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Objective: There is growing evidence that adding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to some psychopharmacological treatments may help to improve symptoms in patients suffering from major depressive disorder. The present study examined the therapeutic efficacy of adding celecoxib to escitalopram and the safety of doing so. Method: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 60 patients with major depressive disorder were randomly assigned to either treatment with escitalopram plus celecoxib (intervention group) or escitalopram and placebo. All patients were evaluated blind to treatment group with the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) before the intervention as well at 4 and 8 weeks after initiating treatment. Chi-square and paired t-test were used to examine between-group differences at those assessment times. Results: There was no significant difference in depressive symptoms between intervention and placebo groups at baseline. However, at 4 and 8 weeks after the beginning of treatment, there were significant between-group differences in HDRS scores, favoring the intervention group. No between-group differences were found in treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Adding celecoxib to escitalopram may improve symptoms of depression in patients with major depressive disorder without increasing the risk of drug-related side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to investigation of processes for Pb2+ elimination from water/wastewater as a significant public health issue in many parts of world. The removal of Pb2+ ions by various nanocomposites has been explained from water/wastewaters. ZnO-based nanocomposites, as eco-friendly nanoparticles with unique physicochemical properties, have received increased attention to remove Pb2+ ions from water/wastewaters. Design/methodology/approach: In this review, different ZnO-based nanocomposites were reviewed for their application in the removal of Pb2+ ions from the aqueous solution, typically for wastewater treatment using methodology, such as adsorption. This review focused on the ZnO-based nanocomposites for removing Pb2+ ions from water and wastewaters systems. Findings: The ZnO-based nanocomposite was prepared by different methods, such as electrospinning, hydrothermal/alkali hydrothermal, direct precipitation and polymerization. Depending on the preparation method, various types of ZnO-based nanocomposites like ZnO-metal (Cu/ZnO, ZnO/ZnS, ZnO/Fe), ZnO-nonmetal (PVA/ZnO, Talc/ZnO) and ZnO-metal/nonmetal (ZnO/Na-Y zeolite) were obtained with different morphologies. The effects of operational parameters and adsorption mechanisms were discussed in the review. Research limitations/implications: The findings may be greatly useful in the application of the ZnO-based nanocomposite in the fields of organic and inorganic pollutants adsorption. Practical implications: The present study is novel, because it investigated the morphological and structural properties of the synthesized ZnO-based nanocomposite using different methods and studied the capability of green-synthesized ZnO-based nanocomposite to remove Pb2+ ions as water contaminants. Social implications: The current review can be used for the development of environmental pollution control measures. Originality/value: This paper reviews the rapidly developing field of nanocomposite technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Since a significant part of deaths due to traffic accidents are preventable in the pre-hospital phase, therefore it seems necessary to have an instrument to identify and measure the factors affecting it. This study aims to develop and psychometrically assess an instrument to measure preventable prehospital mortality due to traffic accidents. Methods: The study is a mixed qualitative-quantitative study, including systematic review, interviews, Delphi, and psychometrics. In the systematic review phase, using database searches, and in the qualitative phase, the factors affecting preventable mortality were extracted via interviews with 24 experts (fire-fighting organizations, traffic police, the Red Crescent, emergency medical services [EMS], emergency medicine, hospital emergency nurses and traffic accident victims) in Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education and Yazd Province, Iran, 2020. The codes were classified with MAXQDA10 Software. The results were collected in the format of the primary instrument and the Delphi study (3 rounds) was conducted by experts. Finally, the reduction of the items and the psychometrics of the instrument, including the determination of face and content validity, and then the determination of the reliability using Cronbach’s alpha were performed. Results: The developed instrument had acceptable validity and reliability to be used in measuring preventable traffic-related pre-hospital mortalities. The final instrument to measure preventable prehospital mortality was developed with 5 dimensions, including “scene and casualty assessment, coordination and communication, time management, training performance, and support”. Conclusion: Using this instrument, preventable deaths can be detected, the present challenges can be identified, and the preventable deaths may be diminished. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

【Abstract】Objective: Road traffic crashes (RTCs) are considered to be the second highest cause of mortality in Iran. The purpose of this study was to describe the morbidity and mortality of RTC during 2003-2008. Methods: Data were got from national health sources of Iran. These data included population, the number of RTCs, consequent fatalities, cause and place of death from 2003 to 2008. Results: RTC incidence rate increased from 868.5 per 100 000 population in the year 2003 to 1 643.6 in 2008. A total of 2 565 deaths from RTC were recorded in Yazd from 2003 to 2008. RTC mortality rate increased from 46.1 per 100 000 population in 2003 to 46.9 in 2006, then declined to 38.8 in 2008. During this time period, overall traffic injury incidence per 100 000 population increased from 368.8 in 2003 to 647.9 in 2006, then declined to 527.9 in 2008. Head injuries were the most common cause of road traffic-related mortality from 2003 to 2008. Following road traffic accidents, most of the deaths occurred before arriving hospital. Conclusions: Road traffic crash-related mortality and morbidity in Yazd in the recent six years are increased, but decreased in the last two years. This decline is most probably the result of a variety of interventions, including laws, police enforcement, improvements in traffic and transport, health care resources and media and public education. Key words: Accidents, traffic; Wounds and injuries; Mortality

Introduction: Over consumption of salt adversely affects health and is associated with some diseases. Salt over consumption has been reported to be higher in Asian countries including Iran. This research aimed to identify the facilitative factors of reduced salt consumption among 20–65 year-old women to develop effective educational interventions. Methods: This research used qualitative content analysis. We included 42 (31 women aged 20–65 years residing in Hamidia, Yazd and 11 healthcare providers) using Purposeful sampling method. Data were collected through focal group discussions (three groups of 6) and in-depth semi-structured individual interviews with 24 Participants. Data analysis was done using Graneheim and Lundman's approach. Results: Motivators and facilitators were extracted. The former consisted of sub-categories: physical fitness and healthcare, obtaining others' approval, family cooperation and support, internal motivators, contextual motivators and healthcare staff support. Sub-categories of the latter were gaining more information from different instructions, willingness to acquire self-protection skills and nutritional advice. These factors affected to reduce the salt intake among women. Conclusion: In the light of the qualitative results of motivating and facilitating factors, it is essential to enhance internal motivators and increase access to information via different communicative channels in community including schools, medical care providers and public associations. It is also necessary to pave the way for more family and medical staff support, provide appropriate educational and advertising programs, raise women's awareness and change their attitude and behavior with this concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Little observational studies have been conducted on the association between diet and sleep. We conducted a cross-sectional study to evaluate the associations of dietary patterns with sleep duration in an Iranian population. Methods: This study was conducted on the baseline data of two population-based Iranian cohorts: the YaHS-TAMYS and Shahedieh studies. Dietary intakes were assessed in 10451 Yazdi people aged 20-75 years. Dietary habits were derived from answers to a food frequency questionnaire, and a factor analysis using principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify dietary patterns. The reported sleep duration was categorized as short (<6 h), normal (6-8 h) or long (>8 h). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the relationship between dietary patterns and the odds of short and long sleep duration. Results: Four major dietary patterns were identified: "healthy," "western," "traditional," and "high-carbohydrate, high-fat." In the Shahedieh study, participants in the top quartile of the western dietary pattern had greater odds of short (<6 h) and long (>8 h) sleep duration (OR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.17, 1.90; P trend <0.001 and OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.12, 1.90; P trend = 0.014, respectively) than those in the bottom quartile. Also, participants in the highest quartile of the high-carbohydrate, high-fat pattern had higher odds of long sleep duration compared with those in the lowest quartile (OR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.75; P trend = 0.005). Pooling the two studies revealed that the western dietary pattern was significantly associated with short sleep duration (OR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.59). Conclusions: The western dietary pattern might inversely be associated with sleep duration. Future prospective studies are recommended to confirm these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has been suggested that Vitamin D and calcium have protective effects against breast cancer. The results about breast cancer and serum Vitamin D and calcium levels are still controversial, indefinite, and insufficient to determine the amount of nutritional needs. Thus, we investigated the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) and calcium on the ratio of breast cancer at diagnosis time. Materials and Methods: We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study in a population of Iran. It comprised 57 breast cancer cases, who were newly diagnosed, and 85 controls in 2013. The serum 25-OH-D and calcium levels were measured. Results: There was not any significant association between 25-OH-D and breast cancer ratio. Odds ratio (OR) comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile was 1.03 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.33-3.22, P-trend 0.95). Having sufficient (>75 nmol/L) serum 25-OH-D levels compared to insufficient serum 25-OH-D levels was not associated with a significantly decreased ratio of breast cancer (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.23-1.29, P = 0.17). Furthermore, an association between calcium and breast cancer did not get statistical significance (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.17-1.49, P-trend 0.31). The joint effect was negative interaction. Conclusion: Vitamin D and calcium do not act on decreasing ratio of breast cancer. Decreasing ratio of breast cancer in relation to serum calcium and Vitamin D level at diagnosis time needs more assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiology of diabetes and cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome. The main objective of this study was to evaluate total antioxidant status by diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH)-scavenging activity in patients developed metabolic syndrome (MetS). Materials and Methods: Forty-four patients with MetS diagnosed on the basis of adult treatment panel (ATPIII) criteria along with 46 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were studied. A blood sample was taken after a 12-hour fasting period, and blood glucose, lipid profile, and DPPH were determined. Results: A significant decrease (p=0.03) in DPPH-scavenging activity levels in the study group was observed compared to the control group. Among the components of metabolic syndrome, hyperglycaemia, hypertriglycerid\ aemia and hypertension were negatively correlated with DPPH-scavenging activity levels. Conclusions: The findings of the present study suggest the oxidative stress in patients with MetS which further increases the cardiovascular risk and diabetes mellitus in these patients. We posited that studying of the oxidative status is crucial in order to prevent type 2 diabetes development and cardiovascular disease and its complications because it is installed long before the disease actually appears. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The entry of toxic organic pollutants and resistant to biodegradation has increased the concern about human health. The use of advanced oxidation (AO) processes to degrade these pollutants has been developing. One of the AO processes is based on the use of hydrogen peroxide in removing resistant organic pollutants. This study aimed to develop a new reactor capable of producing H 2 O 2 in the solution. Therefore, a porous electrode made of stainless steel with the capability of air injection in the electrode center was used. The 30 cm rod graphite electrodes were also used as an anode electrode in a 4000 ml reactor. The effects of variables, including current density (30-40 mA/cm 2 ), time (10-30 min), and electrolyte concentration (12-17 mM/L) on the amount of H 2 O 2 production were evaluated by Box behenken design under response surface methodology using Design expert software. The results of this study showed that H 2 O 2 can be produced at the electrode surface of porous cathode under optimal conditions of 36 mA/cm 2 current density, 16 mM/l electrolyte concentration, in 23 min, and in the amount of 34 ppm. Using a porous cathode electrode causes the maximum contact among the solution, water, and air, and increases the production of H 2 O 2 . The release of resistant organic compounds to the waste water is a serious problem to the environment. By the application of the Electro-oxidation (EO)reactor with the ability to produce H 2 O 2 , this issue is resolved. Furthermore, this technique is applied for non-selective degradation of the toxic organic compounds. •The electro-oxidation process is a useful method for destruction of persistent organic matter from wastewater.•Due to use of porous cathode in this method, contact between the electrode and the sewage is at its maximum level which increases the efficiency and speed of sewage treatment.•This method can produce H 2 O 2 as a high potential oxidant that can reduce persistent organic properties of sewage and make the wastewater suitable for biological treatment.

Background: It has been suggested that Vitamin D and calcium have protective effects against breast cancer. The results about breast cancer and serum Vitamin D and calcium levels are still controversial, indefinite, and insufficient to determine the amount of nutritional needs. Thus, we investigated the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D(25-OH-D) and calcium on the ratio of breast cancer at diagnosis time., Materials and Methods: We carried out a hospital-based cross-sectional study in a population of Iran. It comprised 57 breast cancer cases, who were newly diagnosed, and 85 controls in 2013. The serum 25-OH-D and calcium levels were measured., Results: There was not any significant association between 25-OH-D and breast cancer ratio. Odds ratio (OR) comparing the highest quartile to the lowest quartile was 1.03(95% confidence interval[CI] 0.33-3.22, P-trend 0.95). Having sufficient (>75 nmol/L) serum 25-OH-D levels compared to insufficient serum 25-OH-D levels was not associated with a significantly decreased ratio of breast cancer (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.23-1.29, P = 0.17). Furthermore, an association between calcium and breast cancer did not get statistical significance (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.17-1.49, P-trend 0.31). The joint effect was negative interaction., Conclusion: Vitamin D and calcium do not act on decreasing ratio of breast cancer. Decreasing ratio of breast cancer in relation to serum calcium and Vitamin D level at diagnosis time needs more assessments.