Poor sleep quality in patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: An intervention study using the PRECEDE-PROCEED model

Background: Poor sleep quality (SQ) is common among patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). This study attempted to determine the status of SQ following an intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model in patients with poor SQ after CABG. Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial. The study sample, including 100 patients referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Clinic of Tehran Heart Center, was assigned either to the intervention (recipient of exercise and lifestyle training plus designed intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model) or to the control group (recipient of exercise and lifestyle training). Eight training sessions over 8 weeks were conducted for the intervention group. Predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors as well as social support and SQ were measured in the intervention group before and one month after the intervention and compared to those in the control group at the same time points. Results: The mean age of the patients in the intervention (24 women) and control (24 women) groups was 59.3 ± 7.3 and 59.5 ± 9.3 years, respectively. The results showed that the mean scores of SQ (p value < 0.001), knowledge (p value < 0.001), beliefs (p value < 0.001), sleep self-efficacy (p value < 0.001), enabling factors (p value < 0.001), reinforcing factors (p value < 0.001), and social support (p value < 0.001) were significantly different between the intervention and control groups after the intervention. Conclusion: Adding an intervention based on the PRECEDE-PROCEED model to the cardiac rehabilitation program may further improve the SQ of patients. © 2015 Tehran Heart Center. All rights reserved

Effect of Sliding Contact on the Structure of Cu-X Nanolaminates

Structural metallic nanolaminates (coatings consisting of alternating layers of different metals) are being explored for applications ranging from high strength foils to wear resistant coatings due to their relatively high hardness. This study seeks to explore how the nanolaminate structure evolves after deposition due to sliding contact. Using two-component Cu-Nb and Cu-Ag model systems (with 20 and 100 nm individual layers), the scratch and wear behavior was characterized using linear reciprocating deformation testing. It was shown that the damage due to sliding (depth of wear track) and coefficient of friction both increased with increasing layer thickness

Enhanced differentiation of wharton�s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in insulin-producing cells by the extract of nigella sativa seeds

Background: With regards to the high potential of medicinal plants in the production of biopharmaceuticals, one can rely on the promising prospect of insulin production via plant resources. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of using plant extract for insulin-producing cells. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study using critical case sampling. Six samples were gathered from the umbilical cord (Wharton�s jelly) in a governmental university affiliated hospital, Sari, Iran in 2017 after successful isolation of mesenchymal stem cells. Initially, Nigella sativa seeds extraction was performed to prepare the extract for cellular differentiation. Next, dithizone (DTZ) staining was used to evaluate insulin production, and insulin level was examined by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed was analyzed with the SPSS version 16 software using independent sample t-test. Results: The mean of the amount of insulin secretion was 92.33±5.13 ng/ml for the intervention and 0.33±0.15 ng/ml for the control group. The results showed that there was a significant difference in the average insulin in the culture obtained from Nigella sativa seeds between control and intervention groups (P = 0.001). In addition, via the ELISA kit and specific dithizone staining, insulin-producing cells were proven. Conclusions: In this regard, it could be concluded that the extract of Nigella sativa seeds was capable of including differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from Wharton�s jelly to Insulin-Producing Cells. © 2017, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Animal behavior informed by history: Was the Asiatic cheetah an obligate gazelle hunter?

Understanding key ecological adaptations, such as foraging, when a predator is almost extinct is complex. Nonetheless, that information is vital for the recovery of the persisting individuals. Therefore, reviewing historical, ethnobiological and recent records can assist in exploring the species behavioral ecology. We applied this approach to Asiatic cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus), which once roamed most west and central Asian countries but now is confined to a few dozens in Iran, at historical (pre-1970) and recent (post-1970) scales. We addressed a widely popular perception that Asiatic cheetahs were subjected to prey shifts from gazelles (Gazella spp.) in open plains areas to urial (Ovis vignei) in mountains because of gazelle populations declines due to anthropogenic influences. We also quantified recent prey choice of Asiatic cheetahs and their behavioral plasticity in foraging different prey species types. Although ethnobiological and historical records suggested that gazelle species were the main prey for cheetahs across their Asian range. However, urial were also commonly reported to be hunted by cheetahs across their historical Asian range, showing that the predation on mountain ungulates is not an emerging hunting behavior in Asiatic cheetahs. We found spatiotemporal plasticity in recent hunting behavior of cheetahs with selective predation on adult urial males. There was temporal overlap in hunting times for plains dwelling versus mountain ungulates, albeit with some minor differences with morning mostly for gazelles while the predation on mountain ungulates was predominantly post-midday. We provided three management implications for the recovery and restoration of cheetahs in Asia. Our work highlighted the importance of historical studies in informing the behavioral ecology of rare species

Investigation of the effect of educational program based on the health belief model on preventing behaviors exposure to polluted air among pregnant women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Air pollution creates a wide range of acute and chronic effects in pregnant mothers. This study was carried out to determine the effect of education using Health Belief Model on improving the prevention of exposure to polluted air in pregnant women. METHODS:This quasi-experimental study was carried out in two cross-sectional and interventional sections. In the cross-sectional study, 208 pregnant women were randomly selected and data were collected based on Health Belief Model questionnaire (sensitivity, severity, benefits, barriers, practice guidance and perceived self-efficacy, while calculating the scores of each section based on 100). In the intervention study, a total of 114 pregnant women (6 to 24 weeks) were selected by multistage sampling and randomly divided into two groups of case and control. The intervention was performed according to the Health Belief Model and the subjects were followed for three months and then the data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The variables of external action, sensitivity and barriers, predicted a total of 25% of behavioral changes. In the intervention study, the mean awareness score of mothers in the intervention group increased significantly from 43.18±15.50 before the intervention to 71.39±16.68 after the intervention and the mean performance score increased significantly form 73.14±11.29 to 84.75±8.54 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that the implementation of training program based on Health Belief Model with emphasis on predictive behaviors can be effective in reducing exposure to air pollution in pregnant women

Determinants of medication adherence among Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes: An application of health action process approach

Diabetes; Diet; Health profession; Health sciences; Health promotion; Insulin; Determinants, Medication adherence, Type 2 diabetes, Health action process approach, Iran © 2020 To identify determinants of medication adherence among patients with type 2 diabetes based on the health action process approach. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 734 patients with type 2 diabetes attending to south Tehran health centers during June to December 2018. Data were gathered using the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-8-Item) and the health action process approach questionnaire. We used Mann-Whitney, Pearson Chi-Squared, Fisher's Exact and Independent Samples Tests for comparison of adherence medication by demographic characteristics; and linear regression analysis to predict factors related to medication adherence based on HAPA. P-value less than 0.05 considered statistically significant. A total of 232 men and 502 women participated in the study, Mean age was 61.61 ± 9.74. Most participants (82.3) reported low medication adherence (females: 68.4). Medication adherence was significantly associated with gender (p = 0.03). Medication adherence was significantly predicted by intention (β = 0.172, p = 0.0001), task self-efficacy (β = 0.172, p = 0.01), copping planning (β = 0.6, p = 0.0001) and copping self-efficacy (β = -0.244, p = 0.001). The level of adherence to medications among type 2 diabetes patients was low. The behavior intention, task self-efficacy, copping planning and copping self-efficacy were significant determinants contributed to the medication adherence. HAPA inventory includes various factors, especially types of self-efficacy. Thus, utilization of this comprehensive model in interventional studies is suggested. These determinants should be considered in developing interventional programs to improve adherence. © 202

The efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing in reducing anxiety among female university students with primary dysmenorrhea

Background: Unpleasant experiences of dysmenorrhea can lead to increased anxiety. The anxiety associated with dysmenorrhea is a pain-related anxiety which might reduce the efficacy of medication as well as enhance the perception of pain. The present study evaluated the efficacy of eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in reducing anxiety among female university students with primary dysmenorrhea. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 88 female university students were recruited from April 2019 to February 2020. Eligible participants were selected by convenience sampling and were allocated into study groups (44 individuals in the intervention group and comparison group) using balanced block randomization. The final sample comprised 78 participants who completed the study (39 individuals in each group). Data were collected using the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Subjective Units of Distress Scale, and Validity of Cognition Scale before the intervention and at the time of the first menstrual period after completion of the intervention. The intervention group received EMDR in two individual interventional sessions which lasted approximately one hour. Data analysis was performed using analysis of variance with control of covariance method at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The results of the study showed that EMDR did not have a statistically significant effect on State-Trait Anxiety of patients with dysmenorrhea (p > 0.05). Based on the Cohen’s d effect size of 0.06 for state-anxiety, -0.01 for trait-anxiety, and partial eta square less than 0.059 for both uncorrected and corrected models, the intervention was within a trivial effect. Conclusion: EMDR intervention did not have a statistically and clinically significant effect on State-Trait Anxiety of patients with dysmenorrhea. Therefore, the efficacy of EMDR in treating dysmenorrhea-related anxiety remains inconclusive

Differentiation of wharton's jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells into insulin producing cells

Background: Diabetes caused by insulin production disturbance is considered as the most common metabolic disorder all over the world. Diabetes may outbreak because of low insulin secretion by Islets of Langerhans β-cells, insulin resistance or both of them. In this way, using stem cells, which have the capability to differentiate into Pancreatic β-cells, is one of novel methods in this field. MSCs are the most important candidates for cellular therapy. Materials and Methods: Insulin level was examined using ELIZA method. In order to examine the morphology of differentiated cells, they were stained by Dithizone. Insulin-producer cells are cells which turn into red as a result of staining. Specific gene involving insulin-producing cells was evaluated by Real Time-PCR method. Results: The ELISA results showed that the treated cells secreted more insulin than the control group. Moreover, we found differentiation of MSCs toward insulin-secreting cells. In order to evaluate insulin production in clusters on day 21 of differentiation, we used dithizone (DTZ) staining. PDX-1 gene was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. Conclusion: In this study, we differentiated MSCs into insulin-producing cells in vitro. It is concluded that MSCs may be considered as an excellent candidate in β-cell therapy in diabetes patients. © 2018, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved

A model for pushover analysis of confined masonry structures : implementation and validation

Confined masonry (CM) is a typical building technique in Latin American countries. This technique, due to its simplicity of construction and similarity with traditional practices of reinforced concrete building, presents a potential of use in European regions with moderate-to-high seismicity. However, most of the procedures for seismic design in codes for Latin America are force-based, which appears to be inadequate due to the high dissipative response observed for CM. This paper presents a simplified numerical-analytical approach to model CM structures using pushover analysis, aiming to apply performance-based design procedures. First, a data mining process is performed on a database of experimental results collected from lateral tests on CM walls to adjust prediction models for the wall shear strength and to determine the input relevance through a sensitivity analysis. Then, an analytical model of CM structures for pushover analysis is proposed with basis on a wide-column approach that employs an adaptive shear load-displacement constitutive relation. The proposed method is compared with a discrete element model that represents explicitly the confinements-masonry interaction, against the experimental results obtained in a quasi-static test of a full-scale tridimensional CM structure. The accuracy of the predictions from both methods is very satisfactory, allowing to capture the base shear-displacement envelope and also the damage patterns of the structure, thus, demonstrating the ability of the methods to be used in performance-based seismic assessment and design of CM buildings.The first author acknowledges the financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Ph.D. Grant SFRH/BD/41221/2007

Wharton's jelly derived-mesenchymal stem cells: Isolation and characterization

Wharton`s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), have a high proliferation valency and they do not produce teratogen or carcinogen after subsequent transplantation. They are known as regenerative medicine. Thus more research is needed on the isolation and characterization of mesenchymal stem cells. In this experimental study, we obtained Wharton's jelly tissues from mothers during normal vaginal delivery, after obtaining their informed consent. Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated from cultured Wharton`s jelly, cultured, and were then examined for their proliferation, immunophenotypes, and differentiation capacities. The immunophenotypes of WJ-MSCs were analyzed by flow cytometry. Differentiation was performed resulting in osteogenic, chondrogenic and adipogenic cells. WJ-MSCs formed a homogenous monolayer of adherent spindle-shaped cells. Our results showed the high capacity of the proliferation of WJ-MSCs. Immunophenotyping further confirmed the purity of the isolated cells; their surface antigen expression showed the phenotypical properties like those of WJ-MSCs. The expanded cells were positive for CD 90, CD105, and CD44; they were negative for CD34 and HLA-DR surface markers. The cells had the adipocytic, osteocytic and chondrogenic differentiation capacity. The isolation and characterization of WJ-MSCs with high purity had been conducted, and the results were obtained in a short span. The present study has revealed the feasibility of the culture medium with high glucose and 15 FBS in isolation and proliferation of WJ-MSCs. When Wharton`s jelly pieces were put in the dry bottom of the flask, very effective separation of the MSCs was achieved. © 2018 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved