Reply to racial and gender disparities among patients with Takotsubo syndrome

We read with great interest the Letter to the Editor titled “Racial and Gender Disparities among Patients with Takotsubo Syndrome” by Khalid et al regarding our recent publication. Their excellent comments and detailed assessment highlights the low prevalence of diabetes mellitus in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) compared to general population. This is in contrast with relatively high prevalence of many other cardiovascular risk factors in TTS patients. This so called “diabetes paradox” has been previously explained in TTS patients and is the target of many active investigations. As highlighted in the Letter to the Editor, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus in our patient population is very close to the results of prior meta‐analyses of multiple small studies of patients with TTS

Designing the customer (insurers) satisfaction model of the Iranian insurance industry emphasizing Iranian-Islamic characteristics

The present study aim was to designing a model to create satisfaction for insurers in the insurance industry of Iran (according to Iranian-Islamic characteristics). It should be noted that according to the methodology presented for this research, the approach of this research has been qualitative. The qualitative modeling process of this research, which was carried out in the grounded theory method, formed the conceptual model of research. The statistical population consisted of a group of experts. Also, in this research, a deep and unstructured interviewing tool was used to data collection. Finally, the results of the research led to the presentation of a model of satisfaction process for insurers in the insurance industry of Iran (according to Iranian- Islamic characteristics). In terms of purpose, this research is applied, in terms of method is qualitative and in terms of approach is survey-exploration.Keywords: Customer Satisfaction, Insurance Industry, Grounded Theory (GT

Generation of pcdna 3.1+-gh as a recombinant expression vector of ostrich growth hormone cdna in saccharomyces cerevisiae

Growth hormone is essential hormone for vertebrates like the ostrich (Struthio camelus) for growth stimulation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein assimilation etc. Growth hormone is secreted by the pituitary gland and expressed in many cells and tissues. The purpose of this study was generation of pcDNA 3.1+-GH recombinant expression vector in order to sub-clone ostrich growth hormone cDNA into Escherichia coli. In brief, total RNA was extracted from the pituitary gland tissue and cDNA sample was synthesised. The cDNA was amplified by PCR and revealed a 672 bp fragment on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. Then, the ostrich growth hormone cDNA was extracted from the gel and was cloned into pCR8/GW/TOPO vector by T/A cloning technique to produce pCR8/GW/TOPO-GH. After obtaining the sequence of cDNA of the ostrich in Iran, it was submitted in GenBank (Accession number: JN559394). Finally, the GH cDNA was sub-cloned using pcDNA 3.1+ into Saccharomyces cerevisiae and pcDNA 3.1+-GH recombinant expression vector was generated. The results of present study were showed that ostrich growth hormone cDNA was successfully sub-cloned into Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Therefore, the pcDNA 3.1+-GH recombinant expression vector generated in this study could be useful to express the ostrich growth hormone in yeast cells as a simple and affordable way to produce this hormone at a large scale

Validity and reliability of a questionnaire for assessment of fatigue, health and social well-being in suburban bus drivers

Background and aims: Health, fatigue, and social well-being in suburban bus drivers are the most important factors of their function and frequency of car accidents and any disorder in this regard could lead to unpleasant outcomes for passengers and other people of society. Therefore, developing an instrument capable of identifying and expressing effective factors on this occupation well seems necessary. The present study was conducted to validate a questionnaire of fatigue, health, and social well-being in bus drivers. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 285 suburban bus drivers in Soffeh and Kaveh bus terminals of Isfahan, Iran. Simple random sampling was done. After the questionnaire was translated, its validity was assessed by a panel of experts, calculation of content validity ratio (CVR), content validity index (CVI), and exploratory factor analysis. The questionnaire’s reliability was assessed by test-retest and internal consistency and for this purpose, respectively; internal consistency coefficient (ICC) and Cronbach’s alpha were used. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS software. Results: In determining face validity, occupation control was deleted. Also, organizational support was deleted from organizational factors and assessed independently as “Employer’s support”. Mean CVI of the questionnaire was obtained 0.92 and in determining CVR, for most items the values higher than 0.65 were measured. Exploratory factor analysis with varimax rotation yielded three factors with Eigen value of higher than one as follows: Health, organizational factors, and fatigue. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was obtained 0.882 for the whole questionnaire and total ICC was obtained 0.87. Conclusion: This study represented suitable evidence on strength of factor construct and instrument reliability and could be considered by researchers as a tool for research, training, and practical purposes in bus drivers

The relationship between body image and marital adjustment in infertile women

Introduction: Body image is one of the most important issues in women's mental health and due to its relationship with physical, cognitive and emotional aspects of women’s life; it can predict their healthy or unhealthy behaviors. According to some research reports, women’s negative or positive body image can affect their marital relationships. Considering the impact of infertility on both body image and marital adjustment and the lack of evidence regarding the relationship of these two variables in infertility, this study aimed to investigate the relationship of body image with marital adjustment in infertile women in 2010 in Mashhad. Methods: This correlational study was carried out on 130 infertile women referred to Montaserie Infertility Research Center in Mashhad who were selected through convenient sampling. Research tools were consisted of valid and reliable demographic questionnaire including personal and infertility-related information, modified Younesi Body Image Questionnaire and Spanier marital adjustment scale (DAS) which were completed by subjects. Data analysis was carried out by SPSS software (version 15/5) using t-tests, one way ANOVA, and Spearman and Pearson correlation test. Results: 93/1% of women reported positive body image and 76/9% had high marital adjustment. There was a direct correlation between the overall score of body image with marital adjustment (P<0/001). There was also a direct correlation between the scores of body image subscales including body in loneliness (P= 0/001), real body (P=0/014), public image of body (P=0/016), spouse image of body (P<0/001) and spouse family image of body (P<0/001) with marital adjustment. However, this relationship was not observed between the subscale of ideal body and marital adjustment. Conclusion: The presence of a direct correlation between body image and marital adjustment could guide developing educational or counseling programs particularly for infertile women who suffer from marital disputes. Keywords: Body image, Marital adjustment, Infertilit

Biomass variation in red algae along the tidal areas of Bushehr province

This study was carried out during October 2008 to July 2009 in Bushehr coastal areas at 6 stations to examine biomass variations in red algae. Algal samples were collected by hand from intertidal zone, during low tide. Quadrates 50 ×50cm each were marked randomly in the study area, and all algal samples were collected within the quadrate area. Total biomass was found to be 2598.91g. m belonging to 15 Rhodophyta species. The maximum biomass was 1114.32g. m (43%) observed at the Nirougah station. Summer showed maximum biomass 1076.36g. m (41%) compared to other seasons. Results of this study showed Rhodophyta species are dispersed more in mid littoral and sub-tidal areas. Also, the maximum biomass was observed in the sub-tidal zone. The highest biomass of the species belonged to Gracilaria canaliculata

Identification of chemical compounds of <em>Nardostachys Jatamansi </em>essence available in Iran

Introduction: With regard to using drugs with plant origin and with the aim of suitable use of these types of drugs and preventing them to be abused, it is necessary to determine the standards of these plants. The aim of the present study was to identify and study chemical compounds of Nardostachys Jatamansi essence in Iran and define monograph of this plant for the Iranian plant pharmacopeia. Methods: In an experimental study the Nardostachys Jatamansi specimen was prepared from the market in Iran. The essence of the plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation in Clevenger apparatus. Essence was obtained as a greenish yellow oil layer with the 0.07 yield. The essence compounds were identified quantitatively by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) method. Results: Totally, 29 compounds were identified in Nardostachys Jatamansi essence. The retention indexes (RI) were only similar with overall standard values in two compounds like mesitylene and P-cymene. In this line the RI values about three compounds of valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate were determined significantly higher than standard values of RI. Conclusion: The essence prepared from the Nardostachys Jatamansi plant in Iran was different in terms of some compounds and components including valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate and so it is necessary to identify and register quality and quantity characteristics of compounds available in this plat in the Iranian medicinal plants pharmacopeia.</p

Bar 1-Visibility Drawings of 1-Planar Graphs

A bar 1-visibility drawing of a graph $G$ is a drawing of $G$ where each vertex is drawn as a horizontal line segment called a bar, each edge is drawn as a vertical line segment where the vertical line segment representing an edge must connect the horizontal line segments representing the end vertices and a vertical line segment corresponding to an edge intersects at most one bar which is not an end point of the edge. A graph $G$ is bar 1-visible if $G$ has a bar 1-visibility drawing. A graph $G$ is 1-planar if $G$ has a drawing in a 2-dimensional plane such that an edge crosses at most one other edge. In this paper we give linear-time algorithms to find bar 1-visibility drawings of diagonal grid graphs and maximal outer 1-planar graphs. We also show that recursive quadrangle 1-planar graphs and pseudo double wheel 1-planar graphs are bar 1-visible graphs.Comment: 15 pages, 9 figure

Investigation on braze joint strength and microstructure of Ti-CP with Ag and Ti base filler alloys

This research investigates influences of brazing parameters (brazing alloy, temperature and time) on microstructures and mechanical properties of a commercially pure (CP) titanium sheet which is brazed with CBS 34 (Ag-based) and STEMET 1228 (Ti-based) braze-filler foils. Brazing was performed in a conventional inert furnace at temperature ranges of 800-870°C and 10-30 minutes for holding times. Qualities of the brazed joints were evaluated by ultrasonic testing, and then, microstructure and phase constitution of the bonded joints were analyzed by means of metallography, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Mechanical properties of brazed joints were evaluated by shear testing. Diffusion of titanium from substrate to filler alloy developed a strong reaction between them. A number of phases such as TiCu, Ti 2Cu, TiAg, Ag-Zn solid solution matrix (for Ag-based brazed samples) and Ti 2Cu, (Ti,Zr) 2Ni, Zr 2Cu (for Ti-based brazed samples) have been identified. The optimum brazing parameters were achieved at a temperature of 870 °C-20 min for CBS 34 and 870 °C-30 min for STEMET 1228. The specimen using STEMET 1228 braze alloy demonstrates best bonding strength (equal to Ti-CP tensile strength). Copyright 2012 ASM International® All rights reserved