Clinical efficacy of convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 infections: Results of a multicenter clinical study

Since Dec. 2019 the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and claimed life of several hundred thousand worldwide. However, so far no approved vaccine or drug therapy is available for treatment of virus infection. Convalescent plasma has been considered a potential modality for COVID-19 infection. One hundred eighty-nine COVID-19 positive patients including 115 patients in plasma therapy group and 74 patients in control group, registered in the hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, entered this multi-center clinical study. Comparison of outcomes including all-cause mortality, total hospitalization days and patients� need for intubation between the two patient groups shows that total of 98 (98.2 ) of patients who received convalescent plasma were discharged from hospital which is substantially higher compared to 56 (78.7 ) patients in control group. Length of hospitalization days was significantly lower (9.54 days) in convalescent plasma group compared with that of control group (12.88 days). Only 8 patients (7) in convalescent plasma group required intubation while that was 20 in control group. This clinical study provides strong evidence to support the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients and recommends this treatment for management of these patients. Clinical efficacy, immediate availability and potential cost effectiveness could be considered as main advantages of convalescent plasma therapy. © 2020 Elsevier Lt

Comparison of the Level of Physical Activity in Field Dependent and Field Independent Students

It is necessary to understand the effective factors in participation in physical activity in order to increase this activity in school students. The aim of the present study was to compare the level of physical activity between field dependent/ independent students in guidance schools of Kharame city of Fars province. At first 150 male students were randomly selected and after Frame and Rod test, 100 subjects were divided into two groups: field dependent group (mean age of 12.82±0.96 years, height 155.9±6.65 cm, weight 47.5±12.27 Kg) and field independent group (mean age of 13.32±0.89 years, height 158.1±8.61 cm, weight 51±15.74 Kg). Frame and Rod test was used to measure dependence and independence and Self-assessed Physical Activity Checklist was used to evaluate physical activity. Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to check the normality of the data. Independent t test was used for statistical analysis in SPSS Version 17 (?=0.05). There was a significant difference in duration of physical activity between students with field dependent/independent cognitive styles (p=0.000). There was a significant difference in duration of moderate to burst physical activity between students with field dependent/independent cognitive styles (p=0.018). There was a significant difference in MET scores between students with field dependent/independent cognitive styles (p=0.000). There was a significant difference in MET of moderate to burst physical activity between students with field dependent/independent cognitive styles (p=0.012). The results of this study showed that students with field independent cognitive styles had more physical activity and energy expenditure than field independent students. It was concluded that the field dependent students may have more motor impairments and this claim needs more studies to be approved. Moreover, since cognitive style, as one of the variables which are the result of the interaction between the environment and individual and can be changed and developed, can be interfered, it is suggested that cognitive styles of the students change and encourage them in physical activity and healthier life through educational strategies

A hybrid fuzzy approach for the closed-loop supply chain network design under uncertainty

International audienc

The Prevalence of Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Low Socioeconomic Use individuals in Birjand 2008 (East IRAN)

Introduction : Studying the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in low socioeconomic groups is of great importance. People who are under the supervisioin and care of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation are the most deprived in Iran. The present survey aimed at investigating the prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors among  the citizens who are under the supervision of Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (IKRF). Mathrials and Methods: This cross-sectional  study was done on 1008 individuals protected by the IKRF in Birjand in 2008 through multi-stage, random sampling  Demographic were recorded. Furthermore, blood pressure, waist  circumference, weight  and height were measured by two trained nurses. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and serum lipids were measured within 12 hours of overnight fasting. Chi-square and T-test were used for data analysis at the significant level of 0.05 using SPSS software (version 15). Results: The mean age of  the subjects was 39±16.8 years and the most common risk factor proved to be dyslipidemia (72%). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia was 43/2% and 12.7% respectively. Obesity was detected in 32.1% . The prevalence of hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) appeared to be 13.1% and 6.3% respectively. Smoking was distinguished in 9.8 % of the participants. The prevalence of high Cholestrol (P=0.001),high LDL(p=0.01),low HDL(