWQIsc indices along Beshar River during the high and low water flow periods- Fig. 5: The relationship between discharge and IRWQIsc index in the studied stations (numbers of the stations from the upstream to the downstream part of Beshar River from 1 to 12, respectively)- Supplementary Table 1: Locations of the sample stations along Beshar River and their water qualities- Supplementary Table 2: Water quality variables and their measuring methods (Rezvanipour and Razavi Dinani, 2014

Resilience, attachment to God, and hope in mothers of children with a specific learning disability

Objectives: The aim of the current research was to study the relationship between resilience, personal attachment to God, and the level of hope in mothers of children with a specific learning disability (SLD). Methods: The study sample consisted of 131 mothers of children with a diagnosed SLD in the city of Tabriz, Iran, in 2018. The Conner-Davidson Resilience Scale, the Attachment to God Inventory developed by Rowatt and Kirkpatrick, and Snyder\u27s Adult Hope Scale were administered to the participants. Results: The results showed a significant positive correlation between hope and both resilience and a secure attachment style to God, as well as a significant negative correlation between hope and avoidant and anxious attachment to God. Conclusion: Concurrent regression analysis revealed that among the variables related to resilience and secure, anxious, and avoidant attachment, only resilience predicted hope. Resilience training for this group of parents as well as additional research designed to yield evidence-based practices related to the attachment to God variable in the area of special educational needs appears to potentially be of substantial value

The Effect of Family Empowerment Model on Quality of Life in Children with Epilepsy in South of Iran, 2018: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract Objectives:Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the nervous system that significantly affects the performance and behavior of children. Epileptic children are at greater risk of cognitive and behavioral disorders than healthy children. Various factors associated with this disease affect the patients’ family. Materials & Methods:The present study is a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted to evaluate the effect of family empowerment on quality of life of epileptic children referred to the desired centers (Bessat Clinic affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences and Imam Reza Clinic of Shiraz) in two experimental and control groups. 80 parents of these children were selected and studied, if they met the inclusion criteria of study. In this study, Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy Questionnaire (QOLCE) was used. It is completed by parents of these children. Results:The age of the studied children was 4 to 8 yrs. According to these results, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in the level of changes in all dimensions, so that the mean score of quality of life in different factors increased in the experimental group compared to the control group (P <0.05 in all dimensions). Conclusion:Implementing the family-centered care plan by care providers, based on patient-family support relationships, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, prioritizing the services provided, and an effective interaction with the health team increase the family and staff satisfaction, reduce the costs, and improve the outcome of the disease. &nbsp