The effectiveness of emotion regulation therapy (ERT) on improving depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction

Background: Among the cardiovascular diseases, myocardial infraction is one the main cause of mortality around the world. People with myocardial infarction are significantly more likely to suffer from psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety and stress. Therefore, psychological interventions can help their routine treatment. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of emotional regulation therapy on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction. Methods: In this single-case design, 5 patients with myocardial infarction referred to the Taleghani Hospital were selected using convenience sampling method. They received eight sessions of emotional regulation psychotherapy. These patients were evaluated by anxiety, stress, and depression scale (DASS-21) before starting treatment and after each session.Results: The results showed that emotional regulation therapy significantly reduced depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction. Discussion: According to the findings of this study indicating the effectiveness of emotional regulation therapy on depression, anxiety and stress in patients with myocardial infarction, this treatment can be used as part of a comprehensive treatment process for these patients

Effect of Propolis mouthwash on plaque and gingival indices over fixed orthodontic patients

In patients with fixed orthodontics, the presence of orthodontic appliances causes dental plaque accumulation and hygiene problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Propolis and chlorhexidine mouthwashes on plaque and gingival indices in patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment. In this triple blind study, in total, 37 patients aged from 15 to 35 years those who have been undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment were studied. After that, one of the mouthwashes that containing either Propolis or Chlorhexidine was randomly prescribed to patients. The patients were asked to use mouthwashes twice a day after brushing their teeth for three weeks consecutively. Indicators of plaque, gingival and periodontal status (PI, GI, CPI) were determined on Ramford teeth at the beginning and at the end of three weeks for each patient. Then the results were analyzed statistically. The difference between the values of plaque index (P<0.001), gingival index (P=0.006) and periodontal index (P= 0.005) before and after administration of Propolis were statistically significant. The difference was also statistically significant for all three indexes of plaque (P<0.001), gingival (P=0.001) and periodontal (P=0.003) before and after chlorhexidine mouthwash usage. The indices after using mouthwashes were not statistically significant different between two mouthwash groups. It seems that Propolis mouthwash can be used as a suitable alternative in patients with fixed orthodontic treatment without the side effects of chlorhexidine mouthwash

Assessment of Vitamin K2 Levels in Osteoporotic Patients: A Case Control Study

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure the level of Vitamin K2 (Vit K2) in osteoporotic patients and individuals with normal bone density as controls. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was done in Outpatient Department of Rheumatology at Qazvin Boo-ali Sina Hospital in 2013. Participants were 50 patients with osteoporotic densitometry measured by DEXA (T score≤ -2.5) who were matched with 48 persons in control group with normal bone density (T score> -1). The level of Vit K2 in samples was measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test. Results: The level of Vit K2 in patients with osteoporosis was not significantly different from the control group (Median: 75.95 vs. 71.35 nmol/L, respectively; P-value: 0.709). The authors determined cut-offs 75 percentile of vitamin K2 in all participants that was 85 nmol/L and percentages of persons in two groups were similar. Conclusion: Although Vit K2 level in patients with osteoporosis was not significantly different from the control group, further studies are necessary to confirm the association of osteoporosis and Vit K2. Keywords: bone densitometry, normal bone density, osteoporosis, vitamin K

EEULA: AN ENERGY-AWARE EVENT-DRIVEN UNICAST ALGORITHM FOR WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK BY LEARNING AUTOMATA

Energy consumption is one of the major challenges in wireless sensor networks, thus necessitating an approach for its minimization and for load balancing data. The network lifetime ends with the death of one of its nodes, which, in turn, causes energy depletion in and partition of the network. Furthermore, the total energy consumption of nodes depends on their location; that is, because of the loaded data, energy discharge in the nodes close to the base station occurs faster than other nodes, the model presented here, through using learning automata, selects the path appropriate for data transferring; the selected path is rewarded or penalized taking the reaction of surrounding paths into account. We have used learning automata for energy management in finding the path; the routing protocol was simulated by NS2 simulator; the lifetime, energy consumption and balance in an event-driven network in our proposed method were compared with other algorithms

A Contralateral Eye Study Comparing Corneal Biomechanics in Subjects with Bilateral Keratoconus with Unilateral Vogt’s Striae

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare corneal biomechanics in patients with bilateral keratoconus (KCN) with unilateral Vogt’s striae. In this prospective contralateral study, visual acuity, refraction, and corneal biomechanical parameters were evaluated in patients with bilateral KCN with unilateral Vogt’s striae using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) (Reichert Inc., Buffalo, NY) and Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refraction (calculated by vectorial analysis), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and Scheimpflug-based tomography. The patients enrolled in this study had a reliable diagnosis of bilateral clinical KCN with unilateral Vogt’s striae based on slit-lamp signs as well as corneal topographic/tomographic maps.  Fifty patients aged 18 to 40 years were included in this study. There was a significant difference in all clinical (distance visual acuity and refraction) and corneal biomechanical parameters between KCN eyes with and without unilateral Vogt’s striae (all P &lt; 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in peak distance (P = 0.291), corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPCC) (P = 0.08), and J45 (P = 0.131) between the two groups. Most corneal biomechanical parameters, except for peak distance, IOPCC, and J45, showed a significant difference between KCN eyes with and without unilateral Vogt’s striae. Vogt’s striae may cause corneal biomechanical deterioration. This information could be used in clinical practice.Â

The Relationship of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure with Corneal Biomechanical Parameters in Healthy Subjects

This study aimed to assess the possible relationship of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects. The study included 88 eyes of 88 healthy subjects aged 20–40 years. After a thorough medical history, a digital sphygmomanometer was used to measure the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, several hematological and biochemical parameters were determined to assess general health. Before the ophthalmic examination, the body height and weight were measured; then, the BMI was calculated. Finally, after comprehensive ophthalmic examination, all cases were evaluated with Pentacam (Oculus) in order to rule out corneal ectasia; then, the corneal biomechanical parameters of all individuals were measured using the Scheimpflug-based Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). If the measurements of the hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal range, the results of the Corvis ST, BMI, and BP were included in the analysis carried out with SPSS software. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) BMI, SBP, DBP, intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), deformation amplitude, radius, and peak distance was 27.24 ± 4.80 kg/m2, 116.47 ± 11.21 mmHg, 80.51 ± 5.68 mmHg, 15.10 ± 1.70 mmHg, 533.10 ± 30.97 ï­m, 1.03 ± 0.11 mm, 7.51 ± 0.86 mm, and 5.03 ± 0.30 mm, respectively. According to the World Health Organization’s classification of BMI, the results showed no significant difference in IOP, CCT, peak distance, radius, and deformation amplitude between different BMI subcategories (all P &gt; 0.05). The results of the Corvis ST showed that corneal biomechanical parameters had no significant correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP in three subgroups of BMI and all participants (all P &gt; 0.05) but the results showed a positive correlation between CCT and IOP (P &lt; 0.001, r = 0.504) in all participants. CCT and IOP had no correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP (all P &gt; 0.05). This study showed that BMI and BP had no correlation with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects using the Corvis ST. Our results can be used in clinical practice.Â

A Contralateral Eye Study Comparing Corneal Biomechanics in Subjects with Bilateral Keratoconus with Unilateral Vogt’s Striae

The aim of this study was to analyze and compare corneal biomechanics in patients with bilateral keratoconus (KCN) with unilateral Vogt’s striae. In this prospective contralateral study, visual acuity, refraction, and corneal biomechanical parameters were evaluated in patients with bilateral KCN with unilateral Vogt’s striae using the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA) (Reichert Inc., Buffalo, NY) and Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). All patients underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, including uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), refraction (calculated by vectorial analysis), slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and Scheimpflug-based tomography. The patients enrolled in this study had a reliable diagnosis of bilateral clinical KCN with unilateral Vogt’s striae based on slit-lamp signs as well as corneal topographic/tomographic maps.  Fifty patients aged 18 to 40 years were included in this study. There was a significant difference in all clinical (distance visual acuity and refraction) and corneal biomechanical parameters between KCN eyes with and without unilateral Vogt’s striae (all P &lt; 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in peak distance (P = 0.291), corneal compensated intraocular pressure (IOPCC) (P = 0.08), and J45 (P = 0.131) between the two groups. Most corneal biomechanical parameters, except for peak distance, IOPCC, and J45, showed a significant difference between KCN eyes with and without unilateral Vogt’s striae. Vogt’s striae may cause corneal biomechanical deterioration. This information could be used in clinical practice.

The Relationship of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure with Corneal Biomechanical Parameters in Healthy Subjects

This study aimed to assess the possible relationship of body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (BP) with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects. The study included 88 eyes of 88 healthy subjects aged 20–40 years. After a thorough medical history, a digital sphygmomanometer was used to measure the systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). In addition, several hematological and biochemical parameters were determined to assess general health. Before the ophthalmic examination, the body height and weight were measured; then, the BMI was calculated. Finally, after comprehensive ophthalmic examination, all cases were evaluated with Pentacam (Oculus) in order to rule out corneal ectasia; then, the corneal biomechanical parameters of all individuals were measured using the Scheimpflug-based Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany). If the measurements of the hematological and biochemical parameters were within normal range, the results of the Corvis ST, BMI, and BP were included in the analysis carried out with SPSS software. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) BMI, SBP, DBP, intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), deformation amplitude, radius, and peak distance was 27.24 ± 4.80 kg/m2, 116.47 ± 11.21 mmHg, 80.51 ± 5.68 mmHg, 15.10 ± 1.70 mmHg, 533.10 ± 30.97 m, 1.03 ± 0.11 mm, 7.51 ± 0.86 mm, and 5.03 ± 0.30 mm, respectively. According to the World Health Organization’s classification of BMI, the results showed no significant difference in IOP, CCT, peak distance, radius, and deformation amplitude between different BMI subcategories (all P &gt; 0.05). The results of the Corvis ST showed that corneal biomechanical parameters had no significant correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP in three subgroups of BMI and all participants (all P &gt; 0.05) but the results showed a positive correlation between CCT and IOP (P &lt; 0.001, r = 0.504) in all participants. CCT and IOP had no correlation with BMI, SBP, and DBP (all P &gt; 0.05). This study showed that BMI and BP had no correlation with corneal biomechanical parameters in healthy subjects using the Corvis ST. Our results can be used in clinical practice.

Microbial Evaluation of Fresh, Minimally-processed Vegetables and Bagged Sprouts from Chain Supermarkets

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial and fungal quality of minimally-processed vegetables (MPV) and sprouts. A total of 116 samples of fresh-cut vegetables, ready-to-eat salads, and mung bean and wheat sprouts were randomly collected and analyzed. The load of aerobic mesophilic bacteria was minimum and maximum in the fresh-cut vegetables and fresh mung bean sprouts respectively, corresponding to populations of 5.3 and 8.5 log CFU/g. E. coli O157:H7 was found to be absent in all samples; however, other E. coli strains were detected in 21 samples (18.1%), and Salmonella spp. were found in one mung bean (3.1%) and one ready-to-eat salad sample (5%). Yeasts were the predominant organisms and were found in 100% of the samples. Geotrichum, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. were the most prevalent molds in mung sprouts while Cladosporium and Penicillium spp. were most frequently found in ready-to-eat salad samples. According to results from the present study, effective control measures should be implemented to minimize the microbiological contamination of fresh produce sold in Tehran, Iran

The unfinished agenda of communicable diseases among children and adolescents before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1990-2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

BACKGROUND: Communicable disease control has long been a focus of global health policy. There have been substantial reductions in the burden and mortality of communicable diseases among children younger than 5 years, but we know less about this burden in older children and adolescents, and it is unclear whether current programmes and policies remain aligned with targets for intervention. This knowledge is especially important for policy and programmes in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to use the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2019 to systematically characterise the burden of communicable diseases across childhood and adolescence. METHODS: In this systematic analysis of the GBD study from 1990 to 2019, all communicable diseases and their manifestations as modelled within GBD 2019 were included, categorised as 16 subgroups of common diseases or presentations. Data were reported for absolute count, prevalence, and incidence across measures of cause-specific mortality (deaths and years of life lost), disability (years lived with disability [YLDs]), and disease burden (disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]) for children and adolescents aged 0-24 years. Data were reported across the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and across time (1990-2019), and for 204 countries and territories. For HIV, we reported the mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) as a measure of health system performance. FINDINGS: In 2019, there were 3·0 million deaths and 30·0 million years of healthy life lost to disability (as measured by YLDs), corresponding to 288·4 million DALYs from communicable diseases among children and adolescents globally (57·3% of total communicable disease burden across all ages). Over time, there has been a shift in communicable disease burden from young children to older children and adolescents (largely driven by the considerable reductions in children younger than 5 years and slower progress elsewhere), although children younger than 5 years still accounted for most of the communicable disease burden in 2019. Disease burden and mortality were predominantly in low-SDI settings, with high and high-middle SDI settings also having an appreciable burden of communicable disease morbidity (4·0 million YLDs in 2019 alone). Three cause groups (enteric infections, lower-respiratory-tract infections, and malaria) accounted for 59·8% of the global communicable disease burden in children and adolescents, with tuberculosis and HIV both emerging as important causes during adolescence. HIV was the only cause for which disease burden increased over time, particularly in children and adolescents older than 5 years, and especially in females. Excess MIRs for HIV were observed for males aged 15-19 years in low-SDI settings. INTERPRETATION: Our analysis supports continued policy focus on enteric infections and lower-respiratory-tract infections, with orientation to children younger than 5 years in settings of low socioeconomic development. However, efforts should also be targeted to other conditions, particularly HIV, given its increased burden in older children and adolescents. Older children and adolescents also experience a large burden of communicable disease, further highlighting the need for efforts to extend beyond the first 5 years of life. Our analysis also identified substantial morbidity caused by communicable diseases affecting child and adolescent health across the world. FUNDING: The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Centre for Research Excellence for Driving Investment in Global Adolescent Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation