ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Driving represents a multifaceted cognitive endeavor, demanding heightened vigilance and swift responses. Considering the high statistics of driving accidents and heavy loads, as well as the effect of the driver's age on the occurrence of accidents, it is important to investigate these factors to reduce accidents. OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the impact of mental workload on the performance of young and older drivers in a dynamic driving scenario to compare cognitive performance, workload perception, and driving outcomes between the two age groups. METHODS: Cognitive tests including the Stroop test, Continuous Performance test, and Focused Attention test were conducted, alongside the use of the DALI questionnaire to measure workload levels. Participants encompassed twenty male drivers, divided into two age groups: 20 to 35 years and 55 to 70 years, with varying years of driving experience. The study entailed a dynamic driving scenario involving a designated route in Tehran, Iran. RESULTS: Results exhibited differences in workload scores between the age groups, particularly in dimensions such as visual demand, auditory demand, attention, and interference. Older drivers demonstrated heightened cognitive and physical demands during driving, implying a greater need for attention and cognitive effort. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicated that navigating through congested roads and dense urban traffic significantly elevates the mental workload for drivers, consequently impacting their cognitive functioning. Given the critical need for attention in driving, this heightened workload can manifest as increased fatigue, increasing stress levels, and diminished concentration, all of which substantially raise the risk of vehicular accidents. Furthermore, the study highlighted a particular concern for older drivers, whose diminished cognitive capacities further raise their vulnerability to accidents under such demanding driving conditions.
ABSTRACT
Background and Aims: Congestive heart failure is a complex multifactorial syndrome due to tissue hypoperfusion that is affected by some factors like inflammatory cytokines. In our study, we investigated the exact gene expression of three inflammatory cytokines in ischemic and idiopathic cardiomyopathy patients. Methods: From 49 studied recipients in the ischemic group, 23 (46.9%) were male and from 40 studied recipients in the idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy group, 19 (47.5%) were male. For the quantitative analysis of interleukin (IL)-1, IL-27, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α messenger RNAs expression level, the SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction method was performed using SYBRPremix Ex TaqTM II (Tli RNaseH Plus; Takara) and designed primers specific for each gene in an iQ5 thermocycler (BioRad Laboratories) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results: Our results showed that the expression level of IL-1 and TNF-α were significantly higher in the ischemic patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively); also, we found higher levels of IL-1 and IL-27 gene expressions in idiopathic patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). There were not any significant differences in IL-1, IL-27, and TNF-α expression levels between ischemic patients and idiopathic ones. Conclusion: Although we would introduce IL-1, IL-27, and TNF-α as effective inflammatory cytokines on myocardial functions in ischemic and idiopathic cardiomyopathy patients, there is not any difference between these two groups in gene expression of three main inflammatory cytokines.
