[ consequences of prenatal excess androgen exposure in anatomy of the reproductive system and physiology]

Introduction: The effects of environmental exposure during critical periods of gestational life on fetal growth and development have been confirmed by a large number of studies on human and animal models. Sex hormons are among the most influential environmental factor which affect on growth and development of different organs of fetus. Among them, androgens are the most important ones because they have various sources of production and secretion. Result previous studies that exposure to androgens during pregnancy may act as a teratogenic agent and cause defects, deministrated in offspring's endocrine and neural system developments. Considering the importance of this critical period for the development of some abnormal features in adulthood, basic research and clinical prevention efforts need to be run at this stage. This review article presents evidence on the effect of excessive androgens during fetal life on embryo development and evolution, which can lead to the development of certain phenotypes / diseases in adulthood

[Effect of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan on renal functional indeces in rats]

Background and Objective: Iron oxide nanoparticles have wide applications such as MRI contrast agent and drug delivery. Nevertheless, their effects on human health have not been fully investigated yet. After cellulose, chitin is one of the most abundant organic materials in nature which is widely used in food industry, cosmetics, agriculture, medicine and the environment. This study was done to evaluate the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan on renal functional indeces in rat

Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult female Wistar rats were allocated into 10 equal groups. Concentrations of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/bw from chitosan, iron oxide nanoparticles and chitosan coated nanoparticles were intraperitoneally injected into 9 groups and animals in control group were received normal saline. Blood samples were collected directly from the rat heart in the days 15 and 30 post after injection and renal functional indeces including urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium and total protein were measured

Results: There were no significant differences in the level of urea, creatinine, uric acid, sodium, potassium and total protein in the groups whom received chitosan-coated iron oxide nanoparticles compared to control. There was no mortality during the study time

Conclusion: Short-term using of iron oxide nanoparticles coated with chitosan does not create any toxicity in the rat kidney

[Phytochemical and morphophysiological responses of dill [anethum graveolens l.] to foliar application of potassium sulfate and methanol biostimulant]

Background: The application of methanol biostimulant and potassium sulfate with reducing of photorespiration and transpiration in C3 plants, increasing the absorption of water and food, and biosynthesis of amino acids can have a direct or indirect effect on the growth and metabolic index of plants

Objective: This study was directed to investigate the effect of methanol and potassium sulfate foliar application on morpho-physiological and phytochemical changes in dill

Methods: This study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on randomized complete block design at institute of medicinal plants. Experimental treatments included foliar application of methanol at 3 levels [0, 20, 40 v/v%] and potassium sulfate at 4 levels [0, 1, 1.5, 2 g.L]

Results: Methanol application increased the leaf and stem dry weight, and inflorescence fresh weight. Foliar application of different levels of potassium sulfate also increased the plant height, leaf dry weight, and inflorescence and shoot fresh weight. The use of methanol was not effective on the amount of essential oil in the dill. But, increased the amount of "-pienene. Low concentration of methanol increased the content of thymol, myrcene, "-phellandrene, and P-cymenen. So, increasing the concentration of methanol reduced their amount

Conclusion: Phytochemical and morphophysiological traits of dill were increased with application of methanol and potassium sulfate. As, the highest amount of leaf and stem dry weight, inflorescence fresh weight, and a-pienene was obtained with 40% methanol application. Also, the use of 2 g.L[-1] of potassium sulfate produced the highest amount of plant height, leaf dry weight, inflorescence and shoot fresh weight

[ effects of prenatal excess androgens exposure on the gene expression]

Introduction: Prenatal exposure to excess androgens, as environmental factors affecting the fetal epigenome, and also a potent agent for developing special phenotypes in adulthood, has been the subject of many studies during recent decades. Results of various molecular studies conducted in this area indicate that exposure to androgens, during certain periods of growth and development of the fetus, affects cellular processes, tissues and organ development leading to phenotype and behavior alterations, one of which is causing susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome in adulthood. Testosterone, the most important androgen, has interfering effects in metabolic and endocrine pathways, usually a result of epigenetic changes. In recognition of diverted pathways leading to the development of disease conditions and considering possible interventions at the molecular level in these directions, control of prenatal environment and conditions can be taken to account as the first and most important step in prevention of related diseases. This article reviews the studies on the epigenetic and gene expression changes of various biological pathways as a result of this exposure, using the polycystic ovarian syndrome as an appropriate model to illustrate this exposure

Validation of Persian version of WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire in Islamic Republic of Iran

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to validate the first Persian version of the WHOQOL-HIV BREF questionnaire. The study sample comprised 61 patients regularly attending the outpatient infectious disease clinic consultation centre for patients with behavioural disorders in 2013-2014. The internal consistency, content related validity and reliability of WHOQOL-HIV BREF were evaluated. Content validity was quantified using the content validity ratio [CVR] according the to Lawshe formula. CVR > 0.51 and mean judgment > 2 were significant at P = 0.05. The Cronbach alpha score was > 0.7 for each domain and = 0.87 for the whole scale, indicating good reliability. Item-to-total correlation coefficient between each item and its respective domain was 0.39-0.87. The correlation between each domain and overall QOL was excellent. This study demonstrates that the Persian version of WHOQOL-HIV BREF is a valid and reliable tool for evaluation of QOL in HIV-infected patients

[Factors affecting the development of evidence-based health policy papers at the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Education]

Introduction: successful reduction in the gap between applied knowledge and pure knowledge, depends on the identification of factors affecting it .The objective of the study was to identify the barriers and facilitators to the development of evidence-based papers from the perspective of their producers at the Ministry of Health Care and Medical Education headquarter office

Methods: qualitative approach and framework analysis were used in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of producers of evidence-based policy papers. MAXQDA10 Software was used to applying the codes and managing the data

Results: three themes of behavioral beliefs, normative beliefs and control beliefs and 18 subthemes were identified. Behavioral beliefs included: knowledge and innovation, quality of policy papers, use of resources, contextualization and time-consuming; normative beliefs consisted of policymakers, policy authorities, policy administrators, and co-workers; and control beliefs involved: access to evidence, recruitment policy, management and policy stability, performance management, empowerment, policy making process, physical environment, and competing factors

Conclusion: most of the barriers were related to control beliefs. This finding corresponds to 85/15 rule in TQM [Total Quality Management]. This theory-based study identified the factors influencing the development of evidence-based policy papers in terms of all the components of theory of planned behavior, but the factors identified in the exploratory studies were related to one component of the theory. This finding advocates the theoretical approach to identify affecting factors on a behavior

Determination of volatile oil constituents in root and shoot of Moringa peregrina [Forssk.] Fiori in saline soil

Moringa peregrina [Forssk.] Fiori. is a small tree, which grows in south east of Iran. The shoot and root of M. peregrina contain volatile oil which has several isothiocyanates. To study the effect of salinity on volatile constituents of root and shoot of M. peregrina. The experiment was conducted on randomized complete blocks design [RCBD] with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The treatments were consist of control, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 dS/m. The volatile constituents were determined by GC and GC/MS. The results showed that the main constituent of volatile oil in control treatment was 1,2-benzendicarboxylic acid, bis [2-methyl propyl] [29.02%] which decreased with increasing salinity. In salinity treatments, the isothiocyanates compounds such as isobutylisothiocyanate and 2-isothiocyanatepropan were increased. In control level of salinity, the main compound of root volatile oil was thiocyanic acid phenylmethyl ester [29.6%] but was not found in the salinity treatment. The content of isothiocyanates in the shoot increased with increasing salinity up to 4dS/m. The level of salinity had significant effect on volatile oil content and component of M. peregrina

[Prevalence of clinical manifestations of pre-menstrual syndrome and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder among medical students in Gorgan, Iran [2010]]

Due to high prevalence of pre-menstrual syndrome [PMS] and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder [PMDD] and its effect on the educational, professional activities and familial behaviors, this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of clinical manifestations of pre-menstrual syndrome and pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder in medical students. This descriptive-analytic study was done on 162 female medical students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences in Gorgan, Iran during 2010. Demographic characteristics and PMS and PMDD clinical manifestations questionnaire based on DSM-IV-TR and ACOG criteria was filled for each subject. Mean age and menarche age of subjects was 22.2 +/- 2.5 and 13.3 +/- 1.2 years, respectively. 145 students [89.5%] were single. 57.4% and 22.8% of participants fulfilled the criteria of PMS and PMDD, respectively. The most frequent affective and somatic symptom was lethargy and fatigability [57.4%] followed by sensation of bloating and weight gain [45.7%]. The lowest frequent somatic and affective symptoms were dyspnea [8%] and insomnia [1.2%], respectively. There was significant correlation between the prevalence of PMDD and chronical and menarche age [P<0.05]. Pre-menstrual syndrome is a prevalent disorder in medical students of Golestan University of medical sciences in Iran

[ survey of the role of humans' risk factors in the severity of road traffic injuries on urban and rural roads]

This study was conducted to determine the role of human risk factors in the severity of road traffic accidents on urban and rural roads. All data from road traffic-injured subjects [census, 592168] which were registered by the Fava system [COM forms] were investigated. Human risk factors due to road traffic injuries and the Odds ratio were calculated using an ordinal regression model and adjusted to probable confounding risk factors such as age, gender and lighting system in urban and rural roads. The mean age of the subjects was 34.1 +/- 14.0 years. Among human risk factors, the highest percentage [69.9%] was allocated to the disregard of rules and legislation. The Odds ratio of an accident being fatal or non-fatal in inner city roads to alcohol users was 6.5 times more than for those who did not have this risk factor [OR: 6.5, CI: 4.88-8.65]. In outer city roads it was also the highest among other ratios [OR: 1.73, CI 1.22-3.29]. In spite of the fact that alcohol had the highest effect on the severity of road traffic injuries, but acknowledging the low prevalence of this factor and its outcome on lower attributable risks when compared to other factors, it is a better prevention program to focus on those factors which are more prevalent, such as the disregard of rules and legislation and speed.

[Fuzzy clustering of medical sciences universities in Iran on the basis of medical indices in 2008]

Introduction: Prescribing and consuming drugs on a standard base is an important undertaking in health organizations. Achievements in promoting quality standards in prescription and drug consumption have decreased the related indices in Iran. This study focused on identifying homogenous groups among universities of medical sciences in terms of social infrastructure, economic differences and cultural climate dominating different regions

Methods: Homogenous clusters were obtained on the basis of drug prescription indices using fuzzy clustering method among universities of medical sciences in 2009. Data were analyzed by R software for 30 medical universities

Results: Medical universities were divided into 4 clusters by fuzzy clustering method. Each cluster had elements appearing to have similarities in terms of the indices under the study. Among these clusters, the fourth cluster belonged to Golestan province with the highest average prescription in the provinces under the study

Conclusion: The findings of the study suggest that Golestan province requires a change in the culture of drug prescription and consumption

[General health of beta-thalassemia major patients in Gorgan, Iran]

Thalassemias is the most common inherited disease in the world. This study was designed to assess general health of patients with beta-thalassemia major in Gorgan, northern Iran. This descriptive study was performed on 163 patients with beta-thalassemia major whom referred to Thalghani hospital in Gorgan, northern Iran. Socio-Psychosocial status of patients was assessed by using general health questionnaire-28 [GHQ-28]. Socio-Psychosocial status of 44.2%, 46% and 9.8% of patients was normal, suspected and suffered from psychosocial disorders, respectively. Social dysfunction [12.9%] and depression [10.4%] were the most prevalent and anxiety was the less prevalent [4.9%] in the patients. There were significant correlations between psychosocial status and mother's ocupation [P<0.05], patients level of education [P<0.05] and history of associated diseases [P<0.05]. Social dysfunction and depression were the two major general health complications in betathalassemia patients in this region

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Ferula gummosa Boiss. [Barije.] contain medical and antimicrobial properties. This study was done to determine the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this laboratory study, the plant was dried in dark place and aqueous, alcoholic extracts of Barije's root, powder were prepared using Soxhlet method. The efficacy of 0.1 dilution of different values of extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa [PTCC 1430] were evaluated by disk diffusion, Agar-well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] methods. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely resistant to the aqueous extract, and the MIC for the methanol and ethanol extracts was 1.25x10[4] microg/ml and 6.25x10[3] microg/ml, respectively. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. have antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in in-vitro model

[Study of road traffic injuries risk factors by geographic information system [GIS] in 2009]

Using Geographical Information System [GIS] can decreases the burden of road traffic injuries effectively by identification of hot spot to modification in hazardous areas. The aim of the study was determining geographical distribution of human risk factors associated with road traffic injuries by using Geographical Information System [GIS] in Iran. The national database of road traffic injuries registered by the Iranian traffic Police [Rahvar NAJA] was used. The human risk factors were investigated by recognition of the hazardous points and geographical distribution of associated risk factors. The Hot Spot Analysis and Map clustering approaches were employed to meet the objectives. The mean age of injured subjects was 34 years and the most affected age group was 20-39 years. Death and injury occurrence within out of cities ways were 0.3% and 28% respectively. Geographical distribution of risk factors also showed that roads of Northern provinces i.e. [Gilaan and Mazandaran] were the hazardous rising as well as Qazvin to Rasht and Qom to Tehran roads. Sistan and Balochestan Provinces and Tehran had the highest [4.8%] and the lowest [0.1%] rates of road traffic injuries leading to death in the country. Northern provinces and its leading axes by hazardous rising and Sistan and Balochestan province with fatal injuries need to identify the cause of injuries' and, if necessary, more tighten regulations and more controls by the traffic police must be applied.

[Bayesian model for work-related accidents in Iran: 2009]

Introduction: It is of prime importance to consider the pattern and geographical changes of a disease, in each community independently, to determine high and low risk areas. Mapping diseases is a set of statistical methods which attempt to provide precise maps by which the geographical distribution of a disease is estimated. In this study, Bayesian methods were applied to estimate the relative death rate of work-related accidents in Iran

Methods: For the purpose of this study, the data of work-related accidents of Iran in 2009 were analyzed. To estimate the parameters of the map, empirical Bayes method [Poisson-Gamma method] was applied using Winbugs 1.4 software. Moreover, the Arc GIs 9.2 software was used to set relative incidence of death and accident related maps

Results: Regarding the estimates achieved by empirical Bayes method and applying Poisson-Gamma for the incidence of work related accidents in 2009, the maximum and minimum prevalence risk rate among men was 2.991 in Markazi province and 0.457 in Khorasan Razavi province, while they were 3.848 in Semnan province and 0.243 in Hormozgan province for women

Conclusion: Overall, the incidence of work-related accidents follows no specific geographical distribution pattern and in most provinces the pattern was different for men and women in Iran. By and large, the incidence of these events in the neighboring provinces of Tehran is more than the other parts of the country

[Silent stroke and related risk factors]

The silent brain infarctions are common in first-ever stroke. Some recent studies show the possible role of silent brain infarction in ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of silent brain infarction in acute first-ever ischemic stroke and its association with stroke risk factors. This descriptive - analytical study was carried out on 203 [94 males, 109 females] patients with acute first-ever ischemic stroke in Shafa hospital in Kerman, Iran during 2010. The diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made by physical examination and was confirmed by MRI and CT Scan. A questionnaire containing demographic information and risk factors including hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, ischemic and non-ischemic heart disease for stroke as well as presence of silent stroke was completed for each patient. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and logistic regression test. The mean age of patients was 62.56 +/- 17.35 years. Among our patients history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cigarette smoking, diabetes, history of ischemic heart disease, history of other cardiac disease and silent stroke were observed in 66 [32.5%], 26 [12.8%], 16 [7.9%], 40 [19.7%], 27 [13.3%], 16 [7.9%] and 31 [15.3%], respectively. The probability of silent stroke among patient with hyperlipidemia, was 3.7 times more than those without hyperlipidemia [95%CI: 1.556-12.780, P<0.05]. There was no significant correlation between silent stroke and the above risk factors. Silent stroke was found in 15% of patients with ischemic stroke. Control of hyperlipidemia can have a vital role in the prevention of silent stroke

Axenic cultivation and pathogenic assays of acanthamoeba strains using physical parameters

The main goal of the present study was to set up an axenic cultivation of Acanthamoeba and assess the pathogenic ability of T4 genotypes from different clinical and environmental strains of Acanthamoeba using two physical assays. Sixteen Acanthamoeba isolates including 10 environmental and 6 clinical strains were cultured axenically. Axenic cultivation was performed using Proteosepepton, yeast extract and glucose medium and TY-I-S33culture. Pathogenic survey was done using osmotolerance and thermotolerance assay. Briefly, differentosmolarity [0.5 M and 1 M] of non-nutrient agar plates were performed. One hundred fiftymicrol of axenic culture were collected and were inoculated in 1% agar medium. For thermotolerance assay 150 micro L of amoebas from axenic culture were divided into fresh culture mediums. Cultures were incubated at 37degreeC and 42degreeC. All plates were monitored for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. Overall, 16 strains of Acanthamoeba isolates previously genotyped as T4 were cultivated axenically after several months. Thermotolerance and osmotolerance assay revealed that all of clinical strains, soil and animal feces strains were highly pathogenic isolates. Two dust and water strains did not grow at high temperature [42degreeC] and osmolarity [1.5 M] and thus they were classified as weak pathogens. Most of T4 genotypes are highly pathogenic organisms. This is an important finding since Acanthamoeba belonging to T4 type is the predominate genotype in environmental and clinical samples. The presence of highly pathogenic Acanthamoeba may pose a risk within susceptible people.

[Comparing the effectiveness of psychological debriefing, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, and imaginal exposure on treatment of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder]

Post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] is considered as one of the most prevalent disorder during the life time and can negatively influence the individual, family and social relationships of patients; so, prevention and treatment of this disorder is highly important. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing [EMDR], psychological debriefing [PD], and imaginal exposure [IE] are some treatment but there is controversy about long effects of these treatments, especially among chronic patients. In a semi experimental study, a total of 54 adult male patients, based on Davidson scale and psychiatric diagnostic, were randomly selected, and then were divided into 3 equal therapy groups. All participants were evaluated before, after and 3 months after the treatment. Data were analyzed through the repeated variance and Duncan post-hoc tests. Psychological debriefing and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing were better than imaginal exposure in relief of chronic post-traumatic stress disorder signs and remaining the effectiveness in three months follow-up. It is concluded that all of the above methods are effective on chronic post-traumatic stress disorder and the efficacy of the therapeutic techniques would be still in force even after 3 months. Considering the importance of psychological interventions, it is necessary that such methods be taught to psychologists so that they can use them after traumatic accidents

Seroepidemiology of HBV infection in South-East of Iran; a population based study

Hepatitis B virus [HBV] infection is a major risk factor of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma affecting billions of people globally. Since information on its prevalence in general population is mandatory for formulating effective policies, this population based serological survey was conducted in Sistan and Baluchistan, where no previous epidemiological data were available. Using random cluster sampling 3989 healthy subjects were selected from 9 districts of Sistan and Baluchistan Province in southeastern Iran. The subjects' age ranged from 6 to 65 years old. Serum samples were tested for HBcAb, HBsAg. Screening tests were carried out by the third generation of ELISA. Various risk factors were recorded and multivariate analysis was performed. The prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb in Sistan and Baluchistan was 3.38% [95% CI 2.85; 3.98] and 23.58% [95% CI 22.29; 24.93] respectively. We found 8 cases of positive anti-HDV antibody. Predictors of HBsAg or HBcAb in multivariate analysis were age, marital status and addiction. The rate of HBV infection in Sistan and Baluchistan was higher than other parts of Iran. Approxi-mately 25% of general population in this province had previous exposure to HBV and 3% were HBsAg carriers. Intrafamilial and addiction were major routes of HBV transmission in this province

[Survey validity of translation for Persian and cultural adaptation of Fatigue Impact Scale [FIS] questionnaire in multiple sclerosis patients in Iran]

Fatigue is one of the most common problem of multiple sclerosis. It is a sign of inefficiency in the physical, social, and cognitive function. It is a major factor in limiting the responsibilities of social work of patients. The aim of this study was to translate and culturally adapt the Fatigue Impact Scale [FIS] in Iranian and create an appropriate tool for measuring the impact of fatigue and effectiveness of treatment and also rehabilitation interventions on fatigue in Iranian patients. In order to use the FIS in Iranian patients, the forward and backward translation and assessing the patient's perspective was done and the Persian version of the questionnaire was prepared. The questionnaire was completed by twenty patients with multiple sclerosis. The time duration of filling out of each questionnaire took ten to twenty minutes .The final corrections was carried out. All questions of patients was acceptable and understandable and questions of "sexual activity" was completed only by married patients. The question of "financial support" was completed only by employed person [working people]. Finally, as much as possible, this questionnaire was adapted with Iranian culture and sentences were confirmed by MAPI Institute. Persian version of the FIS is an appropriate tool for measuring the impact of fatigue, effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation interventions on fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis

[Experimental comparison of hygroscopic expansion in three different composite resins]

These days dental composites are very popular because they look good and are similar to human teeth regarding color. Hygroscopic expansion is one of the physical properties of dental composites. A dental composite may lose its efficiency as a restoration material because of water absorption. The objective of this study was to compare the hygroscopic expansion of three dental composites. In this experimental study, to assess the effective factors of hygroscopic expansion, we used three different dental composites [Kalore, P90 and Z250]. The length of these composites in water and saliva were measured eighteen times in a three-month period. We used the marginal modeling technique, in which the correlation between response data can be included for analysis. The results of marginal modeling showed that the type of composite is significantly related to hygroscopic expansion [P<0.05]; demonstrating the highest hygroscopic expansion for P90 and the lowest for Z250. In addition, time as an independent variable had a statistically significant effect on hygroscopic expansion [P<0.05]. However, we found no significant difference between the hygroscopic expansion of saliva and water [P>0.05]. Overall, our findings showed that hygroscopic expansion is significantly related to the type of composite and time. Therefore, we should utilize the composites with lower hygroscopic expansion [such as Z250] for filling the patients' teeth