Investigating the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness, flow-mediated dilatation in brachial artery and nuclear heart scan in patients with rheumatoid arthritis for evaluation of asymptomatic cardiac ischemia and atherosclerotic changes

Background: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. In order to prevent and treat heart diseases, we need to estimate the trend of non-cardiac diseases with the cardiovascular system. Arthritis Rheumatoid is a chronic immune/inflammatory process which leads to subclinical atherosclerosis and increases cardiovascular disease. We examined the patients who referred to our nuclear medicine center for MPI and correlated their findings with flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) of the brachial artery and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) in arthritis rheumatoid patients. Material and methods: A total 30 known cases with arthritis rheumatoid were referred to our department for MPI and the single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging were visually and quantitatively evaluated by two nuclear medicine physicians and the correlation of the measured FMD and CIMT were evaluated and compared with ultrasonography data. Demographic information such as gender, age and sex and medical history (risk factors, cardiovascular sign and symptoms, lab findings, medication etc…) were recorded in questionnaire sheets and were analyzed by SPSS.20. Chi-square and student t-test were used for further analysis. Results: The mean CIMT (R = 0.452 ± 0.07, L = 0.447 ± 0.08) and %FMD (R = 7.22 ± 8.66, L = 6.42 ± 11.88) were measured for all subjects. Age was the only parameter correlated with both right and left CIMT (P = 0.033 and P = 0.024, respectively). Among the patients, 26.7% had mild ischemia (SSS < 8) and 3 of them suffered from active arthritis rheumatoid. All patients with RA showed normal ventricular ejection fraction and normal volumes and among them, 93.3% had normal functional performance (normal wall motion…). Moreover, the mean CIMT and %FMD were not significantly different in ischemic and non-ischemic patients. Among ischemic patients, just the course of the disease was associated with CIMT and none of the parameters was correlated with FMD. Conclusions: There is no significant statistical difference between ischemic and non-ischemic patients and also the functional performance with values of CIMT and FMD. Among all populations, the parameter of age, and in ischemic group, the course of disease were found as the only variable correlated with CIMT

Doxorubicin-induced renal inflammation in rats: Protective role of Plantago major

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of Plantago major (P. major) extract against doxorubicin (DXR)-induced renal inflammation in rats. Materials and Methods: 80 male albino rats were randomly divided into 8 groups as follows: control, DXR, Ext (extract) 600, Ext1200, dexamethasone+DXR, vitamin E+DXR, Ext600+DXR, and Ext1200+DXR. Duration of the study was 35 days and DXR was intravenously injected on the 7th day of the experiment. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) production and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression levels were assessed in the left kidney. Serum creatinine concentration and osmolarity were determined on the 1st, 14th, 21st, 28th and 35th days of the experiment. Results: DXR caused a significant increase in renal expression of MCP-1 and TNF-α production compared to control animals. Administration of dexamethasone, vitamin E and P. major extract significantly improved the expression of these inflammatory mediators compared to DXR group. Compared to day 1 in DXR group, serum osmolarity showed a significant increase on days 21, 28 and 35. Also, on these days, serum osmolarity in DXR group was significantly higher than that on the same days in control group. In Vit E+DXR and Ext 1200+DXR groups, there was no significant changes in serum osmolarity among different days of the study. However, in these groups, serum osmolarity on days 21, 28 and 35 showed a significant decrease compared to the same days in DXR group. Conclusion: Present results suggest that hydroethanolic extract of P. major protected renal tissue against DXR–induced renal inflammation

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on fear of intimacy and selfcriticism in women working in Welfare Institute of Kerman

Introduction:  This research aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on fear of intimacy and self-criticism in women working in welfare Institute of Kerman City. Method: It was a quasi-experimental study including a pre-test, post-test, and one-month follow-up with a control group. Among all the working women in this institute, 50 women were recruited via convenience sampling method and were randomly put in experimental and control group. The experimental group received eight sessions of ACT, while the control group received no intervention. Covariance analysis were used for analyzing the data using SPSS software. Results: Our results showed that the self-criticism and the fear of intimacy were reduced in the experimental group after eight sessions of ACT. This finding was still significant in the one-month follow up (P<0/05).Conclusion: The results showed that the ACT group training can be effective to modify the self-criticism and fear of intimacy. 

Relative importance of factors affecting construction hazards in the design phase

Identifying the root causes of construction accidents has indicated that not only contractors but designers and architectures are capable of influencing construction workers safety. The aim of this study is to investigate and prioritize factors affecting construction hazards in the design phase. To achieve the aim of this study, a questionnaire survey was distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. Relative Importance Index method was used to prioritize factors in order of level of effect on construction hazards. The results indicated that Lack of designers safety knowledge, Lack of designers knowledge about construction processes and Late involvement of constructors in the design process have the highest level of effect while Lack of safety organizations which evaluates the safety level of design and Few application of components' prefabrication have the lowest level of effect on hazards in the design phase of construction projects

Relative importance of hazards at construction sites

Construction hazard identification is one of the fundamental steps in construction safety management therefore identifying hazards and determining their severities of consequences are extremely important. The aim of this study is to investigate and rank the construction hazards in order of the severity of consequences. The data for this study were collected using a questionnaire survey, distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites within Malaysia. The results of this study indicated that the most critical construction hazards are Awkward postures, Forceful exertions and Physical injury hazards which originate from process of work and manual handling of operations and equipments. On the contrary Blue green algae and Fungi are the least critical construction hazards which are not critical threats to the safety and health of construction workers. In addition to training and educational purposes, the results of this study can be used in preparing appropriate construction safety and health plans

interleukin-33 and interleukin-18 serum levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis

Background and Aim: Limited studies have been focused on the role of IL-33 and IL-18 in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).This study was done to measure the levels of IL-18 and IL-33 in the serum of patients with RA, before treatment, three month after treatment and compare to patients with osteoporosis as well as healthy controls. Materials and Methods: Sera were obtained from 20 patients with RA before treatment, 15 patients with osteoporosis and 30 healthy controls that have been matched to patients group. IL-33 and IL-18 levels were measured using ELISA assay. Results: Serum levels of IL-33 were significantly higher in patients with RA before treatment 5.47± 0.142 (pg/ml) versus three months after treatment 4.34±0.072, P=0.001, and control subjects 4.53±.076 (pg/ml), P=0.000. There were significant differences between IL-33 serum levels in patients with RA before treatment compare to osteoporosis subjects before treatment (5.47± 0.142 versus 3.65±0.08, P=0.000). The serum IL-18 levels of the RA patients before treatment 482.12±67.38 (pg/ml) were significantly higher than the IL-18 level three months after treatment 302.67±55.33 (pg/ml) P=0.004, the control group 216.19±47.56 (pg/ml) P= 0.004 and patients with OP 316.79±53.72, p= 0.001. Conclusion: Our results showed that IL-33 and IL-18 are highly active in RA and these cytokines might be closely involved in the pathologic mechanisms of the disease

Risk assessment of ergonomic risk factors at construction sites

Construction as a complex industry challenges the protection of safety and health of workers who are exposed to many risk factors in construction sites. Exposure to these risk factors may develop Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The study is aimed at prioritizing Ergonomic Risk Factors (ERFs) in order of risk. To achieve the aim of this study, a questionnaire survey was distributed among respondents randomly selected from construction sites in Malaysia. The results of this study indicated that the most critical ERFs are Extreme hot temperature, Leaning forward/side, twisting the back and Organizational factors, while the least critical ERFs are Kneeling positions on hard surfaces, Holding tools with longitudinal ridges on handles tightly and Using hands or knees as a hammer. Identification of ERFs and their risk levels are the results of this study. Successful safety performance and management necessitate the investigation of ERFs and hazards regarding risk levels

The Frequency of Breast Cancer Among Women Referred to Hospitals for Biopsy in Birjand, Iran During 2011-2013

Background: This study aims to demonstrate the frequency of malignant breast cancer (BC) according to pathologic findings in Birjand during 2011-2013 years. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, the sample consisted of pathologic records from 229 breast biopsies of two hospitals in Birjand. Results: Most of the biopsies in women were malignant cases which nearly 90% of them were detected after lymph node involvement. The mean age of women with malignant BC was 48.8 years. Conclusions: A notable proportion of our cases were diagnosed in metastatic stages as advanced BC. It further highlights the importance of screening and diagnosis at earlier stages.

Relationship of Physical Activity Facilitators and Body Mass Index in Kashan Elderly

Introduction: There are many factors that affect the level of physical activity and body mass index of the elderly. The current study aimed to assess the relationship of  physical activity facilitators and body mass index of Kashan elderly. Methods: The cross-sectional study sampled 400 elderly older than 60 referred to 10 healthcare centers in Kashan, 2014, via multistage quota method. Participations were tested under demographic characters, body mass index(BMI) level, and exercise benefits part of exercise benefits and barrier scale (persian  version) for measurig  physical activity facilitators. Data were analyzed in SPSS software, descriptive statistic, Spearman correlation test, Chi-Square and Ordinal regression. Results: Of the participations73.6% were overweight or obese. Median and interquartile range (IQR) of  physical activity facilitators was 75 and 33 respectively. The most prominent  physical activity facilitators was" physical activity increases my physical ability, (83.2%). There was a significantly inverse relationship between  physical activity facilitators  score and BMI of participants (r=-0.233, P=0.001). Ordinal regression evealed that mostly predictor of  BMI among  physical activity facilitators was "physical activity improves the quality of my work " (OR=8.683, P=0.001). Conclusion: Results identified  physical activity facilitators directly is related to improve physical circumstances of the elderly people. Surly poviding  physical activity facilitators through educational and interventional programs may improve the health status of aging population