Effects of railway noise and vibrations on dissatisfaction of residents: case study of Iran.

In this study, the effects of noise and vibrations caused by railways on the lives of residents around the railways in districts 17 and 18 of Tehran, the capital of Iran which amounts to about 700,000 people, are investigated. In the first stage the actual level of noise was measured at various points which showed above standard levels. Afterward, the authors developed a questionnaire and the survey was conducted from 376 residents. The findings of this study show that the most important factor for the residents adjacent to the railway line is the need for action by the country's railway authorities to reduce and control the adverse effects of noise and vibration. Also, the analysis of inferential statistics performed by chi-square test shows that the variables of gender and proximity of residence or workplace or both to the railway do not affect any of the railway noise or vibration dissatisfaction. The age variable also has no effect on noise dissatisfaction but does impact on vibration. Finally, distance from the railway affects both disaffection from noise and vibration.

Health promoting hospitals in Iran: Persian translation, cultural adaptation, content and face validation of selfassessment form of the standards of health promoting hospitals affiliated to the World Health Organization.

Background: According to the World Health Organization, hospitals should assess their internal wards to improve health promotion services using self-assessment tools. To achieve this goal, standards of health promoting hospitals have been developed by the World Health Organization, and measurable elements and indicators have been defined to facilitate the practical application of these standards in planning, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion in hospitals. Moreover, a form has been developed for this self-assessment. Considering linguistic and cultural differences in various countries, standards must be written in equivalent texts and, then, their content and face validity should be examined. Performing this process in a systemic and scientific way can guarantee that the same tools have been used, and thus the results obtained from different hospitals are comparable. Methods: After the preparation phase (considering research aim, obtaining permission from the original designers, and determining the time), the following activities were done: translating the form from its original language to the target language, combining and compiling initial translations to a single translation, reversing the final version of the translation from the target language to the original language, obtaining cognitive information, revising and concluding, and determining the content and face validity of the translated form and final report. After filling in the form, face validity was calculated using impact score formula. Content validity was measured using content validity ratio (CVR) and content validity index (CVI). Results: After calculating the impact score, all 40 items showed a high impact score greater than 1.5, representing the fact that all items are important. The minimum value of CVR for each of the 40 items was estimated to be 0.64; CVI of all items was greater than 0.79. Conclusion: Given the input of the standards of health promoting hospitals affiliated to the World Health Organization in National Accreditation of Iranian hospitals, the form was translated and found to be valid according to content and face validity and is available in Persian to be used in Iranian hospitals (Appendix 1).

Comparison the Results of Hysterosalpangiography in Patients with Ectopic Pregnancy Treated by Laparoscopic Salpingostomy, Laparotomy, and Treated with Methotrexate.

Background: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) occurs in 1% of pregnancies, and may seriously effects on women's health and future fertility so this study aimed to compare the results of hysterosalpingography (HSG) after treatment of EP by laparoscopy, laparotomy, and methotrexate (MTX) therapy. Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial study was done on 112 EP women with treatment indication referred to Isfahan Al-Zahran and Shahid Beheshti Hospitals from 2017 to 2018. They were divided into 33 populated groups of laparoscopic salpingostomy, laparotomy and MTX. Then patients of three groups underwent HSG 3 months after intervention. The factors such beta human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) (mIU/mL), size of EP (mm), infection, hospital length of stay (LOS), and tubal patency were recorded and compared between the groups. Results: There were no significant differences between groups for age, body mass index, ß-hCG, Size of EP, and hospital LOS (P > 0.05). The infection was more frequent in laparotomy group with no significant difference among three groups. The infection rates were 9%, 12%, and 6% for MTX, laparotomy, and laparoscopy arms, respectively. Between the three groups tubal patency as primary outcome had higher frequency than laparoscopy group, although, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.595). Conclusion: Although infection was more in laparotomy and that tubal patency was more within 3 months in laparoscopy and MTX, there were no statistically significant differences in the results of laparoscopy, laparotomy, and MTX in HSG results.

The effect of two types of combined training on bio-motor ability adaptations in sedentary females.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of combined training of high-volume/low intensity vs. low volume/high intensity on different bio-motor adaptations in sedentary women. METHODS: Thirty sedentary healthy females (mean age, 22.1±3.3 years), were randomly assigned into: control group (CG; N.=10), High-Volume/low-intensity training group (HV; N.=10); or high-intensity/low-volume training group (HI; N.=10). Training protocols were performed for 8 weeks, on three non-consecutive days a week. RESULTS: Post-intervention, there were significant main effects of time and a group by time interaction for all body composition and performance variables (P≤0.001), while no significant differences were found for changes in maximum heart rate. Pairwise comparisons revealed significant decreases in body fat percentage and speed test in HV and HI (P≤0.001) after intervention, while anaerobic power significantly increased in HV and HI (P≤0.001). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly superior in HI than HV (P≤0.05). Additionally, there were significant main effects of time and a group by time interaction for all one-repetition maximum tests (P≤0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Combined interval training and resistance training were effective for improving bio-motor parameters in sedentary young women. HV training produced less RPE than HI training, which may potentially increase adherence to training protocols post-intervention.

Effects of Plyometric Jump Training in Sand or Rigid Surface on Jump-Related Biomechanical Variables and Physical Fitness in Female Volleyball Players.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to assess the effects of 8 weeks of plyometric jump training (PJT) conducted on sand or a rigid court surface on jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. METHODS: Seventeen participants were randomly divided into a sand surface group (SsG, n = 8) and rigid surface group (RsG, n = 9). Both groups completed equal indoor volleyball training routines. Participants were assessed pre and post the 8-week PJT for jump-related biomechanical variables (countermovement jump (CMJ) RSI; drop jump (DJ) reactive strength index (RSI); spike jump (SJ) height; CMJ height; CMJ rate of force development (RFD); CMJ velocity at take-off; DJ height and CMJ peak force), 20 m linear sprint time, t test for change-of-direction sprint (CODs) time, Wingate test peak power (PP), cardiorespiratory endurance, and leg-press one-repetition maximum (1RM). RESULTS: A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group × time) revealed that there was a significant group × time interaction between DJ height (p = 0.035) and CMJ peak force (p = 0.032) in favour of RsG and SsG, respectively. A significant interaction was also observed for cardiorespiratory endurance (p = 0.01) and 1RM (p = 0.002), both favouring the SsG. No other group × time interaction was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The type of surface used during PJT induced specific adaptations in terms of jump-related biomechanical variables and physical fitness in female indoor volleyball players. Based on the individual needs of the athletes, practitioners may prescribe one type of surface preferentially over another to maximize the benefits derived from PJT.

Anisotropic Behavior of Al1050 through Accumulative Roll Bonding.

In this study, Al1050 sheets were fabricated in five passes using the accumulative roll bonding (ARB) technique. For a more accurate and complete investigation, different tests were used, including a uniaxial tensile test. The results show that elongation increases about 50% for the annealed sample, which is 2.5 times that of the fifth pass (20%). A five-fold increase can be seen in tensile strength, which was 50 MPa in the annealed sample and reached 250 MPa at the end of the fifth pass. The annealed sample's yield stress was 40 MPa, 4.5 times less than 180 MPa after five passes of ARB. Then, to evaluate sample hardness, the Vickers microhardness test was conducted in the samples' depth direction, which recorded 39 HV for the annealed piece and 68 HV after the last ARB pass. These results show that the hardness increases by 1.8 times after five passes of ARB. In the next step, by conducting fractography tests after the sample fractures during the tensile test, the fracture's mechanism and type were identified and explained. Finally, X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to produce pole figures of sample texture, and the anisotropy phenomena of the annealed sample and ARBed samples were wholly examined. In this study, with the help of pole figures, the anisotropic behavior after ARB was investigated and analyzed. In each step of the process, observing the samples' texture states and the anisotropy magnificent was possible. According to the results, normal anisotropy of 0.6 in the annealed sample and 1.8 achieved after the fifth pass of ARB indicates that ARB leads to an increase in anisotropy.

Metabolic labeling with an alkyne probe reveals similarities and differences in the prenylomes of several brain-derived cell lines and primary cells.

Protein prenylation involves the attachment of one or two isoprenoid group(s) onto cysteine residues positioned near the C-terminus. This modification is essential for many signal transduction processes. In this work, the use of the probe C15AlkOPP for metabolic labeling and identification of prenylated proteins in a variety of cell lines and primary cells is explored. Using a single isoprenoid analogue, 78 prenylated protein groups from the three classes of prenylation substrates were identified including three novel prenylation substrates in a single experiment. Applying this method to three brain-related cell lines including neurons, microglia, and astrocytes showed substantial overlap (25%) in the prenylated proteins identified. In addition, some unique prenylated proteins were identified in each type. Eight proteins were observed exclusively in neurons, five were observed exclusively in astrocytes and three were observed exclusively in microglia, suggesting their unique roles in these cells. Furthermore, inhibition of farnesylation in primary astrocytes revealed the differential responses of farnesylated proteins to an FTI. Importantly, these results provide a list of 19 prenylated proteins common to all the cell lines studied here that can be monitored using the C15AlkOPP probe as well as a number of proteins that were observed in only certain cell lines. Taken together, these results suggest that this chemical proteomic approach should be useful in monitoring the levels and exploring the underlying role(s) of prenylated proteins in various diseases.

Activity-Based Hydrazine Probes for Protein Profiling of Electrophilic Functionality in Therapeutic Targets.

Most known probes for activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) use electrophilic groups that tag a single type of nucleophilic amino acid to identify cases in which its hyper-reactivity underpins function. Much important biochemistry derives from electrophilic enzyme cofactors, transient intermediates, and labile regulatory modifications, but ABPP probes for such species are underdeveloped. Here, we describe a versatile class of probes for this less charted hemisphere of the proteome. The use of an electron-rich hydrazine as the common chemical modifier enables covalent targeting of multiple, pharmacologically important classes of enzymes bearing diverse organic and inorganic cofactors. Probe attachment occurs by both polar and radicaloid mechanisms, can be blocked by molecules that occupy the active sites, and depends on the proper poise of the active site for turnover. These traits will enable the probes to be used to identify specific inhibitors of individual members of these multiple enzyme classes, making them uniquely versatile among known ABPP probes.

Discovery of Electrophiles and Profiling of Enzyme Cofactors.

Reverse-polarity activity-based protein profiling (RP-ABPP) is a chemical proteomics approach that uses nucleophilic probes amenable to "click" chemistry deployed into living cells in culture to capture, immunoprecipitate, and identify protein-bound electrophiles. RP-ABPP is used to characterize the structure and function of reactive electrophilic post-translational modifications (PTMs) and the proteins harboring them, which may uncover unknown or novel functions. RP-ABPP has demonstrated utility as a versatile method to monitor the metabolic regulation of electrophilic cofactors, using a pyruvoyl cofactor in S-adenosyl-L-methionine decarboxylase (AMD1), and to discover novel types of electrophilic modifications on proteins in human cells, such as the glyoxylyl modification on secernin-3 (SCRN3). These cofactors cannot be predicted by sequence, and therefore this area is relatively undeveloped. RP-ABPP is the only global, unbiased approach to discover such electrophiles. Here, we describe the utility of these experiments and provide a detailed protocol for de novo discovery, quantitation, and global profiling of electrophilic functionality of proteins. © 2020 The Authors. Basic Protocol 1: Identification and quantification of probe-reactive proteins Basic Protocol 2: Characterization of the site of probe labeling Basic Protocol 3: Determination and quantitation of electrophile structure.

Relationships Between Training Workload Parameters with Variations in Anaerobic Power and Change of Direction Status in Elite Youth Soccer Players.

The purpose of this study was to test the relationships between training workload (WL) parameters with variations in anaerobic power and change of direction (COD) in under-16 soccer players. Twenty-three elite players under 16 years were daily monitored for their WL across 20 weeks during the competition soccer season. Additionally, players were assessed three times for anthropometric, body composition, COD, and anaerobic power. A correlational analysis between the mean differences between assessments and accumulated WL parameters were conducted. Moreover, a regression analysis was executed to explain the variations in the percentage of change in fitness levels considering the accumulated WL parameters and peak height velocity. The accumulated daily loads during one week showed a large and a moderate correlation with peak power and COD at different periods of the season. Regression analysis showed no significant predictions for COD (F(12, 10) = 1.2, p = 0.41) prediction, acute load (F(12, 10) = 0.63, p = 0.78), or chronic load (F(12, 10) = 0.59, p = 0.81). In conclusion, it may be assumed that the values of the chronic workload and the accumulated training monotony can be used to better explain the physical capacities of young soccer players, suggesting the importance of psychophysiological instruments to identify the effects of the training process in this population.

Surgical approach to body packing.

PURPOSE: Body packers, i.e. individuals carrying illegal drug packages in their bodies, are usually managed medically. For the minority, surgical intervention is needed. METHODS: We review our experience to compare surgical and nonsurgical approaches for treating symptomatic body-packing patients. RESULTS: From April 2004 to March 2007, 45 patients were referred to our hospital. Nine of them underwent surgical intervention. The number of packets and total swallowed drugs were more among surgically-treated patients (P = 0.003, 0.004 respectively). The mean duration between drug swallowing and admission to the hospital was longer among surgically-treated patients (P = 0.001). Surgically-treated patients were more symptomatic. Resistant toxicity and symptomatic cocaine and heroin mixture packing were the most common indications for surgery. Surgery was usually performed without any complication. CONCLUSION: Surgical intervention is indicated for body packers with persistent nonresponsive toxicity, gastrointestinal obstruction or perforation, and symptomatic cocaine packers.

Optimization of Metabolic Labeling with Alkyne-Containing Isoprenoid Probes.

Protein prenylation, found in eukaryotes, is a posttranslational modification in which one or two isoprenoid groups are added to the C terminus of selected proteins using either a farnesyl group or a geranylgeranyl group. Prenylation facilitates protein localization mainly to the plasma membrane where the prenylated proteins, including small GTPases, mediate signal transduction pathways. Changes in the level of prenylated proteins may serve a critical function in a variety of diseases. Metabolic labeling using modified isoprenoid probes followed by enrichment and proteomic analysis allows the identities and levels of prenylated proteins to be investigated. In this protocol, we illustrate how the conditions for metabolic labeling are optimized to maximize probe incorporation in HeLa cells through a combination of in-gel fluorescence and densitometric analysis.

Aminopropyl groups of the functionalized Mobil Crystalline Material 41 as a carrier for controlled diclofenac sodium and piroxicam delivery.

OBJECTIVE: Synthetic Mobil Crystalline Material 41 (MCM-41) as a mesoporous material and functionalized MCM-41 using aminopropyl groups were studied in order to investigate their ability to encapsulate and to control the release of diclofenac sodium and piroxicam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: MCM-41 was synthesized through sol-gel procedure and functionalized with aminopropyl groups. The physicochemical properties of MCM-41 were studied through particle size analysis, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen analysis. Diclofenac sodium and piroxicam were loaded into the MCM-41 matrix using the filtration and solvent evaporation methods. The drug-loading capacity was determined by ultraviolet, Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller analysis. RESULTS: According to the results for pure drug release, >57% was released in the 1st h, but when these drugs were loaded into pure Mobil Crystalline Material 41 (MCM-41) and functionalized MCM-41, the release into the simulated gastrointestinal medium was less, continuous, and slower. The release of piroxicam from functionalized MCM-41 was slower than that from MCM-41 in the simulated intestinal medium because of the formation of electrostatic bonds between piroxicam and the aminopropyl groups of the functionalized MCM-41. However, in the case of diclofenac sodium, there was no significant difference between pure MCM-41 and functionalized MCM-41. The difference between piroxicam and diclofenac sodium was due to the high solubility of diclofenac sodium in the intestinal medium (pH 6.8), which caused more rapid release from the matrixes than for piroxicam. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that, after functionalization of MCM-41, it could offer a good means of delivering controlled diclofenac sodium and piroxicam.

Gastrointestinal obstruction due to plaster ingestion: a case-report.

BACKGROUND: Plaster ingestion forming gastric bezoar is a strange way to attempt suicide and this method has not yet been reported. It may lead to a mechanical obstruction of the gut, especially the pyloric region, and could manifest with abdominal pain, epigastric distress, nausea, vomiting, and fullness. CASE PRESENTATION: Herein we report a case of a 37 year-old woman presenting with plaster ingestion and gastric outlet obstruction, who underwent surgery. At six months follow-up the patient was fully recovered. CONCLUSION: Plaster has no toxic or erosive effects. Endoscopic or surgical removing of such material is recommended. Moreover, psychiatric intervention and management is imperative to prevent recurrence in such cases.

Lessons learnt from the model of instructional system for training community health workers in rural health houses of iran.

BACKGROUND: Many experts believe that the "health houses" of Iran have had major effects in increasing health status of Iranian rural community. One of the factors, which was critical to this success is the employment of young women and men from rural communities who serve as multipurpose health workers. They participate in a two-year task-oriented training course. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article was to describe the model of training behvarzes as the community health workers who deliver health services to the health houses of Iran. This description included the specific method of recruiting these CHWs, strategies and methods of their training which is different from general academic education. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study design was utilized for this analysis in six areas. These areas have been selected according to the expert opinions and experiences of the Center for Health Networks Management. RESULTS: The results showed the specific method of student selection and clear objectives and standards of training related to the health needs of the community. Recruitment of native human resources, the relationship between training and performance are the characteristics, which have been made this system more efficient and responsive to the health system needs. CONCLUSIONS: Development of the job and task analysis to ensure providing the right training needs, applying more evidences through different studies for reforms, more decentralized equipped system with decision-making tools have been proposed for development.

Surgical approach to hydrocarbon injection in upper extremities: case series.

BACKGROUND: Hydrocarbon injection, which mostly occurs in the upper extremity, is commonly seen in domestic and industrial accidents, or attempted suicide. Surgical approach to chemical cellulites and other complications in these patients is controversial. METHOD: This survey has been carried out on 21 patients admitted to general surgery unit of Loqman Hakim hospital, Tehran, Iran with the complaint of hydrocarbon injection in 2001-2005. RESULTS: The most common injected material was petroleum (in 8 patients). Anterior forearm was the most common injection site (in 16 patients). All of the patients had inflammation, swelling, and localized tenderness. Leukocytosis was present in 18 of 21 patients. Compartment syndrome happened in 13 patients; 5 with necrotizing fasciitis. All of the patients with compartment syndrome underwent fasciotomy and debridement. Split thickness skin graft was done for 10 patients after 2 weeks of admission. There was no mortality or limb loss during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention of the systemic complications, hospitalization, close monitoring and treatment of chemical cellulites are the main parts of the management of patients with hydrocarbon injection. Surgical intervention is recommended when compartment syndrome or other local complications occur.

Late complications of circumcision in Iran.

Today, circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure worldwide. Early and late complications may occur due to circumcision. To find the prevalence of late complications of circumcision, we studied 3,205 elementary-school boys aged 6-12 years in 2002. All of them were Iranian and Muslim. Nearly 3,125 of the boys have been circumcised. Most of the boys (2,214 boys) had been circumcised after 2 years of age. Moreover, most of them were operated by traditional circumcisers (43.49%). Late complications (7.39%) were reported in 231 boys. Excessive residual foreskin was seen in 113 children (3.6%). Excessive removal of skin was detected in 42 boys (1.3%), meatal stenosis in 29 boys (0.9%), granoloma in 22 boys (0.7%), penile rotation in 17 boys (0.5%), and 8 boys had secondary chordee (0.2%). The complication rate was not different between the neonatal circumcision and older groups. We suggested that circumcision should only be performed in medical institutions by suitably trained specialists.