Female sexual dysfunction in iranian postmenopausal women: Prevalence and correlation with hormonal profile

Introduction. Female sexual dysfunction is a current and multifactorial status that greatly affects quality of life. Menopause, aging, and probably hormonal instability are some of these drastic factors. Aim. Determine the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in Iranian postmenopausal women and the relationship to serum status of sex hormones and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG). Methods. A total of 149 healthy postmenopausal women aged 43-64, nonhormone therapy user, with intact uterus and ovaries, enrolled in the cross-sectional study. Main Outcome Measures. Female sexual function was evaluated by utilizing the Female Sexual Function Index. Hormonal serum concentration was measured by enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Also, free testosterone and free estradiol indexes were calculated. The analysis was performed by using SPSS 16. Results. Mean age of sample was 52.19±3.76 with 47.48±36.5 month amenorrhea. In the study, 69.8% of women showed sexual dysfunction in Desire and 61.7% in Arousal, these two being the most affected domains. Lubrication (49.7%), Pain Domain (45.0%), Orgasm (40.3%), and Satisfaction (36.9%) were in later degree among six assessed domains. There was no difference between the two groups-with and without dysfunction-in hormone level and SHBG. Conclusion. In Iranian postmenopausal women, Desire and Arousal are the most prevalent menopausal sexual dysfunctions, and Female Sexual Dysfunction is much more than just a hormonal problem. © 2011 International Society for Sexual Medicine

Concept and challenges of delivering preventive and care services in prehospital emergency medical service: A qualitative study

Background and purpose: Prehospital emergency medical service (EMS) is an important part of the health care system. Today, the need for integrated emergency care services and delivering qualified preventive and care services felt more than before in accidents and emergencies. This survey aimed to investigate the views of emergency medical personnel on the concept and nature of preventive and care services and current challenges in delivering these services in prehospital EMS centers in Golestan province, Iran. Materials and methods: A qualitative study was done with 16 emergency medical personnel working in EMS sites in Golestan province using purposeful sampling. Data was collected by semistructured interview guide and framework analysis was implemented to analyze the data. Results: Two general themes were identified including 1) the concept of preventive and care services in the EMS and 2) the challenges in providing qualified services in the EMS sites in Golestan province. Also, five sub-themes and 12 subclasses were determined. Conclusion: To enhance and promote services, the EMS system of Golestan province need reforms in organizational structure, laws and administrative regulations, training programs, the system of monitoring and evaluation of personnel, also provision of equipment and manpower and provision of personnel amenities to improve the staff performance. Furthermore, it is necessary to boost emergency services at the community level through training people and enhancing collaboration and participation with other organizations. © 2015, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Real-Time Active Thermal Management and Degradation Forecasting of Power Electronics Building Blocks In All-Electric Ships

With advancements in semiconductor technology, power electronic devices play a critical role in modern power systems, enabling efficient energy conversion in applications such as renewable energy integration, electric vehicle drives, industrial automation, and Navy ship power systems. However, the increasing use of power converters presents challenges such as harmonic reduction, cost optimization, reliability improvement, and thermal management, especially in weight- and space-constrained environments like wind turbines and shipboard systems. High-frequency switching, while reducing passive filter size, increases thermal stress on semiconductor devices, impacting efficiency and longevity. Active thermal control, which regulates junction temperature through power loss management, and degradation forecasting, which aids future maintenance decision-making, are key to enhancing semiconductor reliability and operational efficiency. This dissertation presents a comprehensive study of thermal control and management strategies in power electronics, with a focus on their application in All-Electric Ship (AES) power systems. It begins by reviewing existing electro-thermal management techniques and identifying their limitations in mission-critical, space-constrained environments. The dissertation then introduces a novel Finite Control Set Model Predictive Control (FCS-MPC) strategy that simultaneously regulates thermal behavior and controls the electrical performance of Modular Multilevel Converter (MMC)-based Power Electronic Building Blocks (PEBBs). In addition, a data-driven framework utilizing Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) is developed to forecast PEBB degradation, supporting more accurate and informed electro-thermal management decisions. By integrating real-time thermal regulation, enhanced electrical control, and predictive maintenance planning, this work aims to improve both the reliability and operational efficiency of AES power systems

Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR): A Comprehensive Review of Topologies, Power Converters, Control Methods, and Modified Configurations

Power quality is a pressing concern and of the utmost importance for advanced and high-tech equipment in particular, whose performance relies heavily on the supply’s quality. Power quality issues like voltage sags/swells, harmonics, interruptions, etc. are defined as any deviations in current, voltage, or frequency that result in end-use equipment damage or failure. Sensitive loads like medical equipment in hospitals and health clinics, schools, prisons, etc. malfunction for the outages and interruptions, thereby causing substantial economic losses. For enhancing power quality, custom power devices (CPDs) are recommended, among which the Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) is considered as the best and cost-effective solution. DVR is a power electronic-based solution to mitigate and compensate voltage sags. This paper provides a thorough discussion and comprehensive review of DVR topologies based on operations, power converters, control methods, and applications. The review compares the state-of-the-art in works of literature, and comparative study on power quality issues, the DVR principle along with its operation modes, the DVR components, the DVR topologies based on energy storage, the DVR topologies based on single-/three-phase power converters, and the DVR topologies based on control units that have different control processing stages. Furthermore, modified and improved configurations of the DVR, as well as its integration with distributed generations, are described. This work serves as a comprehensive and useful reference for those who have an interest in researching DVRs

i Sexual function in breast cancer patients: a prospective study from Iran

Background: Sexual function in patients with breast cancer especially in younger patients is an important issue from clinical and psychosocial perspectives. This study aimed to assess sexual function among Iranian breast cancer patients. Methods: This was a prospective study of sexual function in breast cancer patients attending the Cancer Institute of Iran. Sexual function was assessed using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) at two points in time: baseline (pre-treatment) and after completion of cancer treatment at follow-up visits (post-treatment). Pre- and posttreatment data were compared. In addition logistic regression analysis was performed to find out factors that contributing to post-treatment sexual dysfunction. Results: In all 277 breast cancer patients were approached. Of these, 231 patients (83%) were sexually active and data for 216 patients (93.5 % of sexually active patients) were available at pre-and post-treatment. Overall pre- and post-treatment sexual dysfunction was found to be 52 % and 84%, respectively indicating a significant deterioration in sexual function among breast cancer patients. The results obtained from multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that younger age [OR = 0.95, 95 % CI = 0.93-0.98; P = 0.04], receiving endocrine therapy [OR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.37-7.91; P = 0.007] and poor sexual function at pre-treatment [OR = 12.3, 95 % CI = 3.93-39.0; P < 0.0001

Enhancement strategies for transdermal drug delivery systems: current trends and applications

Transdermal drug delivery systems have become an intriguing research topic in pharmaceutical technology area and one of the most frequently developed pharmaceutical products in global market. The use of these systems can overcome associated drawbacks of other delivery routes, such as oral and parenteral. The authors will review current trends, and future applications of transdermal technologies, with specific focus on providing a comprehensive understanding of transdermal drug delivery systems and enhancement strategies. This article will initially discuss each transdermal enhancement method used in the development of first-generation transdermal products. These methods include drug/vehicle interactions, vesicles and particles, stratum corneum modification, energy-driven methods and stratum corneum bypassing techniques. Through suitable design and implementation of active stratum corneum bypassing methods, notably microneedle technology, transdermal delivery systems have been shown to deliver both low and high molecular weight drugs. Microneedle technology platforms have proven themselves to be more versatile than other transdermal systems with opportunities for intradermal delivery of drugs/biotherapeutics and therapeutic drug monitoring. These have shown that microneedles have been a prospective strategy for improving transdermal delivery systems. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]</p

Photodynamic therapy for ex vivo purging of malignant cells from ovarian cortex before autotransplantation

In 2020, over 33,000 estimated cases of new leukemia instances in girls aged between 0 and 19, highlighting the pressing need for viable fertility preservation solutions. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is the most suitable option to preserve fertility in prepubertal girls diagnosed with cancer. However, ovarian tissue transplantation in leukemia patients following cancer remission is not advisable due to the high risk of ovarian metastasis and, consequently, the potential reintroduction of malignant cells that might be present within the cryopreserved ovarian tissue. To address this critical concern and enable the secure transplantation of ovarian tissue from leukemia patients to restore their fertility, we aim to develop innovative photodynamic therapy strategies for the ex vivo eradication of leukemia cells. By employing a multifaceted approach, we have conceptualized and refined methodologies to formulate the most effective ex vivo purging protocol, targeting acute myelogenous leukemia cells within ovarian tissue fragments. These strategies have been carefully designed to safeguard the survival and development of ovarian follicles, so they can be deemed a potential fertility restoration alternative. By combining photodynamic therapy with nanotechnology, this research could greatly improve fertility preservation for leukemia patients, helping them achieve their dream of becoming parents.(BIFA - Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques) -- UCL, 202

The Effect of Tibolone on Climacteric Symptoms of Healthy Postmenopausal Women

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Menopause is related to many symptoms that have an effect on women’s life quality. HRT and its alternatives such as Tibolone are some of the routes for enhancement of different aspects of QoL in menopause. The aim of this study was the comparison of the effects of Tibolone and placebo on climacteric symptoms of healthy menopausal women. Materials & Methods: This is a randomized, prospective clinical study. A total of 96 women with no absolute contraindication for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) that reffered to selected clinics (gynecologic clinics in Fajr and Avesina Hospitals, Aboraihan and Shahid Haidari Polyclinic and an individual clinic) during 2007-2008 were divided into two groups: 41 women in the Tibolone group received Tibolone 2.5 mg/day + Ca-D (500 mg +200 IU) and 45 women in the placebo group received only Ca-D (500 mg +200 IU) for six months. At baseline and after six months, climacteric symptoms were assessed by Greene Climacteric Scale (GCS). Data was analyzed by SPSS version 15. Paired and independent t-test, Chi-Square test and Mann-Whitney were used for analyzing the collected data. Results: Thirty two women in the Tibolone group and 43 women in the placebo completed the study. Comparing the baseline and placebo values, the Tibolone group significantly improved on all of GCS subscales which include: depression, anxiety, somatic, vasomotor symptoms and libido (P<0.05). Conclusion: In postmenopausal women, Tibolone significantly improved all aspects of climacteric symptoms and increased their quality of life. Keywords: Tibolone, menopausal women, Greene Climacteric Scal