فهرست مطالب

Iranian Journal of Public Health
Volume:52 Issue: 1, Jan 2023

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1401/12/13
  • تعداد عناوین: 25
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  • Wanxin Zhang, Yihua Wang, Yilun Du, Ziyuan Li, Yingwen Mu, Jiayin Sun, Zuodong Liu, Yutong Guo, Hua Shao, Yingjun Guan, Guanqun Cui, Zhongjun Du Pages 1-9
    Background

    Cell transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis. In order to clarify the alveolar type II epithelial cell potential utility in the treatment of lung disease, we conducted a meta-analysis, to evaluate alveolar type II epithelial cells in animal models of lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis.

    Methods

    This review followed the recommendations from the PRISMA statements, Comprehensive retrieval method was used to search Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, Chinese Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP and Wanfang databases. A total of 7 studies and 286 model rats were included. Two researchers independently screened the identified studies, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All analyses were conducted using Review Manager V.5.3 software. The combined standard mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of data from the included studies were calculated using fixed or random-effects models.

    Results

    The analysis of three outcome indexes showed that the heterogeneity of the oxygen saturation group was high (I2=85%), the lung weight group (I2=64%) was close to moderate heterogeneity, and the lung hydroxyproline content group (I2=0) was not heterogeneous.

    Conclusion

    Meta-analysis showed that transplantation of alveolar type II epithelial cells has beneficial effects, and no obvious adverse reactions. Alveolar type II epithelial cell transplantation can significantly reduce the intervention group and lung hydroxyproline content weight, improve the blood oxygen saturation, lung histopathology showed significant improvement in pulmonary fibrosis.

    Keywords: Alveolar type II epithelial cells, Stem cells, Regenerative medicine, Treatment, Pulmonary fibrosis
  • Jung Lim Lee, Younhee Jeong Pages 10-22
    Background

    We aimed to evaluate the effect of dignity therapy on the dignity, distress, and quality of life of terminally-ill adult patients.

    Methods

    All randomized controlled trials published prior to Jan 2021 were searched through database, including PubMed, Medline, OVID, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest Central, KMBASE, KoreaMed, NDSL, and RISS. The RoB 2 was used to assess risk of bias. Effect sizes, Hedge's g and Higgins I2–statistics were used for meta-analysis.

    Results

    We finally identified 10 studies for a systematic review, and eight studies out of them were selected for a meta-analysis. Overall, 776 participants were included in the meta-analysis. There were significant differences between with and without dignity therapy groups in dignity and anxiety (SMD = -0.3805, Cl = -0.5606, -0.2004; SMD = -0.1932, Cl = -0.3774, -0.0090, respectively) while there was no significant difference in quality of life and depression (SMD=0.4678, Cl = -0.0989, 1.0345; SMD= -0.0513, Cl= -0.2461, 0.1434, respectively).

    Conclusion

    Dignity therapy may be effective for terminally ill patients on dignity and anxiety. We suggested further empirical studies with dignity therapy and repetitive meta-analysis in the future due to heterogeneity of the studies.

    Keywords: Anxiety, Depression, Dignity, Quality of life, Terminally il
  • Haiyan Fu, Lin Sun, Jingwei Zhu Pages 23-36
    Background

    In this study, the diagnostic efficacy of antigen test and antibody test were assessed. Additionally, the difference of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio were compared concerning efficacy of antibody test versus antigen test for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) diagnosis.

    Methods

    Online databases were searched for full-text publications and STATA software was used for data pooling and analysis before Sep 1st, 2022. Forrest plot was used to show the pooled sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio. Combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to show the area of under curve of complex data.

    Results

    Overall, 25 studies were included. The sensitivity (0.68, 95% CI: 0.53-0.80) and specificity (0.99, 95% CI: 0.98-0.99) in antibody or antigen was calculated. The time point of test lead to heterogeneity. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.98 (95% CI: 0.96-0.99), and the diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 299.54 (95% CI: 135.61-661.64). Subgroup analysis indicated antibody test with sensitivity (0.59, 95% CI: 0.44-0.73) and specificity (0.98, 95% CI: 0.95-0.99) and antigen test with sensitivity of 0.77 (95% CI: 0.53-0.91) and specificity of 0.99 (95% CI: 0.98-1.00). Higher AUC and DOR were proved in antigen test.

    Conclusion

    The present study compared the efficacy of antibody test versus antigen test for COVID-19 diagnosis. Better diagnostic efficacy, lower heterogeneity, and less publication bias of rapid antigen testing was suggested in this study. This study would help us to make better strategy about choosing rapid and reliable testing method in diagnosis of the COVID-19 disease.

    Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Antibody test, Antigen test, Meta-analysi
  • Hanna Silitonga, Lutfi Salim, Ira Nurmala, Minarni Wartiningsih Pages 37-48
    Background

    Iron deficiency anemia in children or women in pregnancy, is a public health problem in some countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on all countries to achieve a 5% reduction in anemia in women of childbearing age, including adolescent girls, by 2025. One of the programs is iron supplementation. The success depends on the adherence of adolescent girls to consume iron tablets. This systematic review aimed to find the level of compliance to iron supplementation consumption among adolescent girls and explore barriers and facilitator factors to such adherence.

    Methods

    This article was a systematic review and conducted a multi-database search. The articles passed the PRISMA flow diagram process. The inclusion and exclusion rules decided the qualification of studies included. Of 1066 articles, we obtained 20 studies for the systematic review.

    Result

    The lowest compliance found were 26.2% and 26.3%, and was high (>80%) in intervention studies involving supervision and monitoring and peer educator. All articles' barrier and facilitator factors were classified into four categories; personal, social, environmental, and regimen.

    Conclusion

    Efforts to improve adolescent compliance to take iron tablets should consider all of these factors.

    Keywords: Adolescent, Woman, Iron-deficiency anemia, Compliance
  • Mahdie Arab Bafrani, Roghaiyeh Nourizadeh, Sevil Hakimi, Seyed Alireza Mortazavi, Esmat Mehrabi, Nafiseh Vahed Pages 49-63
    Background

    Sexual and marital satisfaction play an important role in the stability of couples' relationships, so it is necessary to take a proper approach to promote them. This study aimed to identify and categorize psychological interventions affecting sexual satisfaction and marital satisfaction of women in Iran.

    Methods

    An electronic systematic review search was conducted using the Persian and English databases of SID, Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, Cochran library, and Google Scholar motor engine until 2021 to identify all relevant clinical trials and experimental and quasi-experimental studies assessing the effect of psychological interventions on sexual and marital satisfaction.

    Results

    Totally, we retrieved 528 studies from the previously mentioned databases, of which, 38 met the eligibility criteria. The subgroup meta-analysis of 4 studies conducted showed that interventions based on individual consultations increase sexual satisfaction (MD: 2.94, 95% CI: −0.36 to 6.24, P= .23), (I2 =30.83%). The subgroup meta-analysis of 10 studies conducted revealed that couple-based consultations increase marital satisfaction (MD: 5.93, 95% CI: -2.59 to 9.27, P=.95), (I2 = 0%).

    Conclusion

    The results of meta-analysis demonstrated the effect of counseling-based psychological interventions on increasing sexual and marital satisfaction of couples. However, further clinical trials are required before making a definitive conclusion.

    Keywords: Psychological interventions, Sexual satisfaction, Marital satisfaction, Randomized controlled trial, Ex-perimental
  • Abdolmajid Fadaei, Abdollah Mohammadian-Hafshejani Pages 64-77
    Background

    Selenium (Se) is an essential element playing a vital role in the metabolism of organisms. Se can generally be discharged in the potable water through natural and anthropogenic activities. Both excess and shortage of Se can cause significant adverse health effects in humans. Excess values of se may stimulate toxicity, leading to selenosis and alkali disease in humans and grazing animals, respectively.

    Methods

    A review search was systematically carried out from the databases Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed Central (PMC), Google Scholar, as well as medRxiv by using the following keywords: “waste water”, “bioremediation”, “selenium removal”, “adsorption”, and “drinking water”. This study provides a review of the recent literature covering the period between 2011 and 2021. After screening the full text of the articles, 27 papers were enrolled. This study reviews the reported techniques for Se removal from water and wastewater, including adsorption, biological treatment, microbial reduction, bioreactors, fungal bioreactor, algal treatment, phytoremediation, and photocatalysis.

    Results

    Biological and bioremediation techniques, such as microbial reduction, biotransformation, and fluidized bed reactor have removal efficiency about 100%. The highest Se concentration of 15-7600 µg/L was achieved in ground waters in Ethiopia and the lowest level of 0.07 µg /L in Finland.

    Conclusion

    The combination of biological treatment with chemical or physical technologies is envisaged to optimize se elimination and to ensure ecological protection and human health safety.

    Keywords: Adsorption, Bioremediation, Selenium (Se) removal, Water, wastewate
  • Soo-Kyung Lee, Gi Yon Kim, Eun Ji Seo, Youn-Jung Son Pages 78-86
    Background

    Smartwatches are a consumer wearable device offering a potential, practical, and affordable method to collect personal health data in healthy adults. For patients with chronic diseases, this would enable symptom monitoring and aid clinical decision making. Therefore, providing customized checklists to recommend smartwatches is beneficial. However, few studies have evaluated the practical functions of smartwatches and their influence on user acceptance. We aimed at developing a reliable tool to assess the quality of smartwatches from the users’ perspective.

    Methods

    To develop the smartwatch rating scale (SWRS), we conducted a comprehensive literature review as well as reviewed relevant websites. The SWRS includes 22 items for the usability (usability, functionality, safety, material, and display) and five items for the acceptance and adoption domain (satisfaction and intention). We measured the scale’s internal consistency and inter-rater reliability by evaluating seven smartwatches.

    Results

    The overall scale demonstrated an excellent level of internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.91), with each subscale’s internal consistency above good level (0.74 ~ 0.92). Inter-rater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) was at good level (2-way random ICC = 0.82, 95% CI 0.09 – 0.97).

    Conclusions

    The SWRS is reliable, which can meet the need for assessment of smartwatch technology for utilizing in personal healthcare. Accounting for users’ perspectives will help make the most of technology without impairing the human aspects of care, this study can help consumers choose a smartwatch based on their preferences and provide guidelines for developing user-friendly wearable devices aimed at health behavior changes.

    Keywords: Smartwatches, Mobile health, Wearable technology, Healthcare, Questionnaires
  • Congfei Lu, Jianhua Xu Pages 87-96
    Background

    High-intensity competition pressure leads to psychological problems for athletes, which need to be improved through intervention. We aimed to explore the influences of PETTLEP (physical, environment, task, timing, learning, emotion, perspective) intervention on the psychological state of athletes, and provide references for their psychological improvement.

    Methods

    Overall, 120 basketball players were enrolled through the convenience sampling method from Shaanxi, Yunnan, Fujian, and the national basketball team in China from April to June 2022. PETTLEP-based imagery intervention was given to all athletes, and their psychological resilience, training state, psychological skills, anxiety, and depression before and after the intervention were evaluated using a questionnaire survey.

    Results

    The psychological resilience value of athletes after the intervention was higher than that before the intervention (P<0.05). The psychological resilience index of athletes who trained for more than three years was higher than that of athletes who trained for less than 3 years (P<0.05). The athletes who trained for over three years felt better after the intervention concerning good feelings, self-efficacy, self-adjustment, and physical fitness recovery than before the intervention (P<0.05). No statistical differences in self-confidence, coordination ability, and motivation were observed among the athletes trained for different years before and after the intervention (P>0.05). The athletes who trained for over three years have shown better results regarding focal attention and cognitive regulation after the intervention than before the intervention (P<0.05).

    Conclusion

    The PETTLEP-based imagery intervention can improve the athletes’ psychological skills, relieves anxiety and depression, and enhance their psychological resilience.

    Keywords: Athletes, Psychological resilience, Psychological skill, Training state, Anxiety, Depression
  • Burak Demirci, Abuzer Coskun Pages 97-105
    Background

    Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality, which is an important health problem in the world. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the effects of plasma fetuin-A (FA) level, which is a new parameter in terms of prognosis and mortality of CCHF.

    Methods

    A total of 87 patients were included who presented to the Emergency Department, Bağcılar Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey with the diagnosis of CCHF from Feb 1, 2019 to Feb 1, 2020. The patients were divided into three groups as tick bite, contact history, and endemic area travel according to the transmission type, and two groups according to the presence of mortality or not. The laboratory data of the patients were compared within these groups. Relationship of hemogram, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-Dimer, sedimentation, lactate, and FA levels between groups were evaluated.

    Results

    The average age of the patients was 62.52±14.94 years and 27(31%) of them were women. Mortality rates were in 6(6.9%) patients from endemic areas (P=0.015). While the FA level of the mortality group was 171.6±30.0 mg/L, it was 230.3±25.0 mg/L in the survivors (P=0.001). There was a moderate and strong negative correlation of FA level with mortality, tick history, and hospitalization. In ROC curve analysis of mortality and FA levels, parameters were determined as sensitivity 97.4% and specificity 96.2%.

    Conclusion

    In addition to FA levels, as anticipated by our hypothesis, lactate, CRP, and sedimentation values can be used to predict prognosis and mortality in cases of CCHF.

    Keywords: Crimean Congo hemorrhagic fever, Emergency department, Mortality, Fetuin-A, Lactate
  • Xianpeng Yan, Hong Liu, Ting Li Pages 106-117
    Background

    The imbalance of immune response between helper Th1 and Th2 cells is the direct cause of asthma. It was closely related to abnormal expression of lncRNAs. However, whether lncRNAs can regulate Th1/Th2 balance in pediatric asthma remains to be investigated.

    Methods

    Peripheral blood samples were collected from children with asthma and normal volunteers at the Children’s Hospital of Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital (Xi’an, China) in 2020. The qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-217 and GATA3 in peripheral blood samples. The effects of lncRNA NEAT1, miR-217, and GATA3 on CD4+T cell population were detected in vitro. Meanwhile, the regulatory effect of lncRNA NEAT1/miR-217/GATA3 was evaluated through the dual luciferase report assay, functional assays and animal experiments.

    Results

    We investigated that lncRNA NEAT1 and GATA3 was significantly up-regulated in CD4+T cells in peripheral blood of children with asthma (P<0.001). Knockdown of lncRNA NEAT1 or GATA3 significantly reduced Th2-related cytokines (P<0.05), but had no effect on Th1 cells. Importantly, the interactions of lncRNA NEAT1 with miR-217 and miR-217 with GATA3 were confirmed by dual luciferase report assay. Meanwhile, functional assays and animal experiments demonstrated that lncRNA NEAT1 regulated GATA3 expression through sponge miR-217, thereby regulating Th1/Th2 balance in CD4+T cells in pediatric asthma.

    Conclusion

    lncRNA NEAT1/miR-217/GATA3 axis may reveal the immunological mechanism of pediatric asthma, which has potential clinical application value in the future.

    Keywords: Pediatric asthma, Long noncoding RNAs, Immunology, Proteins
  • Gülay Ekinci Pages 118-127
    Background

    The study aimed to determine the impact of the burden of cardiovascular diseases on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Turkey.

    Methods

    GDP was taken as the dependent variable and the burden of cardiovascular diseases was taken as the independent variable. The variables were analyzed within the frame of Panel Data Analysis.

    Results

    Significant relationships were found between GDP and burden of cardiovascular diseases. The unidirectional Granger causality relationship was determined from burden of cardiovascular diseases to GDP and revealed that they acted together in the long term. The analysis that made with using econometric regression models revealed that generally 1 unit increased in per capita of cardiovascular diseases decreased GDP by between 477651.8 – 624485.6 units (PPP$).

    Conclusion

    The empirical results of the study revealed that the cardiovascular disease burden was one of the reasons for the decrease in GDP and their economic effects would continue in the long term in Turkey. From this perspective establishing and implementing policies to improve the burden of cardiovascular diseases in Turkey could be an important approach for the economic development.

    Keywords: Burden, Cardiovascular diseases, Gross domestic product, Econometric evaluation
  • Xiongbo Guo, Wenbiao Zhu Pages 128-137
    Background

    To explore Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) and its regulated miR-885-5p/CDC73 signaling pathway involved in the development of gastric cancer.

    Methods

    Fifty-two healthy patients and patients with gastric cancer were enrolled 2019-2020 in He Xian Memorial Hospital, Guangzhou, China. The patients with gastric cancer were divided into control group and As2O3 administration group. After 2 courses of treatment, their peripheral blood was collected to analyze the therapeutic effect. miR-885-5p expression in peripheral blood was analyzed by qRT-PCR. As2O3 was added into MGC-803 gastric cancer cell line at 0, 10, 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L. The proliferation rate and 48h IC50 value of gastric cancer cells were investigated by CCK-8, and the effect of As2O3 on miR-885-5p expression in the cells was analyzed.

    Results

    After 4 weeks of treatment, the objective efficiency of control group and As2O3 administration group was 17.3% and 13.4%, respectively, without significant statistical difference. The overall benefit rate of As2O3 administration group was significantly higher than that of the normal treatment group (P=0.049). qRT-PCR experiment results found that miR-885-5p significantly highly expressed in peripheral blood in the As2O3 administration group, while miR-885-5p in gastric cancer was lower compared with normal people. Adding As2O3 to the gastric cancer cells could significantly inhibit miR-885-5p expression, while miR-885-5p in gastric cancer cells affected cell expression by targeted regulation, affecting cell proliferation.

    Conclusion

    As2O3 may be used as a drug treatment program for gastric cancer, and mainly regulates the proliferation of gastric cancer cells by affecting the miR-885-5p/CDC73 target axis to participate in the development of gastric cancer.

    Keywords: Gastric cancer, Arsenic trioxide, Immunology, Cell proliferation
  • Draginja Vuksanovic Stankovic, Bojan Masanovic Pages 138-146
    Background

    The aim of this study was to quantify perceived human rights status and put it into perspective to identify areas for monitoring action and progress.

    Methods

    The subjects of this cross-sectional study included a sample of 703 respondents (369 males and 334 females) aged between 18 and 82 yr, divided into four age groups. The research was conducted from 23 Apr to 9 Nov 2021 and respondents from all 24 municipalities of Montenegro were included. The sample of variables contained the system of 19 general attitudes, which give a review of human rights accomplishments (modeled by a seven-point Likert scale). The variables were analyzed using ANOVA, MANOVA, and LSD Post Hoc test.

    Results

    There were differences in the perceived human rights status for different age groups when the interindividual level of interaction (most negative answers in-group IV) and the principle of human rights legislation participation (most negative answers in group I) were considered.

    Conclusion

    This fact indicates the existence of vulnerable age groups. Members of the oldest age category do not succeed in accomplishing adequate interpersonal communication with the persons from their nearest environment, while the opinion of the youngest age category is not respected enough and the possibility to participate equally in the making of important decisions is not being provided to them.

    Keywords: Health, Human rights, Equity
  • Wenli Xie, Xin Shi, Hewang Lee, Lili Wang, Nan Niu, Peng Qu Pages 147-158
    Background

    We aimed to determine whether NLRP3 inflammasomes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were associated with carotid plaque instability in carotid atherosclerosis patients.

    Methods

    Consecutive 38 carotid atherosclerosis with vulnerable plaques, 22 carotid atherosclerosis with stable plaques, and 40 healthy subjects with no carotid or coronary artery stenosis were enrolled. They were referred to the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2013-2019. Carotid plaques were evaluated by modified plaque vulnerability risk score (MPVRS) and pathological assessment. The mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in PBMC were determined by quantitative real time PCR and Western blot analysis or ELISA.

    Results

    When consecutive study subjects undergoing carotid endarterectomy were divided into stable (≤4) and unstable (>4) plaque groups according to the MPVRS, the unstable plaque group had significantly raised mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3 inflammasome components in PBMC as compared with the stable plaque group and healthy subject group. Furthermore, subjects with higher NLRP3 protein expression in PBMC had greater incidence of cerebrovascular events.

    Conclusions

    Increased NLRP3 inflammasome components in PBMC is associated with instability of human carotid atherosclerotic plaques, suggesting NLRP3 inflammasome as a potential biomarker for monitoring carotid plaque instability.

    Keywords: Carotid atherosclerosis, NLRP3inflammasome, Mononuclear cells, Plaque stability
  • Duygu Yengil Taci, Selin Yılmaz, İsmail Arslan, İzzet Fidancı, Mustafa Çelik Pages 159-165
    Background

    We aimed to evaluate the frequency of frailty and the affecting factors in people living in our society over 65 yr old.

    Methods

    Our descriptive and cross-sectional study included 261 individuals aged 65 and over who applied to Ankara Training and Research Hospital family practice centers and district polyclinics from 1 Jan to 1 Feb 2020. The participants were asked to complete a sociodemographic data form, FRAIL Scale, Katz Daily Living Activities Scale, Lawton&Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale and Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form.

    Results

    According to the FRAIL Scale results 35 people were found to be frail (13.4%), 115 to be pre-frail (44.1%). No frailty was observed in 111 people (42.5%). While the mean score of the Katz Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 5.65±0.71, the mean score of the Lawton&Brody Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale was found to be 6.65±1.69. In the geriatric depression evaluation, mild, medium or severe depression was detected in 87 participants (33.2%). As the level of frailty increased, the Geriatric Depression Scale score climbed significantly (P<0.001). In frail individuals, Lawton&Brody Scale scores were significantly lower (P<0.001). In our study: a correlation was found between frailty and female gender, being single, low income, low educational level, obesity, polypharmacy and decreased physical activity. Additionally, as the number of children increase frailty in women increases therewithal.

    Conclusion

    Elderly people had high frailty. Polypharmacy, depression and reduced physical activity were the more frequent in frail elderly. In frail females, the number of children was significantly higher.

    Keywords: Depression, Frailty, Physical activity
  • Simin Darvish Noori Kalaki, Fatemeh Darabi, Mohammed Gubari, Mehdi Yaseri, Mohammad Esmail Motlagh, Ramin Heshmat, Mostafa Qorbani, Michael Jones, Saeed Safari, Alireza Baratloo, Masoud Baikpour, Mahmoud Yousefifard, Mostafa Hosseini, Roya Kelishadi Pages 166-174
    Background

    In 2017, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of hypertension in children. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of hypertension in Iranian children based on the latest guidelines.

    Methods

    Data on 7301 student participants (3589 boys and 3712 girls) aged between 7-12 yr were assessed. The data were extracted from the fifth Childhood and Adolescence Surveillance and Prevention of Adult Non-communicable Disease (CASPIAN V) school-based study conducted in the 30 provinces of Iran in 2015. Blood pressure (BP) was classified as normal, elevated BP, and stage 1 and 2 hypertension using weighted analysis and the 2017 AAP guidelines. All analyses were performed in STATA 14.0 statistical software, with findings presented in terms of prevalence.

    Results

    The overall prevalence of high BP in Iranian children was 14.7%. In addition, 15.1% of boys had high BP, with 9.4% and 1.7% of them with stage 1 and 2 hypertension, respectively. Moreover, 14.3% of girls had high BP, of which 10% had stage 1 and 1.3% with stage 2 hypertension. For elevated hypertension, it was observed in 4% of boys and 3% of girls.

    Conclusion

    Using the 2017 AAP guidelines demonstrated a higher prevalence of hypertension in children (14.7%) in Iran. The prevalence of hypertension in boys was slightly higher compared to girls.

    Keywords: Hypertension, Children, Prevalence, Blood pressure, Iran
  • Mitra Montazeri, Mehdi Ahmadinejad, Mahdieh Montazeri, Kambiz Bahaadinbeigy, Mohadeseh Montazeri, Leila Ahmadian Pages 175-183
    Background

    Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has the highest mortality rate in the world. ICU has special equipment that leads to the hospital's most costly parts. The length of stay in the ICU is a special issue, and reducing this time is a practical approach. We aimed to use artificial intelligence to help early and timely diagnosis of the disease to help with health.

    Methods

    We designed a rule-based intelligent system to predict the length of stay and the mortality rate of trauma patients in ICU. A neuro-Fuzzy and eight machine learning models were used to predict the mortality rate in trauma patients in ICU. The performances of these techniques were evaluated with accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and area under the ROC curve. Decision-Table was used to predict the length of stay in trauma patients in ICU. For comparison, eight machine learning models were used. The method is compared based on Mean absolute error and relative absolute error (%)

    Results

    Neuro-Fuzzy expert system and Decision-Table showed better results than other techniques. Accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and ROC Area of Nero-Fuzzy are 83.6735, 0.9744, 0.3000, 0.8379, and 1, respectively. The mean absolute error and Relative absolute error (%) of the Decision-Table model are 4.5426 and 65.4391, respectively.

    Conclusion

    Neuro-Fuzzy expert system with the highest level of accuracy and a Decision-Table with the lowest Mean absolute error, which are rule-based models, are the best models. Therefore, these models are recommended as a valuable tool for prediction parameters of ICU as well as medical decision-making.

    Keywords: Rule based intelligent software, Neuro-Fuzzy expert system, Decision-table model, Length of stay, Mortality rate
  • Hossein Ali Rangkooy, Shahla Mokaramian, Behrooz Zargar Pages 184-192
    Background

    The emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in industrial and urban areas has adverse effects on the environment and human health. Toluene, the main pollutant among the VOCs, has wide applications in different industries such as plastics, adhesives, silicone sealant, paint, etc. This study aimed to remove of toluene from the air by using TiO2 nanoparticles supported on the natural zeolite using the photocatalytic process.

    Methods

    This is an experimental study that was conducted in 2017 in the Chemical Agents Laboratory of the Occupational Health Engineering Department at Jundishapur University in Ahvaz. Toluene vapour decomposition was carried out using UV/ZE, UV/TiO2, and UV/TiO2-ZE under continuous flows conditions. The effects of toluene initial concentration, retention time, and nanocomposite surface weight on toluene vapour decomposition were also investigated.

    Results

    When UV/TiO2 and UV/TiO2-ZE systems are performed, increasing the initial toluene concentration reduces the efficiency of photocatalytic decomposition. The SEM images of TiO2-ZE catalyst show that zeolite pores were occupied by titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Moreover, the combination of titanium dioxide nanoparticles and zeolite has an incremental effect on toluene decomposition. Increasing retention time raises toluene decomposition, and the increased nanocomposite surface weight raises decomposition to the maximum level (70%) at 33.68 mg/cm2 weight and then decreases.

    Conclusion

    The increasing toluene decomposition rate by using the TiO2-ZE nanocomposite can be due to the incremental effect of absorption and photocatalytic decomposition.

    Keywords: Toluene, Zeolite, Titanium dioxide nanoparticles, Photocatalytic decomposition
  • Adel Doosti, Mahshid Nasehi, Ghobad Moradi, Daem Roshani, Saeed Sharafi, Ebrahim Ghaderi Pages 193-200
    Background

    Despite of the remarkable achievement in control of tuberculosis, it is still a challenging health problem in Iran. Success in any health program depends on monitor the diseases epidemiology and finding the gaps. We aimed to describe the epidemiological profile of TB patients in Iran to find the gaps in the TB program and using the finding to set the program activities.

    Methods

    This cross-sectional study was performed based on the data of tuberculosis patients registered in Iran in 2016-2017. The information of all TB patients is registered in the TB registry software. The patients were followed during the treatment phase. The data were analyzed by SPSS 23 software using Chi-Square test.

    Results

      Overall 12% of cases were Afghans and 72.3% of patients had pulmonary tuberculosis. There was a significant difference in the success rate of treatment in smear-positive pulmonary patients by gender, HIV status, marital status, history of hospitalization and incarceration (P <0.01). The highest prevalence of antibiotic resistance was related to isoniazid (9.9%). In close contact persons who requiring prophylaxis, 65.3% of adults and 73.6% of children received full period of prophylaxis,

    Conclusion

    Despite of the TB treatment success and low prevalence of MDR cases, TB incidence has not been decreased significantly in Iran. Delay in diagnosis, high TB burden in refugees and close contact investigation and prophylaxis are important issues in the TB control program in Iran to be considered in the control planning.

    Keywords: Tuberculosis, Cross-sectional study, Public health, Epidemiology, Iran
  • Muhammer Ergenç, Tevfik Uprak Pages 201-204

    Internal hernias (IH) are rare situations that account for 0.5–3% of all cases of intestinal obstruction. Transomental hernia is a rare subtype, hardly diagnosed, and represents approximately only 2% of internal hernias. In 2018, a 41-year-old female patient presented to Marmara University Hospital emergency service with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Her medical history included asthma, and she had no abdominal surgery. With the preliminary diagnosis of small bowel obstruction, laparotomy was done and showed a loop of ileum was herniated through into an unusual defect of the omentum. The obstructed loop of the small intestine into the hernia site was reduced. It was seen as viable, so no resection was necessitated. We divided the greater omentum into two parts from the edge of the defect area to prevent recurrences. The patient's postoperative period was uneventful, and she was discharged on the second postoperative day. Small bowel strangulation is more seen in transomental hernia than in other internal hernia types. So it is related to high morbidity and mortality. Surgery should not be delayed to reduce complications.

    Keywords: Transomental hernia, Internal hernias, Small bowel obstruction, Omentum
  • Si-A Lee, Hyun-Gyu Cha Pages 205-207
  • Fardin Ahmadkhani, Miaad Golrizi, Sadegh Khodavaisy, Roshanak Daie Ghazvini Pages 208-209
  • Reza Safdari, Navid Danaee, Mehdi Kahouei, Majid Mirmohammadkhani, Shahrbanoo Pahlevanynejad Pages 210-212
  • Ladan Dastgheib, Nasrin Hamidizadeh, Maryam Mardani, Sara Ranjbar, Peyman Jafari, Farnoosh Nozari Pages 213-214