ABSTRACT
ObjectivesLongitudinal data are prevalent in clinical research; due to their correlated nature, special analysis must be used for this type of data. Creatinine is an important marker in predicting end-stage renal disease, and it is recorded longitudinally. This study compared the prediction performance of linear regression (LR), linear mixed-effects model (LMM), least-squares support vector regression (LS-SVR), and mixed-effects least-squares support vector regression (MLS-SVR) methods to predict serum creatinine as a longitudinal outcome.MethodsWe used a longitudinal dataset of hemodialysis patients in Hamadan city between 2013 and 2016. To evaluate the performance of the methods in serum creatinine prediction, the data was divided into two sets of training and testing samples. Then LR, LMM, LS-SVR, and MLS-SVR were fitted. The prediction performance was assessed and compared in terms of mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), mean absolute prediction error (MAPE), and determination coefficient (R2). Variable importance was calculated using the best model to select the most important predictors.ResultsThe MLS-SVR outperformed the other methods in terms of the least prediction error; MSE = 1.280, MAE = 0.833, and MAPE = 0.129 for the training set and MSE = 3.275, MAE = 1.319, and MAPE = 0.159 for the testing set. Also, the MLS-SVR had the highest R2, 0.805 and 0.654 for both the training and testing samples, respectively. Blood urea nitrogen was the most important factor in the prediction of creatinine.ConclusionsThe MLS-SVR achieved the best serum creatinine prediction performance in comparison to LR, LMM, and LS-SVR.
ABSTRACT
Despite discovering new antibiotics, mortality due to septic shock has remained high. This research has examined the effect of selenase in patients with septic shock admitted to the intensive care unit [ICU] of a hospital in Tehran. This double-blind clinical trial was done on 80 participants [40 case and 40 control] who were admitted to the ICU with septic shock. Every participant in the case group was administered 500 micro g selenase twice daily for 10 days. In contrast, each participant of the control group was treated with placebo [normal saline]. Data were collected by observation and recorded in a questionnaire. Chi-square and Student's t-test were used for data analysis. In this study 34 participants [42.5%] were men and 46 [57.5%] were women. The duration stay in the ICU in treatment group was less than in the observation group which was statistically significant [P =.01]. There was also a significant difference regarding the frequency of morbidity and mortality rates between the two groups [P =.03 and P =.02, respectively]. Selenium at a dosage of 500 micro g [twice daily] is effective in those who have suffered from septic shock. Still, more studies are needed to determine the best dosage and administration method of this drug
ABSTRACT
Background and Aim: Animal solid lipids contain considerable saturated and trans acids fats which are the risk factors for lipidemia and as a result, predispose men to cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the present study aimed at determining the fatty acid profiles of tallow and meat of the cattle in different places of South Khorasan Province and assessing their decisive effects on the occurrence of cadovascular diseases
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study. 5 samples of meat and tallow from the cattles' abattoirs in Birjand, Boshroyeh, Ferdows, Ghaen, and Nehbandan cities [i.e. from50 samples of 25 oxen.] were gatheredd and frozen. The samples were frozen at -80oc. Then, the fats were separated from the samples, hydolized, and methylated. Then, the type and percent of each fatty acid were designated taking their respective retention time and standard peak into account. Atherogenesity and thrombogenisity features of the samples were accounted based on the fatty acid profile. Finally, statistical analysis of the obtained data was done by SAS software
Results: Analysis of the gathered data revealed that the levels of saturated fatty acids were not differet between meat and tallow except for stearic acid. The percent of this acid was 18.2% higher in tallow in comparison with meat. The higher amount of monounsaturated fatty acid was observed in the meat than tallow [p<0.05]. The amount of polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega-6, and omega-3 fatty acids did not differ between meat and tallow. The percent of trans-fatty acid was lower in meat than in tallow [p<0.05]. The hypocholesterolemic fatty acid was higher in the meat
Conclusion: It was found that the sum of trans and stearic fatty acids was more in tallow. The hypocholesterolemic fatty acids levels were higher in the meat in the whole province. The cattle's meat had lower atherogenetic and thrombogenetic properties compared with the animals' fat. The consumed cattle's meat and fat in the province appear to have a proper condition
ABSTRACT
Currently cancer is considered as one of the main factors of mortality globally. Many chemicals in our environment can cause genetic mutations and are potentially responsible for millions of cancer-related deaths. Nowadays the scientists are looking for food materials which can potenthially prevent the cancer occurrence. The purpose of this research is to examine antimutagenicity and anticancer effect of Citrus nobilis .The Citrus nobilis was subsequenthy evaluated in terms of antimutagenicity properties by a standard reverse mutation assay [Ames Test]. This was performed with histidine auxotroph strain of Salmonella typhimurium[TA100] .Thus, it requires histidine from a foreign supply to ensure its growth.The aforementioned strain gives rise to reverted colonies when expose to carcinogen substance [Sodium Azide] . In Ames Test the Citrus nobilis prevented the reverted mutations and the hindrance percent of Citrus nobilis was 72.46% . This is the first study that have revealed antimutagenicity effect of Citrus nobilis
ABSTRACT
In recent years the emergence of antibiotic resistance has a high prevalence, so that it has become one of the complexities in modern medicine. This study was performed with the aim of evaluating the bacteria isolated from clinical samples of the patients with various infections and estimating the prevalence of various bacteria and also antibiotic resistance pattern. At first, culture was prepared from wounds of the patients with nosocomial infection in Imam Khomeini and Burn hospitals in 2008-2009. Then, after isolation of bacteria, antibiotic susceptibility was determined using antibiotic discs. Data were analyzed using statistical tests [ratio] at the significance level of p
ABSTRACT
Since antibiotical treatment for Urinary Tract Infection should be based on an incident epidemiology and uropathological resistance pattern, this study aims to nominate the sample of active bacteria resistance in Urinary Tract. This descriptive-episodic study has been accomplished in Tehran-Iran in 2013. In this study sensitivity was determined by diffusion disk assay for treatment in Urinary Tract Infection diseases has been taken into account. Demographic and past medical history was collected by a questionnaire. In our study 372 patients include 308 female and 64 males the highest resistance were seen in cotrimoxazol [51.8%] and cephalexin [39%]. The highest sensitivity respectively was seen in using of ciprofloxacin [68%], in pregnant period, the highest sensitivity in using of ciprofloxacin and the highest resistance were seen in cotrimoxazol. In this study was showed E.Coli is the most common microorganism in urinary tract infection
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Male , Escherichia coli/drug effects , Drug Resistance, MicrobialABSTRACT
To assess the epidemiologic features of shigellosis in Iranian military personnel of the Army. The data was gathered from archived reports of Iran's Army at AJA University of Medical Sciences. All military personnel with confirmed diagnosis of shigellosis reported by the Army physicians were included in the study. Data analysis was done by appropriate statistical functions using STATA software. In a 7-year period [2005-2011] the total number of cases was 1710 from 25 provinces of Iran. A large difference was found out in the incidence rates of different provinces. 69% of all cases were from the five provinces of Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Sistan-Baluchistan, Bushehr and Guilan. Although the majority [55%] of the cases had occurred in spring, the association between season and incidence rate was not significant [P = .08]. Among the three studied forces 45% of reported patients were from Navy. The overall occurrence of shigellosis has decreased among Iranian army personnel from 2005 to 2011, but the incidence is still high enough to be considered as a major problem. Army healthcare commanders are expected to improve necessary facilities, especially in the Navy and in endemic provinces, to decrease the transmission of this infection.
ABSTRACT
Chemokines are small protein molecules involved in cell signaling processes. They play a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes. Chemokines are functionally classified into two categories; inflammatory/inducible and constitutive. Their biologic functional differences are the result of their receptors structural differences. Recently some studies were performed about the chemokines changes in diabetes. Inflammatory mechanisms have an important role in diabetes. Inthisreviewarticle we searched the keywordschemokines, diabetes, diabetes pathogenesis, and type1 and 2diabetes in Persianresources, PubMed andfamousEnglish-language websitesthrough advanced searchenginesand found the newest studies about the roleof chemokinesin thepathogenesisof diabetes. The results of the studies showed that diabetes and its disorders enhance the activation of immune cells and the expression of cytokines such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, SDF-1, INF-gamma, TGF-beta, MCP-1, IP-10, TNF-alpha, and RANTES; most of them have impact on the pathogenesis of diabetes. Comparison and analysis of the results obtained from our research and the results of performed studies in the world and Iran shows that chemokines, like other protein molecules involved in the pathogenesis and etiology of diabetes, play a role in this process
ABSTRACT
Skiing is one of the more popular winter sports which may cause injuries. The objective of this study was to identify the most common types of injuries in Iran's largest ski resort. This cross-sectional descriptive study was performed on 1233 of patients admitted to the Dizin Resort Infirmary in 2008-2009. Obtained data included age, gender, injury type and medical interventions. All data were analyzed by SPSS 16.0 software. Results showed that 75% of the patients were male and 25% female. The mean age was found to be 27.86 [ +/- 9.95] years. Most patients were between 20-29 years old [55.2%]. The most common injury was knee trauma [14.4%]. Other common injuries were soft tissue injury [12.1%], shoulder trauma [8.1%], head and face trauma [7%] and wrist trauma [5.5%] respectively. There was a significant relationship between age and sex i.e. the age in women was less than men's [P< 0.0 01]. We found a relationship between age and injury type. The lowest mean age [24.83] was reported in the patients with head and face injuries and the highest mean age [44.5] was in the patients with malleolus fracture [P < 0.001]. Additionally, sex and knee trauma proved to be connected with more prevalence in women [P= 0.001]. There was also a significant relationship between sex and shoulder injuries showing a higher prevalence in men [P=0.015]
ABSTRACT
Background: Early detection of undiagnosed hypertension may prevent or reduce the onset and progression of many diseases.Objective: To investigate the prevalence of undiagnosed hypertension in an Iranian population and its relation with socio-demographic, anthropometric, and biochemical factors.Methods: Four thousand five hundred nineteen subjects, aged 15-65 years, were eligible for the study. They were entered into the study through the cluster sampling method.Results: The overall prevalence of previously unknown hypertension was 24.2%. It was higher among urban dwellers who were poorly educated, married, and were manual laborers by occupation compared to other groups.Conclusion: Poor literacy status as well socioeconomic conditions may be positively associated with hypertension. Undiagnosed hypertension can be lowered by increasing access to routine blood pressure measurement, pre-employment medical examination, and improvement of the health seeking behavior in these groups.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a school- based educational program regarding HIV/AIDS and the knowledge held by the high school students. This quasi-experimental study was conducted with 230 high school students [grade 10-12; female, male]. Teaching aids used for this intervention was a combination of three methods including lectures, showing an educational movie and pamphlets that encompassed a total of 90 minutes. There was a significant difference between the student's knowledge regarding HIV/AIDS before and after this type of intervention
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Knowledge , HIV , Health Education , Schools , StudentsABSTRACT
Despite the advances in medical technology has resulted in decrease of occurrence of infectious disease, tuberculosis is still the most common cause of mortality. Prisoners are at high risk of acquiring TB. The most common reasons are overcrowding, malnutrition, high-risk behaviors, addiction and HIV infection. In current study, the epidemiology and prevalence of TB in prisons in Iran was investigated. Checklists were obtained prisons throughout of iran from and data were then analyzed to determine the prevalence of TB among the prisoners. In this study, 339 patients were diagnosed with TB. All patients were older than 15 years. All except two patients were male. In 83 cases, TB infection is along with HIV. Because of unfavorable environment of prison the level of TB in prisons is higher than that of the civilian population. Additionally high levels of MDR-TB in prisons have been reported from some studies. The results obtained from current study indicated the prevalence of TB also is high in Iranian prisons and in 83 persons it was along with HIV infection which can make difficulty in treatment and increase the risk of MDR. These results show the important role of control and treatment of TB in prisons
Subject(s)
Humans , Prisons , Epidemiology , Prevalence , Retrospective Studies , HIV/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The hepatitis C virus [HCV] is a small, enveloped, single-stranded positive sense RNA virus with a diameter of about 50 nm belonging to the Hepacivirus genus of the family Flaviviridae. The HCV genome is translated to produce a single protein of around 3011 amino acids. This "polyprotein" is then proteolytically processed by viral and cellular proteases to produce structural [core protein, envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2, ARFP/F protein, p7] and nonstructural [NS2-3 autoprotease, NS3-4A, NS4B, NS5A, NS5B] proteins. Hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] is one of the most frequent malignant tumors worldwide, with increasing incidence. It is estimated that approximately 300-400 thousands of people in the IRAN and 4 million in the United States are persistently infected. It is important for tumor control to identify the factors that predispose patients to death. A large number of molecular factors have been shown to associate with the invasiveness of HCC, and have potential prognostic significance
Subject(s)
Humans , Liver Neoplasms , Hepacivirus/genetics , Genomics , Proteomics , Genome, Viral , Molecular BiologyABSTRACT
Monotherapy is not usually effective in the treatment of hirsutism. Comparison of 2 therapeutic regimens in the treatment of hirsutism. In this open parallel controlled clinical trial, 101 Patients suffering from hirsutism were randomly divided into two equal groups. 50 patients were treated with spironolactone [50 mg/day] plus cyproterone compound [From 5th to 26th day of menstrual cycle] and the other group [51 patients] received cyproterone acetate 50 mg/day [From 5[th] to 14[th] day of menstrual cycle] in addition to the above mentioned drugs for 6 months. The serum level of sex hormones and hirsutism score [Ferriman-Gallway] were determined before and after treatment. T-test, chi-2 test and linear regression analysis were used for data analysis. Mean hirsutism score was 22.12 +/- 0.34 in first group and 22.15 +/- 0.34 in second group before treatment. Hirsutism score was reduced to 12.74 +/- 0.32 after treatment with 3 drugs and reduced to 16.73 +/- 0.35 after treatment with 2 drugs. This reduction was significantly more in the first group after adjustment for other confounding variables [P < 0.001]. These two therapeutic regimens were both effective in the treatment of hirsutism without serious hepatic, renal and metabolic side effects. Treatment with 3 anti-androgen drugs was more effective in reduction of hirsutism scores