International Journal of Health Studies (IJHS - Shahroud University of Medical Sciences)
Not a member yet
358 research outputs found
Sort by
Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Serological and Histology Tests for Helicobacter Pylori in Patients with Dyspepsia and Metabolic Syndrome
Get PDFBackground: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis, especially in metabolic syndrome patients. The use of a accessible and easy diagnostic method, can speed up the treatment of this infection This study compared two methods of histology and serology for diagnosis of H. pylori in metabolic syndrome patients.Methods: This study was done on 175 metabolic syndrome patients with dyspepsia referred to Shahroud Imam Hossain hospital in 2014. From each patient, standard biopsy and serology tests were taken with endoscopy. This data will be analyzed with sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value.Results: Of the 175 patients studied, 90 (51.4%) were male and 85 (48.6%) were female. The mean patient age was 46.9±18.6 years. From 175 patients, 114(65.1%) and 149 (85.3%) patients tested positive by serology and histology, respectively. For the serological test, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 66.4%, 42.3%, 86.8%, and 18.1%. It was also found that with IgG values higher than 1.3, there was a sensitivity of 90.7%, and specificity of 72.8%, which was considered a positive test. The cut-off point performance test means that maximum at this point with 78.3% the area under the curve (AUC), there is the highest sensitivity and specificity.Conclusions: Due to the relative sensitivity and specificity of serological tests in comparison with other diagnostic methods as well as the simplicity, speed, and low cost, it is recommended that this test be used for screening metabolic syndrome patients
Gene Expression Analysis of SOX2, NANOG, KLF4, OCT4, and REX1 Genes in Cord Blood Mononuclear Cells Treated with External Stresses
Get PDFBackground: Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCS) can be obtained from autologous cells for therapeutic purposes. So, far, many studies have been done to produce induced pluripotent cells by transferring specific pluripotency genes using different methods. In this study, pluripotency gene expression induced by external stresses was assessed in cord blood mononuclear cells.Methods: In this experimental study, mononuclear cells were isolated from umbilical cord blood. Isolated cells were divided into three groups. The first group had been exposed to HCL (pH 5.7) for 25 minutes and then transferred to the medium with normal pH. The second group was triturated with hamilton syringe for 15 min (external pressure), and the last group was considered the control group and did not receive treatment. Then, total RNA was extracted on Day 7. Gene expression of OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, REX1, and KLF4 was evaluated using qRT-PCR.Results: Gene expression of OCT4, NANOG, REX1, and KLF4 was increased after exposure to acidic pH and external pressures in comparison with control cells (P < 0.05). SOX2 gene expression was decreased in cells exposed to acidic pH but increased by external pressure.Conclusions: Exposure of umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells to acidic pH and external pressure lead to re-activation of pluripotency genes in mature cells. These findings indicate that mature cells may be reprogrammed with manipulation of environmental conditions
Association Between Objectively Sleep Pattern and Obesity in the Elderly
Get PDFBackground: Previous studies on the relationship between sleep patterns and obesity in the elderly are limited and have conflicting results. Moreover, few studies have measured sleep patterns objectively. In this study, we investigated objective sleep patterns and their relationship with obesity in the elderly in Tehran, Iran.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 88 elderly (≥60 years old) who were members of health homes of zone 5 in Tehran, Iran, were included by simple random sampling method in 2014. Sleep patterns were objectively assessed using waist actigraphy for a mean of 4.3 ± 1.7 days). Height, weight, and waist circumference (WC) were measured by standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data entry and statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21.Results: Mean actigraphy-assessed sleep duration, sleep efficiency (percentage of time in bed spent sleeping), and sleep latency (time required to fall asleep) were 427 ± 62 min, 71.3 ± 18%, and 14.2 ± 3.8 min, respectively. A negative relationship was found between BMI and sleep duration (r = −0.2, p = 0.03), BMI and sleep efficiency (r = −0.3, p=0.01), and WC and sleep efficiency (r = −0.2, p = 0.04). Also, a positive association was observed between BMI and sleep latency (r = 0.4, p = 0.006).Conclusions: In the elderly, actigraphy-assessed sleep duration was associated with obesity and the sleep efficiency was poor in obese participants. It seems that sleep patterns and BMI are correlated with each other. However, there is a need for prospective studies to affirm causal relationships between these constructs
Sleepiness and Fatigue among Night - Shift Nurses with Three - Hour Nap and Day - Shift Nurses
Get PDFBackground: Deficiency of sleep among nurses working in shifts, results in sleepiness, fatigue, health, and safety problem, and it also can deteriorate the quality of care provision. The present study aimed to compare sleepiness and fatigue between night-shift nurses who have a 3-h nap and day-shift nurses.Methods: A prospective cohort study was done on 23 night-shift nurses with a 3-h nap and 24 day-shift nurses in Sina Hospital in Tehran (Iran) during 2015–2016. Subjective sleepiness and fatigue before and after their shifts were measured by Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) and Swedish Occupational Fatigue Inventory (SOFI-20), respectively. Statistical analysis including independent t-test, Mann–Whitney test, multivariate analysis of variance, and discriminant analysis were performed to compare the two groups.Results: The difference in means of subjective sleepiness before and after the shifts was significantly greater among night-shift nurses having a 3-h nap (1.43±1.50) than the day-shift nurses (0.37±0.92) (P=0.007). Although after their working shifts, the night-shift nurses (1.40±2.30) were more fatigued than the day-shift ones (0.96±1.46), this was not statistically significant (P=0.81). Moreover, day or night shift working with a 3-h nap was an effective factor (P=0.015) while considering the interrelationship between sleepiness and fatigue in multivariate analysis. Discriminant analysis revealed the dominant role of subjective sleepiness in differentiating the two groups. Conclusions: Despite the 3-h nap, subjective sleepiness was seen more among the night-shift nurses than the day-shift ones; however, the mean difference scores of fatigue did not differ between the two groups. Presumably, getting a 3-h nap during night shift and a heavy work load for day-shift nurses might result in insignificant fatigue between the groups. Furthermore, studies with new strategies for napping among nurses are recommended
Characterization of Odorous Gaseous Emissions from a Rendering Plant by GC-MS and Evaluate the Performance of Existing Refiners
Get PDFBackground: Among the industrial activities that may cause odor nuisance problems, baking waste one is of the sources of bad odor, and therefore individuals complain from the industry. The aim of this study was to evaluation of pollutants released from poultry rendering plant and also performance of existing refiners in removing these pollutants. Methods: In this study, 66 air samples were collected from air pollution sources, environmental and worker\u27s breathing zone using absorbent activated carbon and silica gel at two slaughterhouses in North and West of Iran. The samples were analyzed by GC-MS, and then efficiency of the three refiners condenser, thermal oxidation and water tank had been determined.Results: Overall, 56 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse A and 41 chemical pollutants in the slaughterhouse B had been identified. These compounds were included hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, ethers, halogenated compounds, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, acids and hormones. Condenser efficiency was 38 to 100%. Thermal oxidation efficiency was 15.41 to 100% and the efficiency of the water tank was 8.93 to 100%.Conclusions: Occupational exposure to pyridine and carbon disulfide, in the slaughterhouse A, and carbon disulfide in the slaughterhouse B, was excessive. The concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and pyridine in the slaughterhouse A and concentrations of toluene, carbon disulfide and acetone in a slaughterhouse B was much more than the threshold of smell. Results showed that the combination of condenser and thermal oxidation, could remove large volumes of gases emitted
The effect of industrial development on health hazard risk posed by drinking water containing heavy metals with HRAEPA index, Case study; Semnan province
Get PDFBackground: Developmental activities especially the establishment of more than 20 industrial units in Semnan province caused the officers worries about increased concentration of heavy metals in drinking water supplies and probably increasing of health risk at consumers. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of Semnan province industrial development on the health risk level caused by drinking waters heavy metals with HRAEPA index.Methods: For this descriptive-analytical study, sampling from 17 wells was perfumed at first. Then the heavy metals concentrations were measured at laboratory with Standard methods (Arsenic, Cadmium and Mercury with Atomic Absorption GTA-95 - Lead and Chromium with Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry). Meantime, HRAEPA index was calculated with three step process of health risk assessment. Statistical analysis was performed by Repeated Measure، One sample T-test and One-Way ANNOVA methods. Finally, zoning map of heavy metals in Semnan province has been prepared with GIS.Results: Results showed that the levels of all heavy metals are at national, WHO and EU standard ranges. HRAEPA indexes was 4.48Í10-4, 4.36Í10-4 and 4.46Í10-4 for 2001-2011, 2012-2015 and 2015 period, respectively. Also, the highest and lowest HRAEPA index was for 2001-2011 and 2015, respectively.Conclusions: The study showed that the heavy metals concentrations in groundwater resources were lower than threshold toxic level. However with the industrial development started at Semnan province, water resources quality must be protected by law enforcement and tight supervision on industrial and mining-excavation activities.
Neurobehavioral Effects of Occupational Exposure to Organic Solvents among Pharmaceutical Laboratory Workers in Iran
Get PDFBackground: Workers exposed to organic solvents are at risk of developing chronic central nervous system disorders. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the neurobehavioral effects of occupational exposure to organic solvents among pharmaceutical laboratory workers. Methods: The study groups consisted of 78 laboratory workers as the exposed group and 98 office workers as unexposed controls. The subjects were studied with the World Health Organization neurobehavioral core test battery (WHO-NCTB) by running Simple Reaction Time (SRT), Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) and Purdue Pegboard tests. Results: The SRT and BVRT test scores were poorer among the laboratory workers. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups for the Purdue Pegboard Test. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that occupational exposure to organic solvents could induce a neurobehavioral deficiency in pharmaceutical laboratory workers. Therefore, objective neurobehavioral tests should be used for assessing the relation between exposure and effect and also as a guide for establishing standards in the control of workplace exposure
Primary Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacterium Tuberculosis (P-MDRTB) in Gorgan, Iran
Get PDFBackground: Resistance to anti-tuberculosis (TB) drugs is a global problem. Previous studies showed that the prevalence of primary MDR-TB is higher and has been increasing. The purpose of this study was to determine the primary drug resistance in strains isolated from patients with smear-positive of the new cases to anti-TB drugs.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 266 smear positive pulmonary TB Iranian patients were enrolled during the April 2011 and March 2012. Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) of M. tuberculosis isolates to the first-line drugs, isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and streptomycin, were performed by the proportion method using conventional Lowenstein-Jensen (L-J) medium.Results: The average age was 48.4 ± 21.3 years, and 56.5 percent were male. In this study, out of 266 pulmonary TB suspects studied, susceptibility testing was performed for 189 isolates. Resistance to at least one drug was present in 11.1% (21/189) of cases. Resistance among newly diagnosed patients was most common for streptomycin, and MDR prevalence rates (resistant to ISONIAZID and RIFAMPIN) among these patients were 2.1%.Conclusions: Our finding suggests that the incidence of MDR tuberculosis in high TB burden settings stresses the need for drug susceptibility testing to be done for every patient who is culture positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Effects of LI4 Acupressure on Post-cesarean Section Pain
Get PDFBackground: Post-cesarean section analgesia improves functional ability of the mother and her interaction with the infant. Pharmacological methods such as painkillers and narcotics are commonly used to reduce post-cesarean section pain. However, due to the complications of current pharmacological therapies, the use of non-pharmacological methods is currently receiving special attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of LI4 acupressure on reducing post-cesarean section pain.Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 108 women who were admitted to Fatemiyeh Hospital in Shahroud and had undergone cesarean section were randomly selected and, based on blocks of four, were divided into two groups (acupressure on LI4) and control (touch at the same point). The intervention at LI4 point was made for 20 minutes immediately after full consciousness of the cases and the control group received only touch on this point. Pain intensity in the two groups was measured with a visual analog scale (VAS) before the intervention, immediately after the intervention, 60, and 120 minutes following the intervention. The dose and frequency of narcotics and analgesics taken by the two groups was also measured.Results: There was no significant difference in pain intensity between the two groups prior to the intervention (P = 0.87). Additionally, there were no significant differences between the groups in pain intensity scores immediately, 60, and 120 minutes after intervention (P > 0 .05).Conclusions: LI4 acupressure was not effective in reducing post-cesarean section pain
Exploring the Correlation between Expression of EMT Transcription Factors and CXCR4 Expression
Get PDFBackground: Metastasis is one the most leading cause of death from cancer. The chemokine receptor of CXCR4 has an important role in cell migration and cancer metastasis. Additionally, metastasis is always associated with the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study the correlation between expression of CXCR4 and EMT-TFs has been examined.Methods: The expression of CXCR4 in knocked out SUM159 cell line for EMT-TFs of slug, snail, twist and ZEB1 were examined.Results: The results revealed that the expression of CXCR4 decreased significantly in twist and ZEB1 knocked out cells, however in other groups no change was observed. Decreased expression of CXCR4 indicated that ZEB1 and twist may be one of regulators of CXCR4 expression.Conclusions: ChIP assay should be performed in future experiments to see the definite role of ZEB1 and twist as transcription factors for CXCR4