The Pooled Cut-off Point of Waist Circumference as Core Component of Metabolic Syndrome Diagnosis among the Iranian Population; a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: According to a nationwide study, one-third of the Iranian population suffer from metabolic syndrome (MetS). The most controversial criteria for the diagnosis of MetS is central obesity which would be defined by waist circumference (WC) and needed to be gender and ethnic-specific. There are several national studies that reported different cut-offs for WC so the present study aimed to do a systematic review and meta-analysis to achieve an overall statistical estimate of WC for the Iranian population. Method: A comprehensive search was conducted in international databases from inception to June 2020. The search keywords were waist circumference AND metabolic syndrome AND cut AND Iran. We used the QUADAS-2 tool for quality assessment and the HSROC model for estimating pooled specificity, sensitivity, and the cut-off point from included studies in R software. Results: A total of 3571 studies were evaluated and 24 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Finally, 8 studies were included. All the studies were cross-sectional. Studies with missing MetS prevalence were excluded. Most of the studies had an unclear risk of bias in patient selection. There was a wide variation among reported cut-offs for WC from national and original studies. The Pooled cut-off points of WC for the diagnosis of MetS was 90.55 cm (95%CI: 90.51-90.60) in men and 89.24 cm (95%CI: 89.13-89.36) in women. The pooled sensitivity and specificity in men were 0.67 and 0.68, respectively and the pooled sensitivity and specificity in women were 0.61 and 0.57, respectively. Conclusion:  Our results were highly consistent with the only national study and the only consensus about WC cut-off. Further nationwide studies are suggested to be involved in a Mata-analysis for calculating more precise WC cut-off

on The Study of Herbal Combination Effect of Securigera Securidaca, Vaccinium Arctostaphylos, Citrullus Colocynthis and Coriandrium Sativum on Triglyceride of Pre-Diabetic Elderlies

Background: Increasing blood sugar and hyperlipidemia in could deteriorate the late complications in diabetic patients. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the herbal combination effects of Securigera securidaca, Vaccinium Arctostaphylos, Citrullus Colocynthis and Coriandrum sativum on triglyceride level in pre-diabetic elderlies. Materials and Methods: In a single-blind randomized controlled trial study, 60 pre-diabetic individuals aged between 60 to 70 years with a triglyceride level of 180-250 mg/dl were selected. They were divided into two groups (drug and placebo) randomly. The drug group received a diet including 500 mg capsules of herbal blend once daily, and the placebo group received diet including placebo capsules (500 mg flour) in the same period. The serum triglyceride level was evaluated after 30 days in both groups. Finally, the SPSS software version 18 was used for data analysis. Results: The mean triglyceride level, between before the intervention and afterward were not significantly different, and the mean changes in triglyceride level in total showed no significant differences as well. Likewise, the comparison between the mean triglyceride level before and after the intervention, independently in drug group or placebo revealed no statically significant differences. Conclusion: There is no adequate evidence for the efficiency of this 30-day period intervention of herbal blend. Therefore it is recommended to perform further studies using different drug dosage and period of consumption to get more conclusive results about the potential effectiveness of these herbal medications on elderly’s triglyceride level

Bushehr Elderly Health (BEH) Programme, phase I (cardiovascular system)

Purpose: The main objective of the Bushehr Elderly Health Programme, in its first phase, is to investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and their association with major adverse cardiovascular events. Participants: Between March 2013 and October 2014, a total of 3000 men and women aged ≥60 years, residing in Bushehr, Iran, participated in this prospective cohort study ( participation rate=90.2%). Findings to date: Baseline data on risk factors, including demographic and socioeconomic status, smoking and medical history, were collected through a modified WHO MONICA questionnaire. Vital signs and anthropometric measures, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, height, and waist and hip circumference, were also measured. 12-lead electrocardiography and echocardiography were conducted on all participants, and total of 10 cc venous blood was taken, and sera was separated and stored at –80°C for possible future use. Preliminary data analyses showed a noticeably higher prevalence of risk factors among older women compared to that in men. Future plans: Risk factor assessments will be repeated every 5 years, and the participants will be followed during the study to measure the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events. Moreover, the second phase, which includes investigation of bone health and cognition in the elderly, was started in September 2015. Data are available at the Persian Gulf Biomedical Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran, for any collaboration

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in coastal sediments from urban and industrial areas of Asaluyeh Harbor, Iran: distribution, potential source and ecological risk assessment

The distribution and toxicity levels of 16 EPA priority pollutant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the sediments of Asaluyeh shore, Iran were investigated. The total concentrations of the PAHs in surface sediments ranged from 1,054 to 17,448 ng/g dry weights with a mean concentration of 8,067 ng/g. The spatial distribution of PAHs showed that PAH levels are much higher in the industrial areas in comparison with urban areas. Based on diagnostic ratios, pyrogenic activities were dominant sources of PAHs pollution in sediments comparing petroleum sources. The toxic equivalent concentrations (TEQ Carc) of PAHs ranged from 172 to 2,235 ng TEQ/g with mean value of 997.9. Toxicity levels were evaluated using sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and toxic equivalent factors. Samples were collected from industrial and urban stations in Asaluyeh shores. According to SQGs, ΣPAHs concentrations in sediments of urban areas were below the ERL (effects range low), but the industrial samples had ΣPAHs concentrations between ERL and ERM (effects range median). Furthermore, ΣHPAHs (heavy PAHs) and some individual PAHs in some industrial stations exceeded ERM, indicating adverse ecological risk effects frequently occur. Findings demonstrate that the surface sediment from Asaluyeh shore is highly to very highly contaminated with PAHs

Fractional-order memristive dynamics in colloidal graphitic carbon nitride systems

We report on the synthesis and characterization of a colloidal graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3⁢N4) system exhibiting complex memfractance behavior. The g-C3⁢N4 colloid was prepared through thermal polymerization of urea, followed by dispersion in deionized water. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the successful synthesis of g-C3⁢N4. Electrical characterization revealed nonpinched hysteresis loops in current-voltage curves, indicative of memristive behavior with additional capacitive components. The device demonstrated stable resistive switching between high (∼50⁢k⁢Ω) and low (∼22⁢k⁢Ω) impedance states over 500 cycles, as well as synaptic plasticity-like conductance modulation. To capture these complex dynamics, we employed a generalized memfractance model that interpolates between memristive, memcapacitive, and second-order memristive elements. This model, employing fractional-order derivatives, accurately fitted the experimental data, revealing the device's memory effects. The emergence of memfractance in this colloidal system opens new avenues for neuromorphic computing and unconventional information processing architectures, leveraging the unique properties of liquid-state memory devices

Correlation between Reactive Aggression in Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children and Maternal Self-Handicapping: The Mediating Role of Maternal Chronic Fatigue

Background: Stress and mental pressure in challenging situations, particularly those involving deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children, can profoundly impact mothers. This research investigated the mediating role of maternal chronic fatigue (CF) in the relationship between reactive aggression in DHH children and maternal self-handicapping.Methods: This study employed a descriptive correlational research design. The statistical population of this research included all mothers and their DHH elementary school children studying at special education centers in Ahvaz, Khuzestan Province, Iran, during the academic year 2022–2023. The convenience sampling method was used to select a sample of 202 mothers with DHH children. Data collection involved the Reactive-Proactive Aggression Scale, Self-Handicapping Questionnaire, and Chalder Fatigue Scale. Data analysis was conducted using the Pearson correlation test and structural equation modeling with AMOS version 24 and SPSS version 27.Results: The mean and standard deviation of DHH children’s reactive aggression, maternal self-handicapping, and chronic fatigue were 20.37±4.84, 54.55±11.16, and 21.47±6.12, respectively. The results revealed a significant correlation between selfhandicapping and CF in mothers and between CF in mothers and reactive aggression in children (P=0.001). Reactive aggression in DHH children was significantly correlated with their mothers’ self-handicapping, mediated by maternal CF (P=0.010). The analysis did not yield statistically significant evidence supporting the correlation between maternal self-handicapping tendencies and their children’s reactive aggression. Based on the results, the model’s fit indices, including NFI, CFI, TLI, RFI, and RMSEA, were 0.98, 0.99, 0.99, 0.97, and 0.022, respectively.Conclusion: Consequently, the final modified model exhibited a good fit based on the research findings. Analyzing these correlations presents an opportunity to discern the factors contributing to reactive aggression in DHH children, thereby facilitating the development of appropriate therapeutic interventions

99mTc-MIBI Lung Scintigraphy in the Assessment of Pulmonary Involvement in Interstitial Lung Disease and Its Comparison With Pulmonary Function Tests and High-Resolution Computed Tomography

Abstract: The differentiation of active inflammatory processes from an inactive form of the disease is of great value in the management of interstitial lung disease (ILD). The aim of this investigation was to assess the efficacy of 99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc- MIBI) scans in distinguishing the severity of the disease compared to radiological and clinical parameters. In total, 19 known cases of ILD were included in this study and were followed up for 1 year. Five patients without lung disease were considered as the control group. The patients underwent pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and high-resolution computed tomography scans, followed by 99mTc-MIBI scanning. The 99mTc-MIBI scans were analyzed either qualitatively (subjectively) or semiquantitatively. All 19 ILD patients demonstrated a strong increase in 99mTc-MIBI uptake in the lungs compared to the control group. The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were higher in the patient group in both the early phase (0.24[0.19–0.31] vs 0.11[0.10–0.15], P<0.05) and the delayed phase (0.15[0.09–0.27] vs 0.04[0.01–0.09], P<0.05) compared with the control group. A positive correlation was detected between the 99mTc-MIBI scan and the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scores (Spearman’s correlation coefficient ¼ 0.65, P<0.02) in the early phase but not in the delayed phase in patients (P>0.14). The 99mTc-MIBI scan scores were not significantly correlated with the PFT findings (P>0.05). In total, 5 patients died and 14 patients were still alive over the 1-year follow-up period. There was also a significant difference between the uptake intensity of 99mTc-MIBI and the outcome in the early phase (dead: 0.32[0.29–0.43] vs alive: 0.21[0.18–0.24], P<0.05) and delayed phase (dead: 0.27[0.22–0.28] vs alive: 0.10[0.07–0.19], P<0.05). The washout rate was �40 min starting from 20 min up to 60 min and this rate was significantly different in our 2 study groups (ILD: 46.61[15.61–50.39] vs NL: 70.91[27.09–116.36], P¼0.04). The present study demonstrated that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might distinguish the severity of pulmonary involvement in early views, which were well correlated with HRCT findings. These results also revealed that 99mTc-MIBI lung scans might be used as a complement to other diagnostic and clinical examinations in terms of functional information in ILD; however, further investigations are strongly require

Association of serum uric acid with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the independent correlation between serum uric acid and low-grade inflammation (measured by high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hs-CRP) in postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 378 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected in a population-based study. Circulating hs-CRP levels were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method and an enzymatic calorimetric method was used to measure serum levels of uric acid. Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple linear regression and logistic regression models were used to analyze the association between uric acid and hs-CRP levels. RESULTS: A statistically significant correlation was seen between serum levels of uric acid and log-transformed circulating hs-CRP (r = 0.25, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors (according to NCEP ATP III criteria), circulating hs-CRP levels were significantly associated with serum uric acid levels (β = 0.20, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age and cardiovascular risk factors, hs-CRP levels ≥3 mg/l were significantly associated with higher uric acid levels (odds ratio =1.52, 95% confidence interval 1.18-1.96). CONCLUSION: Higher serum uric acid levels were positively and independently associated with circulating hs-CRP in healthy postmenopausal women. KEYWORDS: C-reactive protein; Uric acid; inflammation; postmenopaus

Examination of causes behind procrastination among Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences employees and proposing some strategies for their preventing: A study using the Van Wyk’s Model

Background: Competition among the organizations and enterprises plays a particularly important role in the gathering of the profits and acquisition of internal and external resources. Procrastination is one of the main barriers to efforts made towards increasing the productivity and efficiency in the organizations. Accordingly, the main goal of this research was to explore the reasons of procrastination among the employees based on Van Wyk’s model and present some strategies for preventing it. Methods: Descriptive-analytical in nature, this study was conducted on a sample of 200 employees selected from Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences using a self-designed checklist developed based on the informational components incorporated in the Van Wyk’s model. This model consists of 9 factors affecting the level of procrastination observed among the employees i.e. resistance, boredom, perfectionism, last-minute syndrome, lack of motivation for a task, fear of failure, skill deficit, rebelliousness and disorganization. The validity of the developed checklist was checked using its assessment by the expert professors and its reliability was measured with Cronbach's alpha. Both of them were confirmed (Cronbach's alpha of 90%). To analyze the data, T-test and variance analysis were used.Results: The results of the study showed that there was a statistically significant relationship between employee’s resistance, boredom, perfectionism and lack of motivation for task and procrastination (p=0.001); however, the association between fear of failure, rebelliousness and disorganization and procrastination was not statistically significant (p=0.871).Conclusions: The availability of high quality organizational capital will enhance the chance of organization’s success, survival and advancement. As a result, identifying the attributes of human resources and the factors influencing their efficiency so as to exploit the human capital more optimally and remove the reasons of procrastination is of high significance.

Data on copper level in the blood of patients with normal and abnormal angiography

In this data article, we measured the levels of copper in the blood of patients undergoing coronary angiography. The samples were taken from patients with cardiovascular disease in Bushehr's university hospital, Iran. Patients were divided in two groups: normal angiography and abnormal angiography. After the chemical digestion of samples, the concentration levels of Cu in both groups were determined by using inductively coupled plasma optical spectrometry (ICP-OES). & 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY licens