32 research outputs found
Encouraging and Discouraging Factors in Application of Information and Communication Technologies in Agricultural Extension in Isfahan Province of Iran
The benefits of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs) for agricultural extension purposes and activities
are obvious. The main objective of this article is to identify encouraging
and discouraging factors in application of ICTs in
agricultural extension in Isfahan province of Iran. This study
investigated areas of ICTs application by Extension Workers
(EWs), too. The research design was a descriptive method.
The population includes 320 Isfahan province EWs that 200
person were choose by census and stratified sampling methods.
In our contribution we focused on finding. Face and content
validity of the questionnaire was established using a panel of
experts consisting of faculty members in the Departments of
Agricultural Education and Extension, Tarbiat Modares University
and extension officers in the Isfahan Province Agricultural
Jihad Organization. Cronbach's Alpha to estimate the reliability
of the instrument was among 82.6 - 87.8. On the ranking of
principal areas of applying ICTs by EWs in extension “typing
letters/report”, and “prepare and protect file on process basic
agricultural and rural information”, and “access to the latest
agricultural news and information”, had most usage. The main
result of the study revealed that the EWs in the study approximately
use ICT quite a bit. For EWs ICT Encouraging Items
Principal FactorAnalysis extracted four factors which accounted
for 76.24% of the total variance. And Factor analysis for EWs
ICT discouraging Items extracted six factors which accounted
for 62.84% of the total variance
Use of Computer and Internet in Agricultural Extension as Perceived by Extension Workers
The purpose of this study was to determine computer and
Internet use in agricultural extension by Extension Workers
(EWs). This study used a descriptive-correlational design.
Population for the study consisted of all extension workers (N
= 320) in Isfahan Province, Iran. A stratified sampling technique
and census was used to select EWs (n = 200). Overall, findings
indicate that EWs have access to computers both at work and
home. On average, they use computers approximately 6 – 8
hours per week and majority of them use the Internet on
average of 1 – 4 hours per week. A majority of them reported
“fair to high level” of skills in computer usage. For example,
writing CDs, word processing, using computers for file management,
and basic computer skills. However, extension agent’s
report “no to a low level” of skills relative to using excel,
installing software, power point and micro soft access, Photoshop,
statistical software, were the skills that EWs did not have. It
was proved necessary to conduct a systematic assessment of
training needs relative to computer and Internet use. Systematic
training should be conducted in the areas that Extension
Workers perceived to be less skill
Health care-associated infections, including device-associated infections, and antimicrobial resistance in Iran: The national update for 2018
Introduction. Surveillance of health care-associated infections (HAIs) is an essential part of an efficient healthcare system. This study is an update on incidence and mortality rates of HAIs in Iran in 2018.
Methods. Almost all hospitals across the country (940 hospitals) entered the data of HAIs and denominators to the Iranian Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (INIS) software. Statistics were derived from INIS.
Results. From 9,607,213 hospitalized patients, 127,953 suffered from HAI, 15.65% of whom died. The incidence rate of HAI was calculated as 4.2 per 1000 patient-days. Considering relative frequencies among HAIs, Pneumonia (29.1%) and UTIs (25.6%) were the most common types of infection. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was the most frequent device-associated infection (DAI) 25.66 per 1000 ventilator-days, and had the highest mortality rate (43.08%). Incidence density of other DAIs was 5.43 for catheter-associated UTI and 2.86 for catheter-associated BSI per 1000 device-days. Medical ICUs had the highest incidence and percentage of deaths (15.35% and 37.63%, respectively). The most causative organisms were Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumonia. The rate of methicillin-resistance Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing bacteria was about 49%, 57%, and 58% respectively.
Conclusion. The findings indicate that HAIs in Iran require special attention, and further studies are needed to evaluate them more accurately, identify risk factors and preventive interventions
Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Alter Metabolites of Brain Cholesterol Homeostasis in An Alzheimer’s Model
Objective: Disruption of cholesterol homeostasis in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) plays a crucial role in diseasepathogenesis, making it a potential therapeutic target. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show promise in treatingcognitive impairment and provide a novel therapeutic approach. This study aims to investigate the effects of MSCs onspecific metabolites associated with brain cholesterol homeostasis in an AD rat model.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, animals were divided into three groups: control, AD, andAD+MSCs. AD was induced using amyloid beta (Aβ) and confirmed through the Morris water maze (MWM) behaviouraltest and Congo red staining. MSCs were extracted, characterised via flow cytometry, subjected to osteoblast andadipose differentiation, and injected intraventricularly. The cholesterol metabolite levels were measured using gaschromatography-mass spectrometry (GC)-MS and compared among the groups.Results: Treatment with MSCs significantly improved memory function in the AD+MSCs group compared to theAD group and the number of beta-amyloid plaques decreased according to histological assessment. Disturbancesin the brain cholesterol metabolites that included desmosterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, 24S-hydroxycholesterol,27-hydroxycholesterol and cholesterol were observed in the AD group compared to the control group. Treatment withMSCs resulted in significant alterations in the levels of these metabolites.Conclusion: The findings indicate that MSC therapy has the potential to improve AD by modulating brain cholesterolhomeostasis and promoting the differentiation of stem cells into nerve cells. The results emphasize the importance ofinvestigating the role of cholesterol metabolites in the context of MSC therapy to gain deeper insights into underlyingmechanisms of the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in AD
Sex Differences in the Renal Vascular Responses of AT1 and Mas Receptors in Two-Kidney-One-Clip Hypertension
Background. The prevalence and severity of hypertension, as well as the activity of the systemic and local renin angiotensin systems (RASs), are gender related, with more symptoms in males than in females. However, the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we investigated sex differences in renal vascular responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) administration with and without Ang II type 1 and Mas receptor (AT1R and MasR) antagonists (losartan and A779) in the 2K1C rat model of renovascular hypertension. Methods. Male and female 2K1C rats were divided into 8 experimental groups (4 of each sex) treated with vehicle, losartan, A779, or A779+losartan. Responses of mean arterial pressure (MAP), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) to Ang II were determined. Results. In both sexes, the basal MAP, RBF, and RVR were not significantly different between the four groups during the control period. The Ang II administration decreased RBF and increased RVR in a dose-related manner in both sexes pretreated with vehicle or A779 (Pdose<0.0001), but in vehicle pretreated groups, RBF and RVR responses were different between male and female rats (Pgroup<0.05). AT1R blockade increased RBF and decreased RVR responses to Ang II, and no difference between the sexes was detected. Coblockades of AT1R and MasR receptors increased RBF response to Ang II significantly in males alone but not in females (Pgroup=0.04). Conclusion. The impact of Ang II on RBF and RVR responses seems to be gender related with a greater effect on males, and this sex difference abolishes by Mas receptor blockade. However, the paradoxical role of dual losartan and A779 may provide the different receptor interaction in RAS between male and female rats
Vascular Response to Graded Angiotensin II Infusion in Offspring Subjected to High-Salt Drinking Water during Pregnancy: The Effect of Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Urine Output, Endothelial Permeability, and Gender
Introduction. Rennin-angiotensin system and salt diet play important roles in blood pressure control. We hypothesized that the high-salt intake during pregnancy influences the degree of angiotensin-dependent control of the blood pressure in adult offspring. Methods. Female Wistar rats in two groups (A and B) were subjected to drink tap and salt water, respectively, during pregnancy. The offspring were divided into four groups as male and female offspring from group A (groups 1 and 2) and from group B (groups 3 and 4). In anesthetized matured offspring mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate and urine output were measured in response to angiotensin II (AngII) (0-1000 ng/kg/min, iv) infusion. Results. An increase in MAP was detected in mothers with salt drinking water (P<0.05). The body weight increased and kidney weight decreased significantly in male offspring from group 3 in comparison to group 1 (P<0.05). MAP and urine volume in response to AngII infusion increased in group 3 (P<0.05). These findings were not observed in female rats. Conclusion. Salt overloading during pregnancy had long-term effects on kidney weight and increased sex-dependent response to AngII infusion in offspring (adult) that may reveal the important role of diet during pregnancy in AngII receptors
Use of Computer and Internet in Agricultural Extension as Perceived by Extension Workers
The purpose of this study was to determine computer and
Internet use in agricultural extension by Extension Workers
(EWs). This study used a descriptive-correlational design.
Population for the study consisted of all extension workers (N
= 320) in Isfahan Province, Iran. A stratified sampling technique
and census was used to select EWs (n = 200). Overall, findings
indicate that EWs have access to computers both at work and
home. On average, they use computers approximately 6 – 8
hours per week and majority of them use the Internet on
average of 1 – 4 hours per week. A majority of them reported
“fair to high level” of skills in computer usage. For example,
writing CDs, word processing, using computers for file management,
and basic computer skills. However, extension agent’s
report “no to a low level” of skills relative to using excel,
installing software, power point and micro soft access, Photoshop,
statistical software, were the skills that EWs did not have. It
was proved necessary to conduct a systematic assessment of
training needs relative to computer and Internet use. Systematic
training should be conducted in the areas that Extension
Workers perceived to be less skill
Encouraging and Discouraging Factors in Application of Information and Communication Technologies in Agricultural Extension in Isfahan Province of Iran
The benefits of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for agricultural extension purposes and activities are obvious. The main objective of this article is to identify en- couraging and discouraging factors in application of ICTs in agricultural extension in Isfahan province of Iran. This study investigated areas of ICTs application by Extension Workers (EWs), too. The research design was a descriptive method. The population includes 320 Isfahan province EWs that 200 person were choose by census and stratified sampling methods. In our contribution we focused on finding. Face and content validity of the questionnaire was established using a panel of experts consisting of faculty members in the Departments of Agricultural Education and Extension, Tarbiat Modares University and extension officers in the Isfahan Province Agricultural Jihad Organization. Cronbach's Alpha to estimate the reliability of the instrument was among 82.6 - 87.8. On the ranking of principal areas of applying ICTs by EWs in extension “typing letters/report”, and “prepare and protect file on process basic agricultural and rural information”, and “access to the latest agricultural news and information”, had most usage. The main result of the study revealed that the EWs in the study approxi- mately use ICT quite a bit. For EWs ICT Encouraging Items Principal Factor Analysis extracted four factors which accounted for 76.24% of the total variance. And Factor analysis for EWs ICT discouraging Items extracted six factors which accounted for 62.84% of the total variance
Factors Influencing the Use of and Attitude of using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Agricultural Extension, a Study in the Isfahan Province of Iran
Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are increasingly
influencing human beings and are changing our
attitudes towards these technologies. The purpose of this article
is to understand the factors influencing the use of ICTs in agricultural
extension through a descriptive research method. The
populations were 320 individuals of agricultural Extension
Workers (EWs) of Isfahan province that 200 people selected
as a research sample. The reliability of self-completion questionnaire
according to pilot test and calculating Cronbach's
alpha for four part of the instrument was 82.6 - 87.8. The
results revealed that the EWs have a positive attitude toward
using ICT. They mostly viewed it as a useful tool for extension,
which can potentially save money and time and extension. On
the ranking of principal areas of applying ICTs by EWs “typing
letters/report”, “prepare and protect file on process basic agricultural
and rural information”, had most usage. The main
result of the study revealed that the EWs approximately use
ICT quite a bit. Also, the EWs with high school diploma
degree used ICT less than the EWs with MSc degree and the
EWs with 5 years and less experience had higher ICT application
than the EWs with 15-16 year experience