A Comparative Study of Influential Factors Impacting Women’s Activities in Traditional and Modern Neighborhood Spaces in Tehran, Iran

Neighborhood spaces are regarded as the main arenas for women’s social interactions. Thus, women should be completely comfortable in these spaces. Nonetheless, some studies have indicated that women’s presence and activities in such spaces are both prevented or decreased, and accordingly gendered space is established. Gendered spaces play a significant role in gender identity and roles. Thus, it is necessary to identify the factors which formed various spaces. It seems that physical factors which make spaces non-responsive for women, along with socio-cultural factors such as attitudes and social norms can influence women’s activities and their presence in neighbourhood spaces. To better understand this phenomenon, this paper reports on a study of two neighborhoods in Tehran, Iran: Imamzadeh Yahya, which is governed by dominant religious norms and the Zargandeh neighbourhood, where modern, non-traditional norms dominate. In order to evaluate physical and social factors, observations and semi-structured interviews were employed. First, the researchers recorded the type of women’s activities and presence in formal, public streets in the selected neighborhoods throughout the day, in the morning, afternoon and evening. Collected data were analyzed data using qualitative methods. Subsequently, 20 women’s personal narratives from each neighborhood were collected and analyzed. The results indicated that both physical and socio-cultural factors play a significant role in the times of women’s presences, the types of activities they engaged in and specific places where women gathered. In addition, observations indicated that the expression of social norms about gender identity prevented women from gathering in the neighborhoods in traditional spaces. In Imamzadeh, the presence of men who accepted traditional women’s roles such as motherhood lead to a decrease in women’s presence. However, the reverse results were obtained in the modern space

The effect of progressive muscle relaxation program on chronic low back pain and living daily activities in patients with intervertebral disc: a randomized clinical trial

زمینه و هدف: عمده‌ترین علت کمردرد، فتق دیسک بین مهره‌ای است. شایع ترین علامت این بیماری درد است که باعث کاهش فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی در بیماران مبتلا می‌گردد. این پژوهش با هدف بررسی تأثیر برنامه آرامسازی پیشرونده عضلانی بر میزان درد مزمن کمر و فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی بیماران مبتلا به دیسک بین مهره‌ای انجام شده است. روش بررسی: در این کارآزمایی بالینی که به صورت موازی انجام شد، 56 بیمار مبتلا به فتق دیسک بین مهره‌ای کمر به صورت تصادفی در گروه 28 نفره آزمون و کنترل تقسیم شدند. به بیماران گروه آزمون طی 7 جلسه تئوری و عملی با تأکید بر 14 گروه عضلانی، برنامه آرامسازی پیشرونده عضلانی آموزش داده شد. پرسشنامه مقیاس شدت درد و فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی، قبل از مداخله، بعد از یک ماه مداخله و بعد از سه ماه مداخله در دو گروه تکمیل گردید. یافته ها: در مجموع 56 بیمار مطالعه را به پایان رساندند. برنامه آرامسازی پیشرونده عضلانی باعث کاهش میانگین شدت درد و افزایش ابعاد فعالیت های روزمره زندگی در گروه آزمون بعد از سه ماه مداخله نسبت به قبل از مداخله شده است (001/0>P). همچنین آزمون آماری آنالیز واریانس با اندازه گیری های مکرر، تفاوت معنی‌داری را در سه بار اندازه گیری میزان درد و امتیاز کل و امتیاز ابعاد فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی در گروه آزمون نشان می‌دهد (001/0>P). در گروه کنترل این تفاوت ها معنی‌دار نبود. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به یافته‌های این پژوهش، برنامه آرامسازی پیشرونده عضلانی تأثیر به سزایی در کاهش درد مزمن کمر و افزایش فعالیت‌های روزمره زندگی بیماران مبتلا به دیسک بین مهره‌ای دارد. به کارگیری این برنامه برای کاهش درد مزمن کمر و افزایش فعالیت های روزمره زندگی بیماران مبتلا به دیسک بین مهره ای پیشنهاد می گردد

An Investigation of the Effectiveness of Distance Learning on Nutrition Quality of Hemodialysis Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has limited hemodialysis patient’s attendance in healthcare centers and receiving diet education. This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of distance learning on the nutrition quality of hemodialysis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In the single-blind randomized clinical trial, 60 patients undergoing hemodialysis were randomly divided into control (n=30) and experimental (n=30) groups. Before and after the intervention, Dialysis Malnutrition Score (DMS), Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS) (primary outcome), albumin, the total iron-binding capacity of the blood (TIBC), and body mass index (BMI) (Secondary outcome) were investigated. The experimental group received educational content through social networks for three months, whereas the control group received routine care and training. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of the mean of DMS, MIS, albumin, and TIBC before the intervention. Pre-test BMI had a confounding effect; therefore, an analysis of covariance was performed to eliminate that effect. This analysis showed significant differences in the post-test mean DMS, MIS, TIBC, and BMI between the two groups. In the control group, significant differences were observed in MIS and BMI toward deterioration. The results also indicated a significant relationship between education level and age with TIBC and between marital status and albumin index. Conclusion: Distance learning can be considered by healthcare managers and police makers as a suitable alternative to the classic face-to-face learning method to enhance hemodialysis patients’ nutrition quality during the COVID-19 pandemic

Evaluating the effect of a herb on the control of blood glucose and insulin-resistance in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes (a double-blind clinical trial)

Background: Different benefits of various herbal medicines in decreasing blood sugar have been reported in different clinical trials so far. Considering the growing tendency toward these combinations and the booming market, inappropriate advice is growing accordingly. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the effects and possible complications of such combinations on health status and blood glucose control. Methods: Two 38-subject groups were formed and a 12-week treatment program was administered for both groups. The inclusion criteria were failure to control blood glucose with two oral medicines, unwillingness to inject insulin. The medicine was prepared in capsules by Booali Company. Each capsule weighed 750 mg and contained nettle leaf 20 (w/w), berry leaf 10 (w/w), onion and garlic 20 (w/w), fenugreek seed 20 (w/w), walnut leaf 20 (w/w), and cinnamon bark 10 (w/w) all in powder. Results: At the beginning of the study, there was no significant difference between the subjects regarding the evaluated parameters, but after the intervention, the level of glucose was significantly lower in fasting (P=0.0001) and 2-hour postprandial(P=0.002) levels. The level of glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) (P=0.0001) also decreased from 0.33±9.72 to 0.20±8.39 . Finally, the level of insulin resistance reduced from 1.9±4.1 to 1.4±2.6 (P=0.001) after consuming herbal medicine. Conclusion: According to the results of the current study, the herbal combination was effective in controlling blood sugar, and considering the reduction of HbA1c by 1.31 , it seems that the herbal combination is an effective medicine to treat diabetes. &#160

A Cone-Beam Computed Tomography-Based Evaluation of Root dilaceration in Permanent Premolars: A Retrospective Study

Statement of the Problem: As a developmental disorder characterized by an abnormal bend and angle in the longitudinal axis of the tooth root, dilaceration can cause complications in routine dental procedures such as endodontics, orthodontics, and surgical treatments.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of dilaceration in maxillary and mandibular premolar teeth in a population of Shiraz city based on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).Materials and Method: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study on 927 premolar teeth and 132 CBCT radiographs of patients obtained from four private radiology clinics in Shiraz (Iran). In this study, the presence, location, direction, and severity of dilaceration in premolar roots as well as its relationship with gender were investigated. Chi-square and Fisher tests were used to analyze the data.Results: The results showed that 17% of the studied 927 teeth had dilaceration. The prevalence of dilaceration was significantly higher in women than in men (20.3% vs. 13.6%, p= 0.005). The dilaceration rates were significantly higher in the mandibular first and second premolar teeth (31.6% and 26%, p= 0.002) than in the other teeth. In addition, the highest prevalence was in the distal direction with mild severity in the apical third of the root (p< 0.001).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the prevalence of dilaceration was relatively high in mandibular premolar teeth especially in women

Effects of Placenta Location in Pregnancy Outcomes of Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS): A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objective: Placenta Accreta Spectrum (PAS) affects approximately one in a thousand deliveries. Very few studies evaluated PAS risk factors based on their location. In this study, we have investigated the effects of placenta location on placental adhesion-related complications, its risk factors, and outcomes. Materials and methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of pathology-confirmed cases of PAS from patients with peripartum hysterectomy, at a large educational hospital in Qazvin, Iran, from 2009 to 2019. Placenta location was found by ultrasound reports and intraoperative evaluation. We measured demographic features, basic characteristics, maternal and neonatal outcomes based on placental location including anterior, posterior, and lateral in Placenta Accreta Spectrum. Chi-square, t-test, and one-way ANOVA were used to examine the relation of complications, risk factors, and outcomes in PAS. Results: A review of 70 cases showed the distribution of placenta location as follows: 57% anterior, 27% posterior, and 16% lateral. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35 (33-39) weeks. In 78.6% (n=55) of the patients, an association with placenta previa and in 94/2% (n=66) of cases a history of cesarean section was found, however, it was not significantly correlated with placenta location (p=0.082). We found that surgery duration was significantly longer in patients with lateral PAS (155±38, vs 129.35±33.8 and 133.15±31.5 for anterior and posterior placenta respectively, p=0.09). Patients with lateral PAS also bled more than the remaining two groups (2836 ml for lateral PAS vs 2002 and 1847 for anterior and posterior placenta respectively, p=0.022). Moreover, women with a history of uterine surgery were more likely to have posterior PAS compared to those with anterior and lateral PAS (p=0.035). Conclusion: Differences in complications, risk factors, and outcomes of PAS based on placenta location may lead to improved diagnosis and decreased morbidity in women

Association of body mass index and physical activity with fatigue, depression, and anxiety among Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis

IntroductionDepression, fatigue, and anxiety are three common clinical comorbidities of multiple sclerosis (MS). We investigated the role of physical activity (PA) level and body mass index (BMI) as modifiable lifestyle factors in these three comorbidities.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in the MS specialist clinic of Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Demographic and clinical data were collected. BMI was categorized in accordance with the WHO’s standard classification. Physical activity (PA) level and sitting time per day were obtained using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Fatigue, anxiety, and depression scores were measured using the Persian version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Beck’s Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) questionnaires, respectively. The correlation between the metabolic equivalent of tasks (MET), BMI, and daily sitting hours with depression, anxiety, and fatigue were checked using the linear regression test. The normal BMI group was considered a reference, and the difference in quantitative variables between the reference and the other groups was assessed using an independent sample t-test. Physical activity was classified with tertiles, and the difference in depression, anxiety, and fatigue between the PA groups was evaluated by a one-way ANOVA test.ResultsIn total, 85 MS patients were recruited for the study. The mean ± SD age of the participants was 39.07 ± 8.84 years, and 72.9% (n: 62) of them were female. The fatigue score was directly correlated with BMI (P: 0.03; r: 0.23) and sitting hours per day (P: 0.01; r: 0.26) and indirectly correlated with PA level (P &lt; 0.01; r: −0.33). Higher depression scores were significantly correlated with elevated daily sitting hours (P: 0.01; r: 0.27). However, the correlation between depression with PA and BMI was not meaningful (p &gt; 0.05). Higher anxiety scores were correlated with BMI (P: 0.01; r: 0.27) and lower PA (P: 0.01; r: −0.26). The correlation between anxiety and sitting hours per day was not significant (p &gt; 0.05). Patients in the type I obesity group had significantly higher depression scores than the normal weight group (23.67 ± 2.30 vs. 14.05 ± 9.12; P: 0.001). Fatigue (32.61 ± 14.18 vs. 52.40 ± 12.42; P: &lt;0.01) and anxiety (14.66 ± 9.68 vs. 27.80 ± 15.48; P: 0.01) scores were significantly greater among participants in the type II obesity group in comparison with the normal weight group. Fatigue (P: 0.01) and anxiety (P: 0.03) scores were significantly different in the three levels of PA, but no significant difference was found in the depression score (P: 0.17).ConclusionOur data suggest that a physically active lifestyle and being in the normal weight category are possible factors that lead to lower depression, fatigue, and anxiety in patients with MS

Efficacy evaluation of endolift laser for treatment of nasolabial folds and marionette lines

Background: The nasolabial folds are the most marked sign of aging. Endolift laser was used for the treatment of nasolabial folds and marionette lines (one of the facial danger zones). Methods: Ten female subjects were engaged in this study. Patients underwent Endolift laser for nasolabial folds and marionette lines treatment. The efficacy of the Endolift technique on the nasolabial folds and marionette lines was evaluated by biometric assessment with Cutometer, Visioface, and the Skin Ultrasound Imaging system. Also, patient's satisfaction and blinded dermatologists’ assessment were assessed. Results: The Visoface results displayed that the Endolift laser treatment significantly declined the depth and area of the nasolabial wrinkles. The skin ultrasonography results reported that the epidermis and dermis density and thickness were significantly increased. Also, the cutometer outcomes showed that the Endolift laser treatment can increase skin elasticity. The results showed that a large number of patients were very satisfied with the technique. Conclusion: In conclusion, Endolift laser has an effective technique for decreasing the nasolabial folds, marionette lines, and improve the appearance of the face without any sever side effect. This technique does not need general anesthesia and recovery time. </br

Physicians’ and nurses’ decision making to encounter neonates with poor prognosis in the neonatal intensive care unit

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020. Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Sage in Clinical Ethics on 03/06/2020.Available online: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1477750920927173acceptedVersio