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Understanding and mitigating fire risks in healthcare settings are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals, especially during the current pandemic, which has increased the use of oxygen-supply equipment and potentially raised fire hazards. This case study, conducted in two university hospitals in Semnan, Iran, examined fire risk factors in healthcare facilities using a developed fire risk assessment method. A total of 28 wards and 74 compartments were assessed. Data collection included topographical structure analysis, building usage evaluation, and process documentation review. The FRAME method, validated in previous studies, was used to calculate fire risk levels for buildings, contents, occupants, and activities. The fire risk assessment revealed varying risk levels across different wards and compartments in the two hospitals. Hospital A exhibited higher fire risk levels compared to Hospital B, with several wards in Hospital A classified as "High" or "Very High" risk. Factors contributing to higher risk levels included building design, occupancy density, and the presence of flammable materials. Occupants in certain wards, particularly those with high occupancy rates and limited evacuation routes, were identified as being at increased risk. Activities such as the storage and handling of flammable materials were also found to contribute to elevated risk levels in specific areas. The study emphasizes the importance of implementing targeted fire safety measures, especially regarding oxygen-supplying equipment, high-density ventilators, and limited escape routes, to mitigate risks effectively in healthcare settings. This comprehensive assessment can guide best practices in fire safety management in hospitals.

A comprehensive risk assessment method was applied to examine the risks associated with airborne formaldehyde occupational exposure among hospital laboratory staff. The method assessed exposure levels and health impacts by integrating area and personal air sampling, biological monitoring, and self-reported health data. Samples were collected from 74 workplaces across various departments using NIOSH method 3500 and were analyzed via UV-vis spectrophotometry. The data showed significant differences in exposure levels between departments (p≤0.05) and confirmed the efficacy of the method in identifying risk differences. Despite average personal exposure levels being measured lower than occupational limits, individual assessments indicated that some participants surpassed these limits, emphasizing the necessity of personal monitoring for workers with higher risks. The high prevalence of respiratory symptoms, such as cough and wheezing among staff, indicated the need for further investigation and targeted interventions. Although estimated cancer and non-cancer risks were within safe thresholds, the study emphasized the importance of continuous exposure monitoring and the implementation of effective control measures in hospital laboratory departments with formaldehyde emission. This integrated method improved the reliability and generalizability of formaldehyde exposure risk assessments and aided in the development of safe occupational health practices. • The method integrated personal and area sampling with advanced calibration for precise occupational exposure evaluation in laboratories. • The method used of biomarkers to assess formaldehyde absorption in the body estimating both cancerous and non-cancerous health risks associated with occupational exposure. • Addressed traditional method limitations and integrated risk components to improve data reliability for workplace safety and health risk management.

Background: The use of chemicals in academic laboratories is a major concern for the health and safety of individuals and the environment. Academic institutions are currently developing safe work procedures to ensure compliance with standard criteria and laboratory accreditation. However, it is unclear to what extent the activities of research laboratories are safe for the personnel and environment. Therefore, this research produces a chemical hazard assessment assembling data and knowledge on the health, safety, and environmental aspects of chemical applications in laboratories. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021 in five research and teaching laboratories. The collecting data tool was a checklist, developed in 7 sections with 125 items and completed in all laboratories understudy. Then, the research team conducted a risk assessment for the 10 most widely used chemicals in the laboratories. In the end, the risk categorization was conducted based on the risk matrix of ISO 31000. Results: Determining risk levels associated with using chemicals may provide a reasonable way to assess hazards and suggest controls for working in laboratories. Most non-compliance hazards were linked to inadequate waste disposal processes, the potential for poisoning and illness effects, and emergency actions. Conclusion: It is suggested to conduct knowledge, attitude, and practice studies of the students, staff, and faculties to provide appropriate level of training courses in the academic laboratories.

Background and Objective: Lower back pain is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders and an important cause of early retirement due to disability in employees in industrialized and developing countries. The present study aimed to determine the work ability index and its relationship with low back pain among employees of the Tehran offset printing industry. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed within six months in 2020. Data from 220 employers working in the offset printing industry were collected through survey questionnaires, including Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaires and Work Ability Index. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 24) with a significance level of p

Cadmium contributes to nephrotoxicity linked with oxidative stress in humans and animals. This study used Atorvastatin to examine its effect on cadmium chloride-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model using biochemical and histological methodologies. Experiments were performed on 56 adult male Wistar rats (200 ± 20 g), randomly assigned to eight groups. Rats in Group A received physiologic saline. Group B was treated with a dosage of 20 mg/ kg body weight/day AT for 15 days. Groups C, D, and E received CdCl2 with dosages of 1, 2, and 3 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Groups F, G, and H were pretreated with Atorvastatin, 30 min prior to the administration of CdCl2. Rats received intra-gastric Atorvastatin for 15 days during which cadmium chloride was given from days 8 to 15. On day 16, blood samples were collected, and kidneys were excised to evaluate the biochemical and histopathological changes. Cadmium chloride significantly increased malondialdehyde (MDA), serum creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels. Administration of Atorvastatin (20 mg/kg) significantly decreased lipid peroxidation, BUN and Cr, while it significantly increased glutathione and antioxidant enzymes activity. Atorvastatin improved the histological changes and all biochemical markers and shed light on its protecting role against cadmium chloride-induced oxidative stress in the kidney.

BackgroundSocial factors play the main role in the vulnerability of exposed countries to disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic as a disaster is not an exception to this fact. This study aimed to determine the main social vulnerability indicators in the COVID-19 pandemic in Iran.MethodsThis study was conducted during the period of 2021–2022 in three phases, including a systematic review, a virtual panel expert, and the Analytical Hierarchy Process. First, the draft of social vulnerability indicators in COVID-19 was extracted through a systematic review. Then, the extracted indicators were finalized and prioritized by the expert panel and the AHP, respectively.ResultsInitially, the literature review found five domains and 38 indicators of social vulnerability in COVID-19. The outcome of the expert panel increased the related domains to six but decreased the indicators to 31. The three prioritized social vulnerability indicators that were determined by the AHP were population density, accessibility to healthcare facilities, and relevant services and vulnerable groups.ConclusionMeasuring social vulnerability with the identified indicators is valuable for addressing high COVID-19 incidence among socially vulnerable hotspot areas. Regarding the result of this study, further research should be conducted to validate the identified indicators.

The current Covid-19 pandemic has affected the physical and mental stressors of hospital-based healthcare workers, but the extent of such effects are required to be quantified. This survey looked at data on nurses’ perception across teaching hospitals to assess the impacts of Covid-19 on working conditions, exposure to stressors, and mental health symptoms. We implemented a population survey with a cross-sectional design in teaching hospitals affiliated with Medical Sciences Universities in Iran from April to November 2021. Participants were about 1200 health care workers, including hospital nursing staff, assistants, and technicians. Final data were assembled from 831 hospital nurses across surgery, dialysis, intensive care, emergency care, cardiac care, internal medicine, gynecology, and pediatric wards. Self-reported data were collected directly from survey participants. We collected information on variables including gender, marital status, employment status, occupational health training, evaluation of work environment stressors, fear of Covid-19, and occupational burnout constructs, specifically reflecting emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. Focus groups of faculties evaluated and edited items to test the content wording and to define the content that are valid measures of the variables. The questionnaires were assessed for their reliability. Manual data entries were double-checked for errors. Data were recorded and categorized consistently to ensure the replicability of the data in the future. Statistical descriptive and analytical analyses were performed on the data. Data reported on the frequencies and mean values of responses and the variations of mental health in terms of worktime schedules. Chi- square, ANOVA, and correlation analyses determined relations between variables. The compiled data shed light on the exposure and response to physical and psychosocial factors and mental health symptoms among nurses during the pandemic. The data files detailed in this article can be further reused to inform workplace determinants of health in hospital settings. The obtained scores and existing dataset on mental health outcomes can help future studies to consider resilience strategies that should be provided among nurses.

This dataset demonstrates the in vivo renal histology and biochemical activity of Atorvastatin (AT) in cadmium-induced nephrotoxic rat model. Fifty-six adult male Wistar rats assigned to eight groups. Rats were treated with physiologic saline at a volume of 4 mg/kg, contained Atorvastatin at a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight for 15 days. The intraperitoneal administration of cadmium chloride at doses of 1, 2, 1 and 3 mg/kg started on day 8. On day 16, samples were collected for biochemical and histological analyses. Data of renal function were estimated in the serum and organ. Cadmium chloride increased malondialdehyde (MDA), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine (Cr) serum level and decreased superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Administration of Atorvastatin significantly increased lipid peroxidation and renal decreased glutathione and antioxidant enzymes activity and significantly decreased BUN and Creatinine levels. Data were supported by histological examination indicated improved changes and kidney protective potential following cadmium chloride-induced oxidative stress.

IntroductionCharacterizing risks associated with laboratory activities in universities may improve health, safety, and environmental management and reduce work-related diseases and accidents. This study aimed to develop and implement a chemical risk assessment method to determine and prioritize more hazardous chemicals in the academic laboratories.MethodsA case-series study was conducted at five academic laboratories and research facilities of an Iranian medical sciences university in 2021. A risk assessment was developed and implemented in three phases to identify, evaluate, and classify potential risks and hazards. The approach provided an innovative tool for evaluating and prioritizing risks in chemical laboratories. Hazards were classified on a five-level scale. The technique reviewed both quantitative and qualitative data and pieces of evidence using Laboratory Safety Guidance (OSHA), Occupational Hazard Datasheet (ILO), the standards of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) codes.ResultsOverall, the frequency of risks rated from “moderate” to “very high” levels was determined for the health hazards (9.3%), environmental hazards (35.2%), and safety hazards (20.4%). Hydrochloric acid had a high consumption rate in laboratory operations and received the highest risk levels in terms of potential hazards to employees' health and the environment. Nitric acid, Sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, and Sodium hydroxide were assessed as potential health hazards. Moreover, Ethanol and Sulfuric acid were recognized as safety hazards. We observed adequate security provisions and procedures in academic laboratory operations. However, the lack of awareness concerning health, safety, environmental chemical hazards, and inappropriate sewage disposal systems contributed to the increasing levels of laboratory risk.ConclusionsChemicals used in laboratory activities generate workplace and environmental hazards that must be assessed, managed, and risk mitigated. Developing a method of rating health, safety, and environmental risks related to laboratory chemicals may assist in defining and understanding potential hazards. Our assessment suggested the need for improving the risk perception of individuals involved in handling chemicals to prevent exposure from workplace duties and environmental pollution hazards.

Abstract Background Students, staff, and faculties are involved in activities that exposed them to a range of minor to severe or even fatal accidents in academic settings. Managing work environment risks is crucial to any safety and health prevention program. This study developed a risk assessment using combinations of hazards and risk factors to establish a scale of measures in a risk reduction action plan. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in an Iranian medical sciences university in 2018. A structured method of risk assessment was developed, applying a three-step procedure to identify hazards, consequences, and risk evaluation. Data were collected through detailed health, safety, and environment checklist in 38 different sites. Finally, the risks quantified, prioritized, and control measures proposed accordingly. Chi-square and correlation tests assessed how environmental factors were associated with hazard consequences. The analysis results were evaluated at the significance level of 0.05. Results The frequencies of moderate and high-risk levels were 22.7 and 2.9%, respectively. Thus, corrective measures should be considered as soon as possible and immediately for these risk groups. Facilities and functions within laboratories, library, and powerhouse were more vulnerable to serious risks. The type of hazard had associated with the sites and total risk score at the significance level of 0.05 (P-value = 0.017). Similarly, risk severity was significantly related to the sites (P-value = 0.003). Safety hazards had a statistically higher contribution to the total risk score when compared to health and environmental hazards. Conclusion The study revealed complex risks and hazardous circumstances with significant variances in academic sites and activities. Universities should provide training in risk reduction programs to increase the awareness of students, staff, and faculties, which can improve life safety in a university environment.

Introduction: Occupational accidents have been regarded as the third cause of mortality around the world. This study examined the rates, types, and causes of occupational accidents in industrial sites. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, 721 accident reports were examined in the manufacturing sites in Semnan which is located in the central part of Iran from 2013 to 2015. This study used the Social Security Organization database on workplace accident investigation reports. Frequency and percentage were used for the prevalence, whereas Chi-Squarewere used to identify the predictors of occupational accidents. SPSS version 21 was used for data analysis and 0.01 was considered as a cutoff for the significant level. Results: Accident Frequency Rates were 1.46, 1.54, and 1.40 in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively. Also, the Safe T-score was calculated between +3 and -3. The majority of accidents occurred in males in the age group 24-45, having the educational level of high school diploma or lower. Furthermore, most accidents occurred during the morning shift. Unsafe actions were determined as the major cause of accidents. The maximum reported statistics related to the type of accidents, injuries, and injured organs of the body were hitting sharp edges or obstacles (25%), bruising (30%), and upper limbs (44%). The results indicated a statistically significant relationship between shift work, accident type, inured organs, and injury type ( p =0.001). Conclusion: This study revealed that workers’ behavior as a main contribution to accidents and injuries in the industry. Health and safety training should be designed according to worker duties.

IntroductionThe pandemic has intensified physical and psychological work demands experienced by nurses in a hospital environment. The purpose of this study was to examine personal and work environmental risk factors associated with occupational burnout among hospital nurses.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional from April to November 2020. Data from 831 nurses who worked professionally in four educational hospitals were compiled through survey questionnaires to report the prevalence of burnout, occupational and individual factors. Independent t-test and Mann–Whitney test measured the link between the scopes of occupational burnout and risk factors.ResultsAbout half of the participants indicated moderate symptoms of burnout. The fear of the nurses correlated significantly with emotional exhaustion (r = 0.71, p = 0.001), depersonalization (r = 0.67, p = 0.02), and personal accomplishment (r = 0.63, p = 0.05). Mental demand (r = 0.74, p = 0.01) and effort at work (r = 0.68, 0.001) correlated significantly with emotional exhaustion (r = 0.51, p = 0.03).ConclusionThe findings indicated a high prevalence of burnout symptoms, particularly emotional exhaustion, among hospital nursing professionals. Occupational health services should consider burnout as an occupational-related condition and provide interventions to reduce workplace chronic stressors and burnout in hospitals.

Abstract Objectives This data paper aims to provide the data set of a practical method to health, safety, and environmental risk assessment to assess and rank potential threats/hazards and to prevent and decrease the accidents and harmful consequences at an academic setting. Descriptive data on type of hazards, places, and persons at risk were collected. Quantitative data on risk probability and severity of identified hazards were determined. Additionally, the descriptive statistics and analytical tests were applied to create a concise perspective on health, safety and environmental hazards/threats situation in research location under study. The dataset further provides information on the prioritization of determined risks according to the relevant scores and levels for doing the relevant control measures to remove and mitigate the related risks. Data description This paper provides data of comprehensive risk assessment of health, safety and, environmental hazards of academic setting. For each identified hazard, the descriptive and numeric data are available. The information about the risk level and prevention or mitigation measure related to each hazard is provided. Additionally, the statistical tests are applied for determining the relations among the variables under study. The data and methodology on risk assessment in this article may be used to manage variety of risks in higher education institutions.

Background and Objectives: Aggressive behaviors against medical personnel have been reported as a common problem that occurs in many ways and associated with many complications. The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence and work-related factors of workplace violent incidents against nurses in hospital environment. Materials and Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 161 nursing professionals working at Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. Data were collected using the Persian version of the standard questionnaire “Workplace violence in the health sector.” Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine the relationship of individual and work variables with the incidence of aggression. Results: Of the participants, 67% reported having been experienced at least one type of aggression within the past 12 months. The 1-year prevalence of verbal aggression (87%) was the highest, followed by physical aggression (31.2%). Nurses reported being pushed (13.6%) and beating (12.4%) as common physical aggression. Bullying (34.7%) and vilification (25.4%) were reported the most frequent verbal abuse. Perpetrators were mainly patients' family (61.2%) and patients (30.2%). Married nurses were more likely exposed to physical and verbal violence compared to single nurses (P = 0.016). The majority of nurses reported uselessness (62.8%) and unimportance (27.3%) of declaring violent events as the main reason for avoiding disclosure. Conclusion: The frequency of aggression, particularly verbal abuse is significantly high in nursing profession. The results suggest the need for the development of appropriate violent reporting and prevention systems in the hospital environment.

Aims: Underlying psychological causes of road accidents needs to be more identified in Iran. According to studies, human errors are the most effective factor of driving accidents. The purpose of this study was to identify dangerous driving behaviors among professional drivers in Kashan. Materials and Methods: Data for this descriptive cross-sectional study were collected in Occupational Medicine Center of Kashan, Truckers Cooperative, and Aran and Bidgol Kavir Steel Company during autumn 2017 and winter 2018. Demographic information and Driving Behavior Questionnaire were completed. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and one-way ANOVA tests by SPSS version 16. Results: Studied drivers included 61 (20.1%) bus, 95 (31.4%) truck, and 147 (48.5%) trailer drivers aged 43.15 ± 10.29 with 19.48 ± 11.34 years of driving experience. Fifty-nine drivers (19.5%) had at least one accident; of them, 10 (17%) resulted in death. Seventy-two drivers (23.7%) received up to 20 penalties. There was a significant relationship between type of vehicle and age, work experience, number of working days per week, average driving speed, and smoking. There was a statistically significant relationship between slip and accident (P = 0.007). Penalties in bus drivers were significantly related to mistake (P = 0.026) and slips (P = 0.027). There was a statistically significant relationship between penalty and risky violations (P = 0.002), slips (P = 0.002), highway violations (P = 0.003), mistake (P = 0.029), and general behavior (P = 0.001) in trailer drivers. Conclusion: Assessing driving behavior and screening procedures when selecting professional drivers can reduce the incidence of accidents.

Ultraviolet emission from sun considered as a hazardous parts of optical waves. This study aimed at determining exposure to ultraviolet radiation among taxi drivers in Damghan. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a sample of taxi drivers. Individual exposure to solar ultraviolet-A was assessed during day light working hours. Exposure was determined on the basis of radiation intensity and biologically cumulated standard erythema dose. Our findings showed that exposure was varied in terms of time and geographical sites. The exposure intensity ranged from 0.01 to 15.36W/m2 and from 1.42 to 28.7W/m2 inside and outside the vehicles, respectively. Drivers had the highest exposure from June till August (17.54W/m2). Results showed lower exposure in April, May, and September (12.34W/m2). Cumulative exposure based on erythema dose showed the highest value (41.0 SED) inside vehicle at 9-10 am intervals. Taxi drivers are exposed to significant ultraviolet radiation. Geographical situation and time caused variations in exposure. Future studies should focus on the health effects so that determine the risk of exposure more accurately.

Abstract Background and aims: The previous studies has shown high incidence of accidents and occupational injuries in metal smelting industry because of the nature of the processes. It was also found that more than 70 percent of the accidents occur due to workerschr('39') unsafe behaviors. The aim of this study was to investigate and analysis of workerschr('39') unsafe acts in metal smelting industry in Kashan in 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 178 Metal smelting Industry Workers. Workerschr('39') unsafe behaviors were determined by observation method using Tarannt checklist. Demographic data were collected by Self-made questionnaire. Data were analyzed using chi-square-test, t-test, ANOVA and linear regression by SPSS16 software. Results: 43.23 percent out of Workerschr('39') behaviors was unsafe. The most of the unsafe behaviors was Non-use of personal protective equipment and the least of them was indiscretion. The significant differences were observed between unsafe behaviors and age, education level, smoking, work stations and safety and health training (p

Introduction: Occupational consequences and their effects on health and healthcare workers have been examined in many studies. Occupational stress is recognized as an important risk factor in the creation of physical and chronic mental disorders and the quality of work performance. Therefore, this study was carried out with the aim of investigating the stress induced by the work and some social factors among the Health Nurses Working in town Gonbad Kavous in 2016. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was performed on 147 health workers in Gonbad Kavous town. in order to collect data, the HSE questionnaire including 35 questions with seven fields, role, communication, support of Authorities, Fellow support, control, demand and change were used. data analyzed and evaluated by SPSS22 software Results: The mean and standard deviation Health Nurses of age were 43.29 ± 6.50 years. Approximately 40% of health nurses experienced as Intense up to very intense occupational stress. Also, there was a significant relationship between age group (P=0.023), gender (P=0.015), education level (P=0.043), number of children (P=0.046) and financial status (P=0.028) with job stress level of health care workers. Conclusion: The results indicate a high prevalence of occupational stress among health nurses. It seems that assessing work-related stresses of health nurses can lead to appropriate identification of occupational injury risk factors. Also, interventional studies are needed to Compilation a stress management program for health nurses and in order to Coping with work-related stress.

Background and Objectives: Wheat flour as an organic allergen particle has an extensive respiratory exposure in milling industry and related industries. Simultaneous exposure to flour dust and fungal spores causes infectious disease, cancers, and impaired pulmonary function tests. This research was carried out with the aim of assessing the concentration of respirable flour particles, determining the type, and concentration of fungal spores in breathing air of workers in milling industries. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 42 area samples were collected on filter and analyzed gravimetrically. Using a specific sampling pump, sampling of bioaerosols and sabro dextrose agar medium of fungal spores, was performed. Microscopic analysis was applied to detect and quantify microorganisms as colony per cubic meter. Results: The mean and standard deviation of total respirable particles in the breathing air of workers was 6/57±1/69mg/m3, which exceeded occupational exposure limit. The concentration of fungal spores in workers’ breathing air ranged from 42 to 310 colony per cubic meter. The percentage of respirable to total dust particles produced in sieve vibration, bagging, and milling sections, were determined 67.83%, 32%, and 62.2%, respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that the concentration of respirable particles in wheat milling process exceeded the recommended level and the concentration of fungal spores was at the average level of occupational exposure according to ACGIH recommendation. Therefore, engineering controls are required in flour milling process to reduce the exposure of workers.

Introduction and Aims Insufficient lighting as a physical stressor in work environment may impact on work performance and cause work–related accidents. This study assessed the illumination and the probable effects on visual fatigue and mental states in Velaiat hospital’s personnel of Damghan. Materials and Methods A case study design performed in indoor hospital working areas. Layout and type of luminaires were examined and interior illuminations were measured as proposed by IESNA (Illuminating Engineering Society of North America). A questionnaire was used to collect data and descriptive and analytical statistical analyses were conducted. Results Interior lighting measurements showed unacceptable levels of local illumination in 82.3 percent of sections during day light hours and all sections during night hours. General levels of illumination were unacceptable for 83.3 percent of section in day light and all sections in night hours. Uniformity ratios were unacceptable during day and night hours for 91 percent and 83 percent of sections, respectively. There is a significant relation between age and perceived favorable light, visual fatigue and mental states (P < 0.05). We found significant relationships between the lighting type and illumination with visual fatigue and mental states (P < 0.05). Conclusion Insufficient illumination and excessive artificial light may lead to visual fatigue and mental strain. Lighting design should account for acceptable quantity and similarity to daylight. * Corresponding Author: Research Center for Social Determinants of health, Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Email: Dehdashti@semums.ac.ir

Purpose Evaluating educational programs can improve the quality of education. The present study evaluated the undergraduate occupational health program at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Semnan, Iran, with a focus on the associations between alumni perceptions of the learning environment and the outcomes of the occupational health program. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among alumni of the undergraduate occupational health program. We asked alumni to rate their perceptions of the items using a 4-point Likert scale. The associations between alumni perceptions of the educational program and curriculum, faculty, institutional resources, and learning outcomes were modeled and described using structural equation modeling procedures. Results A descriptive analysis of alumni perceptions indicated low evaluations for the administrative system, practical and research-based courses, and the number of faculty members. We found that a structural model of the evaluation variables of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and institutional resources significantly predicted undergraduate educational outcomes. The curriculum had direct and indirect effects on learning outcomes, mediated by faculty. Conclusion The findings of our study highlight the usefulness of the structural equation modeling approach for examining links between variables related to the learning process and learning outcomes. Surveys of alumni can provide data for reassessing the learning environment in the light of the professional competencies needed for occupational health graduates.

Background and Objectives: Oxidative stress due to free radicals formation plays an important role in noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Many hypotheses have been proposed regarding the biochemical prevention of this complication. This study was performed with the purpose of determining the preventive effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration, as an antioxidant agent, on NIHL in Rabbit. Methods: In an experimental study, 24 adult white male rabbits were divided into four groups, including: 1) control, 2) noise exposure (100dB octave band noise centered at 4000Hz for 40h), 3) noise exposure plus NAC administration (325mg/kg, daily ip injection), and 4) no exposure and NAC administration. Audiometric test of rabbits was assessed by auditory brainstem response (ABR) technique in three stages. The Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests were used to compare the groups, and a p

Background: Recently, rapid fluctuations of ambient temperature were found to be associated with hospital admission for cardiovascular diseases in general and the ischemic stroke in particular. Objective: to test if climatic factors predict the incidence of stroke reliably and to study the predictive potential of risk factors for a stroke. Materials and methods: In a retrospective design, we studied 566 patients admitted to the stroke unit in 2016-2019. A distributed lag nonlinear model was used to explore immediate and delayed effects of weather and clinicodemographic risk factors on the stroke incidence. Supervised machine learning was used to build models predictive of the mRS score. We assessed model performance by calculating $\text{R}^{2}$ , mean absolute error and root-mean-square error. Results and conclusions: We found a non-correlation between the weather parameters and statistics on stroke. The disparities in their trends lead us to investigate behind time effects of the environment with distributed lag models and a concordant impact of all the settings - with machine learning models. If categorized into two classes by severity and functional outcomes, the cases have few disparities in the weather parameters within a week before the stroke onset. In contrast to the groups classified by severity, the ones grouped by outcomes have a significant difference in age, nationality, the presence of background diseases and smoking status. We ranked environmental and individual risk factors by the information gain that they provide to the models. Inclusion of the weather parameters into the machine learning model predicting the mRS score provides a slight boost in performance.

Background: Radiomical data are redundant but they might serve as a tool for lung quantitative assessment reflecting disease severity and actual physiological status of COVID-19 patients. Objective: Test the effectiveness of machine learning in eliminating data redundancy of radiomics and reflecting pathophysiologic changes in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: We analyzed 605 cases admitted to Al Ain Hospital from 24 February to 1 July, 2020. They met the following inclusion criteria: age $\geq 18$ years; inpatient admission; PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2; lung CT available at PACS. We categorized cases into 4 classes: mild $\geq50$ %. We used CT scans to build regression models predicting the oxygenation level, respiratory and cardiovascular functioning. Results: Radiomical findings are a reliable source of information to assess the functional status of patients with COVID-19. Machine learning models can predict the oxygenation level, respiratory and

BackgroundData on the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of COVID-19 in patients of different ages and sex are limited. Existing studies have mainly focused on the pediatric and elderly population.ObjectiveAssess whether age and sex interact with other risk factors to influence the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection.Material and MethodsThe study sample included all consecutive patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria and who were treated from 24 February to 1 July 2020 in Dubai Mediclinic Parkview (560 cases) and Al Ain Hospital (605 cases), United Arab Emirates. We compared disease severity estimated from the radiological findings among patients of different age groups and sex. To analyze factors associated with an increased risk of severe disease, we conducted uni- and multivariate regression analyses. Specifically, age, sex, laboratory findings, and personal risk factors were used to predict moderate and severe COVID-19 with conventional machine learning methods.ResultsNeed for O2 supplementation was positively correlated with age. Intensive care was required more often for men of all ages (p < 0.01). Males were more likely to have at least moderate disease severity (p = 0.0083). These findings were aligned with the results of biochemical findings and suggest a direct correlation between older age and male sex with a severe course of the disease. In young males (18–39 years), the percentage of the lung parenchyma covered with consolidation and the density characteristics of lesions were higher than those of other age groups; however, there was no marked sex difference in middle-aged (40–64 years) and older adults (≥65 years). From the univariate analysis, the risk of the non-mild COVID-19 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in midlife adults and older adults compared to young adults. The multivariate analysis provided similar findings.ConclusionAge and sex were important predictors of disease severity in the set of data typically collected on admission. Sexual dissimilarities reduced with age. Age disparities were more pronounced if studied with the clinical markers of disease severity than with the radiological markers. The impact of sex on the clinical markers was more evident than that of age in our study.

Background: Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF) play a key role in periodontal wound healing and tooth-supporting structures. Various approaches have been tried to enhance the fibroblastic activity such as laser irradiation or doxycycline application. The current study explored the influence of laser irradiation and doxycycline application on human PDLF. The aim of the study was the effect of low-level laser treatment and doxycycline application on the expression of collagen I and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8) from cultured human periodontal ligament cells. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study After preparation of human PDLF in three replications, they were divided into five treatment groups. The first group was day 0, which was used for standardization. The second group was the control group, which received no treatment within 4 days of the study. The third group was treated with doxycycline 30,[INSIDE:1]daily for 4 consecutive days. The fourth group was treated with diode laser 2[INSIDE:2] daily for 4 consecutive days. The fifth group was treated with both doxycycline and laser irradiation pertaining to the third and fourth groups. After 4 days of treatment, cells were tested for collagen I and MMP-8 secretion through real-time-polymerase chain reaction and ELISA reader. The data were analyzed using the ANOVA and least significant difference pair tests ( P < 0.05 ). Results: Treatment of human PDLF either with diode laser or doxycycline reduced the secretion of MMP-8 significantly. The maximum reduction was related to doxycycline application. Regarding collagen, I, only doxycycline application significantly increased collagen I secretion. Other groups showed no significant increase in collagen I secretion. Conclusion: This study showed that treatment of human PDLF either with diode laser or doxycycline significantly reduced MMP-8. Treatment with doxycycline significantly increased the secretion of collagen I.