Geographical distribution of at fault drivers involved in fatal traffic collisions in Tehran, Iran / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#According to Traffic Police, about 35% of deaths and more than 50% of injuries caused by traffic collision in the roads of Tehran are among drivers and car occupants. This study was conducted to determine areas with the highest number of traffic collisions and perform spatial analysis of traffic collisions involving drivers in Tehran during April 2014 to March 2017. @*METHODS@#The present study was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic research. In this study, all traffic collision that driver was accounted (100 percent or less) for crash occurrence which resulted in the death of at least one person (driver, pedestrian or passenger) were included in the analyses. Geographic information system software was used to show spatial distribution of events from zoning maps. Moran index was used in the mathematical analysis in order to determine the distribution pattern of the events from and Getis-Ord G statistics was applied to analyze the hot spots (high risk points). @*RESULTS@#A total number of 519 traffic collisions were investigated in this study. Moreover, 283 cases (54.5%) of the incidents took place in direct routes and 236 cases (45.5%) occurred at intersections. The most frequent events were in the region 4 (57 cases) and the least frequent events were reported in the region 10 (6 cases). Moran statistics show that the distribution of the studied events significantly follows the cluster pattern (p<0.001). @*CONCLUSIONS@#The northeastern and northwest margins of Tehran are the most prone areas for drivers involved with traffic collisions leading to death. Most traffic collisions leading to death take place at highways located at the entrance and exit points of Tehran and highways in regions 2 and 5.

Geographical distribution of at fault drivers involved in fatal traffic collisions in Tehran, Iran / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#According to Traffic Police, about 35% of deaths and more than 50% of injuries caused by traffic collision in the roads of Tehran are among drivers and car occupants. This study was conducted to determine areas with the highest number of traffic collisions and perform spatial analysis of traffic collisions involving drivers in Tehran during April 2014 to March 2017. @*METHODS@#The present study was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic research. In this study, all traffic collision that driver was accounted (100 percent or less) for crash occurrence which resulted in the death of at least one person (driver, pedestrian or passenger) were included in the analyses. Geographic information system software was used to show spatial distribution of events from zoning maps. Moran index was used in the mathematical analysis in order to determine the distribution pattern of the events from and Getis-Ord G statistics was applied to analyze the hot spots (high risk points). @*RESULTS@#A total number of 519 traffic collisions were investigated in this study. Moreover, 283 cases (54.5%) of the incidents took place in direct routes and 236 cases (45.5%) occurred at intersections. The most frequent events were in the region 4 (57 cases) and the least frequent events were reported in the region 10 (6 cases). Moran statistics show that the distribution of the studied events significantly follows the cluster pattern (p<0.001). @*CONCLUSIONS@#The northeastern and northwest margins of Tehran are the most prone areas for drivers involved with traffic collisions leading to death. Most traffic collisions leading to death take place at highways located at the entrance and exit points of Tehran and highways in regions 2 and 5.

Vitamin C restores ovarian follicular reservation in a mouse model of aging / 대한해부학회지

Ovarian aging is related to the reduction of oocyte quality and ovarian follicles reservation leading to infertility. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which may counteract with adverse effects of aging in the ovary. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effect of vitamin C on NMRI mice ovarian aging according to the stereological study. In this experimental study, 36 adult female mice (25–30 g) were divided into two groups: control and vitamin C. Vitamin C (150 mg/kg/day) were administered by oral gavage for 33 weeks. Six animals of each group were sacrificed on week 8, 12, and 33, and right ovary samples were extracted for stereology analysis. Our data showed that the total volume of ovary, cortex, medulla and corpus luteum were significantly increased in vitamin C group in comparison to the control groups (P≤0.05). In addition, the total number of primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles as well as granulosa cells were improved in vitamin C group in compared to the control groups (P≤0.05). No significant difference was observed in total volume of oocytes in antral follicles between control and vitamin C groups. Our data showed that vitamin C could notably compensate undesirable effects of ovarian aging in a mouse model.

Spatial analysis of driving accidents leading to deaths related to motorcyclists in Tehran / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Traffic accidents are one of the main causes of death and disability, causing annual deaths of 1.23 million and tens of millions injured people worldwide. Meanwhile, a significant proportion of the deaths and injuries caused by traffic accidents occur among motorcyclists. According to the world health organization's 2015 report, about 25% of deaths from traffic accidents occur in motorists. In Iran, a significant proportion of deaths and injuries result from traffic accidents among motorcyclists, especially in passages within the cities. According to traffic police, about 25% of deaths and 50% of injuries in traffic accidents of Tehran are reported among motorcyclists. Therefore, due to the importance of this issue, the spatial factors influencing the incidence of motorcycle-related accidents in Tehran were investigated using the geographic information system.@*METHODS@#The present work was a cross-sectional and descriptive analysis study. The data necessary for the study were extracted from Tehran traffic police as well as municipality databases. Zoning maps were used to display the distribution of events. In the analytical investigation, Moran index was used to determine the distribution pattern of the events, while Getis-Ord G * statistics were applied to analyze hot spots. To investigate the role of regional and environmental factors in the frequency of traffic accidents related to motorcyclists in geographic units (Tehran 22 districts), Poisson regression and negative binomial models were used. The geographically weighted regression (GWR) model was used to analyze the relationship between environmental factors and the location of these events. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, STATA, ARC-GIS and GWR software.@*RESULTS@#The southern and eastern margins of Tehran are the most vulnerable areas in terms of deaths related to traffic accidents of motorcyclists. Highways are considered the location of most traffic accidents which lead to death of motorcyclists. Getis-Ord General G * (p < 0.04) indicates that the distribution of high-risk points is statistically significant. The final model showed that in Tehran, the association of different variables including demographic characteristics, pathways network and type of land use with the number of accidents in geographic units was statistically significant. The spatial distribution of traffic accidents leading to deaths of motorcyclists in the center of Tehran varies considerably with changes in population density, length of highways, volume of traffic, and land use in different parts.@*CONCLUSION@#Most of the traffic accidents leading to deaths of motorcyclists occur in highways. Various environmental variables play a role in determining the distribution pattern of these types of events. Through proper traffic management, controlling environmental risk factors and training people the safety of motorcyclists in Tehran can be improved.

A systematic review of the effect of various interventions on reducing fatigue and sleepiness while driving / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>To identify and appraise the published studies assessing interventions accounting for reducing fatigue and sleepiness while driving.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This systematic review searched the following electronic databases: Medline, Science direct, Scopus, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Transport Database, Cochrane, BIOSIS, ISI Web of Knowledge, specialist road injuries journals and the Australian Transport and Road Index database. Additional searches included websites of relevant organizations, reference lists of included studies, and issues of major injury journals published within the past 15 years. Studies were included if they investigated interventions/exposures accounting for reducing fatigue and sleepiness as the outcome, measured any potential interventions for mitigation of sleepiness and were written in English. Meta-analysis was not attempted because of the heterogeneity of the included studies.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of 63 studies identified, 18 met the inclusion criteria. Based on results of our review, many interventions in the world have been used to reduce drowsiness while driving such as behavioral (talking to passengers, face washing, listening to the radio, no alcohol use, limiting the driving behavior at the time of 12 p.m. - 6 a.m. etc), educational interventions and also changes in the environment (such as rumble strips, chevrons, variable message signs, etc). Meta-analysis on the effect of all these interventions was impossible due to the high heterogeneity in methodology, effect size and interventions reported in the assessed studies.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Results of present review showed various interventions in different parts of the world have been used to decrease drowsy driving. Although these interventions can be used in countries with high incidence of road traffic accidents, precise effect of each intervention is still unknown. Further studies are required for comparison of the efficiency of each intervention and localization of each intervention according to the traffic patterns of each country.</p>

Effect of carvacrol on catalase activity and mrna expression following left ventricular hypertrophy in rats

Background and Aims: Cardiac hypertrophy is a compensatory augmentation response of the heart due to pressure overload that can lead to heart failure. Carvacrol is considered as the major compound of many plants, that possesses strong antioxidant properties. The present study aimed to evaluate effect of carvacrol on catalase activity and mRNA expression following left ventricular hypertrophy in rats

Materials and Methods: In the current study, male Wistar rats were divided into four groups [n=7]. Intact animals served as the control group [C], some rats were subjected to supra renal aortic banding without any treatment [H] in order to induce left ventricular hypertrophy, and some rats were pretreated with different doses of carvacrol [25, 50 and 75 mg/kg/day in H+C25, H+C50 and H+C75 groups respectively]. Serum and cardiac catalase [CAT] activity was determined by the biochemical methods. CAT mRNA expression was assessed using real-time polymeras chain reaction

Results: In H+C50 and H+C75 groups, the CAT activity was significantly higher in the left ventricular tissues [47.5 +/- 20 and 42 +/- 13.6, vs. H 22.4 +/- 17 U/mg protein respectively]. Serum CAT activity was increased in H+C50 and H+C75 groups [p<0.001], and CAT mRNA expression was increased in H+C50 group [p<0.05], as well

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest that Carvacrol may protect the heart against left ventricular hypertrophy via augmentation of CAT mRNA expression and activity

Age-specific serum anti-mullerian hormone and follicle stimulating hormone concentrations in infertile Iranian women

Anti-Mullerian hormone [AMH] is secreted by the granulosa cells of growing follicles during the primary to large antral follicle stages. Abnormal levels of AMH and follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] may indicate a woman's diminished ability or inability to conceive. Our aim is to investigate the changes in serum AMH and FSH concentrations at different age groups and its correlation with ovarian reserves in infertile women. This cross-sectional study analyzed serum AMH and FSH levels from 197 infertile women and 176 healthy controls, whose mean ages were 19-47 years. Sample collection was performed by random sampling and analyzed with SPSS version 16 software. There were significantly lower mean serum AMH levels among infertile women compared to the control group. The mean AMH serum levels from different ages of infertile and control group [fertile women] decreased with increasing age. However, this reduction was greater in the infertile group. The mean FSH serum levels of infertile women were significantly higher than the control group. Mean serum FSH levels consistently increased with increasing age in infertile women; however mean luteinizing hormone [LH] levels were not consistent. We have observed increased FSH levels and decreased AMH levels with increasing age in women from 19 to 47 years of age. Assessments of AMH and FSH levels in combination with female age can help in predicting ovarian reserve in infertile women

Early clinical results of arthroscopic remplissages in patients with anterior shoulder instability with engaging hill-sachs lesion in Iran

To assess the outcome of the remplissage arthroscopic surgical method in patients with anterior shoulder dislocation associated with Hill-Sachs lesion. Ten patients with anterior shoulder dislocations and Hill-Sachs lesions were entered into this study and were operated on by the remplissage arthroscopic surgical method. They were followed up 22 months after surgery in order to evaluate the outcome of the treatment, including recurrence of dislocation and motion limitation. During the internal follow up period no case of recurrence was found. Motion limitation during the follow up period was not significant [internal rotation limitation=5° +/- 10, and external rotation limitation=4° +/- 1°]. Our findings suggest that the remplissage arthroscopic surgical method is an acceptable, safe and reliable treatment for anterior shoulder dislocation with engaging Hill-Sachs lesion

Acute effect of static stretching of quadriceps, hamstrings and gastrocnemius muscles on knee joint position sense in football players

Purpose: Everything that impairs joint proprioception system can harm joints. It has been stated that stretching exercises can change properties of the proprioceptive receptors and as a result changes the sensibility of the joints proprioception. Due to fact that static stretching has greater use between athletes, it is necessary to give useful information about the safety of these stretching exercises and their effect on knee joint position sense. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effect of static stretching of selected muscles around knee on knee joint position sense in football players

Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental research with pretest and posttest design. In this study, 30 soccer players at the college level, with the mean age of 23.20 +/- 1.45 years were selected through purposeful sampling. Before performing stretching exercises and measuring, subjects had 5 minutes warm up on a fixed bike with the same speed. Then, knee joint position sense were measured by electrogoniometer SG150 model and the achieved figures were recorded as pretest record in the record sheet. Then static stretching exercise protocol was applied on the selected muscle and immediately after that, joint position sense was measured. The obtained data were recorded as posttest record. The paired t test was used to compare the mean of pretest to the posttest mean

Results: The results of the study showed that there is no significant difference between the mean of knee joint position sense before doing static stretching exercises and thereafter [P = 0.13]

Conclusion: According to the results of this study, athletes, trainers and coaches can use the static stretching without fear of negative effects on the proprioception

Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Response to Medical Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on the response to medical therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) after a 3-month period of treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cohort study of 100 patients, 47 with MetS and 53 without MetS, referred to either the primary care unit or referral hospital with BPH who had moderate lower urinary tract symptoms of prostate involvement and were candidates for medical treatment. Our main outcome was response to medical treatment with prazosin 1 mg twice a day and finasteride 5 mg daily in patients with BPH on the basis of International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Multivariate analysis of covariance was used to compare BPH treatment response in patients with and without MetS before and after receiving treatment. RESULTS: The mean volume of the prostate was significantly higher in MetS patients than in patients without MetS (57+/-32.65 mL compared with 46.00+/-20.19 mL, p=0.036). The control group demonstrated an 11-unit reduction in IPSS, whereas those with MetS showed a reduction in the symptom score of only 6 units (p<0.001). Regarding the components of MetS separately, triglyceride (p<0.001), fasting blood sugar (p=0.001), and waist circumference (p=0.028) significantly affected the clinical progression of BPH. The observational nature of this study may be a limitation in comparison with an interventional study. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that MetS can negatively affect the response to medical treatment of BPH. Therefore, it is necessary to consider MetS in selecting patients with BPH for drug therapy.

Model Determination of Delayed Causes of Analgesics Prescription in the Emergency Ward in Arak, Iran

BACKGROUND: According to the reports of the World Health Organization 20% of world population suffer from pain and 33% of them suffer to some extent that they cannot live independently. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted in the emergency department (ED) of Valiasr Hospital of Arak, Iran, in order to determine the causes of delay in prescription of analgesics and to construct a model for prediction of circumstances that aggravate oligoanalgesia. Data were collected during a period of 7 days. RESULTS: Totally, 952 patients participated in this study. In order to reduce their pain intensity, 392 patients (42%) were treated. Physicians and nurses recorded the intensity of pain for 66.3% and 41.37% of patients, respectively. The mean (SD) of pain intensity according to visual analogue scale (VAS) was 8.7 (1.5) which reached to 4.4 (2.3) thirty minutes after analgesics prescription. Median and mean (SD) of delay time in injection of analgesics after the physician's order were 60.0 and 45.6 (63.35) minutes, respectively. The linear regression model suggested that when the attending physician was male or intern and patient was from rural areas the delay was longer. CONCLUSIONS: We propose further studies about analgesics administration based on medical guidelines in the shortest possible time and also to train physicians and nurses about pain assessment methods and analgesic prescription.

[Brain, behavior, and mental health in substance dependent individuals in comparison to healthy controls]

Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory normal and non-normal personality are located along a continuum. This study amid to the compare activity of brain/behavioral systems and mental health in addicts and normal individuals based on Jeffrey Gray theory. This research was a kind of cross-sectional research that was performed in 2009. Fifty addicts [opium 26, heroin 18 and cocaine 6] and 50 normal subjects chosen by at hand sampling method and based on age, sex, and educational level matched. In this research of Gray-Wilson personality questionnaire and depression, anxiety, Stress scales were used. Data were analyzed by t-test in independent groups. The results showed that there is a significant difference between normal and addict's individuals in both behavioral activation system and behavioral inhibition system [P>0.05], but there isn't a significant difference in fight/flight system [P>0.05] and also there is a significant difference between depression, anxiety and Stress in normal and addict's individuals [P>0.05]. The results of this study conform to basic hypotheses of reinforcement sensitivity theory Gray and psychological condition of addict's individuals

[Socio-Economic status in Iran: a study of measurement index]

Socio-Economic status of people which has an impressive effect on their health, is itself impressed by many other factors. This variable is measured as a basic variable in all health and medical researches. Till now, there has been no means in the country to assist researchers in this area. In the present research, it is tried to provide an accurate and precise index that its validity has been tested and assessed, so measurement of this variable would be very subtle in health and medical researches. This is a cross-sectional study and the study population is the households living in Tehran. One thousand households have been recruited in the study. For the reliability of "Internal Consistency", the questionnaire has been checked applying Chronbach's Alpha. The "Content Validity" of questionnaire has been considered and modified under the supervision of the related academic references and The "Construct Validity" has been calculated by "Factor Analysis" and "Principal Component Analysis". For determining, both Socio-Economic statuses in two and four strata scale "Summed Lickert Scale" have been applied. In order to determine Cut off Point, the overall score by using three points, 1st Quarter, Mean and 3rd Quarter, has been divided into four strata, the scores under 1st Quarter, between 1st Quarter and the Mean, between the Mean and 3rd Quarter, and above the 3rd Quarter are considered as Weak, Average, Good and Very good, respectively. Facilities and leisure times [alpha=0.17], Householder and his spouse characteristics [alpha=0.67], property owner [alpha=0.66], income and expenses [alpha=0.34], showed the highest reliability. Reliability testing shows that the variables relating to facilities and leisure times comparing other variables have more correlation together. Making different changes on the weight of each groups of variables shows that at the most suitable condition, the result of reliability of all the variables stated in the questionnaire has been alpha=0.6 Correlation of those variables related to the householder education, house area, site value of the house, possessing personal car and personal computer has been more than other variables. Therefore, by applying the whole set of mentioned variables, the Index is defined briefly. A standard questionnaire has been designed by applying Reliability Analysis Method, in a way that generally each group of its questions and also different sections of it have appropriate Internal Consistency. Also by applying Principle Component Analysis Method a valid dichotomous variable based on the overall standard score has been made and each household can be placed on an upper or lower class of the Socio-Economic situation

[Evaluation of the routine program Immunization children low of two years old within the population covered by Tehran University of Medical Sciences]

To assess the effect of processes of change on resistance skills against substance abuse among petrochemical workers in Assaluyeh Plant in Iran. This was an experimental study [randomized intervention trial]. In all 181 workers of petrochemical company in Assaluyeh were enterd into the study [90 participants in intervention group and 91 participants in control group]. Data were collected by a questionnaire that was designed and validated by the researchers based on the Trans Theoretical Model [TTM]. Both groups were interviewed before the intervention, based on which the educational needs were identified. One of the diagnostic surveys showed lack of resistance skills against substance abuse that required further education. To meet this requirement a TTM based education for intervention was applied. The study showed significant improvement in most of the resistance skills among the intervention group, while both groups showed no significant differences in use of processes of change before the intervention [except for construct self revolution, that was higher in control group]. The results after the intervention showed that intervention group had used all elements of processes of change [except dramatic relief]. This study showed that processes of change in the TTM would lead to improved knowledge, attitude, self efficacy and self control. It also confirmed that the training materials based on the trans theoretical model can develop resistance skills against substance abuse that will ultimately result in a better health among the workers and could create a drug free workplace [safe workplace]. Based on these findings the investigators recommend that all studies on health-related change behavior should continually use the behavioral theories and models

prevalence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] among school children of Nishaboor - Iran during 2006

ADHD is the most common mental disorder in children. Awareness of students' mental health has an important role in programming for decrementing their disorders and, improving their mental health and also preventing the complications of their decreased mental health. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ADHD and some of the affecting factors among school children in Nishaboor localed in the North-East of Iran. This descriptive study was done on school children in Nishaboor during 2006. Subjectes selected by stratified cluster sampling. Data collection was done using the Conner's Parent and Teacher Scale questionnaire, and each student's questionnaires were completed by both the teacher and the parents. Data analysis was performed regarding to the mean scores of teachers and parents. The score 15 was chosen as the probable indicator for ADHD. 722 students [79.6%] were involved this study. Prevalence of ADHD was 12.5%, CI95%: 10-14.8%. There was no significant difference in gender distribution. The prevalence of ADHD had a significant rise with age [P < 0.05]. The highest prevalence was in spring born and the lowest was in the summer born school children [P < 0.05]. The prevalence of ADHD had a significant relationship with father's education and was lower in students whose father had higher educations [P < 0.05]. Variables such as type of delivery, pariety, mother's education had no significant relationship with the prevalence of ADHD. In this study the prevalence of ADHD is higher than similar studies. Risk groups to be followed up by the responsible organizations

Mathematical model for determination of colloid osmotic pressure: the role of albumin-globulin ratio

Colloid Osmotic Pressure [COP] is an important factor in the fluid balance of body compartments. COP is related to Total Protein [TP] concentration and Albumin: Globulin Ratio [A/G]. The A/G was not included in pervious empirical models, and therefore the main objective of this study was to develop a mathematical model to determine the COP in terms of TP concentration and A/G. Sera with different A/G were prepared in-vitro, and COP was measured directly using colloid osmometer. The relationship between COP, TP concentration and A/G were determined mathematically. The validity of developed empirical models was confirmed by statistical comparison between measured and calculated COP in 122 serum samples obtained from hospitalized patients and healthy individuals. By non-linear regression, the following relationships were found between COP, TP concentration and A/G. All coefficients were statistically significant [p<0.05]: COP = [4.0814 A/G TP]/[A/G + 0.0153 TP]; r[2] = 0. 91272. COP = [5.3192 A/G -2.2252 [A/G]2 + 0.2939 [A/G]3] TP; r[2] = 0.94737 No significant differences were indicated between measured COP and calculated one in clinical data. The variation of A/G may be the most effective factor for the differences between calculated and measured COP. This parameter must be considered when the direct measurement of COP is unavailable