Effect of a Self-Management and Follow-Up Program on Self-Efficacy in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system with profound effects on patients’ independence and self-efficacy. Then, it is still questionable whether self-management programs in patients with MS affect the patients’ self-efficacy. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a self-management program plus regular follow-up on self-efficacy in patients with MS. Patients and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was performed on 80 patients with relapsing remitting MS who were randomly allocated to an intervention (n = 40) and a control group (n = 40). The MS self-efficacy scale was completed before and after the intervention. The intervention group was divided into four small subgroups of ten. Then, each subgroup was invited to participate in four training sessions about self-management. During the two months after the self-management sessions, a weekly telephone follow-up was conducted for each patient in the intervention group. The control group did not receive any intervention other than routine care. Data were analyzed using SPSS 11.5. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and independent-samples t-testes were used to analyze the data. Results: No significant difference in mean scores of baseline self-efficacy was found between the control (52.90 ± 8.03) and the intervention groups (54.90 ± 9.51) (P = 0.313). However, a significant difference was observed between the control (50.90 ± 5.71) and the intervention groups (59.80 ± 5.27) regarding mean scores of self-efficacy at the end of the study (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Implementing the self-management program plus regular follow-up increased the perception of self-efficacy in patients with MS. Similar self-management programs are recommended to be integrated in the regular caring of patients with MS

Crystal size and shape distribution systematics of plagioclase and the determination of crystal residence times in the micromonzogabbros of Qisir Dagh, SE of Sabalan volcano (NW Iran)

The Qisir Dagh igneous complex occurs as a combination of volcanic and intrusive rocks to the south-east of the Sabalan volcano, north-western Iran. Micromonzogabbroic rocks in the region consist of plagioclase, alkaline feldspar and clinopyroxene as the major mineral phases and orthopyroxene, olivine, apatite and opaque minerals as the accessory minerals. Microgranular and microporphyritic textures are well developed in these rocks. Considering the importance of plagioclase in reconstructing magma cooling processes, the size and shape distribution and chemical composition of this mineral were investigated. Based on microscopic studies, it is shown that the 2-dimensional size average of plagioclase in the micromonzogabbros is 538 micrometers and its 3-dimensional shape varies between tabular to prolate. Crystal size distribution diagrams point to the presence of at least two populations of plagioclase, indicating the occurrence of magma mixing and/or fractional crystallization during magma cooling. The chemical composition of plagioclase shows a wide variation in abundances of Anorthite-Albite-Orthoclase (An = 0.31—64.58, Ab = 29.26—72.13, Or = 0.9—66.97), suggesting a complex process during the crystal growth. This is also supported by the formation of antiperthite lamellae, which formed as the result of alkali feldspar exsolution in plagioclase. The calculated residence time of magma in Qisir Dagh, based on 3D crystal size distribution data, and using growth rate G = 10—10 mm/s, varies between 457 and 685 years, which indicates a shallow depth (near surface) magma crystallization and subvolcanic nature of the studied samples

Management ofwater content of soil in cultivation of greenhouse cucumber (Cucumis sativus L, Nasim variety) in Isfahan- Iran

Measurement and control of water content of soil is an essential factor in irrigation management, to apply the best management practice for reducing water consumption and improving product quality. The water content of soil is an important factor in greenhouse where it is directly related to the total amount of water consumed for irrigation. Since cucumbers (Cucumis sativus L, Nasim variety) is considered as the main and much used summer crop in Iran, which are extremely sensitive to adverse conditions particularly water stress, determination and supply of water is vital for this plant. To this end, maximum allowable depletion (MAD) should be determined. This experiment was conducted in the research greenhouse (Plastic Covered) of Islamic Azad University in Khorasgan, Isfahan, during a period of five months. This project was implemented in the framework of three 40, 60, and 80 cm bar water suction treatments with three replications using tensiometer. Before treatment application, water content of soil was determined in weight. MAD in 40, 60, and 80 cm bar treatments was 22, 32 and 50%, respectively. Statistical results and mean comparison demonstrated that MAD of 22 and 32% led to a significant yield increase (P&lt;0.001), while MAD of 50% had the least yield. The results reveal that there was a significant difference between MAD of 22 and 32% in increasing leaf area index (LAI) (P&lt;0.001).Key words: Maximum allowable depletion, greenhouse cucumber, tensiometer, leaf area index

Optimal Planning of On-Grid Hybrid Microgrid for Remote Island Using HOMER Software, Kish in Iran

HOMER software functions as a tool for modeling and optimization of an energy generation micropower system based on renewable technologies. In this paper for the first time the monthly real load data have been used in HOMER to design a renewable-based microgrid in grid-connected mode for Kish Island, Iran. The calculations were performed in a way that the designed system could supply the load demand of the studied area with the lowest cost, least pollution, and highest reliability. To overcome the intermittency of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, a combination of these sources in a hybrid system and installation of battery storage systems were considered. The solar radiation and wind speed data required by the software were obtained from the country’s meteorology and NASA website and used in the software. The analysis results of four scenarios, including national grid/diesel generator, national grid/diesel generator/solar cell, national grid/diesel generator/wind turbine, and national grid/diesel generator/solar cell/wind turbine, showed the prices per kWh of $0.483,$0.505, $0.472,$0.537, respectively. In these scenarios, the share of renewable energies was 0%, 8%, 11%, and 26%, respectively. The highest amount of electricity sold to the national grid was 1597095 kWh/y for the fourth scenario which had also the lowest rate of CO2 emissions by 4128650 kg/y

In vitro antifungal activity of plant extracts on Saprolegnia parasitica from cutaneous lesions of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) eggs

Saprolegnia parasitica Coker is the main agent of saprolegniosis, one of the most important causes of economic losses in the rainbow trout farming industry in Iran. In this work, seven essential oils (2 species) and ethanol extracts (5 species) were tested against a strain of S. parasitica from cutaneous lesions of Oncorhynchus mykiss eggs, using a continuously agitated broth technique that allows both the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC > 50 %) and the minimum lethal concentration (MLC> 99.9 %) to be evaluated. The essential oils of Thymus daenensis and Thymus khuzestanicum (MIC > 50 % = 0.63 µl ml-1 and MLC> 99.9 % = 22 µl ml-1) and ethanol extracts of Tanacetum parthenium and Mentha longifolia (MIC > 50 % = 31.25 and 62.5 µg ml-1 and MLC> 99.9 % = 600 and 550 µg ml-1, respectively) showed higher inhibition against S. parasitica than the other extracts. In general, our study suggests that natural products derived from some medicinal plants have the potential to be used as health rainbow trout eggs

Cost effectiveness of Malaria interventions from preelimination through elimination: a study in Iran

Background: Malaria still is considered as a public health problem in Iran. The aim of the National Malaria Control Department is to reach the elimination by 2024. By decreasing the number of malaria cases in preelimination phase the cost effectiveness of malaria interventions decreases considerably. This study estimated the cost effectiveness of various strategies to combat malaria in preelimination and elimination phases in Iran. Methods: running costs of the interventions at each level of intervention was estimated by using evidence and expert opinions. The effect of each intervention was estimated using the documentary evidence available and expert opinions. Using a point estimate and distribution of each variable the sensitivity was evaluated with the Monte Carlo method. Results: The most cost-effective interventions were insecticide treated net (ITN), larviciding, surveillance for diag- nosis and treatment of patients less than 24 hours, and indoor residual spraying (IRS) respectively, No related evi- dence found for the effectiveness of the border facilities. Conclusion: This study showed that interventions in the elimination phase of malaria have low cost effectiveness in Iran like many other countries. However ITN is the most cost effective intervention among the available interventions