Application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) to patients with cataract

Ali Gholami,Mahmood Tavakoli Araghi,Fatemeh Shamsabadi,Mahdiye Bayat,Fatemeh Dabirkhani,Farhad Moradpour,Kamyar Mansori,Yousef Moradi,Abdolhalim Rajabi 한국역학회 2016 Epidemiology and Health Vol.38 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Cataract is a prevalent disease in the elderly, and negatively influences patients’ quality of life. This study was conducted to study the application of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF) to patients with cataract. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 300 patients with cataract were studied in Neyshabur, Iran from July to October 2014. The Iranian version of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire was used to measure their quality of life. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the paired t-test, the independent t-test, and a linear regression model were used to analyze the data in SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 68.11±11.98 years, and most were female (53%). The overall observed Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the WHOQOL-BREF was 0.889, ranging from 0.714 to 0.810 in its four domains. The total mean score of the respondents on the WHOQOL-BREF was 13.19. The highest and lowest mean scores were observed in the social relationship domain (14.11) and the physical health domain (12.29), respectively. A backward multiple linear regression model found that duration of disease and marital status were associated with total WHOQOL scores, while age, duration of disease, marital status, and income level were associated with domains one through four, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The reliability analysis conducted in this study indicated that the WHOQOL-BREF scale exhibited an acceptable degree of internal consistency in the measurement of the quality of life of patients with cataract. It was also found that the patients with cataract who were surveyed reported a relatively moderate quality of life.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

( Ali Bidari ),( Banafsheh Ghavidel-parsa ),( Sahar Rajabi ),( Omid Sanaei ),( Mehrangiz Toutounchi ) 대한통증학회 2016 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.29 No.4

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on β-endorphine (β-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of β-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ± the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were 24.26 ± 5.29 and 29.06 ± 3.26 minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum β-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status (Mean ± SD: 122.07 ± 28.56 ug/ml and 246.55 ± 29.57 ug/ml in the control group versus 90.12 ± 20.91 ug/ml and 179.80 ± 28.57 ug/ml in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of β-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the β-END level in both groups but the average increase in β -END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group. (Korean J Pain 2016; 29: 249-54)

Perceived Stress, Alexithymia, and Psychological Health as Predictors of Sedative Abuse

Nader Rajabi Gilan,Ali Zakiei,Sohyla Reshadat,Saeid Komasi,Seyed Ramin Ghasemi 대한가정의학회 2015 Korean Journal of Family Medicine Vol.36 No.5

Background: The harmful effects of sedative medications and substances in conjunction with limited research regarding predictive psychological constructs of drug abuse necessitate further investigation of associated factors. Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the roles of perceived stress, alexithymia, and psychological health as predictors of sedative abuse in medical students. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 548 students at Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were selected using stratified random sampling. The data were obtained using the Perceived Stress Scale, an alexithymia scale (Farsi version of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale-20), and a General Health Questionnaire to assess psychological health. Data were analyzed using discriminant analyses. Results: The results demonstrated that the user and non-user of sedative substances groups had significantly different predictive variables (except for social function disorder) (P>0.05). Physical complaints, alexithymia, and perceived stress, which had standard coefficients of 0.80, 0.60, and -0.27, respectively, predicted sedative drug use. Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that perceived stress, alexithymia, physical complaints, anxiety, and depression are associated with sedative drug abuse.

The acute effect of maximal exercise on plasma beta-endorphin levels in fibromyalgia patients

Bidari, Ali,Ghavidel-Parsa, Banafsheh,Rajabi, Sahar,Sanaei, Omid,Toutounchi, Mehrangiz The Korean Pain Society 2016 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.29 No.4

Background: This study aimed to investigate the effect of strenuous exercise on ${\beta}$-endorphine (${\beta}$-END) level in fibromyalgia (FM) patients compared to healthy subjects. Methods: We enrolled 30 FM patients and 15 healthy individuals. All study participants underwent a treadmill exercise test using modified Bruce protocol (M.Bruce). The goal of the test was achieving at least 70% of the predicted maximal heart rate (HRMax). The serum levels of ${\beta}$-END were measured before and after the exercise program. Measurements were done while heart rate was at least 70% of its predicted maximum. Results: The mean ${\pm}$ the standard deviation (SD) of exercise duration in the FM and control groups were $24.26{\pm}5.29$ and $29.06{\pm}3.26$ minutes, respectively, indicating a shorter time to achieve the goal heart rate in FM patients (P < 0.003). Most FM patients attained 70% HRMax at lower stages (stage 2 and 3) of M.Bruce compared to the control group (70% versus 6.6%, respectively; P < 0.0001). Compared to healthy subjects, FM patients had lower serum ${\beta}$-END levels both in baseline and post-exercise status ($Mean{\pm}SD$: $122.07{\pm}28.56{\mu}g/ml$ and $246.55{\pm}29.57{\mu}g/ml$ in the control group versus $90.12{\pm}20.91{\mu}g/ml$ and $179.80{\pm}28.57{\mu}g/ml$ in FM patients, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions: We found that FM patients had lower levels of ${\beta}$-END in both basal and post-exercise status. Exercise increased serum the ${\beta}$-END level in both groups but the average increase in ${\beta}$-END in FM patients was significantly lower than in the control group.

Evaluation of the medical staff effective dose during boron neutron capture therapy using two high resolution voxel-based whole body phantoms

Mohadeseh Golshanian,Ali Akbar Rajabi,Yaser Kasesaz 한국원자력학회 2017 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.49 No.7

Because accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) systems are planned for use in hospitals, entry into the medical room should be controlled as hospitals are generally assumed to be public and safe places. In this paper, computational investigation of the medical staff effective dose during BNCT has been performed in different situations using Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP4C) code and two voxel based male phantoms. The results show that the medical staff effective dose is highly dependent on the position of the medical staff. The results also show that the maximum medical staff effective dose in an emergency situation in the presence of a patient is ~25.5 μSv/s.

Experimental and Numerical Evaluation of the Effect of Nano Calcium Carbonate on Geotechnical Properties of Clayey Sand Soil

Mostafa Mohammadi,Ali M. Rajabi,Mahdi Khodaparast 대한토목학회 2022 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.26 No.1

The effect of nano-CaCO3 on the geotechnical properties of clayey sand (SC) soil was investigated. SC soil containing 10%, 20% and 30% clay and 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.1% and 1.5% nano-CaCO3 were cured for 7, 14 and 28 days and then subjected to uniaxial compression testing. The experimental results were analyzed numerically by the group method of data handling using an artificial neural network. Crystalline phases were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD) to study the microstructure of soil specimens improved with nano-CaCO3. The addition of nano-CaCO3 to SC specimens, especially those with lower clay contents, increased their uniaxial compressive strength and the compressive strength increased over time. An optimum nano-CaCO3 level of 0.7% was determined for soil containing 10% and 20% clay and 1.1% for soil containing 30% clay. The results indicated a decrease in deformation and increase in stiffness of the soil with the addition of nano-CaCO3. The effect of nano-CaCO3 on the ultimate compressive strength of the soil in the XRD patterns indicated an increase in the recrystallization of the particles. Numerical analysis of the experimental results found a correlation for predicting the uniaxial compressive strength of the improved SC soil with a mean error of 4%.

Chemical Composition of Different Cultivars of Onion (Allium cepa L.) Produced in Iran

Mohsen Barzegar,Ali Rajabi,Mohammad Reza Hassandokht,Ali Jabbari 한국원예학회 2008 Horticulture, Environment, and Biotechnology Vol.49 No.2

Due to the lack of information on the chemical composition of onions in Iran, very important in the understanding of their nutritional values, the main objective of this work was to study the chemical composition to form an important data base for 16 cultivars of onion in Iran. The moisture, ash, crude fiber, total fat, protein, phosphorous, oxalate, and total phenolic (extracted by water and methanol) contents of the samples were analyzed. In addition, free radical scavenging capacity (RSC) of three onion cultivars (No. 5, 9, and 13) was determined. The mineral elements (K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Mn) of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Carbohydrate analysis was carried out by HPLC and the predominant sugars were fructose (1.08-2.36 g/100 gdw), glucose (0.45-1.61 g/100 gdw) and sucrose (0.0-1.71 g/100 gdw). Ranges for the chemical composition were: moisture (86.3-91.5%), ash (0.379-0.756%), crude fiber (0.83-1.01 g/100 gdw), total fat (0.127-0.190 g/100 gdw), protein (0.913-1.925 g/100 gdw), oxalate (23.1-95.8 ㎎/100 gdw), total phenolic compounds 58.3-180.7 (water extract, ㎎ TAE/100 gfw), and 20.9-71.4 (methanol extract, ㎎TAE/100 gfw), K (127.4-327.9 m/100 gdw), Ca (12.2-22.9 ㎎/100 gdw), ㎎ (11.3-55.5 ㎎/100 gdw), Fe (0.338-1.220 ㎎/100 gdw), Cu (0.032-0.097 ㎎/100 gdw), Zn (0.126-0.274 ㎎/100 gdw), Mn (0.012-0.064 ㎎/100 gdw), and P (28.7-49.1 ㎎/100 gdw).

The effect of vitamin C on the gene expression profile of sperm protamines in the male partners of couples with recurrent pregnancy loss: A randomized clinical trial

Hamidian, Saeideh,Talebi, Ali Reza,Fesahat, Farzaneh,Bayat, Mohammad,Mirjalili, Ali Mohammad,Ashrafzadeh, Hamid Reza,Rajabi, Mahya,Montazeri, Fateme,Babaei, Saeid The Korean Society for Reproductive Medicine 2020 Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine Vol.47 No.1

Objective: Since sperm abnormalities are known to be a major reason for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), any defects in DNA structure and chromatin condensation can place embryos at risk in the early stage of development and implantation. As antioxidants such as vitamin C may play a protective role against the destruction of protamine genes in sperm chromatin, this study was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin C on chromatin and the expression of protamine genes in the male partners of couples with RPL. Methods: Twenty male partners of couples with RPL were selected as the intervention group and received vitamin C supplementation (250 mg daily for 3 months). Healthy fertile men (n = 20) were included as controls. Sperm chromatin, DNA integrity, and the expression levels of protamine genes were evaluated before and after treatment. Results: Significant differences were found in sperm morphology, protamine deficiency, and apoptosis between the two groups and before and after vitamin C administration. A significant change was found in mRNA levels of PRM1, PRM2, and the PRM1/PRM2 ratio after treatment. Conclusion: Daily oral administration of vitamin C may improve human sperm parameters and DNA integrity by increasing protamine gene expression levels in the male partners of couples with RPL. The beneficial effects of vitamin C supplementation as an antioxidant for the male partners of couples with RPL could lead to improved pregnancy outcomes in these cases.

The role of risk perception, risk communication, and demographic factors in COVID-19 preventive behaviors: an online survey in Iran

Mansour Rezaei,Nader Rajabi Gilan,Ali Almasi,Mehdi Khezeli,Fatemeh Jamshidi Nazar,Zahra Jorjoran Shushtari,Yahya Salimi,Farid Najafi,Neda Sarabi,Shahram Saeidi,Saeid Saeidi 질병관리본부 2022 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.13 No.4

Objectives: This study investigated preventive behaviors toward coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and related factors in a Kurdish Iranian sample.Methods: This online survey was conducted among the population aged 18 and above in Kermanshah Province, in western Iran, in April 2020. Samples were invited and recruited through social media. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of 4 sections (questions on demographic variables, risk perception, risk communication, and COVID-19 preventive behaviors) and analyzed using Stata ver. 8.Results: The Pearson correlation test showed that risk communication was significantly correlated with COVID-19 preventive behaviors (r=0.320, p<0.01). In the final model, where the explanatory power increased with the entry of the risk communication variable, the variables explained a total of 14% of variance in COVID-19 preventive behaviors. Sex (β=−0.482), risk perception (β=0.047), and risk communication (β=0.662) were significant determinants.Conclusion: Risk communication and risk perception related to COVID-19, as well as being a woman, were determinants of COVID-19 preventive behaviors.

Simulation of the Interaction of Micropiles and a Fault Rupture

Mojtaba Alizadeh,Mahdi Khodaparast,Ali M. Rajabi 대한토목학회 2021 KSCE JOURNAL OF CIVIL ENGINEERING Vol.25 No.12

Understanding the cause of structural damage and loss caused by surface faulting rupture requires research on the fault rupture–foundation interaction and geotechnical mitigation methods. The present study investigated the interaction of reverse-faulting surface rupture and a foundation system comprising a mat foundation and micropiles. The effects of the micropiles on the rotation of the foundation and rupture propagation was examined for different interaction mechanisms. The results suggested that the response was sensitive to the position of the foundation micropiles. It was found that the position of the foundation–micropile system relative to the rupture determined the type of interaction between the soil, rupture, micropiles, and foundation, which is significant for development of geotechnical mitigation methods.