Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2004 | Volume:5 | Issue:4|Papers Count:9

It is shown that artificial neural networks (ANN) are promising tools in learning complex interplay of factors on a particular outcome. We performed this study to compare the predictive power of ANN and conventional methods in prediction of bone mineral density (BMD) in Iranian post-menopausal women. A database of 10 variables (age, weight, age at menopause, corticosteroid use, estrogen use, number of pregnancies, age at menarche, tea consumption, activity and smoking) on 2158 participants (who underwent screening for osteoporosis in an endocrinology research center) was randomly divided into training (1400), validation (150), and test (608) groups. Robust multivariate linear regression and ANN models were developed and validated on the training and validation sets and outcomes (femoral neck and lumbar T scores) were predicted and compared on the test group using different numbers of input variables. Results were evaluated by comparing mean square of differences between predicted and reference values (non-centric chi-square test) and by measuring area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) around cutoff value of -2.5. For models with less than 3 input variables in femoral neck and 4 variables in lumbar area, performance of linear and ANN models was almost the same. With more variables imported into models, ANN outperformed linear regression models. AUROC varied in 2 to 10 variable models as follows: for ANN in lumbar area: from 0.709 to 0.774, linear models in lumbar area: from 0.709 to 0.744, ANN in femoral neck: from 0.801 to 0.867, linear models in femoral neck: from 0.799 to 0.834. All models performed better on prediction of femoral neck BMD than lumbar BMD. The best performance of ANN model yielded a sensitivity of 85.6% and 77.7% and specificity of 74.6% and 65.5% for femoral neck and lumbar area, respectively; whereas the regression model at the best had the sensitivity of 72.5% and 75.2% and specificity of 75.1% and 66.7% for these two places, in that order. Superior performance of neural networks than linear models can be utilized to achieve more accurate predictions based on easily obtainable and questionnaire based variables. These models demonstrate their advantage especially in mass screening applications, when even a slight enhancement in performance results in significant decrease in number of misclassifications.    

Urinary calcium excretion is the most causes of renal stone formation. Calcium (Ca) deficiencies are important risk factors for a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD), consequently inducing osteoporosis. The aim of study was to investigate the association between renal stone and osteoporosis. A total of 830, 20-76 years- old healthy population of Tehran, from 50 clusters were randomly selected, following exclusion of people suffering from endocrine, rheumatologic or chronic diseases, fractures, other conditions or using drugs that affecting bone metabolism. All participations underwent clinical examination and lumbar spine and proximal of femur BMD by using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry technique. Plasma level of 25(OH) D, Ca, Phosphate (P), Alkaline phosphatase (ALK P), parathyroid hormone (PTH) measured during winter. A total of 68(8.2%) renal stone patients enrolled. Prevalence of renal stone in men & women were 11.2%, 6.4% respectively. Renal stone patients had a higher prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia than other participant without history of renal stone (16.7%, 53.3% Vs 11.2%, 35.7%). Renal stone patients had lower BMD at spine and higher level of ALK P and vitamin D. Osteoporosis is more common in renal stone patients than in normal populations.

Vitis vinifera (grape) from Vitaceae and its leaves are used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea, gout and varicosis. We have shown recently that, Vitis vinifera leaf hydroalcoholic extract (VLHE) reduces contractility of the rat ileum and uterus precontracted by KCl via voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs). The aim of the present study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of VLHE on perfused frog heart rate and contractility. Extract was prepared by alcohol (70%) for 72 hours and after evaporation of solvent, the extract powder was obtained. Right aorta branch of pitted frog was lighted and Ringer’s solution was per fused via vena cava. Perfusate was drained via the cannulated left aorta. Final extract concentrations were 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 mg/ml. Heart contractility was recorded by an isotonic transducer under 1 g initial tension. The percentage of changes in heart contractility and rate were calculated and presented as mean ± SEM. VLHE reduced the heart rate and contractility dose-dependently and significantly. In more cases, the extract (2 mg/ml) caused cardiac arrest in diastolic. The effects of heart electrical stimulation (1Hz, 10 V, 1ms, 10sec) and epinephrine (20μg/ml) were inhibited by VLHE significantly. Atropine (1μM) abolished the Ach (1μM) inhibitory effect on heart but not of VLHE. Cardiac electrical stimulation was effective on heart in presence of verapamil (1μM) but not in the presence of VLHE. In has been concluded that, the negative inotropic and chronotropic effects of VLHE were not through cholinergic system and probably, the inhibitory effects are induced via blockade of VDCCs.

Hypo mobility is one of the movement disorders in the sacra iliac joint. The presence of this abnormality can cause low back pain with various severities. The determine the prevalence of hypo mobility in the SI joint among Shiraz high school students. A randomized-multi stage study is done on the 403 boys and girls Shiraz high school students with age between 14-17 Y/O. the data collected by questionnaire and three tests; (Gillette test, standing flexion test, squatting test) for evaluation of SI joint hypo mobility. If two or three of these tests were positive hypo mobility had been determined. Prevalence of hypo mobility in SI joint among Shiraz high school students with mean age 15.87 was 6%. The finding indicated no significant correlation between low back pain and sacro iliac dysfunction (P>0.05).

Hepatitis B infection is cosmopolitan but its prevalence is different in each geographical area. In order to determine the HBV infection prevalence in Zahedan, 410 of Zahedan residents were studied for AntiHBc in 1996 (winter of 1374). All cases randomly selected based on their family number list in Zahedan urban health centers. 33.9% (n=139) were found to be positive (40.2% of males and 28.5% of females) (P=0.01). There was a direct linear relation between age and the HBV infection. The HBV infection prevalence was different in various socioeconomic groups. We conclude that HBV infection is higher in Zahedan compared to the other parts of the country, and HBV infection is more prevalent in older age and males. It has also a higher prevalence in poorer area.

One of the important accidents is road accident. It causes many deeds, injuries and economic loss. Today it is clear unsafe acts are the most causal factors for accidents. From the point of view, coach-driving task is critical. In the present study, the safety behavior of coach driver’s departuring from Hamadan city, Iran, were evaluated using safety behavior sampling technique, observation and interview. After description of unsafe behavior, the sample size were determined 1069 based on results of pilot study and sampling accuracy to %5 and confidence level to %95. A questionnaire was used to collects variables concern to driver that carry on unsafe behavior. The results showed that %42.4 of the acts during driving were unsafe. The most frequent unsafe acts were drivers talking with a %22.7 of the all. Also, it was shown the rate of unsafe act during day times is higher than the night times (P<0.001). The relation between driver’s unsafe acts and bus types, length of employment and history of accidents in drivers were significant (P<0.005). The finding of study showed that considerable of coach drivers behavior were unsafe .In order to decrease unsafe acts and road accident among coach drivers, it is recommended to perform training course for all bus drivers based on behavior safety principles. Also, exact supervision for accomplishment of driving roles is essential.

This research is a quasi-experimental study carried out to investigate the effect of the continuous consultation model on the quality of life of elderly clients. In this study a short form questionnaire was used before and after the intervention in the two groups of study on the experimental and control groups. Required estimated number of the sample was 200 That sleeted with random form in all location of Zahedan city and divided equally in to two groups using the random allocation method the  continuous consultation model was applied on the experimental group for a period of four months, while the control group was managed as usual. The results showed that the mean score of the emotional domain of the quality of life, which were 43.9 and 43.2 in the experimental and control group respectively before the study, was increase to 57.2 in the experimental, but decreased to 42.2 in the control group after the study. The mean score of the physical domains of the quality of life, which were 37.2 and 40.7 in the experimental and control groups before the intervention was increased to 55.7 in the experimental group. While decreased to 40.6 in the control group. In addition the total score of the quality of life, which was 40.6 and 42.9 in the experimental and control groups respectively before the intervention, was increased to 56.5 in the experimental group, which decreased to 41.4 in the control group. T-test showed a significant difference (P<0.001) between different domains of the quality of life of the two groups indicting the positive effect of the continuous consultation model.

About 90% ovarian cancers are epithelial form and 8-10% these are musinous tumors. We admitted a 31 years old woman with 25 weeks pregnancy (MG6P1AB4L1) that had a huge musinous cyst adenoma. She had nausea and vomiting and pain. (High-risk pregnancy) In sonography reported a 25 × 30 cm cyst of left ovarian with a dense echo. After operation prescription of MGSO4 and progesterone due to suppress of contractions and her pregnancy continued to term.