Investigating the relationship between low serum cholesterol and suicide in attempters with depression

Background & Objective: It has been postulated that depressed individuals with low total cholesterol levels may be more likely to die prematurely from suicide. This study aimed to examine the association between low serum cholesterol and suicide in depressed attempters. Materials & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 180 suicide attempters, who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study, were recruited in 2017. The data was collected using a demographic questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II). The blood cholesterol level was measured via an auto-analyzer. Results: The mean age was 26.39±10.75 years. The average cholesterol level in the moderate, severe, and serious depression groups was 151.30±35.23, 145.89±36.32, and 145.15±33.33, respectively. The mean age was higher in the group with a higher depression level, though the difference was not significant (P=0.06). The percentage of suicide attempts in single individuals was significantly higher (P=0.02). The mean cholesterol level in the group with the highest level of depression was the lowest, but the difference was insignificant (r=-.01, P=0.85). Only in females, the level of blood cholesterol showed a nearly significant difference between groups with different severities of depression (P=0.05). Cholesterol had a significant correlation with suicide frequency (P=0.008, r=0.28). Conclusion: Our results revealed no significant association between low serum cholesterol and suicide in attempters with depression; but low total serum cholesterol may be associated with depression and suicide in depressed subjects. Yet, more studies are required for verification of this causality. © 2020, Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research. All rights reserved

Study of increasing production in trout rearing farms with focusing on water aeration systems and water physical filtration aspect in west Azarbaigan Province

This research was carried out to determined water reuse effects on growth indices of rainbow trout. For this reason 4 groups includes: control (with use of 100% fresh water), Test 1(rearing with use of 30% recycled water (with physical filtration) and 10% fresh water), Test 2(using of 10% recycled water (with physical filtration) and 30% fresh water), Test 3(using of 100% recycled water) was done. Fish stock of each groups were done with 62 fish in each square meter and average weight (15±1.5).The Growth index, SGR, CF, FCR, SR between different groups in each month was calculated and determined. In this research comparison the average of month growth increment between different groups indicated that significant decrease of growth in test groups with control group and also 1 and 2 groups with 3 group (p0.05). To comparison FCR, SR, MR has shown a significant difference between different groups to each other (p<0.05). These results shows that with increasing the replacement of water in rainbow trout culture ponds with recycled water cased significant decrease in SR and CF and significant increase in MR and finally decrease in production and density per unit area (p<0.05)

Do the patient education program and nurse-led telephone follow-up improve treatment adherence in hemodialysis patients? A randomized controlled trial

BackgroundEnd-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) is the final and permanent stage of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Hemodialysis (HD) is the most common treatment for CKD. To have desirable therapeutic outcomes, patients have to adhere to a specific therapeutic regimen that reduces the hospitalization rate and side-effects of HD. The present study aimed to determine the effects of the patient education program and nurse-led telephone follow-up on adherence to the treatment in hemodialysis patients.MethodsThis is a randomized controlled trial in which a total of 66 patients were recruited using convenience sampling and then randomly assigned to two groups of control (n=33) and intervention (n=33). Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire, the laboratory results record sheet, and the End-Stage Renal Disease Adherence Questionnaire (ESRD-AQ), which included four dimensions of HD attendance, medication use, fluid restrictions, and diet recommendations. The intervention group received a patient education program and nurse-led follow-up services through telephone communication and the Short Message Service (SMS) for 3 months. All participants filled in the questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, N.Y., USA).ResultsThe results showed a significant difference in the mean scores of HD attendance, medication use, fluid restrictions, and diet recommendations between the two groups immediately, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention (p<.001). The results also indicated a significant difference in the mean scores of four dimensions during the four-time points of measurement in the intervention group (P<0.0005). Therefore, the level of treatment adherence in the intervention group was higher than in the control group. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the mean score of laboratory values between the two groups after the intervention, except for the level of serum sodium (P=0.130).ConclusionImplementation of the patient education program and nurse-led follow-up can lead to better adherence to hemodialysis in four dimensions of HD attendance, medication use, fluid restrictions, and dietary recommendations in HD patients.Trial registrationIRCT registration number: IRCT20190127042512N1; Registration date: 2020-09-12; Registration timing: retrospectively registered: Last update: 2020-09-12

The future of psychiatry commission

Abstract not availableHarris A Eyre, Arshya Vahabzadeh, Ryan Abbott, Ian A Cook and Michael Ber

Evaluation of the comparative effectiveness of three therapeutic drug regimens in the treatment of medication overuse headache in the patients with headache

Background and Aim: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is the second leading cause of chronic headaches. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of three medication regimens in the treatment of MOH in the patients referring to the neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia in 2018. Material and Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial. Participants in this study selected from MOH patients referring to neurology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Urmia from Feb to Aug 2018. Our study included 60 patients. Patients were randomly assigned to one of the following 3 groups; prednisolone, celecoxib or a combination of both medications. The duration of treatment was 15 days for all the patients. At the end of the study period, the patients provided the information in regard to the severity, duration, and the number of headache days. Results: The mean duration of headache was 3.55 ± 1.58 months. Gender had no significant relationship with age and the duration of headache. The mean values for severity of headache were 8.2 ±0.71, 2.33 ± 0.84 and 2.3 ±0.95 at the first, second and third visits respectively. The mean values for severity of headache at first visit was higher in the patients receiving celecoxib compared to those in the other two treatment groups. At the second and third visits, the mean values for severity of headache were lower in the patients receiving combination therapy. Difference between the scores of severity of headache at the first visit was higher than those at the second and third visits in the combination group which indicated greater effect of this treatment regimen on reducing the severity of the headache compared to the other treatment groups. Conclusion: All three-treatment regimens were effective in reducing headaches, but the combination regimen was more effective. Both celecoxib and prednisolone had beneficial effects on reducing the severity of headache, but celecoxib was more effective. © 2018 the Author (s)

Reviews of the three essential elements of intensive cities: Compactness, Convenience and safety

Cities are energy-using systems in their own right, and they can use energy in dramatically more or less efficient ways. Hence urban settlement forms could have a disproportionately large effect over the Energy consumption and consequently on any effective long-term strategy for reducing C02 greenhouse gases and emission in atmosphere. This paper demonstrates through the study case of Barcelona, how to transform an existing neighborhood into a lower energy consumption and better performing system. Based on IMM (Integrated Modification Methodology) the research discusses how the urban system performance could be optimized, expanding the energy efficiency goals from buildings to the urban scale. With available an average solar radiation of about 1500 kWh/m2/year city of Barcelona has a potential to produce a significant amount of energy. Then possible mitigating solution for the Urban Heat Island effect has been considered. In this approach, the city of Barcelona, considered as a Complex Adaptive System, has been transformed with a symbiotic integration, of built-up mass layer; open spaces, streets, etc. layer; land use layer; Transportation and Mobility Layer, in order to improve the sustainability as well the living conditions, comfort and health for inhabitants in the urban and building environment. A cluster of buildings in the Eixample neighborhood has been grouped together to be the subject of potential solar power installations and associated together with the UHI (Urban Heat Island) mitigation method and then retrofitte

Effects of the crude venom of hemiscorpius lepturus (Scorpionida: Hemiscorpiidae) on mortality rate of white mice

Hemiscorpius lepturus (H. lepturus) is the most venomous scorpion in Iran. Its venom can damage vital body organs and cause fatal consequences. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of this scorpion venom on the mortality rates of mice. This experimental study was conducted on two groups of mice (treatment and control) weighing between 27 and 30 grams of the same age and race. In the treatment group, 1 micro liter of diluted crude venom of H. lepturus scorpion in 0.1 ml of normal saline was injected with suitable syringe. The control group received 0.1 ml of sterile normal saline. Data obtained from the groups were recorded and analyzed with Chi square and Fisher's exact tests. The results showed that H. lepturus venom could cause death by as much as 82 percent over 6 to 240 hours. The initial major symptoms of poisoning in mice after injection of venom included humping, lack of nutrition, immobilization, and piloerection. In final stages of life, contractions, severe shaking of legs and occasional moanings were observed, which continued until an hour before death. Not all injections of H. lepturus venom are fatal, in cases where mice had local wounds due to venom injection, they survived. It can be concluded that the injection-induced ulcers in mice are appropriate immune responses against this venom. © 2019, Connect Journal

The face of sleepiness: Improvement in appearance after treatment of sleep apnea

Study Objectives: Anecdote but no formal evidence suggests that facial appearance improves after hypersomnolent patients with obstructive sleep apnea are treated. We investigated whether masked volunteer raters can identify post- rather than pre-treatment images as looking more alert, and whether impressions are predicted by any objective changes on highly precise 3-dimensional digital photogrammetry. Methods: Participants included 20 adults with obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography and excessive sleepiness on Epworth Sleepiness Scales. Photogrammetry was performed before and after ≥ 2 months of adherent use of positive airway pressure. Twenty-two raters then assessed pre- and post-treatment facial images, paired side-by-side in random order. Results: Subjects included 14 men and 6 women, with mean age 45 ± 11 (SD) years and mean baseline apnea/hypopnea index of 26 ± 21. The 22 raters twice as often identified post-treatment rather than pre-treatment images to look more alert (p = 0.0053), more youthful (p = 0.026), more attractive (p = 0.0068), and more likely to reflect the treated state (p = 0.015). Photogrammetry documented post-treatment decreases in forehead surface volume and decreased infraorbital and cheek redness, but no narrowing of the interpalpebral fissure. Decreased deep NREM sleep at baseline, and pre- to post-treatment decrements in facial redness showed promise as predictors of improved subjective ratings for alertness. Conclusions: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are perceived to appear more alert, more youthful, and more attractive after adherent use of positive airway pressure. Objective changes in facial surface volume and color were identified. Post-treatment decrements in redness may inform subjective impressions of improved alertness

The Face of Sleepiness: Improvement in Appearance after Treatment of Sleep Apnea

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Anecdote but no formal evidence suggests that facial appearance improves after hypersomnolent patients with obstructive sleep apnea are treated. We investigated whether masked volunteer raters can identify post- rather than pre-treatment images as looking more alert, and whether impressions are predicted by any objective changes on highly precise 3-dimensional digital photogrammetry. METHODS: Participants included 20 adults with obstructive sleep apnea on polysomnography and excessive sleepiness on Epworth Sleepiness Scales. Photogrammetry was performed before and after ≥ 2 months of adherent use of positive airway pressure. Twenty-two raters then assessed pre- and post-treatment facial images, paired side-by-side in random order. RESULTS: Subjects included 14 men and 6 women, with mean age 45 ± 11 (SD) years and mean baseline apnea/hypopnea index of 26 ± 21. The 22 raters twice as often identified post-treatment rather than pre-treatment images to look more alert (p = 0.0053), more youthful (p = 0.026), more attractive (p = 0.0068), and more likely to reflect the treated state (p = 0.015). Photogrammetry documented post-treatment decreases in forehead surface volume and decreased infraorbital and cheek redness, but no narrowing of the interpalpebral fissure. Decreased deep NREM sleep at baseline, and pre- to post-treatment decrements in facial redness showed promise as predictors of improved subjective ratings for alertness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obstructive sleep apnea are perceived to appear more alert, more youthful, and more attractive after adherent use of positive airway pressure. Objective changes in facial surface volume and color were identified. Post-treatment decrements in redness may inform subjective impressions of improved alertness. CITATION: Chervin RD; Ruzicka DL; Vahabzadeh A; Burns MC; Burns JW; Buchman SR. The face of sleepiness: improvement in appearance after treatment of sleep apnea. J Clin Sleep Med 2013;9(9):845-852