Utility Values in Colorectal Cancer Patients Treated with Chemotherapy

PurposeThe purpose of present study was to calculate utility values in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients by EQ-5D-5L and cTTO.MethodsThe EQ-5D-5L and cTTO were used to calculate utility values in the patients. A total of 105 patients with CRC were consecutively selected from chemotherapy ward of the Oncology Center of Omid in the second most population province, Isfahan, in Iran. The difference between mean utility values in each factor examined by the t-test and ANOWA. Finally, The BetaMix was used to identify predictors of the utility.ResultsThe mean EQ-5D-5L index and cTTO values were 0.45 ±0.03 and 0.51±0.02, respectively. The anxiety and pain were the most common problems reported by the patients. Univariate analyses showed that the difference between the mean EQ-5D-5L index values were significant for age, education status, income level, stage of cancer, and comorbidity number; also, showed that the difference between the mean cTTO values were significant for age, income level, employment status, stage of cancer, and comorbidity number. The BetaMix showed that lower mean utility values were significantly associated with female, aging, a low level of income, a greater number of comorbidities and advanced stage of cancer.ConclusionThe factors of female, aging, a low level of income, advanced stage of cancer, and a greater number of comorbidities should be considered for improving values of utility. In addition, focusing on anxiety/depression through financial and social supports can be critical for the improvement in the quality of life in the patients.

The Different Sensitivity of Dendritic Degeneration in Hippocampal and Cortical Neurons to Estrogen Decline in Female Aging Mice

Aging is the most important risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies reported that women have higher incidence of AD than men, which is associated with estrogen deficiency post menopause. The integrity of dendrites ensures normal neuronal function, and dendrite degeneration is one of the hallmarks in AD. However, the contribution of estrogen deficiency in dendritic remodeling during female aging is still unclarified. In the present study, female 18- and 22-month-old mice showed an age-dependent cognitive decline. Interestingly, female 18- and 22-month-old mice induced dendritic degeneration in both hippocampus and cortex, wherein the dendritic degeneration of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and cortical nonpyramidal neurons were more obvious in 18-month-old mice and that would not deteriorate in 22-month-old mice. The female mice after ovariectomy (OVX) 5 months induced similar changes in female 22-month-old mice indicating by cognitive decline and dendritic degeneration, however, dendritic degeneration of the hippocampal DG granular cells was less bad than that in female 22-month-old mice. Besides, estradiol (E2) level, and estrogen receptor α and β (ERα and ERβ) in hippocampus and cortex decreased in aged female and OVX mice. Importantly, E2 application rescued these changes induced by OVX. In conclusion, the female aging-induced dendritic remodeling existed regional differences, wherein hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons and cortical nonpyramidal neurons were the more vulnerable to onset of estrogen deficiency, while DG granular cells were more sensitive to age.

EFFECT OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON BODY COMPOSITION OF OVERWEIGHT FEMALE; INSPIRING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO PRACTICE AND RECEIVE MORE ADVANTAGEOUS WAY OF LIFE

The purpose of this study aimed to look at assessing the effects of aerobic exercise on body composition of overweight female aging 22-27 years.A sample of n=30 (thirty) overweight female aging 22-27 years in District Tonsa (Punjab), Pakistan were included as subject. A four (04) week exercise protocol was prepared and used among females of the experimental group. The experimental group was subjected to measure the anthropometric as well as 3- site skin fold measurements. The data regarding pre and post-test of both groups-control and experimental were carefully recorded and entered into the computer for analyses. For this purpose, both descriptive (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Independent Samples t-Test and Paired Samples t-Test) were used for analyzing the data. The analyzed data established that the mean score of (EG) in pre and post-test were found as 28.66 and 23.5. The t-value of the table is 5.022 and P-value is 0.001 which is lower than the significant level (P<0.05). Therefore, it is concluded that the difference between Pre and Post-test of Control Group has shown the significant effects of aerobic exercises on body fat percentage of overweight females. According to the analyzed data the mean value of Post-tests regarding body fat percentage of Control Group were 28.89 and Experimental Group was 23.5. The P-value 0.002 and t-value -987 in the table depict the significant statistical difference between the two means of Control and Experimental Group in Body Mass Index (P<0.05).The results of the study indicated that the four weeks’ aerobic exercise protocol has a significant effect on overweight females in the perspective of decreasing their body fat percentage. Based on the findings, the researcher recommended that more and more involved in physical activity and exercise among female folk may be ensured.

Technologies of Age: The Intersection of Feminist Film Theory and Aging Studies

Aging studies is a relatively new discipline, and its intersection with feminist film theory can lead to fundamental methodological and theoretical rethinking of the notion of cinema as a powerful technology of age. This essay provides an account of the ageism that permeates Western societies vis-à-vis the place of aging and gender in visual culture. In light of contemporary feminist conceptualizations of aging and aging narratives, this essay aims to propose possible new directions that cinema and feminist film theory can take as part of a new epistemological framework. It also explores new theoretical paradigms from an intersectional perspective aimed at deconstructing ageism in the film industry. Finally, by focusing on female aging narratives in several non-mainstream film productions, this essay advocates moving away from the binary approach of aging as either decline or success, and it suggests new, affirmative ways of looking at aging bodies, and of understanding old age.

Level of satisfaction and utilization of EBSCOhost among UPHSL students and faculty

Purpose Electronic resources are becoming an integral part of the academe. It has revolutionized the idea of research, making information more accessible. This study aims to determine the level of utilization and satisfaction on EBSCOhost database among UPHSL students and faculty members. It analyzes the effect of the respondents’ user type, gender and education to the usability and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost. Design/methodology/approach The study, which used a survey questionnaire as a primary tool to gather data, had 300 respondents who willingly participated from the faculty and student body of the University of Perpetual Help System – Laguna. Findings Results revealed that majority of the respondents were found to be female, aging 20-25 with a college degree or taking their degree. The results of the study showed that the students and faculty members of UPHSL are moderately satisfied of the services of EBSCOhost and users are only moderately using it. In addition, the study revealed that the respondents have the same level of satisfaction and utilization of EBSCOhost regardless of their user type, age, gender and educational attainment. Furthermore, there is a significant relationship between the respondents’ level of satisfaction and level of utilization of EBSCOhost. The higher is the respondents’ level of satisfaction, the higher is their level of utilization of EBSCOhost. Originality/value Subscription to online databases is an integral part of the academic library. However, in developing countries, subscription can take a lot from the overall library budget. EBSCOhost, as one of the popular research databases, is among the plethora of databases that libraries subscribe to. This paper analyzes the level utilization and satisfaction of users to EBSCOhost. The analysis presented in this research can provide insight on the usability of among developing countries.

The Effect of Task-Based Listening Activities on the Listening Comprehension: A Case of Iranian IELTS Candidates

Listening skill has always been somehow a neglected area in the English teaching practice. Using contemporary ways, such as applying task-based instructions and activities in the classrooms, is proven to be helpful (Cubillo and Brenes, 2009; Nunan, 1999). The present study aimed at exploring task-based listening activities and their role on improving the listening comprehension of Iranian IELTS candidates. To this end, 40 learners (14 male and 26 female, aging 21 to 43) in IELTS preparation courses were selected form Sama IELTS Centre in Rasht, Iran. After Oxford Placement Test (OPT), the participants were randomly divided into two parallel classes (20 in each). Both groups took a sample of IELTS listening test, which comprised of 40 items in four sections as the pre-test, and another sample test at the end of the study, as the post-test. Accordingly, the experimental group received the treatment (task-based listening activities). The control group, on the other hand received the placebo, i.e. the traditional practice of re-listening, pausing, and answering the questions. The statistical analyses of the results revealed that the experimental group had outperformed the control group in the posttest.