The Effect of Government Health Expenditures on Economic Growth in Countries of D-8 Organization for Economic Cooperation

Background: Providing healthcare services is one of the essential needs of a community that its shortcoming is considered as a state weaknesses causing widespread social discontent. Accordingly, this study was done to determine the impact of health expenditures on economic growth in D8 Organization for Economic Cooperation members. Methods: In this causal-analysis study, related data and statistics were extracted from WDI2013. Economic assessment was done through Eviews 6 software and using panel data over the period from 1995 to 2012 for D8 countries. Results: According to the results, one-percent increase in each of the variables of government health expenditure and gross capital formation increases economic growth by 0.03 and 0.09 percent respectively. Also one-percent increase in the fertility rate decreases economic growth by 0.04 percent. Conclusion: Given the significant positive impact of government health expenditure on economic growth, it is recommended that policy makers of D8 members consider this type of expenditure as an investment not a cost and by appropriate policies give priority to funding for the health sector and take a step toward achieving economic growth

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Inflammatory Cells in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

 Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammatory cells migrate into the pancreas tissue and play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to establish a flow cytometric method to enumerate these infiltrating cells in the pancreas of an experimental AP.Materials and Methods: Twelve hours after inducing of AP, mice pancreatic tissues were cut into small fragments and single cells were prepared by mechanical dissociation. The isolated cells were stained with either anti-mouse CD45-PerCP or isotype antibody and analyzed by flow cytometry. Using side scatter (SSC)/CD45 gating we were able to identify inflammatory cells from non-inflammatory cells.Results: The mean percentage of leukocytes was 5.9±1.6 in the control group whereas, it was 26.7±8.1 in the AP. Moreover, we found that the percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were 1.1±0.2, 0.9±.04 and 2.9±1.8 of total pancreatic cells, respectively, in the control mice. In contrast to lymphocytes, the percentage of monocytes and granulocytes were significantly increased in the AP group and it was 3±1.3 and 18.2±3.2 for monocytes and granulocytes, respectively.Conclusion: Quantitative flow cytometric analysis is feasible and provides a reliable and rapid assay to determine the number and percentage of inflammatory cells in experimental AP

A Comparative Review of the Interpretation of the Verse of Ulel- Amr in Al-Mizan and Al-Minar Commentaries

The present paper seeks to compare Al- Minar Commentary by 'Abduh and Al-Mizan Commentary by Allamah Tabatabaii in terms of their interpretation of the verse 59 in Chapter 4 (Al-Nisa'- The Women), known as the verse of "Ulel-Amr". For Tabatabaii, the referents of Ulel-Amr are infallible Imams, who should be obeyed unconditionally and absolutely as the Holy Prophet, which proves their infallibility. He believes that the repetition of the imperative verb "Obey" indicates the difference in the domain of obedience not emphasis, and the pronoun "you" in verse which says "then if you quarrel about anything" refers not to Ulel-Amr but to Muslims. In Al-Minar, Abduh accepts the command of absolute obedience to the Holy Prophet and Ulel-Amr, necessitated by their infallibility. However, he believes that the instances of Ulel-Amr are people of hal and 'Aqd (those whose opinions are what count) whose consensus is correct. Rashid Reza, however, does not regard such a consensus as infallible, as he believes that the pronoun "you" refers to Ulel-Amr as well. The paper compares aforementioned commentaries to extracts several mistakes taken by Abduh in Al-Minar, and resolves the doubts he cast on Shia interpretations

Ocular Graft Versus Host Disease Following Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Review of Current Knowledge and Recommendations

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a common complication of allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT). Ocular GVHD develops in approximately 40-60% of patients following allo-SCT and its most common clinical manifestations include keratoconjunctivitis sicca and cicatricial conjunctivitis. Ocular GVHD may lead to severe ocular surface disease, which can significantly diminish quality of life and restrict daily activities. It is thus important to monitor the condition closely since with timely diagnosis, irreversible damage can be avoided. The current review will focus on updated information regarding ocular GVHD

Measuring the Structures of the Health Belief Model Integrated with Health Literacy in Predicting University Students’ Adoption of Smoking Preventive Behaviors

Objective(s): One of the priorities of public health in reducing smoking is to prevent young people from becoming smokers. Health literacy (HL), smoking, and preventive behaviors are related. Moreover, HL has a potential impact on strengthening the Health Belief Model (HBM). Considering the high prevalence of smoking among university students, the current study was conducted to measure the structures of the HBM integrated with HL in predicting university students’ adoption of smoking preventive behaviors.     Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Three hundred and forty dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in 2016, were selected through single-stage cluster sampling for the study. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire based on the HBM and the HL inventory for adults (HELIA). The data were analyzed using SPSS software version.16, descriptive statistical, Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression and independent T-test. Results: The multiple regression analysis showed that the application of health information from five dimensions of HL, perceived susceptibility, self-efficacy, and decision-making dimensions were the predictors of smoking prevention. Also, the structures of this integrated model were able to anticipate 36.5% of the behavioral changes. Conclusion: The HBM integrated with HL can be used as an appropriate framework for designing educational programs in order to encourage university students to adopt smoking preventive behaviors

Finite element analysis of biomechanical interactions of a subcutaneous suspension suture and human face soft-tissue: a cadaver study

In order to study the local interactions between facial soft-tissues and a Silhouette Soft suspension suture, a CE marked medical device designed for the repositioning of soft tissues in the face and the neck, Finite element simulations were run, in which a model of the suture was embedded in a three-layer Finite Element structure that accounts for the local mechanical organization of human facial soft tissues. A 2D axisymmetric model of the local interactions was designed in ANSYS, in which the geometry of the tissue, the boundary conditions and the applied loadings were considered to locally mimic those of human face soft tissue constrained by the suture in facial tissue repositioning. The Silhouette Soft suture is composed of a knotted thread and sliding cones that are anchored in the tissue. Hence, simulating these interactions requires special attention for an accurate modelling of contact mechanics. As tissue is modelled as a hyper-elastic material, the displacement of the facial soft tissue changes in a nonlinear way with the intensity of stress induced by the suture and the number of the cones. Our simulations show that for a 4-cone suture a displacement of 4.35mm for a 2.0N external loading and of 7.6mm for 4.0N. Increasing the number of cones led to the decrease in the equivalent local strain (around 20%) and stress (around 60%) applied to the tissue. The simulated displacements are in general agreement with experimental observations

Investigating the health literacy influencing ways on the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in Health Belief Model developed by health literacy

Background and Aims: Incorporation of health literacy (HL) into health belief model (HBM) assist in strengthening the performance of this model in predicting smoking preventive behavior. However, the type of such an effect and the way in which the HL works in this hybrid model has not yet been determined. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the influencing ways of HL on adoption of smoking preventive behavior in HBM incorporated with HL.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 340 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran were enrolled using single-stage cluster sampling. The data collection tool was a valid and reliable questionnaire based on HBM on smoking prevention and HL questionnaire (HELIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16 and path analysis method based on single-variable and multiple regressions. All stages of the study were conducted ethically.Results: HL had a direct and statistically significant effect on all structures of the model and adoption of behavior. Also, it indirectly influenced adoption of behavior by influencing the structures of the model. Only perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy variables significantly affect adoption of behavior. In addition, the indirect effect of HL on the adoption of behavior was greater than its direct effect.Conclusion: It is possible to improve the degree of HL and, therefore, the adoption of smoking preventive behavior among students through the use of HBM incorporated with HL, which emphasizes on perceived susceptibility and self-efficacy variables

Which dimensions of Health Literacy predict the adoption of smoking preventive Behaviors?

Abstract:Background: Health literacy (HL) is related with the adoption of preventive behaviors. Considering the increase smoking among students, this study aimed to determine the effective dimensions of HL in predicting the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors in students.Materials and methods: In the present cross-sectional and descriptive study, 280 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected through single-stage cluster sampling method.A questionnaire of HL measurement (HL for Iranian Adults) and also a valid and reliable researcher-madequestionnaire were exploited for measuring the adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (version 16) and descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple logistic regression analysis. All stages of the study were conducted ethically.Results: The mean (± standard deviation) score for adoption of smoking preventive behaviors were 39.36±19.16 out of 100. Understanding and access to health information dimensions received the highest scores, while decision making and application of health information as well as reading obtained the lowestscores. Multiple regression analysis reflected that the dimensions of understanding (β=0.216, P=0.017) and decision making and the application of health information (β=0.324, P=0.001) were predictors of adoption of smoking preventive behaviors. Overall, these variables could predict 23.1% of behavioral changes.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, in designing educational interventions for the prevention of smoking, special attention should be paid to HL, especially the dimensions of reading, understanding and decision making as well as application of health information in the audience