Raheb Ghorbani

Background: Chronic renal failure and its end-stage disease are one of the most important causes of death and disability, and its prevalence is increasing in the world. This disease can cause many complications in the patients with end- stage renal disease. Objectives: The present study aimed at comparing cognitive impairment in patients with end- stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic renal failure (CRF) with a control group. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 85 ESRD, dialysis dependent patients, 200 CRF patients, non-dialysis dependent, as well as 180 patients with high blood pressure or diabetes as control group who referred to Kowsar hospital during 2015 and 2016 were studied. The Persian version of the mini mental status examination (MMSE) questionnaire was used to collect data. It was completed by one of the skilled and trained nurses. Results: The results revealed that 28.2% of ESRD, 1% of CRF patients, and 0.6% of control group patients had severe cognitive impairment. Cognitive health score in ESRD group was lower than that in CRF (P < 0.001) and control group (P < 0.001). In addition, cognitive health score of CRF patients was lower than that in the control group (P = 0.005). ESRD patients had significantly higher impairment in time and place orientation, calculation, recall, language, and repetition compared to control and CRF groups (P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences between control and CRF groups. With respect to complex commands, the control group had a significantly lower impairment, but the other 2 groups were not significantly different in this regard. The three experimental groups were not significantly different in per-test stage. Conclusions: ESRD patients have severe cognitive impairment compared to CRF patients. Therefore, it is recommended that these patients be examined cognitively and proper rehabilitation programs be considered for them. Keywords: Chronic Renal Failure; End- Stage Renal Disease; Cognitive Impairment

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of fluoxetine and gabapentin for treatment of vasomotor symptoms (VMS) after the menopause.Methods: Between March 2011 and March 2012, a randomized crossover study was performed at a center in Semnan, Iran, among postmenopausal women aged 45–57 years with hot flashes (≥ 2 per day for previous 4 months) for which they had received no previous treatment. Participants were divided into two groups with consecutive numbers assigned in order of recruitment. In the first treatment round (4 weeks), group A received 20 mg/day fluoxetine and group B received 300 mg/day gabapentin. After a 2‐week washout period, group A received gabapentin and group B received fluoxetine in a second round (4 weeks). Information about VMS was obtained with the Greene Climacteric Scale questionnaire. Participants and all investigators except one were masked to group assignment.Results: Data for 79 participants (39 in group A, 40 in group B) were analyzed. In both treatment rounds, gabapentin caused greater reductions in the severity of hot flashes than did fluoxetine (P < 0.001 for both). After the first round of treatment, those who had received gabapentin reported greater reductions in the severity of night sweats (P < 0.001).Conclusion: Gabapentin at a dose of 300 mg/day is more effective for treatment of VMS among postmenopausal women than is 20 mg/day fluoxetine.Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: IRCT2014092711019N3.

Background: There are many hazards in the hairdressing industry that may result in illness or injury for both workers and clients, with new or inexperienced apprentices being at greater risk. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible effects of an interventional education program for hairdressing employees. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out on 139 hairdressing salons situated in Semnan, Iran from 2006 to 2007. The condition of the hairdressing salon and behaviors of hairdressers were evaluated by a questionnaire before and after the administration of the educational intervention program. Hairdressers participated in various health-educational modules with in-depth knowledge on all relevant aspects of hairdressing conditions and occupational safety behaviors and preventive measures. Results: The findings revealed a significant improvement in most items especially for environment of salons, use of personal instruments, waste disposal, safety and healthy behaviors of hairdressers (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found for the items of washing systems (P = 0.725), and doors and windows condition (P = 0.267) before and after the intervention. When comparing behaviors between women and men salons, all items significantly improved in women. Men did not show significant improvement in items of hand washing (P = 0.265), use of garment (P = 0.21), and disinfection (P = 1.00) and sterilization procedures (P = 1.00). Conclusions: The intervention was successful in improving most aspects of hairdressing. In women, safety and healthy behaviors were affected more than men. However, in men salons, environmental and physical conditions had greater improvement. We suggest that health educational programs for hairdressers should be integrated into their training course. Keywords: Education; Intervention Studies; Health, Behavior

Background: The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing worldwide and is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Obesity during childhood can be harmful to the body. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among schoolchildren in Semnan Province, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2195 schoolchildren (1102 girls, 1093 boys) aged 6-12 years were selected through random multistage sampling. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisted of items including weight, height, gender, age, residential area, parents' education, housing status and access to computer. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by dividing weight (Kg) by the square of height (m). Overweight was defined as a BMI ≥ 85th percentile and lower than the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex. Results: Results showed that 8.2% of schoolchildren were obese and 11.5% were overweight. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among girls were 11.9% and 8.0% and among boys were 11.1% and 8.3%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between obesity/overweight and housing status (OR = 1.53, 95%CI: 1.19-1.97, P = 0.001) and access to computer (OR = 1.49, 95%CI: 1.20-1.85, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Findings report a relatively high prevalence of obesity and overweight in schoolchildren of Semnan Province in Iran. More interventions are suggested to increase physical activity and limit the time children spend on personal computer games. Keywords: Overweight; Obesity; Weight Gain; Students

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between prayer attendance and general health among adult urban population in Iran. A total of 470 males older than 17 years, chosen by multistage sampling, were investigated. The results showed that people who did not perform prayers compared to those who said prayers on time and performed Nafilahs (supererogatory prayers) were 2.87 (OR 2.87, 95 % CI 1.23–6.70, p = 0.015) times at risk of general health problems. In conclusion, the findings show that increasing the degree of people’s belief in prayer can lead to improve general health.

To examine the correlation of zinc and copper serum concentration level, body mass index, age and parity with premature rupture of the membranes. The cross-sectional study was conducted between 2009 and 2010 at the fertility ward of Amiralmomenin Hospital of Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. It comprised 100 full-term pregnant women with and without premature rupture of the membranes and 50 non-pregnant women as controls The diagnosis of rupture of membranes was made on the basis of gross leakage of fluid within the vagina and a positive nitrazin test. A sample of 5 mL blood was collected. The levels of zinc and copper were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Mean values among the three equal groups were compared using standard analysis of variance. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Pregnant women with (p < 0.027) and without (p < 0.019) premature rupture of the membranes had significantly lower serum zinc concentration than non-pregnant women. Inversely, the maternal serum copper concentration level was higher in both groups of pregnant women than in the controls (p < 0.001). However, the results suggest that the decreased plasma zinc concentration and increased copper concentration in pregnant women were not the cause of premature rupture of the membranes at term. Zinc and copper concentration levels in maternal serum had no effect on premature rupture of the membranes.

To evaluate the association between Sex Hormone Binding Globulin and preeclampsia in Iranian women considering the probable confounding effect of insulin resistance. The case-control study was conducted at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, and comprised pregnant women who received prenatal care at Amiralmomenin Hospital in 2011. Cases represented patients admitted because of preeclampsia, while controls were randomly selected eligible pregnant women without hypertension and/or proteinuria. Fasting blood sugar and insulin were assessed for all participants as well as their blood concentration of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin. The Homeostasis Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance Score was used. The correlation between dependant and independent variables was reported by crude and adjusted odds ratio applying logistic regression models. SPSS 16.0 was used for statistical analysis. Of the 100 pregnant women in the study, 45 (45%) were cases. Insulin resistance was found to be significantly more frequent in the cases compared to the controls (adjusted odds ratio = 2.78; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.11, 6.90; p < 0.01). There was a significant reverse correlation between level of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin in blood and being a case of preeclampsia (adjusted odds ratio = 0.99; 95% Confidence Interval: 0.98, 1.00; p = 0.04). Independent of insulin resistance, every 1 nmol/l increase in Sex Hormone Binding Globulin, decreases the odds of preeclampsia by 1%, notifying Sex Hormone Binding Globulin as an important biomarker about its etiology and prediction.