Meta-analysis of the prevalence of depression among breast cancer survivors in Iran: an urgent need for community supportive care programs

Hassan Ahmadi Gharaei,Mostafa Dianatinasab,Seyyed Mostafa Kouhestani,Mohammad Fararouei,Hossein Moameri,Reza Pakzad,Reza Ghaiasvand 한국역학회 2019 Epidemiology and Health Vol.41 No.-

OBJECTIVES: Depression, which is the most common comorbidity in breast cancer (BC) patients, has adverse effects on patients’ quality of life, disease progress, and survival. METHODS: The protocol of this study was registered in PROSPERO (registration No. CRD42019121494). We electronically searched published studies through January 2019 with the aim of finding articles that investigated the prevalence of depression among BC survivors. Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, Science Direct, and Google Scholar were searched to obtain relevant published studies. This review included 14 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies published from 2000 to 2018. We used a random-effects model to conduct the meta-analysis and generated a summary estimate for the pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A subgroup analysis was also conducted based on the depression assessment tool used and the study design. RESULTS: The total sample size of the studies contained 2,799 women with BC, including 1,228 women who were diagnosed with depression. The pooled prevalence of depression among Iranian women with BC was 46.83% (95% CI, 33.77 to 59.88) with significant heterogeneity (I2=98.5%; p<0.001). The prevalence of depression ranged from 14.00% (95% CI, 4.91 to 23.09) to 95.90% (95% CI, 91.97 to 99.83). The results of the subgroup analyses suggested that the depression assessment tool, year of publication, and study design were sources of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a high prevalence of depression among BC patients, underscoring the urgent need for clinicians and health authorities to provide well-defined social and psychological supportive care programs for these patients.

Laboratory evaluation of roller compacted concrete containing RAP

Ahmadi, Amin,Gogheri, Mohammad K.,Adresi, Mostafa,Amoosoltani, Ershad Techno-Press 2020 Advances in concrete construction Vol.10 No.6

This paper investigates mechanical properties of roller compacted concrete (RCC) involving reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP). In this way, a set of 276 cylindrical RCC specimens were prepared with different RAP sizes (i.e., fine, coarse & total) at various ratios (i.e., 10%, 20%, and 40%). Results reveal that incorporation of RAP decreases unconfined compressive strength (UCS), modulus of elasticity (E), and indirect tensile (IDT) strength of RCC. For each RAP size, a regression model was used to maximize RAP content while satisfying the UCS lower limit (27.6 Mpa) mentioned by ACI as a minimum requirement for RCC used in pavement construction. Moreover, UCS of RAP incorporated mixes, dissimilar to that of control mixes, was found to be sensitive and insensitive to the testing temperature and curing time after 7 days, respectively. The results also demonstrate that the higher amounts of RAP, the more flexibility in RCC is. This issue was also proved by the results of modulus of elasticity test. In addition, the toughness index (TI) shows that increase in RAP content leads to up to 43% increase in energy absorbance capacity of RCC.

Assessment of structural, biological and drug release properties of electro-sprayed poly lactic acid-dexamethasone coating for biomedical applications

Mostafa Rahvar,Gholamreza Ahmadi Lakalayeh,Niloofar Nazeri,Bahereh T. Marouf,Mahdieh Shirzad,Azar Najafi T. Shabankareh,Hossein Ghanbari 대한의용생체공학회 2021 Biomedical Engineering Letters (BMEL) Vol.11 No.4

The efficacy of an implant is highly depends on its coating characteristics mainly determined by polymer properties and coating technique. Electro-spraying is an inexpensive and versatile coating technique with various advantages for biomedical application. In this study, the efficacy of electro-sprayed (ES) poly lactic acid (PLA)-dexamethasone (DEX) coatings for medical implants was evaluated and compared with spin-coated samples as control. Structural properties of coatings were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Confocal and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurement and nanoindentation tests were used to study surface properties. Coating degradation rate and drug release profile were studied for 40 days. Cell viability experiments were also performed on human endothelial (HUVEC) and smooth muscle cells (HUASMC) using MTT assay and SEM. XRD and DSC analysis showed electro-spraying significantly reduce PLA and DEX crystallinity. Surface studies showed ES coatings has significantly higher hydrophobicity and roughness with microbead-nanofiber morphology vs. micro-nanoporous structure of spin-coated samples. Initial burst release of DEX was 22% and 10% after 6 h and total release was 71% and 46% after 40 days for ES and spin-coated samples, respectively. HUVEC viability of ES samples was higher than spin-coated ones after 1 and 4 days. However, dexamethasone release profile reduced HUASMC proliferation in ES PLA-DEX samples in comparison to spin-coated after 1 and 3 days. In conclusion, in vitro results showed potential of ES PLA-DEX as a biocompatible and efficient anti-inflammatory coating with suitable drug release profile for future applications such as coronary drug eluting stents.

Optimization of process parameters for friction stir lap welding of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic composites by Taguchi method

H. Ahmadi,N. B. Mostafa Arab,F. Ashenai Ghasemi 대한기계학회 2014 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.28 No.1

Friction stir welding process parameters such as welding speed, rotational speed and tilt angle affect the strength of the weld joint. Formaximizing the weld strength, these process parameters must therefore be properly selected and optimized. This study presents anapplication of Taguchi method to optimize process parameters like welding speed, rotational speed and tilt angle to maximize lap weldtensile-shear strength in 4 mm thick polypropylene composite sheets with 20 wt% carbon fiber. To this end, a L9 orthogonal array ofTaguchi method using three factors at three levels was used. Analysis of variance and confirmation tests were conducted. The resultsindicated that welding speed, rotational speed and tilt angle are respectively the significant parameters affecting the lap weld strength. Optimization results also showed that tensile-shear strength of 6.06 MPa was obtained when welding speed, rotational speed and tiltangle were 25 mm/min, 1250 rpm and 1 degree, respectively.

Density-Controlled ZnO Nanorod Arrays in Polymer Solar Cells Based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Indene-C60 Bis-Adduct

Mehdi Ahmadi,Kavoos Mirabbaszadeh,Mostafa Ketabchi 대한금속·재료학회 2013 ELECTRONIC MATERIALS LETTERS Vol.9 No.6

We investigated the effect of employing ZnO nanorods in an inverted polymer solar cell based on Poly(3-hexylthiophene) and Indene-C60 Bis-Adduct. Hydrothermal method was chosen to growth of vertically aligned ZnO nanorods on 30 nm thick ZnO seed layer. The samples were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD),scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrical conductivity measurements. Indene-C60 Bis-Adduct, as new acceptor with higher-lying LUMO energy level than PCBM blended with P3HT. Efficient infiltration of polymer into interspaces between nanorod arrays concluded to improved performance of the device. Photovoltaic characteristic of inverted polymer solar cell with ZnO nanorods were compared with devices employed ZnO thin film. Inverted polymer solar cell based on Poly (3-hexylthiophene) and Indene-C60 Bis-Adduct hybridized with ZnO nanorods exhibited power conversion efficiency of 4.04% that was better than a device with ZnO thin film interlayer (3.80%).

Nonparametric confidence intervals for quantiles based on a modified ranked set sampling

Morabbi, Hakime,Razmkhah, Mostafa,Ahmadi, Jafar The Korean Statistical Society 2016 Communications for statistical applications and me Vol.23 No.2

A new sampling method is introduced based on the idea of a ranked set sampling scheme in which taken samples in each set are dependent on previous ones. Some theoretical results are presented and distribution-free confidence intervals are derived for the quantiles of any continuous population. It is shown numerically that the proposed sampling scheme may lead to 95% confidence intervals (especially for extreme quantiles) that cannot be found based on the ordinary ranked set sampling scheme presented by Chen (2000) and Balakrishnan and Li (2006). Optimality aspects of this scheme are investigated for both coverage probability and minimum expected length criteria. A real data set is also used to illustrate the proposed procedure. Conclusions are eventually stated.

Effects of openings geometry and relative area on seismic performance of steel shear walls

Ali Massumi,Nasibeh Karimi,Mostafa Ahmadi 국제구조공학회 2018 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.28 No.5

Steel shear wall possesses priority over many of the current lateral load-bearing systems due to reasons like higher elastic stiffness, desirable ductility and energy absorption, convenience in construction and implementation technology, and economic criteria. Besides these advantages, this system causes increase in the dimensions of other structural elements due to its high stiffness as one of its intrinsic characteristics. One of the methods for stiffness reduction is perforating the wall panel and creating openings in the wall that can also be used as windows or ducts in buildings service period. The aim of the present study is probing the appropriate geometric shape and location of opening to fulfil economic criterion plus technical and seismic design criteria. In the present research, a number of possible while reasonable opening shapes and locations are defined in various sizes for some steel shear wall specimens. The specimens are modelled in ABAQUS finite elements software and analyzed using nonlinear pushover analysis. Finally, the analyses' results are reported as force-displacement diagrams and the strength, the initial stiffness and the energy absorption are calculated for all specimens and compared together. The obtained results show that both shape and location of the openings affect the seismic parameters of the shear wall. The specimens in which the openings are further from the center and closer to the columns possess higher stiffness and strength while the specimens in which the openings are closer to the center show more considerable changes in their seismic parameters in response to increase in opening area.

Levels of Salivary Antioxidant Vitamins and Lipid Peroxidation in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus and Healthy Individuals

Hamidreza Abdolsamadi,Fatemeh Ahmadi-Motamayel,Nasrin Rafieian,Mohammad Taghi Goodarzi,Javad Feradmal,Seyed-Mostafa Hoseyni,Mina Jazayeri,Zahrasadat Taghavi,Poorandokht Davoodi 전남대학교 의과학연구소 2014 전남의대학술지 Vol.50 No.2

Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory mucosal disease of unknownetiology. Many studies have implicated the protective role of antioxidants in suchdiseases. The aim of this study was to compare salivary total antioxidant capacity (TACand malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamin (vitamin s A, C and E) levels inpatients with erosive OLP and healthy individuals. Thirty six patients with OLP (14males, 22 females) and 36 control subjects (15 males, 21 females), matched for age andsex were enrolled in this case control study. The salivary levels of MDA, TAC, and antioxidantvitamin levels were measured in both case and control groups. The salivarylevel of MDA was significantly higher (p<0.001) in patients than in controls. In patientswith OLP, the TAC of saliva was significantly lower than that in healthy subjects (p<0.001). Compared with controls, the levels of salivary antioxidant vitamins were significantlydecreased in patients with OLP (p<0.001). In addition, a positive correlationwas found between the decrease in the salivary amount of vitamin C and that in vitaminE in patients and controls. In addition to the lower salivary levels of antioxidant vitaminsand the lower TAC, the higher level of MDA in patients with OLP suggests thatfree radicals and the resulting oxidative damage may be important in the pathogenesisof OLP lesions.

Optimized precipitation process for efficient and size-controlled synthesis of hydroxyapatite–chitosan nanocomposite

Attar Nosrati Sima,Alizadeh Robabeh,Ahmadi Seyed Javad,Erfani Mostafa 한국세라믹학회 2020 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.57 No.6

It is known that the physicochemical characteristics of nanocomposites strongly aff ected by synthesis route and conditions. In this study, hydroxyapatite–chitosan nanocomposite as a substance with extensive medical application has been prepared by precipitation method under controlled conditions. To evaluation of the main synthesis parameters, including mixing ratio of precursors, pH and drying condition and investigation of their eff ect on the fi nal products characteristics, a statistical design of experiments approach via Minitab 18 has been applied. For this purpose 12 sets of experimental run have been designed and performed based on various combinations of aforementioned parameters and the characteristics of the prepared samples have been elucidated by means of Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diff raction, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and the particle size analysis. The results represent the potential impact of synthesis parameters, their interaction with each other and estimation of optimum synthesis conditions. It is revealed that mean particle size of HA-CS nanocomposite reduced by increasing the content of hydroxyapatite and increment of reaction pH to values higher than 10. Also it is founded that freeze drying process, can be used as a superior drying method for the preparation of HA-CS nanocomposite with uniform particle size.