Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences
Year:2018 | Volume:17 | Issue:5 |Papers Count:10

Background and Objectives: Despite the fact that pasteurization of raw milk increases the quality and health of dairy products, many people tend to consume raw milk and its products. The purpose of the current study was to design a questionnaire to determine the factors affecting choosing the type of dairy based on the reasoned action theory.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on the patients referred to Dr. Shadpour Health Care Center from September to October in 2017. The questionnaire was designed via literature review, focus group discussions, and interview with experts. A total of 14 specialists were selected to determine the content validity scores and 15 subjects referred to Dr. Shadpour Health Care Center were used to determine the reliability of the questionnaire. Finally, content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) were calculated by using Cronbach’s alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) in SPSS, version 23.00.Results: The first questionnaire consisted of 101 questions and after evaluation of validity and reliability, 32 questions were obtained. The content validity index of the questionnaire was 0.88, the content validity ratio 0.68, the Cronbach's alpha coefficient 0.83, and the internal correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.80 with the confidence interval of (0.58-0.93).Conclusion: Considering the findings, it seems that the present questionnaire has acceptable reliability and validity. Therefore, it can be used as a useful tool in determining the factors affecting choosing the type of dairy by consumers.

Background and Objectives: Hospital wastewaters contain persistent substances such as microbial factors, deterjents, halogenated organic compounds, hormones, antibiotics, and radioactive isotopes that are produced by a variety of research and treatment activities. This study aimed to remove COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of hospital wastewater by optimized electro-persulfate process using response surface methodology Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, an electrochemichal batch reactor equipped with four iron electrodes connected to a DC power supply was used for eliminating COD of wastewater. The independent variables (current density, initial pH, H2O2 dosage, persulfate dosage) against COD removal as the dependent variable were investigated using 8.0.6 Design Expert software by the response surface method, and the proposed model was analyzed using ANOVA.Results: The optimal operational condition for COD removal with current density of 40 mA/cm2, initial pH of 5.2, persulfate dosage of 31 mg/L, and hydrogen peroxide dosage of 45 mM was 92.6%. High value of coefficient of determination was 92.4 % and low value of coefficient of variation 4.58%.Conclusion: The response surface method showed that there was an agreement between the predicted values by the model and the results obtained from the experiments. Simultaneous use of two reactives (persulfate/H2O2) increaces the COD removal efficiency. Therefore, it seems that electro-persulfate oxidation with hydrogen peroxide is an effective method for the the removal of hospital wastewater COD. Designing experiment using response surface methodology can show the best conditions for COD removal through reducing the number of experimental tests.

Background and Objectives: Obesity increaces inflammatory markers and causes insulin resistance, and exercise training plays an effective role in improving these markers. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of eight weeks of Pilates training on C-reactive protein (CRP), insulin resistance, and body composition in middle-aged obese women.Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study, 20 obese middle-aged women were randomly assigned into two control and experimental groups. The experimental group participated in Pilates training for eight weeks, three times per week, each session lasting for 60 minutes. While, the control group did not do any special exercise. For all subjects, body composition indexes including body fat percent, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, hip circumference, waist to hip ratio (WHR), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and CRP were assessed prior to and after the training program. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and paired t-test.Results: Eight weeks of Pilates training significantly reduced the body fat percent, weight, and BMI in the experimental group (p<0.05). Moreover, significant improvement in HOMA-IR index was found in the experimental group (p=0.019). Also, CRP concentration significantly decreased after Pilates training in the experimental group (p=0.007) compared to the control group (p=0.534).Conclusion: The results indicated that Pilates training improves body composition, insulin resistance, and inflammatory parameters in middle-aged obese women.

Background and Objectives: Cigarette smoke contains carcinogenic compounds, including nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK), which can activate vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and increase the inflammation of the lung. Since the Nigella sativa plays an important role in treating cancer through the modification of cellular signaling pathways, the purpose of this study was determining the effect of a period of Nigella sativananocapsules consumption on the histopathological structure and VEGF levels of the lung tissue of the rats exposed to tobacco-derived nitrosamines ketone.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 45 Wistar male and female rats with the average weight and standard deviation of 103.83±23.48 grams were randomly divided into five groups of control, saline, NNK, supplement, and supplement+NNK. The NNK-induced groups received NNK subcutaneously once per week at a rate of 12.5 mg/kg/bw for 12 weeks. The supplement groups also received Nigella sativa nanocapsules for 12 weeks. Levels of VEGF in the homogenized lung tissue were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way ANOVA and Tukey’s multiple comparisons test were used to analyze the data Results: Exposure to NNK significantly increased VEGF levels compared to the saline group (p=0.001).Meanwhile, a period of Nigella sativa nanocapsules consumption significantly reduced the levels of VEGF in the supplement+NNK group compared to the NNK group (p=0.001).Conclusion: Considering the findings, it seems that Nigella sativa nanocapsules consumption can be helpful in cigarette smoke-induced inflammation by reducing VEGF levels.

Background and Objectives: The proprietary of carbon nanotubes may cause harmful effects on the environment. In the present study, the effects of these nanoparticles on oxidative stress and liver function impairment in Wistar rats were investigated.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the multi-wall carbon nanotubes functionalized with carboxylic groups were injected to Wistar rats in 4 treatment groups (doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg/bw with two different blood sampling times) and control groups received physiological saline. Blood sampling was done in two stages, 24 hours and 144 hours after the last injection. Then, the activity levels of ALP (Alkaline phosphatase), ALT (Alanine aminotransferase), AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) enzymes, and malondialdehyde and plasma thiol levels were measured.Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Duncan post hoc test.Results: In the first blood collection, LDH activity at the dose of 20 mg/kg and the amount of thiol groups at the dose of 10 mg/kg increased (p=0.006) and decreased (p=0.011) significantly than other groups, respectively. In the second blood collection, the activity levels of the ALP (p=0.020) and LDH (p=0.007) at a dose of 20 mg/kg and the activity levels of the ALT (p=0.033) at a dose of 10 mg/kg decreased significantly compared to the control group. The amount of malondialdehyde was significantly increased (p=0.023) at either doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg compared to the control group.Conclusion: Probably, carboxylic multi-wall carbon nanotubes, even at low doses, after 6 days of the last injection, causes disturbances in liver function by producing free radicals and oxidative stress.

Background and Objectives: Although the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is supported by researchers, controlled studies show that each of these methods only partially serves to treat this disorder. Therefore, this study aimed at achieving the effect size of cognitive-behavioral interventions on the treatment of GAD and investigating other effective factors in the effectiveness of this treatment.Materials and Methods: The present study is a systematic review and meta-analysis research model. For this purpose, 480 articles with the relevant titles, using cognitive-behavioral treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (seperately and in combination) as the keywords, were obtained through searching in the valid scientific databases. 21 articles were selected through a meta-analysis checklist, and the data (extracted from the texts of these articles) were analyzed using the meta-analysis method.Results: The results showed the effect size (ES) of cognitive-behavioral interventions (Cohen's d=1.018) is large according to the Cohen's table (Cohen's d³0.8). Also, there was no statistical significant difference in comparing the effect sizes obtained from using different tools, individual or group therapy, and age groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this meta-analysis showed a “large” ES for cognitive-behavioral interventions on the treatment of GAD. Also, based on the sub-analyses results, group CBT can be used as the first line therapy for middle-aged GAD patients and individual CBT for elderly GAD patients.

Wolfram| Alpha Computational Knowledge Engine software, despite all internet search engines, tries to provide the the best answer for a question or compute an equation in the most correct way based on the current knowledge. Therefore, given the unique characteristic of Wolfram| Alpha and its vast applications, the aim of the present article is to familiarize the biomedical scientists with the abilities of this engine.

Background and Objectives: One of the most important priorities of occupational health in industry is proportionality of the person’s occupation with his abilities and needs. This study aimed toinvestigate the relationship between work ability index and individual characteristics of Zabol Cement Company employees.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study, 128 employees of Zabol Cement Company were studied using census method in 2017. Data were collected using demographic information questionnaire and work ability index and analyzed using Spearman’s correlation test, one-way ANOVA, and non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis H test.Results: In the current study, the mean and standard deviation of work ability index were 41.69 ± 7.58. The results showed a direct significant relationship between age (p=0.003) and work experience (p=0.023) and work ability index.Conclusion: In this study, the score of work ability index was at an acceptable level. It seems that this index can be used as a complement to the employment and periodic examinations of workers in order to determine their ability.