Objective Bayesian Estimation for the Differential Entropy Measure Under Generalized Half-Normal Distribution.

The evaluation of the information entropy content in the data analysis is an effective role in the assessment of fatigue damage. Due to the connection between the generalized half-normal distribution and fatigue extension, the objective inference for the differential entropy of the generalized half-normal distribution is considered in this paper. The Bayesian estimates and associated credible intervals are discussed based on different non-informative priors including Jeffery, reference, probability matching, and maximal data information priors for the differential entropy measure. The Metropolis-Hastings samplers data sets are used to estimate the posterior densities and then compute the Bayesian estimates. For comparison purposes, the maximum likelihood estimators and asymptotic confidence intervals of the differential entropy are derived. An intensive simulation study is conducted to evaluate the performance of the proposed statistical inference methods. Two real data sets are analyzed by the proposed methodology for illustrative purposes as well. Finally, non-informative priors for the original parameters of generalized half-normal distribution based on the direct and transformation of the entropy measure are also proposed and compared.

Body mass index, lipid profile, and hypertension contribute to prolonged QRS complex.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: QRS prolongation is one of the most common findings in patients with underlying cardiac diseases. Recent studies have shown that QRS prolongation can be accompanied by obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, which are known risk factors for cardiovascular events. This study aimed to evaluate how obesity, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia could affect QRS duration. METHODS: A total of 4033 eligible subjects aged between 35 and 70 years were included from the Persian Cohort Study in Mashhad. ECG intervals, blood pressures, lipid profile, and BMI measures were obtained at the time of enrolment. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between QRS duration and BMI, hypertension, and lipid profile. RESULTS: This study population consisted of 2047 females and 1986 males with a mean age of 46.05 ± 9.50 years. Higher BMI values and heart rate were observed in women (27.12 ± 4 and 74.66 ± 8.54; P < 0.001), while height, weight, and QRS duration showed a significant increase in men (172.60 ± 7.18, 79.44 ± 12.55, and 97 ± 11.05; P < 0.001). Except for total cholesterol (P = 0.317), blood pressures and lipid profile differed significantly among women and men (P < 0.001). Furthermore, univariate analyses indicated that QRS duration was associated with age, sex, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, categorical blood pressure, categorical BMI, and continuous BMI. On the backward multivariate model, TG, LDL, HDL, DBP, SBP, categorical blood pressure, categorical BMI, and continuous BMI were independently correlated with QRS duration. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension, increased BMI, and high levels of LDL, TG, and lower HDL, as well-known risk factors of cardiovascular disease, were associated with prolonged QRS duration. These findings could be beneficial in future investigations regarding establishing the underlying heart problems.

Investigation the Role of Autophagy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have shown the role of autophagy in different types of cancer including lung cancer. MicroRNAs are considered as key factors in regulation of autophagy related genes. miR-30d, miR-204-5p and miR-20a are regulatory markers which can suppress the expression of beclin1, LC3, bcl2 and ULK1 as their target genes and they lead to decrement of autophagy in human cancer cells. Moreover, epigenetic modifications DNA methylation has been indicated in regulation of autophagy in different stages of cancer. METHODS: In this study, the expression levels of miR-30d, miR-204-5p and miR-20a as well as their target genes were analyzed in 30 non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) patients sample and adjacent normal tissues by real-time qPCR. In addition, DNA methylation of beclin1, LC3, bcl2 and ULK1 genes were assessed by MS-HRM method. RESULTS: MiR-30d (p value= 0.01) and miR-204-5p (P=0.048) significantly down-regulated in tumor samples compared to normal adjacent tissues, while there was no significant change in expression level of miR-20a. On the other hand, target genes expression level was significantly increased in NSCLC tissues, however methylation pattern of the target gene promoters, did not show any significant alteration. CONCLUSION: These results indicate roles for miR-30d, miR-204-5p as tumor suppressor genes as well as target genes as oncogenes in NSCLC patients. Although these factors may have a significant role in NSCLC progression, further studies are necessary to investigate the implications of these findings for treatment of lung cancer. 
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The effect of collaborative care model training on diabetic foot ulcer patients' quality of life: a semi-experimental study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this semi-experimental study was the determination of collaborative care model training on diabetic foot ulcer patients' quality of life. METHODS: Demographic characteristics and life's quality questionnaires were used, and to implement the collaborative model that included (including four steps of motivation, preparation, engagement, and evaluation), 60 patients divided into two "experiment" and "control" groups. For the experimental group, the program was done by face to face education and pamphlet through one hour in seven sessions. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistical methods. SPSS 24 was used for data analysis. RESULTS: Findings showed the differences of the scores of life's quality dimensions (except the economic situation), which was significant between both groups after the implementation of the collaborative care model (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The implementation of collaborative care model can be effective to improve diabetic foot ulcer patients' quality of life.

The effects of discharge training and counseling on post-discharge problems in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

BACKGROUND: Advances in coronary artery surgery have reduced morbidity, mortality, and rates of graft occlusion. Discharge programs are important services for the continuity of treatment and must encompass physical, psychological, and social aspects of individual patient care. This study aimed at investigating the effect of planned discharge training and counseling on the problems experienced by patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semi-experimental study was performed on 100 patients undergoing CABG surgery in the surgery department. During a period of 9 months from January to September 2013, the patients in the intervention group were provided with adequate discharge training and counseling with a booklet before surgery and counseling until 6 weeks after discharge, while the control group patients received only routine clinical procedures, i.e. prescribing medicine, controlling vital signs, and wound dressing. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 23. Frequency and distribution were used to describe the data, and paired sample t-test, variance analysis, Fisher's exact test, and Chi-squared tests were also used. RESULTS: The reported problems for both groups had a descending pattern during the three follow-ups. However, this pattern had a greater slope in the intervention group compared to the control one. As a result of these education programs, problems were fewer in the intervention group than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Discharge training and counseling given to the intervention group had a positive impact on decreasing the problems that the patients had. Therefore, the institutions may be recommended to support multidisciplinary patient training and counseling activities using the methods described in this study.