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Background: In the field of healthy aging, covid-19 is associated with a decrease in functional abilities of the body and serious diseases in the elderly. Regular assessment of intrinsic capacity (IC) factors provides an opportunity to better understand an individual's functional abilities and vulnerabilities in the context of a pandemic. In this study, while describing IC and post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (PACS), we also describe the relationship between these two variables to improve the health of the elderly in the epidemic situation. Methods: We searched PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant peer-reviewed articles in English using the keywords Intrinsic Capacity, COVID-19, Post-COVID- 19 syndrome, Post-Covid-19 complications, long-Covid-19, elderly, and PACS until September 17, 2023. We have summarized the information for awareness about the IC, covid-19 and its long-term complications. Results: The aging global population is leading to a shift from disease-centered to function-centered healthcare. The WHO introduced IC, which combines physical and mental abilities. Early COVID-19 effects impact IC factors like vitality, locomotion, cognition, and psychology. Long-term COVID-19 complications, persisting for up to three months post-acute infection, can heighten vulnerability in older adults with reduced IC. Reduced IC may worsen COVID-19 severity by diminishing immune responses, increasing complications, and susceptibility. This could lead to more severe symptoms and accelerated aging. Pandemic-related reduced mobility and social isolation further harms IC components. Understanding this relationship is vital for tailored elderly care amidst COVID-19 challenges. Conclusion: The reduced IC, especially in the conditions of pandemic diseases such as the COVID-19, can seriously threaten the health of the elderly. Therefore, IC is suggested as a suitable index to determine the vulnerability of people, regardless of chronological age, especially in pandemic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many studies have proved the positive impact of public environment proportion on the quality of life of the elderly people. One of the environments that have appropriate effects for the elderly is religious places such as mosques. Therefore, the aim of this study is to develop a tool for structural fitness of age-friendly mosques, in a way that factors affecting the mosques to be age-friendly can be recognized through preparation of a standard checklist. Methods: The components of the tool were developed through reviewing scientific literatures and sites. Measuring methods of face and content validity were used to investigate the validity of the research. The content validity was explored by employing a panel of 12 experts, including 4 individuals with PhDs in Gerontology, 4 Ergonomists, and 4 experts with PhD or Master's degree in Civil Engineering. For the face validity, 20 individuals were surveyed, who were expected to complete the checklist when the project was operationalized. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine the reliability. Results: The primary tool included 145 items in 12 domains, which were reduced to 121 items in 10 domains within the group discussion. Following the investigation of validity and reliability of the research, the number of final items of the tool was gathered in 80 questions. The mean of content validity index of the tool was calculated 0.96, Content validity Ration was greater than 0.56, and the Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.875. Conclusion: The assessment tool of age-friendly mosques is available with appropriate validity and reliability to evaluate structural barriers in public places, including mosques. By studying the assessment tool, it is anticipated that the problems of access to the elderly in the mosque and other spaces would be identified and accessibility would be encouraged in the society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Determination of best preventive approach for gastrointestinal bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) patients with high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding is crucial. This study aimed to determine the effect of pantoprazole on prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in ACS patients with high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was performed in emergency department of Imam Hussein Hospital in Tehran, Iran between 2018 and 2019 among 1276 consecutive ACS patients with high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The participants were randomly received either pantoprazole 40 mg or famotidine 40 mg daily. The melena, hematemesis, hematochezia, and hemoglobin level were compared across the groups after one month. Findings: The results in this study demonstrated that melena was seen in 1.1% and 3.8% in pantoprazole and famotidine groups, respectively with significant difference (P=0.002). Hematemesis was seen in 0.6% and 1.9% in pantoprazole and famotidine groups, respectively with significant difference (P=0.044). Also, hematochezia was seen in 0.3% and 0.8% in pantoprazole and famotidine groups, respectively without significant difference (P=0.452). The mean hemoglobin was 11.98 and 11.82 in pantoprazole and famotidine groups, respectively with significant difference (P=0.021). Conclusion: This study showed that pantoprazole (versus famotidine) is effective for prevention of gastrointestinal bleeding in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients with high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objective: Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are characterized by tissue destruction or organ dysfunction by the body's own immune system. The antinuclear antibodies (ANA) test is a helpful test for diagnosing and classifying ANAassociated rheumatic diseases (AARDs). This study aimed to evaluate the frequency and profile of autoantibodies among patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Materials: This cross-sectional study was performed on patients who referred to the Rheumatology Clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences. Demographic data and information about risk factors were collected by a questionnaire. In confirmed cases, the presence of autoantibodies was detected by Fluorescent method (FANA). In all positive patients, ANA profiles were identified. Findings: Totally, 138 patients were included in this study. Prevalence of the three main diseases including SLE, RA, and SS was 45.5%, 39.0%, and 15.4%, respectively and being overweight was the most common risk factor. The rate of positive FANA test was 71.4%, 43.8%, and 78.9% in SLE, RA, and SS, respectively. In the case of autoantibodies, Ro-52 autoantibody had the highest prevalence. The most common co-incidence of autoantibodies was for DFS70 with PM-Scl100. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the mean titers of ANAs were higher in SS patients. The Ro-52 autoantibody was the most commonly detected autoantibody. There was no specific profile of autoantibodies for none of the studied diseases. Further studies are needed to evaluate the correlation between the presence of particular autoantibodies with the prognosis of the patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]