87 research outputs found

    COVID-19 and Asthma: What comments we need to know?

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    BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory respiratory disease more common in children. Microbial agents such as viruses are a common trigger of asthma. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a pandemic disease that could lead to the exacerbation of allergic disorders such as asthma. The aim of this study is to write a narrative review of COVID-19 and asthma condition.METHODS: We searched in Google scholar, PubMed, and Scopus databases with keywords COVID-19, asthma, corticosteroid, and inhaled steroids.RESULTS: We found a few original articles on the combined subject of asthma and COVID-19. More than 50% of our data is expert comments at valid websites such as https://www.AAAAI.org or https://ginasthma.org. The typical treatment recommended in the exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) included the use of corticosteroids. The routine use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19 without obstructive lung disease is not advised, as it may prolong viral replication.CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma need to continue on their preventive asthma medication, such as inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in pandemic COVID-19

    Chronic urticaria associated with malignancies: A review article

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    BACKGROUND: Chronic urticaria is a cutaneous disorder defined by the presence of hives and flare for over six weeks. Etiology of chronic urticaria is not clear in 80 to 90 percent of patients. Malignancies are possible associations with allergic disorders such as urticaria. The purpose of this article was to review the expression of chronic urticaria with various malignancies.METHODS: We searched in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases in English using the keywords chronic urticaria, urticarial, malignancy, and cancer. Inclusion criteria were both full and brief articles, case reports, case series, and original article up to June 2018.RESULTS: We found 258 articles on the primary search. After screening by two researchers, 23 articles were included. Most studies failed to find a link between hives and malignancy. Four studies showed a relationship between hives and malignancy. Five studies showed no relationship between hives and malignancy, and suggested that urticaria could even have a protective effect. As there were no homogenous results, we could not write a meta-analytic study.CONCLUSION: The relationship between chronic urticaria and malignancy is not clear. We need a more organized researches to clarify the association between urticaria and malignancies

    Margin Changes Effects of Price and Return Volatility in Gold Coin Futures Market at Iran Mercantile Exchange

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    Supervisory institutes have paid a great attention to the use of margin as a control tool of excessive speculation in futures contracts market. Therefore, this paper studied margin changes effects on price and price volatility in Iran Mercantile Exchange (hereafter IME) using gold coin futures contracts data from November 2008 to July 2014. The US commodity futures trading commission (henceforth CFTC) has the authority to increase the margin to control speculators activities and prices in future contracts market. According to our research, based on information garnered from futures contracts market of Bahar-e-Azadi gold coin in IME, we concluded that any increase in margin results in higher open position costs, which begets price ascend. Considering our results, more amount of margin begets speculator providing liquidity out of the market, consequently surges price volatility. However, the results showed that there is no significant difference between effects of increased and decreased margins. Unfavorably, the effect of considerable margin change was smaller than that of small ones

    Antihistamines in Pregnancy

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    Allergic disorders are increasing prevalence from decades. Often of allergic diseases such as chronic urticaria in some aspects of quality of life of patients affected. Outdoor and indoor allergens can cause   aggravation of symptoms in allergic patients. H1-antihistamines have been available for decades and those are over-the-counter drugs. The first generation H1-antihistamines have anticholinergic and sedative effects. Basically, their use (H1 blockers) for the routine management of allergic diseases is not recommended.  Second generation H1-antihistamines (bilastine, cetirizine, desloratadine, ebastine, fexofenadine, levocetirizine, loratadine, and rupatadine) have minimally or non-sedating and free of anticholinergic effects. About 10–15% of pregnant women used antihistamine within pregnancy

    Evaluation of shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets using trans-illumination technique with different curing profiles of LED light-curing unit in posterior teeth.

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    BackgroundAlthough using light-cured composites for bonding orthodontic brackets has become increasingly popular, curing light cannot penetrate the metallic bulk of brackets and polymerization of composites is limited to the edges. Limited access and poor direct sight may be a problem in the posterior teeth. Meanwhile, effectiveness of the trans-illumination technique is questionable due to increased bucco-lingual thickness of the posterior teeth. Light-emitting diode (LED) light-curing units cause less temperature rise and lower risk to the pulpal tissue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical effectiveness of trans-illumination technique in bonding metallic brackets to premolars, using different light intensities and curing times of an LED light-curing unit.MethodsSixty premolars were randomly divided into six groups. Bonding of brackets was done with 40- and 80-s light curing from the buccal or lingual aspect with different intensities. Shear bond strengths of brackets were measured using a universal testing machine. Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance test and Duncan's post hoc test.ResultsThe highest shear bond belonged to group 2 (high intensity, 40 s, buccal) and the lowest belonged to group 3 (low intensity, 40 s, lingual). Bond strength means in control groups were significantly higher than those in experimental groups.ConclusionsIn all experimental groups except group 6 (80 s, high intensity, lingual), shear bond strength was below the clinically accepted values. In clinical limitations where light curing from the same side of the bracket is not possible, doubling the curing time and increasing the light intensity during trans-illumination are recommended for achieving acceptable bond strengths

    Recent Applications of Deep Learning Algorithms in Medical Image Analysis

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    Advances in deep learning have enabled researchers in the field of medical imaging to employ such techniques for various applications, including early diagnosis of different diseases. Deep learning techniques such as convolutional neural networks offer the capability of extracting invariant features from images that can improve the performance of most predictive models in medical and diagnostic imaging. This work concentrates on reviewing deep learning architectures along with medical imaging modalities where the crucial applications of such algorithms, including image classification and segmentation, are discussed. Also, brain imaging as a branch of medical imaging which allows scientists to explore the structure and function of the brain is explored, and the applications of deep learning to early diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease, and Autism as the most critical brain disorders are studied. Moreover, the recent research findings revealed that employing deep learning-based semantic segmentation techniques could significantly improve the accuracy of models developed for brain tumor detection. Such advances in early diagnosis of disorders and tumors encourage medical imaging practitioners to implement software applications assisting them to improve their decision-making process

    Prioritizing pre-hospital and hospital emergency staff’s training needs regarding traffic accidents: Comparing the viewpoints of experts and target group

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    Background and Aims: It is essential to recognize the current situation and training needs for staff in the field of traffic accident prevention in order to organize suitable training programs. This study was conducted to assess the educational needs of pre-hospital and hospital personnel with respect to traffic accidents in 2015.Materials and methods: This combined study was conducted in three phases-collection of qualitative data, design and validation of the needs assessment questionnaire, and a cross-sectional study. In the first stage, the assessment questionnaire was prepared using semi-structured interviews. The content validityof the questionnaire was then conducted by an expert panel. Finally, educational needs of the target group were assessed in a cross-sectional study using the questionnaire. All stages of this research were conducted ethically. Results: Results showed that the most important educational needs of pre-hospital centers were CPR training, opening up airways, checking the status of victim awareness, and ABC training courses. The three priorities of hospital emergency centers included ways to deal with special cases (such as amputation), advanced burn life support, and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) with the same degree of importance and self-care as in a road accident course.Conclusion: The identified priorities point out that it is necessary to formulate and implement educational programs to enhance the skills of pre-hospital and hospital staff

    Survey status of providing Virtual Reference Services in academic libraries of Tehran Universities of Medical Sciences

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    Abstract Aim and background: Advent internet and related technologies have changed the way academic libraries provide reference services. One of the new ways providing services is virtual reference services. This study is conducted with the aim of determining the current status of providing virtual references services in college libraries of five medical science universities of Tehran. Materials and methods: this is an applied research, which was carried out through a survey descriptive. Data was gathered using a researcher- developed questionnaire that was answered by 31 library managers of five medical science universities of Tehran. We used SPSS software version 16 to analyze the collected data. Results: the results showed that %90 of the library managers had B.sc degree or higher. 29% of the libraries use email, % 3/2 use chat and %3/2 use short message system (SMS) for providing virtual reference services. None of the libraries use video conference. %40 of ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences and 35% of the Baghiyatollah University of Medical Sciences use email virtual reference services. Overall, ShahidBeheshti University of Medical Sciences has better status. Conclusion: from this study, it can be concluded that a few numbers of the understudy libraries provide virtual reference services and there are not in a good status. In order to provide Modern services to users, library managers should improve virtual reference services. Keywords: Virtual reference, academic library, Health Science Universit

    IQ Score of Children with Persistent or Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Comparison with Healthy Children

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    How to Cite This Article: Ghaffari J, Abbaskhanian A, Jalili M, Yazdani Charati Y. IQ Score of Children With Persistent or Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: Comparison with Healthy Children. Iran J Child Neurol. 2014 Summer; 8(3): 44-48. AbstractObjectivePrevalence of allergies is different around the world. Allergic rhinitis is a common chronic disease in children.Intelligence quotient (IQ) is an indicator of efficacy and many factors including chronic diseases may affect it. This study compares the IQs of children diagnosed with persistent or perennial allergic rhinitis with healthy children.Material & MethodsThis was a comparative study that was conducted from June 2011–May 2013 in an academic referral clinic. In this study, 90 patients aged 6- to 14-yearsold who were diagnosed with persistent or perennial allergic rhinitis and were compared to 90 age and gender match healthy patients from their respective families. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for hildren was used to divide and calculate overall IQ, verbal IQ, and practical IQ. The t-test and chi square were used to analyze quantitative variables and qualitative variables, respectively.Results In this study, out of total 180 children, 90 (50%) in the case group and 90 children (50%), the control group participated for IQ comparison. One hundred (57%) were male and 80 (43%) were female. The overall IQ for allergic rhinitis patients and healthy patients was 109.2 and 107.5, respectively. This difference was not considered significant. Furthermore, there was no significant difference between the IQ scores of males and females.ConclusionAlthough allergic rhinitis is a chronic disease and effects quality of life, there were no identifiable negative effects on IQ.  ReferencesGhaffari J, Mohammadzadeh I, Khaliian A, Rafatpanah H, Mohammadjafari H, Davoudi A. Prevalence of asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in elementary schools in Sari(Iran). Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine. 2012; 3(1):372-76.Mohammadzadeh I, Barari-Savadkoohi R, Alizadeh- Navaei R. The prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Iranian children: A systematic review and descriptive metaanalysis. Journal of Pediatrics Review. 2013; 1(2):19-24.Ghaffari J. Prevalence of Aeroallergens in Skin Test of Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Eczema, and Chronic Urticaria Patients in Iran. Journal 0f Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. 2012; 22(87): 139-151 (Persian).Horn JL, Cattel RB. Refinement and test of the theory of fluid and crystallized intelligence. Journal of  ducational Psychology. 1966;57:253–70.Black KC, Hynd GW. Epilepsy in the School aged child: Cognitive-Behavioral Characteristic and effect on Academic performance. School Psychology Quarterly. 1995;10:345–58.Wolters PL, Brouwers P, Moss HA. Pediatric HIV disease: Effect on cognitive learning and behavior. School Psychol Quarterly. 1995;10:305–28.Gutstadt LB, Gillette JW, Mrazek DA, Fukuhara JT, LaBrecque JF, Strunk RC. Determinants of school performance in children with chronic asthma. The American Journal of Diseases of Children. 1989;143:471–5.Liesker JW, Postma DS, Beukema RJ, ten Hacken NH, van der Molen T, Riemersma RA, et al. Cognitive performance in patients with COPD. Respiratory Medicine. 2004;98:351–356.Zhou G, Liu J, Sun F, Xin X, Duan L, Zhu X, Shi Z. Association of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Cognitive Decline in Very Elderly Men. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders Extra. 2012 Jan-Dec; 2(1): 219–228. Published online 2012 May 22. doi: 10.1159/000338378.Marshall PS, Colon EA. Effects of allergy season on mood and cognitive function. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 1993 Sep;71(3):251-8.Groth-Marnat G. Handbook of psychological assessment. Wiley.4th ed. 2003:p.129-195.Shahim S. Adaptation and Standardization of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for children Revised. Shiraz University Press. 1373. p.5-94.Marshall PS, O’Hara C, Steinberg P. Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on selected cognitive abilities. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. 2000 Apr;84(4):403-10.Bender BG. Are asthmatic children educationally handicapped? School Psychology Quarterly. 1995;10:274–91.Ghaffari J, Abaskhanian A, Jalili M. IQ Score of Children with Moderate Asthma: Comparison with Healthy Children. Oman Medical Journal. 2014 Jan; 29(1):71-74.Daramola OO, Ayoola OO, Ogunbiyi AO.The comparison of intelligence quotients of atopic and nonatopic children in Ibadan, Nigeria. Indian Journal of Dermatology. 2010 Jul-Sep;55(3):221-4. doi: 10.4103/0019-5154.70665.Keremer B, Den Hartog HM, Jolles J. Relationship between allergic rhinitis, disturbed cognitive functions and psychological well-being. Clinical & Experimental Allergy. 2002; 32:1310-1315

    اولویت بندی نیازهای آموزشی کارکنان مراکز اورژانس پیش بیمارستانی و بیمارستانی در خصوص سوانح و حوادث ترافیکی: تبیین نظرات متخصصان و گروه های هدف

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    Background and Aims: It is essential to recognize the current situation and training needs for staff in the field of traffic accident prevention in order to organize suitable training programs. This study was conducted to assess the educational needs of pre-hospital and hospital personnel with respect to traffic accidents in 2015.Materials and methods: This combined study was conducted in three phases-collection of qualitative data, design and validation of the needs assessment questionnaire, and a cross-sectional study. In the first stage, the assessment questionnaire was prepared using semi-structured interviews. The content validityof the questionnaire was then conducted by an expert panel. Finally, educational needs of the target group were assessed in a cross-sectional study using the questionnaire. All stages of this research were conducted ethically.Results: Results showed that the most important educational needs of pre-hospital centers were CPR training, opening up airways, checking the status of victim awareness, and ABC training courses. The three priorities of hospital emergency centers included ways to deal with special cases (such as amputation), advanced burn life support, and advanced trauma life support (ATLS) with the same degree of importance and self-care as in a road accident course.Conclusion: The identified priorities point out that it is necessary to formulate and implement educational programs to enhance the skills of pre-hospital and hospital staff.زمینه و اهداف: برای برنامه ریزیهای آموزشی مناسب در زمینه پیشگیری و برخورد با سوانح و حوادث ترافیکی، شناخت وضعیت و نیازهای  آموزشی کارکنان ارائه دهنده این خدمت ضروری است. پژوهش حاضر با هدف نیازسنجی آموزشی پرسنل و مدیران مراکز پیش بیمارستانی وبیمارستانی در خصوص سوانح و حوادث ترافیکی در سال 1395 انجام شد. مواد و روشها: این پژوهش به صورت ترکیبی  در سه مرحله جمع آوری دادههای کیفی، طراحي و اعتبار سنجی ابزار نیاازسنجي و مطالعه مقطعي انجام گردید. در مرحله اول با استفاده از مصاحبه های نیمه ساختاریافته، چارچوبی از ابزار نیازسنجی به دست آمد و در مرحله بعد روایی صوری و محتوایی ابزار با استفاده از پنل متخصصان صورت گرفت و در مرحله آخر نیازهای آموزشی گروههای هدف با استفاده از ابزار بدست آمده در یک مطالعه مقطعی مشخص گردید. تمام مراحل تحقیق با رعایت اخلاق پژوهش و با کسب رضایت شرکت کنندگان انجام گردید. یافته ها : مهمترین نیاز آموزشی مراکز پیش بیمارستانی، به ترتیب، دوره آموزشی CPR، دوره آموزشی بررسی وضعیت هوشیاری مصدوم و باز کردن راههای هوایی و دوره آموزشی ABC بود. همچنین سه اولویت اول مراکز اورژانس بیمارستانی به ترتیب، دوره آموزشی نحوه برخورد با موارد خاص مثل قطع عضو، دوره های آموزشی سوختگیهای پیشرفته وATLS اقدامات پیشرفته برخورد با بیماران ترومایی  با درجه اهمیت یکسان و دوره آموزشی خود مراقبتی در سوانح و حوادث جادهای بود. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به اولویتهای استخراج شده، لازم است از طرق تدون و برگزاري برنامه های آموزشي به ارتقاء مهارتهای پرسنل مراکز پیش بیمارستانی و بیمارستانی اقدام نمود
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