Self-report demands of patients referred to social workers in Taleghani hospital, Tehran

  Background: Social workers have a responsibility to tackle the social determinants of health which cause health inequities. The hospitals’ social work units have the responsibility to improve patients' physical, mental, and social health. In this regard, understanding patients' demands is essential. The objective of the present study was to determine self-report demands of patients who were referred to social work unit in Taleghani hospital, Tehran.  Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted on the clients who were referred to social work unit of Talghani hospital, Tehran. Data was collected during autumn 2015 using convenience sampling method. Data collection form included demographic characteristics of the participants, the reason for referral to the social worker, self-report demands of the patients, and the response of the social worker to the patients. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22.0.   Results: Of all clients who had attended social work unit, 772 accepted to participate in the study (response rate 87.1%). About 43% of the patients were female. Out of 990 requests, about 50% of the clients needed assistance to resolve financial problems. Help for resolving familial and insurance problems were the subsequent demands of the clients. Meanwhile, the most common response given by the social worker to the patients’ demands was financial assistance (n=276) (28.9%), and helping to resolve patient's familial problems (n=107) (11.2%) and offering health insurance services (n=106) (11.1%) were the second and the third most common responses, respectively.  Conclusion: The present study showed that still we have a long way to meet the aims of social work unit for empowering the patients and their families to withstand difficult conditions following the disease

Modificación de tejido de poliéster mediante la fabricación de compuestos de nano-cobre

This research introduces a new method of polyester fabric surface modification in order to achieve distinctive features. The copper sulfate, sodium hydroxide and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were used to synthesize copper nanoparticles, and loaded on the polyester fabric surface. The optimal sample was considered by SEM-EDX, FT-IR and XRD devices. SEM images showed copper nanoparticles in shape of nano-plates with 150 to 600 nm in length and thickness of about 30 nm. The best results obtained on the modified fabric processed at boil for 120 min. According to the results of experiments CuO and Cu0 were synthesized on the fabric.This research introduces a new method of polyester fabric surface modification in order to achieve distinctive features. The copper sulfate, sodium hydroxide and cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were used to synthesize copper nanoparticles, and loaded on the polyester fabric surface. The optimal sample was considered by SEM-EDX, FT-IR and XRD devices. SEM images showed copper nanoparticles in shape of nano-plates with 150 to 600 nm in length and thickness of about 30 nm. The best results obtained on the modified fabric processed at boil for 120 min. According to the results of experiments CuO and Cu0 were synthesized on the fabric

Usage of alkaline glucose for Synthesis Copper Nano particle on Polyester Fabric

In this study, Nano copper from the chemical reaction between copper salt and sodium hydroxide was produced. Interestingly, simultaneous synthesis of Nano-copper chemical method and depositing Nano materials on the fabric's surface. The glucose is used as a stabilizer. An important feature of this study is, simplicity, availability, low cost and etc. The results create Nano-copper with a thickness of 30-40 nanometers on the surface of the fabric is shown. The treated fabrics could be used in diverse areas such as defense, aerospace, electronics, medical and health industries

Evaluation of Nephroprotective and Antidiabetic Effects of Gundelia tournefortii Aqueous Extract on Diabetic Nephropathy in Male Mice

Background and objectives: Due to the rapid growth of global interest in use of ethno medicinal plants, their effects and safety assessment have become substantial. Gundelia tournefortii has been used as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial agent. In the present study, nephrprotective and antidiabetic properties of Gundelia tournefortii aqueous extract (GTAE) on diabetic mice has been assessed. Methods: Seventy mice were used and diabetes was induced by administration of 150 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally in 60 mature male mice and they were randomly divided into 6 groups. Also one group (10 mice) was considered as the negative control group which received normal saline. The treatment groups received glibenclamide 10 mg/kg (G10) and 5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of GTAE through gavage for 20 days. Also, one group was considered as the non-diabetic control. On the last day, levels of blood glucose, urea and creatinine were measured in serum. After tissue processing, 5 μm sections of the kidneys were prepared and were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and used for stereological analysis. Results: GTAE at all doses and G10 significantly (p≤0.05) reduced the raised levels of blood glucose, creatinine and urea as compared to the untreated diabetic mice. Multipledoses of GTAE and G10 significantly (p≤0.05) decreased the volume and length of renal structures, compared to the diabetic untreated group. Conclusion: According to the obtained results, GTAE groups can regulate the levels of biochemical parameters and inhibit kidney damages in alloxan induced diabetic mice. It appears that GTAE can be suggested for treatment of diabetes as an anti-diabetic supplement or drug

Seismotectonics, Geomorphology and Paleoseismology of the Doroud Fault, a Source of Seismic Hazard in Zagros

In this study, the active tectonics, paleoseismicity, and seismic hazards of the Doroud Fault are examined through high-resolution satellite image interpretations, field investigations, outcrop and trench excavations, and the dating of geochronology samples. The Doroud Fault (DF), one of the essential segments of the Main Recent Fault in the northern margin of the Zagros mountain range, has a historical and instrumental background of high seismicity. We present the first constraints from tectonic geomorphology and paleoseismology along the Doroud Fault near the capital city of Dorud. Detailed observations from satellite imagery, field investigations, real-time kinematic (RTK) measurements, paleoseismological trenching, the radiocarbon (C14), and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) as ages allowed us to map the fault in detail, describe and characterize its kinematics, and document its recent activity and seismic behavior (cumulative displacements, paleoseismicity, and magnitude, as well as recurrence interval) relevant to the recent seismic activity of the Doroud Fault during the late Holocene as one of the most important seismogenic faults in Zagros. Modern alluvial terraces of gullies and loess accumulations are systematically deflected and/or offset with co-seismic rupture, landslides, and scarps, indicating that the Doroud Fault has been active in the late Quaternary and is characterized by dextral strike–slip movements with a normal component. In addition, our findings provide a comprehensive analysis of the fault displacement, the timing of paleoearthquakes, and the right-lateral slip rate of the Doroud Fault. The late Holocene slip rate of the Doroud Fault using the OSL dating the gully is as follows: the minimum and maximum horizontal slip rates are estimated to be 1.82 and 2.71 mm/yr, and vertical slip rates of 1.03 and 1.53 mm/yr are calculated for the past 4600 ± 900 years in the middle segment of the fault. This study focused on a paleoseismological trench within the archeological sites of Darbe-Astaneh. The central portion of the fault has historically hosted more than nine earthquakes in the last 66 ka years, according to the study’s findings. According to paleoseismology studies, the Doroud Fault has the seismic capability to cause earthquakes with a magnitude of more than 7.4 and a total slip rate of about 3.83 ± 0.1 m. The average recurrence interval for the identified paleoearthquakes is approximately 104 ± 7 years

Trend in global burden attributable to low bone mineral density in different WHO regions: 2000 and beyond, results from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019

Background: We aimed to document the current state of exposure to low bone mineral density (BMD) and trends in attributable burdens between 2000 and 2019 globally and in different World Health Organization (WHO) regions using the Glob al Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2019. Methods: We reviewed the sex-region-specific summary exposure value (SEV) of low BMD and the all-ages numbers and age-standardized rates of disabili ty-adjusted life years (DALYs), years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and deaths attributed to low BMD. We compared different WHO regions (Africa, the Easte rn Mediterranean Region, Europe, Region of the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Wes tern Pacific), age categories, and sexes according to the estimates of the GBD 2019 report. Results: The global age-standardized SEV of low BMD is estimated to be 2 0.7% in women and 11.3% in men in 2019. Among the WHO regions, Africa had the highest age-standardized SEV of low BMD in women (28.8% (95% uncertainty in terval 22.0–36.3)) and men (16.8% (11.5–23.8)). The lowest SEV was observed in Europe in both women (14.7% (9.9–21.0)) and men (8.0% (4.3–13.4)). An improving trend in th e global rate of DALY, death, and YLL was observed during 2000–2019 (−5.7%, −4.7%, and −11.9% change, respectively); however, the absolute numbers increased with the highest increase observed in global YLD (70.9%) and death numbers (67.6%). South east Asia Region had the highest age-standardized rates of DALY (303.4 (249.2–357.2) ), death (10.6 (8.5–12.3)), YLD (133.5 (96.9–177.3)), and YLL (170.0 (139–197.7)). Conclusions: Overall, the highest-burden attributed to low BMD was observed in the Southeast Asia Region. Knowledge of the SEV of low BMD and the attributed burden can increase the awareness of healthcare decision-makers to adopt appropriate strategies for early screening, and also strategies to prevent falls and fragility fractures and their consequent morbidity and mortality

Mortality and disability-adjusted life years in North Africa and Middle East attributed to kidney dysfunction : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

The authors would like to thank the hard work of the staff of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) for providing the best possible epidemiologic estimation of diseases in almost all regions and countries of the world, trying to reduce and eliminate poverty of knowledge and information about the diseases globally. Also, the core team authors sincerely thank all the collaborators of the GBD 2019 study who contributed to this study by providing data or a precise review of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.Peer reviewe

National, sub-national, and risk-attributed burden of thyroid cancer in Iran from 1990 to 2019

An updated exploration of the burden of thyroid cancer across a country is always required for making correct decisions. The objective of this study is to present the thyroid cancer burden and attributed burden to the high Body Mass Index (BMI) in Iran at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2019. The data was obtained from the GBD 2019 study estimates. To explain the pattern of changes in incidence from 1990 to 2019, decomposition analysis was conducted. Besides, the attribution of high BMI in the thyroid cancer DALYs and deaths were obtained. The age-standardized incidence rate of thyroid cancer was 1.57 (95% UI: 1.33–1.86) in 1990 and increased 131% (53–191) until 2019. The age-standardized prevalence rate of thyroid cancer was 30.19 (18.75–34.55) in 2019 which increased 164% (77–246) from 11.44 (9.38–13.85) in 1990. In 2019, the death rate, and Disability-adjusted life years of thyroid cancer was 0.49 (0.36–0.53), and 13.16 (8.93–14.62), respectively. These numbers also increased since 1990. The DALYs and deaths attributable to high BMI was 1.91 (0.95–3.11) and 0.07 (0.04–0.11), respectively. The thyroid cancer burden and high BMI attributed burden has increased from 1990 to 2019 in Iran. This study and similar studies’ results can be used for accurate resource allocation for efficient management and all potential risks’ modification for thyroid cancer with a cost-conscious view

Global, regional, and national burden of colorectal cancer and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Funding: F Carvalho and E Fernandes acknowledge support from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), in the scope of the project UIDP/04378/2020 and UIDB/04378/2020 of the Research Unit on Applied Molecular Biosciences UCIBIO and the project LA/P/0140/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy i4HB; FCT/MCTES through the project UIDB/50006/2020. J Conde acknowledges the European Research Council Starting Grant (ERC-StG-2019-848325). V M Costa acknowledges the grant SFRH/BHD/110001/2015, received by Portuguese national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), IP, under the Norma Transitória DL57/2016/CP1334/CT0006.proofepub_ahead_of_prin

Global, regional, and national burden of osteoarthritis, 1990–2020 and projections to 2050: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Background Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in adults, characterised by chronic pain and loss of mobility. Osteoarthritis most frequently occurs after age 40 years and prevalence increases steeply with age. WHO has designated 2021–30 the decade of healthy ageing, which highlights the need to address diseases such as osteoarthritis, which strongly affect functional ability and quality of life. Osteoarthritis can coexist with, and negatively effect, other chronic conditions. Here we estimate the burden of hand, hip, knee, and other sites of osteoarthritis across geographies, age, sex, and time, with forecasts of prevalence to 2050. Methods In this systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study, osteoarthritis prevalence in 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2020 was estimated using data from population-based surveys from 26 countries for knee osteoarthritis, 23 countries for hip osteoarthritis, 42 countries for hand osteoarthritis, and US insurance claims for all of the osteoarthritis sites, including the other types of osteoarthritis category. The reference case definition was symptomatic, radiographically confirmed osteoarthritis. Studies using alternative definitions from the reference case definition (for example self-reported osteoarthritis) were adjusted to reference using regression models. Osteoarthritis severity distribution was obtained from a pooled meta-analysis of sources using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index. Final prevalence estimates were multiplied by disability weights to calculate years lived with disability (YLDs). Prevalence was forecast to 2050 using a mixed-effects model. Findings Globally, 595 million (95% uncertainty interval 535–656) people had osteoarthritis in 2020, equal to 7·6% (95% UI 6·8–8·4) of the global population, and an increase of 132·2% (130·3–134·1) in total cases since 1990. Compared with 2020, cases of osteoarthritis are projected to increase 74·9% (59·4–89·9) for knee, 48·6% (35·9–67·1) for hand, 78·6% (57·7–105·3) for hip, and 95·1% (68·1–135·0) for other types of osteoarthritis by 2050. The global age-standardised rate of YLDs for total osteoarthritis was 255·0 YLDs (119·7–557·2) per 100 000 in 2020, a 9·5% (8·6–10·1) increase from 1990 (233·0 YLDs per 100 000, 109·3–510·8). For adults aged 70 years and older, osteoarthritis was the seventh ranked cause of YLDs. Age-standardised prevalence in 2020 was more than 5·5% in all world regions, ranging from 5677·4 (5029·8–6318·1) per 100 000 in southeast Asia to 8632·7 (7852·0–9469·1) per 100 000 in high-income Asia Pacific. Knee was the most common site for osteoarthritis. High BMI contributed to 20·4% (95% UI –1·7 to 36·6) of osteoarthritis. Potentially modifiable risk factors for osteoarthritis such as recreational injury prevention and occupational hazards have not yet been explored in GBD modelling. Interpretation Age-standardised YLDs attributable to osteoarthritis are continuing to rise and will lead to substantial increases in case numbers because of population growth and ageing, and because there is no effective cure for osteoarthritis. The demand on health systems for care of patients with osteoarthritis, including joint replacements, which are highly effective for late stage osteoarthritis in hips and knees, will rise in all regions, but might be out of reach and lead to further health inequity for individuals and countries unable to afford them. Much more can and should be done to prevent people getting to that late stage