The Relationship between Depression and Insomnia Symptoms Amongst a Sample of UK University Students

Umair Akram,asha akram,Maria Gardani,Antonia Ypsilanti,Kristofor McCarty,Sarah Allen,Lambros Lazuras 대한수면학회 2019 sleep medicine research Vol.10 No.1

Research exploring the relationship between mental health difficulties and insomnia amongst stu- dents in the UK remains limited. This study further examined the extent of potential relationships between insomnia, anxiety and depression symptoms amongst university students in the UK. A sample of 487 students from four northern universities completed The Insomnia Severity Index, SLEEP-50, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scales. Approximately one fifth of students expe- rienced mild to severe levels of depressive symptoms, and two thirds reported anxious symptoms. One quarter of students indicated insomnia symptoms in the clinical range, however the preva- lence of sleep-disorders other than insomnia remained low (< 5%). Finally, symptoms of insomnia and apnoea were significantly related to depression, after controlling for co-morbid anxiety. The current outcomes highlight the high prevalence of depressive and insomnia symptoms amongst university students in the UK. Considering the relationship between insomnia and depression, stu- dent-focused mental health services should explore the possibility of treating insomnia to circum- vent depression.

Développer l’expression écrite du français par les activités de pensée critiquey

Soodeh Eghtesad,Akram Inanloo Khajlo 고려대학교 응용문화연구소 2020 에피스테메 Vol.0 No.24

This study analyzes the impact of a practical teaching of critical thinking on the writing skills of French language learners in an institutional context in Iran. Learners were divided into two groups, an experimental group and a control group; Honey's (2005) Critical Thinking Questionnaire was administered to the participants and their scores were analyzed to ensure that there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding their critical thinking abilities at the beginning of the training. Learners completed five semesters of coursework with identical course objectives and activities. However, the experimental group also received critical thinking training through media analysis, debates, and problem-solving activities. The analysis of the data, which consisted of qualitative analysis of students’ writings in the middle and at the end of the training, indicates that the experimental group outperformed the control group in writing. These results imply that critical thinking activities had a positive impact on learners' writing skills since they allowed them to perform writing tasks by paying attention to the writing as a process, rather than only focusing on the final product. Soodeh Eghtesad・Akram Inanloo Khajlo 121 [RÉSUMÉ] Développer l’expression écrite du français par les activités de pensée critique Soodeh Eghtesad・Akram Inanloo Khajlo Cette étude tente d’analyser l'impact de l'enseignement de la pensée critique sur le développement des compétences d'écriture des apprenants du français langue étrangère en contexte insitutionnel en Iran. Les apprenants étaient divisés en deux groupes, un groupe expérimental et un groupe témoin et le questionnaire de pensée critique de Honey (2005) était administré aux participants des deux groupes afin d’assurer qu'il n'y avait pas de différence significative entre les deux groupes concernant leur capacité de pensée critique au début de la formation. Les apprenants ont suivi cinq semestres de formation dont les objectifs du cours et les activités étaient identiques, mais le groupe expérimental a également reçu une formation à la pensée critique à travers des activités d’analyse des médias, de résolution de problèmes, et de débats, tandis que le groupe témoin n’a suivi aucune formation à la pensée critique. L’analyse des données, qui consiste en analyse qualitative des écritures des apprenants des deux groupes au milieu et à la fin de la formation, montre que le groupe expérimental a surpassé le groupe témoin en matière de production écrite, ce qui indique que l’enseignement de la pensée critique avait un impact positif sur les compétences d’écriture des apprenants, puisqu’elle les a rendus capables d’écrire en faisant attention au processus d’écriture plutôt que focaliser uniquement sur le produit final.

Measuring Out-of-pocket Payment, Catastrophic Health Expenditure and the Related Socioeconomic Inequality in Peru: A Comparison Between 2008 and 2017

Akram Hernández-Vásquez,Carlos Rojas-Roque,Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández,Diego Rosselli 대한예방의학회 2020 예방의학회지 Vol.53 No.4

Objectives: Describe out-of-pocket payment (OOP) and the proportion of Peruvian households with catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and evaluate changes in socioeconomic inequalities in CHE between 2008 and 2017. Methods: We used data from the 2008 and 2017 National Household Surveys on Living and Poverty Conditions (ENAHO in Spanish), which are based on probabilistic stratified, multistage and independent sampling of areas. OOP was converted into constant dollars of 2017. A household with CHE was assumed when the proportion between OOP and payment capacity was ≥0.40. OOP was described by median and interquartile range while CHE was described by weighted proportions and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To estimate the socioeconomic inequality in CHE we computed the Erreygers concentration index. Results: The median OOP reduced from 205.8 US dollars to 158.7 US dollars between 2008 and 2017. The proportion of CHE decreased from 4.9% (95% CI, 4.5 to 5.2) in 2008 to 3.7% (95% CI, 3.4 to 4.0) in 2017. Comparison of socioeconomic inequality of CHE showed no differences between 2008 and 2017, except for rural households in which CHE was less concentrated in richer households (p<0.05) and in households located on the rest of the coast, showing an increase in the concentration of CHE in richer households (p<0.05). Conclusions: Although OOP and CHE reduced between 2008 and 2017, there is still socioeconomic inequality in the burden of CHE across different subpopulations. To reverse this situation, access to health resources and health services should be promoted and guaranteed to all populations.

Exploiting the Maximum Productive Potential of Spent Laying Hens with Different Metabolizable Energy and Protein Levels after Induced Molting

Akram M,J. H. Park,M. S. Ryu,W. J. Shin,K. S. Ryu 한국가금학회 2002 한국가금학회 정기총회 및 학술발표회 Vol.19 No.-

본 실험은 산란노계에서 강제환우 후에 단백질과 에너지수준이 다른 사료를 급여시에 생산성에 미치는 영향을 구명하고자 실행하였다. 76주령 이사브라운 노계를 강제환우후에 2수준의 단백질(15, 17%)과 3수준의 대사에너지(2,750, 2,800, 2,850㎉/㎏)를 2×3요인 시험으로 처리구당 72수, 반복당 18수, 전체 432수를 배치하였다. 조사항목은 체중의 변화, 산란율, 난중, 사료섭취량, 사료요구율을 24주간 조사하였다. 체중은 2,800 ㎉/㎏ ME 처리구에서 낮은 경향을 보였으며 이러한 처리구의 단백질 수준이 15%일 때 산란율이 가장 높게 나타났다. 사료섭취량은 사료의 대사에너지와 단백질 수준이 높아질수록 감소되었다. 본 실험의 결과 2,800㎉/㎏ 대사에너지 급여구에서 15%의 단백질이 함유된 사료를 급여시에 체중의 변화가 적었으며, 산란율이 가장 높게 나타났다. This experiment was conducted to investigate the influence of different dietary ME and CP on post-molt performance of spent laying hens. Four hundred and thirty two, ISA brown after molt induction were fed 6 experimental diets containing 3 ME(2,750, 2,800, 2,850 ㎉/㎏) and 2 CP(15, 17%) levels in factorial design. The influence of ME and CP were measured on body weight, egg production, egg weight and feed intake throughout 24 weeks of production. Egg mass and FCR were calculated for the entire experimental period. Body weight remained less in hens receiving 2,800 ㎉/㎏. ME and showed the highest egg production coupled with 15% CP. Feed intake decreased with the increasing level of ME and CP. As the results of this experiment, 2,800 ㎉/㎏ ME can be used to maintain the low body weight and to obtain higher egg production with 15% CP in induced molting hens.

Association of Comorbidities With Pneumonia and Death Among COVID-19 Patients in Mexico: A Nationwide Cross-sectional Study

Akram Hernández-Vásquez,Diego Azañedo,Rodrigo Vargas-Fernández,Guido Bendezu-Quispe 대한예방의학회 2020 예방의학회지 Vol.53 No.4

Objectives: The goal of this study was to identify chronic conditions and multimorbidity patterns in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and to examine their associations with pneumonia and death. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the official data of COVID-19 patients in Mexico through May 18, 2020 (released by the Secretaría de Salud de México). Adjusted logistic regression models were applied to assess the associations of comorbidities with pneumonia and death. The marginal effects were estimated, and the probability of pneumonia or death according to the number of comorbidities was graphed for each year of age. Results: Of the 51 053 COVID-19 patients enrolled in the final analysis, 27 667 (54.2%) had no chronic conditions, while 13 652 (26.7%), 6518 (12.8%) and 3216 (6.3%) were reported to have 1, 2, and 3 or more simultaneous conditions, respectively. Overall, a significant incremental gradient was observed for the association between multimorbidity and pneumonia (p<0.001); for 2 chronic conditions, the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) was 2.07 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.95 to 2.20), and for ≥3 conditions, the aOR was 2.40 (95% CI, 2.22 to 2.60). A significant incremental gradient was also found for the relationship between multimorbidity and death (p<0.001); an aOR of 2.51 (95% CI, 2.30 to 2.73) was found for 2 chronic conditions and an aOR of 3.49 (95% CI, 3.15 to 3.86) for ≥3 conditions. Conclusions: Underlying chronic conditions and multimorbidity are associated with pneumonia and death in Mexican COVID-19 patients. Future investigation is necessary to clarify the pathophysiological processes behind this association, given the high burden of chronic diseases in various countries, including Mexico. Key words: Comorbidity, COVID-19, Multimorbidity, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Description of Two Genera of Idolothripiane(Phlaeothripidae:Tubulifera:Thysanoptera)from Pakistan

AKRAM, Waseem,신병식,이종진 한국곤충학회 2003 Entomological Research Vol.33 No.1

Two genera Allothrips Hood and Ethirothrips Karny with single species each Allothrips pillichellus bicolor Ananthakrishnan and Ethirothrips longisetis (Ananthakrishnan and Jagadish), respectively have been recorded for the first time from Pakistan. Both the genera belong to the subfamily Idolothripinae. Detailed description with measurements of body parts along with illustrations are provided for future references.

Systematics of Stenchaetothrips biformis, a Potential Thrips of Rice Crop

Akram Waseem,Jhong Kyoung Choi,Jong-Jin Lee 한국응용곤충학회 2005 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2005 No.05

Effects of Betulinic Acid on the Male Reproductive System of a Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-Induced Diabetic Mouse Model

Akram Ahangarpour,Ali Akbar Oroojan,Layasadat Khorsandi,Golshan Arzani,Golshan Afshari 대한남성과학회 2016 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.34 No.3

Purpose: The present study was conducted to evaluate the favorable or harmful effects of betulinic acid (BA) on a diabetic reproductive system.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 60 male Naval Medical Research Institute mice (20∼25 g) were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, diabetes, diabetes+BA (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg), and diabetes+ metformin (200 mg/kg). A diabetic model was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) (65 mg/kg) injection intraperitoneally 15 minutes after an intra-peritoneal administration of nicotinamide (NA) (120 mg/kg). BA and metformin were gavaged for 2 weeks after confirmed diabetes induction in the treatment groups. One day after the last treatment, plasma luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and testosterone levels were evaluated. The cauda epididymis and testis were removed to analyze the sperm count and testis histopathology.Results: LH levels increased in diabetic (p<0.001) and diabetic BA-treated mice (p=0.009). Plasma levels of testosterone (p< 0.001) and sperm count (p=0.04) decreased in these groups when compared to the control group. Furthermore, administration of 10 mg/kg (p=0.001), 20 mg/kg (p=0.004), or 40 mg/kg (p<0.001) of BA led to a greater reduction in plasma testosterone levels compared to the diabetes group. Seminiferous tubule vacuole numbers increased in diabetic and diabetic BA-treated mice, but testis morphology and FSH level assessment revealed no significant differences between the groups.Conclusions: STZ-NA can induce diabetic alterations in the male reproductive system and the administration of BA in diabetic treated mice resulted in a worse outcome.

Taxonomic Review of the Genus Mycterothrips (TEREBRANTIA: THYSANOPTERA) and its Species from Pakistan

Akram, Waseem,Oh, Se-Won,Lee, Jong-Jin 한국곤충학회 2002 Entomological Research Vol.32 No.4

Genus Mycterothrips and one species M. nilgiriensis with both male and female specimens has been recorded for the first time from Pakistan. The genus and the species have been described in detail, measurements of body parts along with illustrations have also been provided for future references. Thus adding to the list of Thysanoptera fauna from Pakistan.

Enhancing seismic performance of ductile moment frames with delayed wire-rope bracing using middle steel plate

Akram Ghalandari,Mohammad Reza Ghasemi,Babak Dizangian 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.28 No.2

Moment frames have considerable ductility against cyclic lateral loads and displacements; however, sometimes this feature causes the relative displacement to exceed the permissible limits. This issue can bring unfavorable hysteretic behavior on the frame due to the reduction in the stiffness and resistance against lateral loads. Most of common bracing systems usually control lateral displacements through increasing stiffness while result in decreasing the capacity for energy absorption. This has direct effect on hysteresis curves of moment frames. Therefore, a system that is capable of both having the capacity of energy absorption as well as controlling the displacements without a considerable increase in the stiffness is quite important. This paper investigates retrofitting of a single-storey steel moment frame using a delayed wire-rope bracing system equipped with the ductile middle steel plate. The steel plate is considered at the middle intersection of wire ropes, where it causes cables to be continuously in tension. This integrated system has the advantage of reducing considerable stiffness of the frame compared to cross bracing systems as a result of which it could also preserve the frame's energy absorption capacity. In this paper, FEM models of a delayed wire-rope bracing system equipped by steel plates with different geometries have been studied, validated, and compared with other researchers' laboratory test results.