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BACKGROUND: Dairy industry workers face numerous ergonomic risk factors in their workplace, including improper posture, manual material handling, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Fewstudies have been conducted on the correlation of postural stress, MSDs, and chronic fatigue among workers in the dairy industry. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the level of postural stress, MSDs, and chronic fatigue in a dairy company. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 260 male workers were included in the research based on specific inclusion criteria. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire, Chalder Fatigue Scale, and a researcher-made demographic questionnaire were used to collect data. The posture of workers was evaluated using RULA and REBA software, and the evaluation of the manual lifting of loads was assessed using the WISHA lifting calculator. Finally, the collected data were entered into the SPSS software version 26.0 and analyzed. RESULTS: The findings revealed a significant statistical relationship between the level of postural stress and chronic fatigue and a significant positive correlation between MSDs and chronic fatigue. Furthermore, a statistically significant relationship was observed between MSDs, chronic fatigue, and ergonomics training experience. CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained in this study support the notion that high levels of postural stress and MSDs can produce an increase in chronic fatigue among workers, and lack of ergonomics training for workers can increase both MSDs and chronic fatigue. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out intervention measures in the field of ergonomics management in similar industries through the implementation of ergonomic intervention programs with a focus on proactive and preventive measures and the use of participatory ergonomic programs and educational demands assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diet may be a modifiable factor in the prevention of psychiatric disorders by modulating inflammation. In this study, we evaluated the association between empirical dietary inflammatory index (EDII) that is designed to evaluate the inflammatory potential of diets and anxiety disorders (AD) in adults. This case–control study was carried out on 85 patients who were group matched by gender with 170 healthy subjects. Data for dietary intake were assessed by using a 147‐item validated food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Anthropometric measures were collected using standard methods. EDII score was developed according to participants' dietary intakes of 28 predefined food groups. Multivariate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to investigate the association of empirically derived inflammatory potential of the diet and anxiety disorder. We observed that after adjusting for confounders, individuals in the top category of EDII score were 2.09 fold more likely to have anxiety disorder compared with those in the bottom category (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.33). Also, higher EDII contributed to a higher GAD‐7 score (p <.001). There was a significant positive linear association between EDII and AD (β = 3.64, p <.001). After controlling for potential confounders AD had a strong positive correlation with the EDII score (r =.61, p‐value <.001). In conclusion, in this case–control study, we realized that there is a positive association between the EDII score, odds, and severity of anxiety disorder. Ultimately, the potential role necessitates clarifying this association by conducting large‐population prospective cohort studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decompensated cirrhosis patients have a high risk of death which can be considerably reduced with liver transplantation (LT). This study aimed to simultaneously investigate the effect of some patients' characteristics on mortality among those with/without LT and also LT incident. Materials and Methods: In this historical cohort study, the information from 780 eligible patients aged 18 years or older was analyzed by the Markov multistate model; they had been listed between 2008 and 2014, needed a single organ for initial orthotopic LT, and followed at least for up to 5 years. Results: With a median survival time of 6 (5-8) years, there were 275 (35%) deaths. From 255 (33%) patients who had LT, 55 (21%) subsequently died. Factors associated with a higher risk of mortality and LT occurrence were included: higher model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.16, confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.24 and HR = 1.22, CI: 1.41-1.30) and ascites complication (HR = 2.34, CI: 1.74-3.16 and HR = 11.43, CI: 8.64-15.12). Older age (HR = 1.03, CI: 1.01-1.06), higher creatinine (HR = 6.87, CI: 1.45-32.56), and autoimmune disease versus hepatitis (HR = 2.53, CI: 1.12-5.73) were associated with increased risk of mortality after LT. Conclusion: The MELD and ascites are influential factors on waiting list mortality and occurrence of LT. Total life expectancy is not influenced by higher MELD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intermittent exotropia (IXT) causes photophobia, and photophobia has been studied by measurement of contrast sensitivity (CS). CS was reduced in children with IXT. We compared binocular CS (BCS) in patients with IXT and normal subjects in relation to the angle of strabismus and control of IXT. This case–control study was performed on 40 patients with IXT and 40 normal subjects who were examined with the CSV1000 CS device in mesopic (3 cd/m2) and photopic (85 cd/m2) conditions with and without a glare stimulus at 3, 6, 12, and 18 cycle/degree (cpd) spatial frequencies. The angle of strabismus and near stereoacuity were also measured. The patient's IXT compensation was graded based on the office control scale. The mean age for IXT and normal participants were 12.30 ± 0.60 (range, 6–18) and 11.00 ± 0.78 (range, 6–18) years, respectively (P =.34). The IXT patients had lower binocular CS than controls at all spatial frequencies (P <.001). The largest decrease in CS occurred at 6 cpd spatial frequency under mesopic condition (1.61 ± 0.07 vs 1.38 ± 0.15, P <.001) and photopic condition with glare (2.03 ± 0.06 vs 1.77 ± 0.13, P <.001). Patients with better control scores had higher levels of BCS; also, the score of BCS showed a significant decrease in patients with a deviation of 25 prism diopter or more, compared to those with less deviation. BCS correlated at 3 and 6 cpd with near stereoacuity (r = −0.652, P <.001 and r = −0.613, P <.001). Binocular CS in patients with IXT correlates with the angle of strabismus and level of compensation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Swallowing difficulties or dysphagia is the main cause of aspiration pneumonia and death in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Although dysphasia occurs in 90% of patients with PD, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of behavioral speech therapy in this disease. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of a new telerehabilitation program that was a combination of speech and music therapy on dysphagia in patients with PD. Methods: This study was a 3-arm randomized controlled trial (RCT). Thirty-three subjects with PD (mean age, 58.88 years; 25 men and 8 women with complaints of swallowing problems) were randomly assigned to the combination therapy (including breathing, speech, voice, and singing exercises), conventional speech therapy, and music therapy groups. Each patient participated in 12 telerehabilitation sessions over 4 weeks. Swallowing Disturbance Questionnaire (SDQ) and dysphagia handicap index (DHI), as the outcomes of this study, were evaluated 1 week before the first intervention session, 1 week after the last intervention session, and 3 months after the last evaluation. Results: The results showed a significant improvement in SDQ and all sub-tests (functional, physical, and emotional), as well as the total score of DHI in the combination therapy and conventional speech therapy groups after treatment (P < 0.05). Also, the music therapy group had a significant improvement in the SDQ score, emotional sub-test, and the total score of DHI (P < 0.05). The combination therapy group demonstrated a significant outperform in the SDQ score compared to the other 2 groups, as well as in all sub-tests and the total score of DHI compared to the music therapy group (P< 0.05). The combination therapy group also showed more improvement in all sub-tests, as well as the total score of DHI, compared to the music therapy group (P < 0.05). The results also indicated that the speech therapy group had a more significant effect on the physical sub-test of DHI compared to the music therapy group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Although swallowing function improved in all 3 groups, this improvement was more in the combination therapy group than in the other groups. Therefore, it can be concluded that combination therapy has the potential to provide additional benefits for swallowing efficiency in this patient group. The results also suggest that the telerehabilitation method is feasible to deliver intensive therapy to individuals with PD to improve swallowing functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Individuals constantly hear different sounds that can affect their work and living place. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of traffic noise on cortisol and salivary alpha-amylase biomarkers. Materials and Methods: The subjects were men aged 18 to 35 who performed driving activities for one hour in the laboratory. The tests were performed in two conditions of background noise (35 dBA) and traffic noise with a level of 75 dBA and saliva samples were collected from the subjects before and after driving. Finally, saliva samples were analyzed with cortisol and alpha-amylase kits and by ELISA method. The statistical method used for data analysis was SPSS software (version 24) and data analysis was performed by Wilcoxon statistical test. Results: The results of this study indicated that the concentrations of both biomarkers cortisol and alpha-amylase in background noise conditions after driving were higher than that before the start, although this increase was not significant (p> 0.05). In the presence of traffic noise with a level of 75 dBA, the concentration of both biomarkers after driving was significantly higher than that before driving. (p<0.05) Conclusion: This study demonstrated that exposure to traffic noise can increase the concentration of salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol biomarkers while driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Decreased static pupil size due to accommodation is a common clinical finding; however, changes in pupillary dynamic responses after near-work activities such as reading a book and using a smartphone are not well understood. Methods: The present study was performed on 76 right eyes of 76 volunteers (mean age: 20.95±2.34 years) who had ocular near activity more than 4 h per day. The participants were divided into two groups based on the dominant activity, reading a book (Group 1) or using a smartphone (Group 2). Evaluation of dynamic and static parameters of the pupil was performed before and after 1 h of continuous routine eye activity in both groups and compared. Results: Near work reduced pupil diameter (PD) in all static components (p<0.001) and the amount of change in the min PD (p=0.039) and mesopic PD (p=0.043) were different between two groups and were higher in Group 1 (both, p<0.05). Dynamic elements showed a decrease in initial diameter, amplitude and velocity of contraction and dilation, and an increase in other components so that the changes after using smartphone were significant in all dynamic parameters (all, p<0.05), but reading the book only made a significant difference in the initial diameter, amplitude, and velocity of contraction and duration of dilation (all, p<0.05); the changes were only different in the initial diameter between the two studied groups, which was higher in Group 1 (p=0.047). Conclusion: The present study showed that reading a book and using smartphone cause changes in the pupil components, which were decreasing in diameter components and velocity of changes and increasing in latency of changes; the type of ocular work may affect the changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives By the rapid growth of the elderly population, the need to pay attention to this group becomes more obvious. General self-efficacy, self-control and self-esteem are the effective individual factors for the empowerment of the elderly. This study aims to examine the relationship between these individual aspects of empowerment and general health in older adults attending neighborhood houses in Tehran, Iran. Methods & Materials In this descriptive-analytical study with cross-sectional study design, 320 older men and women over 60 years of age participated who were selected by a cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a demographic form, the 28-item general health questionaire, 10-item general selfefficacy scale, Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and Tangney's brief self-control scale. Data was described using mean and standard deviation, and analyzed using chi-square test, Spearman correlation test, oneway-ANOVA, and linear regression in SPSS sofwtare, version 22. Results The mean age of the elderly was 68.42±8.3 years. Their mean score of general health was 21.95±13.4. A significant negative correlation was found between general health, general self-efficacy, self-esteem and self-control (P<0.001). Their general health had a significant relationship with their educational level (P<0.001), years of employment (P=0.002) and housing status (P<0.001). The multivariate regression Results showed that housing status (P=0.156), self-esteem (P<0.001), self-control (P<0.001), and general self-efficacy (P<0.001) were the significant predictors of general health in the elderly. Conclusion There is a relationship between general health, general self-efficacy, self-esteem, and selfcontrol of the elderly in Tehran. Their general health is related to their educational level, years of employment, and housing status. Housing status, self-esteem, self-control and general self-efficacy are predictors of their general health. Attention should be paid to these factors in developing health promotion programs for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to model the relationship between job security and safety behavior with the moderating role of salary on the workers of the construction project of Qom (Iran) Subway. After determining the subjects of the study, the questionnaires on safety behavior and job security were completed by subjects. Also, the salary of the subjects was determined. Structural equation modeling used smart partial least squares software. The results revealed that job security had a direct and significant correlation with safety compliance, safety participation and safety behavior (p < 0.001). The salary as a moderator had a positive and significant effect on the relationship between job security and safety behavior (p < 0.05). Generally, it can be deduced that job security had a positive impact on safe behaviors, and the salary as a moderator enhanced this impact. To improve safety behavior in the workplace, employers should increase the job security of workers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Biological needs are basic human needs for survival according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Therefore, the relationship between socioeconomic status and safety behaviors is not far-fetched. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of socioeconomic status on safety behavior in workers of the subway construction project in Qom, Iran. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on workers of the subway construction project in Qom in 2020. The sample size was determined by a census of 200 people based on the study criteria. Socioeconomic status and safety behavior questionnaires were subsequently completed for the participants. The data were extracted and analyzed by SPSS software (version 21) after completing the questionnaires. Results: The results of the study revealed no significant relationship between the level of education and safety behavior (P-value> 0.05); however, a significant relationship was observed between that and safety compliance (P-value= 0.006). No significant relationship was discovered between the type of employment and socioeconomic status (Pvalue= 0.008). Also, No significant relationship was found between economic status with safety observation, participation, and behavior (Pvalue> 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the present study indicated no significant relationship between socio-economic status and compliance, participation, and safety behavior of individuals. Organizational, cultural, and individual factors affect safety and safety behavior along with socioeconomic status. No relationship was observed between socioeconomic status and employee safety behavior which can be attributed to coverage of other factors that failed to be examined in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Double-glazing is one of the methods of sound control. The use of materials other than gas inside double-glazing can develop sound transmission loss. The present study aims to make a double-glazing filled with A200 hydrogel at different ratios and measure the sound transmission loss. Materials and Methods: In the present study, 4 samples of double-glazing were made with water and A200 hydrogel. The mixing ratios of hydrogel with water were 1:20, 1:75, and 1: 150. The sound transmission loss of each sample was measured three times by AvaSina impedance tube using the sound pressure level through two microphones installed on both sides of the sample according to ISO 10534-1. Then, the results were analyzed by SPSS software (version 24) and repeated measures test. Results: According to the results, the highest amount of sound transmission loss was related to the water sample at 250 and 500 Hz and the A200-1:20 sample at 1000 and 2000 Hz. Meanwhile, the A200-1:75 sample had the lowest sound transmission loss at 250, 500, and 1000 Hz, and the water sample at 2000 Hz. Conclusion: The present study indicated that filling empty space of doubleglazing with hydrogel increases transmission loss in high frequencies and decreases it in low frequencies compared to that of the water sample. Also, transmission loss of the air sample was found significantly different from all other samples except the A200-1:150 sample by comparing the water and hydrogel samples with the air sample as a control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]