Koomesh
Year:2016 | Volume:17 | Issue:2 (58)|Papers Count:36

Introduction: Gaining information about the condition of a society from various aspects is one of the main requirements for planning. Assessment and determination of social condition would help the executives to quickly estimate the essential requirements. In regard to the lack of proper ranking and clustering information related to provinces with the use of related variables due to health indicators of vital horoscope in rural areas, we conducted this study with the aim of ranking and clustering of provinces using these indicators.Materials and methods: Provinces were ranked based on the group of vital horoscope indices related to the rural areas published by the Ministry of Health. Multivariate analysis of the principal components and factorial analysis were used to rank the provinces and cluster analysis was applied to specify the homogeneous provinces. The data were analyzed by using SPSS16 and R3.1.1 software.Results: Three extracted factors of mortality, fertility and population, and performance indices were composed more than 86% of data variations. Ranking based on the first factor indicated that south and north Khorasan and Kordestan conditions were unfavorable, while, Tehran and Mazandaran were in favorable conditions. The cluster analysis also placed the similar provinces in terms of health and social indicators in one group.Conclusion: This study showed that the provinces with favorable socio-economic conditions were those with closest distance to the Capital and also those with more social and cultural exchanges due to the tourist industries. Since the socio-economic facilities are not distributed equally through the country, therefore, more equitable socio-economic attention and care to more deprived areas seems essential, which eventually would lead to the growth and development of health indicators in the country.

Introduction: Studies have shown that Securigera securidaca L. seed (SS) has anti-epileptic, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, hypokalemic, hypoglysemic, diuretic and anti-convulsion effects. The present study was designed to test the antinoceceptive effects of hydro alcoholic extract of SS seed on acute, chronic, and visceral pain in mice.Material and Methods: Young adult male albino mice (n=160) within the weight range of 25-30 g were randomly divided into 20 groups (n=8). SS (100, 200, and 500 mg/kg) and vehicle (VEH) were administered (IP) 30 min before the pain evaluation tests. Acute and chronic pain was assessed by Hot Plate, Tail Flick, Formalin and Writhing (visceral pain) tests.Results: Results indicated that SS had analgesic effects (P<0.05) in comparison to the control group and the highest dose was more effective (P<0.001).Conclusion: The finding of this study showed that SS has inhibitory effects on pain in experimental animals.

Introduction: Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal damage in preterm and low weight born infants, which can lead to blindness. Therefore, in this study we tried to investigate the probability of ROP incidence and some other related factors in preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Amir-al-Momenin hospital in Semnan.Materials and Methods: This study included 270 preterm infants with gestational age less than 37 weeks or birth weight less than 2000gr. The infants were treated with different concentrations of oxygen, and at 32-33 weeks of corrected gestational age or 4-6 weeks after birth were examined for ROP by using an indirect ophthalmoscope.Results: 55.2% infants were male. The lowest gestational age was 28 week and the highest was 36. 21.5% of premature infants were weighed less than 1500gr and only 2.6% of them received more than 60% oxygen concentration. Incidence of ROP in these neonates was 1.1%. The incidence of ROP in infants with birth weight up to 1500g was 5.2%. No ROP development was detected in infants above 1500g. The relationship between birth weight and the incidence of ROP was significant (P=0.010). Also, the incidence of ROP in infants who received oxygen concentration up to 60% was 0.4%, and in those who received oxygen concentration more than 60% was 28.6%. The relationship between oxygen concentration and the incidence of ROP was significant (P=0.002). There was no significant relation between gender, gestational age and the incidence of ROP.Conclusion: Our findings show that the incidence of ROP in this region is considerably lower than that in other regions of Iran and the world. The probable reasons might be suitable oxygen therapy in neonatal intensive care unit or death of infants at very low gestational age in this center. Nevertheless, the cause of this serious disease in neonates warrants further investigation and assessments.

Introduction: Road traffic accidents are responsible for 2.1% of the all-cause mortalities and 23% of injury-related deaths in the world. Iran has been recognized as one of the countries with the highest rate of road accidents and mortalities related to it. Considering the fact that mortality following traffic accidents is much higher in Semnan province in comparison to the country average, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology of these accidents in Semnan.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, information related to traffic accident deaths in Semnan province (Iran) in 1391 was provided by the Legal Medicine Organization. First all the received data was controlled and then in the form of epidemiological variables were analyzed using the statistical software Stata 12. The relationship between some of the variables affecting the accident was evaluated by statistical tests.Results: During the 1391,331 of death cases following traffic accidents were reported from Semnan Province. Crude mortality rate and age adjusted mortality rates were 52.29 and 52.9 per 100,000, respectively. 228 (68.88%) of these cases were male. The highest number of deaths, 134 (40/5%) occurred in the age group of 35-64 years old. The cause of death in 44.07% of cases was head injury. The highest percentage of deaths occurred in Shahrivar (September) and Tir (June). Almost 81.9% of deaths occurred in roads outside the cities.Conclusion: Considering the higher rate of traffic accidents related deaths in this province in comparison to the country averages and the higher percentage of deaths in the roads outside the cities, also the fact that the cause of death was head injury in more than 40% of accidents, it is recommended that the authorities to adopt appropriate preventive programs to increase the safety of roads especially outside the cities to decrease the traffic accident mortality rate in that Province.

Introduction: The incidence and exacerbation of psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety resulting from vitamin D deficiency is an important issue that has been considered in recent studies. However, from the professional perspective, medical careers are more exposed to either of problems. This study was aimed to determine the serum levels of vitamin D and its association with depression in Semnan University hospitals nurses.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study the volunteered nurses employed at Semnan University of Medical Sciences hospitals were included in 2014. An inclusion criteria was their consent for participation and the exclusion criteria was a diagnosis to psychological disorder, including depression, in themselves or their first degree relatives. Serum vitamin D levels were measured by ELISA method and depression severity was evaluated by Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The statistical analysis was done by chi-square and t tests.Results: Nurses who fulfilled inclusion criteria were 182/256 employed nurses, including 138 female (75.8%) and 44 male (24.2%) with the mean age of 29.74±7.919 years. 164 persons (90.1%) had bachelor's degree while the rest had Master’s, all with the mean professional experience of 7.09 ± 6.628 years. Mean body mass index in nurses was 22.47±3.717 kg/m2 and 12 persons (6.6%) had a history of vitamin D supplement intake during the past six months. Mean of the serum vitamin D level was 13.10±5.865 ng/ml. The mean depression score was 10.45±6.404. There was a significant inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and depression score (r=-0.338, P=0.001).Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency in the health care professions can be partially attributed to the work environment and night shifts. These persons are predisposed to mental health problems due to occupational stress. Some studies suggest a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and psychological depression. Our results showed that by the increment in the serum vitamin D levels, BDI score decreased, which indicated that the depression severity was minimized.

Introduction: Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of most malignant and also benign primary CNS tumors. Radiotherapy affects both tumor cells and normal cells. The aim of this study was to determine the absorbed dose of radiation by the skin surfacing organs at risk (lens, parotid, thyroid and submandibular gland) during radiotherapy of tumors at the frontal lobe of the brain via direct measurement in patients and phantom.Materials and methods: There are two conventional techniques for external radiotherapy of patients with tumors of the right frontal lobe. These techniques were used to estimate the amount of surface dose absorption by organs at risk (lens of eye, parotid, thyroid, submandibular glands). Technique 1 was performed for 10 patients who referred to Reza Radiation Oncology Center. Technique 1 is the radiation of frontal field with an extension to the lateral field portion. Technique I and 2, which included radiation of one frontal field along with a bilateral field were performed for a phantom model with an anthropomorphic head and neck constructed from natural human bone with paraffin wax and NaCl as surrounding soft tissues. The surface dose for each organ was measured using TLD chips.Results: The measured radiation dose within all organs was within the safe limits in phantom and most patients, however, the surface dose were higher in patients in compare to phantom. In some patients, the right lens was not protected and therefore there would be some risk for cataracts. The findings provide estimation for probable complications along with frontal lobe radiotherapy.Conclusion: Our findings showed that regarding these two techniques, technique I impose less harm to normal tissue, since the right lobe of brain is only irradiated. Besides, the higher values of surface dose in patients compared to phantom might be due to larger tumor field in patients, because the tumor dimensions in phantom was considered 4 cm, while in some patients it was larger.

Introduction: In traditional medicine, Boswellia serrata (Burseraceae family) has been used for its various effects such as enhancing learning and memory. However, some side effects have been mentioned with emphasizing on a probability for abortion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate Boswellia serrata abortive effect in mice.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, virgin young female mice (balb/c) with a 25-30 gr weight were used in three different time periods: before fertilization, pre-implantation period (days 1-5 of gestation) and during implantation (days 5-7 of gestation). In each study four groups (n=8) were used including experimental groups who received 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of Boswellia extract (IP), respectively and a control group (received 0.3 ml distilled water (IP). Animals were sacrificed on days 11-13 of pregnancy and the number of implantation sites were counted.Results: The average number of implantation sites in control and 50, 100 and 200mg/kg concentrations of extract in the pre-fertilization period were 9.83±1.17, 6.5±1.76 , 6.5±1.22 and 6.67±2.07, respectively (P=0.003). In the pre-implantation period they were 8.5±0.91 6±1.31, 5±1.16 and 3.29±1.27, respectively (P=0.032), and during implantation were 9.38±2.77, 6.38±3.1, 5.25±2.25 and 3.57±2.17, respectively (P=0.035). Reductions in the number of implantation sites were found to be dose-dependent in preimplantation and implantation periods.Conclusion: Our findings showed that Boswellia exert has abortive effects in mice and the stronger effect was observed with higher doses during preimplantation and implantation periods.

Introduction: Cesarean because macrosomia of fetus more happens in cases with gestational diabetes. There are different methods and outcomes for screening of gestational diabetes. In current study comparison between two accepted method of diagnosis of gestational diabetes, American diabetes association (ADA) and international association of diabetes in pregnancy study group (IADPSG) in occurrence of cesarean and macrosomia of fetus was preformed.Materials and methods: All pregnant women between 24-28 weeks of gestation from April 2013 that were referred to Amir Hospital or private office of gynecologist were evaluated. They were evaluated by both ADA and IADPSG tests. If the gestational diabetes was confirmed they were followed until delivery and the prevalence of macrosomia and cesarean were surveyed.Results: Among 236 cases the prevalence of gestational diabetes were 16 (7%) and 20 (8%) in IADPSG and ADA (P=0.001, kappa=0.219) and the rate of cesarean were 10 (62.5%) and 11 (55%) in IADPSG and ADA respectively. The prevalence of fetal macrosomia were 5 (31.2%) and 2 (10%) in IADPSG and ADA respectively.Conclusion: The percent of gestational diabetes was more with IADPSG. However, two methods have agreement in diagnosis of diabetes but the agreement was not strong. The prevalence of cesarean and macrosomia was more in ADA. It seems that two methods are not equal in diagnosis and prediction of complications of gestational diabetes.

Introduction: Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) is an essential cofactor for enzymes involving in brain glucose metabolism. The purpose of this study was to define the association between dietary vitamin B1 and the level of risk for dementia.Materials and Methods: In this study we used an age and sex matched case control method, consisting of 120 men and women of 50 years (±2) of age and older. Data were collected at ‘Iran Alzheimer Association’, Tehran, in 2013. The experimental cases (with dementia) and controls (normal) (n=60) were randomly selected. Dietary information was collected using ‘food frequency questionnaire’ and a 24-hour food recall questionnaire, and analyzed using the food processor Nutritionist IV.Results: The cases mean intake of vitaminB1 from the food sources was less than controls, before and after adjustment for confounding factors. In the effect of total energy intake method, the highest tertiles for vitamin B1 intake and the risk for dementia was obtained at (OR: 0.02; 95% CI, 0.004 to 0.14), with a P-value < 0.001 in comparison to the first tertile.Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that a high vitaminB1 intake from the food sources may reduce the risk of dementia. Maintaining the effective levels through the consumption of specific foods is a viable option to prevent dementiaoccurrence and progression.

Introduction: Streptococcus agalactiae (streptococcus group B (GBS)) is the natural inhabitants of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tract and frequently is isolated from female reproductive tract. It is the most common cause of bacterial sepsis, meningitis, pneumonia and severe diseases in the newborn.Materials and Methods: Sixty Streptococcus agalactiae isolates were collected from 500 vaginal smear samples from pregnant women in their 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy. The antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by using disk diffusion method on Mueller Hinton agar medium with 5% sheep blood followed by capsular serotyping and PCR for 16Sr RNA, for final approval.Results: Antibiotic susceptibility test showed the lowest resistance was belong to Penicillin, ampicillin, vancomycin (0%), cefazolin (3.33%) and ceftazidime (5%).While the highest resistance was found for erythromycin (28.33%), clindamycin (15%) and tetracycline (96/66%) antibiotics. The frequency of capsular serotypes was as following: III=45%, Ia=18.33%, II=16.66%, V=13.33% and Ib=5%.Conclusion: Based on the current study, high raise in GBS isolates resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin in pregnant women (within the 35-37th weeks of pregnancy) is alarming and Markazi province demands for an expanded screening program in the ground of their GBS preventative plan.

Introduction: Defensins are members of the largest family of antimicrobial peptides and due to their activity against bacteria, fungi, and viruses are very profitable as new antibiotics. The aim of this study was to design, synthesis, clone and expression of BNBD2 (Bovine Neutrophil Beta-Defensin2) gene to investigate the wound healing process.Materials and Methods: In this study, according to the preferred codon in E. coli, the BNBD2 gene was optimized and synthesized. The BNBD2 gene was sub cloned in vector pET-32a (+). The BNBD2 protein expression was assessed; using Isopropyl-b-D-thio-galactoside (IPTG) as an inducer and evaluating by SDS-PAGE. The potency of BNBD2 protein for healing was studied by creating a wound on a group of mice and treating them with BNBD2 protein in comparison with the control group.Results: The results showed that BNBD2 gene was successfully cloned into pET32a (+) vector. The expression of protein was induced by IPTG. There was a significant reduction in wound area in the treatment group in compare to the control group.Conclusion: Recombinant protein (BNBD2) was expressed successfully in prokaryotic system. This protein might be potentially beneficial for wound healing procedures in the future.

Introduction: Gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) is a broad spectrum of benign and malignant tumors derived from human placenta. Although they are rare in incidence, they have the potential to become rapidly fatal diseases. Therefore, predicting this disease in early stages is important. The aim of this study was to gain access to an appropriate marker for early prediction of GTN based on a trend of b-hCG in patients with molar pregnancy.Materials and Methods: In the present study we analyzed the available data from the medical files of 201 patients with hydatidiform mole, according to their pathological results, who referred to the educational and health care centers affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from 2003 to 2013. We used the growth mixture model for longitudinal data analysis in order to assess early prediction of GTN.Results: The findings from the growth mixture model showed that there were two different patterns (classes) of trend in b -hCG logarithm in these women. So that, in the first pattern with a modest decreased slope in b -hCG logarithm, the post-molar GTN was observed in 91 percent of the women. While, in the second pattern with a steeper decreased slope in b -hCG logarithm, the post-molar GTN was not observed in the women under study.Conclusion: The slope of trend in b -hCG logarithm (estimated from the growth mixture model) three weeks after molar pregnancy evacuation could be considered as an appropriate criterion for predicting the GTN.

Introduction: Application of natural compounds including essential oils (EOs) is an effective method to fight against the growth of bacterial pathogens in food. This study was conducted to determine the combinational effect of Trachyspermum ammi and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils on some pathogenic food-borne bacteria.Materials and Methods: The effect of different concentrations of Trachyspermum ammi and Zataria multiflora Boiss was assessed individually and/or in combination, using microdilution broth method to determine the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) effect on the pathogenic food-borne bacteria including E. coli O157: H7, Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, the effect of EOs was analyzed, individually or in combination, on B.cereus and E.coli growth curves.Results: Combination of Trachyspermum ammi and Zataria multiflora Boiss essential oils showed a synergistic effect against B. cereus and S. aureus and additive effect on E. coli, Salmonella typhimurium and Listeria monocytogenes. The results of growth curve analysis of the combinational effects of these two EOs showed that they decreased the rate and increased the lag phase of bacterial growth, especially for B. cereus. This finding has an important value in food microbiology.Conclusion: This study showed that T. ammi, and Z. multiflora Boiss essential oils were effective against bacterial growth, especially when they are used in combination. Based on this study it is suggested that their potential application to be considered in food industry.

Introduction: Cells and tissues are mainly exposed to different mechanical stimuli, which are essential for their function. Blood vessels are subjected to circumferential straining induced by pulse pressure. The phenotype regulation and function of vascular smooth muscle cells depend on both chemical factors and their mechanical environment. Chemical and mechanical stem cell stimulations can contribute to their differentiation to functional target cells, including smooth muscle cells. This makes a great potential subject for cell therapy and tissue engineering. Here, we evaluated effects of short term uniaxial cyclic strain on morphology of rabbit adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells.Materials and Methods: Using a custom made bioreactor, a 5% cyclic uniaxial strain with 1Hz frequency were applied on mesenchymal stem cells for 4, 8 and 24 hours. Smooth muscle specific gene expression was analyzed by Real Time PCR. Before and after experiments, cell images were taken and processed for morphological parameters evaluation.Results: Cyclic strain caused cells to re-orient to the direction that cell body were experiencing minimal force. Two fold increases in smooth muscle gene expression was observed after 24 hour mechanical stimulation. Cyclic strain caused morphological alterations including reduction of cell shape index up to 41%, and elevation of aspect ratio up to 45% after 24 hours loading compared to control samples.Conclusion: Cyclic strain caused significant elongation of mesenchymal stem cells close to contractile smooth muscle phenotype. This method can be applied in cardiovascular tissue engineering to provide functional smooth muscle cells.

Introduction: The purpose of the present study was to identify the acute effect of proprioception, massage and dynamic stretching warm up protocols on serum CK and LDH activity levels after one session of Plyometric training in men volleyball players.Materials and methods: Thirty-two volleyball players (mean age: 21.20±1.73 years and body mass index: 22.11±2.53 kg / m2) were randomly assigned to 4 groups of; proprioception, massage, dynamic stretching and control groups. Experimental groups (after 15 minutes of specified warming-up) and control group performed 30 minutes plyometric training. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and then 24 and 48 h after exercise.Results: Immediately after plyometric training, the serum level of CK activity in massage, dynamic stretching and control groups were significantly increased (P<0.05). After 48 hours, the serum level of CK activity reached to the basal level, excluding the massage group which was significantly higher than basal level (P=0.0001). No significant change was found in the level of LDH activity in any group (P>0.05).Discussion: It seems that in volleyball the use of proprioceptive warm up training is more effective for prevention of muscle injuries in comparison to other warming-up methods.

Introduction: Appropriate daily physical activity is increasingly recommended during pregnancy, since a successful pregnancy and delivery are among the main pillars of health care system. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the effects of 8 weeks of regular walking on neonatal outcome of nulliparous women.Materials and Methods: This field trial was conducted on 80 healthy non-athletic, 20 to 35 years old nulliparous women, who were housewives, singleton and in their 28th of gestational week and living in Damghan. Following a repeating sampling method, participants were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. The intervention group performed 8 weeks of 30-minute walks, 3 times per week, at their own pace, while the control group was only followed up.Results: There were no significant differences in weight, height, and head circumference of infants after birth between the two groups, but significant improvements were observed in the one-minute (P=0.008) and five-minute (P=0.01) Apgar scores. Also, the meconium passage was 4 times less than control (P=0.034).Conclusion: This study showed that 8 weeks of regular walking caused no growth reduction in the intervention group infants, while led to higher one-minute and five-minute Apgar scores and lower meconium discharge, thus the infants were placed in a better condition. Therefore, regular walking at one’s own pace during pregnancy is generally recommended to healthy pregnant women, because of its favorable effects on neonatal outcomes.

Introduction: Central and peripheral nerve injuries may lead to chronic neuropathic pain in addition to immobility in many injured persons. Exercise as a non-medical procedure has beneficial effects on the well being of individuals in normal and diseased state. Therefore, in the current study we aimed to measure the alleviating effect of physical exercise on neuropathic pain.Materials and Methods: Male wistar rats weighting 200±20 gram were divided into 5 groups: Intact, sham, neuropathic, exercise before neuropathy, and exercise after neuropathy. After anesthesia, rats underwent chronic constriction injury (CCI) procedure to induce neuropathic injury on the left sciatic nerve. After surgery animals were transferred to individual cages and covered with a towel to prevent hypothermia until regaining consciousness. Mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia were detected using von Frey Filament and Plantar test, respectively.Results: Mechanical and thermal withdrawal response thresholds were reduced significantly (P<0.05) in the CCI group than sham and intact groups. On the other hand, there was a significant increase in the mechanical (P<0.01) and thermal (P<0.05) allodynia withdrawal response thresholds in post neuropathic exercise groups than the CCI group.Conclusion: Physical activity following certain models of neuropathic pain may lead to significant reduction in mechanical and thermal allonynia.

Introduction: Varicocelectomy is a common surgical treatment for infertility in men .Due to the fact that infertility treatment is a time-consuming and expensive procedure; this study was aimed to determine the factors associated with the successful surgical procedure, in order to make a better prediction of the outcome of treatment.Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study, the volunteered patients, whom underwent subinguinal varicocelectomy in Semnan Amiralmomenin hospital between 1387 and 1391, were involved in the study. Patient’s information included age, testicular volume, varicocele grade, sperm quality indicators (motility, morphology, count) and the number of the ligated veins were extracted from the medical records. Success in a period of 4 to 12 months after surgery were evaluated according to improved sperm quality (15% improvement in at least two of the sperm parameters) and the occurrence of pregnancy in married patients were followed up by post-surgery semen analysis and phone contacts.Results: Patients (n=134, 116 married and 18 single) with a mean age of 29.49 (± 6.61) participated in the study. The average volume of the testis was 20.19 ± 1.94 ml and the average number of ligated veins was 4.05 ± 1.15. Patients (25.4%) had grade 1 and 74.6% had grade 2 and 3 varicocele. The average motility, morphology and sperm count before surgery were 33.58 +_16.81, 31.95+_15.65 and 35.25+_33.90, respectively and these indexes after surgery were 39.69+_15.94, 34.76+_14.66 and 46.04+_30.72, respectively. The probability of occurrence of pregnancy as well as improvement in sperm quality in patients was 52.2% and 74%, respectively. The chance for improvement in the quality of sperm was significantly associated with higher degrees of varicocele (P =0.004), lesser the motility (P =0.008) and worse the morphology (P =0.013) of the sperm before surgery. Also the occurrence of pregnancy was significantly associated with the lower age (P =0.003), higher testicular volume (P =0.03) and higher grade of varicocele (P =0.004).Conclusion: This study showed that patients who underwent varicocelectomy, those who were younger , with higher grade of varicocele and testicular volume as well as those who had worse sperm quality before surgery, in terms of motility and morphology, gain more benefit from varicocelectomy.

Background and Aim: Swimming pool can transfer many pathogens. Chlorine concentration and swimmers gender are the most effectors on the quality of pool water. The scope of this study was to determine the effect of chlorination, pool depth and swimmer’s gender on the six microbial qualification indices.Materials and Methods: In this descriptive–analytical study which was performed in 2013, thirty six water samples were taken from the different depths of pools (Pools separated by gender) and the chlorination, turbidity and total Coliform, E. Coli, Heterotrophic bacteria, StreptococcusFeacalis, Staphylococcus Aureus and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa were measured.Results: The total average of residual chlorine in the men's and women's pools were 1.47 and 2.47 mg/l respectively, which matched with the standard levels in the country, while the mean of E. Coli, Heterotrophic Plate count and Pseudomonas Aeroginosa concentrations in the both pools were higher than Iranian standards and were more concentrated in the women's pools than the men's. Also, the turbidity was 1.34 and 1.47 NTU respectively, which was higher than the Iranian standards.Conclusion: In spite of the higher concentration of residual chlorine in the women's pool, the average concentrations of microbial indices in the women's pool were higher than the men's. This difference may be related to the swimmers gender. The observed differences in microbial concentrations in different depths of each of the pools and also between men's and women's pools were not significant.

Introduction: Working memory is the capacity to store and control information for a short period of time. This memory is closely related to reading and other academic skills such as spelling, comprehension and mathematics. This study aimed to compare working memory in normal versus dyslexic children.Materials and methods: This was a descriptive-analytic study. Dyslexic group included 30 children randomly selected from the Learning Disability Center of Semnan Department of Education. The control group consisted of 60 primary school students without any academic failure and intellectual problems. Phonological working memories such as; Word Recall, Digits Recall and Non-word Repetition were used for assessments.Results: The experimental and control groups were not different in two factors of age (P=0.880) and sex (P=0.552). Control group scores in word recall, digits recall (forward), and non-word repetition tasks were highly dominated (P<0.001) over dyslexic children.Conclusion: The findings showed that children with dyslexia have lower performance in subtests of phonological working memory. This study indicates the need to raise the awareness of teachers and speech and language therapists to plan designing and implementing educational and interventional programs based on activities related to the working memory for children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities.

Introduction: Investigating the academic literature on commercialization of academic research shows that there are various methods of commercialization assessment and some formal and informal classifications of these methods are presented by specialists. The aim of this research was to assess the ‘research and developmental’ commercialization and access to the results of documented research activities of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences over a period of 10 years.Materials and Methods: In a descriptive-analytical cross sectional study data used in this research included the documented research activities of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences from 1383 to1392. Our statistical population included 10 faculties and 37 research centers.Results: Our finding included: 26 products (mainly pharmaceutical), 65 invention, innovation and exploration, 44 university-industry common programs and 15 knowledge- based firms, establishment of a center for health development, and absorption of 4,325,000 dollars of international grants and gaining 56240 million Rials income by Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. Also in this period 12000 research plans, 14810 presented articles in prestigious internal and foreign magazines, 6178 presented articles at International conferences and 226 volumes of published books.Conclusion: The commercialization of trend research activities of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences has been rising since 1389 and is on the rise.

Introduction: Neurofeedback training is a new therapeutic method with the ability to improve the sustain attention and planning in students with attention deficit disorder through amending electroencephalographic abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of neurofeedback training on sustain attention and planning ability in students with attention deficit disorder.Materials and Methods: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design along with a control group. The statistical population included the elementary school students with attention deficit disorder who referred to Gharchak city counseling center in 2013. Totally, 30 students were selected through available sampling method and randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received 12 sessions of 60 minutes neurofeedback training. The computer-based test of Continuous Performance Test and computer-based test of Tower of London were used to measure the sustain attention and planning, respectively.Results: Our findings showed that the neurofeedback training led to a significant increase in sustain attention and planning ability in students with attention deficit disorder (P<0.05).Conclusion: Our results showed that neurofeedback training method can improve sustain attention and planning in students with attention deficit disorder. Therefore, it is highly suggested that counselors and therapists to use this method for treating students with attention deficit disorder.

Introduction: Prostate cancer, the most prevalent cancer among men, is a steroid hormone receptor-dependent cancer. Mutations in estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ) and progesterone receptor (PR) may cause steroid hormones to be involved as initiators or promoters in prostate carcinogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the association and frequency of incidence of the polymorphisms in the intron1 of ERa, exon 5 of ERb and intron 7 of PR in the risk of prostate cancer.Materials and methods: Prostate cancer patients admitted to the Department of Urology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Science and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India (n=100) and an equal number of matching controls visiting same center underwent PCR-RFLP analysis for ERs and PR genes.Results: In the present case -control study, the results show that those patients with the genotype ERa (-/-) had significantly higher risk for prostate cancer (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.08-6.70, P= 0.03). But There was no association between the Rr genotype of ERb (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 0.52–5.23, P=0.21) and A1/A2 genotype of PR (OR, 1.90; 95% CI, 0.70-5.15; P=0.204) with the risk for prostate cancer.Conclusion: It seems that in the studied population there was an increased risk of prostate cancer among patients carrying ERα (-/-), but not with other genotypes of ERβ and PR genes.

Introduction: Reviewing the previous studies on the relationship between phonological awareness and naming speed are controversial. One of the reasons for this contradiction is the language of the studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between phonological awareness and naming speed in the Farsi speaking students.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, students in second grade and third grade (each, n=15) of public elementary schools in Tehran city (Iran) were involved. The two groups were given rapid automatized naming and phonological awareness tests. Data analysis for two groups was performed and the correlation between task scores in two groups was measured.Results: The performance of two groups was significantly different in sub-tests of naming and initial phoneme deletion, medial phoneme deletion (P=0.001) and naming and final phoneme deletion (P=0.002). There was no significant difference between two groups in sub-tests of words recognition with the same final phoneme and phoneme segmentation. The time for naming letters (P=0.001) and time for naming numbers (P=0.019) were markedly short in the third grade students. There was no significant correlation between rapid naming of letters, numbers, objects and colors with phonological awareness variables in the second and third grade students except that in the third grade students a significant correlation between rapid naming of letters and words recognition with the same final phoneme was observed (P<0.05).Conclusion: The lack of a significant correlation between phonological awareness and naming speed can be indicated that naming speed is independent of phonological awareness in Farsi.

Introduction: The early onset of rehabilitation has an important role in repair of peripheral nerve after injuries along with sensory and motor developments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the recovery rates in median and ulnar nerves and the effective factors in this improvement, year after rehabilitation.Materials and Methods: Sensory and motor functions were evaluated in 33 patients with Ulnar and Median nerve damages, who had been treated by the same surgeon and therapist, by two specialists.Results: participants, %69.7 were males and %30.3 were females with the average age of 31 years. Ulnar, was the nerve with the highest rate of injury (%54.5) and the rest %30.3 injuries were belong to the Median and %15.2 injuries occurred in both Ulnar and Median nerves. The average time interval of the surgery until the beginning of rehabilitation was 10 days. The recovery of sensory and motor function in median nerve injuries was greater in comparison to ulnar nerve damages. Comparing the average changes in ulnar and median nerves injuries in two male and female groups showed no significant difference. Based on the multi-variable Regression, the age was the most important factor in the recovery of the nerve injuries.Conclusion: This study showed that the recovery of the senses and movements in the case of Median nerve injuries was greater than ulnar injuries. The sensory improvement was the most important aspect in this injury treatment and it is also effective in other aspects of the recovery. If the time interval between the surgery and the beginning of rehabilitation was shorter, the outcome of the sensory improvement was better.

Introduction: Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder. This study was aimed to evaluate the effect of multiple injections of melatonin on anxiety like behaviors induced by PTSD.Materials and methods: PTSD induced in 60 male wistar rats, by combining the shock and single-prolonged stress method (S&SPS). Animals received electric shock (1 mA, 2s) for 5 days, and then on the day 6 they underwent three stages of SPS (restrained for 2 hours, forced swimming for 20 minutes and anesthetized by diethyl ether for 15 minutes). Seven days after PTSD induction, elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field tests were performed to measure anxiety profile. Animals received multiple subcutaneous injections of melatonin (5, 10, 15 mg/kg) or saline, within the 7 days after PTSD.Results: The control (saline) and treated (melatonin) groups showed significant differences in the percentage of time spent in open arms of the EPM. Melatonin, at dose of 15mg/kg, significantly increased the time spent in open arms of the EPM than the corresponding control group. Animals who received 10mg/kg melatonin showed a significant increase in crossing behavior in open field test than the corresponding control group.Conclusion: Our study showed that melatonin is able to reduce PTSD-induced anxiety-like behaviors in rats.

Introduction: The relation between herpes zoster (shingles) and malignancy has been studied for many years. It has been well established that the herpes zoster occurs more frequently in patients with known malignancy but, whether that previous herpes zoster is associated with subsequent risk of malignancy is still controversial and so far studies have led to conflicting results. Therefore we designed this study in order to investigate a possible relationship between the previous shingles and subsequent risk of malignancies.Materials and Methods: This case-control study consisted of 268 adult patients (≥ 18 years) with diagnosis of malignancy (case group), who referred to Fatemieh hospital in Semnan, Iran. Oncology diagnosis of malignancy was based on medical history, clinical findings, and laboratory and pathology results. Adult patients without history of malignancy (n=268) were selected as control group. In both groups, age, gender and history information about shingles, type of malignancy and the interval between occurrence of shingles and cancer diagnosis were recorded in a check list. Patients with uncertain shingles history excluded from the study.Results: The age and gender were similar in both control and case groups (p>0.05). History of herpes zoster was positive in 4.9 % (13 patients) of case group and in 10.4% (28 patients) of the control group. The difference between the positive cases in two groups was significant (OR=0.440, 95% CI: 0.22-0.86, p=0.017). The relation between shingles history and malignancy was not significant between genders. Also, the association between shingles history and malignancy in patients with 60 years of age or over was not significant, but association between shingles history and malignancy in patients less than 60 years of age was significant (OR=0.19, 95% CI: 0.05- 0.67, p=0.010).Conclusion: Our findings showed that herpes zoster might not be a risk factor for subsequent malignancy, though in contrast, it may produce a protective effect against the occurrence of malignancy. Further studies with larger samples at the cellular and immunological levels are recommended to more clear the relation between zoster and later malignancies.

Introduction: Around 7% of world population is suffering from diabetes and its widespread complications. There are several studies discussing the beneficial effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on postural sway in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the effects of eccentric exercise on displacement and speed of displacement the center of pressure in these patients have not been studied yet. This study was designed to compare the effect of eccentric and concentric exercises on kinetic indices in type 2 diabetic patients.Materials and Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes (n=28) with a mean of 51.79 years of age (male and female), who referred to the neuromuscular rehabilitation research center of Semnan University of Medical Science, were assigned randomly in either of two experimental eccentric or concentric groups. Before and after intervention, displacement and speed of displacement the center of pressure in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions were measured.Results: Eccentric exercise training significantly reduced displacement the center of pressure in anteroposterior (P=0.016) and mediolateral (P=0.005) directions and speed of displacement in anteroposterior (P=0.020) and mediolateral (P=0.037) directions, in compare to concentric exercise.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that eccentric exercise is more effective than concentric exercise in improving the postural sway in type 2 diabetic patients.

Introduction: Viral hepatitis and HIV are counted as major problems for health of all the communities. Despite remarkable advances in diagnosis, screening, and controlling of these diseases, still the virus transmission by the blood products is one of the most important challenges in blood transfusion centers. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in healthy blood donors in Semnan province (Iran).Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the personal data and lab analysis results of the blood donors who referred to Semnan Blood Transfusion Organization from March 2011 to February 2015 were assessed. The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV in the blood donors were studied during this time.Results: This study was conducted on 42253 blood donors. Within the four years of study, there were 100 cases positive for HBs Ag, 26 cases for HCV and 4 cases were positive for HIV. The prevalence of HBs Ag, HCV Ab and HIV Ab contamination among the donors were 0.237%, 0.062% and 0.009%, respectively. The prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV were higher among the married men and first-time donors.Conclusion: According to the data from the current study, the prevalence of hepatitis infection in Semnan province is lower than many other parts of the world and Iran, which sounds very promising. Furthermore, due to the great need for blood supply, safe blood products and avoiding the waste of blood donor resources, it seems like that the screening process for determining high-risk cases is essential. Likewise, because of the very low prevalence of viral infections in regular blood donors, continuance of using the blood provided by the regular donors must be considered as the priority resource for safe blood supply.

Introduction: Stress has various effects on body systems, including the nervous, endocrine, immune, reproductive and other systems, during neonatal life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydro-alcoholic extract of propolis on structural and evolutional changes in the neonatal rat ovary following weaning stress.Materials and Methods: female rats aged15 days (n=48), weighing 15-20 g, were divided randomly into six groups of eight. Experiments started from the day 15 - 21 after birth. First group (negative control) included 21 days infants without any intervention, the second group (positive control) included infants received (0.1 ml) of saline solution daily and were not weaned all over the experiment, the third group (stress group) included infants who were separated from their mothers only six hours per day. The fourth, fifth and sixth groups of rats received daily weaning stress in addition to 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of Propolis extract. 24 hours after the last injection, serum corticosterone levels were measured. The ovaries were removed and fixed. Sections prepared (5 micrometer) and stained by the methods of H&E and PAS. Histomorphometry was performed using a light microscope equipped with image analysis software.Results: Stress increased the newborn blood serum corticosterone levels and decreased the number of ovarian follicles and oocytes and increased the number of atretic ovarian follicles. However, hydro-alcoholic extract of propolis decreased the corticosterone levels in neonatal rat after stress, increased the number of ovarian follicles and oocytes and decreased the number of atretic ovarian follicles in neonatal rat following stress.Conclusion: This study showed that hydro- alcoholic extract of propolis strongly prevents structural changes in the newborn rat ovaries after stress.

Introduction: Kojic acid with the chemical structure of 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-ˠ-Piron is an organic acid that is biologically produced through aerobic fermentation process by using various substrates and via the function of variety of fungi. This study was aimed to study the optimization of Kojic acid production by Locally Isolated Fungi Aspergillus sp., using ‘Response Surface Methodology’.Materials and Methods: Kojic acid was produced by fermentation of isolated strain of genus Aspergillus in submerged culture medium. Initial investigation in Kojic acid production process was performed via Plackett-Burman method and by using different nitrogen sources such as yeast extract, peptone, ammonium sulfate, ammonium chloride, urea as well as different carbon sources, including fructose, sucrose, glucose, lactose and maltose.Results: Based on our study, peptone and glucose were the most effective factors with carbon and nitrogen sources in production of kojic acid (P<0.05). The next step was production of 34.4g/L kojic acid by optimizing the effect of environmental factors such as temperature, pH, glucose and peptones, such as carbon and nitrogen sources, used in production of kojic acid and by employing ‘Response Surface Methodology’.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, the maximum production of kojic acid can be achieved by using; glucose (%8.71), peptone (37.4%), temperature (29.9oC) and adjusting pH to 6.75 in the production process.