The logistic regression model showed predictive variables of the endotracheal tube duration after CABG in elderly patients over 65 years, including the history of smoking (1.179- 4.543, CI 95%, β=0.839, and, p=0.015), history of myocardial infarction (0.188- 1.019, CI 95%, p= 0.055, β= -0.827), and the left ventricular ejection fraction less than 50% (0.202-0752, CI 95%, p= 0.005, β= -0.943). Considering the predictive factors, the duration of the postoperative endotracheal tube can play an important role in the careful care of elderly patients after CABG.Considering the predictive factors, the duration of the postoperative endotracheal tube can play an important role in the careful care of elderly patients after CABG. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the most common infection in intensive care units (ICUs), with the highest mortality rate of all hospital-acquired infections. This study aimed to improve the quality of VAP control in the ICU of a university-affiliated teaching hospital in Kouhdasht, Iran. This action research was conducted during 2016-2018. The survey data of 18 participants, who were included in the study using the non-probability sampling method, were evaluated. Selleck AT9283 Qualitative data were analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis, and descriptive indices and t-test were measured to analyze quantitative data. Finally, the qualitative and quantitative data were integrated.This research was developed and implemented in four stages, including assessment and identification of priorities for improvement, design of action plans, implementation of action plans, and reassessment. Data were collected by analyzing 540 performance observations, 55 interviews, six focused group discussions, and two steering group discussions. The mean scores of VAP control before and after implementing the action plans were 259.33±21.64 and 395.16±13.90, respectively (P<0.001). The qualitative findings indicated that the low quality of the personnel's working life and poor organizational culture were the main barriers to the quality improvement of VAP control. Improvement was achieved after implementing the action plans for enhancing the nurses' quality of working life and realization of their professional identity. The results of this study suggested that effective approaches, such as personnel empowerment, improvement of environmental conditions, and provision of facilities and equipment can improve the quality of VAP control in ICUs.The results of this study suggested that effective approaches, such as personnel empowerment, improvement of environmental conditions, and provision of facilities and equipment can improve the quality of VAP control in ICUs. Hormonal changes in women, especially at menopausal transition, may have significant consequences on respiratory function. This issue in asthmatic patients is more frequent, more severe, and less controlled after menopause. Tunisian data regarding this issue are limited; therefore, we assessed the clinical and functional particularities of asthma at menopausal transition. This descriptive-analytical study was performed for two years (2016-2017) on 82 asthmatic women followed up in the pulmonology department of Charles Nicolle hospital of Tunis. According to hormonal status, two groups were defined G1 (menopausal patients) and G2 (non-menopausal patients). Asthma control and severity of asthma as well as other variables including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), comorbidities, allergenic status, spirometry results, health care use in the past 12 months, and prescribed medications were evaluated. The mean age of patients was 50 years and half of them (60%) were menopausal women. Allergy was the most coor influencing the control and severity of asthma. The present study was done to compare serum heart type-fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP) levels in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and healthy subjects and address the correlation of this marker with airflow limitation and health-related quality of life using the COPD assessment test (CAT). In this cross-sectional study, we measured serum H-FABP levels in 50 patients with stable COPD and 34 healthy controls and compared them in terms of smoking history, airflow limitation according to the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) criteria, and CAT score. We also tested the association between serum H-FABP level and the COPD patients' clinical parameters. For statistical analysis, we used the Student's t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's (or Spearman's rank -order) correlation test. Serum H-FABP level increased in the COPD patients compared with the control group ( <0.01). Although there was no association between serum H-FABP levels and disease severity based on the GOLD criteria, FABP levels increased in the subjects with a history of smoking in compared with the non-smoker control subjects ( < 0.01). In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between serum H-FABP level and smoking history (r = 0.367, P = 0.001). The serum H-FABP level increased in both the stable COPD patients and healthy subjects with smoking history. However, no correlation was found between serum H-FABP and the severity of airflow limitation based on the GOLD criteria. Based on the results, it is unclear whether the H-FABP level is a causative factor in COPD patients or healthy smokers.The serum H-FABP level increased in both the stable COPD patients and healthy subjects with smoking history. However, no correlation was found between serum H-FABP and the severity of airflow limitation based on the GOLD criteria. Based on the results, it is unclear whether the H-FABP level is a causative factor in COPD patients or healthy smokers. The current study was done to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Vitalograph COPD-6 portable device for detecting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in high-risk individuals in Iran. This research was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and FEV1/FVC using standard spirometer and FEV1, FEV6, and FEV1/FEV6 with COPD- 6 device were measured and recorded. Descriptive analysis was done. 19 of 122 patients (15.6%) were diagnosed with COPD. The COPD-6 had an acceptable performance for detecting COPD as assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (0.72 ; 95% CI 0.42-0.86), with an average sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 98%, positive predictive value of 89%, and negative predictive value of 97%. The positive likelihood ratio resulted was 42 and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.16. COPD-6 is a validate and reliable device for detecting COPD in non-specialized health care settings and the best cut-off point for FEV1/FEV6 ratio is 0.