Effect of picture archiving and communication system on diagnosis accuracy in CT and radiography examinations in emergency departments.

INTRODUCTION: Picture archiving and communication system (PACS) affects the radiologists' and physicians' performance. We aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing PACS on the emergency department (ED) physicians' accuracy compared to a radiologist's diagnosis in Iran. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data for three six-month periods before and after the implementation of PACS on CT scan and radiography examinations. We compared ED physicians' diagnoses of CT scan and radiography images with a radiologist's interpretations for the same images. We compared 374 CT scans and 346 radiography examinations before implementing PACS (July 2015 to December 2015); 507 CT scans and 480 radiography examinations immediately after PACS (July 2016 to December 2016); and 870 CT scans and 1137 radiography examinations one year after PACS (July 2017 to December 2017). RESULTS: We found that diagnosis accuracy of ED physicians on CT scans increased from 75.9 % before implementing PACS to 84.4 % immediately after PACS and 94.9 % one year after PACS (p-value < 0.0001). Diagnosis accuracy for radiography images increased from 63.0 % before implementing PACS to 80.2 % immediately after PACS and 93.1 % one year after PACS (p-value < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Implementation of PACS technology increases ED physicians' diagnosis accuracy.

The Effect of Calorie Restriction and Intermittent Fasting on Impaired Cognitive Function in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Started Post-Weaning in Male Wistar Rat.

Background: Calorie Restriction (CR) is known as one of the most effective life-extending interventions. Therefore researchers are looking for other interventions or drugs to mimic the mentioned effects. Time-restricted feeding (TRF) has recently gained more attention recently as one of the CR mimetics. Here we evaluate and compare the effects of CR or TRF on cognitive function in young animals fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: This is an experimental study that three-week-old male Wistar rats (n:52) were subjected to a control diet (n:11) or HFD (n:42). Then the HFD group was divided into 1) 30% calorie restriction (CR), 2) Night Intermittent Fasting (NIF), 3) Day Intermittent Fasting (DIF), and 4) Ad-Libitum (AL) with the standard diet for ten weeks (each of 9). An independent T-test or Mann-Whitney test was used for the first phase and in the second phase of the study, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey post-hoc tests, or Kruskal-Wallis and post-hoc Bonferroni test were used. P-values of <0.05 were considered significant. Results: Deteriorated mental function was significantly lower in HFD than CON (p= 0.041). CR was still more efficient than NIF in cognitive function in obese subjects. Post-hoc test indicated that from day 2-4, escape latency was significantly shorter in NIF and CR, which was not seen in other groups (p=0.045). Conclusion: While TRF has garnered much attention recently, here we show that CR is still more efficient in learning and memory tasks. Longer fasting times and different fasting periods are recommended to study.

Assessing the risk of main activities of nanotechnology companies by the NanoTool method.

Purpose. Nanotechnology can be considered one of the greatest developments over the past few decades. Despite many applications of nanomaterials in various fields, there are concerns about their effects on humans and the environment. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the risk level of activities involving nanomaterials in nanotechnology companies in Tehran, Iran. Materials and methods. After identifying the main activities of 18 nanotechnology companies, these activities were assessed using the NanoTool method, which is a method for assessing risks of activities involving nanomaterials. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results. The results showed that in six activities (33.30%) the risk level was 4 (RL4), in eight activities (44.40%) the risk level was 3 (RL3) and four activities (22.30%) had risk level 2 (RL2). Also, it was found that 78.88% of the controls used by these companies were not enough to reduce the risks of nanomaterials and need to be upgraded. Conclusions. The high level of risk in the activities involving nanomaterials shows that there are serious problems regarding the safety of nanomaterials in the nanotechnology companies in Tehran, Iran.

Effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Berberis Integerrima on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in active rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVES: Since, the main cause of death in Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients is the presence of type 2 diabetes, abnormal increase in blood lipids, blood pressure and obesity, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of Barberry on the anthropometric indices and metabolic profile in patients with RA. DESIGN: present study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial. SETTING: 70 active RA patients were randomly allocated into intervention or placebo group INTERVENTION: Participants received 6 capsules of 500 mg barberry extract or placebo for 3 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Serum levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), triglyceride (TG), LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic and diastolic blood pressure and anthropometric factors were assessed at baseline and at the end of the trial. RESULTS: The results of intervention on 62 patients showed that weight, BMI, and conicity index increased in both groups, but this was significant only in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Waist and hip circumference were decreased in the intervention group and increased significantly in the placebo group (p < 0.001). Body fat percent (p = 0.04), LDL-C (p = 0.05) and SBP (p = 0.02) significantly were decreased in the intervention group. The results showed a significant decrease in body fat percent (p = 0.05), hip circumference (p < 0.001), FBS (p = 0.03) and HDL-C (p = 0.03) in the intervention group compared to the placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the results of this study demonstrated that the extract of Berberis Integerrima had beneficial effects on metabolic profile and anthropometric indices in RA patients.

Effect of Implementation of Picture Archiving and Communication System on Radiologist Reporting Time and Utilization of Radiology Services: A Case Study in Iran.

We aimed to determine the effect of PACS implementation on the radiologist reporting time and utilization of radiology services in a hospital in Iran. This study was conducted in three 6-month periods (before PACS implementation, immediately after the implementation, and 1 year after implementation). Data related to reporting time of CT examinations were collected from 5074 patients with 6613 examinations and compared using the Friedman test. The utilization rate of radiology services was conducted about CT scans and radiographies. Therefore, 17,862 patients with 36,321 radiographies and 7155 patients with 10,571 CT scans were evaluated, and the ratio of the number of examinations to the number of patients and patient days was compared in three periods. The mean of reporting time on CT scan examinations in the period of immediately after PACS was changed compared to the period of before PACS from 13.05 to 24.18 days and compared to 1 year after PACS implementation, to 4.14 days (P value < 0.05). The utilization rate in CT scans, 1 year after PACS increased at least 10% to 25% compared to the immediately after PACS and before implementing PACS. The utilization rate in radiographies, 1 year after PACS, increased at least 16% to 78% compared to the immediately after PACS and before PACS implementation. In conclusion, the mean of the radiologist reporting time for CT scans is significantly decreased by PACS in the long-term. Additionally, the utilization rate of radiology services is increased in the short- and long-term after PACS implementation in most examinations of CT scan and radiography examinations.

Effect of Health Literacy Education on Self-Care in Pregnant Women: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal care reduces the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The present study aimed to determine the effect of health literacy education on self-care in pregnant women. METHODS: The present randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted at two comprehensive health service centers in Pakdasht (Tehran province, Iran) during January-June 2016. Out of the ten comprehensive health service centers in the city, two centers were selected using a simple randomized sampling and randomly assigned to a control group and an intervention group. From each center, 40 pregnant women were recruited into the study. Dedicated questionnaires on self-care and health literacy during pregnancy were developed by the author as data collection tool. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed using the test-retest reliability method and by the opinion of ten experts, respectively. The questionnaires were completed before the intervention, and at 1 and 2 months after the intervention. The intervention consisted of four 45-minute educational sessions and group counseling. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software (version 16.0) with the independent t test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and repeated measures ANOVA. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the groups before the intervention. However, 1 month after the intervention, there was a significant difference (P<0.001) in the mean scores of the total self-care and total health literacy between the control and intervention groups (65±6.23 versus 76.77±4.28 and 30.95±4.63 versus 40±3.54). Similarly, there was a significant difference (P<0.001) between the mean scores 2 months after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Intervention for the promotion of physical and mental self-care during pregnancy should emphasize on increasing health literacy in computational comprehension, reading comprehension, and behavior. Trial Registration Number: IRCT2017030415650N8.

Work-related accidents among the Iranian population: a time series analysis, 2000-2011.

BACKGROUND: Work-related accidents result in human suffering and economic losses and are considered as a major health problem worldwide, especially in the economically developing world. OBJECTIVES: To introduce seasonal autoregressive moving average (ARIMA) models for time series analysis of work-related accident data for workers insured by the Iranian Social Security Organization (ISSO) between 2000 and 2011. METHODS: In this retrospective study, all insured people experiencing at least one work-related accident during a 10-year period were included in the analyses. We used Box-Jenkins modeling to develop a time series model of the total number of accidents. RESULTS: There was an average of 1476 accidents per month (1476·05±458·77, mean±SD). The final ARIMA (p,d,q) (P,D,Q)s model for fitting to data was: ARIMA(1,1,1)×(0,1,1)12 consisting of the first ordering of the autoregressive, moving average and seasonal moving average parameters with 20·942 mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). CONCLUSIONS: The final model showed that time series analysis of ARIMA models was useful for forecasting the number of work-related accidents in Iran. In addition, the forecasted number of work-related accidents for 2011 explained the stability of occurrence of these accidents in recent years, indicating a need for preventive occupational health and safety policies such as safety inspection.

The Effects of Tocotrienols Added to Canola Oil on Microalbuminuria, Inflammation, and Nitrosative Stress in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Tocotrienols (T3) were neglected in the past; today, get attentions due to their antioxidant and none-antioxidant activity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the daily intake of 200 mg T3 added in canola oil over 8 weeks on microalbuminuria, inflammation, and nitrosative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. METHODS: This study was a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized trial. A total of 50 patients with T2DM and FBS >126 mg/dl treated by non-insulin hypoglycemic drugs were randomly assigned to receive either 15 ml T3-enriched canola oil (200 mg/day T3) or pure canola oil for 8 weeks. Urine microalbumin, volume and creatinine levels, serum hs-CRP, and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: From 50 patients participated in this study, 44 completed the study. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics, dietary intake, and physical activity between groups. Urine microalbumin and serum hs-CRP were declined significantly in T3-treated group. At the end of the study, patients who treated with T3 had lower urine microalbumin (11 (9, 25) vs. 22 (15, 39.75) nmol/dl, P = 0.003) and hs-CRP changes (-10.91 ± 15.5 vs. -9.88 ± 27.5 Pg/ml, P = 0.048) than control group. A non-significant decrease was also observed in serum NO level in T3-treated group with no changes in urine volume and creatinine levels. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that T3 leads to ameliorate proteinuria and can protect the kidney against inflammation (hs-CRP) and nitrosative stress (NO).

The effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: In a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 70 type 2 diabetic patients were enrolled. They allocated randomly into ginger group and control group. They consumed 1600 mg ginger versus 1600 mg wheat flour placebo daily for 12 weeks. Serum sugar, lipids, CRP, PGE2 and TNFα were measured before and after intervention. RESULTS: Ginger reduced fasting plasma glucose, HbA1C, insulin, HOMA, triglyceride, total cholesterol, CRP and PGE2 significantly compared with placebo group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in HDL, LDL and TNFα between two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ginger improved insulin sensitivity and some fractions of lipid profile, and reduced CRP and PGE2 in type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore ginger can be considered as an effective treatment for prevention of diabetes complications.