Survival Prognostic Factors of Male Breast Cancer in Southern Iran: a LASSO-Cox Regression Approach

Shahraki, Hadi Raeisi,Salehi, Alireza,Zare, Najaf Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.15

We used to LASSO-Cox method for determining prognostic factors of male breast cancer survival and showed the superiority of this method compared to Cox proportional hazard model in low sample size setting. In order to identify and estimate exactly the relative hazard of the most important factors effective for the survival duration of male breast cancer, the LASSO-Cox method has been used. Our data includes the information of male breast cancer patients in Fars province, south of Iran, from 1989 to 2008. Cox proportional hazard and LASSO-Cox models were fitted for 20 classified variables. To reduce the impact of missing data, the multiple imputation method was used 20 times through the Markov chain Mont Carlo method and the results were combined with Rubin's rules. In 50 patients, the age at diagnosis was 59.6 (SD=12.8) years with a minimum of 34 and maximum of 84 years and the mean of survival time was 62 months. Three, 5 and 10 year survival were 92%, 77% and 26%, respectively. Using the LASSO-Cox method led to eliminating 8 low effect variables and also decreased the standard error by 2.5 to 7 times. The relative efficiency of LASSO-Cox method compared with the Cox proportional hazard method was calculated as 22.39. The19 years follow of male breast cancer patients show that the age, having a history of alcohol use, nipple discharge, laterality, histological grade and duration of symptoms were the most important variables that have played an effective role in the patient's survival. In such situations, estimating the coefficients by LASSO-Cox method will be more efficient than the Cox's proportional hazard method.

Urban planning for physically disabled people’s needs with case studies

Shahraki Abdol Aziz 대한공간정보학회 2021 Spatial Information Research Vol.29 No.2

The aim of this study is to provide urban planning procedures tailored to the needs of disabled people. For this, it analyzes the problems of disabled people, especially physically disabled people, for living in Iran’s cities. It also analyses various planning and design characteristics of buildings in Iranian cities. Research methods of this paper are problem-oriented theoretical studies, case studies, a weighted sum method, and a Benchmarking technique. The methods assist to provide relevant standard indicators and a theoretical framework for the comparison of the cities to an optimal alternative. A case study strategy to gather data for certain comparisons and present a disabled- oriented model of urban planning has been performed. The weighted sum method dedicates quantitative scores and performs the comparison and judgment. Finally, this paper concludes that the cities in Iran are not appropriate to the physical and administrative needs of the disabled. This study finds that buildings in Iranian cities often lack the necessary standards for the needs of the disabled. The outcomes of this research concerning urban planning for disabled people will assist better disabled-oriented urban planning, design, and development everywhere in the world. The aim of this study is to provide urban planning procedures tailored to the needs of disabled people. For this, it analyzes the problems of disabled people, especially physically disabled people, for living in Iran’s cities. It also analyses various planning and design characteristics of buildings in Iranian cities. Research methods of this paper are problem-oriented theoretical studies, case studies, a weighted sum method, and a Benchmarking technique. The methods assist to provide relevant standard indicators and a theoretical framework for the comparison of the cities to an optimal alternative. A case study strategy to gather data for certain comparisons and present a disabled-oriented model of urban planning has been performed. The weighted sum method dedicates quantitative scores and performs the comparison and judgment. Finally, this paper concludes that the cities in Iran are not appropriate to the physical and administrative needs of the disabled. This study finds that buildings in Iranian cities often lack the necessary standards for the needs of the disabled. The outcomes of this research concerning urban planning for disabled people will assist better disabled-oriented urban planning, design, and development everywhere in the world.

Improving the Accuracy of Early Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodule Type Based on the SCAD Method

Shahraki, Hadi Raeisi,Pourahmad, Saeedeh,Paydar, Shahram,Azad, Mohsen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.4

Although early diagnosis of thyroid nodule type is very important, the diagnostic accuracy of standard tests is a challenging issue. We here aimed to find an optimal combination of factors to improve diagnostic accuracy for distinguishing malignant from benign thyroid nodules before surgery. In a prospective study from 2008 to 2012, 345 patients referred for thyroidectomy were enrolled. The sample size was split into a training set and testing set as a ratio of 7:3. The former was used for estimation and variable selection and obtaining a linear combination of factors. We utilized smoothly clipped absolute deviation (SCAD) logistic regression to achieve the sparse optimal combination of factors. To evaluate the performance of the estimated model in the testing set, a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized. The mean age of the examined patients (66 male and 279 female) was $40.9{\pm}13.4years$ (range 15- 90 years). Some 54.8% of the patients (24.3% male and 75.7% female) had benign and 45.2% (14% male and 86% female) malignant thyroid nodules. In addition to maximum diameters of nodules and lobes, their volumes were considered as related factors for malignancy prediction (a total of 16 factors). However, the SCAD method estimated the coefficients of 8 factors to be zero and eliminated them from the model. Hence a sparse model which combined the effects of 8 factors to distinguish malignant from benign thyroid nodules was generated. An optimal cut off point of the ROC curve for our estimated model was obtained (p=0.44) and the area under the curve (AUC) was equal to 77% (95% CI: 68%-85%). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values for this model were 70%, 72%, 71% and 76%, respectively. An increase of 10 percent and a greater accuracy rate in early diagnosis of thyroid nodule type by statistical methods (SCAD and ANN methods) compared with the results of FNA testing revealed that the statistical modeling methods are helpful in disease diagnosis. In addition, the factor ranking offered by these methods is valuable in the clinical context.

Induction of Apoptosis and Growth-Inhibition by Thymoquinone in ACHN and GP-293 Cell Lines in Comparable with Cis-Platinum

Shahraki, Samira,Mohebbati, Reza,Shafei, Mohammad Naser,Mahmoudi, Mahmoud,Hosseinian, Sara,Parhizgar, Soghra,Yazd, Zohreh Naji Ebrahimi,Heravi, Nazanin Entezari,Abadi, Reza Nejad Shahrokh,Khajavirad, KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.3

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and $100{\mu}g/ml$) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and $12.5{\mu}g/ml$). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

Experimental and numerical investigation of strengthened deficient steel SHS columns under axial compressive loads

Shahraki, Mehdi,Sohrabi, Mohammad Reza,Azizyan, Gholam Reza,Narmashiri, Kambiz Techno-Press 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.67 No.2

In past years, numerous problems have vexed engineers with regard to buckling, corrosion, bending, and overloading in damaged steel structures. This article sets out to investigate the possible effects of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel plates for retrofitting deficient steel square hollow section (SHS) columns. The effects of axial loading, stiffness, axial displacement, the position and shape of deficient region on the length of steel SHS columns, and slenderness ratio are examined through a detailed parametric study. A total of 14 specimens was tested for failure under axial compression in a laboratory and simulated using finite element (FE) analysis based on a numerical approach. The results indicate that the application of CFRP sheets and steel plates also caused a reduction in stress in the damaged region and prevented or retarded local deformation around the deficiency. The findings showed that a deficiency leads to reduced load-carrying capacity of steel SHS columns and the retrofitting method is responsible for the increase in the load-bearing capacity of the steel columns. Finally, this research showed that the CFRP performed better than steel plates in compensating the axial force caused by the cross-section reduction due to the problems associated with the use of steel plates, such as in welding, increased weight, thermal stress around the welding location, and the possibility of creating another deficiency by welding.

Experimental and numerical investigation of strengthened deficient steel SHS columns under axial compressive loads

Mehdi Shahraki,Mohammad Reza Sohrabi,Gholam Reza Azizyan,Kambiz Narmashiri 국제구조공학회 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.67 No.2

In past years, numerous problems have vexed engineers with regard to buckling, corrosion, bending, and over-loading in damaged steel structures. This article sets out to investigate the possible effects of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) and steel plates for retrofitting deficient steel square hollow section (SHS) columns. The effects of axial loading, stiffness, axial displacement, the position and shape of deficient region on the length of steel SHS columns, and slenderness ratio are examined through a detailed parametric study. A total of 14 specimens was tested for failure under axial compression in a laboratory and simulated using finite element (FE) analysis based on a numerical approach. The results indicate that the application of CFRP sheets and steel plates also caused a reduction in stress in the damaged region and prevented or retarded local deformation around the deficiency. The findings showed that a deficiency leads to reduced load-carrying capacity of steel SHS columns and the retrofitting method is responsible for the increase in the load-bearing capacity of the steel columns. Finally, this research showed that the CFRP performed better than steel plates in compensating the axial force caused by the cross-section reduction due to the problems associated with the use of steel plates, such as in welding, increased weight, thermal stress around the welding location, and the possibility of creating another deficiency by welding.

Strengthening of deficient steel SHS columns under axial compressive loads using CFRP

Mehdi Shahraki,Mohammad Reza Sohrabi,Gholamreza Azizyan,Kambiz Narmashiri 국제구조공학회 2019 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.30 No.1

Numerous problems have always vexed engineers with buckling, corrosion, bending, and over-loading in damaged steel structures. The present study aims to study the possible effects of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) for strengthening deficient Steel Square Hollow Section (SHS) columns. To this end, the effects of axial loading, stiffness values, axial displacement, the shape of deficient on the length of steel SHS columns were evaluated based on a detailed parametric study. Ten specimens were tested to failure under axial compression in laboratory and simulated by using Finite Element (FE) analysis based on numerical approach. The results indicated that the application of CFRP sheets resulted in reducing stress in the damage location and preventing or retarding local deformation around the deficiency location appropriately. In addition, the retrofitting method could increase loading the carrying capacity of specimens.

The Effects of Rest Problems on Workforce Fatigue and Productivity

Shahrokh Shahraki,Nooh Bin Abu Bakar 대한산업공학회 2019 Industrial Engineeering & Management Systems Vol.18 No.4

This study examines the impact of rest problems on workforce fatigue and productivity. The participants of the studyinclude 4188 employees working at four Malaysian corporations. First, they were surveyed about rest time patternsand then, they completed the Work Limitations Questionnaire. Next, the respondents were classified into four groups:insomnia (Level-1), insufficient rest (Level-2), at-risk (Level-3), and good rest (Level-4). The costs related to productivity were estimated through the Work Limitations Questionnaire. Performance, productivity, safety, and treatmentmeasures were compared using the one-way analysis of variance model. The findings showed that level-1 and level-2groups caused higher negative effects than level-3 and level-4 groups, on productivity, performance, and safety. Thelevel-1 group had the highest rate of rest medication use. The other groups were more likely to use no medicationtreatments. Fatigue-related productivity losses were estimated to cost $1967/workforce annually. However, rest problems contribute to decreasing workforce productivity leading to a high cost to companies.

Induction of Apoptosis and Growth-Inhibition by Thymoquinone in ACHN and GP-293 Cell Lines in Comparable with Cis-Platinum

Samira Shahraki,Reza Mohebbati,Mohammad Naser Shafei,Mahmoud Mahmoudi,Sara Hosseinian,Soghra Parhizgar,Zohreh Naji Ebrahimi Yazd,Nazanin Entezari Heravi,Reza Nejad Shahrokh Abadi,Abolfazl Khajavi Rad 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.3

Objective: In the current work, we investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Thymoquinone (TQ), an active compound of Nigella sativa (N. sativa) and Cis-platinum, on normal renal epithelial (GP-293) and human renal adenocarcinoma cell lines (ACHN). Methods: GP-293 and ACHN cell lines were cultured in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) with 10% Fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin plus streptomycin antibiotic. The MTT assay was used for cellular viability assessment. Viability of cells was observed using inverted light microscope 24, 48 and 72 h after exposure of the cells to various concentrations of TQ (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 50 and 100 μg/ml) and Cis-platinum (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and 12.5 μg/ml). Moreover, apoptosis was analyzed with a flow-cytometry method. The untreated cells were considered as control group. Results: Morphological changes such as reduced cell number and increased intercellular distance and reduced cell viability in ACHN and GP-293cell lines were observed in both TQ and Cis- platinum groups; however, Cis-platinum had greater effect on ACHN cell line than GP-293 cell line. In addition, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ compared to ACHN cell line. Furthermore, TQ and Cis-platinum had apoptotic effects on both ACHN and GP-293 cell lines. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrated that TQ and Cis-platinum had cytotoxic and apoptotic effects on both cell lines, However, GP-293 cell line was more sensitive to TQ. Additionally, Cis-platinum was more effective on ACHN cell line than on GP-293 cell line.

Plague in Iran: its history and current status

Abdolrazagh Hashemi Shahraki,Elizabeth Carniel,Ehsan Mostafavi 한국역학회 2016 Epidemiology and Health Vol.38 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Plague remains a public health concern worldwide, particularly in old foci. Multiple epidemics of this disease have been recorded throughout the history of Iran. Despite the long-standing history of human plague in Iran, it remains difficult to obtain an accurate overview of the history and current status of plague in Iran. METHODS: In this review, available data and reports on cases and outbreaks of human plague in the past and present in Iran and in neighboring countries were collected, and information was compiled regarding when, where, and how many cases occurred. RESULTS: This paper considers the history of plague in Persia (the predecessor of today’s Iran) and has a brief review of plague in countries in the World Health Organization Eastern Mediterranean Region, including a range of countries in the Middle East and North Africa. CONCLUSIONS: Since Iran has experienced outbreaks of plague for several centuries, neighboring countries have reported the disease in recent years, the disease can be silent for decades, and the circulation of Yersinia pestis has been reported among rodents and dogs in western Iran, more attention should be paid to disease monitoring in areas with previously reported human cases and in high-risk regions with previous epizootic and enzootic activity.